Wu Jiong didn’t return home until nightfall.
Even before stepping inside, he could smell the enticing aroma of roasted meat wafting from the house. The scent unmistakably belonged to Jian Mo’s cooking.
The familiar smell quickened his steps, and his expression softened considerably.
Inside, Jian Mo was bustling about.
The oil lamp on the pottery bowl cast a warm yellow glow, filling the room with a cozy and tranquil atmosphere.
Wu Jiong entered without trying to mask his footsteps, and Jian Mo immediately heard him. “You’re back? Wash your hands and eat. Today, we’re having roasted Arrowbone Beast meat.”
Wu Jiong easily guessed. “Did Ban Ming and the others take you out to fish for Arrowbone Beasts?”
Jian Mo chuckled. “You catch onto everything. They even asked me to talk to you about reducing their training now that their hunting skills have improved.”
Wu Jiong saw right through him. “And what did you say?”
“I asked if they’d withhold meat if I didn’t help. They said no, but well, I’m eating their meat, so I thought I’d at least bring it up.”
Wu Jiong considered this for a moment. “I can reduce training by two days, but we’ll extend the duration of the remaining sessions.”
Jian Mo raised an eyebrow. “Do you know the story of ‘Three in the Morning and Four at Night?’” [^1]
Wu Jiong tilted his head. “A story from your homeland?”
As they ate, Jian Mo explained the old parable.
After some casual conversation, Jian Mo remembered to ask, “How did the talks with the Meng Shui Tribe go this time?”
Wu Jiong nodded. “Same as always. We discuss matters once or twice a year—nothing new, and no conflicts either.”
Jian Mo agreed. “It’s good to maintain communication. Resolving conflicts early prevents grudges from festering.”
Wu Jiong nodded. “That’s what everyone thinks too. Now that this year’s meeting is over, we’ll head to the Jin Tuo Tribe in a couple of days to trade for copper tools before spring arrives.”
Hearing about spring, Jian Mo became curious. “When will spring come?”
Wu Jiong explained, “Once the day with the earliest sunset passes, it’ll take another fifty days or so.”
Jian Mo had assumed beastmen might judge the seasons by melting snow or budding plants, so this astronomical explanation caught him off guard. Upon reflection, it made sense.
The people of this world weren’t unintelligent—they simply lacked the technological accumulation to go further.
Jian Mo sighed. “Winter feels so long. I can’t wait for spring.”
Though life in the He’an Tribe was comfortable, staying in one place for too long made his body feel stiff.
“It’ll come,” Wu Jiong reassured him. “When you’re busy, the days go by quickly.”
Jian Mo seized the moment. “I want to go to the Jin Tuo Tribe with you this time.”
When Wu Jiong had returned with the copper knife before, Jian Mo had expressed interest in going along, and Wu Jiong had agreed.
Now that he brought it up again, Wu Jiong didn’t object. “Alright. We’ll probably leave the day after tomorrow. Let’s prepare food and supplies for the journey.”
Jian Mo’s spirits lifted. “I’ll make meatballs and noodles tomorrow. That way, we can cook and eat on the go!”
“I’ll help,” Wu Jiong offered.
The two of them were well-practiced at preparing for trips. By mid-morning, they had finished making all the food they’d need for the journey.
In addition to food, Jian Mo made sure to pack various medicines and surgical tools.
He wasn’t sure how smoothly the trade with the Jin Tuo Tribe would go, what kind of personalities they’d encounter, or whether the tribe would agree to barter.
Still, if the Jin Tuo Tribe was as large as the Meng Shui Tribe, as Wu Jiong had suggested, there would likely be plenty of sick or injured people.
Bringing medicine and equipment not only allowed him to help those in pain but might also foster goodwill, making their trip easier.
Wu Jiong seemed to understand Jian Mo’s intentions and had no objections. Instead, he helped inspect the medical tools, including clamps, bone needles, and shell knives.
By the time Jian Mo finished packing, the combination of tools and medicines filled an entire medium-sized chest. The compartments were packed to the brim.
The chest was heavy and would need to be carried by Wu Jiong alone.
Without complaint, Wu Jiong loaded the chest into his carrying basket, piling other supplies on top.
In addition to personal items, Wu Jiong also had to carry the tribe’s goods for trade. As the chief, he bore the heaviest load of anyone.
