Fighting Over a Man (Please Read On)

Fighting Over a Man (Please Read On)

To outsiders, Li Yuan had suddenly become fierce, like a weak, easily bullied rabbit transforming into a humanoid Blind Bear.

In truth, he had only displayed strength around "3~4," roughly on par with "Brother Xiong with a bow on his back."

Still, strength like "3~4" was already powerful enough for the residents of the village—powerful enough for Li Yuan to keep his prey.

But prey alone was not enough. He also wanted to make money.

His way of making money was selling meat and hides.

If he sold those things to unscrupulous grain merchants, who knew how badly they would cheat him.

That was why, when he saw that hooligan called Little Hu earlier, he had casually asked about the Black Market. But Little Hu had no way to get in touch with it.

Still, he had picked up two pieces of information: the Black Market had stalls, each one already claimed; and martial artists who had entered the ranks could set up stalls there.

You did not hit a smiling man. After swinging the stick, you gave him a carrot.

He had taught them a lesson, then given Little Hu three pounds of meat. His image had been established.

Besides, Little Hu would likely help him keep an eye out for news about the Black Market later.

As he was thinking, Yan Niangzi had already rushed up to him with a washing bat in hand, looking as though she were ready to risk her life to storm an execution ground.

But when she saw that her man was unharmed, she finally let out a long breath. "Yuan Ge'er, it's fine if the meat is gone. As long as you're okay."

"It matters if the meat is gone," Li Yuan said gravely.

Yan Niangzi could not help rolling her eyes. She said coyly, "You still want to fight your way back? I heard you were stopped. There's really nothing we can do about it. Let's go home first."

"Fine, let's go home," Li Yuan said calmly. Then he added with a grin, "Not an ounce of meat is missing. Once we get home, I'll make sure you eat your fill."

As he spoke, he shook the sack on his back. "Sister Yan, does this sack look like it's missing meat?"

Yan Niangzi froze.

Li Yuan did not explain. "Let's go home first."

Yan Niangzi was thoroughly puzzled, but she still carried the washing bat at his side, looking like a lone rider protecting her lord.

When they got home.

Li Yuan directly took the roe deer out of the sack, then moved a small wooden stool into the yard and sat down. Holding out his hand, he said, "Sister Yan, bring me a knife. I'm going to gut it and skin it."

Seeing such a large roe deer, Yan Niangzi felt both puzzled and delighted. But at his words, she hurriedly asked, "Aren't you going to butcher it inside?"

Li Yuan said, "The smell is too strong. Do you still want to sleep tonight?"

Seeing the way he acted, Yan Niangzi was dying of curiosity. She stamped her foot and leaned closer. "Yuan Ge'er, what exactly happened? Why didn't those people take the meat?"

Li Yuan said, "Because your man got stronger. They were afraid."

"Yuan Ge'er, are you serious?" Yan Niangzi did not believe him.

Li Yuan said, "You'll believe it tomorrow."

That night.

Li Yuan did not care what was happening outside.

Today, he and Yan Yu ate meat to their hearts' content.

They lacked spices and wine, but rendered fat with a sprinkle of salt was delicious enough on its own.

The meat was a little gamey, but for people who usually had little meat to eat, it was entirely bearable—even easy to ignore.

After a night of spring passion, Yan Niangzi had been worked into a limp, boneless mess as she lay against Li Yuan's side.

Her long fingers roamed over his body, pinching here and pressing there. In a soft, weak voice like a sleepy murmur, she said, "You really have gotten much stronger... I'm starting to believe that you really did become stronger."

Suddenly, she seemed to think of something. "Did you really master that cultivation method?"

Li Yuan said, "I told you long ago, but you wouldn't believe me.

"But this must stay secret. Don't let outsiders find out."

Yan Niangzi's body stiffened slightly. Though she still found it hard to believe, she said, "Your wife isn't stupid."

Li Yuan said, "From now on, there'll be enough meat to eat. Whatever other men's wives have, I'll make sure you have too."

Yan Niangzi trembled. Sweetness welled up in her heart. Hadn't that been what she told Li Yuan that day?

And now, Li Yuan was saying it to her.

"Yuan Ge'er..."

Yan Niangzi's voice was soft and tender as she gently wrapped herself around him again. "I'm fond of you."

A night passed.

Li Yuan discovered in surprise that the points gained that night had risen from "6" to "7."

Did that mean happiness could increase the bonus?

"Sister Yan."

He looked at the lovely woman in his arms and kissed her lightly.

Yan Yu seemed to feel the kiss. She rolled over like a child, wrapped herself around him, and muttered, "Sleep a little longer."

