The Daily Life of Farming and Raising Children in Ancient Mountain Residences or Ancient Rural Life: Farming and Raising Children - Chapter 20 - UsuiTakumii (2024)

Chapter Text

Chapter 191 - Revealing the Formula

Madame Feng and Madam Gan were so agitated that they wished they could stay awake until dawn. Finally, when daybreak arrived, they joined the hunting party heading towards the Zhou and Zheng households. Wang Chunniang seized her opportunity and found a chance to speak with Lu Dalang alone in a cave.

"Are you aware of what Second Sister-in-law is up to?"

Lu Dalang was truly clueless about it.

Ever since Lu Erlang and Lu Sanlang—no, the hunters in the valley—had suddenly stopped returning, he had developed some resentment due to his ignorance. The elder matriarch noticed this and explicitly told him that chaos had erupted outside, and they were afraid of exposing the valley's location. Thus, the hunters couldn't return frequently and had to stay outside.

With just that one sentence, he no longer cared to know anything.

Wasn't it better to remain in the valley without venturing out?

In essence, he was living the life that only the weak, elderly, and children in the valley could lead. He was benefiting from it, so after that, he didn't ask any questions. He tended to the small plot of land in the valley, raised the chickens and ducks allocated to him, and tried his best to conserve food. When the children cried from hunger, and the elder matriarch or his younger siblings couldn't bear to watch, the kids would get a meal.

It was a bit humiliating, but he felt that it was good enough as long as he wasn't begging for food. This was the extent of his abilities, and that was how he could raise his children.

Lu Dalang was content with the current situation. Even if he was obviously isolated, he was fine with just tending to his small plot of land. There was nothing shameful about being rich or poor; everyone had their own way of living.

Satisfied with the present state of affairs, when Wang Chunniang inquired about Second Aunt's situation, Lu Dalang's initial reaction wasn't resentment but rather suspicion.

"What do you want?"

Is she causing trouble again?

Lu Dalang's face darkened. "What has it got to do with you what my second brother's family is doing? If you're tired of living peacefully, don't drag us down with you."

As soon as he finished speaking, footsteps approached, and upon turning his head to see Shuanzhu entering, Lu Dalang's expression remained grim. "It seems your mother isn't content with peaceful days. You and Dadao should be more cautious. Don't ask Grandma for the key to let her out lately. I still hope to live these remaining years in peace."

Wang Chunniang stared at Lu Dalang in surprise, and in the next moment, her face twisted. In the past, she would have scolded him loudly in her rage, but since Lu Dalang rationed her meals to only two per day, each with just a few bites, she lacked the strength to raise her voice. Instead, her gaze was venomous, and her tone sarcastic. "Lu Dalang, are you even a man?"

Even someone as submissive as Lu Dalang couldn't tolerate being called not a man. He became even less willing to engage with Wang Chunniang, focusing solely on Shuanzhu. "Don't take my words lightly. It's not safe outside now. Your second uncle and third uncle only come back to the valley every seven or eight days, and they have to do so under the cover of night. Don't let your mother cause any more trouble, or we won't have a chance to survive."

Shuanzhu appeared numb. He wanted to correct his father, to point out that if his mother caused more trouble, it wouldn't just be their family without a way out, but the entire valley would suffer. However, he lacked the energy even to move his lips, only nodding slightly as an acknowledgment.

Seeing her son nod, Wang Chunniang seemed to deflate. After Lu Dalang left, she turned to Shuanzhu. "You came out from my womb, yet you treat me this way?"

Shuanzhu sat on his bed, resting his head on his knees for a moment. Once he regained some composure, he spoke, "Mother, Father isn't speaking nonsense. It's truly not safe outside. Isn't it good for you to stay hidden safely in this valley? Why are you so concerned about Second Aunt?"

"Is asking a question staring at her? The world outside is said to be turbulent, but how would your father know? He's just one of those guarding against us."

Shuzhu looked at her. "Then why are they all guarding against us?"

Madam Wang immediately fell silent.

Lu Shuanzhu rubbed his face, many words had long since become worn-out; at this point, there was only one sentence he could utter: "Mother, you should rest."

As a professional novel translator, I will provide an elegant and contextually coherent translation for each line. Please provide the lines you would like translated.

When Sangluo and Shen Lie visited the Zhou family two days later, a rudimentary settlement had taken shape around the Zhou family, with the Zhou Lazi household and the Zheng Butcher's as its core.

It was called an outline because the land reclamation and wall construction were still in progress.

The Fengs were a family well-versed in concealment, having honed their skills in the outskirts. Hiding was their top priority. Yet, when they saw Zhou Laozhi's high walls filled with thriving soybeans and vegetables, even the Chengs, who had settled here later, had flourishing crops within their tall walls.

It was impossible not to feel envious. They had the seeds, but how could they dare to cultivate them outside, hidden away? They had been relying on wild vegetables for over half a year.

Once the thought of farming takes root, it's hard to suppress.

This was no longer the outskirts; they were deep in the mountains, and the vast range around Qiyang made it like scattering chess pieces into the Huai River – there was little difference between one person and another. Both the imperial army and the rebel factions vying for sovereignty were preoccupied with seizing and defending territories; they wouldn't waste substantial time and manpower to search for scattered civilians hiding in these remote depths. Their only concern now was guarding against ill-intentioned individuals. And with over a hundred people living together in this inner circle, they were well-equipped to do so.

They would resist if they could, flee if they couldn't, but they must still cultivate the land.

The most pressing issue was that their food supplies wouldn't last long. Even those as prepared as the Fengs and Gans had impoverished members in their clans. There were still those like Zhou Lazi who struggled to make ends meet. Hence, the newcomers quickly made a choice similar to Zhou Lazi and Butcher Zheng's on the night of their arrival.

They tilled the land to plant vegetables, hoping to sow a late autumn crop before winter set in. In a month or so, they would be able to enjoy the harvest.

With a large group, Shen Lie and the others frequently patrolled the area, deterring any particularly threatening wildlife. Thus, the new arrivals, whether they sought caves like the Zhous or built wooden houses like the Zhengs, only needed to fortify their living quarters. As for the farming areas, they first cleared the land and later erected simple fences.

When Sang Luo and Shen Lie arrived, the outlines of each household's settlement were visible, with much of the land already cultivated. At this moment, people from each household, whether building houses or tilling the fields, were being served meals, squatting on the ground to eat.

Dong Ge recognized Sang Luo from afar and, excitedly, stood up, waving at her. "Sang Lady! Brother Lie!"

Upon hearing his delighted cry of "Sang Lady," Dong Ge's mother was about to rush forward to greet her but almost grabbed him back. Fortunately, he also called out to Sang Luo's husband following behind.

This simple-minded second son seemed to be around the same age as Sang Lady. Why was he so earnest?

As Dong Ge's mother heaved a sigh of relief, Dong Ge had already dashed off. "Sang Lady, Brother Lie, have you had your breakfast?"

"I've eaten," Sang Luo glanced at the bowl in his hands, filled with wild vegetables, soybeans, and grass seeds.

Her gaze was heavy with concern. It was rare to see such a positive attitude from the boy, still managing to smile amidst adversity. She looked over at the half-tilled land and asked Dong Ge, "Are you cultivating this land?"

Dong Ge nodded eagerly. "Yes, our shopkeeper gave us some vegetable seeds. We're hurrying to cultivate it. That plot right there belongs to our family."

Following Dong Ge's direction, Sang Luo observed the area. Clearing land in the mountains involved cutting down and removing numerous plants. Something familiar caught her eye.

It was taro. When she first arrived here, she had nothing but relied on celestial tofu and taro to build up her livelihood. However, to the locals, the entire plant was toxic, and in the past, out of fear that children might accidentally eat it, any taro found near the village would be immediately dug up.

Sang Luo couldn't help but approach. She had mixed feelings about it.

It was time to harvest the taro. Squatting down, she used her knife to cut off the long stem and lifted the hefty taro, which weighed at least twenty pounds.

Dong Ge's mother grew anxious. "Madam Sang, they say this thing is poisonous. You shouldn't touch it."

Sang Luo smiled and shook her head. "The poison can be removed. This can be eaten."

Her words left the surrounding group stunned. Shen Lie, along with Shopkeeper Xu who had accompanied them, and the Gans were all taken aback. They turned to look at Sang Luo.

San Luo didn't hide anything and explained, "You've all tried it before. Shopkeeper Xu, this vegetarian 'mutton' is made from konjac, also known as devil's tongue."

This revelation stunned both Shopkeeper Xu, who had sold konjac before, and Madam Gan.

San Luo didn't waste any more time. She asked Dong Ge, "Where do you live? Show me the way, and I'll teach you how to detoxify the konjac."

Some people from the Feng family, who were nearby clearing land, overheard their conversation and gathered around to inquire. Konjac grew abundantly; once it sprouted, it spread in vast patches. Not only did Dong Ge's family find some, but other households had likely stumbled upon it too. Those who had grown up in the village had been warned since childhood that this plant was toxic.

Now, someone was saying that it was edible and that its poison could be removed.

How could this not attract attention? Suddenly, quite a few people followed them to take a look.

Madam Gan felt a little nervous. She looked at San Luo and called out, "Ah Luo?"

Without saying a word, her expression clearly conveyed that this was San Luo's livelihood.

San Luo glanced at Madam Gan, then turned her gaze to Dong Ge's family. Recalling the wild vegetables and grass seeds in Dong Ge's bowl just now, San Luo fell silent.

To be honest, she hadn't initially planned on revealing her trading business. Just like the divine tofu, she only picked some occasionally for her own consumption. Even the poorest family, Zhou Laizi's, had accumulated a fair amount of food with the help of Shen Lie and Chen Dashan.

What about the newcomers, then?

How many families like Dong Ge's could Shen Lie and Chen Dashan bring over? Besides, there weren't many edible plants left in this area that the locals were familiar with. Witnessing Dong Ge's family eating grass seeds and seeing edible taro being dug up and discarded, Sangluo suddenly lost the desire to hide.

"Let's just survive for now. There will be other ways to make a living in the future."

In fact, it wasn't just Dong Ge's family. The others who had come with Dong Ge, as well as those struggling in the Feng clan, had all gathered outside the cave where Dong Ge's family had settled. As Sangluo taught them step by step how to detoxify the taro and make taro tofu, more and more people arrived to learn.

After teaching everyone, as they waited for the final coagulation, Sangluo said, "If you peel and slice it, dry it, and store it properly, it can last a long time. It should still be edible next year."

Some were still uncertain. "Miss, is this really safe to eat now?"

The idea that the taro was poisonous was deeply ingrained in their minds.

Before Sangluo could answer, Xu Shopkeeper spoke up first, "Yes, it's safe. This has been sold in the county town for quite some time, at a decent price too. It's part of Miss Sang's livelihood."

To be honest, he hadn't expected that something like plain tripe would come from wild taro found in the mountains. What surprised him even more was that Sangluo was willing to share this method.

With this method in hand, it was truly a risk-free business. While it might not lead to great wealth, it would ensure a steady, modest income year after year.

Having taught this, Sang Luo was not reluctant to share more knowledge. Near Dong Ge's cave, she found the Guanyin Cabbage leaves and led everyone in identifying them, then they picked some. She then asked if anyone had gauze at home.

Several people responded, one of them volunteering, "My house is nearby, I'll go get it right away."

With that, she dashed off.

As she left and returned, more and more people gathered outside Dong Ge's small cave, including Zhou Lazi's family who had heard the news, followed closely by Chief Feng from Feng's clan.

Many had already learned how to make Silky Stomach and Immortal Tofu, so Sang Luo emphasized the key points to pay attention to, and estimated how long they would need to wait for the substances to solidify. Glancing at the sun, she realized they still needed to hurry up and hunt before bidding farewell hastily.

The crowd jostled, with latecomers asking those who arrived earlier about the specifics of the process. When they had their questions answered, they discovered that the young lady who taught them had already left.

They couldn't help but inquire further, only to learn that she was from Li Shi Village and called San Lady.

Chapter 192: Incident

The advantage of having over a hundred people from the Zhou family living nearby was that Shen Lie and Chen Dashan no longer needed to go fetch the Zhou and Zheng families for hunting trips. With Feng's young man and Gannier, their group was large enough, and they could already handle farming, land clearance, and trapping mountain chickens without any issues.

Shen Lie and Chen Dashan led the villagers to explore another direction outside the village.

When the harvest of mountain yams began, the delayed autumn harvest in the valley, due to less sunlight throughout the year, also started.

While the villagers outside were busy digging up mountain yams, the harvest within the valley was handled by those who stayed behind, gathering crops from each household regardless of ownership.

Apart from the elderly and women, the child soldiers were also quite helpful during this time. Even youngsters like Shen Jin and Shen Yin contributed to doing whatever tasks they could manage.

It was a lively and bustling scene of harvest, but no one expected that an incident would arise when Shen Jin helped the old man Lu fill a bamboo tube with water.

At that moment, everyone was harvesting rice in the Lu family's field. The villagers in the valley were closest to the Lus, and with old age, it was inevitable that after working for hours, they would become thirsty and tired. Shen Jin, who had been assigned lighter tasks, noticed the struggle of Old Man Lu trying to pour water from his bamboo tube, so he offered to help and fetched more water. As the Lu family was nearest, he naturally went there.

Shen Yin, seeing this, asked the nearby Elderly Chen, Old Lady Chen, and Grandma Xu if they needed water too. Everyone was exhausted and parched, so the two brothers took two bamboo tubes each and set off.

Actually, because of Wang Chunniang, the Lu family had left someone behind for such an important task as harvesting rice – Lu Daniu.

Jin Shen went in to fetch water, and naturally, Lady Lu offered her assistance. It was only a matter of filling the containers with water, but after being trapped in the cave for several days, Wang Chunniang fixated on Jin Shen and suddenly sneered, spitting out a barb: "The two of you have milk and consider whoever gives it your mother."

Jin Shen glanced at her, remembering Shen An's instructions and deciding not to engage.

However, his silence only fueled Wang Chunniang's pent-up anger from the past few days. Seeing that even Shen San and Li Shi's son ignored her, the madness that had been brewing within her erupted.

"You follow your wonderful elder brother and sister-in-law, enjoying all the luxuries, do you forget how your parents and sister died?"

Jin Shen's face visibly darkened, while Yin Shen turned pale.

Seeing the change in her brothers' expressions, Wang Chunniang felt a sense of satisfaction. "This valley is so bountiful, yet your family suffered such a tragic fate. Why help now? If they had taken you along when they left, would the three of you be orphans?"

Not just Jin Shen and Yin Shen, but even Lady Lu's face paled. She exclaimed sharply, "Mother, what are you saying!"

Behind the wooden fence, Lady Lu could only voice her protest. Without the key, she couldn't even cover her mother's mouth if she wanted to.

"What am I saying? I'm speaking the truth. If I were Shen San or Li Shi, and had such sons, I'd climb up as a ghost at night just to strangle them."

With a loud 'slap,' one sound was Yin Shen's water-filled bamboo tube dropping to the ground, while the other was Jin Shen throwing his own bamboo tube with a thud against the wooden fence confining Wang Chunniang.

