Jian Mo pulled out the grayish-white piece of fabric from his basket and showed it to Wu Jiong.
Wu Jiong pinched it between his fingers and said, “This is cloth woven from the fur of Tuotu Beasts.”
“Tuotu Beasts?” Jian Mo asked.
Wu Jiong nodded. “The fur of Tuotu Beasts is exceptionally soft, unlike that of other beasts. It’s easy to recognize.”
Jian Mo had heard the name “Tuotu Beast” before but had never actually seen one.
He asked, “What do they look like? Are there many tribes around here that raise them?”
Wu Jiong replied, “Not many. The fur of these beasts is excellent, and they can produce beast milk after giving birth, but they’re extremely difficult to raise. They’re very skittish. One year, our tribe traded a large amount of beast meat for three Tuotu Beasts, and they all died within a season.”
Jian Mo was surprised. “Really? They’re that hard to keep alive?”
Wu Jiong nodded. “Back then, we even tried raising them in the spring, avoiding the harsh winter, but they still didn’t survive.”
Hearing this, Jian Mo couldn’t help but ask, “If they’re so hard to keep alive, wouldn’t that mean they don’t require much beast meat to trade for?”
Wu Jiong shook his head. “No, since not many tribes raise them, they demand a lot of beast meat in exchange.”
“Ah?” Jian Mo sighed. “I thought they’d be cheaper.”
Wu Jiong smiled. “It’s fine—we can trade for two of them for you to try raising.”
Jian Mo couldn’t resist the allure of the soft Tuotu Beast fur as he stroked the fabric again. “Should we at least ask around first? Maybe they don’t need as much meat as we think.”
Wu Jiong didn’t mind the suggestion and asked, “Do you remember which tribe the person who traded you this fabric was from?”
Jian Mo thought hard for a moment but eventually shook his head.
The fish fillet trade had been chaotic, with everyone crowding around, eager to exchange their goods. He hadn’t paid much attention to what he received, simply stuffing everything into his basket.
Moreover, there were so many people trading cloth that he couldn’t tell who had given him which piece.
Jian Mo felt a headache coming on. “How about I ask Qingkuo tomorrow? He knows the sub-beastmen around here better and might remember.”
Wu Jiong suggested, “Let’s go ask him now.”
Jian Mo glanced at the darkening sky. “It’s almost nightfall.”
Wu Jiong reassured him, “It’s fine. I’ll take you to his house—it’s good for you to know where he lives.”
This was Jian Mo’s first time visiting Qingkuo’s home.
Qingkuo’s house wasn’t far away. It was downstream from the river, just a short walk away.
Qingkuo’s house was quite large. Though it was only one story, it was bigger than Wu Jiong’s, appearing as a tall, imposing stone building from the outside.
Jian Mo guessed it was built larger because Qingkuo had two children.
Beastmen and sub-beastmen were incredibly strong but had weak fertility.
Many couples could go their entire lives without having a child, so having two children, like Qingkuo’s family, was extremely rare.
Hearing footsteps, Ban Ming ran out from the house.
In the twilight, he saw Jian Mo and Wu Jiong and was surprised. “Chief, Brother Jian Mo?”
Wu Jiong nodded, “We’re here to ask your father about some cloth.”
Ban Ming looked confused. “What cloth? Come in.”
The two entered Qingkuo’s house.
Qingkuo welcomed them and offered some grilled beast meat.
Jian Mo took the opportunity to look around. Qingkuo’s home was exceptionally clean and tidy, with a natural, rustic charm.
As they sat around the hearth, Wu Jiong explained the reason for their visit.
Qingkuo remembered immediately, “The cloth was given by a sub-beastman from the Bingjiang tribe.”
Seeing Jian Mo’s puzzled expression, Qingkuo reminded him, “I even told you to give him an extra portion of fish fillets.”
Jian Mo recalled, “Ah, that was him?”
