My Journey to Immortality Begins with Hunting-Chapter 016 - Picking a Side

In the eyes of the villagers Li Yuan’s sudden transformation was startling, like a timid rabbit turning into a hulking human bear overnight.

In reality, he had only displayed a power level of roughly 3~4, on par with Bear. But in this village, 3~4 was already more than enough to hold onto his own catch and protect his right to enjoy his spoils.

Still, just having meat wasn’t enough. Li Yuan also wanted to make money by selling meat and pelts. The problem was, if he sold them to shady traders, who knew how much he’d be cheated out of.

That was why, earlier, he had asked that young hooligan Xiao Hu about the black market. Unfortunately, Xiao Hu wasn’t much help in that department. Even so, Li Yuan ended up learning two important things.

One was that the black market was made up of stalls, and each stall was its own little territory. The second was that registered—or rather ranked—martial artists were allowed to set up shop in the black market.

Li Yuan had dealt out punishment, then handed Xiao Hu a kilo and a half of venison—a carrot after the stick—making quite an impression. Now, Xiao Hu might keep him updated on any black market news he picked up.

Just as Li Yuan was turning these thoughts over in his mind, Yan Yu came hurtling toward him, brandishing a laundry paddle like a lone warrior rushing in to rescue a condemned man.

She grew visibly calmer when she saw her husband was safe and sound. “Li Yuan, if we lost the meat, it’s fine. At least you’re okay.”

“Losing the meat wouldn’t be fine,” Li Yuan said, voice low.

Yan Yu couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “You want to run back there and fight for it? I heard you got cornered... I'm glad you're safe this time, but sometimes there’s just nothing you can do. Let’s go home first, okay?”

“Sure, let’s head home.” Li Yuan exhaled slowly and then, with a small grin, added, “Not even an ounce of meat went missing. Once we’re home, I’ll make sure you get your fill.”

He gave the bulging sack a little shake. “Look at this bag. Does it look like anything’s missing?”

Yan Yu stared at the sack, baffled.

Li Yuan didn’t explain, only saying, “We’ll talk once we’re back.”

Though she was puzzled, Yan Yu kept her laundry paddle in hand, standing guard by his side all the way home.

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Back home, Li Yuan untied the sack and hefted out a large roe deer. He dragged over a small wooden stool and settled down in the courtyard. Holding out a hand, he said, “Yan Yu, bring me a knife. I’m going to gut and skin this thing right here.”

Seeing such a hefty deer, Yan Yu felt a rush of both joy and confusion. But at his words, she quickly protested, “Shouldn’t we do this inside?”

“The smell is going to be pretty strong,” Li Yuan replied. “You still want to sleep in there tonight, right?”

Yan Yu pursed her lips in curiosity, then finally stomped her foot and came closer. “What exactly happened? How’d you manage to keep the meat when they tried to rob you?”

Li Yuan glanced at her. “Because your husband suddenly got stronger, and now they’re too scared to touch me.”

“Seriously? You expect me to believe that?” Yan Yu asked, doubtful.

“By tomorrow, you’ll believe it,” Li Yuan said confidently.

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Night fell...

Whatever happened outside, Li Yuan paid it no mind. Tonight, he and Yan Yu feasted to their hearts’ content.

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They were short on seasonings and wine, but rendering the fat and sprinkling a little salt was all they needed to make the venison delicious. There was a faint gaminess to the meat, but for people who rarely ate meat anyway, it was nothing they couldn’t handle, or even notice.

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Later that night, after a bout of lovemaking, Yan Yu lay limp as a rag doll, curled at Li Yuan’s side. Her long, slender hands roamed over his body, pinching here and pressing there.

In a drowsy, languid voice, she murmured, “You really have bulked up... I guess I’m starting to believe you’ve gotten stronger.”

Suddenly, a thought seemed to occur to her. “Wait... you actually mastered that technique?”

“I told you before,” Li Yuan replied. “You didn’t believe me. But we can’t let anyone else find out, so keep it quiet.”

Yan Yu stiffened slightly. Although still struggling to wrap her head around it, she managed to say, “Do you really think I'm that naive?”

Li Yuan gently ran a hand down her shoulder. “From now on, you’ll have all the meat you want... anything other wives might have, I want you to have too.”

Yan Yu’s body trembled with warmth, her heart flooding with sweetness. She'd once said something similar in the past, and now he was saying it back.

“Li Yuan...” she whispered softly, snuggling closer. “I really love you.”

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Dawn arrived...

When Li Yuan woke up, he was amazed to see the stat points he gained for the night had gone from six to seven. Could it be that happiness was boosting his stats?