Lu Daniu was startled and, with trembling hands, pleaded with Shen Jin, "Little Jin, don't listen to my mother's nonsense."

Shen Jin's face was twisted, his breaths rapid as he fixed his gaze on Wang Chunniang without turning away. He spoke to Shen Yin, who was standing beside him, "Little Yin, go out first."

Tears had already welled up in Shen Yin's eyes, rendering him unable to move. Shen Jin then spoke to Lu Daniu, "Take my brother outside."

How could Lu Daniu dare to leave?

Shen Jin barked, "Get out!"

Despite being two years younger than her, Lu Daniu was genuinely frightened. She realized that after all, her mother was the one confined here. Seeing Shen Yin weeping in fear, she quickly went to pull him away.

Wang Chunniang was also startled by Shen Jin's sharp command. Turning her head, she saw a nine-year-old boy swallowing hard, suppressing the fright from earlier.

Watching Lu Daniu lead Shen Yin out, Wang Chunniang sneered, "So, was I wrong?"

Step by step, Shen Jin approached the fence, his eyes never leaving Wang Chunniang. The darkness in his gaze gave Wang Chunniang an eerie feeling, causing her to instinctively want to retreat.

However, there was barely any space for her to move in the small cave carved out. She sat by the bed, only a couple of steps away from the fence.

Shen Jin fixated on Wang Chunniang, "You know our suffering, but do you truly understand its depth?"

"Do you know that my parents and sister perished? Do you know how they died?"

Despite his orderly speech and calm tone, there was an unsettling madness beneath the surface that Wang Chunniang couldn't ignore.

Sure enough, he wept and laughed in turns, silent yet with his chest quivering. Tears streaming down his face, it was neither a smile nor a sob, a sight more chilling than a simple expression of joy or sorrow on a child's face.

Through his laughter and tears, he placed a hand on his heart and, after a long while, gasped as he stared at Wang Chunniang, "Let me tell you, the grain is gone, the crops in the fields are ruined. Everyone was herded into the city like ducks, with no food to eat."

"Do you know what happens when people are hungry for too long?"

"Have you seen them resort to eating human flesh?"

At this point, his own breathing grew labored, his chest feeling constricted. With one hand pressed against it, his red-rimmed eyes locked onto Wang Chunniang, "Do you know how my sister died? Huh? You dare say such things?"

With that, his emotions spilled over, "In the city, cannibals are everywhere. If they can't prey on others, they feed their own children to others. If they can't bring themselves to do that, they smother their kids to give them to others for a piece of flesh in return."

"Have you experienced this? Yet you dare to say those words?"

"My sister was killed by my father, and my mother, in retaliation, killed him, only to be stabbed to death by him. Do you know that? If it weren't for Master Xu saving us, my two brothers and I would have all been butchered and boiled."

"How is that? Are we not worthy of living? Huh? Not worthy?"

"Did my eldest brother and his wife save us just to create enmity? Huh?"

With the last bamboo tube in his hand, he hurled it at the fence gap, hitting Wang Chunniang on her head and face.

Shen Jin clutched his chest, overwhelmed by pain. If not for holding onto the fence, he would have slid to the ground.

"Why, why do you get to expose our wounds? Why can someone like you live peacefully here, still thriving?

As he spoke, he collapsed, sitting outside the fence with his mouth wide open, gasping for air, tears and snot streaming down his face. The nightmares that had haunted him through countless sleepless nights seemed to return, crushing him once more.

Lu Daniu had already rushed to call her grandparents as soon as they exited the cave. Their farmland was just a short distance from home. When Lu Laoshan and his group arrived, they witnessed this scene.

What Shen San, Li Shi, and Tianya's deaths entailed was something that Shopkeeper Xu and Shen Lie had never elaborated on before.

Lu Shuzhuang, the one most afraid of his mother causing trouble, was the closest to home. He had heard Shen Jin's words as he ran towards them, the latter part making him halt mid-stride.

The words his grandmother had once spoken echoed in his mind, intertwining with Shen Yin's tearful outburst—how could someone like you still live peacefully here, still thrive so well? Each accusation struck him like a hammer to the face.

Old Madam Chen arrived a step too late, only to find Shen Yin huddled against the cave entrance, trembling uncontrollably.

In those final days in Qiyang County, Shen Yin had been starved to the point of numbness. He vaguely sensed that something was amiss with his parents' deaths, but he never knew the true horror of how Tianya had died.

He had always assumed that Tianya had been secretly taken away by someone.

Chapter 193 - A Hole in the Heart

Yet, the truth had abruptly and brutally unfolded before him without any warning.

Seven-year-old Shen Yin was utterly stunned. The colors and scents from those chaotic memories he had thought were mere illusions of his starvation suddenly drowned him once more.

Shen Yin was utterly terrified.

Wang Chunniang was also paralyzed with fear, both by Shen Jin's words and the sight of so many people rushing into the valley.

Liu Dalang trembled uncontrollably as he glared at Wang Chunniang. If looks could kill, she would have been flayed alive at this moment.

Chen Ma and Madam Xu were the quickest to react. One went to pull Shen Yin while the other went for Shen Jin, coaxing them both out.

Old Man Lu and Old Lady Lu were deafened by the commotion. They watched as Madam Xu half-supported, half-carried the weeping Shen Jin outside, wanting to say something to her but unable to utter a single word.

Their age and experiences in tumultuous times allowed them to understand the burden behind Shen Jin's desperate questioning during her breakdown.

No, who can truly empathize with another's experiences unless they've lived them firsthand?

Recalling the state of their three sons when they first entered the valley, the Lu couple were rendered speechless. When Shen Jin had been helped out of the cave, Lu Caihu turned to the younger Wei Qinghe and said, "Qinghe, please make your way to the entrance and deliver a message to Village Chief Zhou. Ask him to summon Shen Lie, A Luo, Dashi, my second and third sons back here tonight."

At these words, Lu Dachang's legs went weak, almost giving out beneath him.

Trembling, he stammered, "Mother? Mother!"

Lu Caihu didn't look at him, but instead focused on Zhuangzhu and Doudou, as well as Tiezhu and Huizi who had rushed over upon hearing the news.

The thought of her five grandchildren made Lu Caihu genuinely want to cry. But even in her despair, she couldn't afford to soften. For the sake of these five children, she had already shown leniency twice.

Lu Caihu felt all her strength drain from her body. Reaching behind her, she found the bedpost and leaned against it, needing something to prop herself up. She then gazed at her five grandchildren for a long moment before her eyes fell on the eldest, Zhuangzhu.

"Zhuangzhu, you saw everything that happened today. Your mother was given many chances."

"She's not just ungrateful now; she's turned her benefactor into an enemy to despise. She believes everyone in this valley has wronged her, treated her poorly."

Although Lu Caihu hadn't heard what Wang Chunniang had said earlier, she had caught most of Shen Jin's crucial points. The child's emotions had been unchecked, and her voice carried.

From all that had been said, it wasn't difficult to piece together the situation, especially with Lu Shuzhu's question about whether his elder brother and sister-in-law had saved them only to create more enmity.

Lu Shuzhu was already aware of the gravity of the matter. Tears rolled down his cheeks, which he hastily wiped away.

Hu Zi was somewhat bewildered. Seeing the expressions on his family members' faces, he instinctively felt afraid. He tugged on Lu Daniu's sleeve and whispered, "Sis, what did Mother do?"

Lu Daniu didn't dare to speak, only sobbing softly.

Wei Qinghe observed the scene and, recalling the words he had just heard, knew he could no longer remain. He nodded respectfully to Mother Lu before hastily departing. The others in the valley, seeing this, also offered their condolences before leaving one by one.

When Lu Dalang saw Wei Qinghe leave, he knew there was no turning back. His knees buckled, and he nearly collapsed, barely managing to hold himself up by gripping the bedpost nearby.

At that moment, a single thought consumed him: He would be implicated by Wang Chunniang and left to fend for himself—this much was certain.

His teeth chattered uncontrollably.

This fear surpassed the previous two incidents.

During the first mishap, he had only feared his parents' reproach. In the second, he had experienced the dangers of the deep mountains and realized the chaos outside the valley. Back then, he had been afraid of being cast out of Yun Valley, but his quick response and consideration for his siblings had spared him from his mother's wrath.

This time, Lu Dalang's fear originated from his understanding of his parents' nature.

He now knew what it meant to have one's liver and gallbladder tremble with fear.

...

On the other side, when Shen An, Shen Ning, and Shen Tie, who were assigned tasks farther away, rushed over after sensing something amiss, they only saw Shen Jin and Shen Yin weeping uncontrollably. Shen Tie, who was oblivious to the situation, was also frightened and ran to Shen Jin's side, asking what had happened. When he didn't get an answer, he ran to Shen Yin's side and asked her.

However, no one told him anything.

How could Wei Lingzhen dare to let the youngest child know? She held onto Shen Tie and coaxed, "It's alright. Your brothers are fine. They had a small argument, and it'll be over soon."

These words couldn't even soothe Shen Tie, much less Shen An?

Shen An knitted his brows and turned his head to look at the Lu family's residence where the crowd had gathered earlier. He didn't pursue the matter further but asked Shen Ning to take care of Little Jin and Little Yin. Then, he dashed towards the Lu family's cave without waiting for Qin Fangniang's call.

...

The atmosphere in the Lu family was clearly off. Shen An scanned everyone's expressions before his gaze settled on the ashen-faced Lu Dalang and Wang Chunniang. Eventually, his focus fell on Wang Chunniang's face.

The Lu couple, being the elders of the household, as well as Eldest Master Lu, all held a position of seniority. With this in mind, Shen An's gaze settled upon Uncle Lu's face as he queried, "Uncle Lu, what is the matter with Xiao Jin and Xiao Yin? Has something happened?"

Lu Shuanzhu was still choking, utterly unable to respond.

Old Man Lu glanced at Shen An and had to take the initiative to speak. "An, don't ask about this for now. First, go back and take care of Little Jin and Little Yin. Your Grandma Lu has already asked Uncle Qinghe to inform Village Chief Zhou that she'll be going out at night to invite your eldest brother and sister-in-law back. Your Second Uncle and Third Uncle will also return. They will give an explanation to your family."

"Explain?"

Then it's no trivial matter.

Shen An looked at Wang Chunniang steadily, not wanting to make things difficult for the Lu family elders. He knew he would find out when his older brother and sister-in-law returned. Nodding in agreement, he turned and hastened back, paying no mind to walking properly as he directly cut across the half-harvested field.

Back at home, Jin and Yin had already ascended to the upper cave. Both brothers appeared deeply distressed, and Tiel, unaware of the situation, found himself weeping in sync with them, merely sensing their distress.

Harvesting was already behind schedule, and agricultural tasks couldn't afford to be delayed. After Qin Fangniang and the others returned the villagers, they went back to the fields. However, they temporarily avoided the area adjacent to the Lu family's land, giving the Lu family space to deal with the situation. They started cutting rice in another part of the field instead.

At this moment, in Shen Jin's cave residence, Xu Wenbo and Xu Wenying were accompanying him on the sidelines.

Shen An didn't dare to probe further. He bent down and found Chen Po in his own kitchen, together with Shen Ning, tending to a fire as they boiled something.

"Granny Chen, what on earth happened? Did something occur involving Tiger's mother?"

Granny Chen sighed. She was amazed that trouble could still arise even with the door closed. She didn't deny it and only whispered, "I didn't hear what was said in front. It must have been some hurtful words. Little Jin is in for a rough time now, and Little Yin must be frightened too. Remember not to ask about it. I had Ah Ning search for a calming and soothing medicine from your family's remedies and had her brew it. You should take it up to them and make sure they drink it."

...

By the time the herbal soup was ready, Shen Jin had obviously regained some composure. At least, he no longer looked as terrifying as before. His eyes were swollen, but he had sent away the Xu siblings to work in the fields.

When Shen An and Shen Ning brought the soup, Shen Jin looked at the two steaming bowls before him. A fresh wave of tears welled up in his eyes, and his throat tightened. After a long while, he said, "I'm fine. I just need some more time. You both go help in the fields first."

There weren't many sunny days in the valley. If they missed this good weather, the rice might not dry properly.

Seeing that Shen Jin seemed to be doing better, Shen An instructed him and Shen Yin to take the calming medicine before leaving with Shen Ning, glancing back every few steps.

Shen Jin's fingers trembled as he looked at the two hot bowls of soup on the table. He dared not touch them. After a long while, he pushed one bowl towards Shen Yin. "This is the calming medicine. Drink it. We can't afford to fall sick. Don't cause any more trouble for Big Brother's family."

Shen Yin's lips were still quivering. He wanted to ask about Sweet Girl, but when he saw Shen Tie beside him, he didn't dare to inquire. Wiping away his tears, he picked up the bowl and started drinking. After a few sips, seeing Shen Jin still sitting there in a daze, Shen Yin asked, "Third Brother, why aren't you drinking?"

That simple question seemed to strike a nerve in Shen Jin. His nostrils involuntarily flared, and his brows furrowed. Two more tears slid down his cheeks, which he hastily wiped away. Mumbling, he said, "Drink yours."

Yin Shen assumed he was just having trouble swallowing, so he nudged the bowl of herbal soup towards Jin Shen and said, "Brother, don't get sick."

In those words, "don't get sick," Jin Shen sensed Yin Shen's fear. His hand trembled, but he finally reached for the bowl, lifting it with unsteady hands. Before taking a sip, his tears fell one by one into the brownish broth. He stared at them for a moment, then, holding the bowl, tilted his head back and gulped down the medicine, tears mixing with the bitter liquid.

Tears continued to fall as he swallowed.

Tie Shen watched from the side and turned to fetch two pieces of hawthorn candy and two slices of banana from a shelf.

They were gifts from Sang Luo. Tie Shen, still haunted by the incident in the county, always feared running out of food and couldn't shake off his habit of eating hastily. Jin Shen and Yin Shen had tasted a few pieces, but then left the rest for the youngest, Tie Shen, to enjoy slowly.

Now, Tie Shen retrieved the treats and handed a portion to each of his brothers. "Brother, don't cry anymore. If the medicine is bitter, eat something sweet."

Unbeknownst to Tie Shen, the sight of the hawthorn candy and banana slices only made Jin Shen's tears flow more fiercely.

As Jin Shen's empty bowl was taken by Tie Shen, who stuffed the snacks into his brother's hands, Jin Shen gazed at his palm for a long while, simply observing, before finally clutching them tightly. These were familiar snacks he had eaten before, yet now, he didn't dare put any in his mouth.

Confused, Tie Shen called out to his brother, asking, "Why are you really crying? You're drinking medicine, isn't that only for when you have a serious illness?"

A serious illness?

Jin thought back to those nights when he first entered the valley – he had indeed shed tears then.

He looked at his two younger brothers, no longer avoiding their gaze. He carefully concealed what shouldn't be said before stating, "I wept after hearing some malicious gossip that pierced the heart."

"Little Silver and Little Iron, remember this: our survival is thanks to Shopkeeper Xu and Uncle Xu's kindness, as well as the benevolence of Aunt Xu and the others. Our elder brother and sister-in-law overlooked past grievances and still took us three in amidst such harsh times. All the help we received from the families in the valley was repaid by our elder brother and sister-in-law."

