Woodcutting Youth

The Northern Country was frozen for a thousand miles, a landscape of snow stretching for ten thousand miles, a vast expanse of white. In the Northern Liang Country, amidst the Vast Mountains, birds and beasts were now rarely seen. Most wealthy households had already retreated indoors to warm themselves by charcoal fires. However, at the foot of the mountain east of Qingzhu County, a group of youths, clad in thin black tunics, were repeatedly swinging their Long Sabers in the bitter cold.

From atop a high platform, a middle-aged martial artist with eyes as sharp as an eagle's gaze watched the disciples of the Sect training in the practice field.

Lu Xiaotian, wearing a grey fur coat and with a wood-cutting knife tucked into his belt, watched the Thunder Blade Sect disciples practicing their blade techniques in the training field with envy.

"Hurry up, don't dawdle! If you don't chop enough firewood today, you won't get dinner!"

From behind, a man of middle age, also wearing a thick grey coat, barked out a reprimand with a feigned air of authority.

"What did you say? Say that again!" A youth, who was more than half a head taller than Lu Xiaotian, strode in from the outer hall entrance, his voice cold as he heard the middle-aged man's words.

"Brother Shi!"

Lu Xiaotian's face lit up upon hearing the voice. The newcomer was Shi Qingshan. He was from Huyang Village, just like Lu Xiaotian. However, Shi Qingshan was the pride of Huyang Village. At a young age, he was chosen by the Thunder Blade Sect as an outer disciple. Due to his outstanding talent, he became an inner disciple in less than a year.

Back in Huyang Village, he and Shi Qingshan had been the closest of friends. Last year, their village suffered a drought, and his family had gained a younger brother and sister. Their meager land could no longer support so many people. Shi Qingshan had brought him to the Thunder Blade Sect. However, lacking talent for martial arts, he became a Menial Laborer in the Sect, doing odd jobs like carrying water, cooking, and chopping wood in the mountains. Although it was hard work, it was at least a way to survive in this impoverished and chaotic world.

"So it's an inner disciple Senior Brother. M-my apologies. I didn't realize Lu Xiaotian was acquainted with this Senior Brother. Please forgive my rudeness!" Steward Zhao's face turned pale. He, who usually acted domineeringly among the Menial Laborers, quickly bowed and apologized to Shi Qingshan and Lu Xiaotian. Let alone an inner disciple, even he was merely a Menial Laborer supervisor, and his position wasn't permanent. He couldn't afford to offend even the upper-tier outer disciples.

"Brother Shi, Steward Zhao was just worried that I wouldn't be able to chop enough firewood within the allotted time. He meant no harm, so please don't blame him."

Lu Xiaotian spoke up for Steward Zhao. Having stayed in the Menial Laborer quarters for so long, although he possessed no martial arts skills, he was far more adept at handling social interactions than Shi Qingshan. Offending Steward Zhao might not matter much to Shi Qingshan, but he himself would have to work under Steward Zhao for a long time. If Steward Zhao were replaced, a more difficult and harsh supervisor might appear, making his life miserable.

"Fine. Since Lu Xiaotian is pleading for you, I'll let it slide this time. If I see you bullying Lu Xiaotian again, you'll regret it. Now get lost." Shi Qingshan glared fiercely at Steward Zhao.

"Yes, yes, I won't dare again." Steward Zhao nodded repeatedly, looking utterly humiliated, and fled as if escaping.

"The Disciplinary Hall is too strict. I've only just managed to reach the third level of the Wind Splitting Blade Technique, and my master only allowed me two days of rest, which is why I've only just had the time to see you." After chasing away Steward Zhao, Shi Qingshan apologized to Lu Xiaotian with a hint of regret.

"That's great! The more powerful you are, Brother Shi, the less likely anyone is to bully me in the Menial Laborer quarters." Lu Xiaotian said with a happy expression.

"Don't worry, whoever dares to bully you, Lu Xiaotian, I'll beat them until they beg for mercy." Shi Qingshan declared with great bravado.

As they were talking, a pair of youths dressed in white martial attire and another exceptionally beautiful young girl, standing not far ahead, waved at Shi Qingshan. "Senior Brother Shi, why are you still standing there? Hurry up, we're going to the county town."

Seeing that someone was waiting for Shi Qingshan, Lu Xiaotian said, "Brother Shi, someone's waiting for you up ahead. You should go. I need to go chop firewood; I still have to complete my task today."

"Since I have free time today, I'll help you chop firewood." Shi Qingshan shook his head.

