Werebeast Gongs CH 080 Moya's Birth Secret
Another dozen days passed like this. The numbness and tingling in Lei Jin's arms intensified, and he thought it might be time to start moving it slightly. However, Chunji had specifically warned him not to move it unnecessarily. Although Lei Jin was anxious to recover quickly, he also understood the old saying: "A hundred days to heal a broken bone." Rushing things wouldn't help. Being able to recover to this extent in just a month was already a stroke of luck amidst misfortune.
Chunji said today would be the last acupuncture session. After this, the treatment would mainly involve applying medicine and massage, with long-term recuperation being the most crucial part. Lei Jin understood this, but he wasn't sure if he had the patience to wait that long. Still, for now, he had no choice but to take things one step at a time.
Even though he had undergone acupuncture many times, Lei Jin still felt a chill every time he saw the bone needles in Chunji's hands. The rows of fine needles were wrapped in white cotton cloth, the longest being only about ten centimeters. They were pitch black, and according to Chunji, they were made from the bones of a certain animal.
"Lie still. Don't move," Chunji said, already holding a needle in his hand. At this moment, he was uncharacteristically serious, with none of the usual sarcastic smiles on his lips.
"Chunji, these needles won't suddenly break, will they?" Lei Jin asked casually, though everyone knew that bones could become brittle over time. If one broke inside his body, it would be a disaster.
"Don't you think it's a bit late to ask that now?" Chunji tapped Lei Jin's waist.
"It is a bit late, but better late than dying without knowing why," Lei Jin admitted openly, his body twitching slightly. His waist was a sensitive spot, after all.
"Do you know what animal these bones are from?" Chunji asked as he inserted two needles into the acupuncture points.
"How would I know if you don't tell me?" Lei Jin replied. Lately, lying on his stomach had been making him feel uncomfortable.
"In the deepest parts of the ocean, there's a fish called the blind butterfly fish. They have flat bodies with large butterfly-like fins, no eyes, and bones that can withstand the immense pressure of the deep sea. As far as I know, these are the hardest bones that exist. Do you think they'll break?"
"Chunji, you really seem to know a lot, even about things in the deepest parts of the ocean," Lei Jin remarked. Unlike the modern world with its advanced media, the werebeasts here only had a vague understanding of the outside world. But Chunji was different. When he talked about something, it was as if he had seen it himself or at least knew it very well. It was hard not to be suspicious.
And then there was Chunji's medical skills. Although Lei Jin hadn't met many doctors, he had interacted with Qing Qiao from the Leopard Tribe and Mu Yue from the Tiger Tribe. Their skills were decent, but compared to Chunji, it was like comparing a bicycle to a train.
Chunji paused for a moment, then said fiercely, "If you keep talking nonsense, I might stick the needle in the wrong place. If you end up crippled or dead, don't blame me."
"That's harsh," Lei Jin muttered, not daring to provoke him further. He quickly changed the subject to distract himself. "When will I be able to move my arms a bit? It's been so long, they feel like they belong to someone else."
"After this session, you can start trying to move them slowly. After another month of applying medicine, you should be able to eat on your own," Chunji said, washing his hands in a basin after finishing the acupuncture.
"En," Lei Jin replied, closing his eyes.
The grassland was a bit chilly this time of year, especially in the morning. Chunji's yard was full of trees, and the wind rustled through the leaves, creating a soothing sound.
Hearing movement in the yard, Lei Jin perked up his ears.
Chunji pretended not to notice, leisurely drying his hands one finger at a time. To an outsider, it might look like he was handling a priceless treasure rather than just his hands. Was it really necessary?
Finally, when Lei Jin couldn't help but glance at him, Chunji put down the cloth and said, "I'll go see who it is today."
Chunji stepped out of the house in a good mood, ready to tease whoever had come.
However, his good mood only lasted until he saw the tall figure standing in the yard with his back to him. Chunji's eyes reddened slightly, but his expression turned cold. He spoke first, "What brings the clan leader to my humble home?"
An Bu turned around, his demeanor calm and gentle. He smiled and said, "It's been a while, Chunji."
"You're so busy, Clan Leader. How could I dare disturb you?" Chunji stood his ground, not taking a single step forward.
"I remember planting these rain blossoms myself years ago. It's been a few years since I last came, and now the yard is full of them," An Bu said, looking at Chunji, who was as prickly as a little hedgehog. He smiled indulgently, just like in the past. Chunji hadn't changed at all—still quick to lash out at anyone.
