Chapter 193

They moved the bamboo tables and benches from under the shelter and set them up in the shade of a great tree. Dozens of large bamboo steamers were unloaded from the carts and placed neatly on the tables as they arrived.

At last, the cubs could gather around the giants again. They tugged at the long skirts of the Jufeng guardians, leading the visiting clan members to sit beside the bamboo tables.

There were only a dozen tables under the shelter. On the Beastman Continent, there were no seat assignments—except Priest Yang Luo and Monkey Yan each got their own small table. Everyone else took seats on a first-come, first-served basis. Later arrivals simply found clear ground nearby, kindled a fire, and gathered around—each created their own table.

The giants, dining on bamboo benches for the first time, were utterly fascinated. Once the bamboo steamers were opened, they couldn’t look away.

So this is the food that Zhi and the others had brought back—only, they’d eaten it cold. But these steaming green dumplings in front of them looked translucent and inviting.

These green herb dumplings were similar to qingtuan, except they used a tuber called nuogen instead of glutinous rice flour. The nuogen—similar to mountain yam—grew abundantly in the early spring hills. Once dried and ground, it produced a powder akin to glutinous rice flour.

The tribe’s gathering team had collected long green grasses, which they cooked and mashed, then mixed with nuogen powder to make the dough. Stuffed with minced meat or wild fruit filling and steamed, they produced the luscious herb dumplings everyone now saw.

Although the process sounded tedious, it was actually very efficient. As long as the neatly-picked grasses were boiled beforehand, kitchen helpers quickly mashed them and mixed the dough in a big wooden bucket. Round dumplings were shaped and arranged into steamers swiftly.

And—one clay pot could steam nearly ten layers of dumplings at once, saving both space and time. Hu Xue and the other kitchen masters loved making these.

Most importantly, these soft, chewy herb dumplings weren’t dismissed just because they were plant-based. The tribe had truly come to enjoy eating plants—not stuffing them down just to fill their stomachs.

The Jufeng clan finally got to taste their long-awaited herb dumplings. One giant named Fu popped a dumpling the size of half a fist into her mouth; the soft, sticky texture moved her to tears of delight.

How could something made of nourishing grass taste so good—better than meat even? She’d never loved the Heishan tribe’s food more. But each dumpling was so small—one was never enough.

Just then, Hu Xue strolling by handed Fu two more dumplings with a smile. “We made plenty today just to welcome you. Here, eat—there’s more on the cart.”

Fu’s eyes lit up, and she gratefully accepted them. Perfect—you can count on her polishing off several!

But her hands and mouth soon proved too small for the feast that followed.

Because next up on the table were fresh flower cakes—similar to the green dumplings, except baked in an oven and offering a different flavor entirely.

Fu quickly grabbed two flower cakes with trembling excitement. Just then, the evening’s main course arrived.

Heavy meat skewers bursting with seasoning emerged from the roasting stand. Fatty, marbled pork sizzled with rich aroma as the tribe member responsible delivered skewers to the bamboo tables, the fat crackling audibly.

These were specially prepared for the guests. The Heishan villagers’ own barbecue was even more extravagant: freshly killed game spread out before each fire, jars of seasonings set out, and everyone roasted their meat or threaded it onto bamboo sticks—whatever they liked.

And there was the oden in a large bamboo bowl—at first it looked like plain broth, but one stir revealed savory steam. Beneath floated fish balls, meatballs, radish, milk tofu, mushrooms, seaweed… everything familiar and unfamiliar all in one bowl.

Best of all, the broth had been simmered for over two hours, rich enough to make you want several full bowls.

Qi Bai and Lang Ze didn’t sit to eat, though—they manned the charcoal trough, cooking meats for the guests.

But they weren’t just grilling absentmindedly. Lang Ze brushed skewers with seasonings, pressed paired sticks together to help the sauce stick, and selected fully cooked ones for Qi Bai.

Qi Bai accepted a skewer, biting off nearly half in one enthusiastic gulp.

Lang Ze pulled the bamboo stick out with his teeth, dropped it in a wooden bucket, and dove right back into the work.

The happiest of all were the cubs. Darting among the crowd with grilled meat in one hand, snatching dumplings from one table, roasted meat from another—no matter where they were, you could hear their joyful laughter.

A beautiful, ordinary summer night—yet somehow extraordinary.

The full moon shone high, its pale light bathing the lively clearing. A gentle breeze swept away the day’s heat, leaving only cool comfort.

Years from now, the tribe might taste countless delicacies—but every one of them will remember this ironic, joyful moment. Everyone will remember this night, and remember what it felt like to relax completely.

After that feast, Qi Bai and Lang Ze spent three more days crafting five more large beehive boxes. Lang Ze’s resilience truly showed—his cheek, once so swollen from the sting, had mostly returned to normal. But Qi Bai stayed cautious: they still completed two full protective suits covering head to toe.

Securely fastening supplies to Lang Ze’s saddle, Qi Bai climbed onto his back.

Since becoming partners, Lang Ze had secretly upgraded his saddle. The empty central space, once just a connecting vine, had been widened and lined with hide and extra vines—creating a cozy, luxurious nook.

Qi Bai adored it immediately. It was a deluxe saddle complete with seatbelt—whether in human or beast form, he’d be secure and comfortable. And it looked so stylish on a majestic giant wolf.

Along the village’s main path, wooden racks held baskets of bamboo shoots and nuogen drying in the sun. Bright-eyed Xiang Yu waved: “Bai, heading out so early?”

Qi Bai popped his head out. “Grandpa Xiangyu, Wolf Ze and I are going to gather more honey.”

Xiang Yu cautioned, “Be careful out there.”

Qi Bai nodded, patting the basket. “We’re well prepared.”

“Will you be back tonight?”

“We will. It’s just over half a day’s travel. Wolf Ze runs fast—we’ll be back before dark.”

Xiang Yu laughed and turned. “Then I won’t keep you. Safe travels!”

The giant wolf trotted lightly along the path outside the wall. Approaching a field ridge, he saw Jufeng clan members approaching.

Qi Bai recognized Wei and called out, “Wei! You’re here early today!”

Wei, seeing Qi Bai too, brightened. She dusted off a recently gathered prey: “We came to trade for more salt—Ji said we’d fish.”

Behind Wei, a few beastmen seemed to recall the fish balls and brightened at the mention.

Usually, only young Jufeng traveled here. Today, Qi Bai also noticed they brought a few shorter sub-beastmen—rare to see, the second time he’d seen them since Zhi’s visit.

Since eating at Heishan two days ago, the Jufeng had come more often—clearly establishing a daily coming-and-going pattern.

Stone Forest wasn’t close—half a day’s journey. Even at a fast pace, that meant leaving while it was still dark. Their frequent visits spoke to just how much the tribe drew them.

The Heishan people welcomed them warmly. Jufeng were gentle and never caused conflict; besides, they helped cook, carry, and barter—always contributing generously. Qi Bai joked they might as well have “just written it on their foreheads: ‘Hard worker, fed here!’”

In just moments, Lang Ji and the others descended from the hillside. Qi Bai had never seen Lang Ji look so happy.

Once everyone was settled, Qi Bai and Lang Ze departed again, setting off on their honey-gathering mission.