Chapter 199: A Personal Invitation
Jian Mo’s lessons were progressing smoothly.
His students were all adults—disciplined, self-motivated, and eager to learn. He only needed to focus on teaching, without worrying about managing their behavior or their personal lives.
With such a supportive group, he didn’t feel mentally drained and was thoroughly enjoying the process.
On a sunny autumn afternoon, Jian Mo prepared his students for their first hands-on anatomy lesson: learning to listen to the internal sounds of the body.
Several beastmen from the He’an Tribe transformed into their beast forms and lay on the grass, acting as practice subjects. Visiting beastmen who had accompanied their young cubs to the tribe also joined in at Jian Mo’s request.
From a distance, the grassy field looked like a gathering of massive beasts. Some were fluffy and cuddly, while others, like the unicorn horses and giant armored beasts, radiated an imposing aura.
Jian Mo led his students from one beast to the next, demonstrating how to listen and explaining what the various sounds within their bodies represented. He encouraged them to remember the characteristics of a healthy beast’s internal noises.
The sounds from the massive beasts were easier to discern due to their size, making this an ideal starting point. As the students advanced, Jian Mo planned to gradually teach them how to listen to the sounds in humanoid forms, in young cubs, and even in pregnant sub-beastmen.
Over time, they would develop the ability to distinguish a range of conditions based on these sounds.
Initially, the giant beasts were a little uneasy about being surrounded and examined, but the students’ gentle handling, combined with the warm sunlight, soon calmed them down. Some beasts even dozed off, including Ban Ming, the enormous gray cat.
The massive feline sprawled on his back, limbs akimbo. Thankfully, he remembered his manners and kept his fluffy tail snugly wrapped over his lower abdomen like a makeshift blanket.
Jian Mo, familiar with Ban Ming, lingered slightly longer when checking on him.
The gray cat didn’t mind being climbed on and prodded, though his ears twitched slightly when someone accidentally pressed on his stomach. The student quickly apologized, their actions careful and contrite, which the gray cat seemed to accept with a slight flick of his tail.
When it was A Meng’s turn to examine him, Ban Ming’s tail, which had been obediently covering his belly, mischievously curled up and tickled A Meng’s wrist.
A Meng’s ears reddened, but he lightly flicked the tip of the tail in return.
Jian Mo couldn’t help but laugh at the interaction. He patted the gray cat’s shoulder blade and teased, “Focus on the lesson. Stop flirting during class.”
Ban Ming’s tail straightened instantly, eliciting laughter from the surrounding students.
Jian Mo guided his students through the rest of the examinations, encouraging them to continue practicing and noting each beast’s characteristics.
Nearby, returning hunters and gatherers gathered to watch, while young cubs stood at a respectful distance, their curiosity piqued by the scene. Jian Mo hoped these moments would plant seeds of interest in the cubs’ minds for future learning.
The lessons soon advanced to treating external injuries, which left Jian Mo slightly troubled.
He confided to Wu Jiong, “It’s hard to teach about external injuries without real cases to demonstrate. Unfortunately, no one’s come in with injuries recently. If someone had, I could teach the topic more effectively.”
Everyone in the tribe was healthy, and Jian Mo wasn’t about to harm someone just for the sake of a lesson.
Wu Jiong replied, “I’ll have someone ask around. If anyone is injured, we can invite them here.”
Jian Mo nodded. “I’ve already sent word to nearby tribes asking for potential cases. If we don’t hear back soon, I’ll postpone this topic until later.”
Wu Jiong reassured him, “You won’t need to wait long. Major injuries might be rare, but minor ones are common enough.”
News of Jian Mo’s need for injured individuals spread quickly. Everyone was eager to help, keeping an ear out for suitable cases.
One day, one of Jian Mo’s students, the sub-beastman Luan Feng from the Meng Shui Tribe, approached him with promising news. “Teacher, my father’s friend, a beastman from the Yang Yao Tribe, recently injured his leg. It sounds like it fits the requirements for your lesson.”
Jian Mo’s eyes lit up. “What happened to his leg? How long ago was he injured?”
