Ran Wu was incredibly diligent.
Jian Mo felt the boy was too weak and needed more rest, but Ran Wu insisted on following him around, helping with whatever tasks he could manage, including cleaning the animal pens, watering plants, fertilizing, and gathering firewood.
Jian Mo had never been around such a quiet and well-behaved teenager. If his initial kindness came from sympathy, he now simply liked the boy.
That night, Jian Mo lay on the giant wolf’s back, playing with his ears. “You’re going hunting tomorrow, right? Why not take Ran Wu with you? Having him hanging around the house all the time doesn’t feel right.”
The wolf’s deep voice rumbled, “Is he healthy enough for that?”
Jian Mo replied, “He seems a bit better. Though he’s still losing fur, the winter coat he’s growing hides most of it.”
Ran Wu’s fox form took after his father, Min Dang, which was common in the He’an Tribe. Among the tribe’s beastmen, there were over a dozen foxes—red, white, and patterned. Ran Wu would likely blend in well if he joined the hunt.
The wolf flicked his ear free from Jian Mo’s hand. “I’ll ask him tomorrow.”
Jian Mo grabbed the ear again. “And if he hesitates, give him a little nudge.”
After a moment of silence, the wolf finally agreed.
The next day, Jian Mo spoke to Ran Wu about the idea.
The boy looked nervous but mustered the courage to agree.
Jian Mo patted his shoulder reassuringly. “Wu Jiong and the others are your elders. You’ll be fine.”
Ran Wu nodded vigorously, a mix of nervousness and anticipation in his expression. “Thank you, Brother Jian Mo.”
Ran Wu had picked up the habit of calling Jian Mo “Brother,” just like the young beastmen in the tribe. After staying here for a few days, he naturally adopted the term.
Jian Mo smiled encouragingly. “Eat a hearty breakfast, so you don’t run out of energy while hunting.”
Ran Wu’s father, Min Dang, was a sub-beastman originally from the He’an Tribe. The middle-aged beastmen here were familiar with Min Dang and extended their care to his son as well.
Even though Ran Wu was now a bald little fox, no one treated him differently. The tribe was warm and patient, guiding him in the basics of hunting without a trace of judgment.
After his other father’s leg injury, Ran Wu had stopped joining hunts with the Meng Shui Tribe. As a young beastman, he should have participated, but his emaciated state and fur loss had made him reluctant. The Meng Shui Tribe, aware of the family’s misfortunes, never pressed him to join. They still included his family when dividing the spoils from hunts.
Without training or practice, Ran Wu’s hunting skills had atrophied, and his reluctance only grew.
However, the He’an Tribe’s encouraging atmosphere gradually brought him out of his shell. Over time, Ran Wu began to integrate into the tribe.
One day, Jian Mo descended the mountain with a bundle of fallen leaves on his back. From a distance, he spotted Ban Ming and a few others surrounding Ran Wu.
Ran Wu looked uneasy, shaking his head repeatedly.
Concerned that they might be teasing him, Jian Mo called out cheerfully, “Ban Ming, are you here to play with Ran Wu?”
“Brother Jian Mo!” the young beastmen greeted him enthusiastically.
Ban Ming explained, “We were inviting Ran Wu to join us in collecting tree sap. This is the best time of year for it, but he’s worried it’s too late and might be unsafe.”
Ah Hu chimed in excitedly, “We’ve already found the trees. There are several big ones in perfect condition. This year, we’re bound to get the best sap.”
Jian Mo raised an eyebrow. “Tree sap? How have I never heard of this?”
Ban Ming replied, “Brother Jian Mo, you’re new to the tribe, so it’s no surprise. Tree sap comes from the Purpleheart Trees. It’s a delicious drink.”
From their explanation, Jian Mo deduced, “You mean the liquid from the tree’s bark?”
Ban Ming nodded. “Exactly. We cut a small notch in the bark to collect the sap. The best sap flows at night when it’s cool and sweet. During the day, sunlight changes the flavor.”
Ah Hu added, “Summer nights aren’t great for sap collection either. The sap tastes spoiled, nothing like its winter sweetness.”
The more they explained, the more curious Jian Mo became. “Sounds amazing. Can I join you?”
Ban Ming answered enthusiastically, “Of course! We’ll come get you when we head out.”
Jian Mo smiled. “Alright, I’ll wait for you at home.”
