With the Ban He Tribe leading the way, Jian Mo and his group arrived at the tribe’s settlement.
The Ban He Tribe’s homes were similar in size and structure to those in the Eighteen Bends Tribe, but their location in a warm, humid basin made their houses appear rounder and cozier. The thatched roofs were thicker, adding to the charm of the picturesque village.
Members of the caravan whispered among themselves:
“This place is so beautiful!”
“Their houses look so delicate. Do their beast forms fit inside?”
“I think their beast forms are similar to those of the Rain Rise Tribe, so they should be fine.”
Hearing the praise, the Ban He Tribe members puffed out their chests proudly, their faces glowing with satisfaction.
A messenger ran off to inform their chief.
Soon, the Ban He Tribe’s leader, Zuo Han, emerged with a welcoming party, extending a warm reception to the caravan. After exchanging pleasantries, the caravan members brought up their interest in trading for Ban He Mushrooms.
Zuo Han agreed readily but asked, “Which type of Ban He Mushrooms are you looking for?”
The caravan members were puzzled. “You have more than one kind?”
Zuo Han nodded. “Yes, generally speaking, there are two types: the ones we gather from the wild and the ones we cultivate ourselves.”
Hearing this, Jian Mo’s eyes lit up.
Ban Ming raised his voice to ask, “Chief Zuo Han, do you grow your mushrooms in the ground?”
Zuo Han shook his head. “No, we grow them on wood.”
Curiosity rippled through the group as they murmured among themselves.
Yun Long asked, “Can we see them?”
Zuo Han smiled. “Of course! If you’d like, I can take you there now.”
Following Zuo Han, the group made their way through the Ban He Tribe’s village to an open area behind it. There, they found a large collection of wooden logs, each sprouting clusters of mushrooms. The mushrooms looked plump and tender, their caps tightly furled, likely because they had just been harvested.
Jian Mo quietly counted over two hundred logs. The size of the Ban He Tribe’s mushroom farm left everyone astonished.
Zuo Han pointed to the mushrooms and explained, “If you’re interested in the wild Ban He Mushrooms, you’ll need to wait a couple of days. But the cultivated ones can be harvested this evening and tomorrow morning, so we can provide those right away.”
Yun Long asked, “What’s the difference between your cultivated mushrooms and the wild ones? I noticed you ask for twice as many goods in exchange for the wild ones.”
Zuo Han replied, “The wild mushrooms have a more intense, rich flavor. The cultivated ones, on the other hand, are plumper and more uniform, without any damage from birds or insects. We harvest them at their peak freshness.”
He then offered a suggestion. “Why don’t you stay with us for a day or two? Tonight, we’ll cook some mushrooms for you to try. That way, you can decide which ones you’d like to trade for.”
After some discussion, the group agreed to stay and sample the Ban He Mushrooms. They figured they wouldn’t be able to leave today anyway, so they might as well wait and see if it was worth staying longer.
Zuo Han made another generous proposal: they could spend the afternoon gathering wild mushrooms. Anything they picked would be theirs to keep, free of charge.
Excited by the idea, the group cheered and eagerly prepared for the outing.
As they returned to the village to grab tools, Ao Xi ran up to Jian Mo and whispered, “Doctor Jian Mo, my brother seems to have gone out. Can we see you tonight instead?”
Jian Mo nodded. “Of course.”
Relieved, Ao Xi grinned. “I’ll make sure to bring him to you tonight. Are you heading out to gather mushrooms? I’ll join you and show you the way.”
Jian Mo chuckled. “That would be great. Thank you for guiding us.”
Ao Xi waved it off. “No trouble at all. Let’s get some baskets and go!”
Led by the Ban He Tribe, the caravan soon reached a lush forest filled with wild mushrooms. They spread out to forage.
Although the caravan members were experienced gatherers, the Ban He Mushrooms proved challenging to harvest. The mushrooms were exceptionally delicate. Many they found were either overripe and slimy, half-eaten by wildlife, or wilted from rainwater.
