Chapter 181: A Shocking Discovery
That day, Wu Jiong had gone to meet with the chiefs of neighboring tribes and didn’t return until well after dark.
Jian Mo was waiting for him in the courtyard. “Why so late? What kind of meeting was this? You didn’t mention it before.”
“Discussing the hunting tournament,” Wu Jiong replied simply.
Jian Mo froze. “The hunting tournament is here again already?”
Wu Jiong nodded lightly.
Time really flew.
Jian Mo’s mind wandered back to last year’s tournament. At that time, he’d only recently arrived in this world and was still unfamiliar with everything.
Recalling the lively scenes from the previous year, Jian Mo said with interest, “We’ve got plenty of supplies this time. We should bring more to trade—maybe stock up on some Mien Fruits. We still haven’t harvested this year’s batch.”
Last year, they had made quite a few Mien Fruit cakes, which had turned out quite tasty. With everything being so busy this year, there hadn’t been time to make any, and he was craving them.
Besides the Mien Fruits, there were plenty of other goods they could trade for since they weren’t short on resources.
Jian Mo’s planning was cut short when Wu Jiong patted his shoulder and said, “No need to bring anything. This year’s tournament is being held in our tribe.”
Jian Mo’s eyes widened in surprise. “Not at the Meng Shui Tribe? They agreed to this?”
Wu Jiong found Jian Mo’s wide-eyed expression adorable and couldn’t resist leaning down to kiss him. “They’ve hosted so many times already; why would they mind? It’s been agreed that this year, we’ll use our new arena. If another tribe builds an arena in the future, we’ll rotate the location.”
Jian Mo mulled this over. “Building an arena isn’t something most tribes would do for fun—it’s too much work.”
Wu Jiong nodded. “Going forward, it’ll probably alternate between us and the Meng Shui Tribe.”
Looking at Wu Jiong’s calm expression, Jian Mo couldn’t help but feel emotional. “Our tribe really has grown.”
Wu Jiong gave him a steady look. “Thanks to you.”
Jian Mo shook his head. “No, it’s thanks to everyone working together.”
With the tournament being hosted by the He’an Tribe this year, the entire tribe was thrilled.
Qing Kuo even organized a group to thoroughly clean the arena, scrubbing it until it sparkled. He also got the children involved in pulling up the wild grass that had sprung up over the summer and fall, tidying up the tribe.
Watching the kids enthusiastically at work, Jian Mo found the scene amusing and heartwarming.
Not joining in, Jian Mo headed to the back mountain to check on the honey sparrows and collect some honeycombs.
He had barely started inspecting the nests when a voice called out, drawn-out and loud, “Brother Jian Mo—”
Jian Mo poked his head out from the trees. “I’m here. What’s up?”
The voice replied, “We need your help!”
Looking closer, Jian Mo saw members of the Bai Zhi Tribe running up the hill.
Familiar with them, Jian Mo asked directly, “Who’s sick this time?”
Running at the front, Wan Zheng shook his head emphatically. “It’s not another tribe—it’s our chief!”
Jian Mo froze. “Your chief? What’s wrong with Chief Qiao Zhi?”
Wan Zheng frowned. “We’re not sure. Ever since we returned, the chief hasn’t been feeling well. The evening before last, he even fainted once.”
Another tribe member chimed in urgently, “We’re really worried. He’s lost weight, and his stomach doesn’t seem right. But when we ask him, he just brushes it off, saying he’ll be fine soon.”
Other members of the Bai Zhi Tribe added anxiously:
“You know how stubborn the chief is—he won’t tell us anything.”
“Brother Jian Mo, do you have time to come with us to take a look? We can carry you there.”
“The chief’s complexion is pale, almost ghostly white. We’re all very concerned.”
Jian Mo knew that the Bai Zhi Tribe thrived under Qiao Zhi’s leadership and that they deeply respected and cared for him. Hearing their desperation, Jian Mo said decisively, “Alright, I’ll go with you to take a look. I’ll try to get back before the tournament starts.”
Wan Zheng assured him, “No problem. The tournament is still a few days away. We can fly you back quickly if needed.”
Jian Mo nodded. “That works. Let me prepare some medicine first—did you say it seems to be his stomach?”
Wan Zheng confirmed, “Yes, but he’s also gotten very thin suddenly. It could be something else entirely.”
Jian Mo frowned but began gathering the herbs he might need. Thankfully, his trip to the Star Storage Tribe had taught him about remedies for stomach and digestive issues.
