Jian Mo originally thought getting vague hints from Lian Ke would already be remarkable. To his surprise, they managed to secure concrete information, leaving him deeply moved.
Without lingering in the Xia Meng Tribe, they mounted Chirpy and Ying Ao, heading straight for the Yan Gan Tribe.
With only three tribes separating them, they figured that if they traveled efficiently, they could reach their destination in a day, or two at most.
On their way, they encountered a group of sub-beastmen from another tribe.
Hearing Jian Mo and Wu Jiong were heading to the Yan Gan Tribe, the group kindly gave them directions and expressed curiosity about the couple traveling such a long way together.
Most travelers were older beastmen and sub-beastmen, so seeing such a young and capable pair intrigued them. Jian Mo smiled warmly, explaining they were on a quest for something, and the group quickly understood.
Their journey proceeded smoothly, and they eventually arrived at the Yan Gan Tribe.
When the locals heard their names, they exclaimed, “We know about you! Didn’t you just help the Shang Meng Tribe’s river beast give birth?”
Jian Mo was taken aback. “Word traveled that fast?”
The Yan Gan Tribe members laughed. “People talk while hunting, and news spreads. You’re here for chili peppers, right?”
Jian Mo nodded eagerly, clutching Wu Jiong’s hand. “That’s right! We traveled all this way just to trade for chili peppers. Do you have any?”
The Yan Gan Tribe members smiled brightly. “Of course! Look over there by the river—that’s where we grow them. Rest up for now, and tonight we’ll treat you to some chili-fried meat.”
Following their gaze, Jian Mo spotted short plants growing near the riverbank. The leaves were dark green, and they bore round black fruits. At first glance, he didn’t recognize them as chili peppers.
After scrutinizing them for a while, he concluded that the color and shape of chili peppers could vary significantly. Regardless, he was relieved to have found them.
Jian Mo and Wu Jiong settled down in the Yan Gan Tribe.
Hearing about their long journey, the locals eagerly gathered to chat with them and learn about their adventures.
Jian Mo shared as much as he could, with Wu Jiong adding details here and there.
The Yan Gan Tribe members listened intently, their expressions shifting between awe and admiration.
“You two know so much! If we had the chance, we’d love to travel like you someday.”
Jian Mo chuckled. “Traveling isn’t all fun and games. Unexpected dangers can arise on the road.”
He casually shared an edited version of Xing Yuan’s story.
Hearing about the orphaned cub whose parents perished in the wild, leaving him to fend for himself as a stray beastman, the Yan Gan Tribe members expressed heartfelt sympathy.
That evening, the Yan Gan Tribe prepared a lavish dinner to welcome Jian Mo and Wu Jiong.
The spread featured several chili-based dishes, including chili-fried meat, chili paste, chili-fried eggs, and chili-fried fish.
The tribe leader dined with them and, noticing Jian Mo’s keen interest, warmly invited, “Try our chili peppers!”
Jian Mo smiled. “Don’t mind if we do.”
He leaned toward Wu Jiong and whispered, “The chili might be spicy. Try a small bite first to see if you can handle it.”
Wu Jiong nodded, taking a piece of fish topped with chili to taste.
Jian Mo observed him closely. Seeing Wu Jiong’s face flush slightly, he quickly handed him a cup of cool water to soothe the heat.
Wu Jiong turned his head, stifling a cough. “I’m fine.”
Once Wu Jiong adjusted, Jian Mo picked up a piece of chili himself to try.
As soon as it entered his mouth, he tasted a crisp sweetness with a faint hint of spice. It wasn’t particularly spicy—so subtle that if not for his long craving for chili, he might not have noticed it at all.
This chili reminded him of the bell peppers he used to eat on Earth: thick, mild, and more decorative than flavorful.
Jian Mo paused mid-bite, holding his chopsticks in disbelief. “Why is your chili so mild?”
The Yan Gan Tribe members blinked. “Mild? This is already quite spicy.”
Jian Mo frowned. “Not really, at least not compared to what I’m used to.”