Luan Feng, having done his homework, answered, “A wild beast clawed his leg, cutting it open to the bone. It’s been six days since the injury.”
Jian Mo frowned. “Why didn’t he come to us for treatment?”
Luan Feng explained, “He tried using a folk remedy, but it doesn’t seem to be helping. Should we invite him here?”
Jian Mo considered this. “His leg’s already injured—asking him to travel all the way here might not be ideal. I’ll go check on him instead. If the case is suitable, we can bring him back. If not, there’s no need to make him move unnecessarily.”
Luan Feng hesitated. “But what about our classes?”
Jian Mo smiled. “We’ve had lessons every day for a while now. This is a good opportunity for everyone to take a break, myself included.”
Jian Mo decided to ride Chirpy and Ying Ao with Wu Jiong to the Yang Yao Tribe. Leaving in the evening, they would likely arrive by the next afternoon—far quicker than traveling on foot.
He instructed Luan Feng, “Let everyone know that classes are canceled tomorrow and the day after. If we’re back by the third day, we’ll resume lessons. If not, you all get an extra day off.”
Luan Feng quickly agreed. “Understood.”
Jian Mo started packing supplies for the trip, humming a cheerful tune as he worked. He neatly loaded everything into a sturdy basket, secured the lid, and slung it over his back.
When he turned around, he saw Wu Jiong leaning casually against the doorframe, watching him with a faint smile.
Startled, Jian Mo asked, “When did you get back?”
Wu Jiong replied with a chuckle, “I’ve been here for a while. What’s got you in such a good mood?”
Jian Mo’s eyes sparkled. “Luan Feng just told me about an injured beastman from the Yang Yao Tribe. I want to go check on him. If his case fits our teaching requirements, we can invite him over for a demonstration.”
Wu Jiong observed him. “You’re this happy because you found a patient?”
Jian Mo shook his head, laughing. “Not exactly—it’s because I get to step out for some fresh air.”
Teaching students was rewarding, but it was also exhausting. Even if this opportunity hadn’t come up, Jian Mo had been planning to give everyone a short break, himself included.
He asked, “You don’t have anything urgent, right? We’ll only be gone for two or three days. We should be back the day after tomorrow.”
Wu Jiong replied, “The tribe’s peaceful. What could possibly come up?”
“Great. Then tell Qing Kuo and De Jiang where we’re going. I’ll feed Chirpy and Ying Ao. Let’s leave before nightfall.”
“Got it.”
After gathering their supplies, they set off without delay, even as the sun dipped toward the horizon. Riding Chirpy and Ying Ao, they soared into the sky.
The two winged beasts were particularly energetic after playing outside all day. They flew swiftly, carrying their riders far and fast.
By the time the moon rose and the sky turned dark, they had reached the borders of the Hong Zhen Tribe. There, they found a flat, sheltered spot to rest and eat dinner.
Jian Mo had brought along partially prepared meals that only required some cooking.
The two of them, along with Chirpy and Ying Ao, sat by the fire, eating leisurely.
Jian Mo remarked, “It feels like it’s been forever since I’ve been on the road. I kind of missed this.”
Wu Jiong nodded. “Next time you give the students a break, we can head out again. The arrowbone beasts have fattened up nicely for the season. I’ll take you hunting.”
Jian Mo’s eyes lit up. “Deal! I’m bringing barbecue spices. We’ll roast the meat on-site.”
“No problem,” Wu Jiong agreed with a grin.
After a quick meal, they washed up and prepared for the night. Wu Jiong shifted into his giant wolf form, allowing Jian Mo to climb onto his back. Accompanied by the steady breathing of the wolf and the two winged beasts, Jian Mo quickly fell asleep.
Whether Chirpy and Ying Ao were flying faster than usual, or their familiarity with the route helped, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong arrived at the Yang Yao Tribe by midday the next day.
This wasn’t their first time visiting the tribe, and they were no longer the unassuming young pair they had once been. Jian Mo’s reputation preceded him.
Upon learning the purpose of their visit, the Yang Yao Tribe’s leader immediately said, “The injured one is Bo Ao. I’ll take you to him.”
Jian Mo asked, “How is his injury?”
