Chapter 178: Heading Home
The bird beastmen, naturally lively and energetic, showed exceptional talent in socializing. Before long, they had made friends with every nearby tribe and amassed a significant collection of traded goods. Eventually, they ran out of items to trade, marking a highly successful trip.
It was time for them to return home.
Jian Mo and his group planned to head back as well. His exceptional medical skills allowed him to treat diseases even Xing Yi couldn’t, all at a fair price. Now that he was leaving, the locals were reluctant to see him go.
The young beastmen of the Xing Chu Tribe gathered around him. “Doctor Jian Mo, can’t you stay a little longer?”
Jian Mo smiled warmly. “This place is so wonderful, no matter how long I stay, it wouldn’t feel like enough. But we need to head home. We’ll come back when we get the chance.”
The Xing Chu Tribe youth pleaded, “If you love it here, why not move to our tribe? We have mountains and seas, abundant resources—it’s such a comfortable place to live.”
Jian Mo chuckled. “It’s lovely here, but our home is wonderful too. We’ve been away for a long time, and we’re starting to miss it.”
Hearing this, they couldn’t argue anymore and lowered their heads in disappointment.
Jian Mo himself felt bittersweet about leaving. The beautiful scenery, delicious seafood, and warm-hearted people made this place unforgettable. Most importantly, he had learned so much during his stay. The thought of leaving filled him with nostalgia.
The youth soon brightened up again. “Brother Jian Mo, since you’re leaving, how about we take you out for some fun? We haven’t gone water sliding with you yet!”
“Water sliding?”
“Yeah! You take a wooden board, ride it on the waves, and slide on the water. It’s super fun.”
“Oh, surfing!”
“That’s a cool name for it. Anyway, do you want to try?”
“Of course!”
Jian Mo decided to bring Chirpy and Ying Ao along, and when the bird beastmen heard about the outing, they immediately insisted on joining.
“You’re going out to play without inviting us? That’s not cool!”
The Xing Chu Tribe youth defended themselves. “You’ve been busy trading, haven’t you?”
“That’s not an excuse! Business doesn’t take up all our time. We need some fun too.”
With the bird beastmen clamoring to join, the outing grew in size. More Xing Chu Tribe youth, initially uninterested, also joined, swelling the group to nearly a hundred people.
The tribe’s chief, worried about such a large group, assigned two reliable young beastmen to lead and ensure everyone’s safety.
Jian Mo had initially worried that the large group might lead to awkwardness, but the bird beastmen’s chatter quickly broke the ice. Before long, they had befriended everyone and could even call out each person’s name.
Standing by Wu Jiong, Jian Mo couldn’t help but comment, “It seems they’re born for this kind of work.”
Nearby, Wan Zheng, one of the bird beastmen, grinned. “We heard that!”
Jian Mo laughed. “It’s a compliment.”
Another bird beastman joined in, “Actually, the only people we’ve struggled to get along with are the Pallas Cat beastmen from the Yu Qi Tribe.”
Wan Zheng added, “But even that’s changed. We’re on great terms with them now—practically brothers!”
Jian Mo raised an eyebrow in doubt.
Wan Zheng defended himself, “It’s true! You’ll see when we get back.”
Jian Mo chuckled. “Alright, I’ll hold you to that.”
Their playful banter continued until they reached the beach.
The bird beastmen, having rarely seen the ocean and never played in it, eagerly grabbed wooden boards and cheered.
“How do we play?” they asked.
The Xing Chu Tribe youth patiently explained the steps, ensuring everyone understood.
“Can you all swim? You’ll likely fall into the water,” they cautioned.
The bird beastmen laughed. “Don’t worry about us! We float easily in the water; we won’t sink.”
Satisfied, the Xing Chu youth said, “Alright, watch us first. Follow carefully, and be cautious.”
“Got it! Let’s go!”
Young people bonded quickly, especially in large groups. As they began playing, the atmosphere grew lively and joyful.
Jian Mo stood by Wu Jiong, watching the energetic crowd with a smile that he didn’t even realize had appeared on his face.
To Jian Mo’s surprise, surfing turned out to be relatively easy for him. Under Wu Jiong’s careful protection, he quickly got the hang of it.
Wu Jiong mastered it just as swiftly.
The two stayed on the edges of the group, playing at their own pace. Even when they occasionally fell into the water, they couldn’t help but laugh and enjoy themselves.
Then, Chirpy decided to join the fun. Without warning, it swooped down, using its large head to nudge Jian Mo’s back, propelling him forward at high speed.
“Ahhh!” Jian Mo screamed as he shot across the water before crashing spectacularly. Everyone burst into laughter as they helped pull him up.
Chirpy turned its attention to Wu Jiong, nudging him more gently. Wu Jiong maintained his balance and glided smoothly over the waves.
Seeing this, the bird beastmen called out, “Chirpy! Over here! We want a turn too!”
Chirpy enthusiastically complied, pushing them one by one while letting out cheerful cries.
The activity soon transformed into a hilarious spectacle of “water flying.” The ocean echoed with shouts, laughter, and excitement.
