When word got out that Jian Mo was planning to visit the Qin Hai Tribe, the beastmen who were friendly with him all came to his house.
Qing Kuo remarked, “The Qin Hai Tribe is freezing cold, even colder than here. Wintering there is truly a challenge.”
Zhou Fu, in a serious tone, added, “The winds there are particularly fierce, to the point where they say it could blow people away. Make sure to wear plenty of clothes, Jian Mo, and stick close to the chief. Don’t really get blown away.”
Hearing this, Jian Mo nearly dropped the scalpel in his hand. “Aren’t you exaggerating?”
Rarely agreeing with others, Ye Luo chimed in, “It’s true. Their region is completely different from ours—it’s all low mountains and high rocks.”
Jian Mo, still not fully fluent in the beastman language, confirmed the meaning of the word “high rocks” with Ye Luo to ensure he hadn’t misunderstood. [1]
“Just three days away and the landscape changes so drastically?” he asked incredulously.
Qing Kuo clarified, “It’s not just three days of distance. It’s three days of running for our tribe’s beastmen. Considering how fast we are, that’s a considerable distance.”
That made sense to Jian Mo, and he nodded seriously, “Then I’ll make thorough preparations.”
Watching Jian Mo pack up scalpels and other tools into a leather pouch, Ye Luo asked, “Are you planning to treat the people of the Qin Hai Tribe while you’re there?”
“More or less,” Jian Mo replied. “I heard the Qin Hai Tribe is quite large, so there’s bound to be sick people. It’s better to bring my instruments and medicines just in case—it’s not like they’re heavy.”
Ye Luo felt the soft, fine-textured leather of the bag, then turned to ask Min Dang, “Min Dang made this, didn’t he?”
The leather pouch Jian Mo was holding was exceptionally well-crafted, with a fine grain and an attractive brownish hue. It looked like something straight out of modern Earth, exuding a rugged yet stylish charm. Inside, the pouch was divided into neat compartments for holding various tools and medicines, a testament to Min Dang’s meticulous craftsmanship.
When Jian Mo received the bag, he was deeply moved and expressed his gratitude by sending a large basket of sausages and dairy products to Min Dang’s family. In response, Min Dang made several smaller pouches for him, making it much easier for Jian Mo to organize his things.
As everyone looked on with envy, the conversation naturally shifted to how to craft such leather bags.
After Jian Mo finished packing, Wu Jiong completed the tribe’s arrangements. With little to do during winter, they set off the next day, riding on Chirpy, their winged beast.
Chirpy hadn’t been out for some time and was visibly excited, chirping continuously. Jian Mo had to stroke its neck to calm it down, worried it might inhale too much cold air.
Even with Chirpy flying at full speed, it was already the afternoon of the second day when they finally reached the Qin Hai Tribe. Looking down from above, they saw that the tribe was nestled amidst low mountains.
Winter had blanketed the land in endless snow, and the boundary between the high lands and the low mountains was barely discernible. The flat, barren expanse of the landscape made the view monotonous.
The cold here was bone-chilling, and the area exuded a desolate loneliness.
The people of the Qin Hai Tribe didn’t build houses but lived in mountain caves. At the foot of the low mountains were numerous dug-out caves, their narrow, dark entrances resembling small black eyes dotting the mountainside.
From the air, Jian Mo counted over three hundred caves on the mountain’s front face. The number of caves on the back face was impossible to estimate for now.
Clearly, this was a large tribe.
However, their land couldn’t possibly be as barren as it seemed. If it were truly desolate, there was no way it could support so many people. Most likely, winter had merely stripped the land of its lush vegetation.
Adhering to the customs of the beastman world, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong directed Chirpy to land several hundred meters from the Qin Hai Tribe.
The endless expanse of white snow was broken only by two patrolling beastmen from the Qin Hai Tribe, who had already spotted them from afar.
As Chirpy landed, one of the patrollers ran over and began shouting from a distance, “You’re from the He’an Tribe, right?”
“Yes—we’ve come to trade!” Jian Mo shouted back.
The Qin Hai tribesman, enthusiastic, called out, “Then come on over! Kong Fen has already gone to inform the chief. He’ll be out soon.”
Jian Mo and Wu Jiong led Chirpy through the snow, each step sinking deep. The snow had likely been accumulating for several days, forming a crust of ice over the softer layers beneath, making walking difficult.
After a while, Jian Mo was panting. Wu Jiong, pulling him along and lending some strength, ensured he wouldn’t fall.
Even though Jian Mo was wrapped in thick layers of beast hide, the combination of the cold and exertion made him sweat. His breath condensed into frost on the special mask and hat he wore.
The patrolling beastmen gave Jian Mo curious looks and asked, “What’s that stuff on your face? Is it something trendy from outside tribes?”
Jian Mo removed his simple, tea-colored goggles and replied between breaths, “These protect my eyes, and the mask protects my skin. It’s too cold here—I don’t want my face cracking in the wind.”
