Chapter 193: Shouting at the Window

Seeing that Jiujiu was getting anxious and about to fight with Dala, Jian Mo quickly stopped them:

“Don’t get worked up. Dala, have some jerky.”

Dala backed up a little, took the jerky Jian Mo handed over, and looked at Jiujiu:

“Chirp!”

Jiujiu bared its teeth:

“Chirp chirp chirp!”

On the side, Ying’ao had already finished the food in its bowl. It was leisurely grooming its fur, then rubbed against Jian Mo in a very restrained way, staring at the jerky in his hand, signaling that it wanted some too.

Jian Mo gave Ying’ao a piece as well:

“Eat slowly.”

Jiujiu snatched its food bowl back, quickly finished the meat inside, then turned to look at Jian Mo.

Understanding, Jian Mo stuffed another piece of jerky into its claws:

“Get along with your friends. Don’t fight.”

Jiujiu sat on the ground, hugging the jerky and gnawing at it slowly, saying nothing.

Jian Mo patted Dala and noticed it seemed to have gotten a little fatter—its body felt softer to the touch. He wasn’t sure if it was just his imagination.

After settling the winged beasts, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong washed up and went back to their room to sleep.

They had done a lot today, and Jian Mo was utterly exhausted. Right now, he didn’t want to think about anything—he just wanted a good night’s sleep.

Whatever needed doing could wait until tomorrow.

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The next morning, Jian Mo was woken up by Wu Jiong at dawn.

Still half-asleep, he mumbled:

“Why wake me so early?”

Wu Jiong placed a damp towel on his face and wiped it for him:

“We need to get up. After trading with the Tianning tribe, we have to leave quickly, or we won’t make it back to the tribe before nightfall. If you’re still sleepy, you can nap later on Jiujiu’s back.”

Jian Mo muttered:

“Alright, let’s go visit them.”

The Tianning tribe’s chief was Chaoqi—Pongxi’s father and Huan Yu’s mate.

Jian Mo and Wu Jiong had dealt with them many times before, so they were on friendly terms.

When Jian Mo and Wu Jiong went to visit, Huan Yu greeted them with a smile:

“Last night we wanted to talk with you, but it was already late, so we didn’t want to disturb you. Did you feed Dala for us?”

Jian Mo:

“Just gave it some jerky. It seems like Dala’s gotten fatter?”

Huan Yu nodded:

“Recently, we traded for a batch of jerky from the Shanming tribe. We mix jerky into their meals, so they eat more eagerly now.”

Jian Mo:

“I knew it, it felt different when I touched it.”

Huan Yu laughed:

“Lately we’ve been trading out quite a lot of pottery. Did you also come to exchange for pottery? Want to trade for some small jars?”

He brought out the jars for them to see:

“The Mengshui tribe loves these little jars. I think you could use them too.”

Jian Mo examined one carefully. Each was about the size of a peach, with a shiny glazed surface, hard texture, and crisp sound when tapped. They were excellent quality, almost porcelain-like.

What surprised him most was that the black pottery was decorated with white glaze-painted patterns, quite artistic, with a beauty far beyond this era.

Jian Mo praised:

“These jars are really beautiful.”

Huan Yu grinned:

“Right? We worked hard to figure this out. They’re great for storing salves—no leakage, and the salve stays good for a long time.”

No wonder the Mengshui tribe liked them so much. Jian Mo chuckled:

“They do look great. How do you want to trade them?”

Huan Yu:

“Depends on how many you want and what you’ll exchange—our demands aren’t much.”

Jian Mo:

“Let’s trade cloth. What do you think of these animal-fur fabrics we brought?”

Huan Yu examined them carefully, then agreed: one piece of cloth for three small jars.

Jian Mo also exchanged some spice powder, jerky, and metal pieces, acquiring quite a few jars.

Huan Yu remarked:

“The things you bring are really good—much better than some tribes’ offerings.”

Jian Mo:

“Have you been trading pottery with many tribes lately?”

Huan Yu:

“Yes. Many tribes find kiln work troublesome. They’d rather not fire up the kiln just for a small batch, so they come trade with us instead. Our tribe loves pottery, so it works out. We exchange for meat, dried vegetables, fruits, hides—very useful.”

Jian Mo:

“That’s great—having resources circulate benefits everyone.”

Huan Yu:

“Exactly. The Baizhi tribe even trades our pottery further away. As long as we produce enough, we never worry about it not being exchanged.”

Chatting with Huan Yu, Jian Mo felt the tribes were interacting more and more. It warmed his heart—things around here were really improving.

