Chapter Summaries

Jian Mo and Wu Jiong traded supplies with Lian Ke for information about chili peppers, then traveled to the Salt-Drying Tribe and found the plants growing by the river. The tribe welcomed them with a lavish dinner featuring several chili dishes.

• Jian Mo and Wu Jiong visited Lian Ke in the Lower Meng Tribe and offered supplies in exchange for information about chili peppers.
• Lian Ke told them that the Salt-Drying Tribe, three tribes to the southeast, had chili peppers.
• Jian Mo and Wu Jiong traveled to the Salt-Drying Tribe, where the people recognized them for saving the Upper Meng Tribe's Heqin fish.
• The Salt-Drying Tribe showed Jian Mo and Wu Jiong chili plants growing by the river and invited them to stay.
• Jian Mo and Wu Jiong shared stories of their travels with the tribe, and their hosts prepared a feast with several chili dishes.

Jian Mo and Wu Jiong sampled and traded for the Salt-Drying Tribe’s mild peppers, then learned that the Dense Forest Tribe had hotter red peppers. They traveled there to seek a trade and were cautiously welcomed after explaining their purpose, though Jian Mo sent their Flying-Winged Beasts away as a precaution.

• Jian Mo and Wu Jiong tasted the Salt-Drying Tribe’s peppers, which Jian Mo found mild despite the tribe considering them hot.
• Jian Mo traded cloth for two baskets of dried peppers and asked whether the tribe had red peppers.
• The Salt-Drying Tribe told Jian Mo that the Dense Forest Tribe had thin-skinned, very hot red peppers and gave him directions.
• Jian Mo and Wu Jiong flew to the Dense Forest Tribe, whose members initially pointed javelins at them because tensions with the Mountain Ridge Tribe had raised defenses.
• After Jian Mo explained that the Salt-Drying Tribe had sent them to look for peppers, the Dense Forest Tribe allowed them to land, and Jian Mo and Wu Jiong sent their Flying-Winged Beasts away with the supplies.

Jian Mo and Wu Jiong visited the Dense Forest Tribe to trade for chili peppers, and Jian Mo enjoyed their spicy food. Shu Tao demanded three metal blocks per basket and refused to trade viable seeds, leaving Jian Mo to argue that the deal was hardly worthwhile without them.

• Shu Tao welcomed Jian Mo and Wu Jiong, then had his people cook chili peppers with meat for dinner.
• Jian Mo recognized the peppers and enjoyed them, while Shu Tao explained that the Mountain Ridge Tribe had trespassed on Dense Forest territory but that mediation had prevented a fight.
• Jian Mo and Wu Jiong agreed to begin trading six metal blocks for dried chili peppers after Shu Tao asked for three blocks per basket.
• Shu Tao revealed that the peppers had been steamed so their seeds could not sprout, and Jian Mo questioned the value of trading without seeds.
• Shu Tao defended keeping the seeds as the Dense Forest Tribe’s advantage and compared them to Jian Mo’s refusal to share the glass-making method.

Jian Mo and Wu Jiong stayed overnight with the Dense Forest Tribe after failing to agree on a trade for chili seeds. Jian Mo learned more about the tribe’s widespread tooth problems but concluded he had no treatment beyond extraction, leaving the negotiation unresolved.

• Jian Mo and Wu Jiong decided to stay in the Dense Forest Tribe overnight rather than risk offending them by leaving late.
• Jian Mo spoke privately with Wu Jiong and lamented that their journey had not secured chili seeds, while Wu Jiong reminded him they had traded for Salt-Drying Tribe chilies.
• Shu Tao served Jian Mo and Wu Jiong breakfast and explained that the tribe used long-needle tree leaves to ease their constant tooth pain.
• Jian Mo asked about the tribe’s tooth-cleaning habits and learned that twigs had helped the children only slightly, while painful teeth weakened the adults’ fighting strength.
• Jian Mo explained that fillings would likely fall out when beastmen changed forms, and said he knew no remedy besides pulling the teeth.

Jian Mo agreed to try filling the Dense Forest Tribe’s painful teeth after they found resin suitable for the procedure. He began preparing to treat He Yi, who was anesthetized and ready for Jian Mo to work on his tooth.

• Shu Tao asked Jian Mo to try filling the tribe members’ teeth, and Jian Mo explained that he lacked suitable materials and experience.
• Shu Tao promised payment in chilies and seeds if Jian Mo would attempt the treatment, and the tribe set out to find resin.
• The Dense Forest Tribe returned with several resins, and Jian Mo tested them and agreed to try filling a tooth after explaining the risks.
• Jian Mo chose He Yi as the first patient, obtained his paw print on a risk disclosure form, and told him to fast before the procedure.
• At daybreak, He Yi turned into his badger-like beast form and drank anesthetic, while the tribe members held his mouth open for Jian Mo.

