The hemostatic herb itself takes about two months to grow from seed to maturity.
Ashi dug up the seedlings and planted them. The seedlings took nearly a month to grow, and he tended to them for a month.
All the hemostatic herbs bloomed small yellow flowers. Once they produced seeds, the herbs could be harvested.
The orcs, who initially doubted Ashi’s ability to grow medicinal herbs, watched as he collected the seeds and then carried the herbs to the mountain spring to wash them.
He took the herbs along with the cubs to a more populated area.
Rongrong shouted loudly, “Ah Father is amazing! Others couldn’t grow these herbs, but Ah Father managed to grow them all at once!”
The cubs, upon seeing new orcs, called out one after another. The others, recalling the discussion not long ago, awkwardly smiled without saying much.
At this moment, it was not appropriate to say more. The cubs’ childish voices sounded like a slap in the face—sharp and loud.
Of course, the slap that hit Dahe’s face was the loudest.
Dahe had come to buy meat and was listening to the other orcs’ compliments with pride.
But now, as Ashi arrived with the cubs and herbs, Dahe felt so embarrassed he couldn’t hold his ground and slinked away.
Ashi’s goal was achieved. He comforted the cubs, patted them, and handed out three small shells to each, magnanimously saying, “Alright, this is the promised reward for you.”
The cubs had shouted so energetically, even Ermao—who was usually more reserved—had yelled loudly, all mainly to earn money.
After buying their favorite things twice, the cubs realized the importance of money. Only with money could they buy the items they liked at the market.
Some orcs approached, trying to get closer, saying, “Ashi, is there any secret to how you grew the herbs?”
Others’ attempts had failed, with none surviving out of ten planted, but Ashi’s ten all lived. If he planted more, just selling the herbs alone could make him rich.
Ashi smiled slightly and lowered his voice, “You just need to take good care of the herbs, and they will naturally grow.”
After speaking, Ashi took the cubs and the washed herbs home.
The orc who asked was left standing dumbfounded. Others, unable to contain themselves, surged forward and asked eagerly, “Did Ashi tell you the secret just now? Share it with us!”
The orc regained his composure and explained, “He didn’t say much, only that you have to carefully care for the young herb seedlings.”
“That’s not very generous!”
“Yeah, if Ashi didn’t want to tell you, how could he have whispered it so quietly?”
“Come on, if you tell us, maybe more of us can successfully grow herbs.”
The crowd chastised the orc.
Frustrated, he explained, “No, really, that’s not true! Why don’t you believe me?”
The others’ gazes changed as they continued to reproach him. He regretted asking the question so foolishly.
··
“Dahe, why are you sulking? Didn’t you buy the meat you like?” Ahong sat on the ground, lazily fanning herself. She noticed Dahe storming home angrily and curiously asked.
Dahe suppressed his anger and said, “Ashi successfully grew the herbs. The seeds he planted before all survived.
But I don’t know why people secretly mock me. When will that clay pot finally work? It’s really frustrating!” He had seen Ashi holding ten freshly picked hemostatic herbs.
Growing medicinal herbs usually required either great talent or family heritage. For ordinary orcs, growing herbs was almost impossible.
If it were easy, the prices for herbs would have dropped and they would be worthless.
Unexpectedly, Ashi had considerable talent.
Ahong widened her eyes in disbelief. “He’s really that good?” Mastering some secret to growing herbs meant a fortune—an endless flow of money.
Dahe glanced at Ahong and said, “Next time we have the chance, we need to find out what secret he’s hiding.”
Ahong nodded absentmindedly, “That clay pot needs a long time before it works. In the meantime, let’s cooperate and find out Ashi’s secret.”
Dahe shook his head awkwardly, “I recently offended them badly. If I appear in front of them, it will only make them more wary.”
“If you rush over and say you want to be friends, how can they believe you? Watch me. I’ll create some accidental meetings and slowly get close. That’s the way,” Ahong said confidently.
Only then did Dahe realize that Ayyue and Ashi were not as foolish as other orcs. He warned, “When you approach them, be careful. Otherwise, you’ll be the one suffering. They both have clear goals and won’t be easily swayed.”
Dahe calmed down and saw the problem: they were overly cautious.
But he didn’t tell others.
He figured that if everyone else failed, it wouldn’t be so obvious.
Ahong smiled deeper and toyed with her hair out of boredom. “That’s what makes it challenging, isn’t it?” With her looks, she was confident that if she made herself available, he wouldn’t remain indifferent.