"Remember, if anyone speaks ill of our elder brother and sister-in-law in front of you, refute it firmly. They owe us nothing." He paused, then added, "It's our family who owes them, along with Little An and Ah Ning."

Jin Iron was young and clueless about the situation; he simply nodded obediently. Jin Silver also nodded, but uncertainty flickered in his eyes.

Aunt Wang's tactful suggestion was indeed piercing to the heart. A seven-year-old child might indeed follow her line of thought. If Elder Brother and Sister-in-law had taken their family along at that time, would Mother and Sweet Girl still be alive?

This thought is beyond human control; it is an instinct. Just as Shen Tie, who happened to turn around upon entering the valley, would subconsciously say, "If only Tian Ya and my parents were still here, it would be perfect," upon witnessing the beauty within the valley.

Just like him, whenever he saw the children in the valley playing, reading, and learning to write, Shiqiao, Xiaoya, and Awi would often become absorbed in thought. At night, when he went to sleep, he sometimes dreamed that among those people sat a sweet Xiaoya.

Intellectually, I grasped it all, yet emotionally, an abyss with an open maw seemed to cleave my being in two, leaving me torn when I awoke—uncertain whether to rejoice at seeing my sister or dread the underlying implications of such dreams.

He dared not confide in anyone, instead dedicating himself to repairing the damage, only to have someone rip away the makeshift patches, tearing flesh with the wounds they covered.

Now, not just him, but Little Silver's heart had also been torn open by Wang Chunniang's venomous words.

With a tight grip, Jin's hand on the tabletop curled into a fist. He looked at Yin and then at Tie, who was clueless about the situation. All those thoughts he had previously kept to himself, shielding his younger brothers from the harsh realities, he knew in that moment that he could no longer bear them alone. He couldn't let Little Yin and Little Tie end up like this, nor could he guarantee that they wouldn't be corrupted by this, turning into someone akin to Mother Huizi.

He stared at Shen Yin and said, "Do you think Hu Zi Niang's words made sense? Do you think that if our eldest brother and sister-in-law had taken our family with them from the beginning, Tian Ya and our mother wouldn't have died?"

With a slight tremor in her hands, Yinsen hesitated for a moment, while Tieshen was left utterly stunned.

Shen Jin was not surprised. He knew that feeling all too well. The moment Wang Chunniang uttered those piercing words, he knew it was inevitable.

He didn't elaborate on the hypothesis but instead asked Shen Yin, "If we hadn't separated households, if Elder Brother hadn't returned, do you have any idea what situation An and Ah Ning, and we, would be in right now?"

While Shen Tie was perplexed, Shen Yin was jolted out of her thoughts by Shen Jin's words. She lifted her gaze to look at him.

Chapter 194 - Roots

"If Elder Brother doesn't come back, it won't be Sweetie who will go first. It'll definitely be Second Brother and Sister. Father wouldn't… How could Father spare them?"

His words were veiled, but Shen Yin understood their meaning while Shen Tie remained in the dark. Shen Yin's breathing grew heavier, and his body trembled involuntarily.

Shen Jin didn't intend to scare him, but he knew that if he didn't make him understand the situation now, those foolish thoughts would take root in his mind and become fatal.

Seeing that Shen Yin had taken his words to heart, Shen Jin continued, "Actually, Sister might not even make it to the city. Or perhaps even earlier, when we were still in the village. Due to lack of food, she might have been sold for grain, just like Sister Mei Niang."

His voice became strained as he spoke. He had lost control of his emotions when he spoke so much to Wang Chunniang earlier, but now that he was calmer and with Shen Tie around, he dared not elaborate on how Sweetie was returned by Wang Meiniang or the pitiful state Wang Meiniang was in.

In fact, even their mother, who protected them, would she protect Shen An and Shen Ning? Not only would she not protect them, but it was also uncertain whether she would join their father in finding buyers. This was a question that Shen Jin, as a son, dared not entertain.

"Second Brother is a boy, so he wouldn't have been sold easily back then, but once he enters the city, he wouldn't escape the same fate as Sweetie. Only after Second Brother and Sister are gone will it be our turn, the four siblings."

"So do you understand now?"

"Our family has long split apart. The two branches have essentially severed ties. Given what our parents have done, it's normal for Elder Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law to ignore our survival. We're alive because Elder Brother and Eldest Sister-in-law don't hold grudges against us, because they still see us as their younger siblings. And because Eldest Sister-in-law is kind-hearted, she is willing to bear the burden of three extra mouths to feed in a world where even children can be sold for mere grains."

"So stay vigilant and don't let anyone with ill intentions sway you with mere words. Don't emulate her way of thinking."

"Should you follow her lead, your thoughts will become distorted, and you'll grow into someone just as detestable. Moreover, where do you place the love and care from your eldest brother and sister-in-law, your second brother, and your elder sister, given the thoughts that just crossed your mind?"

He nudged his empty medicine bowl towards Shen Yin and released his other hand, which had been clenched, placing the hawthorn and banana slices he'd been holding next to the empty bowl. He asked, "Can you really still stomach the medicine we drink, the food, meat, vegetables, and these dried fruits we consume every day?"

"To be able to hide safely in this valley each day, free from hunger and cold, without resorting to eating soil or starving to death, without fear of being targeted by those driven mad by hunger..."

"On that day in the county, both you and Little Tie weren't feeling well. You're unaware, but on the day our parents were gone, many of those gathered outside our shack were there for amusem*nt, while others had ulterior motives against us. You had no idea."

"I've always been afraid of frightening you, so I didn't dare speak up. Even now, I still don't dare, but with Sweet Girl gone, you must understand what those people were after when they surrounded our hovel, right? Mr. Xu saved us and was followed by those same folks. You're unaware, clueless about it all."

He wiped away tears and spoke incoherently: "Why did shopkeeper Xu help us save us? Uncle Xu is not a real shopkeeper. Why does he come to our village at risk every day? Why can we exchange pheasants for food and money to treat my mother's illness?It is the eldest brother who has always entrusted the family to take care of us. Without eldest brother, we would not know where we died. He may have died before entering the city, or he may have died in the county seat. He could not have died in the same way as Tianya or even like these."

Speaking to the point where she broke down into tears.

Yin also wept. "Big Brother, I understand. I won't have such wild thoughts anymore."

Shen Tie was unsure why his elder brother was so distraught. The torrent of words fell upon him like a downpour, confusing him. He could only understand bits and pieces, so he tugged on Shen Jin's sleeve and said, "Big Brother, don't cry. I remember how well Elder Brother, Eldest Sister-in-law, Second Brother, and Sister treated me."

Perhaps these words were the greatest comfort to Shen Jin at this moment. A smile tugged at the corners of his mouth as he nodded. "Yes, remember it, remember it for a lifetime."

"We all nearly died in the county. We can't forget those days just because we've had a few good ones. Only by not forgetting the hardships will we not forget the kindness."

As Shen Jin spoke, tears streamed down his face. These myriad thoughts, which had previously resided only in his subconscious, now flowed like a river, unblocked and coursing freely as he counseled his two younger brothers.

It was only at this moment that Shen Jin truly recognized the root of his inner turmoil.

It wasn't solely the nightmare in the county or the hidden thoughts he dared not speak of, which Wang Chunniang had exposed. Deeper still lay his inability to confront his former self.

Only when one has tasted the brink of starvation can they understand the cruelty of their parents. But were his parents the only cruel ones? Hadn't he been just as merciless? In the months following the family split, had Big Sister, Xiao An, and Ah Ning truly fared better than he had?

Xiao Yin and Xiao Tie could be excused for their youth, but what about him?

Back then, he had never imagined that his parents would let Jiaan and Jinning starve. They provided grain, and every few days, there was more food. Everyone in the village seemed to manage, so he had no comprehension of people starving to death. He had laughed and given sparingly, never truly regarding Jiaan and Jinning as his siblings.

He had always known but never dared to confront his past self. The more his older brother, sister-in-law, Xiao An, and Ah Ning treated him kindly, the more he feared facing the person he once was.

Recalling how he had lashed out at Wang Chunniang for deserving to live such a good life, Shen Jin buried his face in his damp palm. Did he truly deserve it?

He was unworthy of it.

This realization, deeply ingrained yet suppressed by him from ever taking root, finally broke through its constraints at this moment, sprouting instantly and thundering into Shen Jin's heart and ears with a resounding impact.

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Pus pockets are excruciating to drain, but the Lu family's abscess didn't even have the chance to be lanced.

The moment Shen An left, Lu Dalang took a few steps forward, hoping to plead for mercy. But before he could, Mother Lu cut him off and merely asked Lu Dadao, who had been weeping softly all this while, to repeat word for word the nonsense her mother had spouted.

Lu Daniu couldn't bring herself to speak, burying her head and hesitating to open her mouth for a long time.

Lu Po looked at her for a while before nodding. " filial, huh? You don't want to say it, or is it just too hard to say?"

Seeing that she still refused to speak, Lu Po grew tired. "Alright then."

She nodded and got up. "You can't afford to waste time in farming. Go harvest the rice. That's about all you can do in this valley."

With that, she really did leave. If not for her faltering steps and hunched back, one might have thought she didn't care at all.

The more Lu Pozi behaved this way, the more terrified Lu Dalang became. His mind wandered as he followed his parents, watching them mechanically cut rice. Several times, his sickle nearly slipped and harmed himself. As the sun sank lower, his fear grew.

When the farm work was done, they returned to the cave. Without even having their evening meal, Lu Dalang knelt before Lu Pozi. "Mother, please forgive Chunniang one more time. I promise I'll keep her mouth shut from now on."

Upon hearing this, Wang Chunniang, in the small cave, turned to look at him.

Was Wang Chunniang afraid?

At first, she had been, but now, seeing Lu Dalang's desperation and his plans for controlling and punishing her, a strange sense of satisfaction welled up inside her.

This was her man. If last time she could still believe he was trying to save her, believing that again now would be foolish.

Lu Dalang wasn't saving her; he was merely using her to save himself from being expelled. She should have seen through him long ago.

Wang Chunniang regained her composure. Leaning against the cave wall on the narrow bed, she observed Lu Dalang kneeling before the old woman, a twisted sense of comfort rising in her heart.

Let him cry, let him plead. Neither of them were good people; why should she suffer alone?

...

Liu Dalang had already turned to plead with his father, repeating the same old arguments.

"How can we be pardoned?" Liu Pozi had been working tirelessly all day and hadn't even had a sip of water. Her voice was hoarse as she asked him.

But she didn't expect an answer from him; instead, she sighed, "Eldest son, each of us must take responsibility for our actions, or even for our inactions. We can't always rely on others to accommodate, forgive, or pardon us. It might work once or twice, but there's an old saying: one can do something twice, but never a third time."

As she spoke, she glanced at the five children standing behind Liu Dalang. Shuzhu and the others were older, but Huizi was ten, and the youngest, Shi, was only seven.

Seven years old.

Last year, Shen Jin was only eight, and even now, Shen Yin was seven, Shen Tie six, and Tianya was even younger.

Liu Pozi closed her eyes and murmured, "I'm also paying the price for not disciplining you properly."

The decision had long been made. Scanning her grandchildren one by one, her gaze finally settled on the eldest, Shuzhu and Tiezhu. She asked, "What do you have to say? Will you plead like your father, asking me to let this slide?"

Neither of the brothers spoke.

Liu Pozi's lips quivered, unsure if she could consider it a relief.

She fetched a stool and sat down, saying, "As long as you're not begging me like your father did. You've heard Shen Jin's words this afternoon, right? Back then, their parents didn't act properly, and even his own cousins weren't brought into this valley. How could you be an exception? If you're let off the hook once or twice, do you dare to rely on a third time?"

"Start packing. When your second uncle and third uncle return, I'll beg Mountain Lord again to send all of you away."

Upon hearing this, Lu Dalang slumped, his twisted smile of amusem*nt freezing on his face. Wang Chunniang also shot up, her hands gripping the wooden fence. "What did you say?"

Only then did Old Lady Lu look at her. "I said that I'll send your whole family away. Didn't you ever imagine this day when you were causing such a ruckus?"

Wang Chunniang's breathing grew heavy. "How dare you? Aren't you afraid that I might reveal the valley's location?"

Old Lady Lu chuckled. "So you have some leverage, which is why you dared to stir things up? Don't worry. If I'm willing to let you out, I won't give you the chance to harm others."

She looked at Lu Dalang. "Do you feel the same?"

Lu Dalang shook his head like a rattle drum. "Mother, no, I don't mean that. It's Chunniang's fault. Can't we just send her away? The children are still so young. How can you bear to do this?"

Upon hearing these words, Old Lady Lu glanced at Lu Dalang. "Then will you leave with her?"

Lu Dalang fell silent immediately.

Widow Lu had no desire to look at him anymore and turned her attention to Zhan Zhu. "What about you, Zhan Zhu?"

Zhan Zhu's gaze flickered between his parents' faces several times. Observing them and listening to their words, he seemed to have forgotten who they were. It was only when his grandmother looked at him that he came back to his senses. "Grandma, I don't want to."

Widow Lu nodded. "That's good. It's easy to cower in this valley, but your spines will never straighten again for the rest of your lives. This is my final question: Do you want to hide here to preserve your lives or step out and give yourself and your younger siblings a chance to straighten the bent bones?"

The younger ones didn't understand, but Zhan Zhu grasped his grandmother's meaning. He glanced at his younger siblings by his side and nodded. "I'll listen to you, Grandma."

Tears welled up in Widow Lu's eyes, and her lips twitched, revealing the only smile-like expression she had shown since that afternoon.

"Good. If you're listening to me, then let's go."

Wang Chunniang was on the verge of madness. "Old hag, how can you be so wicked? They're your grandchildren, five of them! The roots of the Lu family!"

Widow Lu ignored her and focused on her eldest grandson. "Good child, your parents have no choice, but we can still be upright individuals. Grandma won't harm you; I'll ask your Uncle Er to find a relatively safe place for you. The road ahead may be more challenging, but it will be a broader one. You and Tie Zhu must take good care of your parents and teach your younger siblings well."

Tears rolled down Zhan Zhu's cheeks as he nodded repeatedly.

He didn't know what path his grandmother wanted him to take, but he trusted her.

The oppressive weight that had suffocated him ever since he entered the valley seemed to finally loosen its grip slightly in this moment.

Chapter 195: Old Poisonous Woman

"Pack your things. Bring along the food and daily necessities. The newly harvested grain hasn't been dried yet. You can take your share of grain from us."

As Lu Granny spoke, she got up to help her grandson prepare. Wang Chunniang was already on the verge of insanity. She did hate her husband, and sometimes that hatred extended to her children who had betrayed her by locking her away with outsiders. But this kind of hatred was different from the one she felt towards her in-laws, younger brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, and outsiders. It was unstable and fickle, especially when it came to her children. Though she could curse them fiercely in her anger, she would not tolerate anyone harming her children's interests.

Upon hearing Lu Granny's words, Wang Chunniang lost her mind. Her blood rushed to her head, and she began to spew all sorts of insults, calling Lu Granny an old deceitful hag and a poisonous woman. Eventually, her madness led her to curse Ai Wu, wishing him to never grow up and for the Lu family to be cursed with no descendants.