"No need. I have to go every day, and it doesn't take too long. Brother Shi, you've finally got two days of rest; don't waste it on trivial matters like chopping firewood." Lu Xiaotian pushed Shi Qingshan, but Shi Qingshan, having trained in martial arts for years and being strong and healthy, was not someone he could move.

"Alright, then I'll head out first. I'll bring you back some delicious food." Shi Qingshan was also tempted. After all, he was still a youth. He usually practiced martial arts diligently, and now that he had free time, he wanted to visit the bustling county town.

"Okay, thank you, Brother Shi."

Lu Xiaotian waved his hand, turned, and walked towards the back mountain, stepping into the snow with one foot deep and the other shallow. Looking back, he watched Shi Qingshan walk away laughing and joking with the other two junior brothers and sisters. Lu Xiaotian, whose face had also been smiling, suddenly felt a wave of loneliness. This was the difference between a martial artist and a Menial Laborer; they lived in entirely different worlds.

Perhaps it was fate. He had no talent for martial arts. No matter how hard he tried, he would still only be a Menial Laborer. He should focus on chopping more firewood to complete his task.

With only a few days left until payday, he couldn't help but smile slightly as he thought of the two Silver Beans he had saved. Every so often, he would send some money home. He had also saved some for himself. Once he had enough money, he would go to the city to learn a trade to make a living. Whether it was carpentry or blacksmithing, the Thunder Blade Sect was good, but a Menial Laborer would always be just a servant. Even if he couldn't become a martial artist, he didn't want to be a servant who had to constantly curry favor with others.

Clutching the two Silver Beans in his pocket felt like clutching his dreams. The snow-covered ground, which usually made walking difficult, didn't seem so challenging anymore. The mountain behind the Sect was a vast jungle, with rolling peaks stretching as far as the eye could see.

Lu Xiaotian reached the forest but didn't start chopping wood immediately. Instead, he took out a mended fishing net from a hidden stone cave and set it up between several trees. He then took out a bag of millet from his pocket and scattered it on the snow beneath the net.

After clapping his hands, he drew his wood-cutting knife with satisfaction and walked a distance into the dense forest. He began to chop at a somewhat rotten tree trunk.

Crack!

Crack!

The sharp wood-cutting knife swung down, one blow after another, onto the not-too-thick tree trunk. Snow from the tree fell intermittently. Lu Xiaotian occasionally brushed off the snow and swung his knife again.

After more than two hundred swings, the moderately thick tree trunk crashed to the ground, splashing him with residual snow.

In this bitter cold, as he swung his knife repeatedly, a faint warmth began to rise from his body. Nearly two hours later, Lu Xiaotian loaded the chopped firewood into his carrying basket. He estimated it was time to check the traps he had set.

During this period, he had been able to support his family and save some money. Besides being frugal, it was mostly thanks to catching wild animals in the mountains. Although he couldn't catch large beasts, catching wild chickens and mountain sparrows was enough to make him happy for a while.

Coo coo.

He heard the calls and fluttering of wild pheasants from afar. Lu Xiaotian's heart leaped. Judging by the sounds, there was more than one. It seemed like it would be a bountiful harvest today. Hearing the commotion, Lu Xiaotian felt an extra surge of motivation, his steps lighter than usual.

However, a low growl made the hairs on Lu Xiaotian's body stand on end.

Lu Xiaotian gripped the handle of his wood-cutting knife tightly, his eyes scanning every gap between the trees, while his back leaned against the trunk of a large tree.

Soon, a Green Wolf, as large as a calf, slowly emerged from the forest. Its eyes glinted with ferocity, and it bared its sharp fangs. It growled and approached Lu Xiaotian step by step.

With the appearance of the Green Wolf, Lu Xiaotian's joy at catching the pheasants vanished, replaced by a deep sense of tension and fear. Even an experienced hunter like his father would find it dangerous to encounter such a large wolf in the mountains, and he was now just a boy of ten years old.

Lu Xiaotian couldn't help but regret not asking Shi Qingshan to come along. If Senior Brother Shi, an established martial artist, were here, they would have a fighting chance against this Green Wolf. Now, all he could do was swing his wood-cutting knife and shout to scare the lone wolf.

No, it wasn't a lone wolf. To the right of the jungle, another Green Wolf, slightly smaller in size, appeared. Lu Xiaotian's heart sank into despair. Facing just one, he could barely escape with his life. Now, with a second one appearing, his chances of survival were zero!