Chapter 176: Joint Delivery
Jian Mo had grown accustomed to copying medicinal recipes.
As he transcribed, Xing Jiu would explain the pharmacological principles behind the medicines.
This allowed Jian Mo to write and learn simultaneously, greatly improving his efficiency.
Even if he couldn’t remember everything at once, he made detailed notes to revisit later. With time, he would master the content.
Similarly, while learning, Jian Mo would also share some of his own knowledge with Xing Jiu.
Initially, Xing Yi wanted to participate, but his age made it difficult for him to keep up with the pace of learning. His declining physical abilities meant he could no longer perform surgeries, even if he learned the techniques.
In the end, Xing Yi decided to let Xing Jiu and Jian Mo learn from each other and grow together.
The Star Reserve Tribe had oil lamps, and the two studied under the flickering light.
Jian Mo’s serious attitude toward learning motivated Xing Jiu to focus as well.
After studying for half the night, the two were left with aching backs but managed to complete the day’s lessons.
Xing Jiu carefully stored the recipe scrolls and sighed in admiration, “You learn so quickly. There aren’t many more recipes here for you to study.”
Jian Mo chuckled. “I’ve been away for so long—I’m starting to miss home.”
Xing Jiu nodded. “No wonder you’ve been so diligent.”
After packing up their materials, they headed outside.
Wu Jiong had patiently cleaned all the abalone, removing the innards and salting them.
Jian Mo inspected the work and happily brought out a large pot, intending to boil the abalone.
Xing Jiu, with nothing else to do, decided to stay and watch.
Jian Mo’s method of cooking abalone was different from what the tribe was used to. He used an enormous pot but kept the fire low. Once the water boiled, he reduced the flame to a bare simmer before placing the abalone inside.
Xing Jiu was skeptical. “Will this even cook them properly?”
Jian Mo explained, “It will. This method is called slow cooking. When it’s done, the abalone will be tender. Once it’s ready, I’ll slice one open for you to see. You can use this method for other types of meat, too, if you want them to stay tender.”
Xing Jiu mused, “You might be right. But why bother cooking them before drying them? Isn’t it easier to dry them directly?”
Jian Mo shook his head. “It’s not the same. Drying them raw makes them more prone to spoilage. Cooking them first reduces that risk. Plus, when you cook them gently, the resulting dried abalone is much more tender. With abalones this large, it’s worth the effort to make them taste great.”
Xing Jiu chuckled and shook his head. Preparing food this meticulously was not something he had the patience for.
Jian Mo, passionate about food, didn’t mind the effort. Smiling, he said to Xing Jiu, “This will take a long time—probably until midnight. If you’re tired, feel free to go home and rest. You can come back tomorrow morning to check the results.”
Xing Jiu agreed. “Alright, I’ll come back in the morning.”
Jian Mo was excited to take full advantage of his proximity to the sea, planning more trips to gather seafood.
Unexpectedly, the next morning, not only Xing Jiu but also Xing Yi came to find him.
Xing Yi said, “An expectant sub-beastman is about to give birth. Didn’t you say you wanted to learn more about this? You can come and observe.”
Jian Mo immediately perked up. “That’s fantastic! We have several pregnant sub-beastmen back in the He’an Tribe, so this knowledge will be incredibly useful.”
Xing Yi nodded. “Then let’s head out quickly.”
Jian Mo asked, “Should we bring the flying beasts?”
Xing Yi replied, “No need. Just have Wu Jiong accompany us.”
After a brief preparation, the group set off.
Jian Mo brought along his medical kit, while Xing Yi carried a variety of traditional medicinal herbs.
They traveled for half the morning, finally reaching another tribe.
This tribe resembled the Star Reserve Tribe, with similar buildings and beastmen. However, the local vegetation was slightly different.
After a quick glance at his surroundings, Jian Mo was taken to see the expectant sub-beastman.
The sub-beastman, Yan Sui, had a very large belly and looked visibly nervous upon seeing them.