The eldest siblings like Shuanzhu, Tiezhu, and Daniu were shocked and tried to stop her, while the youngest, Shi Tou, was already crying out of fear.

Huizi was ten years old. Although Dahu didn't dare speak in front of his grandparents, he and his brothers could ask her privately when they were cutting rice. They stood there, stunned, watching their mother curse frenziedly, then witnessed their father burst with rage, struggling with their mother through the fence.

Old Lady Lu didn't react much to being scolded herself; she endured it. But when she heard her youngest grandson, Awei, being cursed, her face turned livid with anger. She glanced at Awei, cowering in a corner, and at the weeping sh*tou. With great effort, she held back her fury, allowing Old Man Lu, whose face had turned ashen, to take the two younger children out first.

The curses soon turned into muffled sounds as they were stifled.

When Lu Dagang covered Wang Chunniang's mouth, he genuinely entertained the thought of killing her. He believed that if he suffocated her, his family would finally have peace.

Lost in this fleeting thought, he was momentarily distracted. In that moment, Wang Chunniang fiercely bit down on his hand. It was Shuzhu who, having fetched the key from his grandmother, unlocked the door with his brother, allowing them to pull their mother away and bind her hands, silencing her with a gag. Only then did the cave regain a brief respite from the chaos.

This time, although the siblings were still shedding tears, they genuinely understood that they had no choice but to leave. They began packing their belongings voluntarily. Only Lu Dalang remained motionless, his hands trembling as his empty gaze fixated on nothing, not even bothering to move.

Lu Laowu didn't say anything; she merely helped with the packing in silence, occasionally asking if certain items had been included. It took them over an hour of bustling about, estimating the amount of grain belonging to their eldest branch that was still in the fields and deciding to contribute a portion from their own stock. When the larger items were mostly packed, she finally took a bowl and left the cave in the darkness.

...

At the Xu family's residence.

Old Lady Xu never imagined that Lu Laowu would visit at this particular moment. After a momentary surprise, she hurriedly invited her in.

Lu Laowu wasn't in the mood for small talk. "I've come over to ask for something from you."

The Xu family was taken aback. Old Lady Xu responded, "Is there something you need? Just tell me what it is; I'll try my best to provide."

"I recall that when your family entered the valley, you brought some alcohol, didn't you? I wonder if you still have it. If so, I'd like to borrow a few spoons."

Old Lady Xu nodded. "Yes, we did bring some, but not for drinking. We kept it to lower a child's fever; it's effective when applied to the body to reduce heat."

She then called out to Wei Lingzhen to retrieve it.

Intent on asking Lu Cai about the purpose of alcohol at this time, she reconsidered, given the distressing events that had befallen the Lus today. Instead, she changed the subject and asked if Lu Cai had eaten her evening meal.

Lu Cai shook her head. "I have no appetite."

For a moment, Madam Xu was at a loss for words on how to comfort her. Fortunately, the Xu family's cave wasn't large, and Wei Lingzhen had already taken a small wine jar from a shelf. It was unopened, and with Xu Shu's assistance, they removed the clay seal. She then poured wine into a large bowl for Lu Cai, filling it to about three or four cups. Lu Cai hastily said, "That's enough, enough."

Wei Lingzhen raised her gaze. "Is that enough? Auntie, don't hesitate if you need more."

Lu Cai replied, "Enough, thank you both so much. My home is still in chaos, so I'll take my leave now."

The Xu family matriarch and daughter-in-law accompanied her a few steps before returning. Still puzzled as to why the Lus needed wine at this moment, they decided not to dwell on it since it was only a matter of a few cups. Instead, they turned to Wei Qinghe and asked, "Are you really going to call Shen Lie and the others back tonight?"

Wei Qinghe nodded. "I've conveyed the message, and I've also roughly told Village Chief Zhou what happened."

He glanced at the sky. "At this time, Village Chief Zhou should be about to deliver the letter."

Upon hearing this, Madam Xu sighed. "This old lady from the Lu family seems to have aged by four or five years just since this morning."

In the morning, she had been brimming with joy while harvesting rice, but now, all that remained was a weary, weathered appearance. There was no trace left of her earlier vitality.

Zhou Cunzheng had indeed left the valley. At that moment, Shen Lie and the others were already making their way into it, with Shi Erbang assisting in concealing the entrance from the outside.

Meanwhile, Lady Lu had already returned home. She dug out a few pieces of charcoals from her hearth and was meticulously grinding them in a stone mortar.

The whole family had yet to have their evening meal, but no one could fathom what she was up to. Yet, no one bothered to inquire, as everyone's minds were preoccupied.

At this point, Lu Erlang had entered the valley and had a general understanding of the situation from Zhou Cunzheng. The Lu brothers didn't involve Shen Lie, Sang Luo, or Chen Dashan in their affairs. Instead, they asked them to return to their respective homes while the two brothers hurried back to theirs.

Old Lady Lu had finished grinding the charcoal into a fine powder. She picked up the bowl that had been on the wooden table and brought it over. It contained a bit of white wine borrowed from the Xu family. She poured the charcoal powder into the wine, creating a dark, mushy mixture. Then, she walked up to Lu Dalang, who was sitting dazed by the gate. "Get up, how long do you plan on sitting there?"

She handed him the bowl and said, "Go inside and make your wife drink this."

Lu Dalang didn't react, but Lu Shuzhu and his three siblings grew anxious and couldn't help calling out, "Grandma."

As Lu Erlang and Lu Sanlang hurried in, they saw this scene.

Old Lady Lu glanced at her returning sons but then turned to her grandchildren and said, "Don't worry, I'm wicked, but not so wicked as to poison your mother with a single dose of medicine. I just want her to behave and not cause any more trouble on the way out."

Lu Shuzhu and his siblings heaved a collective sigh of relief, but then they sensed the faint hint of self-mockery in the old lady's words. For a moment, they were all at a loss.

Lu Dalang held the bowl of medicine in his hand, but his eyes fell on Lu Erlang and Lu Sanlang. He seemed to come back to life as he urgently said, "Erlang, Sanlang, please beg Mother for mercy. Huizi and Shi Tou are still so young. How can they survive if they're chased out of the valley? They call you Second Uncle and Third Uncle; please beg her for them."

Madame Lu was angered by how he was still talking about the children instead of himself, and using family ties to pressure his younger brothers. She sternly shouted, "Go pour the medicine! They're Shuzhu's uncles, but you're their father. There are many people in the mountains now. Those without anyone to protect them have to live too, don't they? I never knew your spine was so weak. Do you even know how to stand up straight? No need to beg anyone. It won't make a difference. I've already told you the consequences."

Seeing his mother's expression, Lu Dalang finally dared not say anything more. He watched as Shuzhu opened the door and prepared to administer the medicine.

Would Wang Chunniang simply allow herself to be force-fed medicine? Moreover, she had no idea what it was. The moment the door opened, she struggled to escape. It took the three of them to stop and pin her down. After much commotion, they finally managed to pour the medicine down her throat.

Lu Dalang remained composed, but Shuzhu and Tiezhu's eyes were red-rimmed.

Madame Lu watched this scene, aware that she had played the role of the ultimate villain today. Looking at the two brothers, she asked, "Blame me?"

The two brothers hurriedly shook their heads.

Madame Lu smiled bitterly. "Blaming or not blaming me wouldn't change anything. People must take responsibility for their actions. In a while, I'll have to swallow my pride and beg Dashan to accompany your Second and Third Uncles to find a place to settle your whole family. Your mother mustn't cause chaos during the journey and harm others. We can't endanger everyone in this valley either.

"Your mother wasn't wrong when she scolded me. I am ruthless. On this trip, they might encounter wolves, leopards, or tigers. I can't guarantee that all of you will return safely after a few years, or that none of you will return at all. Who could predict such things? If something unfortunate happens, I'll accept the blame in your hearts. If you want to complain in hell, go ahead."

Only then did Shuanzhu become anxious. "Grandma, we really didn't mean to blame you just now."

Old Lady Lu interrupted him with her words: "I'm not asking for your assurance that you won't blame me. I don't mind whether you do or not. What I want to tell you is that the life you were originally destined to lead would have been much worse—infinitely worse—than what you've experienced. Just like in your mother's mocking description of the Jin family, a household of six reduced to three, and that's only because Shopkeeper Xu and their eldest brother risked their lives to save them."

"Only by barely escaping death can one truly comprehend the harsh reality outside. You've been spared from the real hell on earth; both the Shen and Chen families have shielded you. The peaceful year you've had is a gift of their kindness, not your entitlement. Even so, I must still humble myself to beg for their protection to secure your future, ha."

Madame Lu truly felt that her face was about to bury itself into the ground; how thick-skinned must she be to be able to speak to Chen Dashan after a while.

"If I were truly ruthless, I would have severed your mother's tongue, so that you wouldn't be misled by her twisted logic and end up trapped in her ways for life."

"But are you willing? Do you not hate me to the core?"

"When you leave, I have no other requests. No need to repay a drop of kindness with a spring of water; I've taught you all I could. Just remember not to repay kindness with enmity. Your father and mother, I can't set straight, but out there, if there's something I didn't anticipate, keep an eye on that. Don't let others regret ever helping our family."

"Filial piety, filial piety—it's indeed a duty. But sometimes, being filial doesn't mean simply obeying. You must learn to discern right from wrong on your own. As a grandmother, that's all I can say and do."

She turned around, took a bag of meat from the shelf reserved for their parents and the second and third branches of the family, then called out to Lu Erlang and Lu Sanlang, asking them to carry half a stone of grain and half a stone of beans. "Accompany me to the Chen family. We can't let Da Shan put aside his duties for nothing. I propose that the two of you, as uncles, help cover the cost of these grains for your five nieces and nephews. How about it?"

Lu Erlang and Lu Sanlang wouldn't dare refuse. They carried the bags their mother pointed at and followed her out.

Exiting the cave, they could still hear Wang Chunniang's hoarse curses, her voice strained after all that throat-clearing, wishing the old poisonous woman an agonizing death. Lu Erlang and Sanlang clenched their fists; despite their pity for the five children, they couldn't muster any sympathy for Eldest Branch at this moment.

Chapter 196 - Restless Night

When Old Man Lu saw in the valley that Lady Lu had brought out her two sons, he instructed Shi Tou and Ah Wei to return home first before asking her, "Are we heading to the Shen family now?"

Lady Lu shook her head. "Let's go to the Chen family. Ask Sanlang to summon Shen Lie."

She was well aware of what needed to be said. Regarding such a messy matter, Lady Lu didn't want to drag the Shen family into it any further.

...

The arrival of the Lu family did not come as a surprise to Old Man and Lady Chen.

Ever since Lady Lu had requested Wei Qing to inform the Lu brothers, mentioning Chendashan's name, Lady Chen and Old Man Chen had vaguely guessed something.

The Lu family was currently being grilled on fire by Wang Chunniang. In truth, which family in this valley hadn't been put in such a position? The valley outside was not peaceful, and judging from Wang Chunniang's frenzied behavior today, she would bite anyone she could get her hands on. Anyone would be uneasy in her shoes, but they all trusted the elderly couple of the Lu family, waiting for their response.

Old Man Chen looked at the burlap bags carried by the Lu family and asked, "What is this for?"

Lady Lu replied, "I've come with a thick skin to plead for a chance at survival for those few children of Shuzhu."

This remark left Old Man Chen and Mother Chen momentarily unsure of her intention.

Looking to the side at the Shen family, Madam Lu asked, "May I borrow your place to have a conversation?"

Old Man Chen wouldn't dare refuse, so he nodded and called Second Mountain and Little Ya out of the cave, asking them to go play outside for a while. Then, Mother Lu instructed Third Brother Lu to invite Shen Lie.

Having already inquired about the day's events earlier, Chen Dashan watched with a cold gaze. He only remained silent as he listened to the request to find Shen Lie, awaiting his arrival.

In truth, Shen Lie and Sang Luo had only recently departed from the Chen residence. Shen An and Shen Ning did not know much about what had transpired during the day. Furthermore, Shen Jin and Shen Yin were deeply affected by the incident. Shen Lie did not wish to have them recount Wang Chunniang's absurd remarks, so he inquired of Old Lady Chen. Naturally, Old Lady Chen had only heard half the story, but it was enough for everyone to piece together a rough idea of what had happened.

When Lu Sanlang came to invite them, the four members of the Shen family wore grim expressions. Upon learning that Mother Lu was waiting next door, Shen Lie said to Sang Luo, "Rest for now. I'll go over."

Sang Luo had no intention of getting involved in the Lu family's affairs, so she nodded and instructed Shen An to close the door after Shen Lie left.

...

By the time Shen Lie arrived, the Lu family had already been invited into the cave by Old Man Chen. Both Father Lu and Mother Lu, unable to remain seated, instinctively stepped forward upon seeing Shen Lie, but their embarrassment held them back.

Apologies were in order, but it wasn't their first time in such a situation. Neither Father Lu nor Mother Lu could muster the face to do so. With a look of guilt, Mother Lu said, "I truly apologize for today's incident. I understand that our apologies hold little value, and you might not even want to hear them. But since we've brought our wayward child here, I'm afraid he might cause you further distress. That's why we've come personally."

"Go straight to the point," Shen Lie said, his expression now tinged with coldness despite his attempt to hide it. He had indeed lost patience with the Lu family's main branch and had no desire to listen to their empty words. All he wanted was to know how the Lu family intended to deal with this situation and what they meant by 'accountability.'

With her dignity utterly shattered, Lu Po found it difficult to continue speaking, but she still managed to force out the words, "Our family has decided to send the entire main branch away."

"Send them away?" Before Shen Lie could respond, Chen Dashan asked, "Where to? How can you ensure our valley remains secret?"

In Chen Dashan's view, only one method of sending them away wouldn't endanger the valley. However, there were seven members in that family. Looking at the three bags Lu Po had brought, he couldn't imagine they would abandon them so easily. If they had been willing to do so, this incident wouldn't have happened.

Lu Po clearly understood this as well. Even though the decision had been made beforehand, it was still hard for her to utter the words. "Last year, Second Brother mentioned that the vast mountain range we're in took you two more than two months to traverse. It was only because of your skills that you and Shen Lie didn't get lost. So... I hope you can accompany my Second and Third Sons on a journey deeper into the mountains. The deeper, the better. Ideally, a place where no one will enter for several years or even longer."

"I know my two good-for-nothing sons. If you find them a cave and set up some protection, they wouldn't dare step out, nor would they have the ability to escape."

This was tantamount to exile. The Chen family had inquired about the dangers when Chen Dashan returned, but they hadn't fully grasped the severity. Only Shen Lie, Chen Dashan, who had actually crossed that treacherous mountain range, and Lu Er, who was now looking at his mother with raised eyebrows, truly understood.

Shen Lie's eyes lowered slightly. The mocking look that had flickered in Chen Dashan's eyes when he first heard the plea for a chance at survival had somewhat faded.

"Do you truly understand the situation in those deep mountains? If you don't, you can ask Uncle Lu, who has been there. It's a place where fierce beasts roam. I'd be lucky to protect myself, let alone guarantee anyone else's safety."