The beastman seemed to understand, nodding vaguely. “You folks from the outside have so many good things. Follow me; I’ll take you to our council cave.”
Jian Mo and Wu Jiong followed him to a large cave. Outside, they carefully tied up Chirpy before stepping inside.
The cave entrance was narrow, but the interior was spacious and warm. The walls blocked out the wind, creating a quiet, dry environment—a stark contrast to the harsh conditions outside.
Jian Mo couldn’t help but sigh at how comfortable the cave was compared to the desolate world outside.
The Qin Hai tribesman gestured for them to sit on stone stools. “Our chief will be here shortly.”
Just as he finished speaking, a towering figure suddenly entered from outside.
Jian Mo instinctively looked up. The newcomer was a massive beastman with a triangular torso, his broad chest barely concealed by thick fur robes.
The man introduced himself upon entering. “Chief Wu Jiong and Doctor Jian Mo? I am Shu Guang, the chief of the Qin Hai Tribe. We met once at the Meng Shui Tribe.”
Wu Jiong stood up and bumped shoulders with Shu Guang in greeting before embracing him. “I remember.”
Shu Guang smiled brightly. “I didn’t expect you to visit. Welcome!”
Jian Mo, ever practical, cut straight to the point. “We’ve come to trade for some spices.”
Shu Guang: “You’re most welcome. Come, I’ll take you to an empty cave to settle down first. Then, I’ll ask around to see if anyone in the tribe has extra spices. If not, I’ll take you out tomorrow to dig some up.”
Jian Mo hadn’t expected the chief to be so enthusiastic. “Thank you so much.”
Shu Guang laughed heartily. “No need to be so polite—it’s just a bit of spice.”
As Shu Guang led them to an empty cave, he asked many questions about the outside world. Wu Jiong answered them earnestly.
In such a sparsely populated area, information exchange was rare, so Shu Guang greatly valued the news they brought.
Along the way, others from the Qin Hai Tribe, having heard the news, came over to take a look at them. Perhaps it was the boredom of winter or the rarity of visitors, but everyone was warm and welcoming, even helping to carry their belongings.
Jian Mo chatted with the tribesmen as they walked, but by the time they reached the cave, his throat was parched.
When they entered the empty cave, a bonfire was already lit, and a thick layer of animal hides covered the earthen platform in one corner.
Shu Guang explained, “It’s different here compared to your lowlands. Sleeping on the ground here is unbearable. A sleeping platform can insulate you from the cold a bit and make sleeping more comfortable. It might take some getting used to, but it’s best not to sleep on the ground.”
Jian Mo smiled. “I prefer sleeping on a sleeping platform too. You’re very thoughtful.”
Shu Guang: “Just taking care of our guests. Come, warm yourselves by the fire, and have some tea. Our tea here is different from what you have down below. We add Ming leaves to it—try it and see if you like it. If not, I’ll get you plain water.”
They quickly warmed up to one another as they chatted. Beastmen and sub-beastmen brought meat to grill and served them in the cave.
As Jian Mo tasted the grilled meat, he noticed a distinct garlic-and-scallion aroma. It was quite fragrant.
He brought out some sausages and Mien fruit cakes, roasting them as treats for the Qin Hai Tribe members, who praised them unanimously.
Everyone was in high spirits.
The next morning, just as dawn broke, Shu Guang came to the cave to check if they were awake and invited them to go spice gathering.
The Qin Hai Tribe didn’t have many spices left for trade, so Shu Guang suggested they go out and dig up as much as they wanted.
Jian Mo was surprised at how smoothly everything was going. After thanking the tribe, he quickly freshened up, donned his goggles and mask, and joined the others as they set off.
The beastmen of the Qin Hai Tribe transformed into their beast forms outside the cave.
Their beast forms resembled bears, similar to the beast forms of the Ice River Tribe. It seemed that the neighboring tribes shared similar characteristics. However, the Qin Hai Tribe’s beast forms had lighter-colored fur, were larger in size, and had paws so broad they resembled small boats—perfectly adapted for running on snow.
Unlike what Jian Mo had imagined, the Qin Hai tribespeople didn’t have as high a demand for meat. Compared to the carnivorous cat- and dog-like tribes, these “bears” seemed to prefer plant-based foods.
As they ran across the snowy plains, the ground trembled under their weight.
The bears charged forward like cannonballs, their solid bodies causing ripples of muscle and fur with each step, creating a visual effect of “meat waves.”
Curious, Jian Mo observed them for a while before turning his attention to Wu Jiong, who had transformed into a giant wolf.
The wolf darted among the bears, sprinting across the snow like lightning. Wu Jiong’s movements were more graceful and fluid, his running form far more elegant.
Jian Mo hugged him tightly, pressing his face into the wolf’s neck, his eyes filled with pride.
They ran for an unknown length of time, and the snowy plains eventually gave way to low hills.
