Early the next morning, Ban Ming and his friends gathered in the courtyard of Jian Mo’s house.
Under Wu Jiong’s frosty gaze, they regretfully abandoned their plan to snag breakfast. Instead, they settled for two pots of tea.
Jian Mo was eager about the bird egg hunt. In his childhood, he often climbed mountains to collect bird eggs and fished in rivers. As an adult, he hadn’t had much chance to revisit these activities, but his time in the Beastmen World had reignited his childhood interests.
It wasn’t just him. Everyone was thrilled about the outing.
When it was time to leave, the younger crowd ran as fast as they could. Jian Mo sat atop Ban Ming’s back, gripping his neck fur tightly to avoid being thrown off.
By the time they reached their destination, Jian Mo’s hands were already sore from holding on.
The bird egg collection spot was on a peninsula in the middle of a large lake.
The lake was quite expansive, with several rivers flowing into it, forming a beautiful freshwater body. It straddled the boundary between their He’an Tribe and the Yi Gu Tribe, with half of the lake belonging to each tribe. Both tribes frequently hunted and gathered resources in this area.
Today, luck was on their side; they were the only group here.
Before they could start looking around, Jian Mo’s sharp eyes already spotted several bird nests in the shrubs, with some even resting directly on the ground. Pale blue and white eggs lay exposed, just waiting to be taken.
Jian Mo’s hands itched at the sight.
As the leader of the group, Ban Ming took the rare step of cautioning everyone before they started gathering eggs. “When collecting eggs, stay in human form. If anything goes wrong, run immediately. Whatever you do, don’t pick a fight with the birds.”
Everyone nodded seriously.
Surprised, Jian Mo asked, “Why can’t we fight them? Is it because we’re technically in the wrong for stealing eggs?”
Ban Ming shook his head. “Not exactly. If we damage the nests during a fight, these Storm Birds might stop laying eggs here altogether. Losing this resource would be a big blow.”
Ah Hu chimed in, “And if the tribe finds out we scared the birds away while egg hunting, we’ll get a beating.”
Jian Mo raised an eyebrow. “Who would do that? Wu Jiong?”
Ban Ming explained earnestly, “Mostly my dad and his friends. The chief usually doesn’t bother with minor stuff, but De Jiang will beat us too. My dad has such a keen nose that even washing up won’t help us avoid detection.”
A thought struck Jian Mo. “Wait, don’t tell me you’ve all been beaten up for this before.”
A chorus of embarrassed laughs erupted. Xi Lu stifled a chuckle and said, “Of course we have. We’ve even figured out the best escape routes.”
Ban Ming cleared his throat. “Let’s not dwell on getting beaten before anything has even happened. Let’s split into teams and start collecting. Remember, take no more than two eggs from a nest. If there are only two eggs in the nest, take just one.”
The group agreed and quickly paired off with their close friends.
Jian Mo teamed up with Ban Ming and Ah Hu. Before they set off, Jian Mo stopped the young men carrying back baskets and distributed some dried grass from the baskets.
The dried grass served as a cushion to prevent the eggs from breaking. After testing it out, everyone praised Jian Mo’s clever idea.
Ban Ming marked the shrubs with tree branches to show they’d already gathered eggs there. This would signal to the Yi Gu Tribe that the area had been picked over.
There were bird nests everywhere. Jian Mo quickly found a few. He carefully took only the eggs he wanted, making sure not to touch the others to avoid leaving a scent.
Ban Ming and Ah Hu collected nearby, placing the eggs they found into Jian Mo’s basket.
When they encountered a Storm Bird guarding its nest, they skipped it, not wanting to provoke the large, territorial birds. These birds laid eggs slightly larger than duck eggs but smaller than goose eggs. Their shells were thick and sturdy, likely an adaptation to protect their embryos in the wild.
As they continued collecting, more and more birds grew alarmed and began squawking anxiously.
Ban Ming glanced back and quickly warned, “Let’s pick up the pace. If the whole flock returns, we’ll be in trouble.”
He must have jinxed it because as soon as he finished speaking, a bird let out a long cry.
