Lin Ya held the knife, standing motionless in place, expressionless as he stared at them, showing no signs of backing down.
Suddenly, a piercing wail erupted from the crowd: “Where is my child?!”
“Who has seen my child?!”
“Please, bring him back to me!” A disheveled woman cried out frantically, running around in despair.
Lin Ya’s heart sank as he looked at the group of red-eyed figures. Through the gaps, he clearly saw a small body, disemboweled and lifeless.
He stood frozen, as if his throat had closed up.
“Ah! My child!!” The mother finally found her child but was drawn into the fray herself.
Others who had not walked with them started to realize something and hurriedly packed their belongings, distancing themselves from that area, their faces showing panic, fear, disgust, and nausea.
“Such atrocities—” someone cursed angrily, yet dared not take a step forward.
The woman’s cries gradually faded—
Lin Ya took a step forward, but suddenly a fearful voice called out from behind him.
“Father… don’t go, I’m scared.”
The woman’s voice disappeared completely—
Lin Ya stood still, his feet unmoving. He knew that even if he saved that woman now, she would not survive.
After standing there for a long time, he turned around expressionlessly. Behind him were the members of the Xu family, ashen-faced. Ren Lin and Ren Zhao were being hugged by the Xu siblings, their eyes filled with fear as they glanced at the nearby raucous crowd.
“… A group of lunatics.” Xu Jin murmured, her pale fingers clutching Ren Zhao’s clothing tightly, feeling a chaos that was overwhelming.
Although they knew this day would eventually come, its manifestation before them was still hard to accept.
“… Father, we are scared.” Ren Zhao curled up tightly, holding onto his uncle, his round, teary eyes brimming with tears, his voice trembling uncontrollably.
Lin Ya took a deep breath, calmly looking at them: “Let’s leave here first…”
There was nothing to pack. They led the mule and quickly moved far away with their torches.
“Brother-in-law, are you okay? Just now…” After witnessing the shocking scene, even just looking towards that direction felt unnerving. Xu Jin felt a tightening in her heart as she noticed the gaze of the person beside her fixed on the distance, fearing he might do something reckless alone.
“I’m fine, there’s no need to worry.” Lin Ya returned his gaze, sitting down by the fire.
The others, startled, could no longer sleep and silently stared at the flames without a word.
They had seen people stealing and foraging for food before, but this was their first encounter with cannibalism.
It was unbearable—
Even though they had learned about the idiom “eating one’s children” and heard stories of cannibalism in times of famine before…
To witness it happening right in front of them, in such a brutal manner—
At the same time, Lin Ya was deep in thought.
Should they kill them all?
But, in fact, throughout history, every dynasty had experienced such things. Cannibalism was merely an extreme measure for survival.
However—if they did not kill, what about those who were murdered, flayed, torn apart, and consumed? How innocent were they?
How many more lives would fall victim to their hands in the days to come?
His eyes reflecting the orange flames gradually dimmed as he lowered his eyelids, feeling a wave of exhaustion wash over him. He leaned against the bare tree trunk, then lifted his head to gaze at the dark, oppressive sky.
“Open the system shop.”
[Eh?] The 123 system was momentarily stunned.
[The system shop is now open.] The survival system, after a long time, popped its head out with a cold snort.
[I didn’t call for you.]
123 was instantly incensed, [Damn it! Why do you care!]
Lin Ya ignored their bickering and closed his eyes to check the system shop.
The survival system’s shop primarily sold survival-related items, with each world refreshing different special items, yet the majority were ordinary survival supplies.
For instance, food, water, clothing suited to the era, simple weapons, and a few medical supplies.
The stock here was limited, so Lin Ya generally wouldn’t waste his meager points on purchases given their high prices.
However, if he wanted to shake off that group of people in the coming days and ensure they wouldn’t think of cannibalism, he had to make some purchases, as the food he had stored in the 123 system space was nearly depleted, needing supplies for the days ahead.
That was food he had bought with the money won at the gambling house; he only bought enough rice, and now only had a little left as backup.
After scanning the items, Lin Ya ultimately decided to buy the cheapest and easiest to fill stomachs—soybeans. They could be eaten roasted and were easy to carry.
500 pounds of soybeans nearly drained his accumulated points across three worlds.
But since he didn’t usually need to use points, he was okay with it.
Around three in the morning, the others, overwhelmed with fear, could no longer stay awake. Xu Jin leaned to the side, her head nodding downwards.
Suddenly, a shadow blocked the warmth coming from the burning coals, causing Xu Jin to jump, nearly crying out.
Fortunately, the person in front spoke just in time: “Ah Jin, I need to relieve myself. Stay alert, and shout if anything happens.”
“Oh, okay…” Xu Jin sighed, watching his retreating figure.
She initially thought her brother-in-law was going to do something but didn’t stop him after a long deliberation. However, soon enough, within the time it took to burn a stick of incense, Lin Ya returned, his expression normal, and he appeared unchanged.
Xu Jin secretly breathed a sigh of relief as they took turns keeping watch until dawn broke.
The radiant sun gradually rose, dispelling the biting cold winds.
The people lying by the roadside slowly woke up, and amidst the bustling throngs, someone noticed something was amiss.