Jian Mo and Wu Jiong repaired He Yi’s decayed teeth with resin fillings, then treated other members of the Dense Forest Tribe in exchange for metal and food. As Jian Mo prepared to leave, He Yi urged him to stay longer and offered to show him the tribe’s local specialties.

• Jian Mo and Wu Jiong filled one of He Yi’s rotten molars, and He Yi found that it no longer hurt when he ate.
• After testing the filling, He Yi asked Jian Mo to repair the rest of his teeth, which Jian Mo filled again after parts came loose during He Yi’s transformations.
• Members of the Dense Forest Tribe lined up for dental treatment, and Jian Mo and Wu Jiong worked for several days in exchange for metal blocks, dried chilies, and chili seeds.
• Jian Mo told He Yi and Shu Tao that he was leaving for the Riverside Tribe, but welcomed them to visit him for future treatment.
• He Yi praised the Dense Forest Tribe’s foods and offered to take Jian Mo into the mountains to gather local specialties if he stayed a few more days.

Jian Mo and Wu Jiong joined the Dense Forest Tribe on a mountain trip, where they discovered and tasted the rare black cotton fruit. After learning that the fruit spoiled quickly and its trees could not grow outside the region, Jian Mo heard about an insect that made sugar from the fruit.

• Shu Tao invited Jian Mo and Wu Jiong into the mountains, and they agreed to go with the Dense Forest Tribe the next day.
• The group entered the mountains, gathered sweet tubers, and found a huge black cotton fruit tree.
• He Yi and other giant badgers climbed the tree and threw down more than twenty ripe fruits for the group.
• He Yi split a fruit, and Jian Mo and Wu Jiong tasted its sweet, creamy flesh.
• Jian Mo learned that black cotton fruit trees took decades to bear fruit, could not be grown elsewhere, and spoiled within a few days of being picked.
• He Yi told Jian Mo that a local insect ate black cotton fruit and turned it into sugar, prompting Jian Mo to ask how it did so.

Jian Mo and Wu Jiong explored the Dense Forest Tribe’s forest, where Jian Mo discovered that Fruit Beetles produced a delicious, fruity sugar inside tree hollows. After a day of gathering and trading, they prepared to return to the Riverside Tribe with twelve baskets of supplies, while the Dense Forest Tribe’s people saw them off.

• He Yi led Jian Mo and Wu Jiong to search the forest for the beetles that made sugar.
• A sub-beastman found a Fruit Beetle camouflaged on a tree and showed Jian Mo the sugar stored in its hollow.
• Jian Mo tasted the fruity sugar and praised it, then joined the Dense Forest Tribe’s people in gathering berries and other food.
• The Dense Forest Tribe exchanged fresh berries for preserved fruit, and the visitors packed twelve baskets of goods.
• Shu Tao offered to escort them home, but Wu Jiong said he, Ying'ao, and Jiujiu could carry the baskets themselves.
• Jian Mo reminded Shu Tao to visit the Riverside Tribe if his filled teeth caused trouble, and He Yi lamented that their tribes were far apart.

Jian Mo and Wu Jiong detoured to the Upper Meng Tribe on their journey home, where Jian Mo visited Little Good One and treated tribespeople’s dental problems. After receiving three more baskets of supplies, they left for the Riverside Tribe, with Jian Mo reflecting on the Upper Meng people’s kindness.

• Jian Mo and Wu Jiong detoured to the Upper Meng Tribe so Jian Mo could check on Little Good One and greet the two baby Heqin.
• Jian Mo told the Upper Meng tribespeople about their trades, then examined and treated their teeth after many asked for help.
• Jian Mo worked through the evening and checked Little Good One’s wound the next day, confirming they were no longer in serious danger.
• The Upper Meng tribespeople gave Jian Mo and Wu Jiong three more baskets of supplies and offered to carry their load, but Wu Jiong declined their help.
• The Upper Meng tribespeople packed the travelers’ belongings and saw them off, and Jian Mo praised their warmth as he and Wu Jiong continued home.

Jian Mo and Wu Jiong returned to the Riverside Tribe with supplies and chilies, and the tribe welcomed them by preparing a bonfire hot pot feast. As the preparations began, De Jiang and his group brought back a Horizontal-Horned Beast for Jian Mo to use in the hot pot base.

• Jian Mo and Wu Jiong returned to the Riverside Tribe after traveling for several days without stopping at other tribes.
• Hong Qiu spotted them on patrol, and the cubs and other tribe members hurried to welcome them home and inspect their supplies.
• Jian Mo warned everyone to handle the chilies carefully, then agreed to make hot pot for a feast that evening.
• Ban Ming and his companions offered to hunt Arrow-Bone Beasts, while Wu Jiong arranged the bonfire party preparations.
• De Jiang and his group hunted a Horizontal-Horned Beast and brought it back, so Jian Mo began rendering its fat for a richer hot pot base.