When they looked up, they saw a returning flock of birds joining those already on the sandbar. The birds, emboldened by their numbers, became aggressive and flew toward the group, intent on attacking.
Ban Ming yelled, “Run! Quickly!”
Before Jian Mo could react, Ban Ming reverted to his beast form, grabbed the egg-filled basket in his mouth, and darted into the forest, disappearing in a flash.
Jian Mo, who had been holding onto the basket, was nearly yanked off his feet and stumbled awkwardly. The next moment, the birds descended on him, pecking and flapping at his head and face.
What kind of luck was this?
Desperately shielding his face, Jian Mo bolted in the opposite direction. The relentless birds evoked memories of his childhood terror of geese.
Just when Jian Mo had no idea where to run, a large orange cat with long fur appeared, grabbed him by the collar, and dragged him away.
They ran wildly, crossing the lake and wading through a river. After what felt like ages, they finally reached a grassy field. Only three or four Storm Birds remained, and they scattered after a bit of effort.
Exhausted, the group of beastmen and sub-beastmen collapsed onto the grass in disarray.
After a long rest, Ban Ming sat up and started counting heads. “One, two, three… Seventeen, eighteen, nineteen. All here! No one’s hurt, right?”
Xi Lu lazily raised a hand. “Not hurt, just tired.”
Ban Ming nodded. “Alright, let’s rest here for a bit.”
He then inspected the basket. Thanks to the cushion of dried grass and the sturdy eggshells, nearly all the eggs had survived intact.
Ban Ming proudly declared, “Looks like my running skills have improved. Fast and steady—none of the eggs broke.”
Jian Mo shot him a cold look from where he lay on the grass. “You fool. That’s because I padded the basket with dried grass.”
Ban Ming blinked. “???”
Jian Mo raised an eyebrow. “What?”
Ban Ming hesitated, then sheepishly said, “Brother Jian Mo, you seem a bit fierce today.”
Jian Mo sighed and ignored him. Ah Hu, however, laughed uncontrollably. “That’s because when the birds attacked, you grabbed the basket and left Jian Mo to fend for himself.”
Ban Ming defended himself, “I thought you’d grab Brother Jian Mo, so I just grabbed the basket first.”
Jian Mo wasn’t truly upset. He simply missed Wu Jiong. Letting out another sigh, he decided not to pursue the matter further.
After a while, Jian Mo, drenched in sweat and covered in sap from branches and grass, finally caught his breath. Feeling grimy from all the running, he stood up and walked to the riverbank to wash his face.
Xi Lu and a few others got up as well and followed him.
There was a river nearby, shallow and filled with stones, likely formed from melted snow from the mountains.
Jian Mo dipped his hand into the water, only to find it so cold it made his bones ache.
However, washing his face with the icy water was refreshing. After splashing his face a few times, he felt much better and sat on a rock, exhaling in comfort.
Xi Lu, having finished washing up as well, sat on another rock to rest. “Brother Jian Mo, is this your first time running like this?”
Jian Mo thought for a moment. “Not exactly. When I was a kid, I used to get chased by animals.”
He recalled how he and his childhood friends often got chased by dogs in his village, an experience that was far more thrilling.
“What kind of animals?” Xi Lu asked curiously.
Unable to explain clearly, Jian Mo simply replied, “A unique kind where I come from. If provoked, they’d bite.”
As the two chatted, the others also finished washing their faces.
With the breeze gently blowing and the warm sunlight on them, no one was eager to move.
Jian Mo stared at the stream for a while and suddenly noticed fish swimming back and forth.
Stream fish like these were typically tastier than those from large rivers or lakes. They had a delicate, fresh flavor without a hint of fishiness.
Excited, Jian Mo said, “Let me see if I can catch some fish.”
“I’ll join you,” Xi Lu said, standing up.
Jian Mo, now quite skilled at catching fish, found the shallow stream to be perfect for the task. In no time, he had caught two.
As he looked for more, he noticed not just fish in the water but also some translucent prawns. Overjoyed, he exclaimed, “Look, there are prawns!”
Xi Lu came over to check. “They’re pretty big. Maybe they swam in from the lake.”
“Could be,” Jian Mo replied. “Let me grab some.”
