Wu Jiong stood to the side, watching Jian Mo work. He noticed Jian Mo frying the butter, Pepper Stamen powder, and shell powder together, only to set the stone pot aside and bring out another one to fry tuber starch. This surprised him.
When Jian Mo looked up and saw Wu Jiong’s expression, he guessed what was on his mind. He explained, “Just mixing the seasonings isn’t enough to make it thick. It’ll only be a juice, not a proper sauce. That’s why I need to add tuber starch to make it thicker.”
Wu Jiong nodded.
Jian Mo wasn’t sure if Wu Jiong actually understood or was just pretending, so he let it go, chuckled, and continued to slowly fry the tuber starch.
Occasionally, he had to move the pot off the fire to prevent burning.
A proper sauce would usually require toasted flour, but since he didn’t have any, starch would have to do.
After all, he didn’t have soy sauce, oyster sauce, or similar ingredients here. With so many limitations, there wasn’t much room to be picky.
The tuber starch gradually turned yellow. Jian Mo poured it into the pot with the previously fried Pepper Stamen powder and butter, mixing everything together.
The mixture bubbled as the fragrance intensified. Jian Mo then added pre-made meat broth.
As soon as the broth hit the pot, the aroma became even more enticing. The bubbling pot released a rich, spicy scent that filled the air, teasing the senses with a new kind of excitement.
With the Pepper Stamen sauce ready, Jian Mo moved on to something simpler: pan-frying meat steaks.
He deftly placed the marinated steaks on a hot stone slab, letting them sizzle. Meanwhile, he pressed down roasted wood-root slices on the slab, slowly frying them until they turned golden and crisp.
When the steaks were done, Jian Mo sliced them, spooned a generous amount of Pepper Stamen sauce over the top, and plated them neatly.
He tossed the fried wood-root slices into the sauce pot, giving them a quick stir before serving them on a separate plate.
Dinner was ready.
Jian Mo eagerly handed the larger portion to Wu Jiong and grabbed a plate for himself. “Hurry, try the Pepper Stamen steak!”
Before Wu Jiong could respond, Jian Mo had already taken a bite.
The moment he bit into the steak, the smoky, charred flavor combined with the spicy, fragrant Pepper Stamen sauce exploded in his mouth. The taste was rich, spicy, and piping hot, each flavor blending perfectly. It was a stark contrast to the bland, tough steaks he’d endured in the past.
Jian Mo closed his eyes with contentment.
It had been so long since he’d tasted something spicy.
While Jian Mo usually ate less at dinner, today was an exception. Not only did he not cut back, but he ate more than usual.
After finishing his meal, he poured himself a cup of cool leaf tea. Full and satisfied, Jian Mo stretched out lazily, unwilling to move another inch.
Life couldn’t get any better.
After finishing his meal, Wu Jiong began clearing the leftover food. Judging by how quickly he ate, he seemed to enjoy the Pepper Stamen sauce just as much.
Jian Mo sighed wistfully. “This Pepper Stamen sauce is amazing, but we don’t have much of it. How long until spring?”
Wu Jiong silently calculated. “Probably about 160 or 170 days. If you like it, we can trade for more from the Ice River Tribe. They also have millstones.”
They had planned to make a millstone before but couldn’t find suitable stone locally. They had even considered trading for one from the Mengshui Tribe but hadn’t had time to go.
“Does the Ice River Tribe really have millstones?” Jian Mo asked immediately.
Wu Jiong nodded. “Yes, they have plenty of stones and make good millstones. If you want to go, we can ride Chirpy there and back in a day.”
“Let’s go tomorrow,” Jian Mo decided, already planning. “I’ll sort through some fabric and see if we can trade it for Pepper Stamen.”
Fabric was a valuable commodity among the beastmen tribes, so Jian Mo was confident it would suffice. He also had some fabrics collected from various sources—some of which he didn’t particularly like in texture or color—making this the perfect opportunity to trade them away.
Winter meant fewer group activities, so they didn’t need to inform others of their plans. Once they wrapped up their household tasks, they departed.
Chirpy had been cooped up in the tribe, eating and sleeping for days, so the opportunity to go out thrilled it. The winged beast chirped happily, “Chirp, chirp, chirp!” and flew toward the Ice River Tribe without needing much direction from Wu Jiong.
In winter, Chirpy’s fur grew thick and fluffy, giving it a warm, cozy appearance.