Hearing Jian Mo wanted to join, Ran Wu decided he wanted to come too.
Others in the tribe overheard the conversation and expressed interest, noting it had been a while since they’d gone sap collecting. What was initially a small outing grew into a collective activity involving much of the tribe.
That evening, Jian Mo perched atop the giant wolf, carrying a woven grass satchel and feeling a childlike excitement for the nighttime excursion.
Not all trees yielded drinkable sap. Only the Purpleheart Tree’s sap was sweet and refreshing. Sap from other trees was often bitter or even toxic.
The Purpleheart grove was some distance away from the tribe. The beastmen shifted into their beast forms to make the journey faster. Ran Wu joined in, transforming into a fox and running alongside them.
Compared to the other foxes, Ran Wu was noticeably smaller. However, his recent care had paid off—his patchy bald spots were starting to grow back fur.
Though his coat was uneven and scruffy, his energetic demeanor, and occasional excited yips betrayed his improved mood.
The young beastmen around him were equally excited, frequently turning back to interact with him.
Jian Mo, holding onto the wolf’s neck, watched the lively scene with a smile.
The He’an Tribe was truly a good place.
The beastmen’s pace was swift. By the time the moon rose above the mountains, they had reached the grove.
The sub-beastmen dismounted, and the beastmen shifted back into human form. Wrapping themselves in fur robes, they grabbed wooden taps and collection tubes, splitting into groups to designate areas of the grove.
Jian Mo and Wu Jiong headed to the eastern grove, accompanied by Ye Luo.
When they reached a large Purpleheart Tree, Ye Luo drew his metal knife and expertly shaved the bark smooth. Then, he carved a Y-shaped notch, carefully peeling off a strip of bark before securing a wooden tube beneath the exposed area to catch the sap as it dripped down.
His movements were so swift and practiced that Jian Mo couldn’t take his eyes off him, admiration clear in his gaze.
Ye Luo turned and caught Jian Mo staring. He chuckled. “What’s with that look?”
Jian Mo replied, “You’re really skilled.”
Ye Luo tossed his knife in the air, caught it, and grinned. “It’s the knife. If I were still using a shell knife, stripping bark like this wouldn’t be so easy.”
Jian Mo asked, “Is that all there is to it?”
Ye Luo nodded. “Just add a couple of leaves over the tube to keep out dust and bugs.”
The forest floor was littered with leaves, so finding a couple of broad, flat ones was easy. After wiping them clean, Ye Luo laid them neatly over the wooden tube.
“See? That’s it,” Ye Luo said.
Feeling confident he’d learned the process, Jian Mo grabbed Wu Jiong and headed to another tree to set up their own tube.
His woven satchel was full of wooden tubes, but to avoid causing irreversible damage to the Purpleheart Trees, they installed only one tube per tree. This ensured that the wounds would heal quickly, allowing the trees to be tapped again next year.
The two worked as a team: Jian Mo stripped the bark while Wu Jiong nailed in the tubes.
After a while, Jian Mo grew tired, and Wu Jiong took over the bark-stripping as well. His movements were even faster, finishing each tree in just a few breaths. Jian Mo suspected that even without the metal knife, Wu Jiong’s speed wouldn’t have been much slower.
Laughter and chatter echoed through the forest as the group worked.
Once all the tubes were installed, the beastmen shifted into their animal forms, and the sub-beastmen climbed onto their backs. The group prepared to head back, planning to return before sunrise to collect the sap.
Jian Mo rarely ventured out at night, and the ride back on the warm back of the giant wolf lulled him to sleep.
When he opened his eyes again, it was daylight.
As he stirred awake, the giant wolf’s eyes also opened.
Jian Mo sat up abruptly. “Shouldn’t we be collecting the sap now?”
The wolf rumbled, “Yes.”
Scrambling to grab his fur robe, Jian Mo urged, “Hurry, get dressed. Let’s go! Oh, wait—did I fall asleep on your back last night?”
The wolf’s tone was calm. “You did. You weren’t the only one. You were sleeping soundly, so I didn’t wake you.”
Jian Mo hugged the wolf’s fluffy neck. “Ah, you’re the best.”
The wolf turned and nudged Jian Mo’s head with his chin, saying nothing.
The two quickly dressed and prepared to leave.
When they stepped outside, many tribe members were already gathered on the open ground, including Ran Wu. Spotting them, the boy waved excitedly. “Brother Jian Mo! Brother Wu Jiong!”