After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Xing Yi took out the stethoscope to examine Yan Sui.
Using the stethoscope, they no longer had to press their ears directly against the patient, making the process much easier.
Xing Yi motioned for Jian Mo to listen. “Yan Sui is carrying twins, which is a higher risk. Come and listen carefully—you should hear the heartbeats of both fetuses.”
Jian Mo leaned in and listened closely. Indeed, he picked up three distinct heartbeats.
After weeks of learning with Xing Yi, Jian Mo had become more adept at interpreting internal sounds. He hesitated for a moment and asked, “Are these the sounds of someone about to give birth?”
Yan Sui, the sub-beastman, grew anxious. “Am I going into labor?”
Xing Yi reassured him, “Most likely by tonight. You should prepare.”
Yan Sui clenched his fists nervously, while his partner hovered nearby, equally tense.
Xing Yi patted Yan Sui on the shoulder in a comforting gesture. “Don’t worry. We’re here to help. Everything will be fine.”
Though Yan Sui managed a weak smile, his eyes betrayed his worry and fear.
The tribe quickly set up a birthing room under Xing Yi’s guidance.
Seizing the opportunity to teach, Xing Yi thoroughly explained Yan Sui’s condition to Jian Mo, detailing how to assess labor readiness, recognize fetal positioning, address complications, and use medicinal aids to support delivery.
Jian Mo introduced the concept of forceps and explained the benefits of episiotomy, which could prevent irregular tearing and promote better healing.
Xing Yi and Xing Jiu listened with rapt attention, marveling at the new techniques.
“It’s a pity my other students aren’t here,” Xing Yi lamented.
Jian Mo suggested, “Yan Sui hasn’t gone into labor yet. There’s still time to call them over.”
Realizing this made sense, Xing Yi immediately sent someone to summon his other students.
The students arrived quickly, carried on the backs of beastmen. Xing Yi briefed them on the situation and guided them through an examination of Yan Sui, reiterating the key points for their education.
Jian Mo also reviewed the information, diligently taking notes. He felt like he had learned a great deal.
As evening approached, Yan Sui’s labor began in earnest.
Xing Yi led everyone into the birthing room to assist Yan Sui in delivering his babies.
The twins Yan Sui carried were relatively large, and the labor was exceptionally difficult.
Jian Mo, assisting on the side, was visibly tense.
As the moon rose high in the sky, the delivery still hadn’t progressed, and Yan Sui showed signs of obstructed labor.
Despite their best efforts, Xing Yi and his team couldn’t resolve the situation. With no other options, they turned to Jian Mo.
Jian Mo decisively performed an episiotomy and carefully used forceps to deliver the first cub.
The cub was a feline—a small leopard cub. It had been stuck for too long and was in poor condition.
Xing Yi and his team immediately tended to the cub, taking great care to warm and massage it, as administering medication was not an option for such a small infant.
Jian Mo, who had never learned this part of neonatal care, quickly took the opportunity to observe and learn.
The team worked tirelessly throughout the night, and by dawn, Yan Sui and his two cubs were finally stable.
Jian Mo stitched up Yan Sui’s wound while others applied medicine to aid his recovery.
Exhaustion was evident on everyone’s faces, especially Xing Yi’s. The long night had left the elder healer with pronounced eye bags.
The Yan Sui Tribe, grateful for their help, cleared out a house and invited the team to rest.
No one refused. After a simple meal, they all collapsed into sleep.
Jian Mo, too tired to bathe, rested his forehead against Wu Jiong’s arm and fell into a deep slumber.
Despite the unfamiliar surroundings, Jian Mo woke up before noon, feeling groggy.
Wu Jiong touched his forehead. “I’ll fetch some soup for you.”
Jian Mo yawned. “Don’t bother. I’m not hungry. I’ll wash up first. How’s Yan Sui doing?”
Wu Jiong replied, “He should be fine. No one’s come to find us, so they’re probably resting.”
Jian Mo nodded. “I’ll check on them after I freshen up.”
