Bandits?

A middle-aged man came closer and saw the several large fish flopping about inside the bundle. His eyes went wide, and he could not hide the envy on his face.

"How'd you manage that in this freezing weather? Those fish are really fat!"

Someone sharp-eyed in another group spotted the hole in the ice, then looked at the reed stalk in Li Xuan's hand. Seeming to realize something, he grew excited too.

"Ice fishing? You speared them with a stalk? That actually works? There really are fish in this river?"

Soon, seven or eight passersby had gathered on the little riverbank, all staring eagerly at the Li family's catch, curious and envious.

Some were already itching to try, searching everywhere for suitable reed stalks or branches so they could make a hole in the ice and test their luck.

Li Xuan knew when to quit while he was ahead. He tossed the last reed stalk aside and told the middle-aged man who had spoken first:

"We got lucky and happened upon them. The current's slow in this bend, and in winter, the fish like gathering where the ice is a little thinner. Uncle Zhang, you can try too, but keep your movements gentle. Fish are crafty. Once you scare them off, it's hard to lure them back."

With that, he motioned for his brother and sister-in-law to pack up and shoulder the medicinal herbs and sheepskin.

Picking up the heavy bundle of fish, he led the way off the riverbank under everyone's envious, even jealous gazes, returning to the mountain path toward the market.

After they had walked some distance, Li Zhong could not help looking back at the villagers excitedly searching for tools by the river, trying to copy them. He smacked his lips regretfully.

"Third Brother, shouldn't we get a few more? Look at them..."

Li Xuan shook his head and said quietly, "Brother, quit while we're ahead. Luck really did play a part in our catching this many."

"First, this river bend has unusual terrain. It's sheltered from the wind and faces the sun, and underwater currents meet warmer water beneath the ice, so fish gather there."

"Second, we arrived early, before the fish were disturbed. Third, the crumbs of dry rations I scattered happened to draw out the bolder ones."

He paused and looked at the busy figures behind them. "Now there are too many people making too much noise, stomping and thumping on the ice. The fish will have hidden in deeper water or gone downstream already. Starting now, they'll probably waste their effort. We're carrying so much stuff. It's safer to get to town early."

Li Zhong still hesitated, seemingly unable to wrap his head around it.

But his sister-in-law thought it made sense.

She nodded repeatedly too. "Third Brother's right! Bite off too much, and you won't be able to chew it. With these fish, plus the sheepskin and medicinal herbs, we've already got a fine haul! Let's hurry. Don't let this delay our real business."

As she spoke, she happily hefted the bundle in her hands again.

She had originally worried that what they brought would not sell for enough money.

Now, with the money from these fish, they could buy enough fabric and cotton to make everyone in the family a padded jacket, along with a thick quilt.

They might even be able to buy some other food to take home for the children and Father.

Li Zhong thought it over, then gave an honest, simple grin. "That makes sense! Third Brother really thinks things through!"

The family stopped lingering and quickened their pace.

Behind them, the villagers' faint cries of frustration and arguments over their failed attempts gradually faded into the distance.

The mountain path wound onward, and the outline of the town ahead had already become faintly visible in the thin winter sunlight.

Li Xuan walked at the front with steady steps, but inwardly, he was calculating how to sell the fish and sheepskin once they reached town, so they could exchange them for as much grain, salt, and iron as possible...

Besides that... I should see whether there's any suitable equipment!

After all, good equipment could directly increase his attributes.

He needed to prepare for hunting large animals in the mountains in the future.

They were not far from the town entrance now. They could even make out the distant outline of the low walls and wisps of cooking smoke.

But this final stretch of road happened to pass through a sparse oak grove.

Walking at the front, Li Xuan paused slightly, his sharp gaze sweeping through the trees.

It was too quiet. There was not even any birdsong.

The footprints in the snow were deep and scattered, unlike those of ordinary people heading to market.

"Brother, Sister-in-law, slow down. Stay close to me."

