Chapter 187 – Let Jiujiu Search

The preserved meat of the Dense Current Tribe was a kind of semi-dry, semi-moist cured meat, different from that of the Riverside Tribe.

They sliced the cured meat into thin pieces and grilled them on scorching hot stone slabs.

With a sizzling sound, the meat curled up golden and crisp, sending a rich fragrance of roasted meat drifting everywhere.

The Dense Current tribesmen also brought Jian Mo and Wu Jiong stone-slab-roasted tuber slices cut into small round cakes, for them to eat along with the cured meat.

The white tubers served on black pottery plates, paired with the golden roasted meat and sprinkled with green spice powder, looked extremely appetizing.

Yi Sen gestured toward Jian Mo and Wu Jiong:
“This is our specialty dinner here. Try it and see if you like it?”

Jian Mo: “Thank you, it smells delicious.”

He used a fork to spear a piece of tuber and meat, bit into it, and found the rich meaty aroma blending with the soft, glutinous tuber—indeed, it tasted very good.

When the fat of the cured meat burst out, it acted like the finishing touch, drawing out all the flavors even more.

Jian Mo couldn’t help repeating: “This is delicious.”

Yi Sen looked a little proud: “You can take some back with you to taste on the way.”

Jian Mo: “Then I won’t stand on ceremony. Thank you for the hospitality.”

Yi Sen: “We also prepared food for your flying beasts, but they didn’t seem very interested in our fare. You may need to feed them yourselves later.”

Jian Mo guessed Ying Ao had stopped Jiujiu from eating food given by strangers, so he replied:
“We’ll feed them ourselves later, thank you for the trouble.”

Yi Sen: “It’s nothing, just one meal. When our tribesmen visited your tribe, we ate your hot-and-spicy stew. It was so delicious—such a genius invention.”

Jian Mo smiled: “It’s nothing special, mainly just for convenience.”

They ate while chatting.

After the meal, those of the Dense Current Tribe with ailments came to Jian Mo for treatment.

He examined them—many were chronic issues, such as labor injuries or inflammations.

Back before his time at the Storage Star Tribe, Jian Mo wouldn’t have been able to treat these conditions, only offer relief with hot compresses. Now, with many prescriptions at hand and medicinal herbs he’d brought, he could directly prescribe treatments.

Jian Mo was gentle and patient with patients, and most importantly, he charged very little for treatment—almost everyone could afford it.

Those who hadn’t planned to come, once they heard, also lined up.

Jian Mo kept treating people until nightfall.

The tribesmen lit bonfires nearby to give him light, so he could examine them carefully.

At last Jian Mo said the lighting wasn’t good enough and he couldn’t see clearly; it would be better to wait until daylight. Only then, persuaded, did everyone slowly disperse, planning to return the next day.

As Yi Sen escorted them to their temporary lodgings, he admired sincerely:
“Doctor Jian Mo, you’re amazing. Having you here is truly our tribe’s good fortune.”

Jian Mo: “Thank you for the praise, but it’s nothing special. There are many skilled witch-doctors out there.”

Yi Sen: “When I was young, I met a few witch-doctors, but none as skilled as you.”

Jian Mo smiled: “Then I’ll just have to keep working hard to live up to your compliment.”

Yi Sen left them at their lodgings, saying he wouldn’t disturb them further.

The Dense Current Tribe’s houses weren’t special—ordinary stone houses, with the first floor for cooking and guests, people living upstairs to avoid dampness and insects. They were somewhat like Jian Mo’s own house.

The difference was their houses were much smaller, without baths or toilets; bathing had to be done outside.

Jian Mo said to Wu Jiong:
“After running for two days, I’m covered in dust. Let’s go out for a bath, and check on Jiujiu and the others too.”

Wu Jiong: “When you were treating people earlier, I already checked on them. They’re probably asleep by now.”

Jian Mo drew back his steps: “Are they adjusting here?”

Wu Jiong’s eyes curved with a smile:
“Jiujiu is lying on its back, all four limbs spread out, snoring away.”

That meant it was very well adjusted. Jian Mo sighed:
“Jiujiu really has a big heart.”

Wu Jiong: “It’s good at reading people. Seeing the tribesmen respect you, it relaxed naturally. Plus, we’re all here, and Ying Ao is sleeping right beside it—it has every reason to feel safe.”

The two went out to bathe.

The water outside was already chilly. Jian Mo needed quite a while to get used to it.

He quickly scrubbed himself down, and Wu Jiong reached over to help him. Once cleaned, Jian Mo dove into the river to rinse off the soap, then shivered as he climbed ashore to dress.

Wu Jiong squeezed his arm: “Still a bit weak, you need more meat.”

Jian Mo: “I already eat plenty. My beast ears seem to have gotten water in them, can you check?”

His beast ears had just about grown upright, which made it easy for water to get in while bathing.

Earlier he’d been too cold to notice, but now both ears felt itchy with trapped water. Shaking them didn’t help.

Wu Jiong held his chin and carefully checked his beast ears, then rolled up some cloth and gently wiped the droplets inside.
“All done.”

