Jian Mo stayed in the Qin Hai Tribe for a few more days. Once he confirmed that Shu Guang’s recovery was steady and uneventful, he informed them of his plans to return to the He’an Tribe.
The Qin Hai Tribe had grown accustomed to Jian Mo’s presence, and many were reluctant to see him leave.
Shu Ming, in particular, was especially disheartened. “Doctor Jian Mo, stay a little longer! The weather here is cool and pleasant. Treat it like a vacation—stay until you’ve had enough fun, then head back.”
Jian Mo shook his head. “I can’t. It’s the peak season for gathering food, and I can’t waste this opportunity. I need to head back.”
“What do you need to gather? We’ll collect it for you and send it to the He’an Tribe. You don’t have to do it yourself,” Shu Ming offered.
Jian Mo smiled. “It’s not about the resources. I just feel like it’s a waste of time to stay idle.”
Seeing his resolve, Shu Ming sighed. “At least stay two more days. We’ll prepare some supplies for you and hold a farewell feast. Leave the day after tomorrow. By then, Chief Wu Jiong will probably have arrived to pick you up. If not, we’ll escort you back.”
“A farewell feast isn’t necessary—it’s too much trouble,” Jian Mo protested.
Shu Ming waved his hands dismissively. “It’s no trouble. Saving our chieftain’s life was no small feat; we need to celebrate properly. Besides, everyone here admires and appreciates you. They’d love to celebrate with you and get to know you better.”
He sighed with a tinge of melancholy. “If we don’t seize the chance now, it’ll be hard to find an opportunity once you return to the He’an Tribe.”
Faced with Shu Ming’s heartfelt words, Jian Mo could only agree.
On the day of the farewell feast, the Qin Hai Tribe began preparations in the morning.
Beastman tribes were universally enthusiastic about celebrations, but it was clear that the Qin Hai Tribe placed exceptional importance on this event.
Jian Mo watched as they brought out piles of fresh meat, smoked meat, fresh fruits, dried fruits, and fruit wine, stacking them in the open space. The sight filled him with both gratitude and pride.
This was, in essence, the Qin Hai Tribe’s highest form of recognition for his medical skills.
To have successfully saved Shu Guang under such circumstances, Jian Mo felt he had every reason to be proud.
After checking on Shu Guang’s condition, Jian Mo joined the preparations for the feast.
The tribe’s younglings, especially the chubby bear cubs, scurried about on all fours, following the adults and adding to the bustle.
When Jian Mo arrived, the younglings swarmed around him.
He picked up a soft, fluffy bear cub and gave its head a good rub, even tugging on its round ears. Back at the He’an Tribe, he wouldn’t have bear cubs to cuddle, but the feline and canine younglings there were just as endearing. The thought brought him a bit of joy.
By evening, the Qin Hai Tribe had lit their bonfire.
The tribe’s rugged landscape and bold personalities were reflected in their celebrations—even their bonfire was enormous.
The towering flames danced against the night sky, creating a lively atmosphere.
Everyone gathered around Jian Mo, insisting on grilling meat for him.
Qin Hai Tribe’s roasted meat was seasoned heavily with garlic powder and salt, giving it a distinctive flavor that was quite good.
Jian Mo enjoyed the first two pieces, but soon his plate was piled high with meat and his cup filled with wine. Their enthusiasm left him stuffed beyond belief.
He tried to refuse, but their warm and genuine smiles made it impossible to say no.
After the food and drinks, many of the tribe’s beastmen shifted into their animal forms.
The enormous bears danced around the bonfire, their round bellies and backsides wobbling with each step. Watching them against the massive flames, Jian Mo finally understood why the bonfire was so large—any smaller, and the sight of dancing bears would’ve been outright bizarre.
Not that the current scene wasn’t strange. Jian Mo found himself wondering if he’d accidentally eaten hallucinogenic mushrooms.
Midway through the festivities, Shu Guang emerged.
Still recovering from surgery, his belly fur was shaved, and he couldn’t drink. He sat by the bonfire, nibbling on some meat while watching the dancing.
As he observed, he began shamelessly promoting the Qin Hai Tribe’s beastmen to Jian Mo, attempting to poach talent with impressive speed.
Jian Mo, smiling faintly, looked at the bears sprawled around the bonfire in a drunken stupor and shook his head.
The Qin Hai Tribe’s prediction was spot on. The morning after the farewell feast, Wu Jiong arrived with a group to fetch Jian Mo.
Hearing about the Qin Hai Tribe’s recruitment attempts, Wu Jiong made a point of shifting into his wolf form and “discussing” the matter with the tribe’s beastmen.
Although the bears were larger than the wolf, they were far less agile and lacked Wu Jiong’s knack for leveraging strength.
By the end, the giant wolf had defeated all the Qin Hai Tribe’s bears. Even Shu Ming, who had joined the fray in his bear form, was left sprawled on the ground, panting heavily. “I think only my brother could take you on.”
The wolf snorted and lightly nudged Jian Mo’s chest with its muzzle, sniffing his scent. Hearing Shu Ming’s words, it coolly replied, “Your brother wouldn’t win either. If you doubt it, we can settle it at next year’s hunting competition.”