He warned them quietly, turning slightly to shield them behind him as he moved close to a thick old tree and cautiously peered toward the bend ahead.

Just then, coarse curses and loud laughter came from around the bend!

"This is bad. We might've run into bandits robbing travelers!"

Li Zhong's face went pale, his voice tightening.

Wang shuddered with fear and clutched her husband's arm.

Bandits?

Li Xuan's heart gave a sudden lurch too. His gaze sharpened as he rapidly assessed the situation.

It was too late to take a detour, and the hoofprints suggested they might have mounts, making it easier for them to catch up.

Retreat? There's open country behind us, with even less cover.

He made an immediate decision and lowered his voice.

"Don't make a sound. Stay against the trees and back away slowly. Find a hollow or a big rock to hide behind. Don't come out unless I call you!"

But just as they had moved two steps, trying to slip into a patch of withered shrubs nearby...

At the bend ahead stood a tall, thin bandit holding a bloodstained woodcutting blade, cursing as he kept watch in their direction.

He abruptly turned his head, and his murky eyes landed squarely on Li Zhong's figure, which swayed slightly with nerves!

"Fuck! More fat sheep over here! Three of them! There's a woman too!"

The bandit's eyes lit up, and he bellowed in a voice like a cracked gong.

Whoosh!

Almost as the shout rang out, a crude wooden arrow flew crookedly from behind the bend and lodged in the tree trunk beside Li Zhong, its tail quivering wildly.

Immediately afterward, five or six men surged around the bend, armed with clubs and woodcutting blades. One even carried a crude sling.

Every one of them had a vicious face. Though dressed in rags, they radiated the savagery of desperate outlaws. One held a drawn hunting bow!

There's no escaping!

Li Xuan's heart sank, and a vicious gleam flashed through his eyes.

One look told him these bandits were no harmless lot. Once they had marked their prey, showing weakness and begging for mercy would only bring death faster!

"Hide!"

He growled at his brother and sister-in-law, then abruptly darted out from behind the tree.

Rather than charge forward, he swiftly retreated two steps and bent down to snatch a fist-sized frozen stone with sharp edges from the ground.

The strength of his 1.3 Physique poured into his arm, his muscles bulging.

Seeing him pick up a stone instead of running, the tall, thin lookout charged with his blade raised and a savage grin. "You little bastard, you dare..."

Before he could finish, Li Xuan twisted at the waist and whipped his arm forward. The frozen stone shot out with a howl, like a projectile hurled by a catapult!

At this moment, the effects of his many traits truly came to the fore!

By rights, the bandit was a grown man too.

He had charged fiercely, and though he had been somewhat careless, he should not have been completely unable to react.

But the one facing him was-

Li Xuan!

This throw carried not only his enhanced arm strength.

It also carried the power-delivery techniques and precise anticipation of trajectories granted by his "proficient" archery!

Thud!

With a dull impact that set teeth on edge, the frozen stone struck the tall, thin bandit's temple with unerring accuracy.

Blood instantly splattered. Without so much as a grunt, the bandit toppled backward, his woodcutting blade flying far from his hand.

"Sixth Brother!" the bandits cried out, never expecting this seemingly ordinary young hunter to strike so ruthlessly and decisively.

"Kill him!" Shocked and furious, the bow-wielding bandit raised his weapon to aim at Li Xuan.

But Li Xuan was already moving!

He activated the three traits, "Swiftness," "Featherfall," and "wild rabbit agility," simultaneously.

His figure blurred as he sprang forward like a hunting leopard, heading straight for what lay beside the fallen bandit...

The hunting bow and several scattered arrows!

The bow-wielding bandit's arrow came half a beat too late, skimming past the hem of Li Xuan's clothes.

Another bandit howled and swung his club at him. Li Xuan merely ducked nimbly.

The club swept over his head with a rush of air. Without breaking stride, he darted past the fallen bandit and scooped up the crude hunting bow and an arrow!