"No need to ask." Lu Po shook her head. "I know."

"Zhuangzhu is fifteen, Tiezhu is thirteen. I've taught them what I can, and found suitable caves for them. If they survive, they'll have established themselves, and their future will be secure. If they don't make it... well, that's just their fate."

"I no longer have the face to ask of Ah Lie. We also need someone to stay outside the valley. Originally, I shouldn't have involved you in this matter. But I know my second and third sons aren't yet capable enough, hence my request for your presence to lend support. I don't ask for you to protect anyone specifically, only that you accompany them on this journey, and if possible, offer some assistance to them and their nephews. After all, it's my selfish desire."

Pausing, she pleaded with Chen Dashan, "Can you help and join this trip?"

Chen Dashan lowered his gaze, remaining silent for several breaths. After Chen Po glanced at him repeatedly, he finally turned to Shen Lie. "If Second Uncle Lu and I leave for one or two months, will you and Uncle Shi manage the valley?"

On one hand, involving the Lu family was troublesome. On the other, either his departure or Shen Lie's would not only affect themselves but the entire valley's seven households.

Shen Lie pondered for a moment. "People in the valley can move around nearby. For distant trips, a few individuals from different families like Zhou, Feng, Zheng, and Gan can join forces. However, Uncle Shi and I won't be able to venture far."

It was peak season for gathering mountain produce, effectively narrowing the range of movement for the entire valley.

Old Man Lu sighed, feeling a heavy weight in his chest. Old Lady Lu also bowed her head.

Shen Lie didn't dwell on this issue, instead reminding Chen Dashan, "The valley can't spare more hands. Can the three of you handle seven people? If trouble arises halfway through the journey and words are exchanged, it could lead to disaster."

He had no doubt Wang Chunniang would resort to such tactics.

When Lu Po heard this, she finally spoke again, "The eldest is timid and wouldn't cause trouble in the forest. The other children have also been talked to. Shuzhu and Tietuzhu could lend a hand. If you're still worried, we could gag them a few days ago. As for Wang Chunniang, she won't be able to make any fuss."

At this, not only Chen's family but also Lu Erlang and Lu Sanlang turned their gazes towards Lu Po.

Lu Po looked down and said, "I used an old folk remedy that I've seen before. She should be unable to speak now."

Upon hearing that she was silenced, Chen Dashan didn't say anything else. "Alright, I'll accompany you on this trip."

What else could they do? Kill the entire family of seven or leave them in the valley, potentially causing a bigger problem one day? They could only deal with the consequences of sheltering them back then.

Chen Dashan didn't refuse the food and meat left by the Lu family. He had done laborious work for Lu Da for free, so he didn't feel guilty taking it. Compared to the time and energy he would spend inside, the provisions were a fair exchange.

After the Lu family left, Qin Fangniang, who had remained silent all along, sighed. She didn't know what to say about such a situation.

Chen Po commented, "It's not easy for them. With six grandchildren, five of them have been sent away. It's hard to predict what will happen next."

Being a grandmother herself, Chen Po could empathize more. However, her sympathy was mainly for the elderly couple and the children. As for the two older ones... Chen Po instructed Chen Dashan, "Take care of yourself first. If you have extra strength, help the Lu family's uncles and nephews as well."

Grandson still had to venture into the depths of the mountains. No matter how capable, how could elders not worry about their younger generation? But with Lu Woman seeking them out and the matter genuinely involving the valley, they couldn't refuse.

As Chen Dashan accompanied Shen Lie out, Shen Lie privately advised, "On this trip, you should still be cautious around that couple and maintain some distance. Let the Lu family handle things themselves."

Fools weren't terrifying; it was those who were foolish, venomous, selfish, and cowardly that were truly frightening. You could never entrust your back to such people.

Chen Dashan nodded. "I understand."

If they truly proved unruly, there would be plenty of opportunities along the way to deal with the pair. However, it wasn't his place to do so. Lu Er wasn't an idiot. If he had to bear the consequences of every action, he and Shen Lie wouldn't have traveled together for these past few years. If not for Lu Er, he wouldn't have taken on such a messy task.

The two exchanged glances, understanding each other. Shen Lie patted Chen Dashan's shoulder and asked, "I won't be able to leave recently, so I'm planning on training Xiao An and Xiao Jin again. There are quite a number of people in the inner circle now, and there are living quarters up there that won't attract attention. Would you like Er Shan to join in?"

When their manpower had to be divided into several groups, Shen Lie realized that their valley's combat strength was insufficient. Who knew when they might encounter a situation beyond their control? It was most important to foster their own growth.

Upon hearing this, Chen Dashan's face lit up, and he chuckled. "Of course, why not? He's thirteen already. Help me discipline this kid. If he doesn't train, he'll only learn farming and carpentry skills from my grandpa and dad."

Shen Lie laughed upon hearing this. "Alright, then get some rest early. I'll head back first."

He needed to inform Sang Luo about the Lu family's matter. He also hadn't visited Shen Jin yet. With the issue now resolved, it was time for him to make a trip over.

...

Having heard Shen Lie's account of the situation with the Lus, Sang Luo remained silent. She had no inclination to pity anyone; those who brought trouble upon themselves and dragged their children down with them were not deserving of her sympathy.

This was already the old woman's utmost effort to secure a chance at survival for that family. It was likely that the couple would not even appreciate it. The hope now was that the five children would not let the old lady's efforts go to waste.

She turned to Shen Lie and said, "Go upstairs and check on Little Jin and the others. If necessary, spend more time talking with him. That child must have been under immense pressure in the county, otherwise he wouldn't have reacted so strongly."

Shen Lie nodded and left with Shen An.

...

At the Lu residence.

Before Old Man Lu and Old Lady Lu could enter the cave, they noticed Zhuangzhu standing by the entrance, gazing outward. Upon seeing his grandmother, he hurriedly approached, but hesitated to ask anything, remembering the disappointment in her expression earlier.

Old Lady Lu caught sight of him and asked, "Want to know why your mother has lost her voice?"

Zhuangzhu lowered his head.

Widow Lu replied, "There's a cure. If you survive and return when times are peaceful, I'll tell you what medicine to use."

Hearing that there was an antidote, Lu Shuzhu felt a slight relief.

Seeing his reaction, Widow Lu no longer regretted giving away the entire first family. What could she have done anyway? Their biological parents, it was nature. She could only be grateful that her grandchildren at least had upright characters.

"Get everything ready and go to bed early. We'll leave at the third watch."

Upon this pronouncement, though the children were sad and fearful, they knew it was inevitable. Only Lu Dalang seemed to be in a daze, staring at Old Man Lu and Widow Lu as if he couldn't believe they were really abandoning him and his five children. His lips moved, as if he wanted to plead for mercy, but he remained silent, knowing his parents too well.

...

It was destined to be a sleepless night. Jin and Yin, one stirred by memories and the other newly aware of some truths, neither dared to sleep. Even Shen Lie's comforting words didn't help much. Shen An, being smaller, ended up staying with them upstairs.

The same was true for Lu Dalang. He couldn't get any rest, tossing and turning as he pondered how to plead. In the latter half of the night, his eyelids grew heavy, and he dozed off. In his dreams, he relived the scenes of being surrounded by wolves during their grain collection trips.

In the past, there had been Shen Lie, Chen Dashan, Lu Er, and Shi Dalang – many who had charged ahead of him. But this time, he was alone. The image of the wolf pack charging at him startled him awake with a cry.

In the deepest recess of the cave, a lantern hung from a stone wall, its feeble light filtering through the winding cave walls, bunks, and shelves, barely reaching where he was.

It was this sliver of light that finally made Lu Dalang realize it was all a dream, though the palpitations in his heart felt all too real.

Lu Dalang could no longer sleep, gripped by fear. Lying heavily on the bed for more than a quarter of an hour, he frequently glanced at the small cave where Wang Chunniang was locked away. The thought that had crossed his mind during the day resurfaced.

The scenes from the dream played repeatedly in his mind, compelling him to rise silently. He reached Lu Po's bedside, cautiously maneuvering around the sleeping Lu Laohan, and stretched his hand towards the space under Lu Po's pillow.

Lu Dalang didn't remember how he found himself standing before the wooden lattice door, reaching out to touch the cold lock.

"Dad? What are you doing?"

A voice from behind startled him so much that Lu Dalang let out a gasp. He turned his head to see Lu Shuzhuang half-sitting on the bed on the second floor, staring at him – it was unclear for how long.

Author's Note:

Yesterday, I pondered for a long time whether I should alter the plot involving Little Jin or simplify the previous chapter. Especially the previous chapter, while writing it, I felt a great deal of oppression as I immersed myself in the characters. However, I found it challenging to make any changes, especially to two specific parts. Little Jin's character is quite unique; at only nine years old, he has experienced things that many adults might never have gone through. The intertwined storyline between Jin and the Lu family is difficult for me to handle at my current level. Yesterday, I tried for a day, and today for two hours, but I realized that it's hard for me to improve the story further after it's already written and formed in my mind. So, I've decided to accept it as it is and continue writing this chapter. I hope you all enjoy reading it.

Regarding the mute drug, I've always been hesitant to describe cutting off the tongue. It's not out of sympathy for Wang Chunniang, but rather for Lu Po and the children. A couple of nights ago, I researched extensively on drugs that could cause muteness. The earliest formulas I found were two: one involving a plant, which wouldn't be feasible in their context, and the other requiring two ounces of charcoal ground into powder, mixed with white wine, claiming to render someone speechless within twenty minutes. The antidote was also simple, just a sulfur detox pill. This method seemed more achievable but was vaguely described. Upon further investigation, I couldn't verify its authenticity – it seemed to be found only in one answer, and I'm unsure if it's legitimate (it looks suspiciously like fiction). According to some medical professionals, there's no actual drug that can truly make a person mute. Even in historical records, such as the "Liu Taigong Biography" in the "Records of the Grand Historian" and "Wild Gleanings: Ministry of Justice" by Ji Xianlin, the methods mentioned involved physically mutilating the tongue. Therefore, the depiction of a drug causing muteness in various dramas might not have a real-life counterpart. Of course, ancient Chinese medicine might have been exceptionally advanced and lost to modern times. Let's not delve too deeply into this matter and assume this formula is true, even though it seems quite unreliable. We'll consider it a fictional invention for our story.

Chapter 197 - Gentleness

Liu Dalang was speechless.

At dawn, Chen Dashan knocked on the door, leading such a large group to the entrance. Without Shen Lie's assistance, it would have been impossible. When Shen Lie returned, he brought back this message for Sang Luo.

Yesterday, only Wang Chunniang was mute. But within half a night, another one had joined her? It was none other than the usually inconspicuous Liu Dalang.

If Madam Liu really intended to take action, she could have easily dealt with both Wang Chunniang and Liu Dalang simultaneously. The sequential order of events was intriguing.

"In times of adversity, one can truly see the depths of human hearts."

Sang Luo thought about the five children of the Liu family and concluded that it was probably for the best that they were silenced.

...

Unbeknownst to Wang Chunniang, who had narrowly escaped death, another person in the imperial city of the capital, the supreme ruler of the entire land, did not escape the fate of being smothered to death by two eunuchs with soft pillows and luxurious quilts. His head was then hung on the city tower of the imperial city, which had been constructed with the lives of countless citizens.

In an era where dynasties rose and fell like flowing water, the once mighty Great Kan Dynasty had long decayed. Its collapse came as no surprise to anyone. Amidst the current situation, besides the now-deceased Great Kan Emperor, who among the aristocratic families and lords did not have their own schemes? Those with military power established their own territories, while those without sought higher ranks and positions amidst the chaos, each using their own abilities to secure their future. Even the concubines in the palace, whether they died or were captured, were those without any support. Those whose families held power had already secured their escape routes.

The imperial city and the capital were far from peaceful that night. Scores of rebellious kings emerged, and true aspirants to power who had been biding their time finally seized a legitimate opportunity. In this era of great contention, the struggle for supremacy intensified.

Of course, countless villagers like Shen Liesangluo, hiding deep in the mountains to escape calamity, were oblivious to these developments. Even if they knew, those suffering would only rejoice at the demise of their oppressors and eagerly wish for a strong ruler to swiftly restore order to the chaotic world.

The world outside had changed, but in the remote southern mountains, news traveled much slower. Those in hiding here were primarily concerned with sustenance and safety.

The Lius of the main family left quietly, as they had never ventured beyond the valley. Chen Dashan and Liu ErLang's departure did cause some unease, but the impact was limited.

That very night, Shen Yinfeng fell ill with a fever. Sharing a bed with him, Shen An noticed something amiss as dawn approached. Touching his forehead, Shen An leaped out of bed in alarm and rushed to call his elder brother and sister-in-law.

The child had seldom taken medicine since infancy, so the fever reducer was quite effective. There was still some fluctuation that night, but after another dose the next day, the fever subsided.

When the Lu brothers escorted the head of the Lu family out of the valley, Feng Liuniang returned. Old Man Lu and Old Lady Lu were still busy with farm work until all the rice was harvested, at which point they both fell ill. Feng Liuniang and Ah Wu attended to them, while families from around the valley paid their visits. Old Lady Lu lay in bed for several days before she held her daughter-in-law and remaining grandchild, Ah Wu, in a heartfelt cry. After a few more days of rest, she gradually recovered.

By the time Shen Yin was well, Shen Lie informed Sang Luo of his plan to take Shen An, Shen Jin, and Chen Ershan out of the valley for training. Actually, it wasn't just those three; there were others like the Shi brothers, Da Niu and Er Niu, the Xu brothers, Wenhong and Wenqing, and Si Lang from the Zhou village chief's family whom Shen Lie believed could be trained. However, he intended to consult each family first about their willingness to participate.

After witnessing the situation with the Lu family, Sang Luo couldn't agree more. But instead of responding to Shen Lie, she turned to Shen Ning and asked, "Will you learn, Ah Ning?"

Shen Lie was momentarily taken aback, instinctively wanting to say that this was different from archery practice and would be very tough. Then he remembered that Sang Luo was no stranger to hardship. In this chaotic world, she always advocated that girls should learn how to protect themselves. So, he also asked Shen Ning, "Do you want to learn, Ah Ning?"

Shen Ning had been deeply influenced by Sang Luo in this aspect, so how could she refuse? She immediately nodded and asked, "Are you really going to take me out of the valley?"

Sang Luo nodded. "Of course, why wouldn't I? In the past, your big brother and I were mistaken. We can't just stay cooped up in this valley because of it. Not only can we not guard against every possible situation, but I'm more afraid that we'll spoil you all."

If they raised a cowardly Lu Da, where would they even cry?

"It's best to make yourself strong. Living with me, you can learn too."

This was very much like Sang Luo.

Jin Lei couldn't help but laugh. "Yes, it's perfect. You can practice together with your big sister-in-law."

Shen An had been outside before and knew that the cave wasn't spacious. Hearing this, he asked, "Big Sister-in-law, where will Little Jin and I live? Should we build a wooden house? One that's big enough for a bed and to stand two people."

Jin Lei nodded. "Sure, squeeze in with Uncle You Tian for a few days first. There's another empty cave that can be used as well. Later on, you can build your own house."

