Relying on mastering "Intermediate Archery," the idea of going straight to the back of Erchong Mountain has crossed Li Yuan's mind before.
After all, whether in games or novels, once you level up, wouldn't the low-level monsters in the next area become easy to handle?
But Li Yuan didn't want to take that risk.
From his memory, he knew there was emergency money with Yan Yu.
Four hundred cents, which is four large coins.
During bountiful times, these four large coins could buy 40 jin of millet, but now you'd be lucky to get eleven or twelve jin.
No, you couldn't get eleven or twelve jin.
You'd have to go to the Black Market to buy these eleven or twelve jin, which is far away and dangerous.
Their only option was the grain shop next to Xiao Mo village.
The heartless merchants hoard goods, waiting to profit from natural and man-made disasters.
There, four large coins could get you at most seven to eight jin.
And seven to eight jin of millet, eaten sparingly, would still be enough for him and Yan Yu for half a month.
Since there's still time, there's no need to go to the back of Erchong Mountain now.
Li Yuan scanned his panel and values.
Anyway, it counted as having some hope.
"In the next two days, test if it's possible to increase the points gained each day."
With that thought, Li Yuan glanced at the dried-up creek and decided to head back.
And at that moment, a "3~5" floated from the gray woods not far away, and without looking back, Li Yuan turned and ran.
The "3~5" immediately picked up its pace, accompanied by a sharp-voiced man's cry.
"Yuanzi, why are you running?"
Li Yuan paused his steps.
Hearing the voice, he immediately knew who it was.
Qian San, also a hunter, but unlike him, tall and burly.
Additionally, Qian San had five brothers, all strong, unlike him who was all alone.
Indeed, not far away, a strong man walked over quickly.
Unlike him, the man didn't show much concern, his eyes bright, giving off a strong and aggressive vibe.
He held a rough wooden crossbow in his right hand, a fierce-looking yellow dog on a leash in his left, and a machete slung over his back for close combat.
Qian San came up and patted him on the shoulder unceremoniously: "Yuanzi, going back empty-handed again? Going to starve your little wife?"
Their relationship wasn't that close, his casualness meant to show dominance.
Qian San hooked an arm around Li Yuan's shoulders, gave him a pinch, and laughed, "Tsk tsk tsk, thin, too thin, nothing like a hunter... Look at Brother, if you were half as robust as he is, you could go past Erchong Mountain anytime."
Saying that, Qian San looked pleased, then didn't say a word as if to keep him in suspense.
Understanding Li Yuan, he expected Li Yuan would ask, "What's behind the mountain, is it good for hunting this winter?" After boasting, maybe he'd hear "Brother, take me with you."
But Li Yuan said, "Brother Qian, there's still dinner waiting at home."
"Dinner?" Qian San raised an eyebrow, voice louder, "What's so good about that crappy meal at home? Follow Brother, we can feast and drink past Erchong Mountain, bring back that wild pig that chased you last time, hahaha."
With that, he casually loosened the leash in his hand.
The yellow dog immediately ran off playfully, showing some ferocity.
And as it ran a little farther, "1~2" appeared above the dog's head, while "2~3" floated over Qian San's.
Li Yuan was taken aback, was this a combo?
"Yuanzi, see how fierce my dog is, with its help to chase pigs, wouldn't it be easy for you and me to catch them?" Qian San leaned in close to Li Yuan's side, glaring at him sideways.
"Brother Qian, I really can't, my injuries haven't healed, my waist and legs still hurt..."
"Yuanzi, don't want to give face?" Qian San's expression cooled.
"It really hurts."
"Then come to the mountain next time, when it doesn't hurt, follow Brother Qian to Erchong Mountain, okay?"
Qian San stared him down, quite aggressive.
"Alright, next time for sure, next time for sure." Li Yuan hurriedly replied.
Qian San then released him, pointing at him again.
And just then, footsteps sounded not far away, and they looked to see a slightly slimmer hunter.
Qian San shifted his attention to this hunter, pulled back his yellow dog, and walked over nonchalantly.
Li Yuan took the opportunity to leave quickly.
He knew what Qian San was thinking.
Going alone to Erchong Mountain, he'd be scared, so he wanted to find someone as a scapegoat. Before going, he'd boast colorfully, but once there, he might use you as cannon fodder.
Moreover, behind Erchong Mountain was a natural site for "body disposal."
Kill someone, dump the body, and in no time beasts will come and drag the corpse off to be devoured somewhere.
Even if you report it, it wouldn't matter. First, this isn't a case the officials will investigate immediately; during these famine years, delays of ten days to half a month are normal.
Even without delays, once you go to Erchong Mountain, you can't find the body.
Even if you find it, the body's mostly eaten by beasts, and the coroner's work is useless, so did the beast kill them, or was it a person? It's hard to tell.
So, nine out of ten times, the County Magistrate, knowing the person disappeared behind Erchong Mountain, wouldn't even bother investigating, directly closing the case.
After Li Yuan left, he didn't follow the road, taking a detour back home.
...
In the yard, the door was half-open.
Lady Yan's hips tilted slightly as she piled the newly collected firewood in the corner.
She didn't dare to go far, just picking broken branches under nearby trees.
Hearing the noise, she quickly turned around; seeing the boy, she relaxed and smiled, a hint of spring and joy flashing across her lovely face: "Brother Yuan!!"
"Brother Yuan!"
She rushed over, throwing herself into the boy's arms, as if a weight had been lifted off her heart.
"Brother Yuan... Brother Yuan..."
She murmured softly.
"What is it?" Li Yuan asked, smiling.
"Saw wild dogs digging up a corpse, the body was buried just a few days ago..."
"It wasn't buried deep enough."
"Brother Yuan, I'm scared."
"I'm scared too, didn't catch anything today."
"It's okay, it's okay."
The woman lifted her pretty face from his embrace, holding his cheeks with both hands, whispering, "As long as we're both safe, that's good..."
Her features were actually quite pretty, gazed upon up close, even showing some impulsive allure.
"Where did you see the wild dog, maybe we can go and get it?" Li Yuan felt some urge.
Lady Yan paused, then laughed softly, "It's been gone for a while.
By the way, Brother Yuan, today I used two large coins to get two jin of millet, two jin of husk, and two jin of beans to cook together, it should last a while..."
"Did anyone see you on the way back?"
"Aunt Wang and her husband were around; they helped me, otherwise I wouldn't dare buy so much at once."
The two fell silent...
After a day full of suppression, something seemed to be stirring.
Suddenly, Yan Yu cried out.
"Brother Yuan, what are you doing?"
Li Yuan's arm had already slipped behind her legs, holding the charming village girl in his arms, striding into the house.
"Brother Yuan, dinner isn't cooked yet."
"Brother Yuan..."
"Brother Yuan..."
The voices gradually faded, turning into whispers of sweet nothings amidst intimacy and indulgence.