Jian Mo hosted a hot pot meal where the tribe tried chili peppers, then announced he was ready to teach witch doctor apprentices. The next day, Ye Luo, Min Dang, and Xi Lu asked to study under him, and Jian Mo agreed to prepare lessons.

• Jian Mo served spicy and clear-broth hot pots, and most people tried the chili peppers before switching to clear broth.
• The cubs, including Jiang Xing and Zhou Dao, kept eating from the spicy pots despite the heat until Jian Mo told them to stop.
• Jian Mo told Qing Kuo that he had brought back chili peppers but could only send peppers, not seeds, to the Rain Rising Tribe, and said he planned to recruit witch doctor apprentices there.
• Ye Luo, Min Dang, and Xi Lu came to Jian Mo's house and asked to become his apprentices.
• Jian Mo accepted them and said he would prepare for lessons, praising Ye Luo's attentiveness, boldness, memory, and interest.

Jian Mo prepared to teach his apprentices and traveled with Wu Jiong to the Rain Rising Tribe to share the chili peppers they had found. After discussing their journey and future trade with Qi Ming, Jian Mo confirmed that he planned to begin formal lessons in winter.

• Jian Mo praised Ye Luo, Xi Lu, and Min Dang, then said he would prepare a textbook before starting their lessons in winter.
• Jian Mo and Wu Jiong set out for the Rain Rising Tribe with Jiujiu and Ying'ao, planning to share dried chilies and possibly trade for cloth on the way back.
• Jiujiu veered toward the Cypress Branch Tribe, but Jian Mo persuaded her to continue to the Rain Rising Tribe first.
• Jian Mo and Wu Jiong met Qi Ming and recounted their journey, including their visit to the Heqin Fish, Salt-Drying Tribe, and Dense Forest Tribe.
• Jian Mo told Qi Ming that the Dense Forest Tribe would not share chili seeds, but offered to trade dried chilies and future harvests with the Rain Rising Tribe.
• Qi Ming asked about Jian Mo's apprentices, and Jian Mo said he planned to begin teaching them properly in winter.

Jian Mo and Wu Jiong traveled with Qi Ming’s group to the Cypress Branch Tribe, where Jian Mo joined the chubby chirps on a Cave Beast hunt. The Cave Beast farted a colored cloud at them, and although Wu Jiong dodged, he could not avoid the smell completely.

• Qi Ming asked Jian Mo to let members of his tribe train as witch doctors, and Jian Mo agreed to select candidates through a fair examination.
• Jian Mo and Wu Jiong declined Qi Ming’s invitation to stay overnight and traveled with his group toward the Cypress Branch Tribe.
• The chubby chirps greeted Jian Mo and invited him to join their hunt for a fast-running Cave Beast, while Wan Zheng declined Qi Ming’s offer of help.
• The Cave Beast fled into a cave, and Jian Mo and Wu Jiong approached its backside before the chubby chirps warned that it farted.
• The Cave Beast released a colored fart toward Jian Mo and Wu Jiong, and Wu Jiong leaped aside but still caught some of the smell.

Jian Mo and the Rain Rising Tribe helped the Cypress Branch Tribe pull a stubborn Cave Beast from its cave and carried it back to the settlement. There, the Cypress Branch Tribe welcomed them, and its people gathered around Jian Mo’s chili pepper gift.

• The fat chirps explained that Cave Beasts defended themselves by farting, then tried and failed to pull one from its cave.
• Qi Ming, the Pallas’s cats, Jian Mo, and Wu Jiong joined the fat chirps in trying to drag out the Cave Beast, but its hard, healing butt protected it.
• The Cave Beast feinted another fart, then ran out of strength, and the gathered beastmen pulled it free and carried it to the Cypress Branch Tribe.
• Wan Zheng told Jian Mo the Cave Beast would feed the tribe for three days, including its guests.
• The Cypress Branch Tribe welcomed Jian Mo and his companions, and its people gathered to inspect the chili peppers he brought as a gift.

Jian Mo and Wu Jiong visited the Cypress Branch Tribe, where they cooked chili peppers and heard about a mineral medicine for stomach pain. After Zhou Zhi warned them that Ji Xun was unwell, they went to check on him, but Ji Xun appeared cheerful and said he had been well.

• Jian Mo cooked Cave Beast with chili peppers, and the Cypress Branch Tribe and Rain Rising Tribe praised the dish and asked him to grow more peppers.
• Jian Mo told the Cypress Branch Tribe he was recruiting apprentices and heard from Zhou Zhi about medicine made from mineral soil.
• Zhou Zhi told Jian Mo that Ji Xun seemed unwell and had stomach pain, so Jian Mo promised to visit him.
• Jian Mo and Wu Jiong visited Ji Xun, who welcomed them warmly and said he had been well.