Ran Wu now looked like any other healthy teenager.
Jian Mo clapped his shoulder with a smile. “You’re up early.”
Ran Wu replied, “I woke up when I heard the commotion outside.”
The rest of the tribe gradually assembled, each person carrying an empty bucket to collect the sap. Jian Mo brought along a particularly large bucket, which drew Qing Kuo’s amused comment.
“You brought such a big bucket. What if you can’t even fill it halfway? Won’t you be disappointed?”
Jian Mo grinned. “Not at all. A bigger bucket keeps me from spilling any.”
Ran Wu, after greeting Qing Kuo, chimed in earnestly, “The tubes I set up are for Brother Jian Mo. I’m sure we’ll fill at least half of his bucket. I installed a lot of tubes.”
The group chuckled at his serious expression.
With everyone ready, the beastmen shifted into their animal forms again and sped off. This time, they ran even faster, eager to harvest the sap.
The early morning air was chilly, but Jian Mo’s heart was warm with anticipation. He had never tasted tree sap before, not even on Earth, and his curiosity about its flavor grew with every passing moment.
The group arrived at the Purpleheart grove just as the sun began to rise. Everyone returned to the spots where they had set up tubes the night before to collect their sap.
Since Ran Wu had said his sap was for Jian Mo, the three of them worked together.
When they reached their first tree, Jian Mo examined the wooden tube they had installed the previous night. The tube, roughly the size of a 500-milliliter cup, was now filled to the brim with clear liquid emitting a fresh, sweet aroma.
Jian Mo carefully held the tube as Wu Jiong removed the wooden peg securing it to the tree. Slowly, he lifted the tube.
Just as Jian Mo was about to pour the sap into the bucket, Wu Jiong stopped him. “Tree sap can be drunk directly.”
“Really? Let me try it then,” Jian Mo said, raising the tube to his lips.
The cool liquid touched his tongue, delivering a crisp, subtly sweet flavor. It reminded him of mint water but without the overpowering sharpness. It was far more refreshing, with a delicate sweetness and a unique, pleasant aroma.
The tree sap was surprisingly delicious, better than any beverage Jian Mo had ever tasted. His eyes sparkled as he held up the wooden tube for Wu Jiong. “The taste is amazing.”
Wu Jiong replied, “If it weren’t, people wouldn’t go to all this trouble.”
Jian Mo chuckled. Harvesting sap at night after the moon rose and collecting it before the sun fully emerged was indeed a hassle.
Without directly sipping, Wu Jiong drank a mouthful and then handed the tube to Ran Wu.
Ran Wu took a big gulp without hesitation. “It’s so good!”
Wu Jiong encouraged him, “Drink more. This is a specialty of the He’an Tribe.”
Holding the tube tightly, Ran Wu nodded enthusiastically.
The sap flowed generously from the Purpleheart Trees, and Jian Mo’s bucket ended up more than halfway full. Concerned it might spill, Jian Mo carefully strapped the bucket to his front when climbing onto Wu Jiong’s back, holding it securely with his arms.
Surprisingly, Wu Jiong ran so steadily that not a single drop sloshed out during the long journey back.
After returning home and finishing breakfast, Jian Mo gazed at the precious half-bucket of sap. “How do we store this?”
Wu Jiong suggested, “Leave it outside in the shade to freeze. When you want to drink it, just take a bit.”
Jian Mo frowned. “Will the flavor stay the same after thawing? Won’t it lose its crisp taste?”
Wu Jiong admitted, “It might, slightly. That’s why we drink as much as we can now and freeze the rest.”
Taking his advice, Jian Mo filled three cups to the brim, one for each of them. “Hurry up and drink! Let’s not waste any. Especially you, Ran Wu—drink up!”
Ran Wu nodded, obediently sipping from his cup.
Jian Mo took a large gulp from his own, savoring it with a satisfied sigh. “Back home, we have a similar drink. Aside from drinking it, we use it to stew chicken.”
Wu Jiong, familiar enough with the concept of chickens, responded, “I’ll catch a good bird later.”
Jian Mo’s eyes lit up. “Great! I’ll gather some fresh spices, and we can make bird soup tonight!”
Wu Jiong added, “I’ll take Ran Wu with me.”
Even in winter, some fresh spices were available outside. Jian Mo dragged Qing Kuo along to gather ingredients, using the opportunity to invite him and his family to dinner as thanks for their recent help.
