A Fist Kills a Horse

Li Shaolin was somewhat confused. "The Makrolen Family?"

"Yes. Their family's farm is right above this mine. It's not far once you head back. Sigh, they've been mortal enemies with our Stonefield Farm." Homor sighed. "Our farm mainly earns its income by growing watermelons, while theirs mainly grows grapes. The two sides shouldn't have had anything to do with each other, yet for some reason, the two families have hated each other since long ago. Even after all these years, it hasn't faded."

"Wait, what does that have to do with me?" Li Shaolin was baffled. Don't tell me they want me to resolve some ancient feud. I'm not that capable.

"He's like this: back when the mine belonged to our family, the Makrolen Family was always causing trouble. Nothing major ever happened, but they still kept the family from having any peace. Now that the mine has reopened, I'm worried... After all, this is our family's problem, yet it's fallen on you." Homor spoke apologetically.

"How dare they!" What kind of mess was this? He had just taken over a mine and hadn't even enjoyed being a landlord for a few days before being told he had somehow gained an enemy. It was depressing as hell. Still, despite his tough words, he knew that if a large family wanted to deal with him, it would be easy. Luckily, he had chosen to partner with Stonefield Farm.

Homor said, "What I mean is, perhaps you could pay them a visit. You're an impressive class holder, and you even have a mage friend. Just looking at that earth elemental, it's clear your friend is powerful. Maybe their family will have some reservations because of that."

"Your sister's a mage," Li Shaolin cursed inwardly. The so-called powerful mage Homor mentioned had been completely made up by him to fool people. What intimidation could there be? Still, it would be fine to go take a look. He would deal with things as they came. At least the Stonefield Family was backing him.

"Alright, I'll go take a look. Are you coming with me?"

Homor smiled awkwardly. "Our family and theirs have been enemies for generations. Um, I'd better not go, lest I worsen the conflict."

"That works too. I'll go by myself, then. Show me the way."

Homor pointed at the sloping hill to the west. "Go up from there. Once you pass two Elwynn Ancient Trees, you'll see their Grape Manor."

Following the direction Homor had indicated, Li Shaolin turned and indeed found a vast vineyard before him. Rows of bamboo trellises stretched out ahead, green vines winding around them, clusters of crystal-clear purple grapes hanging high among the leaves. Farmers moved through the rows with small woven bamboo baskets in hand, picking grapes. A huge Brewery stood at the edge of the estate. Wisps of smoke rose from its tall, round stone tower, while a giant windmill turned lazily on a triangular wooden frame beside it. For a moment, it felt as though he had returned to the pastoral countryside of medieval Europe.

Li Shaolin slowly walked along the dirt road beside the vineyard, somewhat captivated by the scenery. Then he heard a burst of alarmed cries. Looking ahead, he saw grape trellises collapsing one after another, as though something was racing through the vineyard. Behind it came several shouts and curses, along with the vague silhouettes of people in pursuit. At that moment, two horses were slowly ambling toward him along the road ahead.

Seeing the commotion in the vineyard, the man in front was about to dismount and investigate when the vines suddenly parted and a Stonefang Boar leaped out! It had probably been secretly stealing grapes when the farmers spotted it and chased it out, causing all that uproar. Stonefang Boars could be found throughout Elwynn Forest, their presence common on farms large and small. However, they usually came out at night to steal food. Seeing one committing such mischief in broad daylight was rare.

In truth, the boar had been quite wronged. It had sneaked in to eat the night before and accidentally stuffed itself full. Drowsy and sluggish, it had fallen asleep amid the grapevines. Who knew that at noon, someone would come near and even step on it? Terrified out of its wits, it had jumped up and run. That was the tumbling of the vines Li Shaolin had seen.

The Stonefang Boar burst out at just the moment it passed beside the rider and his horse. The horse had been walking leisurely, so when something suddenly charged out from the side, it was badly startled. It let out a neigh and reared up on its hind legs. The boar was startled as well. It hunched its body and rammed straight into the saddle, one curved, gleaming tusk catching on a stirrup. It was hooked up in midair, half-hanging from the horse. The rider had already been thrown to the ground in fright, while the horse took off running.

One of the rider's feet was caught in the stirrup as well, and he was immediately dragged along the ground. One man, one horse, and one boar came crashing toward Li Shaolin in a tangled mess.

They had not been far apart to begin with, and the startled horse was charging at full speed. In the blink of an eye, it was upon him. Li Shaolin was about to step aside when he saw the man being dragged behind it, one foot caught, screaming at the top of his lungs. The road was soft dirt, but if that frightened horse kept dragging him, he would likely be near death by the time it stopped.