Qingkuo nodded. “Are you planning to trade for Tuotu Beasts? They’re very hard to keep. If you just like the fabric made from their fur, why not trade for the raw fur instead?”
Jian Mo hesitated, “Actually, it’s not just the fur I’m interested in—I was hoping to get some beast milk from the Tuotu Beasts.”
Qingkuo wrinkled his nose. “Their milk has a salty, slightly fishy taste. It’s not very pleasant to drink.”
At that moment, the small cat Ban Jiu, who had been quiet the whole time, suddenly let out a soft “meow.”
Jian Mo looked at the round-headed kitten curiously.
Ban Ming translated for his younger brother: “Ban Jiu said the meat of Tuotu Beasts doesn’t taste good either.”
Qingkuo squinted his eyes at him, then suddenly grabbed Ban Ming’s ear. “Since when have you been feeding Tuotu Beast meat to Ban Jiu?”
Ban Ming squirmed awkwardly, “I just traded for a small piece today.”
Qingkuo gave him a light smack on the head. “Don’t feed Ban Jiu random things!”
Ban Ming protested, “I just wanted him to try a little!”
Di Ya, who had been watching quietly, laughed and reached over to ruffle his younger son’s round, furry head.
After their playful scolding session ended, Jian Mo asked, “Does the Bingjiang tribe usually trade Tuotu Beasts with other tribes?”
Amid getting playfully hit, Ban Ming looked up and answered, “Yes, most tribes have tried raising Tuotu Beasts at some point. They’re not exactly rare. If they won’t trade, you can just catch one in the wild.”
Jian Mo was shocked. “They exist in the wild?”
Ban Ming nodded. “Yes, but wild Tuotu Beasts are even harder to raise. They’re so skittish that a single thunderstorm can scare an entire herd to death. If it weren’t for their high birth rate, they might have already gone extinct.”
Jian Mo sighed, “They really are difficult to keep, huh?”
Despite the challenge, Jian Mo was still eager to see one for himself. They agreed at Qingkuo’s house to try trading for the Tuotu Beasts the next day, then said their farewells.
It was rare for Jian Mo to be outside the tribe so late.
The world outside wasn’t completely dark. The sky was filled with twinkling stars, the distant forests were shadowed in black, and the river at the edge of the tribe glimmered faintly.
The air was crisp and cold, but walking along the wide, smooth dirt road felt quite refreshing.
Jian Mo gazed at the distant mountains and said, “I didn’t expect an evening stroll to be so pleasant.”
Wu Jiong, walking beside him, simply responded, “Mm.”
The two of them wandered around the tribe for a bit before heading home early to rest.
As Jian Mo lay on his animal skin bed, his mind was still occupied with thoughts of what he could make if he managed to get Tuotu Beasts and collect their milk.
Would it be good for daily calcium intake?
If he could collect enough milk, he could try making butter, cheese, or even some desserts.
With these pleasant thoughts of a better future, Jian Mo drifted off to sleep and woke up early the next morning.
Today, they would return to the Hunting Tournament, so he made sure to bring along his medical kit and some fresh herbs.
When the others saw him carrying the medical supplies, many were curious.
Jian Mo explained, “Our tribe members are still competing today, so I brought these just in case.”
Qingkuo patted him on the back. “You’ve got a soft heart.”
Jian Mo muttered, “It’s not that. We swore back in school to protect the health of animals.”
Everyone exchanged glances, not entirely understanding, but getting the gist of his sentiment, they all laughed.
Upon reaching the Mengshui tribe, the others promised to help him inquire about the Tuotu Beasts.
Even if the Bingjiang tribe refused to trade, there might be other tribes willing to do so.
Jian Mo gratefully nodded, thanking them.
Many of the beastmen and sub-beastmen had never heard of a veterinarian before. In addition to this, after tasting the delicious fish fillets Jian Mo had brought yesterday, they were curious to see what he was up to and gathered around.
Today, in addition to the wrestling matches, there was also a hunting competition, which was even more intense than the events of the previous day.