“Not sure. It hasn’t healed yet,” the leader replied, then added with a note of caution, “Bo Ao has a bit of a temper. His injury has put him in a worse mood. If he says anything unpleasant, I hope you’ll bear with him.”
“Understood. Don’t worry,” Jian Mo assured him. “We have ways to handle these situations.”
The tribe leader led them to Bo Ao’s home. Before they even entered, Jian Mo caught a whiff of blood and decay. The injury must be severe.
The leader knocked on the door. “Bo Ao, we’re here to see you. Jian Mo, the healer from the He’an Tribe, has come as well.”
From inside came a hoarse, somewhat grouchy voice. “What healer? The so-called famous one?”
The voice grew closer, and soon a haggard middle-aged beastman appeared, limping heavily. He glanced at Jian Mo and Wu Jiong. “What do you want?”
Jian Mo asked, “How’s your injury? Can we take a look?”
“It’s none of your business,” Bo Ao snapped.
Jian Mo was momentarily at a loss, but the tribe leader quickly interjected, “Don’t mind him. He’s always like this.”
Turning to Bo Ao, the leader scolded, “They’re guests who came all this way. Why are you being so rude?”
“They’re not my guests. Whoever invited them can take care of them,” Bo Ao retorted.
Accustomed to polite treatment wherever he went, Jian Mo found Bo Ao’s attitude unusual. Undeterred, he raised his voice, “You seem uncomfortable. I noticed signs of a secondary injury on your leg.”
The tribe leader looked surprised. “He’s only been injured once.”
Bo Ao stopped mid-step, his eyes narrowing. “How did you know there was a second injury?”
“It’s obvious,” Jian Mo replied calmly. “The state of the new wound is completely different from the old one.”
After a moment of silence, Bo Ao relented. “Come in, then.”
Taking advantage of Bo Ao’s softened demeanor, the tribe leader accompanied them inside.
Once seated, Jian Mo requested another look at Bo Ao’s leg. This time, the beastman didn’t refuse.
Carefully examining the wound, Jian Mo was startled. “Did you cut this yourself?”
Bo Ao admitted gruffly, “Yeah. After I got injured, I called a healer from the Yan Wang Tribe. He treated it, but instead of healing, it got worse. The rotting flesh was driving me crazy, so I cut it off.”
Jian Mo noted the severe swelling around the wound and gently pressed on it while wearing gloves. “It’s infected, and there’s debris inside. We’ll need to clean the wound thoroughly.”
Bo Ao grimaced. “Can it still be saved after this mess?”
Jian Mo nodded confidently. “It should be manageable. The rot hasn’t spread too deeply. Once we clean it and re-stitch the wound, it’ll heal. What medicine did that healer use?”
“Longhead beast dung,” Bo Ao answered.
Jian Mo froze. “What?”
Though he was well-versed in various traditional remedies, this was the first time he had heard of fresh dung being used directly on a large open wound.
Hesitantly, he clarified, “Did he use it for fumigation?”
“No, he smeared it on the wound,” Bo Ao replied curtly.
“That’s… a serious problem,” Jian Mo said, his tone measured.
Bo Ao’s frustration erupted. “I had my doubts about using dung! But that healer claimed it worked wonders and had saved many lives. Turns out he’s just a fraud!”
The tribe leader tried to explain, “We’ve used this method before, and it usually works. Maybe Bo Ao’s injury was too severe, or maybe it’s because he’s older. Normally, longhead beast dung is effective, especially for smaller wounds.”
Jian Mo resisted the urge to comment further. He suspected that past successes had more to do with the patients’ robust constitutions and minor injuries than with the treatment itself. In Bo Ao’s case, the method was entirely unsuitable.
Jian Mo had encountered many unusual remedies during his time in the Star Storage Tribe, but even the most unconventional herbs and materials underwent some form of processing before use. Applying fresh animal dung directly to an open wound struck him as reckless.
Perhaps the people here didn’t fully understand these risks, leading to such misguided practices.
After a quick examination, Jian Mo said, “The lighting in here isn’t ideal. Let’s take a look outside.”