It had been a long time since Jian Mo had eaten prawns. He had assumed there weren’t any near the He’an Tribe, so finding them today was a delightful surprise.
Prawns didn’t swim fast and were much easier to catch than fish. As long as he could spot them, he could catch them almost every time.
In no time, Jian Mo had caught over a dozen prawns.
The others joined in, and together they caught all the prawns in the immediate area. Seeing no more nearby, they placed the prawns in a basket and decided to head back to the tribe.
As for collecting more bird eggs, that was out of the question. The Storm Birds had been startled once already and were likely guarding their nests now. Any further attempts would result only in pecking attacks and no eggs.
Instead, it made more sense to return to the tribe and gather whatever they might find along the way. This outing had already been quite fruitful.
They’d rushed on the way there, but there was no need to hurry on the way back.
By the time Jian Mo and the others returned to the tribe, the sun had not yet set, and most people had not yet returned.
They handed over part of the bird eggs to the tribe and divided the rest among themselves before heading home.
Jian Mo, besides receiving his share of the eggs, was given all the prawns. Most of the tribe members found the taste of prawns strange and didn’t enjoy eating them.
Grateful, Jian Mo thanked everyone, brought the prawns home, and prepared to make stir-fried prawns.
The prawns they caught today were exceptionally clean, with barely any visible veins. After washing them thoroughly, Jian Mo tossed them straight into a pan of hot oil.
There wasn’t any tomato sauce available here, so Jian Mo planned to simply fry them until fragrant, then add some pepper powder to simmer them into a homely dish.
While he was cooking, Wu Jiong returned, and Qing Kuo also came over.
The moment Qing Kuo stepped into the kitchen, he remarked, “That smells amazing!”
“I’m cooking prawns,” Jian Mo replied. “Stay for dinner.”
Qing Kuo quickly waved his hands. “No, no, I’ll head home for dinner. Di Ya should have finished cooking by now.”
Jian Mo chuckled. “Let them eat on their own. You stay here and eat.”
“It’s really fine,” Qing Kuo said. “I actually came to ask about a ceramic glaze issue. The Tian Ning Tribe—the one known for their pottery skills—has developed a glaze. They’d like to discuss it with us.”
Jian Mo, not one to dwell on social affairs, thought for a moment before saying, “The tribe can decide on this. I don’t have any strong opinions.”
Qing Kuo nodded. “If you’re okay with it, we’ll exchange ideas with the Tian Ning Tribe and see if we can learn some of their techniques.”
“That’s a great idea,” Jian Mo agreed. “Their pottery shapes are indeed diverse, and the designs are beautiful.”
“Exactly,” Qing Kuo replied. “It’s a rare opportunity, so we want to make the most of it.”
As they chatted, the prawns in the pan finished simmering.
Jian Mo scooped the prawns into a large ceramic bowl. Qing Kuo noticed and said, “You even added algae to the pot?”
“Of course! You’ve got to have some vegetables,” Jian Mo said, taking a bite with his chopsticks. “Not bad.”
“Cooking it like this won’t make it taste weird?” Qing Kuo asked.
Jian Mo shook his head. “Not at all. It’s delicious. Want to try?”
Qing Kuo eyed the prawns. “Sure, I’ll give it a shot.”
Jian Mo handed him a pair of chopsticks and a small plate, letting him help himself to the prawns and algae.
While Qing Kuo’s family occasionally cooked prawns, Jian Mo’s cooking skills made the dish taste exceptional. That wasn’t surprising, as Jian Mo excelled at cooking anything. What astonished Qing Kuo, however, was the algae. It was crisp, flavorful, and nothing like the bland, fishy algae other people cooked.
“How did you make the algae taste like this?” Qing Kuo asked in amazement. “I sometimes simmer it with meat, but it never comes out this good.”
Jian Mo said, “I didn’t simmer it. After the prawns were done, I added the algae and stir-fried it briefly to mix everything evenly before serving. It’s not fishy because I blanched the prawns beforehand, drained the water thoroughly, and marinated them with seasonings. It’s not the result of simmering.”
Qing Kuo nodded in realization. “That explains why it’s so crisp and flavorful.”