By the next morning, he was packed and ready to leave with the Bai Zhi Tribe’s bird beastmen.
That evening, he explained the situation to Wu Jiong, who immediately offered, “I’ll come with you.”
Jian Mo tilted his head and studied him. “Don’t you need to oversee the tournament? I’ll be fine going alone—Chirpy and the others will take care of me.”
Wu Jiong dismissed his concern. “De Jiang can manage in my place.”
Seeing that Wu Jiong had already made arrangements, Jian Mo didn’t argue further.
The next day, their group departed for the Bai Zhi Tribe.
Upon arriving, Qiao Zhi seemed startled to see Jian Mo. “Doctor Jian Mo? What brings you here?”
Jian Mo gestured back with his chin. “Wan Zheng said you weren’t feeling well.”
Qiao Zhi followed his gaze to see Wan Zheng and the others looking at him expectantly.
Wan Zheng stepped forward, his expression worried. “Chief, you’ve lost so much weight and barely eat. Please let Brother Jian Mo take a look. He learned a lot from the Star Storage Tribe.”
Qiao Zhi’s face betrayed a flicker of unease. “There’s no need. I’m just—”
Qiao Zhi frowned slightly as he spoke. “It’s nothing serious. You all go ahead. Let me speak with Doctor Jian Mo alone.”
Jian Mo glanced at Wu Jiong, who nodded before leaving with the others.
Once everyone was gone, Qiao Zhi said, “It’s just a bit of discomfort, probably due to underdeveloped growth. When it gets cold, my lower abdomen feels a little off. Nothing major.”
Jian Mo was surprised. “Same as me?”
Qiao Zhi nodded. “When I was younger, everyone thought I was a beastman. There were times when I didn’t take care of myself properly, which left me with some lasting issues.”
Jian Mo, who was still going through development himself and sometimes felt discomfort in cold weather, nodded in understanding. “It could be hormonal—it’s normal to feel uncomfortable sometimes.”
Qiao Zhi gave a faint smile. “Yes, but it’s touching that Wan Zheng and the others remembered and went so far to bring you here.”
Jian Mo grinned. “They all care about you deeply. Since I’m here, how about I give you a proper checkup? I learned a lot during my trip to the Star Storage Tribe.”
Qiao Zhi hesitated. “Does this mean I need to partially beastify?”
It took Jian Mo a moment to catch on, and he quickly waved his hands. “No, no! Beastmen keep their beast form only because it’s easier to examine large beast forms. For sub-beastmen, staying in human form is fine.”
Qiao Zhi nodded in agreement.
Jian Mo looked around. “Find a place to sit. I’ll grab my stethoscope.”
Qiao Zhi sat on a large rock while Jian Mo retrieved his tools. After warming both his hands and the stethoscope, Jian Mo carefully began the examination.
With his recent training, Jian Mo had improved significantly and was able to interpret the sounds he heard more effectively.
As he listened, he grew increasingly puzzled. Something about Qiao Zhi’s internal sounds felt… unusual. Was he mishearing?
Qiao Zhi noticed Jian Mo’s expression. “What’s wrong?”
Jian Mo hesitated. “Let me double-check.”
Qiao Zhi didn’t say anything, letting Jian Mo continue.
After a thorough examination, Jian Mo put down the stethoscope and tentatively asked, “If I’m not mistaken… you seem to be… expecting?”
Qiao Zhi froze, his expression one of utter shock.
Seeing his reaction, Jian Mo immediately grew flustered. “Maybe I got it wrong. Let me confirm again.”
He listened again, meticulously examining both organ and pulse sounds. No matter how he approached it, all signs pointed to the same conclusion—Qiao Zhi was indeed carrying a cub.
Feeling more confident in his diagnosis, Jian Mo looked up at Qiao Zhi, his voice soft. “Is there… a possibility you might be pregnant?”
Qiao Zhi slowly regained composure and nodded. “There was just that one time.”
Jian Mo exhaled lightly. “Then it’s very likely true.”
Qiao Zhi frowned deeply.
Sensing the chief’s unease, Jian Mo refrained from prying into personal matters. Instead, he said, “Carrying a cub means you’ll need to take good care of yourself. If you don’t, your health could take a hit. Try to eat more, especially meat and fish, and include nuts, tubers, and wild vegetables. Variety is key.”
He added cautiously, “Of course, only eat what agrees with you. If something makes you nauseous, don’t force it.”
Qiao Zhi’s frown didn’t relax.
Misinterpreting his concern as reluctance to keep the cub, Jian Mo said gently, “If you don’t want to keep the cub, that’s okay. I’ve learned some safe methods to handle such situations.”