Jian Mo and Wu Jiong visited Ji Xun after Zhou Zhi worried that he was unwell, but Ji Xun revealed that he was pregnant and unsure whether to keep the baby. Jian Mo warned him that abortion medicine carried serious risks, leaving Ji Xun facing a difficult decision.

• Ji Xun prepared and shared a roasted bird with Jian Mo and Wu Jiong while they discussed travel and recent events.
• Jian Mo told Ji Xun that Zhou Zhi had sent them to check on him, and Ji Xun said he had been unwell because he was pregnant.
• Ji Xun asked Jian Mo to keep the pregnancy secret and admitted he had not decided whether to keep the baby.
• Ji Xun explained that raising a child could change his solitary life on the mountain, and Jian Mo listened as he described his uncertainty.
• Ji Xun said he might take abortion medicine if he chose not to have the baby, and Jian Mo warned him that the risks increased as the pregnancy progressed.

Jian Mo and Wu Jiong visited the Long Years Tribe to trade for cloth and deliver white milk fruit from the Cypress Branch Tribe. Xin Jun welcomed them and offered two hundred rolls of tree cloth and fifty rolls of cotton cloth, though Jian Mo tried to negotiate for more.

• Jian Mo examined Ji Xun, confirmed that he and the fetus seemed healthy, and agreed to tell Zhou Zhi about Ji Xun's pregnancy while keeping it secret.
• Jian Mo and Wu Jiong returned to the Cypress Branch Tribe, where Zhou Zhi worried about Ji Xun living alone and prepared Pearl Rice, broadleaf garlic, and white milk fruit for them to carry.
• Jian Mo and Wu Jiong traveled to the Long Years Tribe and asked to trade for more tree cloth and cotton cloth.
• Xin Jun told Jian Mo that the tribe had about two hundred rolls of tree cloth but could trade only fifty rolls of cotton cloth.
• Jian Mo pointed to the cotton fiber drying outside and argued that the Long Years Tribe could weave more cotton cloth quickly.

Jian Mo asked Xin Jun to trade cotton batting so he could make a quilt, and Xin Jun arranged for him to teach the Long Years Tribe how to make one. After dinner, Jian Mo explained the basic steps, and they agreed to make the quilt the next day.

• Jian Mo asked Xin Jun to trade cotton batting after learning the Long Years Tribe could not spare cotton cloth, and Xin Jun agreed because they were friends.
• Xin Jun asked Jian Mo to teach the tribe how to make a cotton quilt in exchange for supplies, and Jian Mo accepted.
• The Long Years Tribe fed Jiujiu and Ying'ao, and Jiujiu happily begged for more food from them.
• Jian Mo explained how to fluff cotton batting, cover it with cloth, and sew sections to keep it from shifting; Xin Jun planned to make a quilt with him the next day.
• Jian Mo and Wu Jiong went to a river to bathe, and Jian Mo told Wu Jiong his coarse fur would prick people if used for a quilt.

Jian Mo helped the Long Years Tribe make a soft cotton quilt and arranged to get two more. After returning with the quilts, he and Wu Jiong tried to keep them quiet, but Qing Kuo spotted the bedding in their courtyard.

• Jian Mo advised the Long Years Tribe to fluff the cotton batting with thin branches and wear masks to avoid breathing in the fibers.
• The tribe beat the batting until it was fluffy, then covered it with cotton cloth and stitched it into a quilt.
• Jian Mo and Wu Jiong helped finish the quilt, which Jian Mo and Xin Jun found lighter and more comfortable than fur or animal-hair bedding.
• Jian Mo asked Xin Jun for two additional quilts, and Xin Jun agreed on the condition that they keep them hidden.
• Jian Mo and the others returned to their tribe without mentioning the quilts, but Qing Kuo noticed the bedding in their courtyard and teased them about it.

Jian Mo showed Qing Kuo and the others his cotton bedding, then taught them how to make his chili dishes while they helped process nuts and shared dinner. The little ones loved the spicy food, and Jian Mo promised to make spicy strips, leaving Qiu Li eager to know when.

• Qing Kuo and the others inspected Jian Mo's cotton bedding, and Ye Luo suggested the cotton peach trees might still sprout after their dormant period.
• Jian Mo invited everyone to help remove the coverings from nuts and stay for dinner.
• At Zhou Fu's request, Jian Mo demonstrated frying chili peppers briefly in oil before cooking to bring out their fragrance.
• Wu Jiong made cooling leaf drink for the gathered guests, and Jian Mo invited their mates and little ones to dinner.
• After the little ones eagerly ate the spicy dishes, Jian Mo said he would make spicy strips, and Qiu Li asked when.