After finishing trades, Huan Yu asked:

“Doctor Jian Mo, since you’re here, do you want to hold a consultation? If word spreads, many people would want to see you.”

Jian Mo waved his hand:

“Not today—maybe next time. If anyone feels unwell, they can come to the Riverside tribe to see us.”

Huan Yu sighed:

“That’s too far.”

Jian Mo:

“Then ask the Baizhi tribe to carry you. We told them before—if you provide enough supplies, they’re willing to help carry people.”

Huan Yu:

“Really? Their business is getting broad!”

Jian Mo smiled:

“It’s not all business—carrying patients is more about helping. Without winged beasts, ground travel is hard and often worsens conditions. The Baizhi youth are willing to help carry—it’s a good thing.”

Huan Yu nodded in agreement:

“True. Speaking of winged beasts, all of our cubs have already been reserved. Probably because of your Jiujiu and Ying’ao, people’s interest in raising them has grown.”

Jian Mo was surprised:

“Your tribe’s winged beasts had cubs?”

Huan Yu shook his head:

“Not yet, but sooner or later. Several tribes already pre-ordered them.”

Jian Mo:

“I can imagine—soon the nearby tribes will be swept up in a winged-beast-raising craze.”

Huan Yu:

“That’s what we think too. Really, it all started with your tribe.”

Jian Mo sincerely said:

“As long as people treat them well, it’s good. Maybe all the winged beasts can even become friends.”

Winged beasts weren’t the strongest creatures in the wild—hence their omnivorous, mostly herbivorous diet.

In truth, wild winged beasts were usually meek, like Jiujiu. Ying’ao was the unusual tough one.

After trading pottery, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong prepared to head home to process the throateyes. The fat Jius were ready too.

They ate a quick breakfast, then left before the sun got too high.

Still drowsy, Jian Mo leaned against Wu Jiong on Jiujiu’s back. Ying’ao carried the supplies.

With Wu Jiong there, Jian Mo slept soundly in his arms.

At noon, they landed on a grassland to rest, eating some jerky and drinking water before continuing.

Having slept all morning, Jian Mo was more alert in the afternoon. He leaned into Wu Jiong and said quietly:

“The Baizhi youth—they may seem playful, but when it comes to real work, they’ve got grit.”

Flying between tribes all day was exhausting—their earned supplies were truly hard-earned.

Wu Jiong replied softly:

“They’re just lively by nature. Any group strong enough to form its own tribe isn’t weak.”

Jian Mo:

“The Yuqi tribe too—they really focus when working. Impressive.”

The fat Jius flew in formation, flapping hard. Jiujiu and Ying’ao followed behind, saving energy by riding their air currents.

By sunset, they reached the bottom edge of the Hongzheng tribe—close to the Mengshui tribe’s border and near their own Riverside tribe.

The two groups split— the fat Jius went to Mengshui to trade, while Jian Mo’s group returned directly home.

Wanzheng called loudly:

“Brother Jian Mo, you go ahead. Tonight or tomorrow morning we’ll come by to play and tell you if the trades went well.”

Jian Mo:

“Alright. Come whenever—we’ll be home.”

Wanzheng:

“Then it’s settled. See you soon!”

On the way back, they saw Mengshui tribe beastmen carrying their children home on their beast forms.

Flying low, Jiujiu and Ying’ao caught the children’s attention. The little ones waved up excitedly:

“Brother Jian Mo! Chief Wu Jiong!”

Jian Mo lowered his head to reply:

“Why are you heading home so late?”

The children shouted:

“It was combat practice today—the class ran long, so we’re late!”

Jian Mo:

“Ah, I see. We’re heading back too. See you tomorrow.”

They didn’t linger in the air. After a quick exchange, they flew on.

The children craned their necks, watching them leave:

“See you tomorrow!”

By the time Jian Mo returned to the tribe, night had just fallen.

The local children, seeing them back, ran over together to greet:

“Brother Jian Mo, Chief, you’re finally home!”

Smiling, Jian Mo unloaded Jiujiu and Ying’ao:

“Yes, we’re back. Anything new while we were gone?”

The kids chattered excitedly:

“One of the Yigu tribe brothers hurt his backside. He wanted you to treat him, but since you weren’t here, he limped home.”

“Someone asked if you brought back scar-removing ointment.”

“A few days ago, we harvested a batch of bead algae from the river. Qingkuo said this is the last batch for the year.”

Jian Mo chuckled:

“Sounds lively here.”

The kids:

“Yeah! But it’d be even better if you’d been here too!”

“Brother Jian Mo, what did you bring back?”