Jian Mo sat on its back, feeling like he was perched on a heated cushion.
With Chirpy having gained some weight recently, its soft body made for an exceptionally comfortable ride. Jian Mo, lulled by the warmth of Chirpy’s fur and Wu Jiong’s solid chest behind him, felt entirely secure even without holding tightly onto Chirpy’s fur.
Before long, he dozed off.
When he woke, they had already reached the Ice River Tribe.
“That was quick,” Jian Mo muttered, discreetly wiping his face. Thankfully, he hadn’t drooled, or he’d be mortified.
Wu Jiong nodded. “Chirpy flew faster this time.”
The winged beast was so large that the Ice River Tribe’s people had spotted them from afar.
Jian Mo and Wu Jiong were well-known figures. After confirming their purpose with the patrol, they were allowed entry.
Jian Mo observed the Ice River Tribe closely. Its high elevation placed it on a plateau, unlike the He’an Tribe, which was in a river valley.
If translated from the beastmen language, Jian Mo thought the Ice River Tribe’s location could be called the “Ice River Plateau.” Unique to this plateau was a massive, deep gorge along one side, with a river rushing through its depths.
The Ice River Tribe’s leader, Kang Ying, came personally to greet them upon hearing of their arrival.
Kang Ying was a burly yet agile middle-aged beastman with a warm demeanor. When he learned they were interested in trading for a millstone and Pepper Stamen, he immediately offered to show them the millstones and said he would check who in the tribe might have Pepper Stamen to trade.
Jian Mo had no objections, so they headed to see the millstones first.
The area around the Ice River Tribe was littered with stones of various sizes, likely deposited by glaciers long ago.
Near the stones grew red thorn bushes, their dense branches covered in sharp spines.
Wu Jiong pointed out the bushes. “These are Pepper Stamen plants. In spring, they bloom with large, translucent orange-red flowers, and the stamens are the Pepper Stamen spice.”
Jian Mo tried to imagine vibrant flowers blooming on such prickly bushes. The thought felt almost magical.
Kang Ying gave them a tour along the way. “We have finished millstones in the tribe. If you don’t like them, you can pick a stone, and we’ll make a new one for you.”
“Alright,” Wu Jiong replied.
Kang Ying seemed used to Wu Jiong’s reticence and wasn’t bothered. He turned to Jian Mo instead. “Are the millstone and Pepper Stamen all you want? If there’s anything else, let me know, and I’ll have someone look for it.”
Jian Mo smiled. “Just those two for now.”
Kang Ying chuckled warmly. “If you ever need anything else, feel free to come to our tribe. Many of our people were treated by you during the hunting festival, and we’re all very grateful.”
So that’s why he’s so welcoming, Jian Mo thought. “Everyone is too kind.”
Kang Ying kept the conversation lively as he led them to the tribe’s millstone workshop. It didn’t take long for Jian Mo and Wu Jiong to select a satisfactory small millstone.
Most millstones were similar; as long as they worked well, there wasn’t much need for scrutiny.
With the selection made, Kang Ying carried the millstone back to the tribe’s clearing, where they traded with the locals for Pepper Stamen.
The Ice River Tribe’s people were fair, asking for only a modest amount of fabric.
Jian Mo happily traded all the fabric he’d brought, acquiring a large bundle of Pepper Stamen—at least two to three pounds. The haul made him beam with joy, his eyes practically curving into crescents.
Seeing Jian Mo’s delight, Kang Ying was pleased as well and invited them to his home for food, suggesting they could also discuss matters between their tribes.
Both Wu Jiong and Jian Mo agreed. Their host’s warm hospitality made it impossible to refuse without seeming rude.
As the three walked toward Kang Ying’s house, chatting, Jian Mo suddenly heard someone panting behind them, calling out to him.
Thinking it was someone from the Ice River Tribe, he turned, only to see a massive beast with red fur and three tails, resembling a mix of fox and weasel, racing toward them.
The Ice River Tribe was a single-species tribe, their beast forms resembling bears. This creature was clearly not one of them—it seemed to be from the Red Striped Tribe.
Unsure, Jian Mo waited as the giant beast approached.
Panting heavily, the beast rasped out a greeting to Kang Ying before addressing Jian Mo. “Doctor Jian Mo, my son is ill. I went to the He’an Tribe to find you, but you weren’t there, so I followed you here.”
