Since arriving in Dakang, Jin Feng’s goal had always been to live as a wealthy idler, never intending to kill anyone.
Unfortunately, the tree desires calm, but the wind does not cease. Now, not only has he killed someone, but he has also killed a bandit.
Whether for the sake of so-called loyalty or to intimidate others, once the bandits learn that he killed one of their own, they will surely not let it rest.
He is still too weak, completely unqualified to confront the bandits.
“Brother Liang, should we report this to the authorities?”
Jin Feng’s mind was a bit chaotic.
In his previous life, living under the red flag in a peaceful era, not to mention bandits, even village bullies and hooligans were thoroughly subdued. Apart from studying, he only worried about earning money through part-time jobs, entirely lacking experience in handling such matters.
When faced with this situation, the first solution that came to mind was to report it to the authorities.
“It’s no use,” Zhang Liang shook his head. “The bandits choose lairs that are easy to defend and hard to attack, always leaving an escape route. Without ten times the manpower, it’s difficult to wipe them out. In recent years, the battlefield has been short of troops, and the few people left at the county office can’t surround Maomao Mountain.”
“Sigh…”
Jin Feng let out a helpless sigh.
“You don’t need to worry too much. Bandits rarely venture into other territories, as it’s taboo. Maomao Mountain bandits usually operate north of the county and rarely come to our side. I observed earlier, and apart from me, no one recognised him as a bandit. Everyone thought Baldy was just a thug hanging out with Xie Guang. As long as we keep quiet, it’ll be hard for Maomao Mountain to find out about this.”
Zhang Liang continued, “I came to tell you this so you’d know what’s going on.”
“Thank you, Brother Liang.”
Hearing this, Jin Feng felt a slight sense of relief.
Dakang’s transportation is very limited. Many people spend their entire lives within the vicinity of their village, and a trip to the county might take years.
Since the Maomao Mountain bandits’ territory isn’t here, the chances of them tracing it back to him are low.
“You said we’re family, so no need for thanks. That’d be too formal.”
Zhang Liang went on, “By the way, when I was a soldier, I met a brother who runs a tavern near Maomao Mountain and knows a few of the bandits there. Tomorrow, I’ll head over and ask him to keep an eye out. If there’s any unusual activity at Maomao Mountain, he’ll notify me as quickly as possible.”
“Is this person reliable?” Jin Feng asked.
If he’s unreliable, this could increase the risk of exposure.
“A brother through life and death,” Zhang Liang said. “Plus, he despises the Maomao Mountain bandits. Those scoundrels extort from him every month.”
With that, Jin Feng finally felt at ease.
For the first time, an urgent feeling arose in his heart, frustration at his own lack of strength.
If he were powerful enough, why would he fear a mere group of bandits?
“I must develop quickly to gain the strength to protect myself!”
Jin Feng silently resolved in his heart.
Cock-a-doodle-doo!
The rooster at Third Aunt’s house began to crow loudly.
“By the way, what did you just say about getting the carpenter to make something?” Zhang Liang asked. “Give it to me, and I’ll pass it on when I get back. I’ll head out soon after.”
“Brother Liang, it’s still early. Isn’t it a bit soon to set off?”
“Maomao Mountain is north of the county. If I leave early, I can be back today.”
“Alright then, travel safely.”
Jin Feng went to the shop, packed up a few spinning wheel parts that were already made, and handed over a small piece of silver. “Tell the carpenter to make it like this. Make one first, and if it’s done well, I’ll find him again.”
“Got it.”
Zhang Liang took the package and silver, then turned to leave.
The courtyard had already been cleaned up.
Xiao’e, still a child, cried for a while before falling back asleep.
Guan Xiaorou, Tang Dongdong, and Runniang sat around a small table, none of them speaking.
When they saw Jin Feng return, they all stood up.
Tonight, they had all been frightened and instinctively wanted to stay close to the only man in the house.
“Oh, dear, your hand is bleeding again!”
Guan Xiaorou noticed blood seeping from Jin Feng’s left hand and hurriedly went to find the herbs Old Tan had left.
“No need for herbs yet. Dongdong, get the needle and thread.”
Jin Feng continued, “Xiaorou, help me unwrap the gauze. Runniang, go boil a pot of water.”
The three girls were also scared tonight. Giving them tasks would help distract them.
“Alright.”
Runniang, unsure what to do, quickly ran to the kitchen upon receiving the order.
Tang Dongdong hurriedly fetched the needle and thread.
“Dear, what do you need needle and thread for?”
Guan Xiaorou asked while unwrapping the gauze.
“To stitch the wound.”
Jin Feng explained.
Baldy’s chopper was very sharp, and the wound on his left hand stretched from the base of his thumb to his pinky, with the flesh turned outward. Without stitching, it would be hard to heal.
Earlier, in the rush, Old Tan had only applied some herbs to stop the bleeding and wrapped it loosely with gauze.
No wonder it was bleeding again.
“A wound isn’t clothing. How can you stitch it?”
Guan Xiaorou’s hand trembled at Jin Feng’s words.
“You’re right. You stitch it just like sewing clothes.”
“How is that possible?”
“I say it’s possible, so it’s possible.”
Unable to explain modern medicine to Guan Xiaorou, Jin Feng asserted firmly, “Listen to me on this.”
This approach worked best with Guan Xiaorou.
Whenever Jin Feng pretended to lose his temper, she immediately complied.
Following his instructions, she boiled the needle and thread in hot water, bent the sewing needle, and, like sewing clothes, tearfully began stitching the wound.
In those days, there was no anaesthetic. Jin Feng was sweating from the pain.
As a novice, by the time Guan Xiaorou finished treating the wound, dawn had broken.
There was much to do today. After a short rest, Jin Feng asked Guan Xiaorou to fetch Zhang Mancang.
He planned to build a few more small rooms in the courtyard, which would require a lot of wood.
There was plenty of wood in the back mountain, but with his injured hand, Jin Feng needed Zhang Mancang’s help.
Besides cutting trees for the shelters, Jin Feng also wanted to find sturdy, flexible wood in the back mountain to make a few more bows and crossbows for emergencies.
Last night’s events had sounded an alarm for him.
Jin Feng was never one to sit idly by.
Although Zhang Liang said the chances of the Maomao Mountain bandits discovering him were slim, Jin Feng dared not take any chances.
The stakes were too high.
If he couldn’t keep it hidden, he didn’t want to be left without the ability to fight back.
Zhang Mancang, having chopped firewood for years, knew the trees in the back mountain like the back of his hand, making him the best person to help.
Before they could set out, Third Aunt arrived with her husband.
“Jin Feng, didn’t you say you were building shelters today? I brought your Third Uncle to lend a hand.”
Third Aunt said with a cheerful smile.
“That’s perfect. I was just worrying that Mancang and I couldn’t carry the trees alone. With Third Uncle’s help, it’ll be great.”
Jin Feng smiled and agreed. “Third Uncle, thank you for your effort.”
Though Third Aunt had clashed with him a few days ago, they had since reconciled. Since she offered to help, there was no need to refuse.
“It’s only right, only right.”
Third Uncle gave a simple smile and said, “When your spinning wheel is done, just remember to give your Third Aunt a bowl of rice to eat.”