After washing, Jian Mo went to see Yan Sui and the newborn cubs.
The cubs, a golden one and a black one, were doing well. Their fur had dried, and they looked like young leopards.
Since they were beastman cubs, they were much larger and more developed than newborn leopard cubs on Earth. Their eyes were already open, revealing soft grayish-blue irises.
Perhaps sensing the unfamiliar scent of a stranger, the two cubs let out raspy, kitten-like cries.
Jian Mo extended two fingers to gently stroke them, and the cubs gradually calmed down.
Yan Sui was still asleep, but his partner was awake and greeted Jian Mo.
“Jian Mo, Healer.”
Jian Mo responded, “I’m here to check on things.”
Yan Sui’s partner smiled gratefully. “Thank you for your hard work.”
Jian Mo replied, “It’s no trouble. I’m learning as I go. Thank you for letting me observe.”
Sub-beastmen were remarkably resilient, and Yan Sui was recovering well. Even with only a morning’s rest, his condition had visibly improved.
Jian Mo remarked, “Everything seems fine now. With proper care, he should recover quickly.”
As Jian Mo spoke, Yan Sui woke up. After greeting everyone, he winced slightly and said, “I feel some swelling in my lower body.”
Jian Mo examined him and reassured him, “It’s just some congestion. It should subside in a couple of days. If not, I’ll think of something.”
Yan Sui nodded, then brightened up. “Jian Mo, have you seen my cubs? They’re wonderful!”
Jian Mo smiled. “I’ve seen them. They’re strong and adorable.”
Yan Sui beamed. “Thanks to all of you. Most cubs aren’t this big when they’re born.”
Jian Mo agreed; the cubs’ size had contributed to Yan Sui’s labor complications.
Feeling both joyful and grateful, Yan Sui chatted with Jian Mo for a while before fatigue overtook him again.
After Yan Sui fell asleep, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong left quietly.
Xing Yi and the others were still resting, so the two didn’t disturb them. Instead, they wandered around the Yan Sui Tribe.
The layout of this tribe was similar to the Star Reserve Tribe, and the surrounding landscape was just as familiar. There wasn’t much new to see.
Jian Mo treated the outing as a casual stroll with Wu Jiong, hand in hand.
During their walk, Jian Mo noticed the tribe’s population wasn’t much larger than that of the He’an Tribe, despite its wealth.
He had long observed that the populations of various tribes were relatively consistent. Poorer tribes had slightly fewer members, while wealthier tribes didn’t necessarily have many more.
Beastmen and sub-beastmen had low fertility rates. Even without effective contraceptives, families with offspring were rare, and those with two children were even rarer. Jian Mo hadn’t encountered any families with three or more offspring.
After their stroll, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong returned to find Xing Yi awake. Having checked on Yan Sui and confirmed his good condition, Xing Yi asked Jian Mo, “The stitches you gave Yan Sui—will they need to be removed later?”
Jian Mo shook his head. “No, the tendon from the long-tailed beast will be absorbed by his body. There’s no need to remove it.”
He added, “For sensitive areas like this, I always use long-tailed beast tendon. Removing stitches in such places would be unnecessarily painful.”
Xing Yi pondered this. “I’ve noticed you don’t use any other type of suture material.”
Jian Mo explained, “For this trip, I only brought long-tailed beast tendons. In cases where wounds are prone to reopening, I’d use stronger sutures. But in most situations, beast tendons are more convenient.”
Xing Yi nodded in understanding.
With Yan Sui stable, the team packed up their supplies and began the journey back.
Jian Mo, utterly exhausted, dozed off on the giant wolf’s back.
Halfway through the trip, a familiar sound roused him from his half-sleep.
At first, he thought he was dreaming. But when he looked up, he saw a flock of familiar bird beastmen flying toward them.
The bird beastmen called out loudly, “Brother Jian Mo!”
Jian Mo jolted awake, realizing it wasn’t a dream. The bird beastmen had found him!
Thanks for the chapter!