That evening, Jian Mo used the sap to stew a bird.
The result was extraordinary—tender meat with a uniquely sweet and refreshing flavor. Dipping the meat in freshly prepared spices added a distinct and savory twist.
As everyone enjoyed the meal, Ban Ming leaned back, rubbing his stomach. “Brother Jian Mo, your cooking is amazing. I need to learn from you so I can make dishes like this for Ah Meng after we become mates.”
Jian Mo was a little surprised but laughed. “Sure, come by whenever you want. Most of the recipes I make are simple.”
Ban Ming began counting on his fingers. “Simple? You have frying, stir-frying, steaming, roasting, grilling, and that white-cut method… There’s so much I can’t even remember it all.”
Jian Mo smiled. “Just focus on the most common techniques.”
Ran Wu chimed in, “I want to learn too.”
Jian Mo laughed. “Alright, as long as you’re willing, I’ll teach you all for free.”
Everyone laughed along.
Ran Wu had grown significantly during his time in the He’an Tribe, even his beast form had noticeably filled out. His fathers visited him every few days, and each time they saw his progress, Min Dang’s eyes would redden with emotion.
One day, Ran Wu’s fathers visited again. This time, they brought two large baskets of meat for Jian Mo and Wu Jiong, along with a precious bag of pepper spice powder.
Jian Mo remarked, “You’re too generous.”
Min Dang, his eyes slightly red, replied, “It’s the least we can do. Thank you for taking care of Ran Wu.”
As he spoke, he wrapped an arm around Ran Wu’s shoulder. “We never thought he’d recover so quickly.”
Ran Wu leaned affectionately against his father’s shoulder and even gave him a small hug.
Watching the touching scene, Jian Mo felt a pang in his heart. “Ran Wu never had any serious problems. He just happened to hit a growth spurt when his diet couldn’t keep up, which caused a few minor issues. Eating well and getting more sunlight was all he needed.”
Min Dang sighed. “Even if we’d known that, it would’ve been hard for us to fix it without your help.”
Not wanting to dwell on Ran Wu’s troubles and risk souring the mood, Jian Mo shifted focus. Turning to Ran Wu’s other father, Sui Ai, he asked, “By the way, can I take a look at your hand?”
Sui Ai always kept his hand wrapped in cloth when visiting, and Jian Mo was curious about the injury that had left him disabled.
Sui Ai, now trusting Jian Mo completely, unwrapped his hand without hesitation.
What Jian Mo saw was heartbreaking—most of the palm was missing. He immediately understood that there was nothing more to be done.
Such a severe injury would be challenging even on Earth, let alone in a beastman society.
Jian Mo shook his head gently.
Sui Ai had clearly made peace with the situation. Smiling, he said, “I’m already grateful it healed this well. I was afraid I’d lose the whole hand, but it’s just half a palm. These two fingers still work, so I can manage.”
Jian Mo placed the hand back down carefully. “That’s good.”
Seeing Jian Mo’s reaction, Sui Ai chose not to rewrap the cloth. He explained, “I only cover it because I’m worried it might scare people. But these two fingers are still functional.”
Min Dang and Sui Ai didn’t stay long. After checking on their son, they prepared to leave.
The Meng Shui Tribe was far from the He’an Tribe, and Sui Ai’s disability made the journey even more challenging. To avoid traveling at night, they had to set off early.
Jian Mo and Wu Jiong walked them out. Sui Ai shifted into his beast form—a rhino-like creature. His left foreleg, injured and partially disabled, barely touched the ground as he moved.
After Min Dang climbed onto his back, Sui Ai turned to nod at Jian Mo and Wu Jiong before setting off at a steady run.
Though his gait was awkward and slightly uneven, his pace was swift, and he carried his mate with admirable steadiness.
Even in his condition, Sui Ai still exemplified the responsibility and strength of a beastman.
Jian Mo watched them until their figures disappeared in the distance. Ran Wu, too, gazed at his fathers’ retreating forms, reluctant to turn away.
Wu Jiong placed a hand on Jian Mo’s shoulder. “Let’s head back.”
Jian Mo nodded. “Alright.”
Jian Mo gently patted Ran Wu’s shoulder. “Let’s go.”
Ran Wu sniffled and nodded. “Mm.”