"My place isn't worthy of your presence, Clan Leader," Chunji said, his expression softening slightly at the mention of the past but quickly turning cold again as he remembered these past years of hardship.
"Oh Chunji, my child..." An Bu frowned, not knowing what to say.
"I'm not your child. Moya is. He's the precious one you had with Roger. As long as it's Roger's child, even if it's not yours, you still love them, don't you? Should I call you Uncle An Bu again?"
Chunji's voice rose in agitation, and even Lei Jin inside the room could hear him clearly. Lei Jin was shocked. He had always sensed that there was something complicated between An Bu and Roger, but he never imagined that Moya was their child. What was going on?
Chunji continued to rant, but Lei Jin was stunned by another realization. If Moya was Roger's child, what about Xiya and Mingya? Were they also Roger's children? Did that mean Roger had given birth to three children in this world? Had his body been altered too? Was it forced, or did he agree to it? Was that why Roger couldn't leave, even with the map? Was it because of the children?
Should Lei Jin feel a sense of relief that he couldn't have children otherwise, he might have ended up like Roger. Imagining that one day he might walk around with a bulging belly like a penguin, the thought sent a shiver down his spine.
By now, the conversation between Chunji and An Bu had moved on.
Lei Jin only heard Chunji let out a cold snort and say, "I knew it. You'd never come to see me unless you had a reason. You're here to check on your son's mate, aren't you? How laughable. Do you think anyone appreciates your sneaky concern? Roger? Moya?"
There was a long silence, and Lei Jin thought An Bu had left. But then An Bu's voice came again, "How is he recovering?"
"He's not dead," Chunji snapped, then added, "But he can't have children. If you're so capable, why don't you find another mate for Moya?"
"He won't do that. Roger raised him well. He's not that heartless," An Bu said with certainty.
"Roger is the best, perfect in every way. But he'll never be yours. You'll never have him," Chunji said with a malicious smile. After all these years, this man still couldn't let go. But then again, he wasn't the only one.
"Chunji, it's time to remove the needles," Lei Jin called out, checking the hourglass in the corner. He estimated the time was up and didn't care what was happening outside.
An Bu said something else, but Lei Jin couldn't make it out. Whatever it was, Chunji didn't like it, because the next moment, Lei Jin heard the sound of a chair being smashed in the yard.
"Get out! I don't need you meddling in my affairs!" Chunji shouted hoarsely.
The sound of the courtyard gate opening and closing signaled An Bu's departure, and the yard fell silent again.
Chunji stood in the shadows by the door for a while, rubbing his eyes before finally turning back to the house.
Knowing Chunji was in a bad mood, Lei Jin decided to try to cheer him up. "Chunji, didn't you make that sweet bean sauce? It's great for cooking. I happen to know a few recipes. How about we try them for lunch today?" He knew Chunji was passionate about medicine and food, and he hoped this would distract him.
"More like you're the one who's got a craving, ordering me to cook for you. You've gained weight lately. Shouldn't you be eating less?" Chunji's voice was still unsteady, but he removed the needles as deftly as ever.
"Sharing is caring," Lei Jin said with a smile after the needles were out, sitting up with Chunji's help.
"Sit for a while. I'll clean up outside, and then we can go sunbathe in the yard."
Lei Jin knew Chunji was probably cleaning up the broken chair. Since Chunji didn't bring it up, Lei Jin didn't ask. They both tacitly agreed to act as if nothing had happened, even though Lei Jin was burning with curiosity, especially since it involved Moya. Did Moya even know about this?
Chunji helped Lei Jin outside. The sun was shining brightly today, casting small spots of light through the leaves. At first, they were round, but gradually, they were eroded, turning into half-moons and crescents as the sky darkened.
Then the streets erupted into chaos—shouts, barks, and the clanging of various objects. It was too noisy for Lei Jin to make out what they were saying.
Chunji, who had been drying herbs on a flat rooftop, glanced outside but showed no sign of panic. He climbed down the ladder and, seeing Lei Jin still calm, said, "You probably know this too, right? It's a natural phenomenon."
The sky grew darker, and Lei Jin could barely see Chunji standing opposite him. "Yes, a solar eclipse," Lei Jin replied. He had seen one in the modern world, but he never expected to witness one here.
Soon, the yard was pitch black, so dark that Lei Jin couldn't see his own hand in front of his face. Suddenly, the courtyard gate creaked open. Lei Jin tensed, though he knew the people here were generally good-natured. Still, there was always the possibility of someone taking advantage of the darkness.
But the moment he was pulled into an embrace, Lei Jin couldn't help but feel a wave of relief, though he hated to admit it.