Perhaps it was the strong winds, or perhaps there simply wasn’t as much snow in this area, but patches of dead grass, shrubs, and exposed ground were visible on the hills.
When they reached a certain spot, Shu Guang gave a command: “We’re here. Let’s start gathering.”
Everyone came to a halt. The Qin Hai beastmen shrugged off their leather bags and reverted to human form, taking out their clothes to dress.
Wu Jiong did the same.
Jian Mo, unsure of where to look, kept his gaze firmly fixed on the ground.
Shu Guang approached him. “Come, I’ll show you how to gather giant garlic leaves.”
Jian Mo nodded. “Thank you for the trouble.”
Shu Guang laughed warmly. “It’s nothing—don’t mention it.”
The Qin Hai tribespeople spread out to gather their own supplies while Shu Guang led Jian Mo and Wu Jiong forward. “Giant garlic leaves are easy to recognize. Their leaves are particularly broad. Even when they’re withered, you can spot them at a glance.”
Pointing ahead, Shu Guang said, “Look, there’s one right there.”
Following his gaze, Jian Mo saw a plant with leaves so large they resembled rice dumpling wrappers, sprawling low to the ground.
Walking over, Jian Mo gathered up the withered yellow leaves in his hands, gripping a thick handful.
It was likely past the growing season; the leaves were coarse, with sharp edges. They felt much rougher than typical wild grass.
Shu Guang explained, “In spring and summer, we eat the leaves of the giant garlic. In this season, we can only dig up the roots.”
Jian Mo nodded and took a small metal hoe from his backpack. “Do I just dig it up like this?”
Shu Guang eyed the hoe curiously and nodded. “That’ll work. Give it a try.”
Swinging the hoe, Jian Mo quickly loosened the soil, revealing a dense cluster of roots underneath. The roots resembled garlic roots but were thicker and longer.
Silently praising himself for naming it “giant garlic,” Jian Mo noted just how garlic-like it was.
The soil was surprisingly soft and fertile, unlike the barren wasteland Jian Mo had expected. No wonder the Qin Hai Tribe had thrived here—this was a truly good place.
However, the roots of the giant garlic were numerous, making it difficult to extract them intact. After a while, Jian Mo was panting, and Wu Jiong took over, using the hoe to unearth the entire plant.
Shu Guang added, “All these roots are edible, but you should use them sparingly. Without proper preparation, they’re extremely bitter. Add too much, and your food will turn bitter as well.”
As Jian Mo stood up, still catching his breath, he froze at Shu Guang’s words. “What?”
Shu Guang gestured for them to try. “You’ll see for yourself.”
Jian Mo broke off a piece of root, peeled away the dirt-covered outer layer, and took a small bite. A wave of bitterness and spiciness overwhelmed his taste buds, causing him to grimace and spit it out.
Wu Jiong immediately handed him a wooden flask to rinse his mouth.
After several rinses, Jian Mo finally recovered and said with a pained expression, “That’s so bitter and overpowering.”
Shu Guang explained, “That’s why you only use a little when cooking. After boiling, the bitterness and spiciness will subside somewhat.”
Jian Mo: “I didn’t expect that.”
Shu Guang: “So, do you still want to gather more?”
Jian Mo hesitated briefly. “Let’s keep going.”
Shu Guang cheerfully led them to another plant. “Here, let me help. By the way, your hoe looks great—much better than our stone tools. Can I borrow it?”
Jian Mo handed it to him. “It’s made from metal we traded with the Jin Tuo Tribe.”
Shu Guang nodded. “We’ve heard of the Jin Tuo Tribe. We wanted to trade with them before, but they’re so picky about what they want. We only managed to trade for two knives before giving up. Stone tools have to suffice for now.”
Jian Mo: “As long as they work, it’s fine.”
With that, Shu Guang continued guiding them through the gathering. The hillside had plenty of giant garlic plants, and they filled most of a basket in half a day.
However, the cold and dryness outside were harsh. After working for hours, Jian Mo’s hands felt as dehydrated and rough as tree bark, and his nose was starting to run from the freezing air.
Feeling he couldn’t endure much longer, Jian Mo suggested returning to the village.
Shu Guang graciously escorted them back and brought them some tea. “It’s certainly cold here. Have more tea to warm up. Stay a few more days and chat with us—we enjoy the company.”
Sniffling, Jian Mo replied, “Thank you. By the way, Chief Shu Guang, I brought tools and medicines with me this time. If anyone in the tribe feels unwell, they’re welcome to come see me.”
Shu Guang: “That’s wonderful. I’ll let everyone know shortly.”
Jian Mo seriously added, “I’ll do my best to help, but I can’t guarantee cures. If I can’t treat someone, I won’t take any payment. But if I succeed, I may ask for some supplies to offset the cost of the medicine.”
Shu Guang nodded earnestly. “Of course, that’s only fair. I’ll let them know.”
