The Bet
The sap was dark green and viscous, looking like some kind of ointment.
However, compared to the sap brought by Lian Ke, it was still a bit thin, and it probably needs further processing.
Wu Jiong said, "We should put it in a jar and boil it to remove the excess water."
Jian Mo: "I think that's probably why Lian Ke's ointment is black, and ours is dark green."
After collecting this batch, the two had no intention of collecting any more tree sap.
If we break off more branches, the growth of the Kunzhi Tree might be affected; it's better to come back another time.
Despite not collecting the maximum amount, the two still had a good haul today.
After returning home, Jian Mo ate a simple meal and then began to boil the tree sap.
The sap turned jet black and thick in the oil-free and water-free earthenware jar, looking very much like the ointment that Lian Ke had brought.
Jian Mo took a sniff and felt that the smell was similar.
However, Lian Ke added other herbs to his ointment to mask the smell, so now the two ointments are only slightly similar.
Jian Mo saw that it was almost done cooking, so she scraped out a lump with a wooden sliver, let it cool, and then applied it to her cleaned, injured finger.
The ointment solidified quickly after being applied, turning into a texture similar to a medicated plaster, firm and sticky, adhering firmly to the skin.
For Jian Mo, this thing would be more suitable for making sterile dressings.
In the future, if anyone suffers an external injury and has undergone surgery, they can simply scoop out a dollop of this ointment and apply it directly to the stitched wound. It will likely be much more effective than wrapping it with cloth.
Most importantly, this patch should not hinder the patient's movement and should provide convenience for the patient's daily life.
Jian Mo was increasingly satisfied with what she saw. Lian Ke was a bit of a liar, the material he brought was really useful, and many of his actions were quite inspiring to her.
For that reason, he didn't bother to pursue the matter further.
Just as Jian Mo was studying the prepared ointment, Qing Kuo came to visit.
Upon seeing him brewing medicine, Qing Kuo asked worriedly, "What's wrong? Is there a problem with the medicine powder from Witch Doctor Lian Ke?"
Jian Mo waved her hand. "It's not a big problem, it'll be fine after some rest. I'll make some ointment to keep on hand."
Qing Kuo: "You scared me! I thought something really had happened. We need to catch up with him and demand an explanation."
Jian Mo: "If there really was a problem, I wouldn't have let him leave this morning. Did you need something from me?"
Qing Kuo nodded. "When we went out today, we saw that the Ambus River was flowing again. We plan to go there to collect samples tomorrow. Do you want to come?"
These past few days, Jian Mo has either stayed in the tribe treating patients or gone out on his own; he hasn't been with the tribe for quite some time.
Jian Mo: "Go! We don't have anything planned for tomorrow, so we can come along."
Qing Kuo: "Then we'll wait for you tomorrow. The Ambus River is quite far, so we need to leave early."
Jian Mo asked curiously, "Where is the Ambus River? Was it dried up before? Why do you say it's flowing again?"
Qing Kuo: "At the easternmost point, it's a river that only flows in spring and summer, and some things in the river are only available in spring and summer."
As soon as he said that, Jian Mo immediately understood.
This river is definitely a seasonal river mainly fed by snowmelt. Now that the weather is warmer, the snowmelt from the mountains has increased, and the river has started flowing again.
Upon encountering a seasonal river for the first time, Jian Mo said expectantly, "Okay, I'll get up at dawn tomorrow!"
Qing Kuo: "See you tomorrow."
Chapter 85 The Bet
The Ambus River lies to the east of the Riverside Tribe; it is wide but not deep.
The people in the tribe said that in previous years the river would start flowing later, but this year the weather was warmer, so it appeared earlier.
Thankfully, a group of people went hunting there a couple of days ago, otherwise they would have missed it.
Jian Mo sat on Wu Jiong's back and asked the Zhou Fu in front, "Did this river originate from our tribe?"
Zhou Fu chattered on and on for a while, then paused when he heard this question, "I really don't know, you'll have to ask Ye Luo and the others."
As he spoke, Zhou Fu called out to Ye Luo, "Ye Luo, do you know?"
Ye Luo and his father were sitting on his father's back. Hearing the question from behind, the old beastman, whose beast form resembled a clouded leopard, slowed down and fell behind.
Ye Luo calmly replied, "Of course I know. The water of the Ambus River flows down from Mount Ambus. Its source is a small ditch, and it flows southeast until it reaches the territory of the Forest Rock Tribe, where the water becomes quite large."
Jian Mo rarely heard of the Forest Rock Tribe, which was located directly below their own tribe, so he seized the opportunity to ask, "It seems our tribe doesn't have much contact with the Forest Rock Tribe? Is there some kind of conflict between us?"
Ye Luo's father laughed and said, "No, that's not true. The people of the Forest Rock Tribe prefer to operate in the southern part of their territory, which is too far from here, so we rarely run into them."
Jian Mo understood.
They walked eastward until the sun was high in the sky before reaching the Ambus River.
It was indeed a wide river, with round pebbles at the bottom. The water was light blue and the current was very rapid. As it flowed over the stones, it stirred up countless white splashes.
At this time, the spring grass has grown, and wildflowers of all colors have bloomed, making it look very beautiful.
On such a sunny day, the blue sky, white clouds, snow-capped mountains, grasslands, and rivers unfold under the sunlight, appearing especially beautiful.
Jian Mo climbed down from the giant wolf's back. "The scenery here is beautiful."
The giant wolf nudged him with its muzzle before whispering, "If you like it, we can come again another day."
As they were talking, someone shouted from afar, "Get ready to go into the water! Everyone spread out, and a few people search in one section of the river."
Everyone readily agreed, forming teams with their partners, family, or friends to prepare for fishing.
There were only two people, Jian Mo and Wu Jiong. Min Dang Zhou Fu's family was on their other side.
Zhou Fu rubbed his hands together excitedly and introduced the fish to Jian Mo and the others, saying, "The Ambus Fish is especially delicious. We loved this fish even before the tribe ate much fish, and we would come here every spring."