By late morning, Jian Mo already had two patients: one with a broken leg and another with a deep gash.
Both were from different tribes, but Jian Mo didn’t mind. He treated them promptly.
The two beastmen’s muscles twitched in pain under his treatment, but his quick work brought visible relief. By the time he was done, they were no longer in serious condition, and both expressed their gratitude.
Jian Mo was busy treating the injured and had no time to inquire about the Tuotu Beasts.
He planned to ask around in the evening after the tournament concluded.
It would be the perfect time since the beastmen and sub-beastmen would be returning to their respective tribes. If things went smoothly, they could accompany them back and bring the Tuotu Beasts with them.
While Jian Mo was engrossed in his work, someone in the crowd called out to him, “Brother Jian Mo!”
Looking up, Jian Mo saw Ban Ming with a sub-beastman standing at the edge of the crowd.
Thinking they might need help, Jian Mo stood up. “What’s the matter?”
Ban Ming grinned widely. “Brother Jian Mo, didn’t you want a Tuotu Beast? A’Meng brought them over.”
Ban Ming stepped aside, revealing a nervous young sub-beastman behind him.
The young sub-beastman shyly called out, “Brother Jian Mo,” before biting his lip and continuing, “Thank you for treating my father’s leg. I heard you wanted Tuotu Beasts, so I brought these two for you.”
As he spoke, he led forward two beasts on a rope.
The two Tuotu Beasts looked extremely anxious, huddled close together, silent and trembling.
They resembled deer in size and shape, but their backs were unusually flat—almost like they had wooden planks strapped to them.
Apparently, after giving birth, they would carry their young on their backs to facilitate quick escapes, which is why they were called Tuotu Beasts.
Before Jian Mo could respond, the young sub-beastman had already handed the ropes to him. “They’re yours.”
Jian Mo hesitated, unsure if it was appropriate to accept them. He glanced at Ban Ming for guidance.
But Ban Ming was simply grinning at the young sub-beastman, paying no attention to Jian Mo’s questioning look.
Jian Mo hesitated for a moment, then finally said, “Alright, thank you.”
He was supposed to charge for treating members of other tribes, but he figured he could check with Wu Jiong later. If it seemed inappropriate to accept them as payment, he could either return the beasts or offer some supplies in exchange.
After handing over the Tuotu Beasts, the young sub-beastman quickly ran off.
Jian Mo noticed that the two nervous beasts were trembling violently. He couldn’t leave them tied up in such a noisy area. Having gone through the trouble of obtaining them, he didn’t want them to die of fright.
He quickly packed up his things and informed the tribe members that he was heading to a quieter spot to wait.
They readily agreed and promised to send Wu Jiong over if they saw him.
Wu Jiong was still participating in the hunting competition, so Jian Mo didn’t expect him to arrive anytime soon.
But to his surprise, after waiting in a quiet spot for just a short while, Wu Jiong showed up.
Jian Mo stood up and looked at him. “Are you done with your match?”
Wu Jiong nodded. “Yeah, it’s finished. I got first place.”
Jian Mo’s eyes lit up. “That’s amazing! We’ll have a big feast tonight to celebrate. And look—I’ve got Tuotu Beasts to show you!”
Jian Mo led the Tuotu Beasts out for Wu Jiong to see. “I’ve already checked—they’re a male and a female.”
Wu Jiong nodded. “I heard. They were given by that sub-beastman from the Xiongying tribe, right?”
Jian Mo confirmed, “Yes, they’re from the family of the beastman with the injured leg. But I’m not sure if I should accept them. I was just about to ask you.”
Wu Jiong examined the Tuotu Beasts and said seriously, “You should accept them. A leg injury is a big deal.”
Jian Mo let out a sigh of relief. “Alright, then I’ll accept them. Later tonight, I’ll prepare some meat to send to Ban Ming so he can pass it along to A’Meng.”