Jian Mo showed them the throateyes, vegetables, herbs, big fish, and more. The children gasped in amazement.

After tidying up, Jian Mo brought out Kunzhi tree sap to start brewing ointment.

If he didn’t, the throateyes might spoil.

Hearing they were making medicine, the kids enthusiastically ran to fetch firewood with their short legs. The little striped kittens and chicks carried sticks in their mouths.

They had collected quite a few throateyes, so they had to brew in two batches.

Every time, Jian Mo used a small scale to measure ingredients by firelight, carefully preparing them before simmering.

Having recipes was a huge advantage—no more guessing. Everything was systematic now.

Busy with the ointment, they had no time for dinner.

Qingkuo brought food over from his house:

“How was this trip?”

Jian Mo looked up:

“Very fruitful.”

Qingkuo:

“Sounds great.”

Jian Mo asked:

“Have you heard of the Yuqi tribe’s vegetables?”

Qingkuo:

“They’re so far away, no. They’re farming now too?”

Jian Mo:

“Yes, by the hot springs. Their vegetables are crisp, sweet, and delicious.”

He told Qingkuo about the Yuqi tribe’s vegetables and new pesticides.

Qingkuo said:

“Seems like everyone’s getting used to farming.”

Jian Mo:

“Everyone? Which tribes started farming without me knowing?”

Qingkuo:

“The Mengshui tribe started first. They grow pearl rice, flour grass, tendon grass, scallions—their fields are big. Others followed. Apparently, after the hunting festival, they were inspired by our crops.”

Jian Mo:

“Ah, makes sense. Chief Yunlong always has foresight. If they’re farming, others will too.”

Qingkuo:

“Exactly. But even the Bingjiang tribe started farming, which is odd. I asked them, and they said it’s just casual, not relying on it for food.”

Jian Mo pictured the fierce Bingjiang bears tending crops and shook his head—it was hard to imagine.

Then Qingkuo slapped his forehead:

“Oh right, the Yigu tribe sent over a few baskets of flour fruit. I put them in your kitchen.”

Jian Mo:

“Why’d they suddenly send flour fruit? Want us to do something?”

Qingkuo:

“No, they said it’s nothing special. They just gathered a lot and thought you might like to try some.”

Jian Mo nodded:

“Alright. In a couple of days, we’ll visit to thank them.”

Qingkuo:

“Do you want to make flour cakes, or brew wine with them?”

Jian Mo:

“Flour cakes. Forget the wine—it’s inefficient. We got plenty of pearl rice this year. Once it gets colder, we’ll brew with that. Better taste and more practical.”

Flour-fruit wine had a strange taste. With abundant resources, Jian Mo didn’t care for it.

They worked half the night and finally finished the scar-removing ointment.

Afterward, Jian Mo’s back was aching.

Wu Jiong massaged his waist:

“Rest tomorrow. Don’t go out.”

Jian Mo sighed contentedly:

“I won’t. Even if you call me, I’m staying in bed. I need a long sleep.”

Wu Jiong:

“Don’t sleep too late though, or you won’t sleep at night.”

Jian Mo found his nagging cute and smiled with crescent eyes:

“Got it.”

Wu Jiong kissed him lightly:

“Come on, let’s bathe.”

The weather was cold, so they bathed at home. Luckily, the bathroom was big enough for them to soak together.

After washing, drying their hair, and getting cozy, they fell asleep in each other’s arms.

Jian Mo was determined to sleep in until noon.

But once again, that wish went unfulfilled.

The next day, the fat Jius arrived—bringing Yunlong along, saying he had business with Jian Mo.

Hearing people outside, Jian Mo buried his head under the blanket, wishing he could pretend he wasn’t home.

But the little ones, oblivious, knew full well Jian Mo hadn’t gone out today. They brought Yunlong straight over and shouted below the window.

Jian Mo tried to stall for ten seconds, but when it looked like the fat Jius would transform and fly up to peek in, he had no choice but to throw off the blanket, pull on clothes, and open the window:

“I’m coming—wait a bit.”

The little ones cheered:

“See, we told you Brother Jian Mo was home!”

The fat Jius laughed:

“You kids are amazing—you remember exactly who’s in and out of the tribe.”

The little ones puffed out their chests proudly.

The Mengshui people listening nearby couldn’t help but laugh.

Jian Mo rubbed his forehead in despair. Being too close with the kids wasn’t always a blessing.

If he weren’t so familiar with them, they wouldn’t have noticed he hadn’t left, and he wouldn’t be caught in bed today.

Looks like he’d need to give them extra lessons—teach those eager little ones some boundaries. Otherwise, he could forget about ever sleeping in.