Old Ties

Fang Yuan's expression changed abruptly, and he instantly set down his bowl and chopsticks.

Liu Wanwan and Little Bean Sprout shuddered in fright as well, the color draining from their faces.

"Heizi and his men... they've already come to our door?" Liu Wanwan's voice trembled as she instinctively tried to hide Little Bean Sprout behind her.

Fang Yuan's gaze sharpened, and he sprang to his feet. He had not expected Heizi's revenge to come so quickly, so directly!

He grabbed the chopping knife leaning against the wall and said quietly to Liu Wanwan, "Bar the door. Don't come out!"

Drawing a deep breath, he suppressed the fatigue and surging blood from his intense training. Gripping the cold hilt, he strode to the courtyard gate and asked in a low voice:

"Who is it?"

From outside came a familiar voice, somewhat rough but urgent:

"Brother Fang! It's me! San Zhuang from the east end of the village!"

San Zhuang? Fang Yuan froze for a moment. His taut nerves eased slightly, though he did not lower his guard entirely.

He remembered that name, and he remembered that honest, simple face. This was the very man who, along with another fellow, had carried him back to the village after he had fallen unconscious in the snow—and had secretly slipped Liu Wanwan a small bag of life-saving millet.

He slowly pulled open the courtyard gate.

Sure enough, San Zhuang stood outside. He looked travel-worn, his fur coat still carrying the wind and snow of the mountains. He had clearly only just come down from the mountain.

Behind him stood two other men dressed as hunters, both with honest-looking faces.

Seeing Fang Yuan clutching a chopping knife with a guarded expression, San Zhuang hurriedly waved his hands and said anxiously:

"Brother Fang, don't misunderstand! We mean no harm! The moment I got back to the village, I heard that Heizi's gang came looking for trouble with you this afternoon? They even blocked your doorway?"

Worry filled his face. "That bunch is black-hearted and ruthless. There's nothing they won't do!

I couldn't rest easy, so I called two brothers and hurried over to check on you! Are you all right?"

The two men behind him also nodded kindly to Fang Yuan. Their eyes were full of concern, without a trace of ill intent.

Seeing San Zhuang's anxious expression, Fang Yuan felt a faint warmth in his heart.

In these times, when human warmth could turn cold at any moment, it was rare indeed for someone to send charcoal in the snow and rush over in a moment of danger. Such friendship was hard to come by.

Only then did he lower the chopping knife slightly and step aside.

"So it's Brother San Zhuang. We're fine. Thank you for worrying about us. Come in and talk."

Fang Yuan pulled the courtyard gate fully open and made an inviting gesture.

"Brother San Zhuang, and you two brothers as well, it's cold outside. Come sit inside and have some hot water."

But San Zhuang hurriedly waved his hands, a hint of embarrassment appearing on his honest face.

"No, no, Brother Fang. You're eating—we won't go in and disturb you.

Besides, we've just come down from the mountain and are covered in mud and snow. We'd only dirty your house."

The two men behind him nodded in agreement, looking exceedingly plain and honest.

San Zhuang rubbed his hands together, then looked at Fang Yuan with a serious expression.

"Brother Fang, we came here not only to see whether Heizi had given you trouble. There's something else I wanted to discuss with you."

He paused, gathering his words.

"It's the dead of winter, and before long the heavy snow will seal off the mountains completely. Everyone wants to make the most of this last bit of time to catch more game for the New Year.

But Heizi's gang is too overbearing. They've occupied all the good hunting grounds, and they're always forcing down prices and bullying independent hunters like us."

He pointed at the two men behind him, then vaguely in the direction of the village.

"I discussed it with a few other old hunters in the village whom I trust. We should gather together and form a hunting party!

We're all from the same village, and we know each other inside out. We're honest folk! That way, we can look out for each other in the mountains, and we won't have to fear Heizi's people bullying us anymore!"

He looked at Fang Yuan, his gaze earnest.

"Brother Fang, I can tell you're capable, and you're strong too! Do you want to join us?

Once you're in our group, Heizi will have to think twice before touching you! If we huddle together for warmth, we won't fear him!"

San Zhuang's thoughts were simple: huddle together for warmth and resist Heizi's oppression together.

He truly meant well. He felt this would both protect Fang Yuan and strengthen their own side.

Yet after hearing him out, Fang Yuan slowly shook his head.

He understood San Zhuang's goodwill, but the path he walked was completely different from San Zhuang's.

He needed to temper himself and pursue the pinnacle of personal strength. The system was his greatest secret; he could never possibly live day in and day out alongside a group of people.

More importantly, joining someone else's party meant following arrangements, sharing the spoils, and having his actions restricted.

That ran directly contrary to his goal of freedom and rapid improvement.

He would not go hunting every day. Rather than join and later quarrel over failing to show up, it was better to make things clear now.

He needed more time to train in martial arts. Hunting was merely sustenance for his training.

More than that, he firmly believed one thing: in this world fraught with dangers on every side, relying on others was ultimately empty.

Only strength powerful enough within oneself was the true foundation for standing firm!

Hoping for another's protection would never compare to holding a sharp blade in one's own hand.

"Brother San Zhuang, I appreciate your kindness." Fang Yuan's tone was calm but resolute.

"But I'm used to coming and going alone, and my family truly can't be left without someone here. I won't be joining the group."

San Zhuang had not expected Fang Yuan to refuse so decisively. The expectant smile on his face stiffened, turning into deep regret and confusion.

"Brother Fang, think it over some more? Going into the mountains alone is too dangerous, especially now that you've offended Heizi..."

"I've made up my mind." Fang Yuan interrupted him, his stance unmistakable.

Seeing this, San Zhuang knew there was no use persuading him further and could only sigh.

"Ah, then... then all right. Every man has his own ambitions; nothing can be forced. But you must be careful from now on. Heizi is the sort who avenges even the slightest grievance!"

After giving him a few more reminders, he finally turned and left with his two companions.

They had not gone far when the tall man beside San Zhuang could no longer help complaining in a low voice.

"Brother San Zhuang, this Fang Yuan really doesn't know what's good for him! We kindly invited him to join us, yet he puts on airs!

He's offended Heizi to the bitter end. What good can come of going it alone?"

San Zhuang's expression did not look much better either. He said in a deep voice:

"That's enough. Say less! Every man has his own ambitions. Perhaps he has his own plans."

Though he said that, there was a trace of frustration and displeasure in his tone at not being understood.

After a pause, he added, as though speaking to his companions and also to himself:

"I remembered our old ties and gave his family a hand when they were in difficulty. When I heard something had happened today, I rushed over to check on him.

But goodwill can only be spent for so long. Since he chose the single-plank bridge himself, then the road ahead... he'll have to walk it himself.

We can't protect him every moment of every day."

He was certain that if Fang Yuan refused to band together, he would not be able to remain in the village for long. When Fang Yuan came to seek him out then, he would not be nearly so accommodating.

As he spoke, the faint bond of shared incense between Fang Yuan's family and theirs had already cooled somewhat because of Fang Yuan's refusal.

Times were hard, and even kindness had its limits.

Still talking, the three figures gradually disappeared into the dim village lanes.

At the courtyard gate, Fang Yuan stood quietly. Relying on others would ultimately never compare to relying on the knife in his own hand.

He turned and went back inside, barred the door, and met two pairs of worried eyes—one large, one small.

"It's all right. Eat." He spoke calmly, as if what had just happened had been nothing more than an insignificant interruption.