The bear grumbled, “My brother’s recovering from serious injuries. He might not even be ready to fight this year.”
“Then we’ll settle it next year,” the wolf retorted.
Jian Mo hugged the wolf’s snout and chimed in, “Next year sounds fair.”
Shu Ming agreed cheerfully. “Alright, I’ll have my brother face you then.”
Meanwhile, Shu Guang, still in the cave, was blissfully unaware that Shu Ming had already volunteered him for next year’s challenge. He was busy organizing supplies to send with Jian Mo.
To express their gratitude, Shu Guang had the tribe prepare an abundance of goods for Jian Mo: a large amount of garlic powder, animal hides, and meat. Additionally, they packed two massive bundles of long-tailed beast tendons—the ones suitable for making sutures.
Feeling it was too much, Jian Mo tried to return some of the supplies.
But Shu Guang was insistent. “My life is worth far more than these goods, as is the future of the Qin Hai Tribe. Please accept them, Doctor Jian Mo. I’m already embarrassed for taking up so much of your time.”
Jian Mo smiled. “It’s nothing. Healing and saving lives is my duty.”
The bear chieftain replied earnestly, “I won’t say much else. As long as I, Shu Guang, live, you’ll always be a friend of the Qin Hai Tribe and my personal friend. If you ever encounter trouble, just say the word.”
Pausing, Shu Guang ignored the icy gaze Wu Jiong cast his way and added, “And if you ever want to live here in the Qin Hai Tribe, just let us know. We’ll come get you anytime.”
Jian Mo grasped Wu Jiong’s wrist and smiled. “That day won’t come—I plan to grow old with Wu Jiong.”
Everyone around them understood and immediately began teasing and cheering.
Wu Jiong’s gaze softened as he turned his hand to clasp Jian Mo’s.
After their farewells, Jian Mo climbed onto the back of the giant wolf. Surrounded by the Qin Hai Tribe’s massive bears carrying supplies, they prepared to leave.
Ten giant bears from the Qin Hai Tribe accompanied them, carrying the gifts Shu Guang had prepared. Chirpy, who had gained a little weight during their stay, flew overhead. It alternated between leading the way and falling back, visibly excited about returning to the He’an Tribe.
The journey back was unhurried, taking two and a half days. By the afternoon of the third day, they finally arrived at the He’an Tribe. Beastmen on patrol spotted them first and came out to welcome them.
The younglings of the He’an Tribe soon followed, running eagerly to greet them.
As they stopped, the giant wolf and bears began unloading their cargo. The younglings, however, rushed straight at Jian Mo, wrapping themselves around his legs and calling out, “Brother Jian Mo—we missed you so much! And Chirpy too!”
Jian Mo crouched down, barely having time to respond before Ban Jiu, the little spotted cat, climbed up his leg and onto his back, nuzzling his head with a soft, chubby cheek. “Brother Jian Mo, meow!”
Then Zhou Dao, the little white wolf, charged into Jian Mo’s arms, nuzzling his snout into Jian Mo’s stomach so forcefully it nearly knocked the wind out of him. “Brother Jian Mo! Woof!”
Completely surrounded by the younglings, Jian Mo quickly hugged them. “Stop, stop! I’m back! I’m not going anywhere for now. Don’t rush!”
Jiang Xing hugged Jian Mo’s arm tightly. “Brother Jian Mo, we really missed you! But you smell like bears.”
He wrinkled his nose in mock disdain. Ban Jiu and Zhou Dao pressed themselves against Jian Mo even harder, as if trying to rub off the unfamiliar scent.
Jian Mo chuckled as he patted one after another. “Nonsense! I smell like Wu Jiong.”
Zhou Dao nuzzled Jian Mo again with his snout and retorted, “No, you smell like bears. We’re not lying.”
Jian Mo suspected he had spent so much time at the Qin Hai Tribe that the bear scent had seeped into him. Unable to argue, he changed the subject. “Why don’t you go see Chirpy? Chirpy missed you too.”
Chirpy, whose cargo had just been unloaded, perked up at the mention of its name. It hopped up and flapped its wings twice. “Chirp chirp!”
The younglings, equally excited to reunite with Chirpy, swarmed over, hugging its wings and burying their faces in its soft belly. “Chirpy—”
Chirpy affectionately nuzzled the younglings. “Chirp chirp!”
More members of the He’an Tribe came out after hearing the news. They surrounded Jian Mo, relieved to see him back and eager to talk.
“You’re finally home! Without you, the tribe just didn’t feel the same. We’ve missed you.”
“Brother Jian Mo, is it true that Chieftain Shu Guang’s stomach had a hole so big you could see out of his back?”
“Brother Jian Mo, you’re amazing! Every tribe nearby is talking about how you saved Chieftain Shu Guang even after everyone thought he was a goner!”
Jian Mo found himself completely surrounded by excited, enthusiastic people.
The stories they told, however, were a little exaggerated.
He opened his mouth, trying to explain, but in the end, he simply said, “Why don’t you all come over for tea? Let’s sit down and talk things through.”
With all the supplies they had brought back, it was the perfect opportunity to share some food and drinks, chat with everyone, and clarify all the wild rumors spreading around.
