As the food was nearly finished, staying behind without supplies would surely lead to death. Lin Ya stared at the thick layer of snow with a slight frown, but soon he thought of a way to walk on the snow.
He gathered the others and said, “With such heavy snowfall, if we walk out directly, our legs might lose sensation in less than half a day.”
“I have a method for walking on snow, but I need everyone’s help.”
Zhao Bao was the first to respond, “Master Ren, please tell us how we should proceed; we will follow your lead!”
“If there’s really a way to get out of this snow, my whole family will set up a longevity tablet for you!”
“Yes! We owe you so much these days! Otherwise, I would have either starved or frozen to death!”
“Exactly! Please tell us!”
Everyone had considerable trust in him, not only because he provided them with meat but also because he had shared firewood with them. Some even speculated behind his back whether he had some insight into fortune; otherwise, how would he know to stockpile firewood? He had even managed to kill a wild boar in the midst of this freezing weather.
Thus, many blindly followed his words.
Of course, this was beneficial for him.
“Have any of you heard of stilts?”
…
After spending a day cutting trees, they made some rudimentary stilts and snowboards. After testing, everyone felt the stilts were easier to walk with. Although they fell at first, practice made it manageable; the only difficulty was for the elderly and children.
“You can also make wooden sleds and pull them on the snow.”
Lin Ya merely provided an idea while leaving the specifics to them since they weren’t in a hurry to leave; they could wait for the snow to melt.
In the following days, a few dozen people stayed behind, while the others had already set off.
Looking at the few clearly malicious people who remained, Lin Ya narrowed his eyes with a smirk; it appeared someone viewed them as easy targets.
“Master Ren, these people are likely after your mule. You should come with us,” Zhao Bao suggested, seeing that the snow was melting considerably. He intended to leave too, bringing his wife and daughter along. Although he was grateful to Lin Ya, he also had to consider his family. Thus, he thought of letting them go with him. He had lost a lot of weight and was not as strong as before, but with a butcher knife in hand, most people wouldn’t dare provoke him.
Lin Ya thanked him for his kindness. Looking into his sincere eyes, he extra gifted him a pig leg. “Thank you, but the snow hasn’t fully melted, and I’m afraid the children and the elderly can’t endure the cold, so I’ve decided to delay our departure for a few more days. If fates allow, we will meet in Qingzhou.”
“This… how could I accept this?” Zhao Bao’s face flushed as he declined the well-wrapped pig leg.
“There’s no need to refuse; take it. We’re still far from the city.”
“…I will repay your great kindness in the future!” He solemnly lowered his head and turned to his wife and daughter, “Dear ones, we will meet in Qingzhou!”
“Take care—”
After sending Zhao Bao’s family away, the others no longer pretended; they approached with sticks and axes, demanding that Lin Ya and his group hand over their food and money.
“I see you still have plenty of meat left; you could give some to others—”
“Hand over the silver too! I know you have it!” The voice of the man was somewhat familiar.
“It’s you!” Xu Jin glared furiously.
It was the same person who had asked him if he wanted to sell the mule that day.
Xu Yue and Zhang were unable to hide their worried expressions, while Xu’s father and Xu Jin gripped their weapons, frowning angrily at them. Ren Lin and Ren Chao nervously held sticks behind them, also glaring at the intruders.
“So what if it’s me? Consider yourselves lucky; you were able to hunt a wild boar. Otherwise, your mule would have already been lost!”
“Is that so? If we don’t give it, what do you plan to do?” Lin Ya held a kitchen knife, wearing a smile that didn’t reach his eyes, waiting for their answer, ready to retaliate.
“If you don’t give it, just wait to die!” The man had slanted, sharp eyes, and a face covered with stubble, looking rather fierce.
Xu Jin felt a tightness in his chest and almost lost grip of the chopping knife from cold sweat. He switched hands, wiped the sweat off with his right hand, then switching it back, defiantly stated, “Who among you dares to make a move?! My knife isn’t for show!”
“…” Lin Ya’s lips twitched as he glanced at Xu Jin’s trembling body and sighed. Before the others could act, he was the first to charge out.
“…Hey?! I haven’t made a move yet! Brother-in-law, be careful!” Xu Jin hopped up and down with the chopping knife, trying to support him from the outside, but Lin Ya deftly blocked him.
Most people would instinctively dodge when a blade was close, except for those accustomed to bloodshed and unafraid of death; most feared for their lives.
Lin Ya swung the knife and kicked away one who tried to sneak attack, smashing the kitchen knife directly against another’s face, causing him to yelp in pain.
“Ahhh!”
Following that, a flying kick took down another, leaving him on the ground pale and unable to move, legs together.
“——!!”
Lin Ya flicked the stick up, switched to his left hand holding the knife, while wielding the stick in his right; the remaining few were frantically running around, holding their heads and weeping in surrender.
“I won’t dare again! Spare me!”
“Hero, spare me!”
Since there were children present, he used the back of the knife and didn’t draw any blood.
The leader, seeing the situation was unfavorable, attempted to flee, but Lin Ya kicked him by the cave entrance. Just as he tried to stand, he was met by a knife pressed to his neck.
“!!!” Just as he wanted to beg for mercy, the handsome youth leaned down, flashing him a slight smile. He momentarily became dazed and saw him opening his mouth to say something.
In the next second, excruciating pain hit him.
“Ahhhh!” he screamed, finally remembering that he had told him to shut up.
Lin Ya released his hand, wiped the blood from the knife, frowned, and sighed inwardly, thinking that this knife could no longer be used for cooking.
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