A gentleman's revenge is never too late—even after twenty years

Chen Xun had also learned most of the skills needed to survive in the wild. Though he had not mastered them, he knew them all.

Moo~~

Big Black Ox anxiously looked toward the farmland. He had plowed it through untold hardship.

"It's fine. We'll find another patch of fertile land later—one several times bigger than this!"

"Moo! Moo!"

Big Black Ox nodded wildly. Chen Xun began painting a rosy picture, hoodwinking Big Black Ox until he was completely dazed.

"Still, we have a great vengeance yet unavenged. To leave it so would be no gentleman's way."

Chen Xun surged to his feet, the Mountain-Splitting Axe spinning several times in his hand. "Those people must be old and frail by now. Old Ox, strike while they're sick and take their lives—get our rice back!"

Moo!!

The ground shook, stones flew, and Big Black Ox grew furious. His horns had only just begun to grow back; who knew when they would fully recover? Even the village's Little She-Oxes barely paid him any attention now.

Inside the Mountain Cave, they packed up. Things like the suona were indispensable for traveling the world, so they loaded them all onto Black Ox's back.

With their current strength, lifting pots, bowls, and ladles was as easy as playing around. Whatever they truly could not carry, they left to Xiao Heizi's family—including that patch of fertile land.

The next day, outside Xiao Heizi's home, the blacksmith's home, the carpenter's home, and the homes of everyone else who had helped Chen Xun, heaps of rice had appeared at their doorsteps. Their eyes brimmed with Great Joy as they sighed that Heaven truly had eyes.

Xiao Heizi's wife was still counting through the goods, her smile blooming like a flower. There was actually such a good thing in the world?

Inside the house, Xiao Heizi was already middle-aged, with an added air of maturity. He held a letter in his hands. Chen Xun had taught him to read before, so he naturally understood it.

"Xiao Heizi, that patch of fertile land outside the Mountain Cave is entrusted to your family. Make sure you take good care of Da Heizi."

"Once I leave, we may never meet again in this life. The world is splendid and vast; one must go out and see it. Remember to always keep an optimistic heart. Signed, your ever-dashing Xun-ge."

Xiao Heizi read it Word by Word, a faint Water Mist rippling in his eyes. Ever since childhood, he had followed Xun-ge everywhere; in his heart, he had long Considered him his Big Brother.

Memories flowed through his mind one after another: the rice that had been stolen, the Thatched Cottage that had been burned, the times they were always driven out while working in the village... Though their days had been bleak, Brother Xun had always seemed to hold a passion for life.

"Xun-ge, may the wind be at your back."

Xiao Heizi said warmly with a smile. He looked out the window. The sky was clear and cloudless today, a fine day to set out.

Three Months later, outside the neighboring village, inside an earthen pit.

One man and one ox were covered in the Hardships of the road, their robes caked with dust. Chen Xun held a flatbread in his hand, took a vicious bite, then passed it to Black Ox for a bite.

"Just as expected, we've thoroughly scoped out this neighboring village. We'll start with the Lao Wang Family."

A sharp glint flashed in Chen Xun's eyes. What he lacked least was patience and time. The Wang Family's Ancestral Tomb, their fields, and every person from their family who had beaten them—he had investigated them all one by one.

"Old Ox, move!"

Chen Xun pulled on a bandit's headcloth, leaving only his two eyes, nose, and mouth exposed. He had prepared a matching outfit for Big Black Ox as well.

On a dark, windy night, one man and one ox stood atop an earthen slope. The gale swept past them, yet they remained utterly still, Fully Displaying the bearing of bandits.

They headed into the mountains. Moonlight spilled down, eerie winds curled through the air, and grave after grave stood in grim silence. But compared to the grievances they had endured, what did this amount to?

"Grave of Wang Defa."

A bright gleam flashed in Chen Xun's eyes. This was the one. He gave a Low Growl. "Old Ox, dig!"

Moo!

Big Black Ox trembled with excitement. With a bellow, wind seemed to rise beneath his four hooves as he dug frantically. Chen Xun kicked the gravestone to pieces, shouting in exhilaration. Clumps of yellow earth flew everywhere, and a coffin emerged.