The locals laughed. “You must have a high tolerance for spice. We’ve grown used to it too, so it doesn’t seem as spicy anymore.”
Disappointed, Jian Mo realized that while this was indeed chili, it wasn’t the type he had hoped for.
Masking his letdown, he continued eating. After such a long time without chili, even these mild ones could satisfy his craving for now.
Sensing his dissatisfaction, the Yan Gan Tribe members approached him after dinner. “Doctor Jian Mo, do you still want to trade for our chili peppers?”
Jian Mo considered. “What’s the trade ratio?”
They hesitated before explaining, “Half a basket for one roll of cloth.”
Facing Jian Mo’s expression, they added nervously, “It’s not easy to grow chili peppers here, so we can’t go lower.”
Jian Mo found the price surprisingly reasonable, almost too cheap. He decided it wouldn’t hurt to bring some back.
“Do you have dried chili peppers? Fresh ones might spoil on the journey back to our tribe,” Jian Mo asked.
The locals nodded. “We do. Dried chili peppers are smaller and harder to process. Two rolls of cloth for half a basket.”
Jian Mo agreed readily. “We’ll take two baskets of dried chili peppers for now.”
With plenty of resources, trading a few rolls of cloth was no issue for Jian Mo.
After the exchange, Jian Mo couldn’t help but inquire, “Are there other types of chili peppers here? Maybe ones with red skin?”
The chili from the bird’s stomach had been red, so there had to be red chili peppers somewhere in this world.
The locals responded casually, “Sure, the Mountain Forest Tribe grows long, thin, red chili peppers. They’re much spicier than ours—we can’t handle them. Are you looking for that type?”
Jian Mo’s eyes lit up. “Yes! That’s exactly it!”
The Yan Gan Tribe members chuckled. “They really exist, but good luck trading for them. The Mountain Forest Tribe doesn’t like dealing with outsiders.”
Jian Mo, undeterred, smiled confidently. “We’ll give it a try. Who knows? It might work out!”
The Yan Gan Tribe members said, “Why don’t you stay the night with us and leave tomorrow? We’ll point you in the right direction.”
Jian Mo happily agreed.
The next morning, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong went to bid farewell to the Yan Gan Tribe and gather more information about the Mountain Forest Tribe.
The Yan Gan Tribe members gave them clear directions and pointed out several unique landmarks to use as references.
Jian Mo and Wu Jiong rode their flying beasts, heading toward the Mountain Forest Tribe.
Thanks to the Yan Gan Tribe’s detailed guidance, they quickly found the Mountain Forest Tribe hidden in the dense forest.
As the name suggested, the Mountain Forest Tribe was deep in the wilderness.
Jian Mo felt this tribe was the most primitive he had encountered so far. The grass huts they lived in made it clear their level of civilization wasn’t particularly advanced.
The tribe was also more guarded than others. When they saw Jian Mo and Wu Jiong approach on their flying beasts, the first reaction was to aim spears at them, assuming defensive stances.
Startled, Chirpy let out a loud squawk and flapped its wings frantically, retreating to higher altitudes. Ying Ao also soared upward, avoiding any potential threats.
Holding onto Chirpy’s neck, Jian Mo shouted down, “We’re from the He’an Tribe, sent here by the Yan Gan Tribe to trade for chili peppers. We mean no harm!”
Fortunately, the beastmen’s universal language allowed him to communicate effectively; otherwise, a misunderstanding could have led to conflict.
The Mountain Forest Tribe members scrutinized them for a long moment before sending someone to report back to their leaders.
Soon, the warriors lowered their spears, and one called out, “Come down. Sorry about that—we recently had a skirmish with the Ridge Tribe, so our defenses have been stricter.”
Jian Mo glanced at Wu Jiong.
Wu Jiong’s muscles were tense, prepared to shift into beast form at any moment. When he caught Jian Mo’s questioning gaze, he gave a slight nod, signaling it was safe to land.
With Wu Jiong by his side, Jian Mo felt reassured. He directed Chirpy to descend but stayed cautious, unloading their supplies and patting Chirpy’s back to send it flying away.