When Jian Mo heard it was a young one who was sick, he immediately asked, “A beastman child or a sub-beastman child? What’s the problem?”
The giant beast answered, “A beastman child. He developed a large abscess on his back a few days ago. We applied medicine, and it seemed to shrink, but this morning he suddenly developed a fever. His body is burning hot, so we hurried to find you.”
Jian Mo glanced behind the beast.
The giant beast panted, “I didn’t bring him here because I was afraid the journey would worsen his condition. He’s back at the He’an Tribe. Qing Kuo and my mate are watching over him.”
Hearing Qing Kuo’s name gave Jian Mo some relief—Qing Kuo was dependable. He looked over at Wu Jiong for confirmation.
Wu Jiong also seemed calm, which eased Jian Mo’s worry further.
Jian Mo turned to Kang Ying. “I think I need to return and check on the child.”
Kang Ying immediately said, “The little one is the priority. Go take care of him. We can talk next time.”
Jian Mo apologized, “We’ll have to leave early, then. Visit us at the He’an Tribe when you have time, and we’ll host you.”
Kang Ying waved his hand. “Go quickly. Can the winged beast carry the millstone? If not, leave it here, and I’ll have someone bring it to you later.”
“It can manage,” Wu Jiong replied with a nod of thanks before turning to the giant beast. “Head back to the He’an Tribe. We’ll take Chirpy and likely get there faster than you.”
The giant beast didn’t linger, immediately turning and sprinting away.
Jian Mo and Wu Jiong secured the millstone and the Pepper Stamen onto Chirpy’s back before climbing on themselves.
The small millstone wasn’t very heavy, and Chirpy carried it effortlessly.
Jian Mo communicated with Chirpy, asking it to fly faster. The winged beast seemed to understand, speeding up noticeably compared to their earlier journey.
Flying directly gave them a huge advantage. When they arrived at the He’an Tribe, the red giant beast hadn’t yet returned.
Instead, Ban Ming was waiting for them, sent by Qing Kuo. “Brother Jian Mo, Chief! My dad and the others are at your house. Go quickly—I’ll take care of tying up Chirpy.”
“Thanks. We’ll head there now,” Jian Mo said without hesitation.
Back at their house, Qing Kuo stood under the eaves with a sub-beastman holding a small, red-furred beast.
The beast cub, likely feverish, had damp fur, and its three fluffy tails drooped lifelessly.
The little one’s eyes were shut tightly, and its labored breaths made its dire condition clear.
The moment Jian Mo appeared, the sub-beastman exclaimed anxiously, “Doctor Jian Mo! You’re finally here!”
Jian Mo hurried over. “Let me check the little one. Where’s the abscess?”
The sub-beastman carefully adjusted the cub in his arms to show Jian Mo its back. “It’s here.”
The cub’s back appeared smooth, with no visible abscess protruding. At first glance, it didn’t seem too severe.
However, when Jian Mo lightly pressed the area, he felt a large, hard mass under the skin.
His heart sank. The extensive swelling indicated an infection—likely bacteremia or even sepsis.
If it was a mild bacteremia, the cub might survive. However a multi-pathogen bacteremia or sepsis could lead to organ failure and a high risk of death.
This was serious.
Jian Mo quickly said, “Bring him inside. I need to examine him further.”
Seeing Jian Mo’s grave expression, the sub-beastman nodded nervously and followed him inside.
After a thorough check, Jian Mo concluded, “I’ll need to cut open the abscess and drain the pus and blood. But this procedure is risky. I can’t guarantee the little one will recover afterward.”
The sub-beastman turned pale. “What should we do, then?”
Jian Mo explained, “If the abscess isn’t drained, the cub will almost certainly die. The situation will worsen.”
The sub-beastman stammered, “Then… then—”
Jian Mo looked him in the eye. “If you agree to the procedure, I’ll do everything I can to save him. But I can’t promise success. If the little one doesn’t make it, you can’t blame me or accuse me of causing his death.”
After a pause, Jian Mo added, “If you don’t want the procedure, you can take him back and give him herbal soup. But I can’t guarantee it’ll help.”
The sub-beastman muttered, “Of course, we wouldn’t blame you. You’ve already helped heal so many.”
Jian Mo nodded and turned to Wu Jiong.
Wu Jiong, understanding what Jian Mo wanted to confirm, spoke firmly. “Do what you need to. There won’t be trouble.”