Watching Wu Jiong transform into his giant wolf form, burdened with a fully packed basket, Jian Mo felt a pang of discomfort.
Wu Jiong endured so much without ever mentioning it.
This trip to the Jin Tuo Tribe was a collective effort, and everyone carried plenty.
Considering the inconvenience, Jian Mo decided to leave Chirpy, the winged beast, at home. The tribe’s patrol team would feed it daily.
Although Chirpy wouldn’t get the special treats prepared at home, it wouldn’t go hungry.
By now, the winged beast could move about freely.
As Jian Mo and the others loaded supplies in the open space of the He’an Tribe, the bustling scene caught Chirpy’s attention.
It ambled over slowly. “Chirp chirp?”
Jian Mo noticed it amidst his work, walked over, and gave its plump backside a shove. “Go play somewhere safe. Don’t cause trouble.”
Chirpy refused to move, blinking its large eyes. “Chirp?”
Jian Mo sighed. “Didn’t I just tell you? We’re heading out for a few days. You were too busy eating to listen, huh?”
Chirpy let out a soft whimper. “Woo?”
Unable to budge the stubborn winged beast, Jian Mo called out, “Ban Ming, can you help me get Chirpy out of the way? It’s getting in the way here.”
Ban Ming responded, “On it!”
The beastmen soon finished securing their loads, and the sub-beastmen climbed onto their backs. The group was ready to depart.
Chirpy, realizing the scene before it meant the group was leaving for a long journey, became visibly agitated. When Ban Ming held it back, it stretched its neck and cried out in distress. “Chirp chirp chirp!”
Jian Mo waved at it. “Stay home. We’ll be back in a few days.”
“Woo,” Chirpy whimpered pitifully.
Once everything was ready, Wu Jiong, in his giant wolf form, let out a low growl. “Time to move out.”
Di Ya, standing at the front, straightened up and carried Qing Kuo as he began walking slowly forward.
The other beastmen in their animal forms followed.
Wu Jiong, with Jian Mo on his back, brought up the rear. After a few steps, he broke into a trot to keep up with the group.
Chirpy, held back by Ban Ming, let out distressed cries from behind.
Jian Mo waved goodbye several times, signaling for it to return home, but it refused to leave. Like a child throwing a tantrum, Chirpy was difficult to appease. Jian Mo could only hope it would calm down once they left.
However, as the group crested a mountain, a long cry echoed from above. “Chirp—chirp—”
Jian Mo looked up and saw Chirpy flying overhead with Ban Ming perched on its back.
Ban Ming, seeing Jian Mo’s gaze, shouted defensively, “Chirpy’s too strong! I couldn’t hold it back! And I didn’t want it flying around unsupervised, so I hopped on.”
Chirpy, thrilled to have caught up, let out an excited chirp. “Chirp chirp!”
Ban Ming shouted down, “Well, since it’s already here, let’s bring it along! It might even help carry things on the way back!”
Realizing there was no other option, Jian Mo shouted back, “Fine! Just don’t lose track of us!”
“Got it!” Ban Ming replied cheerfully. “Don’t worry, Brother Jian Mo! Riding Chirpy alone is awesome—woohoo!”
Ban Ming, brimming with excitement, acted like a monkey as he sat atop Chirpy, even trying to chat with the group below.
Jian Mo raised his voice to respond a few times, but the effort left his throat dry and raspy.
Qing Kuo called out to his son, “That’s enough! Fly properly and stop chatting!”
Ban Ming yelled back, “Okay! Dad, want me to take you flying? Chirpy never lets me ride it alone. Today it’s too focused on catching up with Brother Jian Mo to care—it’s amazing!”
Qing Kuo replied, “Your father’s carrying me just fine. You focus on flying and don’t fall off!”
Di Ya growled, “Awooo! Ban Ming, sit tight—”
Chastened by his fathers, Ban Ming dialed back his excitement and stayed quiet.
The beastmen ran tirelessly for most of the day, stopping only in the evening to rest at their planned campsite.
Having ridden Chirpy all day, Ban Ming was still brimming with enthusiasm. He sidled up to Jian Mo and suggested, “Brother Jian Mo, why don’t you ride Chirpy with me tomorrow? It’s so fun to fly!”