Jian Mo shook his head again: “Much better.”

Wu Jiong kissed one of his beast ears: “Come on, let’s go sleep.”

Their main reason for coming to the Dense Current Tribe was to find throat-eye beads. Early the next morning, after finishing treatment for the patients left from yesterday, Jian Mo raised the matter with Yi Sen.

Yi Sen agreed right away: “Let’s enter the mountains today. We need to gather supplies anyway.”

Jian Mo sighed with relief: “Thank you.”

Yi Sen: “Not at all. It should be us thanking you for treating our people.”

The tribesmen were warm and welcoming. After breakfast, they led Jian Mo and Wu Jiong to the areas where throat-eye beads grew.

But luck wasn’t with them—what they found had either been harvested already or had rotted. After a whole day, they only collected four tiny beads.

Jian Mo looked at the pitiful four and asked:
“Are there other places where throat-eye beads grow?”

Yi Sen apologetically shook his head:
“No, only these few spots.”

Jian Mo wanted to ask if other tribes might have them, but after thinking it over, he stayed silent.
“Then tomorrow, can we go look in the mountains ourselves?”

Yi Sen: “Of course. Treat it like your own tribe. Search wherever you like. We’ll also keep looking tomorrow and see if we can find more.”

Jian Mo: “Then we’ll give it a try. Maybe we’ll get lucky tomorrow.”

Wu Jiong understood his thoughts. After the tribesmen left, he asked softly:
“Do you plan to check with other tribes tomorrow?”

Jian Mo: “Unlikely they have any. If they did, they would’ve already told us.”

The tribes were well connected, and they’d all spoken at the Hunting Gathering. There was no way they wouldn’t know Jian Mo needed throat-eye beads.

Wu Jiong nodded: “Then we’ll keep searching in the mountains tomorrow. With so many trees and tall grass, it’s no wonder we didn’t find much today.”

Jian Mo: “That’s what I think too. But it might be difficult just relying on us. Tomorrow we’ll bring Jiujiu.”

Wu Jiong glanced outside: “Jiujiu?”

Jian Mo: “Yes, Jiujiu’s sense of smell is sharp, and throat-eye beads are edible. If it wants to, it’ll definitely find some.”

Wu Jiong didn’t object: “Then let’s try.”

Jiujiu hadn’t expected Jian Mo to entrust it with such a glorious and difficult mission. After sniffing a throat-eye bead, it blinked big round eyes, looking utterly confused.

Jian Mo stuffed a piece of grilled cured meat into its beak:
“This meat was marinated with throat-eye beads. Delicious, right?”

Jiujiu chewed, its eyes lighting up: “Jiujiu!!!” So good!!!

Jian Mo: “Then tomorrow, take us to find throat-eye beads. If you succeed, when we return I’ll marinate even more meat for you to eat.”

Beside them, Ying Ao lowered its head to sniff Jian Mo’s cured meat. Jian Mo gave it a piece too:
“Ying Ao, you help as well. Let’s see if we can eat marinated meat again.”

Ying Ao: “Kreeee—”

After breakfast, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong led both birds into the mountains.

Once inside, Jian Mo let them roam free:
“Go search first. If you find any, come tell us.”

Both birds cried out long and loud in agreement.

They flew off—one east, one west—into the forest. Jian Mo watched them disappear, then said to Wu Jiong:
“Let’s search too. Let’s see how luck is today.”

Wu Jiong: “I’ll shift to beast form and carry you.”

Jian Mo perked up: “Good idea. Your sense of smell is keener in wolf form—we might really find some.”

Wu Jiong transformed into a giant wolf, growling low: “Let’s go.”

Jian Mo climbed onto his broad back, straightened, and scanned the surroundings. As a nearly grown sub-beastman, his vision was much sharper than before—if any beads grew nearby, he’d surely spot them.

They searched through the forest.

Though they didn’t see any throat-eye beads, Jian Mo found some delicious-looking mushrooms and several nests of bird eggs.

It was rare for birds to lay eggs in autumn. Jian Mo listened for movement in the eggs, choosing only the unhatched ones, and took half from each nest.

Wild eggs were different from their tamed long-tail birds. If not careful, one might collect eggs already containing feathered but unhatched chicks.

Jian Mo had boiled such eggs before, nearly scarring him psychologically, so he was much more cautious now.

A harvest was a good thing—so even if they didn’t find beads, the trip wasn’t wasted.

As they filled half their baskets, Jiujiu suddenly came flying over, calling loudly: “Jiujiu!”

The giant wolf let out a long howl to guide it in.

Jiujiu swooped down and landed before them: “Jiujiu!”

Hearing its triumphant tone, Jian Mo couldn’t hide his joy:
“Jiujiu, did you find throat-eye beads?”

Jiujiu puffed its chest proudly: “Jiujiu!”

Jian Mo exclaimed happily:
“Well done! As expected of Jiujiu—one bird equals two men! When it comes to finding food, you’ll never let us down!”

Jiujiu flapped its wings and shouted loudly: “Jiujiu!”