Ban Ming and a few others, who hadn’t spoken to Jian Mo in a while, gathered around him to grumble:
“Brother Jian Mo, there are so many mushrooms here, and Ban He Mushrooms aren’t even rare.”
“They spoil so easily. Why are these mushrooms so delicate?”
“Maybe the Ban He Tribe just wants to make us think they’re hard to gather so they can trade for more goods.”
Jian Mo, with his heightened hearing, winced. Their whispers felt as loud as shouts in the quiet forest. He lowered his voice. “Keep it down.”
“They can’t hear us,” Ban Ming protested.
“They absolutely can,” Jian Mo muttered.
He glanced around. The Ban He Tribe members didn’t show any signs of reacting, their expressions were calm and unchanged. Jian Mo couldn’t tell if they genuinely hadn’t heard or were just pretending not to.
After a grueling afternoon of crawling through the forest and ending up filthy, the group managed to gather only a few intact Ban He Mushrooms.
Returning to the village, the Ban He Tribe members, seeing their exhausted state, urged them to bathe. Separate bath areas were arranged for the beastmen and sub-beastmen.
Once everyone was clean and rested, dinner was ready.
They gathered on the open grassland to eat. The Ban He Tribe’s meals were similar to those of the Eighteen Bends Tribe, with dishes like mushroom soup, cold wild greens, and cured meat. However, tonight’s mushrooms included the famed Ban He Mushrooms.
Jian Mo sampled a couple of dishes before his attention was drawn to a plate of fried mushrooms in the center.
The fried mushrooms were dark brown and crispy, resembling torn strips of beef jerky. The presentation wasn’t appealing, but Jian Mo noticed nearly everyone from the Ban He Tribe was reaching for them.
Jian Mo decided to test one of the fried mushrooms with his fork.
As soon as the crispy mushroom entered his mouth, its rich and savory flavors unfolded. It had a texture reminiscent of fried meat but was even more tender and flavorful. Even with just a simple sprinkle of salt, the taste was incredible.
His eyes lit up with amazement. Nudging Wu Jiong with his elbow, he urged, “You have to try these fried mushrooms in the center.”
Wu Jiong picked one up with his fork and sampled it.
“Well? Tastes great, doesn’t it?” Jian Mo asked eagerly.
Wu Jiong nodded in agreement.
The others quickly caught on and began reaching for the fried mushrooms with their forks.
Jian Mo managed to snag another piece for himself, savoring it with evident delight, though he hesitated to compete with the rest of the group for more.
The others, however, had no such reservations. They dived in with enthusiasm, forking up the crispy treats.
One beastman, unable to resist, asked the Ban He Tribe if he could take the nearly empty dish of fried mushrooms. After receiving permission, he carried it off to mix the leftover oil with some root vegetables for an improvised meal.
Jian Mo turned back to the Ban He Tribe members, listening intently as they explained that the fried mushrooms were made exclusively with wild Ban He Mushrooms. No other type of mushroom could replicate the same flavor.
Elbowing Wu Jiong again, Jian Mo whispered, “We should definitely trade for more Ban He Mushrooms before we leave.”
Wu Jiong nodded, smoothly picking up a piece of cured meat from the table and placing it in Jian Mo’s bowl. Without missing a beat, he then took a large piece of fried Ban He Mushroom from his own bowl and added it to Jian Mo’s.
The gesture was so natural that no one else noticed.
Jian Mo’s eyes widened in surprise, but Wu Jiong’s expression remained calm as he said with a faint smile, “When we get back, let’s fry some ourselves.”
Jian Mo grinned. “Absolutely. We’ll eat as much as we want.”
After dinner, the group helped clean up, washing dishes and utensils. Just as they were about to head back to their accommodations, Ao Xi appeared, waving them over.
“Doctor Jian Mo, this way!”
Jian Mo sighed internally. It seemed Ao Xi’s brother wasn’t keen on seeing a doctor.
Ao Xi’s older brother, Ao Shen, was a tall beastman with tan skin and short, spiky hair that was surprisingly well-kept, giving him a sharp yet appealing look.
