Jian Mo and Wu Jiong traveled at full speed, spending their first night camping in the wilderness. By the second evening, they arrived at the Shang Meng Tribe.
The Shang Meng Tribe was located north of the Mountain Forest Tribe, and on their way home. However, the tribe’s main settlement required a slight detour. Jian Mo, eager to check on Xiao Guai’s condition, persuaded Wu Jiong to take the detour, planning to visit the tribe, check on the river creatures, and stay overnight.
It had only been a few days since they left the Shang Meng Tribe, so everyone still remembered them. Even Xiao Guai and its two river creature babies recognized them.
Xiao Guai led the two young river creatures to the riverside to greet them, its upturned mouth giving the impression of a welcoming smile.
Jian Mo crouched down, greeting them warmly. “Hello there!”
Xiao Guai responded with a high-pitched, melodic call, “Chirp—”
The two river creature babies chimed in with their softer chirps, “Twee—”
Hearing their adorable sounds, Jian Mo burst into laughter. “Pfft—”
The baby creatures didn’t understand they were being laughed at. They simply used their round heads to nuzzle Jian Mo’s hand, chirping affectionately.
“Twee-twee!”
Jian Mo excitedly turned to Wu Jiong. “The baby river creatures are so cute! Come and feel them.”
Wu Jiong stepped forward and gently stroked one of the little creatures.
Chirpy, waddling clumsily on its large feet, pushed its way over and stuck its head between them, demanding to interact with the baby creatures too.
Jian Mo quickly grabbed Chirpy’s wing. “Careful, Chirpy!”
Chirpy let out an indignant squawk, “Chirp!”
As they played with the river creatures, the Shang Meng Tribe members came over to greet them. “Jian Mo, Wu Jiong, you’re back! Were you able to trade for chili peppers?”
Jian Mo turned around with a bright smile. “We did! We even got two different types.”
The tribe members’ eyes widened in surprise. “There are so many kinds of chili peppers around here?”
Jian Mo nodded. “Yes, quite a variety.”
Curious, the tribe members approached the loaded flying beasts and took in the sight of the twelve full baskets they carried. “You traded for so much this time! What’s in there?”
Jian Mo listed the contents with a grin. “Chili peppers, metal, fruit preserves, nuts, resin, pain-relieving leaves… A little bit of everything, really.”
The tribe members leaned closer, examining the baskets with interest. “Did all this come from one tribe?”
Jian Mo chuckled. “Of course not. We traded with several tribes, but most of it came from the Mountain Forest Tribe.”
The mention of the Mountain Forest Tribe sparked recognition among the Shang Meng members, who exchanged glances.
“I think I’ve heard of that tribe. Aren’t they supposed to be really fierce?”
“Now that you mention it, I remember too. Aren’t they the ones who don’t like interacting with outsiders?”
Jian Mo took a closer look at the reactions and laughed as the Shang Meng Tribe members started discussing his recent travels.
“Wait a minute, Jian Mo, didn’t you go to the Xia Meng Tribe to ask about Witch Doctor Lian Ke? But we heard from Xia Meng that you ended up going to the Yan Gan Tribe instead.”
Jian Mo didn’t expect them to have such detailed information. He explained the whole series of events that led them to trade for chili peppers and other items.
The Shang Meng Tribe quickly became fixated on the idea of dental repair.
“Jian Mo, is it really possible to fix teeth?”
“So, can you replace the teeth we’ve lost because of old age?”
“Jian Mo, my teeth are really bad. Can you take a look for me?”
Jian Mo was surprised by the number of dental problems among the Shang Meng Tribe members. After a brief consideration, he said, “Most teeth can be fixed, but some can’t. I’ll need to examine them case by case.”
Immediately, a line formed as tribe members waited eagerly for him to check their teeth.
Since he was already there, Jian Mo rolled up his sleeves and got to work. Although he was friendly with the Shang Meng Tribe, he made sure to charge for his services—after all, it was a good chance to earn a bit more before returning home.
The tribe was immensely grateful for his help. They even prepared a more comfortable and beautifully decorated house for him to stay in. Exhausted from the long day, Jian Mo fell asleep almost as soon as he lay down.
The next day, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong stayed an additional half day to treat the remaining patients. Jian Mo also rechecked Xiao Guai’s wound and confirmed that it was healing well with no further complications. Finally, satisfied that everything was in order, they prepared to head back to the He’an Tribe.
Because of the extra dental and medical work, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong received three additional baskets of goods, bringing their total to fifteen.
Concerned for their journey, the Shang Meng Tribe members offered their help. “Jian Mo, Wu Jiong, why don’t we help carry these supplies back to the He’an Tribe for you?”
Jian Mo was momentarily tempted but quickly dismissed the idea. Knowing the water otters’ limited ability to carry heavy loads and their slower pace, he politely declined. “Thank you, but it’s not necessary.”
Wu Jiong added, “The He’an Tribe isn’t too far from here. We can manage if we push on.”
Reluctantly, the Shang Meng Tribe members settled for accompanying them partway, helping them pack up and walking with them until they reached the outskirts of the territory.
