Moao Calendar Year 131, October 3rd, Night

Near the main building of Lower River Village, a wooden house.

"Brother Xiang, open the door quickly."

A girl around seventeen or eighteen, dressed in a blue robe, holding a basin of steaming meat soup, eagerly knocked on the wooden door and shouted inside.

Creaaak......

The wooden door slowly opened from inside, revealing a determined young face.

He was a young man slightly over twenty, his mood visibly not well. Though his face was clouded with gloom as he opened the door, it softened somewhat upon seeing the girl and the steaming meat soup she held, revealing an expression of tenderness and helplessness.

"Yuxiu, didn't I ask you not to bring anything? Your father is already uneasy about me, and you come here every day. If he finds out, he'll scold you again."

Wang Yuxiu obviously didn't heed Xiang Liang's words, as she skillfully entered the room, headed straight for the hall, put down the beast meat she carried, glanced around briefly, noticed no one was there, and then turned to the young man to ask: "Did your grandfather go out again today?"

Xiang Liang's expression immediately darkened upon hearing this, and he nodded slightly.

Wang Yuxiu's face showed sympathy at his response, but after a moment of thought, she stepped forward and softly said, "Brother Xiang, your brothers have been missing for over half a month. This isn't the first time such things have happened in the village. If they were really okay, they would've returned earlier. Being away for this long with no news means they surely are..."

At this point, she noticed Xiang Liang's expression growing even darker, realized she shouldn't continue, and immediately stopped. She shifted to gently consoling him: "Brother Xiang, please persuade your grandfather not to go searching anymore. The Snow Forest is unsafe at night; if he doesn't find your brother and risks himself, then, in the end, it would just be you and your grandfather left to live peacefully in Lower River Village, wouldn't it?"

Xiang Liang remained silent for a long time, not answering her question.

Wang Yuxiu seemed to grasp something, showing a hint of anger: "My dad wanted you to enter the main building yesterday, yet you say he's not assured about you. If you truly decide to integrate into Lower River Village, given your talent, my dad, and Uncle Liu and Uncle Zheng and the others would certainly welcome you.

Moreover, my dad has said your cultivation talent is not just high; your hunting skills surpass others. If you eventually break through to the Cold Resistance Level, he might even let you lead the village's Hunting Team!"

Hearing Wang Yuxiu's words, Xiang Liang's expression showed some hesitance, but after a moment's hesitation, he still bitterly smiled and shook his head: "I've only been in Lower River Village for over nine months, and it's reasonable for your father to be cautious about me. Yuxiu, my elder brothers have been missing for so long, and my grandfather is searching outside every day. I can't stay in the village; we've already planned that if we can't find them in a few days, I'll pack up and leave with my grandfather..."

"Brother Xiang, you can't leave!"

Upon hearing Xiang Liang's words, Wang Yuxiu's eyes immediately fogged with tears, interrupting him directly. The reason she had been coming here every day for the past half month was her fear that grandfather and grandson would leave Lower River Village together in search of them.

Now, her greatest worry came true; Wang Yuxiu couldn't suppress her love any longer. Her cheeks flushed red, and she bravely approached and hugged him tightly, resting her head against his chest, her voice unwaveringly determined: "Brother Xiang, no matter what, I won't let you leave Lower River Village."

Xiang Liang's expression slightly froze, his eyes showing a complex look.

A seventeen or eighteen-year-old girl, often possessing a strong sense of shame, had the courage to take such the initiative to embrace him. He understood how much courage it took.

He took a gentle breath, thought for a moment, and then slightly raised his arms, gently embracing Wang Yuxiu, softly saying: "Yuxiu, I understand your feelings, but gaining your father's approval is indeed hard. Yesterday, your dad called me to the main building for questioning. His approach was still very indirect, and when I saw a Bhikkhu with Hair from the Dajue Temple arrive, he immediately dismissed me, clearly showing his lack of trust. If I continue staying here..."

"That's my third brother!"

Xiang Liang's expression froze as he was abruptly interrupted.

Wang Yuxiu seemed to have come to a crucial decision and persisted: "Brother Xiang, I came to see you today with the intention of discussing this matter. The Bhikkhu with Hair who came yesterday is my third brother, Wang Yuwen. Both he and my second brother, Wang Yu'an, were among the first batch of children selected by Dajue Temple seven years ago. He came yesterday to deliver Buddha's decree to my father."

A sharp glint flickered deep in Xiang Liang's eyes, quickly replaced by confusion as he asked Wang Yuxiu: "What's Buddha's decree?"

"Buddha's decree is the mandate collectively delivered by Dajue Temple to Qinghepu's three villages and eighteen families. Once the decree is issued, all camps must comply."

Wang Yuxiu seemed intending to continue, and Xiang Liang did not interrupt.

"I've heard that five days ago, something happened in Qinghe Village. Spies from the Nine Towns led by Jiangxia set fires in the village at dawn, causing numerous deaths and injuries. Several Bhikkhus with Hair from the Zen Temple were killed, angering the master who ordered all camps in the three villages and eighteen families to send half of their Earth-digging Realm and Cold Resistance Level forces to Qinghe Village, possibly planning to retaliate against Jiangxia Town."

"Nine Towns?"

Having stayed in Lower River Village with Xu Ning for over half a year, Xiang Liang certainly knew about the Nine Towns, yet still feigned ignorance in front of Wang Yuxiu, looking at her curiously.

Next chapter will be updated first on this website. Come back and continue reading tomorrow, everyone!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.