Reliance

"Swish..."

The sound of an arrow cutting through the air was faint, but in the eerily quiet thicket, it was especially clear.

The plump rabbit kicked its hind legs and, at an almost impossible angle, darted suddenly into the brush.

A rustling sound came from the woods, growing from near to far with startling speed.

"..."

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

"That damn rabbit's fat and sturdy, but it sure runs fast."

Lin Yin awkwardly stowed his longbow. He didn't bother chasing—given the rabbit's speed and the dense forest, one missed arrow had already sealed the outcome.

Cursing his luck inwardly, Lin Yin picked up the bundle from the ground, slung it over his back, and quickly walked to the thicket where the rabbit had been hiding, searching for the arrow he'd just shot.

Soon, an arrow stuck in the dirt came into view. Lin Yin's eyes lit up as he pushed aside the dense, prickly branches and retrieved it.

Just then, a rustling came from outside the thicket—the sound of something stepping on dry leaves. The sudden disturbance made Lin Yin instinctively crouch, halting his movement to stand.

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

"At this hour, still in these woods... Could it be those hunters?"

No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than shouts erupted from outside the forest.

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

"Mother! Run!"

Lin Yin's eyes widened as he peered through the thick foliage, catching a glimpse of three figures flashing past.

They carried longbows and wore leather and fur coats—clearly hunters from nearby.

No sooner had the hunters fled than a large group of men in gray linen tunics burst out of the woods, murderous intent radiating from them. Wielding broadswords that gleamed coldly even in the dim light, they charged like starving wolves in the direction of the three hunters.

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

He pressed himself flat against the grass, curling up as tightly as he could, holding his breath and not daring to make a sound.

Only when the sounds of battle faded into the distance and fell completely silent did he finally let out a breath. Then, cautiously, he poked his head out of the bushes to survey the situation.

Seeing that the distant woods had returned to calm with no further movement, Lin Yin turned and bolted in the opposite direction, taking a long detour around the forest.

"Pant... pant..."

Hands on his knees, gasping for air, he wiped the cold sweat from his forehead, still shaken.

This world was far too chaotic.

"I've been too careless lately. From now on, whether I'm practicing archery or Stance Skill, I need to find a truly secluded spot."

Thinking back to how the path he'd taken was a common route for hunters and herb gatherers, Lin Yin silently scolded himself.

"I can never practice Martial Arts or hunt in a 'public place' again—especially after dark!"

The thought that members of the Hungry Wolf Gang had likely ambushed and killed hunters coming down the mountain was horrifying enough to make anyone's blood run cold.

These gangs usually just extorted protection money from the common folk, and with the Yamen around, they didn't dare go too far.

But what he'd witnessed today shattered Lin Yin's understanding of the rules of this world.

"Be careful. Careful. Careful."

Repeating the mantra to himself, Lin Yin unconsciously found himself on the village path home.

If you can't find the book by its title, try searching by the author—maybe it just changed names!

The night was heavy, like a waterlogged cloth wrapped tightly around the countryside, smothering it. Pale silver moonlight spilled down but couldn't illuminate the decay.

Beneath his feet was an old road paved with yellow earth—pitted with gravel, strewn with mottled Grass Clippings, and slick with inexplicably sticky mud.

In the distance, a few thatched huts with lights still on showed figures moving inside—wives, fathers, or grandfathers waiting for their loved ones to return.

Lin Yin thought of what he'd seen in the woods and sighed inwardly.

He wondered how many families would lie awake tonight, and how many would be wailing in mourning by tomorrow.

In this world... surviving was a monumental struggle for ordinary people.

Thinking of his Old Mother at home, Lin Yin steadied his mind and quickened his pace.

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

As soon as he stepped through the door, his mother, Madam Wang, rushed forward and threw her arms around him.

"I got held up on the road. Had some luck, though."

Feeling her trembling body in his arms, a faint warmth spread through Lin Yin's heart, but he dared not tell his Old Mother about the dangers he'd faced.

"Good that you're back, good that you're back... Don't ever be this late again."

Madam Wang's face was unusually pale, and her clothes looked like she'd just thrown them on, as if she'd been about to go out—clearly, she'd been preparing to search for Lin Yin.

"Mother... remember this!

Never go out at night, no matter what. I'll come home early from now on, but even if I don't come back all night, it'll be for something important. Don't ever go looking for me."

Seeing this, Lin Yin's expression turned serious as he spoke in a low, stern voice, and his mother, Madam Wang, nodded repeatedly.

The candlelight flickered. On the small, worn wooden table marked with deep grooves, two dishes and a soup—steaming hot—seemed to dispel the chill of the little room.

Outside, the cold wind howled; inside, Lin Yin ate with gusto.

Stir-fried greens with beans, braised potatoes with minced meat, and a bowl of Pig Fern soup—he devoured them with relish.

Watching her son eat so happily, Wang, who had been pale-faced, regained a bit of color.

She looked at Lin Yin, and her usually gentle, doting expression suddenly turned serious.

Remembering the fright of tonight, Wang pursed her lips and tested the waters: "Yin'er, you're grown up now, with your own opinions. Whatever you want to do, Mother will support you..."

"Mother got a lot of cloth from the fabric shop today. Once those cloths are made into clothes, our family will have a bit more money, and then I'll buy you more meat..."

"Mother..."

Lin Yin lifted his head from the basin-sized bowl and looked at his Old Mother, seeming to sense there was something behind her words.

Meeting Lin Yin's gaze, Wang seemed to have made up her mind: "Yin'er, if you're truly determined to practice Martial Arts, I can weave more clothes from now on. Mother wants to send you to the Martial Arts School..."

"The Martial Arts School..."

Lin Yin's expression shifted. He thought of something and furrowed his brows slightly.

"Mother, I've heard that the entry threshold for the Martial Arts School..."

"Mother knows what you're worried about. I just hope you can enter the Martial Arts School to study, so you don't have to run around outside. Settling down at the Martial Arts School is safe, and with a Master to teach you, only then will I be at ease."

"As for the expenses, including the entry threshold for the Martial Arts School... don't you worry. Mother has her ways."

Lin Yin fell silent: "..."

"Mother doesn't expect you to stand out. I only hope you can live well. Even if Mother is no longer here, at least you'll have a place to rely on..."

Looking at the familiar yet unfamiliar haggard face before him, Lin Yin's heart was a mix of emotions.