By now, Bo Ao had begun to trust Jian Mo somewhat and didn’t resist. “Alright, lead the way.”
When the Yang Yao Tribe’s leader tried to help him walk, Bo Ao waved him off, hobbling out on his own. The leader sighed, picked up a wooden chair, and followed closely behind.
Jian Mo and Wu Jiong exchanged a knowing look, silently agreeing to tread carefully when dealing with such a prickly patient.
In the daylight, Jian Mo could clearly see the extent of the injury.
A vicious gash ran down Bo Ao’s right leg, starting just below the knee and extending almost to his ankle. If his leg were a fish, it looked as though it had been gutted. The wound was deep, exposing bone in places, and the surrounding tissue was red, swollen, and oozing pus—a clear sign of advanced infection.
Bo Ao muttered gruffly, “I was worried about losing my leg, so I cut out the rotten flesh myself. Didn’t make a difference—still a mess.”
Jian Mo marveled at Bo Ao’s audacity. The infection likely hadn’t been completely removed, and the self-surgery had probably caused secondary contamination, worsening the situation.
Of course, he didn’t voice these thoughts.
Instead, Jian Mo calmly said, “I’ve brought some medicine. Let’s clean up the wound first.”
Bo Ao snorted. “Do what you have to. Just fix it.”
Jian Mo smiled faintly. “I’ll do my best.”
Jian Mo retrieved purified salt and a specialized ceramic pot for sterilizing tools. He borrowed firewood and other supplies from the tribe, setting up a makeshift treatment station to boil water and dissolve the salt.
Several members of the Yang Yao Tribe gathered nearby, watching with a mix of awe and unease as Jian Mo unpacked his gleaming metal instruments.
Jian Mo didn’t mind the audience. As long as they kept their distance and didn’t interfere, he welcomed their curiosity. This could serve as a form of outreach for the next wave of medical training sessions.
When Jian Mo began cleaning Bo Ao’s wound with warm saline, his steady hands and focused demeanor exuded a natural authority that put both the patient and the onlookers at ease.
Using a wooden tube, Jian Mo carefully irrigated the wound, flushing out pus and debris while explaining the process to Bo Ao. The beastman endured the procedure silently, sitting as still as a statue.
It took two full containers of saline to thoroughly clean the wound.
Afterward, Jian Mo chose not to apply medicine immediately. “For now, we’ll leave the wound open to allow it to drain naturally. Applying powder too soon could interfere with healing. Let’s monitor it for two days before deciding the next steps.”
Bo Ao nodded, staring at his now-clean leg. “Alright.”
Jian Mo reassured him, “Don’t worry too much. I’ve treated worse injuries before—like the chieftain of the Qin Hai Tribe. His wound went all the way through his body, and now he’s nearly fully recovered.”
The Yang Yao Tribe leader chimed in, “That story’s true? We heard about it and thought it was exaggerated.”
“It’s true,” Jian Mo confirmed. “You can ask him yourself if you ever meet him.”
Jian Mo decided not to push the idea of using Bo Ao’s case for teaching just yet. Instead, he and Wu Jiong stayed overnight in the tribe to rest after their long journey. The tribe leader arranged a comfortable room for them and provided food.
The next morning, when Jian Mo emerged, Bo Ao was already waiting outside, his beast hide cloak damp with dew.
Surprised, Jian Mo asked, “Why are you here so early?”
Bo Ao replied eagerly, “I want to heal my leg as soon as possible. Jian Mo, take a look—doesn’t it look better today? It doesn’t feel as swollen.”
Jian Mo crouched to examine the wound, carefully donning gloves and a mask. After a thorough inspection, he nodded. “Yes, it’s improving. If the swelling continues to subside, we can consider stitching it up soon. That will speed up recovery.”
“Great, great. I’ll do whatever you say,” Bo Ao said earnestly.
“For now, I’ll clean the wound again and apply some medicine. It’s finally ready for treatment,” Jian Mo informed him.
Bo Ao nodded enthusiastically. “Thanks, really.”
Wu Jiong joined them to assist. Together, they spent the entire morning cleaning the wound, applying a light medicinal salve, and carefully wrapping it with clean cotton bandages.
