Farming In The Eastern Cultivation World-Chapter 47: Herbs and Ointments

Through the gaps between the woven vines, she finally got a clear look.

She mouthed the answer to Bok Taejin: A bird.

With Aunt Seo’s help, Bok Taejin stopped hopping around and instead stood still, grinning. "Did you catch a bird?"

Im Beomhyeon was dumbfounded.

He spun around quickly and immediately spotted Aunt Seo behind him.

Understanding dawned on him in an instant.

He pointed accusingly at Bok Taejin, then at Aunt Seo. "You two cheated!"

Bok Taejin burst out laughing. "It’s doesn’t matter! The fact is, I guessed it right. Brother Im, is the bird still alive?"

With all the commotion, the rest of the hunting team had caught up by now.

They handed over their prey to the cooking team for preliminary processing so the meat could be prepared properly the next day.

In fact, the large prey like wild boars had already undergone bloodletting by the hunters.

If the blood wasn’t drained, the boars would be even heavier to carry—that was a minor issue.

The real problem was that it would affect the quality of the meat.

Th wild boars in the mountains were omnivores.

While they did eat grass and even dig up roots to consume every last bit of vegetation in an area, they also preyed on animals.

Their diet included bird eggs, rabbits, and snakes.

Sometimes, they even fed on the carcasses of their own kind.

Because of this, the wild boars have a particularly strong gamey odor.

If their blood were not drained quickly after being killed, the retained blood will intensify the unpleasant smell of the meat.

Additionally, if a boar dies with a large amount of blood still inside its body, it takes longer for its organs and tissues to cease function, leading to a decline in meat quality.

The meat that it’s blood has been drained properly would retains a fresh color, pure flavor, lower water content, and better storage longevity.

The same principle applies to other livestock and poultry.

Even for domesticated animals, their blood would immediately be drained after being slaughtered.

If the meat is chopped up and boiled, it still needs to be blanched first to remove the excessive gaminess.

Since Bok Taejin already knew what was inside the woven net, Im Beomhyeon lost interest in teasing him further.

Feeling somewhat bored, he untied the net and carefully took out a pure black bird and handing it over to Bok Taejin with great care.

He didn’t forget to warn him, "Be careful. It’s injured, and the wounds are quite severe."

There was no way Bok Taejin wouldn’t be careful.

Even if Im Beomhyeon hadn’t said anything, the fact that someone as rough and carefree as him was acting so cautious made Bok Taejin instinctively wary.

Holding the bird gently in both hands, he raised it for a closer look.

Its feathers were slightly ruffled, with faintly visible wounds.

Even as it was transferred from one human to another, the bird only barely opened its eyes before tucking its head back under its wing, looking utterly listless.

Bok Taejin couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy. "It can still be saved, right?"

"Yes!"

Two voices spoke at the same time.

One belonged to Im Beomhyeon, while the other came from Second Uncle whom Seo Sowoo had fetched.

Im Beomhyeon pointed at Second Uncle. "He knows how to treat it."

Bok Taejin’s eyes lit up. "That’s great! Do you need me to help prepare anything?"

Second Uncle who had already approached them, gestured for Bok Taejin to continue holding the bird.

After carefully examining it for a brief moment, he straightened up and nodded his head with confidence. "As I suspected, it was wounded by the Hunter Vines. Fortunately, you rescued it in time. Come with me, Taejin. I’ll teach you to recognize some medicinal herbs along the way."

Bok Taejin eagerly agreed and followed closely behind Second Uncle.

Unexpectedly, Im Beomhyeon also strolled along beside him in a carefree manner.

The last time Bok Taejin visited Second Uncle’s house, he had noticed that the place had many rooms—more than even Im Beomhyeon’s house, despite Im Beomhyeon’s preference for large living spaces.

Yet, Second Uncle lived alone and had no use for so many rooms.

Bok Taejin had also observed signs that the doors to these rooms were frequently opened and closed.

This time, Second Uncle led them to the largest room on the west side.

Upon entering, Bok Taejin immediately felt a strong sense of familiarity with the layout.

He watched as Second Uncle walked up to the neatly arranged, towering cabinets that was lined against the wall.

When he pulling open a small drawer, Second Uncle first took out a squarely cut piece of yellow paper before moving to open another cabinet...

Bok Taejin suddenly realized something.

Wasn’t this just like the traditional chinese medicine cabinets seen in apothecaries?

At this moment, Second Uncle was indeed retrieving medicinal ingredients from those small drawers.

"This herb is called bloodletting grassroot. It has many uses. Externally, it can be used to stop bleeding and reduce bruising..."

Im Beomhyeon leaned against the large medicine cabinet on the opposite wall and said casually, "in order to relieving the bruised it would requires promoting the blood circulation, right? How can it also stop bleeding?"

This remark instantly infuriated Second Uncle, who glared at him fiercely.

Bok Taejin knew that these small drawers could be completely pulled out, and he was now very worried that Second Uncle might get so worked up that he would yank one out and throw it at Im Beomhyeon.

Im Beomhyeon would be fine—his thick skin and strong build could handle a hit—but the precious medicinal ingredients inside were another matter.

If anything got knocked over and created a mess, that would be a real problem.

So, he quickly tried to calm the situation: "Second Uncle, let’s not bother with Brother Im. Finding the medicine for the little bird is more important."

Second Uncle turned back and continued selecting herbs.

Right now, treating the injured bird was the priority.