Sitting on the back of the giant wolf, Jian Mo turned to look back. “The Shang Meng Tribe people are really kind.”
The giant wolf rumbled in agreement. “They’re slow to warm up, but once they’re familiar with you, they’re very hospitable.”
“Exactly. They feel genuine. If we have the time, I’d love to come out more often and visit. Everyone seems so friendly.”
Wu Jiong’s voice was steady. “Are you thinking about becoming a traveling witch doctor, like Lian Ke?”
Jian Mo snorted. “If we did that, we’d definitely be better than him. But seriously, after this trip, I’ve realized just how few witch doctors there are out there. When we get back, we should look into training more people.”
Wu Jiong nodded. “We’ll put out the word and carefully screen candidates.”
Jian Mo’s eyes lit up. “Great! Let’s ask other tribes to help spread the news, too.”
Focused on returning home, they avoided stopping at any more tribes, camping under the stars each night. After several days of hard travel, they finally reached the He’an Tribe by midday.
The patrol leader, Hong Qiu, spotted them from afar and waved excitedly. “Chief, Jian Mo, Chirpy, Ying Ao—you’re back at last!”
Chirpy enthusiastically squawked in response. “Chirp-chirp!”
Chirpy and Ying Ao flew over Hong Qiu’s head, heading straight for home. Jian Mo and Wu Jiong exchanged quick greetings with Hong Qiu before following suit.
The noise of their arrival attracted the attention of the tribe’s children, who came running on their little legs, chasing after them until they reached their home.
The moment Jian Mo slid off the giant wolf’s back, the children swarmed around him, rubbing against his legs affectionately.
Ban Chirp, the now-grown spotted cub, stood on its hind legs and placed its front paws on Jian Mo’s thighs, rubbing its head against his waist. Jian Mo couldn’t help but laugh.
“Brother Jian Mo, you were gone for so long! We missed you so much.”
“Brother Jian Mo, what did you bring back? It’s so much stuff!”
“Brother Jian Mo! Brother Jian Mo!”
The children’s voices overlapped, leaving Jian Mo unsure how to respond. Smiling, he patted each of them on the head, pried Ban Chirp off his thigh, and teased, “Ban Chirp, have you gained weight again?”
The big cat looked guilty but tried to deny it. “Nope.”
Jian Mo pointed to the paw print on his pants. “Look at this paw print. What do you call this?”
Ban Chirp sheepishly licked the spot as if to smooth things over. “It’s fine!”
The giant wolf glanced over, and the children scattered, rushing to examine the baskets of goods that had been brought back.
Not long after, the adults of the He’an Tribe arrived. While Qing Kuo and his team were still out, familiar faces like Zhou Fu and Xi Lu came to help unpack.
As they moved the baskets, the adults marveled at the goods.
“Chief, Jian Mo, did you visit the Jin Tuo Tribe? How else did you bring back so much metal?”
“There’s so much here! Did you visit several tribes?”
“Is this the red vegetable you called chili pepper? Achoo—it’s so spicy!”
Hearing that, Jian Mo turned quickly. “Chili peppers are indeed very spicy! Don’t sniff them directly, and if you’ve touched them, don’t rub your eyes or touch your skin until you’ve washed your hands thoroughly.”
Zhou Fu blinked in surprise. “It sounds almost dangerous!”
Jian Mo chuckled. “They’re not dangerous, but if you get chili on sensitive areas, it can sting for a long time. Be careful.”
The adults quickly withdrew their curious hands.
Zhou Fu asked curiously, “So, can you really eat this stuff?”
Jian Mo grinned. “Of course you can eat it! It’s delicious. Don’t believe me? Ask Wu Jiong.”
Wu Jiong, now back in human form, nodded in agreement. In just a few days, he had gone from being unable to handle spicy food to tolerating mild spice, even complaining when meals didn’t include chili.
Zhou Fu couldn’t help but ask, “Now that you’ve found chili, are you going to make that hot pot you’ve talked about?”
Jian Mo chuckled. “Why not? Let’s have a feast for the tribe! I’ll make the hot pot base.”
Everyone immediately got excited at the mention of a gathering.
“You’ve been gone so long! It’s been ages since we’ve had something festive. We should definitely celebrate.”
“Is this the same hot pot we had before? I’ll start soaking some dried vegetables and mushrooms.”
“I’ve got a few fish in the river. I’ll go catch them now!”
Wu Jiong, typically quiet but always industrious, had been sorely missed during their absence. Without him, the tribe’s activities, especially the bonfire gatherings, felt incomplete. Now that they were back, it was time to celebrate.
Jian Mo and Wu Jiong had no objections.
Wu Jiong quickly delegated tasks, organizing people to prepare for the evening’s bonfire feast. Hunters and foragers returning to the tribe learned of the plans and joined in, bringing extra ingredients for the feast.
Ban Ming and a group of younger tribe members approached Jian Mo enthusiastically. “Brother Jian Mo, how about we go hunt a few Arrow Bone Beasts for the feast?”
Jian Mo laughed. “Think you can manage that?”
Ban Ming stood confidently, hands on his hips. “Of course! We’re not the same as we used to be. We even placed second in the Harvest Festival!”