With that reassurance, Jian Mo felt at ease.
He wanted to save the cub but not at the expense of creating problems for himself or the tribe.
Jian Mo found a mat and instructed them to lay the cub on it. He sent Qing Kuo to fetch ice water to cool the cub down.
Without a thermometer, Jian Mo couldn’t determine the cub’s exact temperature, but it was dangerously high and needed immediate attention.
While Qing Kuo fetched the water, Jian Mo started a fire to sterilize his medical tools and prepared some saline solution.
By then, the red giant beast, the cub’s father, had arrived. The sub-beastman relayed Jian Mo’s explanation to him. After hearing it, the father assured them that regardless of the outcome, they wouldn’t hold Jian Mo or the tribe accountable.
With everything ready, Jian Mo asked everyone except Wu Jiong to leave. Wu Jiong would stay to help hold the cub steady.
For those unfamiliar with medical procedures, witnessing an incision and drainage could be distressing. Wu Jiong, however, was experienced and unbothered.
The cub, unconscious, lay still.
As Jian Mo looked at its beast form, he felt like he was back in the modern world performing surgery on an animal.
This was a scenario he was all too familiar with. Once the procedure began, he entered a state of complete focus, carefully addressing the infected area.
The surgery wasn’t complicated but required precision.
Jian Mo completed it swiftly, draining pus, blood, and necrotic tissue. By the end, he had half a basin of fluids—an alarming sight.
After Jian Mo finished bandaging the cub, he stepped outside to address the cub’s two fathers. “The surgery is complete. Now we just need to monitor his recovery. Why don’t you leave him with me for two days? That way, I can respond immediately if anything happens.”
There wasn’t really a concept of hospitalization here, but the cub’s condition was serious, and after surgery, it wasn’t ideal for him to endure the bumpy journey back to their tribe.
Both fathers readily agreed.
The cub’s father expressed his gratitude. “Doctor Jian Mo, we’re so lucky to have you. Otherwise, Taiyan would’ve been in real danger.”
Jian Mo replied honestly, “He’s not completely out of danger yet.”
“But he’s better off than before,” the father said firmly.
That was true.
Jian Mo turned to Wu Jiong. “Both of you should rest as well. I’ll call you if anything comes up.”
Wu Jiong nodded. “I’ll handle the arrangements.”
He escorted the couple to rest, while Jian Mo returned to care for the cub and clean the medical tools. He boiled and sterilized the equipment, burned waste materials, and began brainstorming how to replenish the supplies he’d used up.
The beastmen and sub-beastmen’s natural resilience was evident. By evening, the cub’s fever had subsided, and he had regained consciousness. Though he cried softly from the pain of his wound, it was a good sign.
The sight of the little red furball lying on the animal-skin mat, tears rolling down his face, tugged at Jian Mo’s heartstrings. He gently patted the cub’s head, comforting him with soft words.
That night, Jian Mo prepared a stew of root vegetables and meat for the little one.
He blanched the meat and carefully cleaned the roots. The resulting broth was clear and fragrant, with tender roots and flavorful meat. The cub, despite his whimpers, managed to eat three bowls.
A healthy appetite was another promising sign, easing Jian Mo’s worries.
The cub’s fathers visited afterward. Seeing their child’s condition improve, reassured them greatly.
Jian Mo explained that while the fever had broken and the cub was awake, he still needed two days of close observation. With their approval, he kept the cub at his home to monitor him.
The next day, the fathers brought ten rolls of fabric and two large baskets of roots as payment for the medical care.
Jian Mo insisted on returning three rolls of fabric, explaining that it was too much, and suggested the cub stay a few more days. Apart from making it easier to care for him, Jian Mo wanted to observe the case for his own experience.
The cub, unable to shift back to human form due to the pain from his healing wound, initially struggled with the discomfort. But as he improved, his energy returned, and soon he was dragging his three fluffy tails around the house, running back and forth.
The cub’s beast form was also capable of speech, and his endless chatter added a lively buzz to Wu Jiong’s normally quiet household.
By nighttime, the cub had fallen asleep on his mat.
Jian Mo tucked the covers around him before collapsing onto his own bed with exhaustion.
“Thank you for all the hard work,” Wu Jiong said.
“It’s fine,” Jian Mo replied wearily. “You’ve been a big help too. I think we’ll need another two days before sending him home.”