Dahe knew he couldn’t convince Ahong, so he didn’t waste more words and went back to rest.
Ahong licked her red lips, seemingly thinking of something, and covered her mouth to giggle.
··
At night, when Ashi took the cubs out to plant new herb seeds, he noticed many orcs standing around, clearly waiting for some time.
“Ashi, you’ve started planting herb seeds!” one orc asked. “Can we learn by watching?”
Ashi’s planting method had no real secret. He thought there was nothing to hide—it was just ordinary planting. He smiled, “No problem, but don’t stand too close, don’t scare the kids.”
Orcs had good eyesight too. Even standing farther away, they could clearly see Ashi’s every move.
Ashi looked at the cubs, “Play here and don’t wander off, okay?”
With so many eyes watching, he didn’t worry about their safety.
Today, Rongrong didn’t add any spirit spring water into the pit. So many eyes watching made her afraid someone would notice something was off with her. The spirit spring water they had poured before should continue to work.
Ashi finished planting herb seeds. This time, he planted thirty hemostatic herb seeds at once, expanding the planting area. The planting site was still near the cave.
Ashi went back to rest, and other orcs left in small groups, their tone showing a bit of confidence.
They remembered the steps and would try at home. Maybe some of them could also successfully grow herbs.
Ayue returned home and noticed many footprints around, worriedly asking, “Why are there so many footprints outside?”
Rongrong helped answer, “Mother, they came to learn planting herbs from Father.”
Ayyue was indifferent, “Our Ashi has talent to grow herbs that live. It’s not easy for them to just plant and succeed.” Let them watch if they want.
She turned to Ashi, “Should we cut some bamboo around the cave to make a fence, so no one destroys the herbs planted near the cave?”
Ashi nodded, “Tomorrow we’ll cut some bamboo to make a fence.”
The next morning, Ashi went out to water and came back furious.
Damao, Ermao, and Rongrong rushed over, hopping onto Ashi’s legs, concerned, “Ah Father, what’s wrong?”
Ashi looked furious, “Half of the herb seeds planted last night were dug up!”
Damao immediately stood up, flapping his small wings angrily, “It must be orcs from the tribe!”
Ermao guessed, “They probably wanted to steal the herb seeds to plant them themselves.”
Rongrong, worried about the planting project, asked, “Did you replant the stolen seeds?”
Ashi nodded, “The orcs who secretly dug up the seeds must be from the tribe. I don’t know who exactly, but I replanted new seeds.”
There were no traces left at the scene.
Ashi thought about asking the clan chief to handle it. But they had just moved here, and causing trouble over the loss of fifteen herb seeds wouldn’t be taken seriously. They might even think their family caused too much trouble.
If the matter couldn’t be solved, it would only leave a bad impression.
For now, they had no choice but to swallow their anger.
Rongrong angrily flapped her small wings, “Ah Father, build a fence so these people won’t dare be so brazen.”
Damao stepped forward seriously, “I can sleep outside at night. If there’s any movement, I’ll be the first to know and wake you all to catch the thief!”
Ermao thought for a moment, “We can set traps near the herbs. Like Rongrong said, set traps to catch one orc as an example. Others won’t want to be so embarrassed.”
Rongrong wiped her face, relieved Ermao didn’t reveal her earlier suggestion. Ashi was thoughtful, and after hearing Damao’s words, he fell into contemplation and didn’t catch the rest of the conversation.
“I’ll sleep outside at night. If others come near, I’ll know right away. They won’t be able to steal our herb seeds,” Ashi muttered.
“If others ask about this, just say we lost some insignificant small things at home. Remind everyone to be careful so no thief gets in.”
Rongrong watched as Ah Father immediately found a solution and let out a slight sigh of relief. The path to wealth they had just found could not end like this.
Fox Clan Orc Cave.
Dahe showed no expression as he took out a small pouch and opened it. Inside were herb seeds covered with soil.
He took a small pack of seeds from his body, cleaned the dirty seeds, placing them two by two. He leaned closer and compared them in every aspect. The two seeds had no difference.
If the seeds showed no difference, then the variation must come from the one who took care of them.
Dahe was somewhat disappointed but felt it was natural. Where else could they get special seeds?
He sniffed the soil and even tasted a bit. It was ordinary soil and ordinary seeds.
There was nothing unusual.
Dahe casually tossed them into a flowerpot and lay down to rest.