They flipped it open at once, exposing a skeleton. The man and ox immediately took off, vanishing in a puff of dust.

In the Wang Family's fields, Big Black Ox plowed like mad, dirt flying everywhere as he vented his fury without end. Chen Xun's eyelids twitched as he watched. This old ox held grudges even more fiercely than he did.

The entire field was a complete mess, utterly unrecognizable. Chen Xun and Big Black Ox looked at their handiwork with satisfaction, feeling immensely pleased.

The next day, Chen Xun led Black Ox charging into the Lao Wang Family home.

"Who goes there?!"

An old man past fifty, Leaning On a cane, cried out in alarm. This person had his head covered with a cloth—it was utterly terrifying.

"I'm your long-lost father!"

Chen Xun Roared, recognizing the man at once. Wang Tianming. Back then, this was the one who had beaten him the most viciously. Chen Xun kicked out, instantly snapping his cane in two.

He stepped forward, controlled his strength, and slapped Wang Tianming across the face. The few teeth he had left were knocked straight out.

"Good sir, spare my life! Good sir!"

Wang Tianming spat out a mouthful of blood. He had run into bandits!

"More than twenty years ago, you led people to steal our rice. I've come to collect that debt today!"

"Ah?!"

Wang Tianming was horrified. Twenty years ago—he had almost forgotten about it. Then he looked at the Black Ox outside the door and suddenly remembered something.

Moo!

A big yellow dog passed by the Wang Family home. Black Ox Charge! The dog was sent flying by Black Ox's horns, smashed into the ground with a miserable yelp, and hurriedly fled.

Chen Xun had no intention of sparing the Wang Family. He shook their eggs until even the yolks were mixed, and used the Mountain-Splitting Axe to chop every earthworm on the ground into eight pieces.

Wang Tianming sat on the ground, crying and shrieking as he hurriedly called for help.

"Father! Where did this villain come from?!"

"Bold enough to come to the Wang Family and commit violence!"

Shouts and furious rebukes came from outside. Countless young and middle-aged men rushed in carrying hoes and kitchen knives.

"Old Ox, retreat!"

Chen Xun shouted. Man and ox vaulted over the wall and fled, Chen Xun even giving the ox's rump a push.

"Little thief, don't run!"

"If you've got the guts, stop and fight us one-on-one!"

"Don't let us catch you, you cowardly rats! Too Great!"

Many people in the village had been alarmed. Hundreds chased after them Vast and Mighty, dust billowing behind them, weapons in every hand.

"Haha, heh, you can't catch us."

Chen Xun turned back and laughed, fleeing madly with Black Ox. Looking at the cloud of dust behind them, his eyes were full of disdain. "Is that all you've got?!!"

Roar!

Roar!

This was Too Great! Countless men let out Low Growls, quickened their pace, and pursued them madly. Yet no matter what they did, they could not catch up. They could only watch helplessly as the pair ran farther and farther away.

Most outrageous of all, even that Black Ox ran faster than they did!

Moo! Moo!

A thunderous fart erupted from Big Black Ox, as if it had been stored up for days. The stench filled the heavens, bringing a suffocating sensation. Chen Xun's face twisted as though he had eaten shit.

"Ah! It stinks!"

"Damn it!!"

Blergh!

The pursuing villagers went weak all over, dropping to Hands on the Ground and dry-heaving nonstop. Their eyes were filled with disbelief. There was actually a fart in this world that smelled this foul.

Wang Tianming came rushing from behind, beside himself with rage. If he had been twenty years younger, he would have chopped this man into a thousand pieces!

"Lao Wang, your family's Ancestral Tomb was dug up! Even the coffin lid was flipped open!"

"Ah?!"

"Lao Wang, hurry back and look at your fields! They look like pigs rooted through them!"

"Ah?!"

Hearing the cries behind him, Wang Tianming's world spun, and he fainted dead away.

Meanwhile, the man and ox had already gone far away, their figures no longer visible. In this village, they left behind a legend of bandits.