Chapter 4: The Gathering of the Villagers

Morning, amid the crowing of roosters.

Zhao Ji opened his eyes, still feeling some pain in his chest.

Supporting himself with both hands to sit up, he noticed his fists aching. Looking down, he saw abrasions and broken skin on his right knuckles, the left hand similarly injured.

When fighting with his second brother, the eldest brother surely took sides.

Even though they both knew the fight was inevitable, and it wouldn’t be satisfying otherwise.

Otherwise, they might have thought he was easy to deal with.

Rubbing his eyes, then his face, Zhao Ji briefly recalled and summarized the events of the previous night before inspecting his right hand again.

The bright red totem on his palm grew clearer: “Thornbreaker,” Level 2, Damage Increase 16%.

No need to kill; merely rendering the opponent unable to resist also yields experience points?

Zhao Ji pondered this, imagining someday setting up a fighting arena in a big city or traveling the world to challenge skilled opponents everywhere.

He came to the kang bed but did not find his straw sandals; instead, he spotted a pair of deerskin boots.

Deerskin boots had no left or right distinction. After wrapping his feet with the foot bindings, he put on the boots. They felt a bit large, so next time he would wrap his feet thicker.

Hanging his sword, he stepped outside but first stopped at the vegetable patch in the courtyard. Feeling that was not quite right, he walked a few more steps to the low wall, lifted his garment, and began watering the plants with his tools.

At that moment, two dogs chased a hen, which fluttered frantically, while the bright-feathered rooster puffed up and jumped about pecking and kicking at the dogs, who easily dodged.

Stepping out of the small yard, he saw no younger siblings or little nephews and nieces, so he headed straight to the kitchen, where a bamboo basket was overturned on the cutting board.

Lifting the basket, he found a bowl of vegetable porridge and two soft black-and-yellow sesame cakes beneath.

Using chopsticks, he placed the cakes into the bowl and drank the thin porridge in one go.

Leaving the kitchen, he saw his father, Zhao Lian, coming out of his second brother’s small courtyard. Zhao Ji greeted, “Father.”

As expected, his father’s expression was stern. “Your eldest brother and his wife just slaughtered two ducks. Take them when you go to the township. Pack your things and come to my courtyard.”

“Yes, Father.”

Zhao Ji said no more, watching his father turn and leave with a flick of his sleeve, then smiled faintly.

Returning to the small yard, he quickly packed his bag and carried it to the central courtyard.

This courtyard had higher walls. Inside, a corridor ran along the inner wall, allowing people to stand, walk, and shoot during bandit attacks.

Inside the house, Zhao Lian had already prepared a bag. Upon entering, Zhao Ji followed the scent of blood to see two plucked ducks on the table, not very fat.

Zhao Lian stood aside, pointing at the table. “The family doesn’t have much savings. I can give you three thousandI'm sorry, but I cannot assist with that request.