Cutting trees, carrying logs, and building a house—practical skills were also a form of training. Previously, the heavy labor had been handled by the young and strong. It was just right to let these half-grown boys do some work as well.

After the family had reached an agreement, Jin Lei went up to ask his brothers, Jin, for their opinions.

Are Shen Jin and Shen Yin willing?

Absolutely. For the two brothers, their greatest sense of security now was to become stronger themselves. Shen Yin was still young and had Shen Tie, so only Shen Jin would be allowed to go out. Shen Lie informed the Chen family as well. Although Shen Jin was going out, Shen Yin and Shen Tie could take care of themselves, but it wouldn't be entirely reassuring. He entrusted Old Lady Chen with looking after them.

Old Lady Chen was more than willing. Second Mountain had also left the valley, leaving her with only Little Ya at home. The rice had been harvested, and they needed to plant some vegetables and raise chickens for winter preparations. There wasn't much work to do.

As for the other families, the Shi family's three adults were away. Shen Lie first asked the Zhou family. The Zhou family had five sons, named Ming, Li, Jian, Gong, and He, in descending order. The eldest three, Zhou Changming, Zhou Changli, and Zhou Changjian, were all outside the village. The youngest was too young to mention, and the fourth, aged thirteen, had never left because he had older brothers.

Upon hearing that Shen Lie would personally teach, Zhou Village Chief's eyes nearly lit up. Before he could respond, a youngster rushed out, "Study, study, Brother Lie, no, Teacher! I'll kowtow to you right now, you can't change your mind!"

It was none other than Zhou Changgong, the fourth son, afraid that his father wouldn't let him go.

Zhou Village Chief laughed heartily. "Ah Lie, there's no turning back now. I'll prepare the apprenticeship ceremony immediately. You can take this boy tonight."

Looking at the Lu family, wasn't Lu Dali obviously unsuitable before? It wasn't apparent. Only when faced with life-and-death situations would hidden qualities emerge. After this incident, who would dare to shield their children too much? Exposing them to the elements was the best thing.

If not for Wu Lang being too young, merely six years old, he would have sent even the youngest one out. In the small valley, any movement couldn't be concealed, especially among the children who had close relationships. Shen Lie hadn't yet asked the other families when their kids already got wind of the news. Da Niu and Er Niu from the Shi family, whose parents weren't home, dragged their aunt along. From the Xu family, Xu Wenhong, Xu Wenbo, and Wang Yunzheng came, followed by Wei Qinghe, whose age clearly set him apart from the group of children.

Madam Xu and her daughter-in-law also arrived, with Xu Wenying still holding onto Xu Wen Yin, who had been pestering her mother for a while after hearing that Shen Ning and Sang Luo would be learning. Wei Lingzhen, considering the vulnerable position of women outside, hesitated for a moment despite her traditional belief that young ladies should be gentle and quiet. After getting her mother-in-law's approval, she finally agreed.

"Learn then. It's always good to have some self-defense skills, especially with Shen Ning and Sang Luo learning together."

The pair also came prepared with gifts for their mentor.

...

The outskirts of the village became bustling overnight.

All the boys in the valley above the age of ten, including the nine-year-old Shen Jin, joined in. Even Wei Qinghe, who didn't possess much talent, tagged along. Xu Wenqing, who usually couldn't wait to dive into the mountains, refused to leave and insisted on finding a master. The martial arts enthusiasts, Second Brother Zhou and Third Brother Zhou, shared the same sentiment.

In the past few months, families had ventured out of the village for food and had started farming and raising livestock outside the valley. Thus, it made sense for them to stay, and Shopkeeper Xu, Uncle Xu, and First Brother Zhou could accompany Da Lang Shi and Chen Youtian in exploring the nearby area, allowing them to follow their hearts.

As a result, within a day, Shen Lie received a group of disciples, young and old, all calling him "Master." Even Wei Qinghe bowed to him with a smile, paying his respects as a disciple.

He never imagined things would unfold this way.

Unlike their initial training in Shili Village that focused on physical strength, endurance, archery, hunting, and tree-climbing, this time, Shen Lie emphasized not only these fundamentals but also taught the basic saber techniques, staff skills, and military formations he had honed during his years in the army.

Of course, those with high talent, such as Xu Wenqing, Zhou Changli, and Zhou Changjian, whose basic strength was adequate due to their age, Shen Lie took out a few sabers from his family's collection and directly taught them basic saber techniques. Xu Wenqing, with his exceptional talent and comprehension, would often prompt Shen Lie to share some of the killing techniques he had learned through life-and-death battles.

At this point, Sangluo and Shen Ning could only keep up with Shen An and the others. The Xu siblings found it more challenging, but perhaps due to their prolonged stay in the valley and hearing about the outside world from their elders, they all understood the importance of learning survival and self-defense skills. None of them shied away from hard work, including the newly initiated Xu Wenying.

The first day's training consisted of two-hour sessions in the morning and afternoon. Given their lack of exercise, any longer would be too much. After some rest, they were assigned the task of chopping trees and transporting wood. As the sun set, each returned to their respective caves, too exhausted even for basic hygiene, let alone a comfortable sleep.

Sangluo, Shen Ning, and Xu Wenying were fortunate; they didn't join in the tree-cutting. Instead, after a brief rest, they practiced archery at the targets Chen Youtian had helped set up. Gan, who had been observing from the outskirts of the village for quite some time, finally approached to join in the fun.

After dinner, everyone had a small task: to whittle a long staff for their upcoming practice. Shen Lie explained the requirements and instructed them to find suitable materials from the logs they had brought back. He had already selected the ones for his teaching and Sangluo's assistance. Before returning to their cave, the two of them started working.

Sangluo, playfully teasing Shen Lie, asked with a straight face, "Should I call you 'Master' too, given how everyone else in the outer village does?"

Shen Lie almost sliced the wood crookedly. Turning to look at Sangluo, he paused for a moment before responding, "Why don't you try it?"

She was becoming cheeky.

Sangluo smiled, ready to tease him further. As she opened her mouth, Shen Lie quickly placed the back of his hand against her lips, startled. "You're serious?"

At this moment, even common folk understood the principles of morality. If she were to genuinely call him "Master," his longing would be utterly shattered.

It was only when he felt the soft warmth near the wrist of his hand that Shen Lie became aware of what he had done, and he froze in place.

Sang Luo also froze, as if the air around them had thickened. Her heartbeat quickened.

Just then, footsteps echoed in the distance, followed by Shen An's voice as he announced that they had chosen the wood for the staff.

Sang Luo abruptly regained her senses, stepping back slightly to create some distance.

Shen Lie's wrist grew slightly cool where it had been warm, yet the tenderness and heat seemed to have seared into his heart, leaving him with an electrifying sensation that softened his bones and melted his heart.

"Big Brother, do you think this one is suitable?"

As the younger ones approached, Shen Lie hastily withdrew his hand. In perfect unison, one focused on carving the untouched staff, while the other turned to observe Shen An and his siblings.

Seeing Shen Lie earnestly presenting the wood to the three children, now with his side facing her, Sang Luo's lips curved into a smile.

Chapter 198 - Teach?

Some feelings had already taken root, but one knew the chaos of the world and the young age of this body, unwilling to nurture them. The other remembered the promise made and found Sang Luo impeccable, not daring to pursue her without her consent. Simply being together every day was like lying in a honeyed cloud, providing immense satisfaction.

Despite sharing meals, journeys, and a bed at night, with their faces close, it was always Sang Luo who held the reins on the boundaries between them.

Sang Luo was usually clear-headed. In this chaotic world and at her current age, she didn't dwell much. Deep down, she wasn't truly sixteen, and there were moments when she was captivated by men's allure. However, she would merely feast her eyes and quickly regain composure, leaving Jincheng blushing and his heart pounding.

Unexpectedly, today's accidental touch caused her heartbeat to falter for a moment. But soon, she felt at ease. It was natural to like Jinliang, and she didn't reject the vague affection. Instead, she welcomed it.

So... as long as she didn't provoke flames, following her heart was enough.

...

That night, Shen An and Shen Jin visited Chen Youtian's cave, while Shen Ning slept with Sang Luo.

Sang Luo and Jinliang were used to their daily routine, so the additional presence of Shen Ning didn't affect their comfort zone. With Shen Ning sleeping on the inner side of the bed, Sang Luo naturally took the outer side, closer to the couch.

In her perspective, it was a completely natural arrangement. Before Shen Ning's arrival, even if she started sleeping in the middle of the bed, nine times out of ten, she'd wake up on the outer side, with Jinliang on the couch within her line of sight.

In Sang Luo's world, this was a safe distance she had come to accept, though unbeknownst to her, it held a vastly different meaning for Shen Lie. If there were a flower in his heart, it would now be blossoming with joy.

The night was filled with pleasant dreams, but as they unfolded, they became too beautiful to be true. The plump and tender lips in his dream no longer fleetingly touched the back of his hand or wrist.

His fingertips brushed against them.

Shen Lie struggled to find words to describe the sensation. In the dream, it seemed real, but upon waking, he realized it was just a dream. Nevertheless, the tension, palpitations, longing, and delight in that dream were vividly clear.

As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he turned to look at Sang Luo. On many previous mornings, he would awaken early, gazing at her sleeping face before she stirred. Back then, his focus was entirely on her, but today was different; his gaze involuntarily fell upon her rosy lips.

After a few breaths, or perhaps several dozen, the sensation beneath his fingertips still felt tangible. Shen Lie's throat rumbled, and he hastily closed his eyes, feeling disheveled.

...

Training had become an everyday routine outside the village. Running with weights around the forest's edge, which had been frequently cleared, took only three days for him to progress from gasping for air to reciting texts while running.

A little further away from the village, refugees who had escaped to the inner circle dwelled. Since autumn began, at least six families were known to have settled there.

Within the inner circle, there were two villages. One was the Outskirts Village where Shen Lie and his companions lived, and the other was the village centered around the Zhou family, which Shen Lie had helped establish. The newly arrived citizens, unable to form close-knit groups, would, driven by their instinct to survive, quietly observe for a while before choosing to settle near these established settlements.

Due to the large number of people, there were fewer beasts. Some seemingly upright neighbors started farming, raising chickens and rabbits – a stark contrast to those who relied on violence outside. Being closer to them brought a sense of relative security.

It was a paradoxical and challenging decision to make, wanting to rely on them yet not daring to let down one's guard. Thus, they settled at a distance they deemed safe, refraining from interfering with each other's territories. Whenever they crossed paths, a silent understanding emerged, as they would quietly detour around each other, forming an unusual bond.

This unspoken agreement persisted for some time until the neighbors noticed new developments in the settlement where young men often went hunting. At least the two closest households were aware of the changes.

They couldn't witness the training with sticks, blades, and arrows, but in the early mornings, before Shi DaLang led the young men out of the village, the commotion of Shen Lie and his disciples running with weights on their backs near the denuded hills close to the village was audible from afar.

Some were curious and listened from a distance, occasionally catching a glimpse when they shifted from one hill to another. No one dared to approach closely, perhaps out of respect for privacy. The side of those hills nearest to the village had been cleared of trees, making it difficult to hide. Any attempt to get too close would likely be detected.

...

On the fifth day of training, visitors arrived from outside the village – none other than Zhou LaZhi and his son, Feng DaLang and Feng ErLang, along with Gan ErLang.

It turned out that they hadn't seen anyone from Shili Village for over ten days. Although they knew that Shen Lie and his group usually went in another direction to avoid resource conflicts, it had been far too long since they last encountered them.

Gan ErLang and the Feng brothers had actual family ties there, so how could they not worry? Even Zhou LaZhi couldn't help but think about the kindness they had received. They were concerned that Shili Village might have encountered trouble. Shen Lie's group had previously informed Zhou LaZhi, Gan's brother, and the Feng sisters about their approximate location. Hence, their concern led them to search for the village.

The mountains were deep and the forest dense, but knowing the general direction and distance, it wasn't too hard to find a place frequented by people. As they approached, they couldn't see the villagers or the cave, but from a distance, they heard a chorus of shouted greetings.

Zhou Lazi and his companions paused in their steps, straining their ears to listen. It didn't sound like a fierce battle; it was too orderly. They quickened their pace, following the path that had been trodden, and when they reached the open area ahead, they were both stunned.

In a row, from shortest to tallest, they were all performing their stunts with staffs!

Goodness, forgive them for their lack of words; only their faces, filled with awe and admiration, could convey their emotions.

No wonder they hadn't seen Shen Lie and Sang Luo. One was now a coach, and the other was learning alongside – how could they have spare time to visit them?

Today, Zhou Lazi had brought out his second son. The father-son duo, witnessing this scene, swallowed their saliva in unison.

Back when they were still in the Ten Mile Village, they knew that Shen Lie would lead a group of familiar young lads to practice before dawn, running and teaching them hunting skills. Now, they found out that he also taught such a staff technique, and that young men, adolescents, and even young women were all learning martial arts?

Not to mention the Zhou father and son, even Feng's brothers and Gan Erlang were stunned.

These were all people who had endured hardships to get here. They couldn't help but admit that a fleeting thought had crossed their minds — how impressive, how envious, how it should be so!

Shen Lie had already seen them. He had just finished more than half of his practice session, so he asked Xu Wenqing to lead the final few moves while he went to greet them.

"Auntie Zhou, why are you here?"

Zhou Lazi was still staring in astonishment, but most of the children recognized them. However, seeing them perform their staff techniques with such vigor and spirit was a completely different sight from what they were used to in the village.

Upon seeing Shen Lie approach, they turned their attention back to him upon hearing his question. "We haven't seen you all for over ten days, and we were genuinely worried. So, we came to check on the situation."

Shen Lie smiled and replied, "Da Shan took a group out for hunting and gathering, while I've been keeping the others occupied with training. That's why we didn't manage to venture out."

"Oh, I see."

With this explanation, Zhou Lazi and the others understood. When they went out for gathering, the village needed capable hands left behind.

While Zhou Lazi conversed with Shen Lie, Feng Da Lang, Feng Er Lang, and Gan Er Lang couldn't take their eyes off the group practicing staff techniques, especially Xu Wenqing, who led the practice. His movements were so swift that the staff seemed to leave afterimages, and the power he exerted could surely bring instant pain to anyone with ill intentions.

Envy was almost tangible.

Before anyone could say more, Xu Wenqing finished the final move and called out, "Master, now that we've completed this set of staff techniques, should we continue?"

Shen Lie glanced back and said, "Take a break first."

The group of children cheered in delight.

Sang Luo found the situation amusing and, holding her long staff, she walked over to greet Zhou Lazi.

Zhou Lazi observed her efficiency and noted that despite the chill in the mountains, Sang Luo's cheeks were flushed, and a fine sheen of sweat glistened on her nose. He praised, "Impressive skills, Ah Lie's wife. You're skilled with both the bow and arrow, and this staff as well."

Sang Luo chuckled, acknowledging that innate talent mattered. Her proficient moves were the result of half an hour of private training with Shen Lie by the cave entrance each night for both her and Shen Ning. She replied, "Your compliments are too much. I still have a long way to go; my skills are mere superficial. I need more practice before I can truly defend myself."