As Ao Xi pulled Jian Mo closer, Ao Shen nodded slightly in greeting. “Sorry for the trouble, Doctor Jian Mo, but I’m really fine. There’s no need for an examination.”
Ao Xi immediately protested, raising his voice. “You think just saying you’re fine makes it true? How many times have you coughed in the past two years?”
Ao Shen frowned. “I’ve tried all kinds of medicines and treatments from nearby tribes, and none of them worked. I’ve gotten used to it.”
Ao Xi wasn’t having it. He grabbed Ao Shen with one hand and Jian Mo with the other, exclaiming, “Doctor Jian Mo is already here! Just let him take a look! What do you have to lose?”
Jian Mo, liking Ao Xi’s straightforward nature, tried to reason with Ao Shen. “Why don’t you just tell me about your symptoms first?”
Ao Shen reluctantly complied. “It’s mostly at night. I get nasal congestion, coughing, and runny nose. I’ve seen shamans and tried herbal remedies from several tribes, but nothing has worked. It’s more trouble than it’s worth.”
Listening closely, Jian Mo suspected it might be a case of nasal inflammation. However, a full examination was still necessary.
With Ao Xi’s insistence, Ao Shen grudgingly cooperated. After a thorough check-up, Jian Mo was almost certain it was chronic nasal inflammation.
This wasn’t good news. Nasal conditions could be persistent and difficult to treat, even in modern times with advanced medicine, let alone in a setting like this.
Ao Shen noticed Jian Mo’s furrowed brow. “Is it hopeless?”
Jian Mo answered honestly, “It’s complicated. I don’t have the right medicine here, so I can’t treat it effectively.”
As a veterinarian, Jian Mo’s knowledge of human medical conditions was limited, and nasal issues were far from his area of expertise.
Ao Shen sighed, as though he had anticipated this. “Thanks for taking the time, Doctor Jian Mo.”
Jian Mo waved it off. “I didn’t do much.”
Turning to Ao Xi, Ao Shen instructed, “Escort Doctor Jian Mo back. Also, take the freshly grown Ban He Mushrooms from my room, dry them, and give them to him.”
Jian Mo’s sensitive ears twitched. He immediately stopped Ao Shen. “Wait a second—you said you’re growing Ban He Mushrooms in your room?”
Ao Shen seemed puzzled. “Why? I grow some on wooden logs indoors. The evening batch hasn’t been harvested yet.”
Jian Mo’s expression turned serious. “Can I see them? I think they might be related to your symptoms.”
Ao Shen hesitated, his gaze scrutinizing Jian Mo.
Ao Xi tugged at Ao Shen’s arm. “Brother!”
Finally, Ao Shen relented. “Fine. Ao Xi, show him.”
Ao Xi eagerly led Jian Mo to Ao Shen’s room.
As soon as Jian Mo entered, a strong mushroom scent hit him—a sweet yet musty smell that felt almost oppressive.
Scanning the small space, Jian Mo quickly noticed a wall entirely made of wooden logs, all sprouting lush Ban He Mushrooms. The mushrooms were plump and healthy, growing in dense clusters.
Jian Mo felt a chill run down his spine. Turning to Ao Shen, who stood outside the doorway, he asked sharply, “Why are you growing mushrooms indoors?”
Ao Shen replied matter-of-factly, “It’s warmer and more humid inside, so the mushrooms grow better.”
Jian Mo pinched the bridge of his nose. “But this could give you mushroom lung!”
Ao Xi, startled by the term, leaned in with concern. “What’s mushroom lung?”
Jian Mo explained patiently, “Your tribe grows mushrooms, so you know they produce tiny ‘seeds,’ right?”
Ao Xi nodded. “Yes, we use large mushrooms to spread the seeds onto logs to grow new ones.”
Jian Mo continued, “Those seeds are extremely tiny. When mushrooms mature, they release a massive amount of these ‘seeds’—called spores—into the air. If you inhale too many spores, they can irritate your lungs and cause breathing problems.”