"Alright, then let's sleep a little longer."

The next morning.

Yan Niangzi and Li Yuan got up and sat facing each other, eating roe deer meat with porridge. Suddenly, they heard footsteps in the distance.

She craned her head to look out the window and saw a group of people running toward them.

Qian Er led one group on the left.

Brother Xiong led the other group on the right.

A young hooligan trailed behind them.

It was quite a grand procession. Yan Niangzi's face went pale, and she immediately rose to lock the door.

But just as she moved, Li Yuan's large hand pressed down on her shoulder. "Sister Yan, don't worry. Stay inside. I'll go take a look."

With that, he walked to the wall, slung his greatbow over his back, picked up his quiver, casually dumped all the stones from it beneath the bed, and then walked outside.

Li Yuan headed toward the wicker gate, while the two groups, along with several young hooligans, approached it from the other side.

When Li Yuan stepped out through the wicker gate, everyone on the other side stopped as well.

Li Yuan glanced at Little Hu among the young hooligans. "I told you to come get the meat. Why did you bring so many people?"

Little Hu wore a miserable expression. "Brother Yuan, they came to find me and asked about you. I..."

Before he could finish, Qian Er beside him laughed. "Li Yuan! Qian Er misjudged you. I never expected you to be such a fine man!

"I won't waste words today.

"My eldest brother is a steward in the Fu Lin Merchant Guild. My fourth and fifth brothers went with him, while Qian San wanted to hunt and did not go. As for me, I've always been too idle to want to go.

"If you follow me today, I'll definitely recommend you to my eldest brother in the future.

"Think it over. Once you join the guild, it'll be nothing like staying in this little Little Ink Village."

After hearing Qian Er's words, Li Yuan more or less understood.

In Little Ink Village, Brother Xiong and Qian Er had originally been competing for status.

Now that a strong man like him had suddenly emerged from the wilderness, they naturally both wanted to recruit him.

Brother Xiong sneered. "Brother, don't listen to his nonsense!

"Have you forgotten what Qian San wanted to do?

"Have you forgotten how Monk Pan died?

"Your big brother neglected you before, but not anymore.

"You're a capable, fine man, so it's perfect for you to follow your big brother.

"Fine wine, meat, women—whatever I have, you won't lack any of it!

"Wouldn't that be wonderful?!"

Li Yuan clasped his hands toward Brother Xiong. "Brother Xiong, I told you that day.

"I'm happy that you came looking for me.

"But I don't have great ambitions. I just want to hunt a little and live a modest life. I don't want to fight or compete with anyone. A wife, children, and a warm bed are my lifelong aspirations."

Brother Xiong's face darkened.

Qian Er smiled. "Then, Li Yuan, you should come with me. Once you join the Fu Lin Caravan, life will definitely be much better."

Li Yuan shook his head.

Qian Er's smile froze. Then he said, "Li Yuan, you're a fine man. But in this Little Ink Village, you have to choose a side, don't you? If you don't choose me, then you're fucking choosing him!"

Qian Er's voice grew increasingly harsh.

Li Yuan slightly closed his eyes and looked into the distance before suddenly walking forward.

Both groups watched curiously.

Li Yuan walked to a crossroads and pointed ahead.

In the direction he pointed stood two Old Poplar Trees.

After pointing, he picked up two pigeon-egg-sized stones from the ground and placed one in the fork of each Old Poplar Tree, then stepped back.

"How about this? I'll fire two arrows.

"If I miss the stone on the left poplar tree, I'll follow Brother Xiong.

"If I miss the one on the right, I'll follow Qian Er.

"Let Heaven decide who I follow. How about it?"

Brother Xiong and Qian Er looked over. The distance was more than a hundred paces.

At such a distance, hitting stones that small would truly be difficult.

Qian Er asked, "What if you miss both?"

Li Yuan said, "Then I'll shoot again, until it's decided."

He paused, then continued, "But if I hit them both, then Heaven wants me to help neither side. How about it?"

Brother Xiong was silent for a moment. "Fine. If you can hit both targets with two arrows from that distance, I'll have nothing to say."

Qian Er also said, "Fine! Let Heaven decide!"

Inside the house, Yan Niangzi leaned against the window. Seeing the two groups fighting to recruit Li Yuan, she naturally understood that what her man had told her by the bedside was true.

But at that moment, she was terribly nervous. Her almond eyes were wide, her fists clenched tight, and her heart rose and fell like a bucket in a well.

Can he do it...?

Yuan Ge'er, can you do it?