Grandma

The fathers and uncles had recovered by now. They had also cleared out the nearby small caves and settled the clanspeople among them.

The whole clan no longer had to crowd into a single cave to live.

Living separately made things much more convenient. The current Clan Chief, Long'er's father, had also said that they would gradually build wooden houses so everyone could live more comfortably.

I suggested, "We should build stone walls around all the caves. That would be a good way to defend against both wild beasts and enemies." Everyone agreed with my suggestion, and they decided to start work right away.

It was New Year now, so there was no need to rush everything. "I plan to retrace our escape route and scout things out, then bring back Grandpa's and Grandma's bodies first. With it being New Year, the Kai clan might have let their guard down too."

After speaking, I looked toward Father, waiting to see if he could come up with a better idea.

At the mention of the loved ones who had died, everyone's eyes grew moist as they looked at Long'er's father. Those people had been the clanspeople's nearest and dearest.

Long'er's father sighed before saying, "Even if no one stops us, we don't have any ox carts. I've thought about it too. So many of our loved ones died that we'd need several carts."

"Then you adults should take the medicinal herbs and trade for them. We've been gathering them for so long, so we should have plenty by now. If that doesn't work, we can trade the treasured saber. With it being New Year, this is our best chance," I said urgently.

Long'er's father nodded. "All right, Long'er, be careful. Once you've checked everything, wait for us to arrive. Whatever you do, don't alert the enemy."

"Father, you and the uncles should go trade for ox carts first. It doesn't matter if you get a poor bargain. What matters is getting the carts. Mother, take the others into the mountain forest and hide there until I send word." After speaking, Wenlong opened the passage and walked out of the mountain village.

Mother's warnings came from behind me, but I had no time to heed them. Once outside the village, I used Shadow Step, racing onward like a ghost, swift as lightning.

Only when I reached the place where I had parted from Grandma that day did I stop. I climbed a tall tree and gazed into the distance.

I spotted a horse some distance away, along with a man sleeping against a tree.

He sneered inwardly. Death is already at your doorstep, and you don't even know it.

He decided not to alert the man yet and waited at the fork in the road for Father and the clanspeople.

Father and the uncles did not finally arrive until that afternoon. They were driving three ox carts, and everyone looked unhappy. They must have gotten a poor bargain.

Wenlong smiled and said, "Uncles, as long as we can bring back our loved ones who died, we cannot shrink from our duty, no matter how bitter or difficult it is. We can afford this small loss."

That was true. They were their own parents and loved ones. Compared with reclaiming their bodies, what did a loss like this amount to? Shame covered the uncles' faces, and they all lowered their heads.

"There's a man guarding the place where Grandma and the others died. I'll go deal with him. Call the other clanspeople and have everyone follow."

After speaking, he saw the worry on everyone's faces. This was no time to get sentimental.

He used Shadow Step and vanished in an instant. Only then did everyone split up to act. Wenlong climbed the tall tree again and looked ahead. The Kai clansman was now sitting in the snow, leisurely eating his dry rations.

After descending from the tree, Wenlong crept close behind the Kai clansman, who remained utterly unaware.

A stone suddenly shot through the air and struck the man's temple with perfect accuracy. The man crumpled to the ground. Wenlong dared not be careless. He drew his dagger and pressed it against the man's throat.

Before long, Father arrived with the clanspeople. They interrogated the man about where the dead had been buried. To save his own skin, he told them the truth.

Everyone worked together to dig up their loved ones' bodies. Tears streamed down their faces as they laid them in the ox carts.

When Wenlong saw Grandma, he dropped to his knees and burst into great, wrenching sobs.

For as long as he could remember, he had been the treasure in Grandma's palm. She had held Wenlong in her arms every day, and he had grown up under her tender care.

He sprang to his feet, drew his dagger, and thrust it straight at the Kai clansman with all his strength.

"Give me back my grandma! Give me back my grandma!" he screamed. He kept pulling the dagger out and plunging it back into the man's body.

His eyes were blood-red, and no one dared stop him. He only ceased when he collapsed to the ground in exhaustion.

After a long while, Wenlong slowly stood. "Bring the Kai clansman's horse over. Take Grandma and the others home first. The rest can follow behind."

With that, he used Shadow Step without looking back. A falling tear still hung in midair when he vanished in an instant.