"In the embrace of the wild, I uncovered a truth: strength is born not from what we know, but from our resolve to navigate the unknown and transform chaos into purpose."

- The First Patriarch

* * *

With Zhàn by my side, I confidently ventured into the forest. The path quickly transformed from well trodden to covered in greenery. The canopy filtering out the sunlight to a tolerable level as the air was thick with humidity. The forest was alive with sounds, chirping of the birds and the rustling of the leaves. I appreciated the size of the trees, as I have never seen sizes this big outside of preservation lands.

Zhàn walked in front of me with confidence, speaking of his deep familiarity of the forest that only comes from hunting from the moment he was declared an adult, which was at the age of 16 here. He pointed out all the landmarks and interesting bugs and animals we saw on our way. He made sure to be patient as I tried to memorize the names of the various animals he was pointing out.

After a while, we reached a small clearing where the sunlight started breaking through and a more diverse ecosystem was growing here. Looking through the brushes I spot the plants I was looking for.

“This is what we need,” I say, kneeling down to carefully harvest the herbs. I took only what was necessary, ensuring that the plants could grow back. Zhàn watched in silence as he looked around for any signs of predators. As I worked, I couldn’t help but think about how different life has become since I woke up in the middle of nowhere. I had gone from an average nine to fiver, to a man who healed and cared for people in this remote place. And despite it’s challenges there was a sense of fulfillment knowing I mattered way more over here then I did at my old job.

After I have gathered a sufficient amount of herbs, we decide to take a short break. Zhàn hands me a waterskin, and despite me being kind of a germaphobe, I couldn't afford those luxuries and took it with gratitude. We sat down on a fallen log and I enjoyed the tranquility of the forest.

I pondered over my next steps. I needed to get the alcohol working properly, share that with healer Mù Zhì, and talk to the traveler to confirm my deepest fear, that I was no longer on earth. It felt kind of far-fetched, but if the stars being here didn’t mean anything in the first place, then the fact that I didn’t recognize any constellation should’ve been a dead give away. But I still held some hope, as being all by myself in this world was a scary thought.

“Tell me, Zhàn, how is it living in this remote village?” I ask as I look at him. Wondering what a man who has only known this village all his life will think.

He shrugs at me while answering as if stating the obvious. “What is there to say? The village is all I’ve known in my life and it’s all I’d ever want to know”

“Have you ever wondered what are beyond these forests and fields? Of all the people and treasure you could see, the majestic landscapes that take any man's breath away?”

Looking at me with dangerous eyes he answers with a little more hesitation. “The village is safe and warm. What would be the point of traveling only to endanger my life? Here we take care of eachother, ensuring no one goes sick or hungry, why would I want more if I have everything here.”

I laugh lightly at that. Perhaps these people know the meaning of life better than most people on earth. As my laughter calms down I see the look of anger in his eyes and I quickly try to de-escalate.

“I apologize, I meant no offense. I was just reflecting on my own foolishness. But I guess no being is perfect.” Once seeing that he has accepted the answer he calms down, albeit only a little as I continue. “I guess I look for the outside because I only see what can be, not what is, unlike you. You live in the present and enjoy it the most, while I only look at the future and all of its tribulations and promises. I may be the best candidate as a sage, but I am barely one.”

We sit there in silence as we enjoy the chirps and the rustling of the leaves. I see a bird land near us, looking at us with curiosity.

“So you truly will leave this village behind. The elders gossiped, claiming that a sage never settles down, but I still held out hope you would join us in these lands. You would be able to do so much good for the land and its people”

He looked at me with sad eyes but I looked away. Not wanting to be swayed. I would stay here until I could pass as much as possible to these villagers, maybe a year at most, but I’d have to travel, either to go back home if this land was still earth, or to seek adventure and fortune if it is one that is similar to the books I read back home. It would be too tempting to pass on, maybe I’d meet true sages. It was a long shot but a man could dream.

“Don’t worry Zhàn, I will not be leaving your people soon. For the gratitude of accepting me into your throws, I will pass as much of my knowledge to healer Zhi, and maybe some to Chief Wang Wei, before I head out into the land.”

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

We sat in silence some more, it seems what I said meant something to him, and I hoped whatever it was, it would be good for him. Unanimously we decided it was time to head back without speaking to each other and we walked back in silence, both of us contemplating our own thing.

When we finally emerged from the forest, the sight of the village brought some warmth but also sadness. They have taken care of me and I of them. But my greed would not let me settle in this village. I wanted more, and I will try to get more. The warm glow of the sun bathed the thatched roofs and the children played nearby.