The competitions outside were still ongoing, with other activities taking place.
Jian Mo stood and asked, “Do you need to go back to oversee the matches?”
Wu Jiong took the reins of the Tuotu Beasts from him. “No need. I left De Jiang and Di Ya in charge. Let’s head back first. These beasts can’t be transported easily; we’ll have to walk them.”
Jian Mo glanced at the two jittery, trembling Tuotu Beasts. “Alright.”
Wu Jiong slung Jian Mo’s basket over his shoulder and took the lead, holding the beasts’ reins. They decided to take a shortcut back to the tribe.
It was still early, and they weren’t tired today, so it was more like taking a stroll.
The two of them left the Mengshui tribe, making their way back to their tribe.
The terrain around the Mengshui tribe was low, with plenty of vegetation. Along the way, Jian Mo managed to gather quite a few fruits and spices.
Some of the spices were discoveries he had made during this Hunting Tournament. Though different from the ones he knew on Earth, they had a unique flavor that was quite delightful.
As they walked, the Tuotu Beasts munched on whatever they could find.
The Tuotu Beasts were omnivores, eating both meat and plants. Jian Mo observed their eating habits, gradually getting a sense of their preferences.
Though they were timid creatures, they weren’t picky eaters, which meant finding food for them wouldn’t be too difficult.
By the time they led the Tuotu Beasts back to the tribe, it was completely dark.
The other participants of the Hunting Tournament had also returned.
The patrolling guards outside the tribe noticed the two beasts being led and laughed, “Jian Mo finally managed to get some Tuotu Beasts, huh?”
Jian Mo nodded. “Yep, they were a gift from a family whose member had an injured leg.”
One of the guards replied, “Ah, it’s great to have medical skills. You two should go rest now—you’ve had a long day.”
Jian Mo and Wu Jiong led the Tuotu Beasts back home.
Jian Mo looked around both inside and outside their house. “Where should we keep them? How about near the winged beasts?”
Wu Jiong shook his head. “They’d be scared to death. Let’s keep them outside for now. Tomorrow, I’ll find some wood to build a pen for them.”
Jian Mo nodded eagerly. “Alright, I’ll prepare some food for them in the meantime.”
The Tuotu Beasts seemed to have adjusted to their new environment, evidenced by the fact that they were still alive the next morning and had eaten away all the grass beneath their feet.
Jian Mo glanced at the beasts, then turned to Wu Jiong. “See? I told you they’d get along with the winged beast.”
Wu Jiong looked at him quizzically.
Jian Mo pointed to the ground. “Look.”
The Tuotu Beasts had not only devoured all the grass but were now munching on the roots. They chewed diligently, staring back at Jian Mo with innocent, wide eyes. When Jian Mo pointed at them, one of them let out a long, drawn-out cry, “Dooo—”
The Tuotu Beasts behaved very similarly to the winged beast.
Jian Mo walked over to examine the Tuotu Beasts, even opening their mouths for a closer look.
Based on his veterinary experience, he concluded that the Tuotu Beasts were ruminants—the grass inside their mouths was partially digested.
It was fascinating, especially considering these creatures were supposed to be omnivores.
Jian Mo also patted their bellies and then suddenly paused.
He looked up at Wu Jiong with wide eyes. “I think this female is pregnant.”
Wu Jiong leaned down to check. “Let me see.”
Before long, Wu Jiong confirmed it. The female Tuotu Beast was indeed pregnant.
Her belly was rounded, and through the thin skin, they could feel the faint outline of a developing fetus inside.
Jian Mo was thrilled. “A’Meng was really generous. I’ll have to ask Ban Ming to bring him extra food as thanks. By the way, how long does it take for a Tuotu Beast to give birth? Will we be able to get beast milk soon?”
Wu Jiong replied, “About half a season. She should give birth when winter arrives.”
Jian Mo’s eyes sparkled as he looked at the pregnant Tuotu Beast. “Wow.”