Jian Mo smiled. “Alright then, let’s see what you can do.”
Ahu, ever practical, chimed in. “No problem. We’ll get De Jiang to help us. With him, it should be easy.”
De Jiang and his team, who had heard about Jian Mo and Wu Jiong’s return while out hunting, didn’t rush back. Instead, they brought back a massive Horned Beast to render its fat for the hot pot broth.
Jian Mo had planned to use regular beast fat for the hot pot, but with the Horned Beast available, he immediately had its bones split for fresh broth.
Even though they’d had hot pot before and experimented with spices, this time was different. Now, they had onions, ginger, garlic, chili peppers, and an array of seasonings, including mushroom powder and shellfish powder. The resulting hot pot base was richer and more aromatic than ever.
As the hot pot base simmered in the kitchen, the addition of chili peppers caused many nearby to sneeze uncontrollably. The intense, spicy aroma was overwhelming for those unfamiliar with it, leaving everyone curious about what chili tasted like.
Concerned about people’s tolerance, Jian Mo prepared only three mildly spicy pots. The rest were simple clear broth pots.
With plenty of game from the hunt, the hot pot broth was made with rich bone stock.
As night fell and the day’s tasks were completed, the visiting children from other tribes returned home, leaving the adults and remaining children to gather in the central clearing. The hot pots, placed over makeshift stoves, bubbled away, releasing mouthwatering scents into the night.
Plates of fresh and dried meat, organs, wild vegetables, and root crops surrounded the pots. Drinks, including fruit juice, fruit wine, and cooling leaf drinks, were also ready.
Everyone gathered in a large circle. Those wanting spicy hot pot sat near the chili pots, while others gravitated toward the clear broth.
The first round of hot pot began with everyone tossing meat into the boiling broth. Fresh cuts cooked quickly, and people eagerly scooped out steaming pieces, dipped them into their seasoning bowls, and popped them into their mouths. The scalding heat and vibrant flavors created an explosion of taste.
Most of the younger tribe members couldn’t resist trying the spicy hot pot first. After their initial bites, they reacted dramatically, fanning their mouths and chugging cool leaf drinks.
“Chili is so strange! It feels like my mouth is on fire. I’ll try another bite.”
“So weird. I need to eat two more pieces to figure this out.”
“This is amazing! Sizzle, sizzle—so spicy, so stimulating! No wonder Brother Jian Mo was so determined to find it.”
Jian Mo laughed. “If you can’t handle it, don’t overdo it. Otherwise, your stomach will protest later.”
Wu Jiong calmly ate a piece from the spicy pot. “And if your stomach does act up, don’t expect Jian Mo to have time to treat you.”
Aside from Jian Mo and Wu Jiong, Ye Luo was the third person to fully embrace the spicy pot. “It’s not that spicy, really. It’s just like a more intense version of peppercorn.”
Qing Kuo, sipping Tou Tou Beast milk to soothe the heat, disagreed. “Not the same at all. Peppercorn just stings; chili makes your tongue burn. But I’ll admit, it’s satisfying.”
Jian Mo raised his cup for a toast. “Once you get used to it, it’s even better!”
Despite his enthusiasm, most people weren’t ready for chili. After trying a few bites, they switched to the clear broth, leaving only a few loyal spicy food fans.
To Jian Mo’s surprise, the children were the biggest fans of the chili pot. While the adults retreated, the kids kept dipping into the spicy broth, their faces red but determined.
Jian Mo marveled at them. “You kids are amazing!”
Jiang Xing sniffled. “It’s delicious! I want more!”
Jian Mo laughed. “Alright, a few more bites, but then you switch to the clear broth. It’s your first time, so don’t overdo it.”
Zhou Dao rubbed his full belly. “Brother Jian Mo, I can still eat more!”
Jian Mo shook his head. “Even if you can, save it for next time.”
Qing Kuo, refilling his cup of Tou Tou Beast milk, remarked, “Even though most of us aren’t used to it yet, chili is definitely a great addition. I bet in a few days, it’ll become the next big thing.”
Qing Kuo learned the term “popular” from Jian Mo.
Jian Mo said, “Definitely. Back in our region, whether someone liked spicy food or not, as long as they tried it a couple of times, most people ended up loving the flavor and wanting it every now and then.”
Qing Kuo asked, “Did you bring back chili seeds?”
Jian Mo nodded. “We did. The dense forest tribe that gave us the seeds specifically asked us not to share them with outsiders. I originally wanted to send some chili seeds to the Yu Qi Tribe, but it looks like we can only send them some dried chili instead.”
They had managed to find chili largely thanks to the Yu Qi Tribe, who helped spread the word.
Qing Kuo said, “So you’re planning another trip to the Yu Qi Tribe?”
Jian Mo replied, “Yes. There’s another thing—we’re thinking about recruiting apprentices for medicine. When the time comes, we’ll head to the Yu Qi Tribe and spread the word about it.”
Qing Kuo was surprised. “You’re recruiting medical apprentices now?”
Jian Mo nodded firmly. “I think I’m ready to start teaching.”
