"What's wrong, are you hurt?"
At first, I thought Shangguan Yao was trying to avoid training by faking illness, as she was usually the one complaining about how hard and tiring it was, always looking for ways to slack off.
But now, seeing Shangguan Yao's pained expression, it didn't seem like she was faking. The cold sweat on her forehead had already matted her hair.
"Wait here, I'll go get Luo Yaqin."
When I called Luo Yaqin over, she was taken aback at first, then she started to chuckle foolishly.
What was her problem?
Ever since I returned, the relationship between Luo Yaqin and Shangguan Yao had been very vague. Sometimes they were best friends who could talk about anything, and other times they would clash over trivial matters and refuse to speak to each other.
Was Luo Yaqin now gloating over Shangguan Yao's suffering?
Just as I was about to question Luo Yaqin, I was pushed towards the cave entrance.
"Go, go, go! Shangguan Yao and I aren't training this morning. It's a matter between us girls, what are you men doing butting in?"
I was completely bewildered by Luo Yaqin's words. How could Shangguan Yao's illness be something I shouldn't be involved in?
Were there such rare and difficult ailments in the world?
With a belly full of confusion, I had no choice but to wake the others and lead them out.
When I returned, I found Shangguan Yao sitting by the bonfire, wrapped in a thick bear skin, holding a bowl of hot water. It looked as if she was preparing for winter.
"Shangguan Yao, are you feeling better?"
Hearing my question, Shangguan Yao looked up and gave me an annoyed glance, then turned her head away.
Early in the morning, who had provoked her?
I was utterly confused by Shangguan Yao's reaction.
Just then, Luo Yaqin returned from outside with something in her hand and walked over when she saw me.
"Since you're back, go to the northern forest and pick some *jixue teng* back. It's a kind of dry vine that grows all gnarled and rough. Be quick."
"I can go get the herbs, but you need to explain things first. What exactly is Shangguan Yao sick with?"
Luo Yaqin gave me a somewhat shy glance.
"What else could it be but her period?"
Suddenly, everything became clear to me. No wonder Shangguan Yao's reaction was so strange when I asked her questions.
In my previous relationships, my girlfriends would become very irritable during their periods, completely changing their personalities. They were beings absolutely not to be trifled with.
Seeing me frozen in place, Luo Yaqin continued, "But it's strange. Ever since we came to this island, we haven't had our periods for months, and I don't know why Shangguan Yao is having hers today."
I scratched my head. I truly knew very little about these female physiological matters.
Just then, the Ke Xin and Ke Ya sisters returned from outside and overheard our conversation. They looked at me curiously and asked, "Master, what is a period?"
It was too awkward for me, a grown man, to explain.
So, I turned my gaze to Luo Yaqin.
Luo Yaqin smiled and answered the Ke Xin and Ke Ya sisters' doubts. In her eyes, it was understandable that Ke Xin and Ke Ya, having been well protected by the Kasa tribe since childhood, wouldn't know about such things.
However, Ke Xin and Ke Ya's answer surprised all of us.
The women of their wild tribe, after reaching adulthood, never had periods!
They only felt slightly unwell for a few days each month and did not bleed at all!
This answer made all the women present envious and jealous.
Guan Hai'er, who had been silently standing by, sighed enviously, "If only we were like you. Having your period can take half my life."
Luo Yaqin was very curious about this matter. As a doctor, she was naturally interested in such strange phenomena.
She first turned to Shangguan Yao and gave her a few instructions, then pulled Ke Xin and Ke Ya aside, intending to examine them.
I was naturally very interested in this scene, but before I could get close, Luo Yaqin glanced back at me vigilantly.
"What, you want to have a period too! Hurry up and go get the herbs."
"..."
I sheepishly walked out of the cave, picturing the Ke Xin and Ke Ya sisters undressing and letting Luo Yaqin examine them.
Alas, it was a shame I wouldn't have the chance to witness such a sensational scene.
Before I had walked far, Guan Hai'er caught up with me from behind, saying she wanted to go look for the *jixue teng* with me.
I hummed a little tune as we walked towards the northern forest.
After about ten minutes, I saw a huge ancient tree in the distance.
Twined around the trunk of this ancient tree was a rough, dry vine.
This must be the *jixue teng* Luo Yaqin mentioned.
Guan Hai'er's eyes sparkled, and she said happily, "Brother Ye, this *jixue teng* is a treasure! It invigorates blood, supplements blood, regulates menstruation, relieves pain, and relaxes muscles and joints. My mother used to boil it and drink it, and it was very effective!"
I touched my chin. I only knew that women drank brown sugar water when they had their periods.
If Shangguan Yao hadn't suddenly come down with hers today, I might never have known the purpose of *jixue teng*.
Well... it was still a piece of useless knowledge.
I asked Guan Hai'er to place the bamboo basket on the ground, then walked to the ancient tree and tugged at the vine.
It looked rough and dry, but it was surprisingly tough to the touch. Even with my current strength, I couldn't pull it off the tree.
Having no other choice, I asked Guan Hai'er to throw me the alloy knife. I cut the *jixue teng* into several sections and then took them down.
Just as I was about to turn and speak to Guan Hai'er, she suddenly turned pale with fear, pointed behind me, and said with a trembling voice, "Brother Ye, come back quickly, behind you..."
My heart sank. Behind me?
Could there be a wild beast living in this tree?
I instinctively tried to retreat towards Guan Hai'er, but before I could exert myself, a great force from behind firmly restrained me.
I looked back and saw a python as thick as a water bucket, flicking its tongue at me. Its strong, muscular body was coiled around my waist and constricting tightly.