Jian Mo and Wu Jiong made a point of bringing Chirpy and Ying Ao with them to visit Ji Xun.
When they arrived at Ji Xun’s mountaintop home, they found him tending to the vegetable patch by his door.
Seeing Jian Mo and Wu Jiong approach, Ji Xun waved enthusiastically. “Long time no see! What brings you two here?”
Jian Mo replied, “We were visiting the Bai Zhi Tribe, so we thought we’d stop by to see how you’ve been. How are you doing lately?”
“Great! Come in, I’ll make some tea for you. I caught a really tasty bird in one of my traps today. I’ll roast it for you later!” Ji Xun said cheerfully.
Observing Ji Xun’s rosy complexion and relaxed demeanor, Jian Mo couldn’t detect any signs of discomfort, which made him even more curious.
With great enthusiasm, Ji Xun washed his hands clean and prepared to roast the bird.
It was then that Jian Mo noticed a large, overturned, and battered basket near the door. Underneath it was a bird about the size of a duck, plump and meaty.
Ji Xun lifted the bird effortlessly with one hand and carried it aside to process.
When Jian Mo moved to help, Ji Xun stepped aside and said, “No need—I’ve got this.”
It was clear Ji Xun was experienced at handling such birds. He bled and plucked it with practiced ease.
Judging from his swift and efficient movements, Ji Xun didn’t appear to be unwell—at least not at the moment.
Within minutes, Ji Xun had finished preparing the bird and brought it inside. He retrieved an assortment of jars and mixed honey powder with spices into a paste, which he then rubbed all over the bird, inside and out. Afterward, he stuffed the remaining spiced paste along with some tubers into the bird’s cavity.
Finally, Ji Xun hung the bird inside a large clay pot with a crossbar in the middle. He placed the pot over the fire pit and heaped hot coals around it.
Jian Mo, eyeing the pot, remarked, “Where did you get this big clay pot? It looks like a primitive oven.”
“I had it custom-made by the Tian Ning Tribe. It works well, but it’s prone to cracking. I’ve already gone through two this year. Let’s see if this third one lasts until next year,” Ji Xun said.
Jian Mo calculated aloud, “That depends on how much you use it during autumn and winter.”
Ji Xun chuckled. “I doubt it’ll hold up.”
Jian Mo smirked. “You said it, not me.”
The three of them sat around the fire pit, chatting about recent events.
When Ji Xun heard about their trip to the Jungle Tribe, he sounded envious. “I’ve always wanted to travel, but I never seem to find the chance. There’s always something that needs doing.”
Jian Mo encouraged him, “There’s always next time. Tribes in this region are communicating more and more, and it’s getting safer. It’ll probably be easier to travel in the future.”
Ji Xun nodded in agreement. “I’ve noticed that too.”
As they talked, the bird finished roasting. Ji Xun removed it from the pot and began carving it.
When he sliced through the golden-brown skin, juices oozed out, revealing tender, fragrant meat. It looked mouthwatering.
Ji Xun portioned the bird, pulling out the tubers from its cavity, and divided the meat and tubers into three equal shares.
Jian Mo took a bite. “This is delicious!”
Ji Xun winked with pride. “This is one of my specialties.”
Jian Mo gave him a thumbs-up. “Tastes amazing! It’s also easy to eat this way.”
Ji Xun grinned. “Exactly. If it’s just me, one roasted bird like this lasts me the whole day.”
As Jian Mo watched Ji Xun eat, he noticed no signs of discomfort. On the contrary, Ji Xun’s appetite seemed even better than most people’s.
Ji Xun caught Jian Mo’s gaze and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Carefully choosing his words, Jian Mo replied, “Actually, we’re here because Chief Zhou Zhi asked us to come. He thought you seemed unwell and wanted us to check on you.”
Ji Xun froze for a moment, then asked, “He noticed?”
Jian Mo nodded.
Ji Xun said, “I’m not unwell. Please pass on my thanks to him.”
Jian Mo considered this and asked, “Have you always been fine, or were you feeling unwell before but got better recently?”
Ji Xun touched his stomach and admitted, “I wasn’t feeling well for a while, but it’s not for the reason you think. I’m pregnant.”
Jian Mo was taken aback. “What?!”
Ji Xun chuckled a bit awkwardly. “Please keep it a secret for me.”
Jian Mo immediately agreed. “Of course. Don’t worry—we won’t tell anyone.”
He then asked, “Since you’re pregnant, would you like a check-up? A prenatal examination could be helpful.”
Ji Xun set the plate he was holding aside, appearing conflicted. “To be honest, I haven’t decided if I want to keep the child.”
This response surprised Jian Mo even more. He glanced at Wu Jiong.
Wu Jiong stood up. “I’ll leave you two to talk. I’ll take a walk outside.”
Ji Xun didn’t stop him. “Thank you.”
Once they were alone, Ji Xun carefully began, “You know I don’t like dealing with people, which is why I live alone up here in the mountains.”
Jian Mo nodded to show he understood.
Ji Xun smiled faintly. “I’ve gotten used to living here, but if I have a child, wouldn’t it be unfair to make them live isolated with me up here?”
Jian Mo thought for a moment. “So, it’s not that you dislike children—you’re just unsure if you can provide for them properly?”
Ji Xun nodded. “I’m also wondering if I need to change my lifestyle. You know, it wasn’t an easy decision to come up here and live alone. Having a child, whether I stay here or not, would disrupt the solitary life I’ve built for myself.”
Frowning, Ji Xun added, “I can’t quite articulate how I feel. I’m facing a huge upheaval and a difficult choice, and I don’t really know what kind of life I want…”
Sitting across from him, Jian Mo tapped his foot lightly against Ji Xun’s. “Maybe you have your own life philosophy, and you’re unsure if you want to change it.”