As we split up, each our own way, I see one of the kids run off somewhere and gave it no mind. I entered my hut and with my rucksack and let my herbs out to dry, and planted some that I could around my hut, to help keep its freshness longer. As I finish up I hear someone announce their presence and walk in. It was the kid from earlier, carefully lugging a funny shaped clay pot, with Ling following close behind.

“Jié Míns, I hope this meets your needs," she said, presenting the pot. As the poor kid sets it down and takes a deep breath. I look at the pot carefully and it matched my description perfectly.

“This is perfect, Ling. Thank you so much for the effort you put into this.”

“Are you really going to use this to create poison?” she asks with concern. I laugh to show her that her concern was unnecessary.

“It is a poison that heals. I don’t want to worry you, so I’ll show you how effective it is at a later time.” I notice the kid standing around awkwardly and I smile while reaching for my sweet tasting herbs that I keep around just for the children.

“Here you go, thank you for the help.” I hand over the herb to the kid and he beams at me.

“Thank you Great Sage.” He says as he scampers off. Ling joins his exit as well.

“I’ll head out as well, I don’t want to keep you occupied away from your tasks.”

“There is no such a thing, you are welcome to visit whenever, even if you are not sick.” We exchange our goodbyes and I turn to the pot.

I stare at the pot as if I am staring at golf and anticipation rises in me. I’ll finally be able to share something that will reduce the risks that come from open wounds and even help with the future childbirth. Hopefully it will decrease the chances of complications.

I set the pot over the fire pit, and place a collection bowl beneath the lip. Carefully I add the fermented fruit mixture into my brand new pot. As the fire began to heat the pot. I watched closely to make sure that I don't get it too hot and boil water and alcohol at the same time, ruining the whole point of this thing. I eventually saw the first drops of the distilled alcohol, but a frown reached my face as I saw how disgusting it looked. I put my finger into the bowl for a taste, only to retch as the taste hit my mouth.

I spill out the liquid and wash it out with some water, while I put another one under the lip. I kept doing that and concern flashed my face. Did I do something wrong? But thankfully, before I could worry for too long, clear liquid starts to trickle down, and with a quick taste test, accomplishment soars through my throat.

With the distilled alcohol successfully collected, I turn my attention to the fruit juice I have already prepared. I grab two bowls, one for the alcohol and the other for the juice I’d mix it with in front of Zhì. Satisfied with my preparations, I made my way to Mù Zhì’s hut. The healer had been skeptical of my attempts to convince him of the concept of alcohol, but hopefully he wouldn’t argue with hard proof. When I arrive at his hut I announce myself and walk in.

"Healer Mù Zhì, it's Jié Míns. I have something important to show you."

Mù Zhì looked up from the herbs he was crushing up, his expression a mix of curiosity. "Come in, Jié Míns. What have you brought?"

I entered carefully while juggling my bowls of alcohol and fruit juice. “This,” I say, “is alcohol. It can be used to clean wounds and hands to decrease the chance of infection. And this,” I continue, pointing at the fruit juice, “is plain old fruit juice. You can even drink some if you don’t believe it so.”

Mù Zhì looked at the bowls skeptically before approaching both, sniffing the alcohol and not probing it further and putting his hand in the fruit juice and trying it. “It is indeed fruit juice. So you promised that you would mix these two and drink it in front of me to prove its harmlessness.”

“Of course,” I take the bowl of alcohol and mix them in front of his eyes. His eyebrow raises at my lack of hesitation but doesn’t comment otherwise. I then took a sip of the mixed drink. The taste was still strong, but far more palatable than my previous attempt. I smile. “See? It’s even safe to drink, and it is very useful in the arts of healing.”

He nodded slowly, still skeptical but was clearly intrigued after seeing me not drop dead in front of him. “If it truly helps prevent these… Infections as you call them, it could be very valuable. Let me see the distilled alcohol.”

He flips his hand and I see that he has a scratch that hasn’t fully healed. “So I just have to pour some on the scratch and it will help?” I nod and hand it to him. He looks a little apprehensive, but decides to pour some on his wound.

At the sting he almost drops the bowl. “Does the sting mean it’s working?” Seeing me nod, he looks at his hand in curiosity. “Is that it?”

I laugh, “Did you expect it to instantly heal your scratch? All it does is decrease the chance something else bad will happen. The sting was from killing the bad things.” I conveniently don’t mention that it kills all germs, even the good ones. But he didn’t need to know.

“How do you make such a thing?” He asks me while still looking at his scratch, perhaps waiting for a third arm to appear. “Follow me, it’s not too complicated, I’ll show you how to make it from start to finish.”

I lead him to my hut as I explain the fermentation process of fruits and berries, how to start it, and how to distill the alcohol. I showed him my new shiny pot, and I feel a sense of smugness as he awes at the minor complexity. Looking at his face I realized I had him.

“Do you want to make another batch with me?”