After his fathers’ visit, Ran Wu’s mood noticeably improved. Although he still seemed a bit melancholic, his overall outlook became much more positive.
Back at the house, Ran Wu eagerly took over cleaning Chirpy’s nest, insisting that he could handle it and telling Jian Mo and Wu Jiong to rest.
Watching him, Jian Mo remarked to Wu Jiong, “Ran Wu really seems to like our tribe. I like him too—it’s hard to imagine letting him go back. He’s so much happier and more motivated here.”
Wu Jiong replied, “I’ll think of something.”
Jian Mo assumed it was an offhand comment and didn’t ask further.
To his surprise, a few days later, Wu Jiong told him that Min Dang’s family had decided to move back to the He’an Tribe and settle there.
Jian Mo’s eyes widened in disbelief. “You can just move tribes? When did you talk to them about this?”
Wu Jiong nodded. “I spent most of yesterday at the Meng Shui Tribe discussing it. Brother Min Dang was originally from our tribe. He moved to the Meng Shui Tribe after marrying Sui Ai, but now that they’re willing, and our tribe welcomes them, it’s just a matter of talking it over with Meng Shui. There’s nothing stopping them.”
“And? Was the discussion successful?”
Wu Jiong nodded again. “It was. Yun Long had no objections.”
Jian Mo, overjoyed, couldn’t hide his delight. “That’s amazing! I really think a change of environment will be better for them.”
Word quickly spread through the He’an Tribe about Min Dang’s family returning, and everyone was thrilled.
Especially those like Qing Kuo and Ye Luo, who had grown up with Min Dang. They spent several days cleaning and repairing a vacant house in the tribe, even stocking it with supplies.
Qing Kuo shared with Jian Mo, “Min Dang used to be one of the most capable sub-beastmen in our tribe. When he followed Sui Ai to the Meng Shui Tribe, we were all pretty upset.”
Ye Luo laughed from the side. “Qing Kuo cursed Sui Ai privately for ages.”
Qing Kuo didn’t deny it. “If someone stole you away, I’d curse them too.”
Ye Luo teased, “Just curse them where I can’t hear it, and I’ll pretend I don’t know.”
Qing Kuo sighed. “Who’d have thought things would turn out this way? Honestly, it’s good they’re moving back. Sui Ai was one of the best hunters in the Meng Shui Tribe. Even with his leg injury, he’s still capable. He may not be able to chase prey anymore, but he’s great for defense. Di Ya and the others have already agreed to take him along on hunts.”
Jian Mo smiled. “That’s wonderful.”
Qing Kuo added, “Once spring comes, we can all pitch in to help them build a new house. Life will be much easier for them then.”
While the He’an Tribe welcomed Min Dang’s family with open arms, the news didn’t sit well with the Meng Shui Tribe.
“How could they move to the He’an Tribe after everything our tribe has done for them? It’s ungrateful.”
“Exactly! Chief, why did you let them leave? It’ll hurt our reputation.”
“Looks like the He’an Tribe is on the rise. What if our tribe starts declining?”
“I don’t understand it either. Our tribe has been so good to them. Even though Sui Ai couldn’t hunt, we still shared food with their family. Why would they leave?”
The grumbling members of the Meng Shui Tribe surrounded Yun Long, expressing their frustration. Though they didn’t explicitly demand an explanation, their intent was clear.
Yun Long fixed them with a sharp gaze and asked, “Do you want to go to war with the He’an Tribe?”
The question stunned everyone into silence. They quickly avoided Yun Long’s eyes.
“Well, no, that’s not necessary.”
“It’s just one disabled beastman, and Ran Wu’s health isn’t great either. It’s not worth it.”
“Right, there’s no major conflict. No need for war.”
“Besides, they even gave us a lot of supplies before leaving. And honestly, Min Dang was originally from the He’an Tribe. It’s not that surprising he’d go back.”
Yun Long’s expression remained stern as he addressed the group. “The He’an Tribe’s growth is inevitable. If we’re not willing to go to war, then stop complaining and avoid unnecessary friction.”
Chastened, the group murmured their assent. “Understood.”
Yun Long continued calmly, “This land is vast enough for all of us to live on. What matters is our own lives, not how we compare to others. Our tribe’s success depends on our efforts, not on what other tribes do. That focus is why we’ve thrived so far, and it will continue to guide us.”
Buoyed by his words, the group regained some spirit. “Yes, Chief!”
