So, if they can’t avoid it, they can only be more cautious.
The group of seven pushed their way to the innermost part, accompanied by a mule. The inside was even more spacious than they had anticipated; the wind and snow were kept outside. Though it was somewhat damp and cold, it was much warmer.
Others squeezed in, some sitting in small clusters, families huddling together, while some sat alone, resembling shadows. However, they all exhibited signs of vigilance and tension on their faces and in their movements.
The road was fraught with occurrences of food robbery, and from a distance, Lin Ya had already witnessed this many times.
After nearly a month of hectic traveling, the visible food supply of Lin Ya’s group had dwindled. Even the mule had less to eat, leaving it tired and thin, not to mention the other people.
The two children, who had finally gained some baby fat, had quickly lost it, not to the point of being skin and bones, but still visibly thin. The adults looked pale and scrawny, their appearances obscured by filth, though their clothes were relatively clean, harboring a rank smell of sour sweat. Thankfully, the cold weather dulled their sense of smell.
Lin Ya couldn’t access the food stored in the system space, as they needed to experience hunger. In a crisis, if some people were plump and rosy, others would immediately suspect they had reserves. Starving individuals would tear apart anyone who hoarded food.
Eating a little to alleviate hunger was acceptable, but filling their bellies was out of the question.
Furthermore…
Lin Ya’s gaze fell on the diligent mule beside them. If the people gathered together became frenzied, the mule would undoubtedly be at risk.
Without the mule, the road ahead would become even more arduous.
Zhang took a bundle of straw from the mule’s back, spreading it across the dry floor for warmth. Xu Yue took out a blanket and spread it over the straw, helping the two children take off their shoes to sit in the middle. Xu Fu sat at the innermost part, while Xu Yue and Zhang sat on the outer side.
The interior was somewhat dark, so Zhang and Xu Yue didn’t bother to adjust the blanket or shoes. Xu Jin and Lin Ya sat at the farthest point, effectively blocking outside views.
The mule lay next to them, behaving docilely as it let out soft snorts.
Not long after sitting down, Lin Ya quickly sensed something amiss. For a starving crowd, the temptation of a mule to tear apart for food was unparalleled.
Although others were still restraining themselves, some were already on the verge of losing control.
His eyes surveyed the emaciated figures nearby and the sly glints in others’ eyes, and then he glanced at the few people around him who were still clutching their growling stomachs, a plan formed in his mind.
“Ajin, stay here. While the snow hasn’t fallen heavily yet, I’ll go gather some firewood and boil some water to warm us up. By the way, I noticed some animals moving around nearby when I came in; I’ll take a look and see if there’s any prey.” Lin Ya’s voice wasn’t quiet, and others perked up, intrigued.
“Keep watch and be careful until I return,” he leaned closer to Xu Jin and whispered. Upon seeing Xu Jin’s eyes light up, he nodded with his weapon in hand before taking the axe and stepping out.
Sure enough, as soon as he left, others followed behind, some even quicker than he was.
Within a short incense stick’s time, a thin layer of snow started to accumulate on the ground.
Lin Ya headed deeper into the forest, carrying the axe toward the thickest area, and cut a few dried vines, collecting some dry wood that wasn’t overly damp, then bound them together with the vines, slinging it over his back.
[Host, there’s no one nearby.] 123 reported after a quick patrol.
“Thanks.”
[Hehe, no need to thank me.] Just doing the task!
123 secretly rubbed its nonexistent paws, full of schemes to please the host, hoping that later on, the host would find it pitiful and assign it tasks.
Lin Ya was unaware of its thoughts. He released a wild boar from the system space, one they had killed a few months ago. The boar was fresh, steaming as it oozed warm blood.
This wild boar weighed over a hundred pounds and was a robust sow. It had attacked when Lin Ya captured its piglets, leading to their reunion.
After dealing with the bloodstains, he dragged the now-bloodless pig leg back. Along the way, he encountered others returning with firewood.
“Wild… wild boar!!” Even experienced hunters found it hard to catch a wild boar; yet, this person had effortlessly killed one!
“It’s huge…”
They stood there slack-jawed, watching in envy as he held the pig. Some even fidgeted, wanting to snatch it from him. However, seeing that others were still inactive and glancing at Lin Ya, whose hands were still stained with blood from the axe, they ultimately dared not make a move, merely standing there and swallowing hard.
They gazed at him with longing eyes.
Lin Ya smiled and said, “Brothers, this pig is rather heavy. Would you mind helping me carry it down? I will share some of the meat as a reward.”
“Of course! I’m in!” Upon hearing this, someone sprang forward, smiling and flattering him.
“I’ll do it! I’m strong!” One man carrying firewood quickly grabbed onto another leg, pulling hard.
“No, no, no! I’ll handle it! I can carry it all by myself!” Others rushed in to seize the opportunity.
“Don’t snatch! I was here first!”
“Get lost! I’m much stronger than you!”
“I’m carrying it! I’ll do it!”
“I was the first to rush over! You all step aside!”
Lin Ya stood aside, watching as more than a dozen people scrambled for the pig, the tension escalating to the point that it seemed a fight could break out. At that moment, he smilingly suggested that it would be just fine to carry it together, after all, the wild boar was heavy and the mountain roads were tough. Moreover, if others could gather more firewood, that would be great, and they would have something to earn.
So it turned into a scene where seven or eight people carried the pig while others gathered firewood.
As more people joined in to collect firewood, Lin Ya did not call for a halt.
[Host, did you anticipate that this snow would be heavy?]
Subscribe
Login
0 Comments