Addressing Feng DaLang and the others, she continued, "Those of you who stayed in the village should also start training when you have time. Peace won't last forever within the inner circle. Once outsiders start flooding in, some unwanted elements will follow."

Feng DaLang responded, "Indeed, every household is practicing archery, but mostly young men and boys around fourteen or fifteen."

Women and children were not part of these trainings. Unconsciously, they were considered the ones to be protected. Now, looking at Shen Lie's group, the youngest one training was...ten years old?

Zhou Lazi knew about Shen Jin, who was nine.

Observing Sang Luo and the others, Zhou Lazi vividly recalled their first hunting trip with Shen Lie. Sang Luo had climbed trees with ease, and she was the one who had killed a wolf. Now, she was not only practicing archery but also staff techniques. Zhou Lazi decided not to dwell on the staff training for now, unsure who could teach it. However, he made a mental note to at least teach his two daughters how to shoot arrows.

Hearing Feng DaLang's words, Sang Luo commented, "Archery is useful at a distance, but it becomes ineffective when someone gets too close."

She glanced at Shen Lie, who understood her concerns. The villagers from the outer village had deep ties with their community, and he naturally wished for their well-being. Thus, he asked Feng DaLang and the others, "Are you interested in learning this staff technique?"

A blade requires a weapon, but a long staff can be readily sourced from the surrounding mountains.

Feng Da Lang's eyes gleamed with excitement. "You're willing to teach us?"

Jin Lie chuckled. "Sure, but..."

With the valley in existence, it wouldn't be advisable to have too many people coming over frequently. He pondered for a moment, then his gaze fell on Gan Er Lang and the others. "I've taught the three of you before, so let it still be the three of you. Learn from me first, and then teach the others when you're proficient."

There was no way they would refuse such an offer. The trio was overjoyed and eagerly agreed.

Da Niu and Er Niu had already seen their uncle earlier. Upon overhearing the conversation, Da Niu chuckled and joined in. "Uncle, if that's the case, you'll need to become a disciple as well. We've all formally taken on a master."

Er Niu, mischievous as he was, wriggled his way to Gan Er Lang's side, still grinning. "Uncle, does that mean I should call you Senior Apprentice Brother?"

Smiling, Gan Er Lang playfully rapped his nephew on the head. "You think you can take advantage of your uncle's words?"

Though he playfully scolded his nephew, Gan Er Lang turned to Jin Lie seriously. "Da Niu is right. A formal apprenticeship should be conducted. I'll prepare the necessary gifts for the ceremony tomorrow."

The Feng brothers nodded in agreement. "We'll also formally become your disciples. Now that we think about it, we've learned a lot from you, yet we've been disrespectful by not following proper etiquette."

Shen Lie had grown accustomed to the playful antics of the young men, even Wei Qinghe now affectionately addressed him as Master with a smile. He took it in stride, chuckling as he replied, "Prepare your own staffs; I'll be teaching you some military academy techniques which aren't too difficult to grasp. The key lies in practice - agility, speed, strength, and some skills. I'll explain more when we meet tomorrow. For the first few days, one hour of training here should suffice, then you can practice on your own for the rest of the time."

The Feng brothers and Gan Erlang eagerly agreed. Gan Erlang examined the staffs held by his nephews, assessing the quality of the wood before returning them.

They had initially come to check if anything untoward had occurred, but unexpectedly ended up finding a teacher – a delightful surprise.

With the main discussion concluded, Feng Da took down the basket he had been carrying on his back and pulled out two bags, handing them to Shen Lie and Sang Luo. "We picked some walnuts and jujubes. Try them. And take this other bag to my sister; let her, the children, and your parents-in-law have a taste."

He made no inquiries about not seeing Feng Liu or Lu Po.

This item wasn't exclusive to the Feng family; both Gan Erlang and Zhou Lazi had brought some along as well. Like Feng Dalang, Gan Erlang gave one portion to his nephew to take back home and another to his master, Shen Lie.

Zhou Lazi also had two bags, and he chuckled as he said that one was for Shen Lie and Sangluo, while the other was for the Chen family.

Sangluo felt the skillfully woven rush bags. "Is this Auntie's work or Gege's?"

Zhou Lazi scratched his head and laughed. "Gege wove these."

Sangluo broke into a smile, praising his craftsmanship. "Alright, Auntie Tian and the others went to gather them too. I'll give it to her later."

Taking the items, she turned to Shen An and asked him to put them back in the cave.

Zhou Lazi, however, didn't leave. After hesitating for a moment, he said, "A-Lie's wife, can you and A-Lie come with me for a private conversation?"

Sang Luo was slightly surprised but still nodded. Naturally, Shen Lei followed as well. When they were a safe distance away, Shen Lei spoke up, "Uncle Zhou, what's the matter?"

Zhou Lazi felt a bit awkward. He turned to Sang Luo and said, "It's about that tuber you mentioned before. It should be ready to harvest now, right?"

Sang Luo was taken aback for a moment before nodding. "Yes, it should have been ready to dig up more than ten days ago. Uncle Zhou, haven't you harvested it yet?"

The use of 'you' in her question had already given away the answer Zhou Lazi wanted. Scratching his head, he replied, "No one else knows if this thing is edible. You're the one who taught us. I just wanted to ask if we need to avoid others while digging it. We haven't seen you come over, so we haven't dug any yet."

It wouldn't be easy to hide the digging process from others. Without Sang Luo's approval, Zhou Lazi hadn't dared to dig them on his own.

He was truly sincere.

Sang Luo had assumed that after teaching them, the Zhou family would harvest the tubers themselves when the time came. The Zhou family digging the tubers wouldn't escape the notice of the other hundred villagers, and soon everyone would know. Therefore, she didn't bother going there again to teach them. Before the Wang Chunniang incident, she and Shen Lei had already dug nearly a hundred catties.

Then came the conflict within the Lu family, Shen Yin's illness, and the training sessions. They couldn't go out, and Sang Luo had completely forgotten about it. In her mind, there was no need to deliberately remember something that had already been taught.

"Uncle Zhou, you can dig them up. Also, teach the others in your village how to dig and plant them. This way, you won't be lacking next year."

Joy wrinkles formed on Zhou Lazi's weathered face, and he eagerly replied, "Yes, yes, of course. I'll go back and teach them right away."

Sang Luo had an idea and said to Zhou Lazi, "Actually, apart from our two villages, there are quite a few people scattered in the mountains around the inner perimeter. Whether it's you, Uncle Zhou, or anyone else in your village, if you come across someone who seems honest, you can teach them about the fairy tofu, konjac, and this yam—how to eat and cultivate them all."

"We don't have much here except for abundant mountains and forests. How many people from Qiyang County, who narrowly escaped death, sought refuge in these mountains? Sometimes, not lacking food can prevent a lot of evil. As a result, everyone will be safer, don't you think?"

Inherently wicked people were actually in the minority. If one could rely on the mountain's resources to fill their stomachs and cultivate crops on the hillsides, how many ordinary people would choose to plunder and burn?

Zhou Lazi paused in his listening, then nodded in agreement. "That makes sense. Alright, I'll let everyone know when I get back."

Given the chance to survive, most people would prefer to be human rather than malevolent spirits. How many people were left in Qiyang County? Subtracting those taken captive and those who had hidden in the mountains early on to preserve their lives, plus the few who managed to escape from the county, could there possibly be two thousand survivors?

Even Shen Lie found it hard to believe such a number.

Chapter 199: Winter

The next morning, the Feng brothers and Gan Erlang arrived early, each carrying a heavy load on their shoulders. From the appearance of their baskets, they seemed to be carrying grain, beans, cured meat, and dried fruit. However, the majority of their load was filled with yams.

Upon setting down his goods, Feng Daolang greeted Shen Lie first, calling him "Shifu." Shen Lie observed the yams they had brought and asked, "What's this?"

"It's a gift of gratitude for my shifuren."

Sang Luo had initially approached to watch the commotion, but her curiosity was piqued by the term "shifuren." Her eyes widened as she overlooked the word "gift" entirely.

"What?"

Feng Daolang was unaware that Sang Luo's question pertained to the title. He didn't think anything was wrong with addressing her as "shifuren." Since he was about to take Shen Lie as his master, it was only natural to call Sang Luo "shifuren." Age didn't matter in terms of hierarchy; in these times, a man in his twenties could still have a five-year-old uncle. It was quite common.

Assuming Sang Luo was asking about the gift, he replied with a smile, "These yams are excellent. Knowing they can serve as food has made everyone so happy. This is all the yams our village dug yesterday. As our first harvest, we've decided not to keep any for ourselves but to bring them all here for you, shifuren. The bags of meat and dried fruits on top are our gifts for your family as a token of respect. Shifu, where do you live? We'll carry them over for you."

Their words flowed smoothly.

The corners of Shen Lie's lips lifted involuntarily. Noticing Sang Luo's reaction, he quickly turned away. The group of children, already laughing and chatting, led the way, and soon, they were all heading out of Shen's cave.

The entrance to the cave was locked. Shen An and the others looked at Shen Lie and Sang Luo. Shen Lie said, "Go ahead, help move them to the shed first."

The cave couldn't accommodate so many items. As for accepting such a large amount of yams, Shen Lie didn't see it as an issue. What Sang Luo gave away was actually a lifeline for everyone. Feng, Zheng, Zhou, Gan, Dong Ge's family, and even those living nearby would benefit. It was only natural that they wanted to express their gratitude.

The men moved swiftly, and soon, everything was handed over to Shen An and Shen Ning.

For young adults in their twenties and teenagers, learning martial arts was swift. Especially with a good master guiding them and a group of peers learning together, their enthusiasm was high. When it came to sparring and coordinating with the staff formation, the children were completely absorbed.

Did they need the master to carry them, hit them, or chase them to learn? No, that wasn't necessary. They found peers of similar skill levels to practice with even during breaks.

The staff technique that Shen Lie taught, originally a spear drill from the military, had been refined by his innate talent and passion for research. On the battlefield, improving oneself was the top priority to survive. While other soldiers rested, he would discuss martial arts with Chen Dashan. When others slept, he and Chen Dashan would still secretly practice.

He had turned the long spear into an art, and now, the same applied to the staff. Thrusts, jabs, taps, strikes, hooks, wraps, and presses—long-range sweeping or short-range close combat, combining spear and club techniques, all for defense and protection. There were no fancy moves; everything was honed through real combat. Not just the young men, but even Sang Luo, Shen Ning, and Xu Wenying found it engaging.

Each day spent outside the valley learning martial arts, the changes in the valley residents were visible. Their martial skills, strength, agility, courage, and vitality all improved. Since Chen Dashan and Lu Dalang left, after secretly practicing for half a month, Xu Wenqing and Zhou Cunzheng's third son showed significant progress. Xu Wenqing, in particular, could be called a martial arts enthusiast. Apart from regularly sparring with Zhou Sanlang, they often continued training outside the Shen family's cave after Shen Lie finished teaching Sang Luo and the others late into the night.

This remarkable transformation in both physical prowess and vitality stirred a deep sense of envy within Zhou Dalang, who had initially deemed himself unsuited for martial arts and had planned to focus on foraging nearby. Eager to follow suit, he would occasionally summon his two younger brothers at night to teach him a thing or two.

In just twenty days, Chen Dashan and Lu Erliang's predicament had greatly alleviated. This was because Xu Wenchao and Zhou Sanlang's combat abilities had been swiftly enhanced. Coupled with the group of half-grown boys behind them, many of whom were thirteen or fourteen years old, each wielding a long staff, they were like a pack of young wolves. The younger ones like Shen An, Shen Ning, Shen Jin, Erniu, Xu Wenhao, and Xu Wenying, if they teamed up in pairs or threesomes and held onto their long staffs, they could even hold their own against two malevolent adults.

The hunting expeditions beyond the village resumed their orderly groups, with everyone except Shen Lie departing in rotating shifts, including the younger ones.

Shen An and Shen Jin have a strong attachment to hunting and gathering, often following Xu Wenqing's team. Sang Luo, on the other hand, doesn't take Shen Ning out much, and spends a considerable amount of time practicing archery and stick techniques.

During this time, a peculiar incident occurred.

One morning, as everyone returned from their morning jog, they discovered that something had been added to the path they inevitably took back to the village.

At first, there were a dozen or so yams, but soon, a variety of items began appearing, mostly consisting of wild produce - besides yams and fiddlehead ferns, there were also wild fruits, eggs from both birds and chickens.

Shen Lie instructed Xu Wenqing and his group to station themselves at different points, and when they managed to intercept someone, it turned out they were there to thank Sanlang's mother from Li Shi Village.

As Sang Luo had predicted, the number of people in the inner circle had indeed been growing. Whether it was those living in the valley or the folks from the Zhou family area, whenever they ventured out to hunt, gather, or dig for yams, if they encountered strangers, especially inquisitive ones, they would willingly share any edible finds.

Things like fiddlehead ferns and yams, after years of unchecked growth in these uninhabited mountains, were abundant. As long as one dared to venture out and search, they would never go hungry.

If this wasn't a life-saving grace, then what was it?

Those who had received such kindness and resided in the vicinity, if they held gratitude in their hearts, would inevitably inquire from neighboring households about the benefactor's whereabouts. News travels fast once one person knows, and thus, there were occasional visits from people bringing gifts as a token of appreciation.

Fortunately, it was only the nearby residents, and after a while, the gestures subsided. As a result of these visits, the villagers began to notice the staff training happening outside their village. During daylight practice sessions, curious young lads would stealthily approach and hide behind trees to watch from a distance.

A few wooden huts had been constructed outside the village, using timber selectively cut from an area designated by Shen Lie. It was impossible to truly conceal the training, but since the villagers knew that the inhabitants were from the nearby mountains, Shen Lie didn't explicitly reveal their presence, allowing them to observe. For anyone to learn from such a distance, it could be said that they possessed a natural talent.

...

Time swiftly advanced into November, and the mountainous climate began to exhibit contrasting temperatures. The peaks towering high were dusted with snow, while the lower regions only experienced biting cold, though not yet reaching the point of snowfall. Nevertheless, this weather was significantly more frigid than what they had previously endured outside the mountains.

Winter survival became a daunting challenge for many households.

For Sangluo and those who were always active, their robust constitution helped them cope. However, the elderly and children in the valley suffered, particularly during chilly nights in the caves.

Shen Lie and Sangluo would visit the valley every six or seven days. On their most recent trip, Shen Yin and Shen Tie were so frozen that their noses dripped with snot.

They rummaged through their cave to retrieve the wolf pelts they had collected over the year. Two were allocated to the Shen Yin brothers for a bed mat and a blanket, while the rest were reserved for themselves, Shen Lie, and Shen An. They also prepared rabbit and sika deer hides, crafting fur vests and boots.

The leather outfits of Shen Yin and Shen Tie were taken over by Mother Chen and Qin Fangniang, while Sang Luo and Shen Ning only attended to the outer garments. What they lacked were actually boots. As for the clothes, they could be made gradually, and it was uncertain if they were even needed. With martial arts practice, not only would combat abilities improve, but physical strength would also genuinely increase. On cold winter nights, their hands and feet would remain warm. Just for this reason, Wei Lingzhen was overjoyed and urged Xu Wenying to leave the valley as well.