Jian Mo played until his voice grew hoarse from shouting. Chirpy, ever attentive, made sure to give him special attention, always nudging him forward whenever he was ready.
It was clear that Chirpy was playing favorites. Its blatant affection made everyone laugh, including Jian Mo, who was caught between amusement and exasperation.
After playing for a while, someone found a rope and suggested that Chirpy hold it in mid-air while others grabbed on for a thrilling ride. They even tried to convince Ying Ao to join in, but the stoic creature had no interest in such antics and flatly refused to cooperate.
When persuasion failed, the bird beastmen of the Bai Zhi Tribe took turns transforming into their beast forms, flying into the sky to carry the rope and keep the fun going.
The lively games continued until Jian Mo suddenly noticed fins breaking the surface of the water. They resembled shark fins, and he felt a jolt of alarm. “Everyone be careful! There’s a big fish below!”
A member of the Xing Chu Tribe squinted at the water before exclaiming, “It’s a sea Qin!”
“A what?” Jian Mo asked, puzzled.
“Sea Qin!” the young man replied excitedly. “You’ve seen river Qin before, right? Sea Qin are similar—intelligent and very friendly!”
Jian Mo stared, unsure. “Are you sure?”
“Absolutely!”
Before the words were fully spoken, the young man let out a long whistle, calling out, “Sea Qin—over here!”
At that, the large fish with the fin leaped high into the air, forming a graceful arc before crashing back into the water with a massive splash. The spray drenched everyone, eliciting a collective cheer.
“Wow!”
Jian Mo wiped his face and muttered, “I think it splashed us on purpose.”
Wu Jiong’s lips curved in a smile. “Quite possible.”
“And raising its fin to scare us—was that intentional too?”
“If it was, these creatures are exceptionally clever.”
Jian Mo studied the sea Qin as it dove back underwater. “You know, on Earth, we have something called orcas that are just as smart. The sea Qin does look a lot like the river Qin—round and chubby—but it also reminds me of orcas.”
Wu Jiong, clearly amused, asked, “Do you want me to transform into my wolf form and take you to play with them?”
Jian Mo hesitated. “What if it bites us?”
“It shouldn’t. And if something happens, we can just call Ying Ao to carry us to safety.”
Finding the idea reasonable, Jian Mo nodded eagerly. “Let’s do it!”
Turning to Ying Ao, he added, “Ying Ao, keep an eye on us!”
“Chirp!” Ying Ao responded affirmatively.
Wu Jiong transformed into his giant wolf form and paddled smoothly through the water, allowing Jian Mo to climb onto his back. Jian Mo felt like he was riding an enormous floating ring. Hugging Wu Jiong’s neck, he gave the wolf a kiss on the snout. “You’re amazing!”
The wolf’s eyes gleamed with humor as he swam elegantly toward the sea Qin, paddling in a classic dog-paddle style.
Someone nearby tossed a piece of dried meat toward Jian Mo. “Doctor Jian Mo, take this! Sea Qin love our dried meat. If you feed them, they’ll want to play with you.”
Jian Mo caught the meat and grinned. “Got it!”
As Wu Jiong approached, the sea Qin swam alongside them, seemingly unafraid. The curious creature gently bumped Wu Jiong with its snout, and Jian Mo reached out to stroke its round body and soft, rubbery head.
The top of the sea Qin’s head had a squishy, fatty spot that was delightfully bouncy under his fingers. While stroking it, Jian Mo offered the dried meat. The sea Qin let out a musical cry that sounded like a melodic instrument, clearly pleased.
Attracted by the commotion, more sea Qin swam over, circling around and opening their mouths expectantly. Jian Mo tossed dried meat into the water, feeling as though he was feeding koi in a giant, living pond.
Seeing the growing crowd of sea Qin, others joined in, playing with the creatures and offering them snacks. Some adventurous individuals even climbed onto the sea Qin, grabbing their fins for a ride.
Wan Zheng was among the daredevils, balancing precariously on the slippery back of one sea Qin. Its smooth, rounded body made it hard to maintain balance, forcing Wan Zheng to engage his core muscles. His toned figure drew appreciative glances.
“Brother Jian Mo!” Wan Zheng called. “Riding them is so much fun. You should try it!”
Excited, Jian Mo exclaimed, “I’m in!”
Clinging to Wu Jiong’s neck, he added, “Let’s try it together.”
Wu Jiong transformed back into his human form, wrapping an arm around Jian Mo’s waist as they climbed onto a sea Qin.
Perhaps as gratitude for the dried meat, the sea Qin willingly carried them, swimming leisurely around the ocean. Jian Mo, although familiar with riding animals, found riding fish to be an entirely different and exhilarating experience. Even when he lost his balance and splashed into the water, he couldn’t stop laughing.
The crystal-clear ocean, teeming with life, provided a perfect backdrop for their antics. In addition to riding sea Qin, they dove beneath the waves to catch fish and collect shells.
As the day ended, the group gathered on the beach to grill their fresh catch. The simple preparation—roasting the seafood over an open flame—brought out its natural flavors. With just a touch of seasoning, it was a feast to remember.
