Reliance

"Whoosh..."

The arrow's whistle through the air was faint, but in the unusually quiet forest, it rang out crystal clear.

The plump rabbit kicked off with its hind legs and suddenly bounded into the undergrowth at an impossible angle.

A rustling came from the forest, moving from near to far with astonishing speed.

"..."

It turned out that Basic Archery at Minor Accomplishment wasn't enough to guarantee a hit every time. Even though Lin Yin had repeatedly closed the distance, he had still missed his prey by a hair.

"That fat rabbit can sure run."

Lin Yin awkwardly put away his longbow. He didn't try to chase it. Between the rabbit's speed and the dense forest, the moment his arrow missed, the outcome had been decided.

Regretting the lost chance, Lin Yin picked up the bundle on the ground and slung it over his back, then hurried to the undergrowth where the rabbit had been hiding to search for the arrow he'd just loosed.

Before long, he spotted the arrow sticking in the soil. His eyes lit up. He pushed aside the dense, almost prickly branches and tucked the arrow away.

Just then, a rustling came from outside the thicket, like someone stepping on dry leaves. The sudden disturbance made Lin Yin instinctively crouch just as he was about to stand.

At the same time, hurried footsteps sounded beyond the bushes.

"Who's still in this forest at this hour... Could they be hunters?"

As soon as the thought crossed his mind, shouts rang out from beyond the trees.

"Run! It's the Hungry Wolf Gang!"

"Good heavens, run!"

Eyes wide, Lin Yin watched three figures flash past through the thick foliage.

The three carried longbows and wore leather coats and sable furs. They were clearly hunters who lived nearby.

As soon as the hunters had passed, a large group of men in gray hemp clothes came charging out of the forest, their faces murderous. They carried broadswords that gleamed coldly even in the night, and surged after the three hunters like hungry tigers.

The clash of blades, screams, and shouts shook Lin Yin to the core as he crouched in the bushes.

His crouching figure flattened against the grass. Lin Yin curled himself as tightly as he could in the undergrowth, held his breath, and didn't dare make a sound.

Only after the sounds of battle had faded into the distance and all had fallen quiet did he finally breathe a sigh of relief. Then he cautiously peered out of the thicket to assess the situation.

Seeing that the distant forest had settled into silence, with no sign of movement, Lin Yin turned and sprinted into the woods behind him, taking a long detour around the area.

"Haah... haah..."

He braced his hands on his knees and gasped for breath, wiping the cold sweat from his brow. Even now, he felt shaken.

The world was far too chaotic.

"I've been letting my guard down lately. From now on, whether I'm practicing archery or Stance Skill, I need to find somewhere truly secluded."

Remembering that the path he'd just taken was a route used by many hunters and herb gatherers, Lin Yin couldn't help but reflect on his mistake.

"I must never practice martial arts or hunt in a 'public place' like that again... especially after dark!"

If the Hungry Wolf Gang had indeed been murdering hunters returning from the mountain, the news would be horrifying.

The gangs had once only preyed on ordinary people by demanding protection money, but with the Yamen around, they'd still been afraid to go too far.

What Lin Yin had witnessed tonight shattered his understanding of how this world worked.

"I have to be careful with everything. Careful, careful, and more careful."

Repeating the warning to himself, Lin Yin found himself on the country lane leading home.

Night shrouded the countryside like a water-soaked bolt of silk, wrapped so tightly that not a breath could escape. Pale silver light spilled across the land, yet did nothing to illuminate its desolation.

Beneath his feet stretched an old road of yellow earth, pitted with broken stones, mottled with grass clippings, and streaked with inexplicably sticky mud.

In the distance, a few thatched cottages still had their lamps lit. Shadows shifted inside—the husbands, fathers, or grandfathers waiting to come home.

Thinking of what he'd seen in the forest, Lin Yin sighed inwardly.

Who knew how many families would lie awake all night, or how many would be swept by wails of grief tomorrow?

In this world... it was desperately difficult for ordinary people to survive.

Thinking of his elderly mother, Lin Yin's thoughts settled, and he quickened his pace.

"Ah Yin... my Yin'er, you're finally home."

The moment Lin Yin stepped inside, Madam Wang rushed forward and pulled him into her arms.

"I was delayed on the road. I did manage to bring something back."

Feeling the tremor in her arms, Lin Yin felt a faint warmth in his heart, but he didn't dare tell his elderly mother about the dangers he'd faced along the way.

"You're home safe. That's all that matters... Just don't come home so late next time."

Madam Wang's face was especially pale, and she seemed to have only just put on her clothes. She looked ready to go out, clearly intending to search for Lin Yin.

"Mother... remember this!

"Never go out at night again. From now on, I'll come home early too. But even if I don't return all night, it'll surely be because something important came up. Whatever you do, don't go looking for me."

Seeing her, Lin Yin grew serious and warned her in a low voice. Madam Wang nodded repeatedly.

The candle flame flickered. On the old little wooden table, its surface deeply furrowed, a steaming meal of two dishes and a soup seemed to drive the chill from the tiny room.

Outside, the wind howled; inside, Lin Yin ate heartily.

Stir-fried greens and beans, minced meat stewed with potatoes, and a bowl of Pig Fern soup—he relished every bite.

Seeing her son eat with such gusto, Madam Wang, whose face had been pale, regained a little color.

She watched Lin Yin. Her usual gentle, doting expression suddenly turned serious.

Thinking of the fear she'd endured tonight, Madam Wang pressed her lips together and ventured, "Yin'er, you're grown now and have a mind of your own. Whatever you want to do, Mother will support you..."

"Your mother brought home quite a lot of cloth from the cloth shop today. Once I've made it all into clothes, our family will have some extra money. Then I can buy you more meat..."

"Mother..."

Lin Yin lifted his head from the little bowl and looked at his mother, sensing that there was more behind her words.

Meeting Lin Yin's gaze, Madam Wang seemed to make up her mind. "Yin'er, if you're truly determined to practice martial arts, I can weave more clothes from now on. I want you to study at a martial arts academy..."

"A martial arts academy..."

Lin Yin's expression shifted. He thought of something, then furrowed his brow.

"Mother, I heard the entrance requirements for a martial arts academy..."

"Mother knows what you're worried about. I only want you to be able to study at an academy, so you won't have to wander around outside. You'll have a safe place to settle down, and a master to teach you. Then I can rest easy."

"As for the expenses, even the entrance requirements... you don't need to worry. I have a way."

Lin Yin fell silent. "..."

"I don't expect you to make something of yourself. I only want you to live well. Even if I'm gone one day, at least you'll have a place to rely on..."

Looking at the haggard face before him, both familiar and strange, Lin Yin felt a tumult of emotions.