Wu Jiong followed suit with Ying Ao.
Both Chirpy and Ying Ao were intelligent. If something went wrong, they might be able to summon reinforcements. Jian Mo saw this as an additional layer of security.
The Mountain Forest Tribe members watched the flying beasts retreat into the sky but made no comment.
Soon, the tribe leader, Shu Tao, came out to greet them.
Hearing they wanted to trade for chili peppers and had already been to the Yan Gan Tribe, Shu Tao said, “It’s getting late. Why not stay in our tribe tonight, try our chili peppers, and then decide how to trade?”
Jian Mo and Wu Jiong agreed.
Seeing their slight hesitation, Shu Tao chuckled. “We’re not a hostile tribe. If we were, the Yan Gan Tribe wouldn’t have referred you to us.”
Jian Mo smiled. “We’re just a bit nervous since we’re new here.”
Shu Tao replied, “Understandable. Relax, though. Our tribe treats healers very well. Jian Mo, you’re a healer, right? Even though we’re in a remote area, we’ve heard of you.”
Jian Mo nodded. “Yes, I’m a healer.”
Shu Tao led Jian Mo and Wu Jiong to sit by the bonfire, where the tribe began preparing dinner.
Jian Mo’s eyes lit up when he saw the Mountain Forest Tribe members bring out long red chili peppers. He was both surprised and thrilled.
These chili peppers were familiar to him, though shorter and more wrinkled than the ones he knew from Earth. Still, they closely resembled modern chili peppers.
The tribe used metal knives to slice the chilies and various unfamiliar plants. Then they added the chilies to a clay pot with different meats to cook.
Soon, the air was filled with a pungent, spicy aroma. Wu Jiong, seated nearby, started sneezing uncontrollably.
Jian Mo quickly took out a mask for Wu Jiong to wear.
Shu Tao, intrigued, asked Jian Mo, “Which tribe are you from? Have you eaten chili peppers before?”
Jian Mo smiled. “I’m from the He’an Tribe, and yes, I’ve had chili peppers before.”
He refrained from sharing more details, and Shu Tao, though curious, didn’t press further.
Jian Mo shifted the conversation, asking about the Mountain Forest Tribe’s conflict with the Ridge Tribe.
Shu Tao explained, “The Ridge Tribe violated our agreement by hunting and foraging in our territory during the most bountiful season. Naturally, we couldn’t just let it slide.”
Jian Mo inquired, “Was anyone hurt?”
Shu Tao replied, “Just minor injuries. Everyone’s recovering well.”
Noticing Jian Mo’s concern, Shu Tao reassured him with a smile, “Mediators from nearby tribes have stepped in. Don’t worry, there won’t be a major conflict. You’re safe here.”
Jian Mo smiled back, choosing to trust him for now.
As they conversed, the tribe finished preparing dinner.
Surprisingly, the Mountain Forest Tribe followed a portioned meal system, with each person receiving their food on individual plates. Jian Mo and Wu Jiong were also given generous servings.
Out of consideration for Wu Jiong, the tribe provided him with dishes containing minimal chili peppers—a thoughtful gesture.
Jian Mo’s plate, however, was a sea of vibrant red, packed with chilies.
Having gone so long without chili peppers, Jian Mo’s craving was undeniable.
At Shu Tao’s invitation to eat, Jian Mo eagerly speared a chili with his fork.
The chili had been lightly stir-fried, making it tender and coated in animal fat and salt with hints of meat flavor. It was spicy, slightly sweet, and incredibly flavorful.
Just one bite brought tears to Jian Mo’s eyes.
This was the chili he remembered—spicy, appetizing, and absolutely delicious!
Shu Tao watched him in surprise. “Jian Mo, you have quite the tolerance for spice!”
Jian Mo hissed through the heat, grabbing a cup of cool water and taking a large gulp to temper the fiery sensation. “It’s been a while since I’ve had chili peppers. I can’t handle as much as I used to.”
Shu Tao said, “Then you should eat a little less today; otherwise, you’ll definitely feel it tonight.”