The bird beastmen contributed by sprinkling chili powder and garlic powder on the sizzling fish, which released mouthwatering aromas.
Inspired, Jian Mo pulled out a knife and began slicing raw fish for sashimi. The ocean fish, safer to eat raw than river fish, was a rare treat. Jian Mo expertly cut thick slices for a hearty bite and thin slices for a delicate flavor, serving them with a sprinkle of seasoning.
Sitting on the beach, surrounded by friends and the gentle sound of the waves, the group chatted and laughed.
“We’ve surfed before, and we’ve eaten fish before, but it’s never been this fun.”
“Being with friends makes all the difference.”
“Why don’t you stay a little longer? Brother Jian Mo, haven’t you finished learning yet?”
Jian Mo smiled. “I’ve learned most of it. Besides, there’s always more to learn about medicine—you could study forever and still not finish. The rest, I’ll practice when I get back. If I come across anything I can’t figure out, I’ll save it for the next time I visit to ask for advice.”
“So, you’re determined to leave. We’ll really miss you.”
“You have to come back often. If it’s inconvenient, we can come and pick you up.”
“Yes, just send word when you want to visit, and we’ll fly over to bring you here.”
Jian Mo and the others had long prepared for their return, and everyone knew it.
Despite their reluctance to see them go, representatives from more than a dozen nearby tribes came to send them off, bearing gifts as a token of their gratitude.
Looking at the baskets of pearls, gemstones, mother-of-pearl, and fish stones, Jian Mo felt overwhelmed. “These are too valuable.”
The well-wishers insisted:
“They’re nothing compared to your kindness.”
“Just a small token, Jian Mo. May our friendship last as long as these gemstones.”
“These are unique to our region. Take them back with you, so the beastmen in your lands will know about us, and we can foster more exchanges.”
Faced with so many sincere and eager eyes, Jian Mo couldn’t bring himself to refuse. He nodded gratefully.
Wu Jiong added, “Thank you for your hospitality. We hope you can visit our tribe one day so we can show you the same kindness.”
“Definitely! Let’s promise to keep in touch and build a lasting friendship between our regions.”
Jian Mo and Wu Jiong weren’t particularly skilled at long goodbyes.
After expressing their thanks, they prepared to depart.
The nearby tribes had prepared a large number of supplies for them—so much that without the bird beastmen from the Bai Zhi Tribe, they wouldn’t have been able to carry it all.
When they first arrived, Fen Hui had been gravely ill.
Now, he was nearly recovered. He asked to ride on the back of one of the bird beastmen. Chirpy carried Jian Mo, Wu Jiong, and a small portion of the supplies, while Ying Ao carried the rest.
As they ascended higher into the sky, the people below waved and called out invitations for them to return as guests.
Jian Mo and the others responded with farewells.
After much waving and shouting, they finally left the area surrounding the Xing Chu Tribe.
One of the bird beastmen remarked, “They’re truly such kind people. I didn’t realize it when they arrived, but now that they’re leaving, I feel reluctant to see them go.”
Jian Mo smiled. “Yes, everyone here has been so good to us.”
Wan Zheng added, “It’s mostly because of you, Brother Jian Mo. Your medical skills and your kind heart won everyone over.”
Jian Mo shook his head. “It’s mutual. Star Yi and the others are amazing too—they’ve taught me so much.”
Wan Zheng grinned. “And you’ve taught them a lot in return. Since everyone gets along so well, you really should visit again when you can.”
“I plan to,” Jian Mo replied. “For now, we’ll go back and try out everything I’ve learned. I really miss home!”
It wasn’t just Jian Mo—everyone was eager to return. Even Chirpy chirped twice as if to say it missed its nest.
With renewed determination, the flying companions flapped their wings harder, speeding up their journey home.
Leaning against Wu Jiong, Jian Mo gazed down at the landscape.
It struck him as odd—when he first arrived in this world, even the Meng Shui Tribe felt far away. But now, even the Xing Chu Tribe didn’t seem that distant.
Every tribe they passed was familiar, every location held memories. Even for places he hadn’t visited, their names and characteristics were now etched in his mind.
It was strange indeed.
Jian Mo shared his thoughts with Wu Jiong.
Wu Jiong replied, “That’s because of the connections you’ve made.”
After pondering this, Jian Mo chuckled. “You’re right. When there’s no connection, you don’t bother remembering anything, let alone visiting. But now, even the hard journeys seem worthwhile.”
He thought of the direct distance between the Meng Shui Tribe’s settlement and the He’an Tribe—about 30 or 40 kilometers, less than a marathon. If they wanted to, they could walk it in a few hours. But without motivation, they might never take that path in a lifetime.
Jian Mo turned to Wu Jiong. “I know every tribe in this region now. As we fly over one after another, it feels so good to see home getting closer.”
Wu Jiong kissed him gently. “I feel the same.”
Smiling brightly, Jian Mo returned the kiss. “We all miss home.”
Thank you for the chapter!