Ji Xun raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t completely understand that, but it makes some sense.”
Jian Mo laughed. “Close enough. It’s hard to put these things into words.”
Ji Xun sighed. “In any case, that’s about it. I’m still not sure if I’ll keep the baby.”
Jian Mo’s expression turned serious. “If you decide not to, are you planning to terminate the pregnancy?”
Ji Xun nodded. “Yes. My old tribe had herbs for that, and I know of a few others that can be used.”
Jian Mo frowned. “Aren’t there risks with those?”
Ji Xun replied confidently, “It’s fine. I’m strong—I can handle it.”
Jian Mo spoke firmly, “Even if you’re strong, the risks of taking such medicines are significant. The further along the pregnancy, the greater the danger. You need to decide soon.”
Ji Xun nodded. “I will.”
Jian Mo continued, “If you really make up your mind, I hope you’ll come to the He’an Tribe and find me. Don’t take those herbs alone up here—that’s far too dangerous.”
Ji Xun agreed.
With Ji Xun’s consent, Jian Mo performed a check-up. Ji Xun’s health was excellent, and the fetus seemed to be developing well. It even showed signs of movement, which was likely part of Ji Xun’s hesitation.
After the examination, Jian Mo prepared to leave and gave Ji Xun the chili peppers they’d brought as a gift.
In return, Ji Xun offered some of his homegrown tubers and honey chunks.
Ji Xun asked, “How are your honeybirds doing?”
“They seem to be doing well,” Jian Mo said. “They’re producing honey chunks quickly. We’ve already harvested twice, and they’ve adapted well without showing any resistance.”
Ji Xun nodded. “Then they’ve probably gotten used to your care. Just be careful during late autumn—they’ll have trouble foraging and could get cold. Keep an eye on them.”
Jian Mo reassured him, “We should be fine. Our tribe has planted a lot of tube flowers, which should provide some nectar during late autumn and winter.”
“That should help. You’re not raising too many, so it shouldn’t be too difficult,” Ji Xun said thoughtfully.
After chatting briefly, Jian Mo prepared to leave.
Before departing, he hesitated and asked, “Ji Xun, can I tell Zhou Zhi about this? Or would you like to speak to him yourself? They’re really concerned about you and a bit worried.”
Ji Xun agreed. “You can tell him. Just ask him to keep it a secret. I’ll talk to him myself when I get the chance.”
Jian Mo nodded. “He’s reliable. I’m sure he won’t say anything.”
Ji Xun smiled. “I know. Thank you.”
Jian Mo and Wu Jiong then rode Chirpy and Ying Ao back to the Bai Zhi Tribe.
When Zhou Zhi heard that Ji Xun wasn’t sick but pregnant, he seemed concerned. “He’s pregnant and still living alone on that mountain?”
Jian Mo tried to reassure him. “He knows what he’s doing. There shouldn’t be too much danger. As an adult sub-beastman, he probably wants to stick to his own way of life.”
Zhou Zhi frowned but nodded. “You’re right. We’ll make an effort to check on him more often.”
Jian Mo said, “Good.”
He and Wu Jiong decided to head directly to the Jiu Nian Tribe before it got too late.
Zhou Zhi quickly handed them a prepared gift in return.
The Bai Zhi Tribe offered pearl rice as a gift for the chili peppers Jian Mo and Wu Jiong had brought. Additionally, Zhou Zhi gave them a small bundle of large-leaf garlic. “You mentioned last time that you wanted to plant less bitter large-leaf garlic. This batch is less bitter than the usual variety—it might be useful to you.”
Jian Mo was delighted. “Really? Let me try!”
Plucking a leaf, he split it in half, tasting one portion himself and giving the other to Wu Jiong.
As soon as the garlic leaf touched Jian Mo’s tongue, he could still detect a spicy bitterness, but it was far less intense than the overwhelming bitterness of the usual variety.
Jian Mo remarked, “It really isn’t as bitter. How did you grow it this way?”
Zhou Zhi replied, “We didn’t intentionally cultivate it. Some large-leaf garlic we couldn’t eat ended up being planted around our houses. Over time, they multiplied, and some of them just turned out to be less bitter.”
Jian Mo laughed. “So farming success is three parts effort and seven parts luck. Thanks for the large-leaf garlic—we’ll take it back with us.”
Zhou Zhi waved a hand. “Take it. Oh, by the way, we’ve also prepared some milkfruit for the Jiu Nian Tribe. Could you take it to them for us? This should be the last batch of milkfruit for the season; the weather’s getting colder, so they’ll be hard to find soon.”
Milkfruit was used to protect fabrics from staining. The Jiu Nian Tribe had once asked Jian Mo’s group to bring some for them, but their busy schedule at the time meant they couldn’t deliver it.
Surprised and impressed, Jian Mo said, “You’re so thoughtful and considerate—worthy of being a tribe chief.”
Zhou Zhi’s cheeks flushed faintly. “It’s nothing. Take it as our gift.”
The Jiu Nian Tribe was very close to the Bai Zhi Tribe.
Jian Mo and his group arrived quickly.
The Jiu Nian Tribe members were well-acquainted with them, and a patrolling beastman called out from afar, “Doctor Jian Mo, Chief Wu Jiong—weren’t you traveling? How do you have time to visit?”
Hugging Chirpy’s neck, Jian Mo replied, “The trip’s over, so we came to see you. How’s it going? Have you been able to stock up on tree cloth and cotton cloth? We’re looking to trade for another batch.”
The patrolling beastman responded enthusiastically, “We have! Wait here—I’ll call our chief right away!”