He recalled how Qiao Zhi had been the first to notice Ji Xun’s pregnancy last time. Meeting his gaze, Jian Mo said sincerely, “Your health comes first. Think it over carefully.”
Qiao Zhi exhaled slowly. “Thank you. I hadn’t thought that far yet.”
Jian Mo assumed that Wan Zheng and the others hadn’t considered this possibility either; otherwise, they wouldn’t have gone to such lengths to seek help. “Don’t worry. I’ll keep this private.”
Qiao Zhi shook his head. “It’s not about secrecy—it’s just… complicated. I need time to think.”
His long fingers rubbed at his temple, his frustration evident.
Sensing his distress, Jian Mo offered, “I’ll stay at the Bai Zhi Tribe for two days. Let me know once you’ve decided.”
Qiao Zhi forced a faint smile. “Thank you for your trouble.”
Jian Mo brushed it off lightly. “No trouble at all.”
Later that day, Wu Jiong found Jian Mo at their temporary lodging. “Is Chief Qiao Zhi alright?”
“For now,” Jian Mo replied. “But we’ll be staying here for two days to keep an eye on things.”
Wu Jiong nodded. “We still have time before the tournament. If necessary, I can return to the He’an Tribe while you stay to handle things here.”
Jian Mo sighed. “It feels like so much has happened this year.”
Wu Jiong ruffled his hair. “What’s brought that on all of a sudden?”
Jian Mo smiled faintly. “I can’t say yet, but you might understand in a few days.”
He didn’t have to wait long.
That afternoon, the chief of the Yu Qi Tribe, Qi Ming, arrived at the Bai Zhi Tribe to formally propose becoming Qiao Zhi’s mate.
When Jian Mo heard the news, his jaw dropped.
The two chiefs had actually… been involved?
The Bai Zhi Tribe was in complete uproar.
No one had expected their chief to be carrying a cub—and that the father was the neighboring chief of the Yu Qi Tribe.
When Qi Ming arrived with gifts to express his sincerity, he faced immediate backlash from the Bai Zhi Tribe. A heated argument broke out, loud enough for Jian Mo and Wu Jiong to overhear.
Qi Ming, however, remained composed as he addressed Qiao Zhi. “If you don’t want to move to the Yu Qi Tribe, I’m willing to live here in the Bai Zhi Tribe instead.”
Qiao Zhi pressed a hand to his temple. “It hasn’t come to that yet. Let me think it over.”
Qi Ming’s tone was earnest. “I hope you’ll give me a chance.”
Qiao Zhi’s expression remained unreadable. “We’ll see.”
After expressing his intentions, Qi Ming left, leaving behind the gifts he had brought. However, the Bai Zhi Tribe angrily returned them, refusing to accept anything.
Later, Qiao Zhi sought out Jian Mo. “I’ve decided to keep the cub. Doctor Jian Mo, I’ll need your guidance on how to manage this.”
Jian Mo didn’t press for details. “Your health isn’t the best right now, so let’s focus on strengthening your body. Since you’re carrying, we’ll avoid medication and rely on dietary adjustments. I’ll prepare a meal plan for you.”
Qiao Zhi nodded. “Thank you.”
Jian Mo quickly sketched out the plan since most of the Bai Zhi Tribe couldn’t read.
That night, Jian Mo whispered to Wu Jiong, “I can’t believe they actually ended up together. Your instincts are spot on.”
Wu Jiong smirked. “You can’t fool sharp eyes.”
Curious, Jian Mo asked, “Do you think they’ll officially become mates?”
Wu Jiong shook his head. “Hard to say. They’re both chiefs—it complicates things. Instead of betting on that, why not guess the cub’s beast form?”
Cubs usually inherit the dominant traits of one parent. Jian Mo hesitated. “Both Qiao Zhi and Qi Ming are strong in their own ways. Qi Ming’s even a bit scheming, always smiling on the surface but calculating underneath.”
Wu Jiong nodded. “My guess is it’ll take after Qiao Zhi.”
“Why?”
Wu Jiong pulled Jian Mo into his arms. “Call it intuition. Want to make a bet?”
Jian Mo’s eyes lit up despite the blush on his cheeks. “Deal! What’s the wager?”
Wu Jiong whispered in his ear, making Jian Mo’s face turn even redder. Still, his eyes gleamed as he said, “It’s a bet, then! No backing out.”
Wu Jiong’s smile deepened. “I never back out.”
Thank you for the chapter!