Jian Mo laughed through the lingering spice, “Alright. It’s so spicy but so satisfying.”
Shu Tao chuckled, “We feel the same way. Once you’re used to eating chili peppers, it’s hard to enjoy a meal without them.”
Jian Mo nodded. “Exactly. That’s why we traveled all this way to find chili peppers.”
Their shared passion for spicy food made the conversation lively and enjoyable.
As Jian Mo chatted with Shu Tao, he found the Mountain Forest Tribe to be friendlier than he had expected—until the topic of trading chili peppers came up.
Shu Tao said, “Our chili peppers are very rare, the only ones of their kind among all the surrounding tribes.”
Jian Mo felt a twinge of unease in his heart. “That’s true.”
Shu Tao continued, “So, we’ll require more valuable resources in exchange—only metal blocks.”
Jian Mo’s smile froze. “How many metal blocks are we talking about?”
Shu Tao replied, “I’ve seen the metal blocks you brought. How about three blocks for one basket of our dried chili peppers?”
Jian Mo and Wu Jiong exchanged a quick glance, silently assessing the situation. They both concluded that it was worth trying—after coming all this way, leaving empty-handed would feel like a wasted effort.
Jian Mo said, “Alright. Let’s start with six baskets.”
As soon as they returned, they could take a trip to the Jin Tuo Tribe to replenish their metal blocks.
Shu Tao nodded, then added, “Let’s be clear: we only trade chili peppers, not chili seeds. All the chili peppers we provide have been steamed, so the seeds won’t sprout.”
Jian Mo’s eyes widened in disbelief. The Mountain Forest Tribe’s trading tactics were brutal! No wonder the Ridge Tribe clashed with them!
Three metal blocks per basket of dried chili peppers was already a steep price, but they could bear it. However, trading steamed chilies with dead seeds felt downright underhanded.
Jian Mo pondered for a moment and said, “Our tribe is very far from yours. Traveling here is extremely troublesome. If we can’t take seeds back with us, the trade loses its value.”
Shu Tao responded earnestly, “Every tribe has its unique resources. Chili peppers are ours. If we give away the seeds, we lose our advantage.”
Shu Tao continued, “I’ve heard your tribe produces something called glass—exquisite and beautiful. You wouldn’t share the method of making it with other tribes, would you?”
Jian Mo argued, “That’s a craft recipe, not the same as seeds.”
Shu Tao said seriously, “To us, they’re the same. We spent generations carefully selecting chili seeds and hundreds of years perfecting these delicious chili peppers. Without our work, you’d be eating peppers like those from the Yan Gan Tribe.”
Jian Mo wanted to refute this logic, but Wu Jiong gently grasped his wrist, signaling him to stay calm.
If they started arguing, further negotiations would become impossible.
Jian Mo took a deep breath. “Let’s be straightforward, Chief Shu Tao. What would it take for you to trade chili seeds with us?”
Shu Tao said, “I’ve heard that Jian Mo, the great healer, is highly skilled. Many of our people have severe dental problems. Could you help us figure out how to treat them?”
Shu Tao gestured to a nearby beastman to come over.
The beastman, who had been listening attentively, immediately ran over, crouched down, and opened his mouth wide to show Jian Mo his teeth—blackened, decayed, and rotting.
Jian Mo had never seen teeth in such a state, even worse than what he’d observed in the Jin Tuo Tribe.
Involuntarily holding his breath, Jian Mo stepped back a full pace, pulling Wu Jiong with him.
Shu Tao said worriedly, “With teeth like this, our people can’t hunt or even eat properly.”
Jian Mo stated, “For teeth in this condition, the standard treatment is extraction.”
Shu Tao shook his head. “That’s unacceptable. If we wanted to pull the teeth, we would’ve done it already. We want to save the teeth and restore them to health.”
What kind of impossible mission was this?
Jian Mo glanced at Wu Jiong, silently communicating.
Maybe they should just return home and see if the bird’s chili seeds could sprout and yield the ideal chili peppers instead.
