Ovoviviparity

The people of the Upper Meng Tribe said, "The Witch Doctor Lian Ke is an orc from the Lower Meng Tribe. He was also traveling and only returned recently."

Jian Mo felt a little incredulous, as if this unfamiliar land had suddenly become warm and welcoming with the addition of a familiar person.

When the people of the Upper Meng Tribe realized he knew Lian Ke, they couldn't help but ask curiously, "Are your medical skills better than Witch Doctor Lian Ke's?"

Jian Mo said tactfully, "People in our area usually choose me."

Hearing this, a little boy popped out from the crowd. "Could you take a look at our Heqin?"

Jian Mo thought it was a sick orc or sub-orc, "What illness does he have? I'll take a look, but I'm not sure I can cure him."

The cub said, "It's not sick, it's trying to give birth, but it can't."

The difference between "he" and "it" in Orcish is very clear. Jian Mo and the others speak Common Orcish, so there is no possibility of mishearing.

Jian Mo immediately understood; it wasn't human.

Before Jian Mo could speak, the people of the Upper Meng Tribe scolded the little boy, "Don't trouble the shaman with Heqin."

The little cub pouted, clearly unconvinced.

The people of the Upper Meng Tribe explained to Jian Mo and Wu Jiong, "The Heqin is a type of fish. We have plenty of water here, so we domesticated the Heqin to carry us."

Jian Mo was hearing for the first time that fish could be tamed and used as transportation in the beastman world, and her eyes couldn't help but light up with excitement. She grabbed Wu Jiong's wrist and asked the people of the Upper Meng Tribe, "Can you take me to see it?"

At this point, a glint appeared in Jian Mo's eyes. "To be honest, I'm actually better at healing animals than orcs or sub-orcs."

He's a proper veterinarian, and he's seen plenty of cases, from hamsters with broken bones to fish with tumors, from birds losing feathers to depressed cats, even if he hasn't actually treated any of them.

There are at least many more cases than in humans!

Chapter 150 Ovoviviparity

The people of the Upper Meng Tribe were overjoyed to hear that Jian Mo could cure Heqin, and immediately a group of them surrounded Jian Mo and Wu Jiong to go see Heqin.

Their Heqin were kept in the large river outside the tribe. Jian Mo also noticed that they had built a simple dock, probably for easier communication with the Heqin.

Everyone stood on the dock, and the people from the Upper Meng Tribe let out a long whistle, then all stared at the river.

A moment later, the river water churned, and a large, milky-white fish floated to the surface, paddling its fins as it approached the bank.

The people of the Upper Meng Tribe shouted:

"Little Good One, how are you feeling today?"

"Swim slowly, don't rush, you're pregnant."

"Oh, you seem to be in a good mood today."

Upon hearing the interaction between the people of the Upper Meng Tribe and the fish, Jian Mo knew that the two sides had a good relationship.

The fish swam to the dock, raised its head, and looked at everyone with its round eyes: "Hee--"

In the Upper Meng Tribe, a man knelt on the ground and stretched out his arm to touch a Heqin Fish named Little Good One.

Jian Mo also took the opportunity to observe the Heqin Fish.

The Heqin looks a bit like an animal such as a finless porpoise. It has smooth, milky-white skin, big eyes, a round head, and a mouth that curves upwards, making it look like it's always smiling.

Without needing to get to know it further, Jian Mo could tell from its smiling lips and eyes that it probably had a good personality.

No wonder the people of the Upper Meng Tribe named it "Little Good One".

The people of the Upper Meng Tribe have always interacted with Heqin.

Jian Mo gradually got a clear look at it. The Heqin boat was very large, probably more than ten meters long and two or three meters wide, much larger than a typical small boat.

It's estimated that only a large river like this could support the Heqin Fish.

Before Jian Mo could finish his observation, the people from the Upper Meng Tribe patted Heqin's head and turned to him, saying, "Logically speaking, the egg in Little Good One Guai's belly should have already slipped into the uterus and been born, but it hasn't slipped down yet, and we're all a little worried."

Jian Mo snapped out of her daze, "Huh?"

Jian Mo quickly focused her gaze on Heqin's belly and observed it carefully for a while. Sure enough, she could see a round egg inside its belly.

No, Heqin was actually ovoviviparous?!

Isn't that a fish?!

Jian Mo was sweating profusely.

He is indeed a veterinarian and is skilled at rescuing common animals, but ovoviviparous animals are extremely rare; only a few fish and reptiles are ovoviviparous.

When I was in school, my teacher said it was evidence of evolution, proving the transition from oviparous to viviparous animals.

But he learned it as theoretical knowledge at the time; no one required veterinarians to deliver babies for ovoviviparous animals.

He also said that he had finally encountered a case that matched his expertise, but he didn't expect that this first case would backfire.

The people of the Upper Meng Tribe looked at Jian Mo with a somewhat suspicious expression.

Jian Mo composed herself. "Let me check first. She hasn't given birth yet; it's probably just not her time to give birth yet."

The people of the Upper Meng Tribe agreed.

Jian Mo said she needed to go back to get the medical equipment.

After all that fuss, Jian Mo returned to the riverbank with her stethoscope and solemnly examined Heqin.

Such a big fish, yet it obediently stayed on the shore, cooperating with Jian Mo's movements, as docile as a gentle puppy.

Jian Mo couldn't help but touch it, her attitude becoming even more serious.

He quickly determined that the mother's condition was relatively good, but as for the fetus in her womb, there was no way to be sure.

After all, there's a layer of skin between them, and then another layer of eggshell. He has no experience, so it's practically impossible for him to tell the condition of the fetus.

Jian Mo thought for a moment and said seriously, "Right now, I can only confirm that Heqin is in good condition. As for the fetus in her womb—I don't know yet."

The people of the Upper Meng Tribe were a little anxious. "Can't you see it? What do we do now?"

Jian Mo: "My current plan is to keep observing. If nothing goes wrong with the mother, we'll leave it for now. If the fetus inside one day threatens the mother, then I'll consider how to get it out."