He recounted how, during his studies, mushroom cultivation had become a popular hobby among his peers. Some had kept mushroom kits in their bedrooms. When the mushrooms released their spores, it often triggered severe allergies, with some even developing persistent lung issues.
Mushrooms are fungi, and the warm, moist environment of the lungs is ideal for spore growth.
Jian Mo recalled how his school had once issued warnings about this very issue after some students had started growing mushrooms in their dorms. To see such a massive setup in someone’s bedroom now was shocking.
Ao Shen didn’t look convinced.
Jian Mo asked, “Did your discomfort begin after you started growing mushrooms indoors? When the mushrooms grow fully, do your symptoms worsen, and when they’re not growing, do you feel better?”
Ao Shen hesitated before replying, “I’ve been uncomfortable since I was a kid.”
Jian Mo thought for a moment. “Were you exposed to mushrooms a lot as a child?”
Ao Shen frowned, remaining silent.
Ao Xi, sensing an opportunity, brightened up. “Brother, you might not remember your childhood clearly, but the tribe leader would know! I’ll go fetch him!”
Ao Shen protested, “This is just a small issue. There’s no need to bother the tribe leader.”
Ao Xi retorted, “The tribe leader cares about your health. He won’t see this as a bother.”
With that, Ao Xi bolted out the door, soon returning with Zuo Han, the tribe leader.
Zuo Han listened to a quick rundown of Ao Shen’s situation. Hearing that mushrooms might be the cause, he thoughtfully said, “Our tribe has been working with Ban He Mushrooms for generations, and we’ve cultivated them for a long time. Ao Shen must have been exposed to them even as a child.”
Jian Mo nodded. “That makes it highly likely the mushrooms are to blame. To confirm, we can try a simple experiment.”
Zuo Han leaned forward, intrigued. “What do we need to do?”
Jian Mo turned to Ao Shen. “First, move out of this room to one that hasn’t been used to grow mushrooms, to avoid lingering spores. For now, stay away from mushrooms entirely. If you must handle them, wear a mask.”
“Mask?” Zuo Han asked.
Jian Mo explained, “It’s the item I wore over my face before. I have a new one I can give you.”
Zuo Han nodded enthusiastically. “That sounds reasonable. Thank you for the suggestion.”
Turning to Ao Shen, Zuo Han added, “Listen to Doctor Jian Mo. You’ve been dealing with this illness for so many years—it’s hard on you and worrying for Ao Xi. He’s gone to great lengths to seek help from different tribes. You owe it to yourself and him to try.”
Ao Shen frowned deeply but eventually relented. “Fine. Thank you, Doctor Jian Mo.”
Jian Mo responded with a polite, “You’re welcome.”
Zuo Han instructed, “Move into the empty house at the front of the tribe. I’ll arrange for someone to help you clean it.”
Ao Shen nodded again.
Jian Mo fetched a fresh mask for Ao Shen, who, despite some reluctance, thanked him politely before putting it on.
Ao Xi eagerly helped Ao Shen move into the new house, repeatedly bowing to Jian Mo in gratitude.
The following morning, Ao Xi hurried to Ao Shen’s temporary house as soon as dawn broke, knocking loudly on the door.
“Brother, are you awake? Are you feeling better today?”
From inside, Ao Shen’s voice came, tinged with exasperation. “Can’t you let me sleep a bit longer? I’ll tell you how I’m doing later anyway.”
Ao Xi insisted, “I want to know now! Are you feeling better or not?”
The door opened, and Ao Shen stood there. “Yes.”
Ao Xi’s eyes sparkled with excitement. “Is that a ‘yes, I feel better’ or a ‘yes, I feel the same’? Do you have any nasal discharge? Let me see!”
Without waiting, Ao Xi reached out to pinch Ao Shen’s nose.
Ao Shen dodged and grabbed Ao Xi’s wrists. “Aren’t you disgusted?”
“Not at all! This is for your health. Show me!” Ao Xi demanded.