“Yan Yu...” he murmured, leaning in to give his lovely wife a light kiss.

Half-asleep, Yan Yu wriggled in closer like a child, wrapped herself around him, and mumbled, “Just a little longer...”

“All right... let’s get a bit more rest.”

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By mid-morning, the two of them were up, sitting across from each other, ladling porridge to go with leftover venison when the sound of many footsteps reached them from afar.

Yan Yu peered out the window and saw a crowd headed their way. On the left side, Qian Er was in the lead. On the right side stood Bear, and a few hooligans trailed behind, including that scrawny troublemaker from before. It was quite a procession.

Stricken, Yan Yu nearly sprang up to lock the door. But as soon as she moved, Li Yuan’s large hand came to rest on her shoulder. “Don’t worry. Stay inside. I’ll handle this.”

With that, he walked to the wall, slung his sturdy bow over his back, and picked up his quiver. He casually emptied out the small stones that were inside, letting them clatter onto the bed, then stepped outside.

Li Yuan made for the wicker gate. At the same time, the two groups and their hangers-on converged on the same spot. When he reached the gate, they halted.

Sweeping his gaze over the youths, Li Yuan caught sight of Xiao Hu. “I told you to come get some meat. Why’d you bring all these people?”

Li Yuan noticed Xiao Hu’s downcast expression. “Big Bro,” the youth said miserably, “they came to me for information about you, and I...”

Before he could finish, Qian Er, who was leading one of the groups, let out a hearty laugh. “Li Yuan, I clearly misjudged you! Who would’ve guessed you were a real hero all along?

“I'll skip the pleasantries and tell you outright. My big brother works as a steward at the Fortune Trading Company. He took our fourth and fifth brothers with him; the third wanted to be a hunter so didn't go, and I’m just used to a free and easy life.

“Listen, if you come with me, I guarantee I can recommend you to my big brother. Think about it. Once you join the trading company, it’ll be a lot better than squatting here in this tiny village.”

Li Yuan took note. It was obvious that within a small settlement like Little Ink Village, both Bear and Qian Er were vying for local influence. Now that a new strong fighter like him had appeared, of course they were going to fight over him.

Bear let out a cold snort. “Don’t listen to his nonsense. Have you forgotten what Qian San tried to pull? Have you forgotten how Monk Pan died? It’s true we haven’t treated you so well in the past, but that changes now. You’ve got real skill. Come with me. There’ll be good wine, good meat, and women if you want 'em. Everything I’ve got, you get too. What could be better?”

Turning to Bear, Li Yuan inclined his head in a show of respect. “Bear, I told you before I don’t have big ambitions. I just want to hunt, live a quiet life, and spend my days in peace with my wife. That’s all I’ve ever hoped for.”

Bear’s face darkened.

Qian Er stepped in with a smirk. “Then you should come with me. Join the Fortune Trading Company's caravans, and you’ll be living the high life for sure.”

Li Yuan shook his head.

Qian Er’s smile froze. Then he said with a hint of menace in his voice, “Li Yuan, you may be a tough one, but in Little Ink Village, you have to pick a side. If you’re not siding with me, then you must be siding with him!”

Li Yuan shut his eyes for a moment, then strode forward. Both groups looked on in puzzlement as he stopped at a fork in the path, pointing toward two old poplar trees growing side by side.

He picked up two pigeon-egg-sized stones from the ground, placed each one on a branch in either poplar, and then stepped back.

“All right. I’ll fire two arrows. If I miss the stone on the left tree, I’ll go with Bear. If I miss the stone on the right tree, I’ll go with Qian Er. Let Heaven itself decide.”

Bear and Qian Er glanced at the poplars. The distance was well over a hundred paces, and the stones were tiny. Hitting them would be no easy feat.

Qian Er asked, “What if you miss both?”

“Then I’ll shoot again,” Li Yuan replied. “We’ll keep going until there’s a clear result. But if I manage to hit both stones, that’ll mean Heaven wants me to stand with neither of you. Sound fair?”

Bear stood silent for a moment, then grunted his assent. “Fine. If you can hit both at that range, I’ve got no more to say.”

“Agreed,” Qian Er added. “Let Heaven decide.”

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Inside the house, Yan Yu was peering nervously through the window.

Seeing two groups squabbling over her husband, she realized his talk last night had been genuine.

Still, her heart pounded. Her almond-shaped eyes were wide, her hands clenched tight.

“Can he really do it?” she wondered. “Oh, Li Yuan... you’d better not miss!”