He began chanting and summoned Bone Shield. Just as he was about to draw his Infantry Sword, he realized that while testing the Storage Space in the mine earlier, he had thrown the sword inside. The horse was already upon him! There was no time to summon a Clay Golem. He could only roar, thrust out his left hand to grab the reins, and clench his right hand into a fist. With a sharp exhalation, he smashed it viciously into the horse's head!

Fortunately, after leveling up repeatedly, he felt that his physical condition had improved greatly from before. With Bone Shield protecting him, he heard a crack, as though one Bone Shield had shattered in the void. Then his fist struck the horse's head with a bang. The horse let out a miserable cry and was actually knocked over alive, its four legs kicking wildly as it failed to get back up.

"This... is that ridiculous? Since when did I have this much strength?" Li Shaolin was stunned. A numb sensation ran through his right hand. His fist had already loosened, and his hand shook uncontrollably. The Stonefang Boar that had been dragged along finally broke free and, in its panic, charged at him again.

Li Shaolin quickly sidestepped and avoided it. Bone Fang condensed in his left hand and shot out, striking the boar squarely in the back and sending blood spraying. The boar grunted twice, as though its ferocity had been provoked. It turned around and charged again!

"Are you done yet?" He leaped aside, and a black book bearing a blood-red skull appeared in his hand. Amid swirling black mist, a Clay Golem over a meter tall stepped out. Its thick hands clamped around the boar's head. With a heave, it lifted the boar into the air, then with a bang, slammed it brutally into the ground amid a spray of dust. A sharp crack followed, as though some bone had broken. The boar whimpered twice, blood flowing from its mouth, then stopped moving.

"Think I'm a pushover?" He stored the golem back into the Book of the Dead before turning to look at the unlucky man.

The man's blue formal suit was covered in mud, and his cowboy hat had long since rolled away somewhere during the rough ride, exposing a bald head. Mud covered his face and scalp, leaving him in a miserable state. Fortunately, the dirt was soft. Had this happened on the Official Road, his skin would have been scraped raw already. Behind them, the other horse came rushing over in panic. A soft, tearful cry rang out. "Father!" A girl jumped down from the horse and hurried over. Her veiled hat fell from her head, revealing a terrified young face. At the same time, the people who had been chasing the boar hurried over as well.

"Cough, cough!" The man lying on the ground coughed twice and bent forward to sit up. The girl hurried over to support him, asking through tears, "Father, are you alright?"

"I'm fine." The old man coughed twice more. "What kind of day is this? I went out for a stroll and ran into this. This useless horse should've been slaughtered and eaten long ago. It can't even handle a little fright. Good thing this old body of mine is sturdy." As soon as he finished speaking, he quickly thanked Li Shaolin. "Thank you, young man. If it weren't for you, this old life of mine might not have been saved today." He chuckled, dusted himself off, and was about to stand when he suddenly cried out in pain. It seemed his leg had been injured.

Several people had already arrived, shouting, "Patriarch, are you alright?" They crowded around him.

"Patriarch? Could this guy be the Makrolen patriarch? Isn't he exactly the person I came to find?" What a coincidence. He had actually encountered him under such circumstances.

The old man stubbornly shook his head. "I'm fine!" He tried to force himself to stand, but after several attempts, he failed, sweat appearing on his forehead. Li Shaolin could not help admiring him. This old man was truly tough. If it were him, he would have long since collapsed.

The old man finally accepted the fact that he could not stand and plopped back down onto the ground. He told several people to go back and prepare a stretcher, while the girl stood nearby crying her eyes out. The others hurriedly ran back toward the buildings.

"Hehe, young man, you're a mage, aren't you? That thing you summoned just now was an earth elemental, right?" The old man endured the pain as he spoke to Li Shaolin. He had probably only seen the Clay Golem slam the boar down and had not noticed the earlier punch.

"Uh, more or less. Please don't talk, sir. Get some rest." Li Shaolin felt it was improper to lie to an old man, but he could hardly tell him, "I'm actually a Necromancer." So he could only nod, more or less admitting it.

"You're quite something at such a young age. But what happened to that horse?" The old man was puzzled. Blood was flowing from the startled horse's mouth and eyes, and it was no longer moving.

"Well... I think my magic shocked it to death." Li Shaolin could only explain it that way.

"By the way, young man, did you come to Makrolen Farm for something? You saved my life. Whatever you need, just say it. I, Old Man Makrolen, will never be vague about it!" The old man patted his chest in assurance.

"Well... it has to do with Fargodeep Mine." Since the old man had said that much, Li Shaolin had to strike while the iron was hot. Perhaps he could really settle this matter.