Ao Shen sighed. “It’s just clear mucus now. My nose isn’t as congested.”
Ao Xi cheered, “That means it’s working! Doctor Jian Mo is amazing—truly a miracle worker praised by so many tribes. I have to tell him the good news!”
Ao Shen didn’t protest, watching as Ao Xi bolted off.
Ao Xi arrived at Jian Mo’s temporary room and politely knocked, listening for any sound inside. He didn’t want to disturb them if they were still asleep.
Jian Mo’s keen hearing had already detected Ao Xi’s footsteps as he approached, so he was fully awake when Ao Xi knocked.
Wu Jiong, dressed and ready, went to open the door.
Ao Xi greeted him with a nod, then eagerly leaned in to share the news. “Doctor Jian Mo, my brother’s feeling better! Your method worked!”
Jian Mo stepped closer. “Really? What’s his condition now?”
Ao Xi excitedly recounted, “Only clear mucus now, and he doesn’t sound so nasal when he talks. He even seems more energetic!”
Jian Mo nodded thoughtfully. “It’s likely an allergic reaction to the mushrooms. Make sure he stays away from them, especially not in the same room.”
Ao Xi agreed fervently. “I’ll inform the tribe leader to warn everyone against keeping mushrooms indoors.”
Jian Mo approved. “That’s a good idea.”
Grinning ear to ear, Ao Xi added, “I just wanted to share the good news. You can rest a bit longer, Doctor Jian Mo. After breakfast, we’ll take you out to gather mushrooms.”
The decision had been made the previous night: they would stay an extra day in the Ban He Tribe to gather wild Ban He Mushrooms. Though fragile, the mushrooms could be dried or fried to make them easier to carry.
When the group prepared to leave, Ao Shen, now wearing his mask, approached them.
The usually aloof beastman said coolly, “Doctor Jian Mo, you should come with me today. I know where the best mushrooms grow—you’ll harvest more with me leading.”
Jian Mo was a little taken aback.
Ao Xi sidled up, whispering with a mischievous grin, “My brother’s just awkward. He feels bad for doubting you earlier, so now he wants to help you collect more Ban He Mushrooms to make up for it.”
Jian Mo understood immediately. “It’s really okay. Your brother doesn’t need to feel so apologetic.”
Ao Xi grinned. “My brother knows all the best spots for Ban He Mushrooms. If we follow him, today’s haul is guaranteed to be great.”
Jian Mo nodded. “Alright, let’s go.”
Once the main group entered the mountains, the Ao brothers led Jian Mo and Wu Jiong in a different direction.
Some others wanted to tag along, but Ao Shen’s sharp gaze quickly deterred them—even Chirpy and Ying Ao were left behind.
Ao Shen was incredibly familiar with the nearby terrain. After just a few minutes, he led Jian Mo and Wu Jiong to the first mushroom site. “We harvested this spot three days ago. By now, new Ban He Mushrooms should have sprouted.”
Jian Mo crouched down and used a small stick to brush aside the fallen leaves. “Let’s take a look.”
The Ao brothers joined in, and after just a few swipes, the plump, pristine Ban He Mushrooms emerged from under the foliage.
The mushrooms at this spot were in perfect condition—broad, thick, and just mature enough. They were free from bird and insect damage, making them ideal for harvesting.
Jian Mo couldn’t resist squatting down to carefully pry the mushrooms free with his stick, patting off any loose dirt. A rich, fresh aroma filled the air, pleasant and invigorating.
After counting, they realized this patch had yielded 27 mushrooms, a true bounty. They left the smaller mushrooms untouched to allow them to grow.
Once they finished, Ao Shen sifted through the collected mushrooms in Jian Mo’s basket. “There are many types of mushrooms here. If you’re not familiar, it’s easy to mix in other kinds. Cooking the wrong mix can lead to poisoning.”
Jian Mo admired his meticulousness. “You’re very careful. That’s impressive.”
Ao Shen nodded. “It’s necessary. Let’s head to the next spot.”