He felt slightly apologetic, wondering if Wu Jiong, who wasn’t particularly talkative, might find the cub’s constant chatter grating.
Wu Jiong’s response was steady. “It’s fine. His recovery is more important.”
The next morning, Jian Mo was still groggy from fatigue, but the cub, after a day of rest, was full of energy. He even joined the other younglings in the tribe for playtime.
The local children welcomed him warmly, showing no hesitation in including the newcomer.
Jian Mo watched them play, reminding the cub to be careful with his wound and avoid any rough activities. He also enlisted the help of the older children to keep an eye on him.
The kids eagerly agreed, and the cub’s fathers, seeing him so lively during their visit, were visibly relieved.
Jian Mo suggested they didn’t need to visit daily now that the cub’s condition had stabilized. Every other day would suffice. The fathers agreed gratefully.
Taking care of the cub wasn’t particularly burdensome for Jian Mo or Wu Jiong, but that afternoon, trouble came knocking in the form of a small striped cat.
The kitten bounded in, wide-eyed, and blurted out a report: “Jian Mo! Brother! Fighting! Meow!”
Jian Mo froze. “Who’s fighting?”
The kitten, still learning to talk, stuttered in its panic, interspersing its words with meows. “Meow… Taiyan and… Chirpy! Meow!”
“Chirpy?” Jian Mo exclaimed, realizing it was the winged beast.
The kitten nodded its tiny head furiously.
Jian Mo’s heart sank. Chirpy’s large size made it dangerous in any altercation with the cubs. Most of them would likely end up hurt.
Scooping up the kitten, Jian Mo said urgently, “Let’s go check!”
The kitten nodded again. “Okay! Meow!”
When Jian Mo arrived behind the house, he was relieved to see there was no actual fighting. The younglings hadn’t engaged Chirpy physically, and Ban Ming was standing nearby, keeping things under control.
Jian Mo let out a sigh of relief. “What’s going on?”
Ban Ming explained loudly, “The little ones were playing nearby, and Chirpy got annoyed by the noise and scolded them. They yelled back, and now they’re just arguing.”
Jian Mo turned his attention to Chirpy.
The winged beast seemed to realize it had caused trouble. It sat hunched on the ground, its head drooping, paws covering its face. Its eyes peeked out nervously, whites showing, as it avoided looking at Jian Mo.
Jian Mo then glanced at the cubs. Every single one of them had turned their eyes away, equally reluctant to meet his gaze.
Jian Mo felt both exasperated and amused. What a scene.
Jiang Xing, one of the older children, mumbled, “Chirpy was really mean. It started it. We couldn’t help yelling back.”
He Feng added, “Yeah! Chirpy even scared Ban Jiu and Taiyan so much they puffed up!”
The little striped kitten nestled in Jian Mo’s arms softly mewed, “Meow.”
Ban Ming chuckled. “Chirpy has a strong sense of territory. Even if a sparrow lands nearby, it tries to chase it off. With the little ones being so noisy, you can’t really blame it.”
Jiang Xing, clearly dissatisfied, scrunched up his nose and shouted, “Brother Ban Ming, whose side are you on?!”
Ban Ming replied with a smirk, “I’m on the side that makes sense.”
The younglings all glared at Ban Ming in unison, even the kitten in Jian Mo’s arms stared at him with wide eyes and a loud “Meow!”
Jiang Xing protested, “Taiyan can’t easily go somewhere else, so we were just playing here. It’s Chirpy who’s being too bossy! Chirpy only behaves well in front of Brother Jian Mo—it’s mean to the rest of us!”
Chirpy, still crouching, let out a guilty little whimper: “Chirr…”
Both the younglings and Chirpy turned their gazes to Jian Mo, clearly expecting him to mediate the situation.
Jian Mo found himself staring into a sea of wide, black-and-white eyes, feeling a headache forming for the first time.
Chirpy had worked hard and contributed a lot, while the younglings were also diligent helpers. Both sides had been well-behaved in his care.
Jian Mo glanced at one group, then the other. Trying to balance this dispute fairly was going to be tricky.
After a moment’s thought, he decided to shift the focus. “I was just about to make ice pops with the milk I collected earlier. Do you all want some?”
The younglings and Chirpy immediately perked up, their attention completely diverted, eyes growing even wider with curiosity.
Ban Ming, showing no shame about being an adult, eagerly chimed in first, “Yes! What’s an ice pop?”
Lmao they’re so cute ?