On campaign, injuries were commonplace. Being able to distinguish medicinal herbs from poisonous ones was therefore an essential skill.
Cries of surprise rang out from various directions nearby — sure enough, more people had fallen into the same trap.
Feng Jiu’er glanced at Mu Mu, who was keeping pace with her. “Dragongrass doesn’t grow in great abundance on this part of the mountain. In my assessment, the hillside over there faces away from the wind — it stays damp year-round, which is exactly the kind of environment dragongrass prefers.”
Mu Mu lowered his gaze to look at her. “You’ve studied medicine?”
“For a period of time.” Today was an elimination round. Since they were all on the same team, no one wanted to see anyone else lose their place as a student.
So Feng Jiu’er did not conceal too much.
“But that hillside is far away. Going there will inevitably cost us more time.” Xing Zizou was not in agreement.
Xiao Yingtao’s hand was still numb, but she could still walk. “It really would take longer. And if Jiu’er’s judgment is off, we’ll certainly fall behind. Mu Mu, what do you think?”
“This part of the mountain gets too much sun — dragongrass will be sparse. It’s farther over there, but the herbs will be more concentrated.”
At that moment, everyone seemed willing to follow Mu Mu’s lead, so Feng Jiu’er had set her sights on convincing him alone.
“Trust me — if we go, we’ll come back with a full haul.”
Mu Mu had not yet had a chance to respond when, not far away, someone let out a triumphant shout: “I found dragongrass!”
Another voice followed from another direction: “I found it too — real dragongrass!”
Xiao Yingtao and Xing Zizou exchanged a glance, then both looked toward Mu Mu.
But Mu Mu had already turned sharply on his heel and started walking at a brisk pace. “Let’s go — to the other hillside.”
“Mu Mu, why—” Xiao Yingtao couldn’t understand. Others had already found dragongrass right here!
“Seven teams have been searching for the time it takes to burn one stick of incense, and only two have found any — no more than two stalks between them. That means dragongrass is genuinely scarce on this hillside.”
Mu Mu glanced back at Feng Jiu’er. “I trust you. Move quickly.”
Feng Jiu’er’s eyes lit up, and she immediately hurried after him.
She was glad — their team had someone steady at the center.
Feng Jiu’er moved to catch up, and Shan Yidao called out: “The rest of you, hurry and follow!”
He too rushed ahead.
Xiao Yingtao looked at Mu Mu’s retreating figure, then looked at her own hand. Finally, she drew a deep breath and followed.
Xing Zizou had no choice but to go as well.
To save time, they moved at a swift pace the entire way. Mu Mu was fastest. Feng Jiu’er was weakest in lightness arts, so she fell slightly behind. But unexpectedly, Shan Yidao’s lightness arts turned out to be excellent — he turned back and took her hand, guiding her along, and they moved far more quickly than she could have managed on her own.
Xiao Yingtao, still affected by the agave’s toxin, walked at a slower pace as Jiu’er had instructed; Xing Zizou kept her company along the way.
When they finally arrived, Xiao Yingtao caught sight of Mu Mu’s bamboo basket — already heavy with dragongrass. She nearly froze in disbelief.
“More than ten stalks! Mu Mu — you — you’re incredible! How did you manage that?!”
In the short span of half a shichen, he had already gathered more than ten stalks.
“It’s Jiu’er who’s incredible. Without her, we would never have come here.” Mu Mu looked toward Feng Jiu’er, who had just caught up with Shan Yidao a short distance away. That customary seriousness in his eyes softened — a faint warmth crept in.
“There are many more — come quickly!” Shan Yidao called out from nearby.
Mu Mu’s long legs carried him over in a few swift strides.
Watching him walk toward Feng Jiu’er with that rare warmth in his eyes, Xiao Yingtao let out a quiet sigh, and a trace of wistfulness settled in her gaze. Jiu’er really was impressive. She had rarely seen Mu Mu willing to smile — and yet this time, it was because of Jiu’er that he had…