Chapter 171: Inheritance
When Jian Mo admitted he couldn’t read the script, Xing Yi looked slightly surprised.
The beastman language they currently used was universal, and Xing Yi could recognize any written script he had encountered. For Jian Mo not to recognize these characters was unexpected.
Quickly adjusting his expression, Xing Yi smiled gently. “It seems the writing from your place is quite different. I hope I can see it someday.”
Jian Mo looked at the kind, gentle elder before him and smiled. “Of course.”
Xing Yi continued, “Let me explain the herbs listed in this prescription.”
He went over the ingredients, and as Jian Mo listened, he realized he recognized most of them, having used them before. It seemed that despite the distance between the He’an Tribe and the Starry Tribe, they shared a similar range of natural resources.
This familiarity made their task much easier. After delegating tasks, Jian Mo and the others set out to gather the herbs.
Xing Yi’s student, Xing Jiu, led the way. “Most of these herbs grow in specific areas we’re familiar with. It shouldn’t take long to find them.”
Jian Mo nodded. “That’s great to hear.”
Xing Jiu walked ahead, his calm demeanor reflecting his teacher’s temperament. “Our tribe is a little different from others. It’s a pity we’re short on time today; otherwise, I’d take you on a proper tour. Follow me; we’ll head to the back mountain.”
Xing Jiu’s gentle personality and slow, measured speech gave Jian Mo the impression of a scholar. Both master and student carried an air of elegance that set them apart from the average tribesman.
The group ascended the mountain along paths worn smooth by countless generations. Along the way, Jian Mo noticed various herbs for clearing heat and detoxifying, though none were the ones they needed today.
As they exchanged thoughts, Jian Mo realized they were working with the same herbs but using them differently. The Starry Tribe’s preparation methods were far more meticulous than those of the He’an Tribe. Here, some herbs were sun-dried, others roasted, and some were even soaked in oil, contrasting with the He’an Tribe’s straightforward method of boiling everything together.
It was a testament to the Starry Tribe’s advanced medical knowledge, and Jian Mo vowed to seize this opportunity to learn as much as he could.
As they reached the mountaintop, the view opened up dramatically.
From the peak, Jian Mo could see the plains on one side and the vast ocean on the other. The sea’s deep blue hues sparkled in the fading sunlight, while the white sands of the beaches glistened invitingly.
The sea breeze rolled in, inflating their clothes like sails and bringing a refreshing sense of freedom.
Jian Mo stared in awe, his mouth falling open. “There’s an ocean here?”
Xing Jiu, who was gathering herbs nearby, straightened up and followed his gaze. With a small smile, he said, “Didn’t you see it when you flew in on your winged beasts?”
Jian Mo pointed out, “We came from the inland route, focused on Fen Hui’s condition. I didn’t notice anything else.”
Xing Jiu chuckled. “Yes, our tribe is right by the sea. Once things settle, I’ll treat you to some seafood.”
Jian Mo brightened. “It’s a deal.”
“Do I look like someone who breaks promises?” Xing Jiu teased.
After taking in the view for a while, Jian Mo returned to searching for herbs. They had found most of the required ingredients, except for a specific small-leaved plant.
Xing Jiu had a general idea of where it grew, but finding it among the dense, flourishing vegetation took some effort. They combed the mountaintop for hours until, just as the sky began to darken, they finally gathered enough of the elusive plant.
With time running short, Wu Jiong transformed into his giant wolf form and offered to carry them back down.
Xing Jiu climbed on hesitantly, marveling as he patted the wolf’s fur. “Chief Wu Jiong’s beast form is truly impressive.”
Jian Mo, seated at the front, hugged the wolf’s neck. “Of course. His beast form is one of the strongest in our region. Hold onto my waist, and don’t fall off.”
Xing Jiu quickly agreed. “Understood.”
The giant wolf’s strides were enormous, covering six or seven meters with each step. The descent was much faster than their climb, and they returned to the Starry Tribe just before nightfall.
Others who had gone herb gathering also returned, and Xing Yi meticulously inspected all the collected ingredients. After confirming their quality, he began preparing the medicine in front of Jian Mo’s temporary residence.
Jian Mo and Wu Jiong assisted him while observing carefully.
Xing Yi’s expertise was evident in every motion. He separated the herbs into different processes: some were added directly to the pot, others were roasted, and a few were first stir-fried in a dry, oil-free clay pot before being transferred into the main pot.
Soon, the air was filled with the characteristic bitterness of medicinal herbs.
The familiar scent calmed Jian Mo, giving him hope. As Xing Yi worked, Jian Mo seized the opportunity to ask about unfamiliar techniques.
Xing Yi explained patiently. “The method depends on the patient’s condition. Fen Hui’s body is too weak, so we need to remove as much toxicity as possible, making the medicine gentler. For someone stronger, we might retain more of the toxicity to achieve a faster effect.”
Jian Mo nodded thoughtfully. “I understand. No two patients are the same, and a responsible healer must tailor treatments to each individual.”
Xing Yi glanced up with a smile. “Exactly. If the patient is strong, precision isn’t as critical. But when they’re frail, extra care is necessary to avoid causing harm.”