The group continued to ten more hidden mushroom sites, nearly clearing out Ao Shen’s carefully guarded troves.
Jian Mo started feeling a bit guilty, but Ao Shen reassured him. “As long as you don’t bring others to these spots, it’s fine. You wouldn’t be able to harvest much more even if you returned.”
Jian Mo promised, “If we ever come back, it’ll only be with your permission.”
Through his mask, Ao Shen’s eyes curved in a faint smile, making him seem much friendlier.
The rules were simple: whoever harvested mushrooms got to keep them.
Jian Mo originally planned to contribute half of the haul to the Ban He Tribe for communal meals. However, the tribe members returned the mushrooms with smiles, pointing to Zuo Han in the distance to indicate it was his directive.
Meanwhile, the Ao brothers brought over two large jars of beast oil and set up a ceramic pot to fry the wild Ban He Mushrooms Jian Mo had collected.
Jian Mo figured this could count as part of his medical fee, so he didn’t argue much and let the brothers fry the mushrooms.
The fried wild Ban He Mushrooms were just as fragrant and mouthwatering as the ones he’d had the previous evening.
Unable to resist, Jian Mo set aside a small portion to share with everyone, even giving Chirpy and Ying Ao a taste.
Aside from the freshly fried mushrooms, they also traded with the Ban He Tribe for two large baskets of dried cultivated Ban He Mushrooms. Though not as flavorful as the wild ones, they were still significantly tastier than ordinary mushrooms and would be a great treat back home.
The next morning, Ao Xi came running with good news: Ao Shen’s condition had improved again. This time, he no longer had a runny nose.
The resilience of beastmen never failed to amaze Jian Mo. Smiling, he congratulated Ao Xi.
Ao Xi beamed with gratitude and stood by as Jian Mo checked on Bei Ya and Dan Guan.
Bei Ya’s facial wounds had healed remarkably well. The protein sutures had been mostly absorbed, leaving only faint, thin scars. Once fully healed, the marks would likely fade into pale lines rather than permanent scars.
However, the glue used during the procedure had irritated his skin, causing some redness that might peel in the coming days. Jian Mo, out of glue, told Bei Ya he would make new adhesive strips for him back at He’an Tribe.
Bei Ya expressed his willingness to follow them back to He’an Tribe.
As for Dan Guan, Jian Mo had mostly confirmed his condition was caused by a fungal infection.
The ringworm patches on Dan Guan’s skin had turned red and appeared more inflamed, which looked alarming, but Jian Mo noticed activity in the hair follicles beneath—this was a promising sign.
Jian Mo planned to monitor him for a couple more days before deciding whether to switch treatments.
When Jian Mo heard Ao Shen’s progress, he was very happy: “Then it’s basically a mushroom problem. I’ll tell him again to be careful when coming into contact with mushrooms in the future.”
“I heard everything.”
Turning around, Jian Mo saw Ao Shen carrying two logs sprouting Ban He Mushrooms.
Ao Shen walked over and said, “Doctor Jian Mo, thank you for helping me recover. These two mushroom logs are for you.”
Jian Mo was taken aback. The fried mushrooms from the previous night already felt like enough of a thank-you. Embarrassed, he quickly waved his hands. “No, no, I can’t accept this. The logs are too valuable.”
Ao Shen insisted, “They’re just logs that can grow a few more batches of mushrooms. It’s nothing special, and you can’t replicate the growth process anyway.”
After a pause, he added, “The tribe leader has already agreed. Please take them.”
After some hesitation, Jian Mo accepted the logs, unable to resist the prospect of growing Ban He Mushrooms. In return, he offered two stacks of soap—24 bars in total—as a gesture of gratitude.
“These soaps are for you. Thank you.”
Wu Jiong took the logs from Ao Shen, nodding solemnly. “May the friendship between Ban He Tribe and He’an Tribe last forever.”
Ao Shen, cradling the soap, echoed the sentiment. “May the friendship between He’an Tribe and Ban He Tribe last forever.”
