Chapter Six: Mistletoe

Beneath the tree.

After cutting down a large bundle of vines, the tribal elder quickly walked to the stone cauldron by the high platform, where a bonfire blazed fiercely. The cauldron was filled with boiling clear water, mixed with all sorts of unknown herbs. The elder casually tossed the green vines into the pot, then picked up a pestle lying nearby and began mashing everything together.

The bright half-moon already hung above the rainforest. Below, the only sounds that remained were the quiet chirping of insects. The medicinal brew in the stone cauldron roiled, while countless people along the sacrificial path waited in silence.

At last, after only about five minutes, the tribal elder, accepting the staff handed over by an attendant, excitedly issued the next instruction to the assembly.

A chorus of cheers echoed out. Joyful expressions spread across every face. People began picking up their earthenware bowls, and—illuminated by dozens of bonfires—lined up in an orderly fashion to approach the sacrificial platform.

So began the distribution of the “sacred medicine” prepared by the tribal elder.

———

“How fascinating, this tribe.”

In his room, Ji Yu stretched out languidly in his chair. Today’s gaming session had ended, and as soon as he logged off, he began searching for information on his laptop.

Mistletoe.

It soothes the muscles and joints, promotes blood circulation and reduces bruising. Used for aches and pains, muscle cramps, soreness of the waist and back, and injuries from falls. Additionally, it nourishes the liver and kidneys, strengthens the bones and tendons, dispels wind and dampness, and even calms the fetus. More than that, its extracts can improve microcirculation, and its total alkaloids are remarkable for their anti-tumor effects.

After reading these descriptions, Ji Yu was astounded.

“This is insane! Is there really such an all-purpose thing in this world? It’s almost cheating!”

The online encyclopedia’s entry on mistletoe was quite comprehensive, and the pictures matched exactly what Ji Yu had just seen growing on the oak tree. There was a wealth of information about mistletoe, and its cultural significance ran deep.

———

In the languages of the “Western Alliance,” it even carried a special symbolism, and was widely regarded as a sacred object by various nature-worshipping sects across the globe.

“Amazing!” Ji Yu couldn’t help but marvel, and then another thought occurred to him.

“The mistletoe on the oak tree—since it’s benefited indirectly from the game’s digitization, could it have mutated as well? Would its effects be even more powerful?”

A look of contemplation crossed Ji Yu’s face, soon replaced by an amused smile.

“If mistletoe really is that extraordinary, with my oak incarnation’s status in the tribe, its safety seems almost guaranteed. At the very least, I wouldn’t be cut down, right?”

He recalled the scene of the “outsiders,” each wielding a submachine gun, and wondered what force could possibly afford to attack the oak tribe regardless of cost.

Besides, if the tribe wanted to keep things secret, outsiders would never fathom the marvels of the oak incarnation.

All in all, Ji Yu’s mood soared—there was no longer any need to worry about the oak tree’s safety in the near future. As long as he got through the first month, Ji Yu believed his tuberculous lungs would fully recover, perhaps even become stronger.

Once he had a second incarnation in the second month, he wouldn’t have to rely solely on the oak’s abilities.

With this thought, his hopes for the future grew even brighter.

In high spirits, at nine o’clock in the morning local time, Ji Yu finished his research and went downstairs to buy breakfast.

The weather in Wuyang City was excellent today, with the sun blazing high from early morning.

“The feeling of not being short of breath or having chest pain is wonderful!” Ji Yu took a deep breath as he stepped out of the neighborhood gate.

A few dozen paces later, he arrived at a familiar breakfast stall across the street.

“Two meat buns and a serving of vegetable porridge, to go, please.”

“All right, just a moment.”

“Thanks.” Ji Yu smiled, finding himself a seat while he waited.

Because of his tuberculosis, Ji Yu wore a mask and did not intend to eat inside. Though he was no longer coughing up blood and was steadily improving, the risk of contagion still lingered. Who could say whether his strengthened immune system had truly eradicated every last tuberculosis bacterium?

Therefore, unwilling to risk harming anyone else, Ji Yu naturally chose to take his breakfast to go.

After all, at an outdoor stall like this, the owner was hardly likely to sterilize the tableware at high temperatures.

There were many people buying breakfast at the stall, so Ji Yu idly scrolled through his phone as he waited.

Just then, a new message arrived in his inbox.

———

“Ji Yu, have you been feeling better recently?”

Seeing the message and the familiar username, Ji Yu was momentarily taken aback, then chuckled and quickly replied.

“Much better now—at least I don’t cough up blood three feet every time I open my mouth...”

“...”

The message was from a receptionist at his former company. Their relationship had always been lukewarm—at least, that was Ji Yu’s impression. The receptionist’s feelings, however, might have been another story.

Back when he worked for a renovation company, young people were few and far between. With limited options, the receptionist had naturally taken the initiative to pursue the reasonably handsome and somewhat promising budget officer, Ji Yu.

There’s a saying that “it’s easy for a woman to pursue a man,” but reality is always more complicated.

Simply put, Ji Yu just hadn’t found her personality or looks to his liking.

Thinking back on his time at the company, Ji Yu felt a tinge of melancholy.

He remembered the panic that swept the office when he was diagnosed with tuberculosis during a routine health check. Frankly, it left him rather desolate.

Everyone treated him as if he were a plague-bringer. Even colleagues he’d been close to tried not to show their discomfort too openly, but Ji Yu could sense the disconnect in their words, gestures, and expressions.

He didn’t blame them; after all, it was his own misfortune to contract such an illness. It just made the harsh realities of human nature all the more stark and cruel.

After his diagnosis, Ji Yu resigned voluntarily, and the boss, in a rare show of generosity, gave him an extra year’s salary as a subsidy.

Ji Yu saw no reason to turn up his nose—he accepted the boss’s kindness with pragmatic gratitude. Without income during his isolation and recovery, that year’s salary would go a long way toward easing his financial hardship.

What sense would it make to refuse out of misplaced pride? Tuberculosis isn’t an occupational disease, nor could he file for workman’s compensation. Given the circumstances, what else was Ji Yu supposed to do?

Facing reality was the only reasonable choice.

After a brief, casual chat with the receptionist, Ji Yu quickly ended the exchange, accepted his breakfast from the stall owner, and set off toward the riverside park.

He planned to eat his breakfast there, then jog along the park’s path for a bit to stretch his body.