Jian Mo smiled. “If there’s an unpleasant taste in a dish, you can try blanching the ingredients first. It lightens the flavor.”
“I’ll try it tomorrow,” Qing Kuo said.
Qing Kuo had specifically come over to inform Jian Mo that the Tian Ning Tribe would be visiting. Jian Mo had hoped to see Peng Xi again, but it turned out that the visitors were older members of the tribe instead.
Jian Mo understood. Youngsters often let things slip inadvertently, so it made sense for the more reliable elders to handle such exchanges.
The tribe had some vacant houses, and Qing Kuo arranged for the visitors from the Tian Ning Tribe to stay there. He also left a few skilled potters to exchange techniques with them, while the rest of the tribe continued with hunting and gathering.
Jian Mo’s pottery skills were mediocre, and he wasn’t particularly interested in improving them, so he didn’t participate.
However, the Tian Ning Tribe visitors were quite interested in him. On the evening of their arrival, they visited Jian Mo, asking for his help with health check-ups and minor ailments.
When it came to charging fees, Jian Mo never refused anyone.
They conducted the check-ups at the small clinic.
After a few casual exchanges, everyone grew more familiar. Peng Xi’s father, Huan Yu, asked about any precautions they should take while staying in the He’an Tribe.
Jian Mo hadn’t really thought about it before. After pondering briefly, he said, “Our tribe is quite friendly, so there’s nothing in particular to worry about. If you happen to stray into a restricted area, the patrolling beastmen will let you know.”
Huan Yu smiled and nodded in agreement. “Your tribe does have a great atmosphere.”
Jian Mo smiled back. “Right? If there’s anything to note, it’s probably that the little ones in our tribe are a bit mischievous. They’ll often come over to play. If you don’t want to interact with them, just keep a stern face and walk away.”
A sub-beastman standing behind Huan Yu laughed. “What’s the big deal about mischievous kids? Young ones are like that in every tribe.”
Jian Mo agreed wholeheartedly. In all his time here, he had yet to meet a child who wasn’t mischievous.
Before long, Jian Mo finished examining everyone.
The visitors were in good health, with no major issues or treatable conditions. He advised them to take care of themselves in the future and sent them on their way.
As the Tian Ning visitors returned to their temporary lodgings, they discussed amongst themselves:
“Doctor Jian Mo seems so serious, but he’s actually really approachable.”
“I think he truly lives up to the legend of being the renowned Doctor Jian Mo. His demeanor is extraordinary.”
“Huan Yu, Peng Xi must have met Doctor Jian Mo before, right? Do you think he still has any of that seasoning powder to trade? I’d like to get some.”
“Hahaha, why didn’t you ask just now?”
“I couldn’t! Even though he’s kind, I couldn’t bring it up in the clinic. It felt weird…”
As they chatted, they didn’t notice that a group of little ones had blocked their path.
Among the mischievous children—little cats, wolves, and foxes—there was also a chubby winged beast trailing behind them.
The winged beast had clearly joined in their games.
The little ones curiously examined the group of strangers, their eyes wide with interest.
The winged beast, in particular, showed no fear of people. It even leaned its big head toward Huan Yu, giving him a friendly nuzzle.
Huan Yu, whose family also kept a winged beast, realized that this one must have caught the scent of its kind.
Caught off guard by the affectionate nudge, Huan Yu chuckled, finally understanding why Jian Mo had suggested avoiding situations if necessary. It wasn’t the little ones that needed avoiding—it was the winged beast.
For all its size, this winged beast had a remarkably gentle gaze and no trace of aggression. Clearly, it had been raised with great care.
Unable to resist, Huan Yu scratched the winged beast under its chin. “Well, aren’t you a big one?”
The winged beast seemed to enjoy the attention, chirping happily, “Chirp!”
After playing with it for a while, Huan Yu gently nudged it. “Go play.”
The winged beast chirped twice more and ran off with the little ones to play elsewhere.
Watching them leave, Huan Yu turned to his companions and said, “Next time, just ask directly. Doctor Jian Mo seems pretty easygoing.”
After all, anyone capable of raising such a well-fed winged beast couldn’t possibly have a bad temper.