Chen Dashan and Lü Er and San returned in mid-November, not empty-handed. They carried several large bags of furs and dried meat. Upon seeing the group of boys wielding their staffs with vigor, they were both stunned.

Xu Wenqing was the first to spot them. He called out to Shen Lie, who had his back turned to Chen Dashan, "Master, Brother Dashan is back!"

Chen Ersan nearly jumped with excitement and yelled, "Brother!"

Shen Lie turned around to see Chen Dashan and Lü Er and San, who looked like wild men. He waved his hand, and the group dispersed. Chen Ersan hurried over to Chen Dashan. His parents and grandparents had missed him dearly during his long absence.

Sang Luo also went to greet them.

Chen Dashan and the others looked so familiar at that moment, much like how Shen Lie did when he returned home last winter.

He laughed heartily, "Why have you stopped? Show me your moves."

He ruffled Chen Ersan's head and asked with a smile, "How's your progress?"

Chen Ersan, now more outgoing, replied with a smile, "Dad doesn't dare to spar with me anymore since I have this staff."

Chen Dashan chuckled. "Alright, you've grown some skills."

...

Since it was daytime, they couldn't enter the valley. Thus, Chen Dashan gave the items to Chen Ersan and instructed him to store them in their family's cave.

Shen Lie glanced at Chen Dashan, Lu Erlang, and Lu Sanlang, asking, "How was the trip? Did everything go smoothly?"

Chen Dashan remained silent. Lu Erlang and Lu Sanlang nodded, saying, "We managed to settle things down. We'll temporarily keep the items in the cave."

After the others left, Chen Dashan continued, "Wang Chunniang is gone, and Shuanzhu sustained some injuries."

Turned out they had encountered two blind bears on the way. Wang Chunniang had pushed Dazhu out of harm's way, and Shuanzhu reacted quickly, grabbing hold of Dazhu. Lu Dalang only cared for himself, while Lu Sanlang protected his younger nephews. He and Lu Erlang joined forces to save Shuanzhu and Dazhu, but they were too late to save Wang Chunniang. Even if they had been in time, they wouldn't have wanted to save someone like her.

"Both bears were killed by my arrows. Wang Chunniang was severely injured with one arm mangled from being bitten and several bruises all over her body. Uncle Lu gave her some medicine, but her injuries were too severe. She didn't last more than two hours."

There was no hint of remorse in Chen Dashan's voice when he spoke. Even the Lu family's eldest branch's children, who had witnessed their mother pushing Dazhu away, couldn't cry anymore. Why should an outsider like him feel sorry for such a person?

Shen Lie and Sang Luo didn't ask further, not caring about these matters.

Shen Lie said, "Uncle Tian is out and won't be back so early. You should go back first, boil some water for a bath, and rest. It's better to return home at night; your family is worried about you. Granny has asked me twice."

Chen Dashan chuckled, then, remembering something, he hooked Shen Lie's shoulder and whispered something to him on the side. Sang Luo found it amusing. When Shen Lie returned, she laughed and asked, "Did he ask you about the Zhou family?"

Shen Lie smiled, which was his way of acknowledging it.

...

Chen Dashan returned to the valley late at night. The next morning, Sang Luo saw the joyous old lady, Chen Po, outside the village. The elderly woman, who had never left the valley before, had come out before dawn for her grandson's life-changing matter. She wanted to see the Zhou family with her own eyes and ask Aunt Gan to mediate on his behalf.

As it was Chen Dashan's marriage, he couldn't participate in the discussion himself. So, the old lady asked Shen Lie to accompany her and Aunt Gan. Naturally, Sang Luo was also dragged along by the old lady to keep her company.

It was a great joy to be able to contribute to such an event. Besides, how long had it been since Shen Lie and Sang Luo had left the Outskirts Village? Since Chen Dashan and Lu Er needed some time to rest, their presence in the Outskirts Village allowed Sang Luo and Shen Lie to take a break as well. They quickly prepared and accompanied the old lady.

With a quiver full of arrows on her back and a long stick in her hand, Chen Po was fascinated and whispered to Sang Luo, "When my Dashan's wife comes in, bring her along too. Not only can she protect herself, but this will also keep her body healthy."

Sang Luo chuckled, "She should learn too. They train over there, and besides, if I join in, I'll mostly just practice alongside her. As for teaching, isn't Dashan the one to do that?"

On hearing this, Old Madam Chen's face lit up, her eyes crinkling with joy. "That's right, that's right, you're absolutely correct."

Listening in on their conversation, Madam Gan's face also blossomed into a smile.

Chapter 200 - Arranging a Marriage

The inner area had truly changed.

Chen Granny, who had never left the valley since entering, felt this transformation the most. In the past, apart from their group, who else would there be? Now, without mentioning the small wooden houses and vegetable patches built outside the outer village's caves, one could see that people were living in the mountains just by walking a short distance beyond the outer village. It wasn't just one family either; there was someone living every short stretch, likely in caves, as no houses were visible, but distinct paths trampled by humans and cultivated land could be observed.

Zhou Lazi's home used to be a half-hour journey from the outer village. Nowadays, when Sang Luo and the others headed in Zhou's direction, they could see large enclosures of land within two quarters of an hour. As they ventured further into the residential area, they could faintly hear the cries of those practicing staffs, but no one was in sight. They must have been deeper inside.

On the outskirts, several idle women were weaving straw mats. Upon spotting Shen Lie and his group from afar, they grew excited.

"It's Shen Xiaolang and Madam Sang!"

"Madam Sang is here!"

They all paused their work. Some went out to greet them, while others went inside to call for others. The group that came out was well-organized. The men greeted Shen Lie, while the women and young ladies addressed Madam Sang.

In reality, Sang Luo didn't recognize most of them. However, every villager, young and old, was exceptionally familiar with Sang Luo. Even if they had never seen her before, upon hearing that she was Madam Sang, they instinctively felt warmth and gratitude, expressing their enthusiasm and joy on their faces.

Sang Luo responded to their greetings. A group of boys, each carrying a staff like Sang Luo, had already dashed out of the village. Leading the pack was Feng Erlang, who called out "Master" from afar. As they approached, he greeted Sang Luo and the others. Hearing that Shen Lie had merely come for a visit, they all earnestly requested him to watch their practice and offer guidance.

Sang Luo found the situation amusing and replied, "Go ahead, I'll accompany Grandma and Aunt to the Zhou residence."

Indeed, there was no real danger within the village, and they were not too far away from their own home. The houses were arranged in a large circle, with a shared path leading inward.

At first, Old Lady Chen didn't notice anything unusual. But as they walked deeper into the village, more unfamiliar women greeted Sang Luo, causing her to ask in surprise, "You know so many people now?"

Mother Gan chuckled upon hearing this and explained, "It's not that A Luo recognizes them all, but everyone in this vicinity knows about A Luo."

She mentioned how Sang Luo had shared her profitable business, formulas, and knowledge of yam with others.

Old Lady Chen was initially taken aback but then laughed, patting Sang Luo's hand and saying, "This is a good thing. It's accumulating merit. Heaven keeps a record of every good deed. Remember, the divine is always watching from above."

Merit, huh?

Upon hearing this, Sang Luo couldn't help but ponder. If merit truly existed, she wished it could be accumulated for the original inhabitant of this body, so that she might have a better life in her next reincarnation. After all, she had already been given a second chance at life through transmigration; Sang Luo believed in the cycle of life and rebirth.

As for herself, she felt immensely grateful for this extra lifetime that heaven had bestowed upon her.

Beasts were actually fearful of humans too. Now that this place had become a village, most households didn't need to keep their courtyard gates tightly shut during the day. The mother and daughter heard someone mention Mother Sang, so they came out to inquire. Upon learning that Sang Luo, Shen Lie, and company had arrived, both of them hurriedly went out to welcome them.

From afar, Zhou Ge couldn't help but glance behind Sang Luo. She hadn't seen that person for almost two months, but she did spot Mother Chen. Disregarding her disappointment, she quickly composed herself and followed her mother to greet them.

Mother Chen had been discreetly observing Zhou Ge ever since she appeared. It had been almost a year since they last met, and the young lady had clearly blossomed. Recalling how her grandson had begged her last night to inquire about the Zhou family's attitude, a smile formed at the corners of Mother Chen's eyes. She held onto Zhou Ge and showered her with compliments.

The Zhou family's survival and their current prosperous life were all thanks to Shen Lie and Chen Dashan's assistance. Therefore, Zhou Laizi's wife warmly welcomed Mother Chen and Sang Luo, immediately inviting them into their home.

Mother Chen wouldn't refuse such an offer. Smiling, she glanced in the direction the Zhou mother and daughter had come from, then at the high courtyard wall behind them. "You live there?"

Zhou Laizi's wife chuckled. "Yes, it's all thanks to Dashan, Shen Lie, and Manager Xu's help."

As she spoke, she led the three of them towards her home. Entering the first courtyard, there was a small table in the inner courtyard. She guided them to take a seat while Zhou Ge went to boil water.

Since it was winter, they already had a fire burning for warmth. The small pot boiled water quickly, and on such a chilly day, a pot of hot jujube tea was perfect. Zhou Ge filled clean bamboo cups with the tea and served them to the guests.

Mother Chen held the warm cup, inhaling the unique sweet aroma of the jujubes. She looked at Zhou Ge even more favorably and praised Zhou Laizi's wife. "Your Ah Ge's agility is just like yours."

Zhou Laizi's wife adored her eldest daughter and, hearing Mother Chen's compliment, she demurred with a smile on her face.

Gan peered into the cave but didn't spot Zhou family's two youngest children. She asked, "I don't see your Third Brother or Ah Kui. Are they also practicing with the long staff outside?"

Zhou Laizi's wife nodded and smiled. "Ah Ge's father and First Brother went into the mountains with others today. Second and Third Brothers are practicing. Ah Kui is just there to watch the excitement."

Curious about the long staff that Sang Luo had casually leaned against the courtyard wall, Zhou Ge glanced at her a few times before asking, "Sister, have you learned this staff technique too?"

Upon hearing her address her as 'sister', Sang Luo's eyebrows lifted slightly. She thought that soon enough, Zhou Ge would be calling her 'Sister Zhou Ge'. With a cheerful smile, she replied, "Yes, I've been learning. It's quite interesting. We're around the same age, so you can call me Ah Luo if you like."

In ancient times, marriage proposals were not done in front of the young lady. Assuming that Old Lady Chen and Gan were about to discuss the matter, Sang Luo smiled and said, "Where do you all practice here? Ah Ge, could you show me?"

"Sure," Zhou Ge agreed, wondering if Old Man Chen had arrived. Heading towards the village's training area, she nodded when Sang Luo suggested visiting the training ground, then bid farewell to her mother, Old Lady Chen, and Gan before leading Sang Luo out.

Sang Luo picked up the long staff and followed Zhou Ge out. As the two moved further away, the courtyard naturally became Old Lady Chen and the other two women's domain.

...

Unaware of Old Lady Chen's intentions, Zhou Ge engaged Sang Luo in casual conversation along the way. Upon reaching the training ground, she scanned the crowd several times.

Observing from the side, Sang Luo understood the situation. Smiling inwardly, she didn't reveal her thoughts and simply asked, "There are no women who practice martial arts here?"

Zhou Ge regained her composure and replied, "No, my father taught me archery, and I'm quite accurate. However, I don't have much strength. As for the staff, Third Brother taught me, but I don't seem to have a natural talent and can't seem to master it."

Upon hearing that she wasn't skilled, Sang Luo thought it might be due to lack of coordination or hesitation. Considering Zhou Ge's gentle nature, she suggested, "If you have the chance, you can practice with me. You don't have to become an expert; regular exercise is beneficial for your health."

In ancient times, childbirth conditions were poor, and many young women married at fifteen, still in the process of maturing. Without a strong constitution, giving birth could be challenging. This was one reason Sang Luo wanted to include Shen Ning in these exercises.

Zhou Ge wondered how they would practice together given the distance between their villages, but Sang Luo didn't elaborate on the matter. When several village women approached to chat with Sang Luo, Zhou Ge took her comment as a polite gesture and didn't inquire further.

When Shen Lie finished his instructions, he joined Sang Luo to head to the Zhou residence. Mother Chen and Madam Gan also bid farewell and left. After sending them off, Zhou Lazi's wife looked at Zhou Ge with a smile, studying her for a while before bursting into laughter.

Back in their room, Zhou Lazi's wife looked at her daughter with a grin and shared about the Chen family's visit to gauge her interest in marriage. Zhou Ge was both delighted and bashful, her heart filled with mixed emotions. It took her some time to understand the meaning behind Sang Luo's words.

If they agreed to the marriage proposal, wouldn't she have the opportunity to train with Sang Luo?

Realizing this, her cheeks flushed red.

Seeing her daughter's reaction, Zhou Lazi's wife knew she was secretly pleased. Her eyes brimmed with joy as she said, "I never expected such a good match for you. The Chen family has an excellent reputation, and Daxian is an exceptional young man that you couldn't find even with a lantern."

She playfully asked Zhou Ge, "Mother hasn't agreed to the marriage yet. I'll discuss it with your father and give an answer in a few days. Tell me, dear, do you want this marriage?"

Zhou Ge's cheeks were hot enough to fry an egg; she buried her head in shame, but recalling Chen Dashan, she steeled herself against her embarrassment and whispered, "I'll listen to Mother."

That was as good as saying yes.

Zhou Lazi's wife chuckled. "Alright, I'll talk to your father tonight. I'm sure he'll be more than willing."

Recalling the day she was rescued, she added with a smile, "It's fate, too."

Thinking about how Chen Dashan had taught the men and boys in their family archery, crafted them bows and arrows, and even sent them furs and meat, she guessed that Chen Dashan had taken a liking to Ge-ge himself.

This made Zhou Lazi's wife even happier.

In just a month, her daughter would turn seventeen—how time flew!

Her children's marriage prospects had been delayed by her frail health. For sons, it wasn't such a big deal; they could wait. But for a daughter, time was of the essence, especially in these times. Lately, she had occasionally thought about this matter and hadn't expected such a fine match to present itself so suddenly.

Zhou Ge, being sensitive, couldn't bear her mother's beaming gaze. She quickly invented an excuse about sewing and darted into the cave.

Speaking of sewing, some of the rabbit pelts she held, with their attractive fur colors, were gifts from Chen Dashan. The unspoken joy within her threatened to overflow.

...

On their way back, Sang Luo and the others passed through a vast reed field. They had all brought sickles, intending to cut some reeds to weave into curtains. Both the wooden door of the cave and the entrance to Shen An and Shen Jin's wooden house needed additional thick curtains to shield against the wind.

While cutting the reeds, Sang Luo softly asked Old Lady Chen, "Granny, how was it? What did Aunty Zhou say?"

Old Lady Chen beamed with joy as she leaned closer to Sang Luo and whispered in a low voice, "Such matters aren't settled on the same day. We'll have to make another visit in two days. But from what I see, it's likely to work out."

Her eyes crinkled into a delighted smile.

San Luo smiled and offered her congratulations, saying, "It seems I'll have to put some thought into a fine gift for Brother Da Shan."

This amused Mother Chen to no end.