When they were done, Bo Ao looked visibly relieved, his gratitude evident.
Jian Mo hesitated before broaching his next request. “Your leg is responding well to treatment. I have a proposal: Would you be willing to come to the He’an Tribe? I’d like to use your case to teach my students how to handle severe wounds like this.”
Noticing Bo Ao’s hesitation, Jian Mo quickly explained the classroom setup and how the demonstration could benefit both parties. “We’ll provide all the necessary medical supplies for your treatment at no cost, and you’ll also receive additional compensation for your time.”
Bo Ao seemed torn, glancing down at his bandaged leg. “I can’t walk long distances right now.”
Jian Mo reassured him, “We brought two winged beasts with us. You can ride one to our tribe, and we’ll fly you back afterward. This way, you won’t have to strain your leg.”
After a moment’s contemplation, Bo Ao sighed. “Alright, Jian Mo. I trust you.”
Jian Mo smiled warmly. “Thank you. Time is of the essence, so let’s prepare to leave today. I’ll inform your tribe leader now.”
Bo Ao agreed readily, “Alright, whatever you say. Just tell me if there’s anything I need to bring.”
Jian Mo reassured him, “You don’t need to bring much. Just coming with us is already a huge help.”
Though he said so, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong didn’t miss the chance to barter for some insect wax and other specialties before leaving the Yang Yao Tribe. Bo Ao packed a few personal belongings for the trip as well.
For safety, Wu Jiong rode Ying Ao while keeping a close watch on Bo Ao, and Jian Mo flew alongside them on Chirpy.
The journey back to the He’an Tribe took two days.
When they arrived, Jian Mo’s students were already waiting anxiously. “Teacher, you’re finally back! We were about to come and find you ourselves!”
Jian Mo chuckled, “With Wu Jiong around, what could possibly go wrong? Don’t worry. This is Bo Ao, the beastman I invited. Tomorrow, he’ll assist me in demonstrating wound cleaning and suturing techniques.”
Ye Luo quickly stepped forward, “He’s traveled such a long way; it must’ve been tough for him. Let’s take him to the clinic to settle in first.”
Jian Mo nodded. “Good idea. Make sure he’s well-fed too; he needs some proper nourishment.”
After giving his instructions, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong headed home. With the surgery scheduled for the next day, Jian Mo needed to take stock of his supplies and review the procedure to ensure nothing was overlooked.
Surgical operations were significantly more challenging than other treatments. He would have to explain every step thoroughly.
Although most situations wouldn’t require the barefoot-doctor-level healers he was training to perform surgeries, knowing the basics could save lives in emergencies.
As Jian Mo busied himself with preparations, Wu Jiong tended to Chirpy and Ying Ao, and then cooked dinner. Once the food was ready, he came upstairs to call Jian Mo. “Are you almost done?”
Jian Mo turned around from his desk. “Almost, just let me finish writing these last two lines.”
Wu Jiong, who could recognize some characters but not all, asked, “What are you writing?”
“Lesson plans,” Jian Mo replied, then explained line by line to Wu Jiong:
“This line is a reminder to emphasize the dangers of infection. Students must understand that unsanitary materials, like directly applying animal dung to wounds, are absolutely forbidden.”
“Here, I’ve written about the principles of sterilization, stressing the importance of disinfection and infection prevention.”
“And this last part highlights the need to consider patients’ psychological well-being. Illness often leaves people emotionally fragile, and improper practices can not only cause physical pain but also create lasting psychological scars.”
Jian Mo finished explaining and looked up, noticing Wu Jiong’s focused gaze. He laughed softly, “Why are you looking at me like that?”
Wu Jiong leaned in, kissed him lightly, and murmured, “When you talk about these things, it’s like you’re glowing. You’re mesmerizing.”
Jian Mo’s eyes curved into a smile. “I wouldn’t be able to do any of this without your support. If it weren’t for you taking care of so many other tasks, I wouldn’t be sitting here calmly writing these plans.”
Wu Jiong held Jian Mo’s hand and kissed it. “That’s why we make a perfect pair—we’re meant for each other.”
Couple goals!
Thanks for the chapter~~