Before Jian Mo could answer, Wu Jiong shot him a look. “No need. You’re too unreliable. I don’t trust you to fly safely with Jian Mo.”
Ban Ming protested, “What makes you think I’m unreliable?”
Wu Jiong retorted, “Why don’t you tell us what makes you reliable?”
After a long day of travel, the group gathered around the campfire to rest. The beastmen had expended a great deal of energy, so they needed a hearty meal. Jian Mo and Qing Kuo worked with the sub-beastmen to cook meatballs and stew in pots.
The plan was to serve the hot soup and meat together, providing a warm, satisfying meal.
As night fell, they finished their simple dinner and prepared to rest.
Jian Mo lay atop Wu Jiong’s giant wolf form, using him as a warm bed. Chirpy, seeing them cuddled together, shuffled over and insistently snuggled close. “Chirp.”
Jian Mo, too tired to reprimand the persistent creature again, patted its head. “Fine, sleep here.”
Chirpy carefully nudged Jian Mo’s chest with its big head, nearly knocking him over. “Chirp.”
Wu Jiong turned his head and steadied Jian Mo’s back with his muzzle, giving Chirpy a warning look.
Chirpy, duly chastised, obediently lay down beside them and went to sleep.
The beastmen traveled quickly, needing little rest or walking breaks. By the second evening, they were approaching the Jin Tuo Tribe’s territory.
The sight surprised Jian Mo.
The Jin Tuo Tribe was situated on a sandy islet in the middle of a wide river. Instead of houses or caves, each family had a simple nest with a sturdy canopy.
Jian Mo couldn’t fathom why they had chosen such a location. What if the river flooded in spring? It seemed so unsafe.
The river was broad but shallow, not even reaching Jian Mo’s thighs. Its waters were crystal clear, revealing smooth, rounded black sand beneath.
Unlike ordinary sand, the black grains gave the river a dark appearance from a distance.
The Jin Tuo Tribe also had patrolling beastmen, but instead of patrolling the settlement itself, they moved through the river in their beast forms.
Only when one of them spoke did Jian Mo realize they were beastmen and not wild animals.
The beast forms of the Jin Tuo Tribe resembled hippos but were larger, with smaller heads. After observing them closely, Jian Mo thought they might look more like dinosaurs—despite having never seen one.
“You’re here!” one of the patrolling beastmen greeted warmly. “Did you bring pottery and glass?”
Di Ya replied, “We did. Do you have the copperware ready?”
The patrol beastman laughed heartily. “Of course we do. Come on over!”
A bridge of massive stones spanned the river, allowing the He’an Tribe members to cross into the Jin Tuo Tribe.
When Jian Mo stepped onto the islet, he found it sturdier than expected—more like a small island than a fragile sandbank.
The Jin Tuo Tribe members soon emerged to greet them, led by a towering beastman.
“Chief Wu Jiong,” the man called.
Wu Jiong shifted back into human form, donned his fur cloak, and nodded. “Chief Jin Shi.”
So this was the chief of the Jin Tuo Tribe. Jian Mo’s gaze landed on the man.
Jin Shi noticed Jian Mo immediately, smiling warmly as he greeted him. “You must be Doctor Jian Mo.”
The fact that Jin Shi knew him took Jian Mo by surprise. He blinked in confusion.
Jin Shi, catching on, laughed heartily. “Chief Yun Long mentioned you. He said the He’an Tribe has a sub-beastman dressed differently from the others, with skin as white as Tou Tou Beast milk. I recognized you right away. I’m not mistaken, am I?”
Evidently, this chief was both perceptive and well-informed. Jian Mo nodded. “Chief Jin Shi.”
Jin Shi continued, “I’ve heard you’re especially skilled at treating teeth. Many in our tribe have terrible dental issues. Could you help us?”
Jian Mo, who had been considering ways to build rapport, was pleasantly surprised that the tribe’s chief had already brought up treatment. “Of course. The light isn’t good right now, so I’d recommend starting tomorrow.”
“Absolutely,” Jin Shi agreed. “You’ve traveled a long way. Rest for now, and we’ll discuss it in the morning.”
Translator Notes:
[1] : This is used to describe someone who often changes plans, is capricious, or someone who is a philanderer.