Jian Mo smiled back. “I’ve learned a lot today.”
Xing Yi explained patiently, “Even with a prescription, the sequence of adding ingredients when brewing medicine is crucial. Changing the order can alter the efficacy of the medicinal soup.”
He continued, “Also, the type of pot matters. I’ve seen tribes that are rich in metals use metal pots for brewing medicine. That’s actually a mistake. Metal pots themselves act as medicinal agents. Using them randomly can spoil the medicine’s properties. Clay pots are the only suitable choice.”
Jian Mo pondered aloud, “That makes sense. Poor-quality metal pots can leach substances into the contents.”
Xing Yi nodded. “Exactly. If a pot imparts a flavor to the brew, it means something has seeped in, altering the prescription. Some patients fail to recover despite taking their medicine diligently because small but critical details like this were overlooked.”
Xing Yi was generous with his knowledge. Seeing Jian Mo’s curiosity, he took the opportunity to explain often-overlooked nuances in brewing medicine.
His explanations were profound yet easy to understand. Even in just this short session, Jian Mo gained a deeper understanding of herbal practices.
This journey, he thought, had already been worth it.
After listening to Xing Yi’s explanation, Jian Mo sighed, “Before, I had the benefit of systematic training. But after coming here, I’ve had to figure out most things on my own. It feels like scratching an itch through a boot—not quite satisfying.”
Xing Yi chuckled at the vivid metaphor. “An apt description. I like it.”
Jian Mo laughed along. “It’s true. I feel like I’m close to the answer but can’t fully grasp it, and there’s no one to explain it to me clearly.”
While Jian Mo had received prescriptions from people like Xi Lu and Ye Luo, he didn’t understand the reasoning behind them. He could follow instructions, but if a patient’s condition changed even slightly, he’d struggle to adapt, let alone develop new remedies. His foundational knowledge in treating beastmen and sub-beastmen was sorely lacking.
Xing Yi, noting Jian Mo’s frustration, explained, “We learned through hands-on teaching. For instance, gathering herbs—knowing which season to collect leaves and which season to collect roots—and why. Or brewing medicine: which ingredient to add first, second, and third. These lessons require guidance; they’re nearly impossible to learn through trial and error.”
Jian Mo nodded in agreement. “It’s all about inheritance.”
Xing Yi affirmed, “Exactly.”
The medicine finally finished brewing. Xing Jiu helped Xing Yi to a seat and began cooling the medicinal soup by pouring it back and forth between two large pots.
Jian Mo quickly stepped in to assist. “This is to cool the soup faster, right?”
Xing Jiu replied, “Yes, it’s too hot right now. We need to cool it down quickly so Fen Hui can drink it.”
Fen Hui lay dozing in the yard, his large fox-like body covered by a blanket that someone had kindly draped over him. The wind ruffled his fur, exposing patches of his emaciated frame.
Once the soup had cooled, Xing Jiu and Jian Mo woke Fen Hui gently. He didn’t need to revert to human form; he simply lapped up the medicine directly.
Weakened by his illness, Fen Hui drank the soup slowly, his movements lethargic. It took him a long time to finish the bowl, leaving his face smeared with the brew.
As he drank, fine beads of sweat began to appear on his fur. Unlike regular animals, beastmen possessed sweat glands even in their beast forms, allowing them to cool down through perspiration.
Xing Yi observed closely, pointing out, “Look at this sweat. It’s clear and watery, unlike regular sweat, which feels slightly sticky. This is what we call ‘false sweat.’ When it finishes, we’ll see if there’s any residue left behind.”
Neither Xing Jiu nor Jian Mo hesitated to feel Fen Hui’s sweat, carefully discerning its texture.
Xing Yi ordered additional blankets to keep Fen Hui warm as he continued to sweat. His condition, while not critical, remained precarious, requiring constant vigilance.
Once Fen Hui had sweated through one cycle, he seemed to regain a bit of strength. He blinked at the group with his large fox eyes, an endearing gesture that made him look oddly cute despite his condition.
Xing Yi chuckled and gave Fen Hui a reassuring pat.
He examined Fen Hui’s tongue, ears, and armpits before listening to his internal organs again.
As he worked, Xing Yi explained, “There are many causes for illness, each with unique manifestations. To treat effectively, we must identify the root cause based on the patient’s symptoms. Carelessness can lead to misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment.”
Jian Mo nodded earnestly, absorbing every word.
Xing Yi continued, “Take Fen Hui’s liver inflammation, for example. I diagnosed it by examining his tongue, ears, armpits, pupils, and by listening to his abdomen. It’s essential to monitor the effects of the medicine, not just before administering it, but afterward as well.”
He beckoned Jian Mo and Xing Jiu. “Come listen again. Compare the sounds now with what you heard earlier.”
The two students complied, listening attentively to Fen Hui’s abdomen.
Xing Yi smiled, his tone encouraging. “This is how we diagnose and treat. If you’re comfortable, Jian Mo, I’d love to hear about your methods as well.”
