TRWSB – Chapter 126 The Tiger Falls on Pingyang

Morning.

Yun Hu looked at Qi Shaorong’s dark circles and said, “Hey, didn’t you sleep well last night?”

Qi Shaorong nodded. “Yeah.”

“Is it because you realized being a thief is bad, so you regretted it and couldn’t sleep?”

Qi Shaorong: “…” Kid, you’re overthinking it. I couldn’t sleep because you were making so much noise.

“Yeah! I was so regretful I couldn’t sleep.” If I had known, I’d have stolen clothes from someone else’s place.

“It’s good to regret. Admitting your mistakes and correcting them is the greatest virtue,” Yun Hu said.

Qi Shaorong: “…”

“Hurry up and wash those clothes. You woke up too late. Your companion has been up for a while and has already been chopping wood for quite some time,” Yun Hu added.

Qi Shaorong followed Yun Hu to watch Zhuang Hao chopping wood.

“Kid, you’re pretty skilled at chopping wood! Were you working for some rich family as a woodchopper before?” Yun Hu asked.

Zhuang Hao’s magical power and battle energy were temporarily sealed, but he still had physical strength and good control. The chopped wood was uniform in size, looking neat and pleasing to the eye.

Zhuang Hao glanced at Yun Hu and replied, “Yeah, you guessed it. I used to chop wood for a wealthy family.”

“Then why did you quit and turn to thievery?” Yun Hu asked.

“Because the master’s family went bankrupt. They couldn’t pay us, so they let all the workers go,” Zhuang Hao replied.

“They stiffed you on your wages?” Yun Hu exclaimed.

Zhuang Hao nodded. “Yeah.”

“That’s terrible! Why didn’t you focus on cultivation? You should be able to train in battle energy, right? Ah! I get it. You’re afraid of hard work, aren’t you? People need to have aspirations. You can’t avoid striving just because it’s tough. You should follow my example,” Yun Hu said, patting his chest.

Zhuang Hao: “…” If I followed your example, I’d really be unambitious.

“Do you know? I have a great ambition,” Yun Hu said.

Zhuang Hao smiled. “What ambition?”

“To join the Flying Tiger Mercenary Corps, become a mercenary, roam the lands, and become a hero of this generation! Isn’t my dream grand?” Yun Hu asked.

Zhuang Hao: “… Sure, very grand. So, how good is the Flying Tiger Mercenary Corps? What’s the strength of their leader?”

“You really are ignorant! No wonder you can only be a thief,” Yun Hu said with disdain.

Zhuang Hao: “…”

“The Flying Tiger Mercenary Corps is the most powerful group in our town. Their leader is a level-five marksman, incredibly skilled,” Yun Hu said. “It won’t be long before I join them, become a key member, then rise to vice-leader, and then…” At this point, Yun Hu suddenly paused.

“And then… defeat the leader and become the new leader?” Qi Shaorong tilted his head, looking at Yun Hu.

Yun Hu shook his head, looking a bit shy. “No, not that!”

Qi Shaorong watched Yun Hu’s reddened face and couldn’t help but chuckle. This big guy… was blushing. Clearly, he had love on his mind.

“And then… defeat the leader and marry the leader. The leader of the Flying Tiger Mercenary Corps is a beauty,” Yun Que walked in, carrying a basket full of wild vegetables.

“Sister, stop talking nonsense!” Yun Hu said, frustrated.

Yun Que dismissed his protests. “I’m not talking nonsense! You’re always saying you want to marry the leader of the Flying Tiger Mercenary Corps.”

Yun Hu awkwardly smiled at Qi Shaorong and Zhuang Hao. “Don’t mind my sister. She likes to exaggerate.”

Qi Shaorong: “…”

Zhuang Hao: “…”

“Sister, stop spouting nonsense! I don’t exaggerate!” Yun Hu protested indignantly.

“You’ve been exaggerating all along! Half a year ago, you claimed your battle energy was about to break through to level three. Grandpa even prepared a celebration feast for you, but it didn’t happen. Then you said it was really going to happen, and Grandpa prepared another feast, but it failed again. This happened eight times! You’re still a level-two battle energy user and wasted so much money.”

Yun Hu’s face turned red as he gritted his teeth. “Sister, family scandals shouldn’t be aired outside! And besides, the food didn’t go to waste.”

Qi Shaorong: “…” Eight celebration feasts? This kid might have done it on purpose. But their grandfather is something else—still so enthusiastic after so many false alarms.

“What’s for lunch today, Sister?” Yun Hu asked.

“Wild vegetables,” Yun Que replied.

Yun Hu slumped his shoulders, looking utterly dejected, and said in a pitiful tone, “Sister, why are we eating that stuff again? I’m not a bleating beast; I don’t want to eat greens!”

“If you don’t want to eat, then don’t,” Yun Que replied calmly.

Yun Hu’s expression instantly fell apart. “Sister, don’t be like this! How about this? I’ll go up the mountain and hunt a wild boar for us to eat.”

Yun Que looked at Yun Hu with exasperation and said, “The mountain isn’t exactly safe. Remember the last time you tried to catch a wild boar? You got rammed down the mountain and almost broke your, um, vital parts. Have you forgotten?”

With a snort, Yun Que added, “I’m doing this for your own good. Father passed away early, and our family is counting on you to continue the bloodline. Even if you want to die, you’d better leave an heir first.”

Qi Shaorong took a deep breath and thought, This sister is really fierce.

“That was an accident last time, Sister. This time, I have two helpers. Nothing will go wrong,” Yun Hu said confidently.

Yun Que glanced at Yun Hu and asked, “Two helpers? Where are they?”

Yun Hu gestured toward Qi Shaorong and Zhuang Hao. “Right here!”

Yun Que sized them up and said bluntly, “These two won’t do.”

Yun Hu frowned. “Why not?”

“They don’t know any magic or combat skills. What use could they be? Of course they won’t do,” Yun Que said.

Yun Hu: “…”

Qi Shaorong: “…” It’s been a long time since someone underestimated me like this. Then again, my current state leaves much to be desired.

Qi Shaorong nudged Zhuang Hao with his elbow. “How do you feel?”

Zhuang Hao’s face twisted slightly. “It’s… refreshing.”

Yun Que eyed Qi Shaorong and Zhuang Hao suspiciously. “What are you two talking about?”

Qi Shaorong smiled and replied, “He’s never hunted wild boars before, so it’s a novel experience for him.”

Yun Hu scoffed. “You’re so old and you’ve never hunted wild boars? No wonder you ended up as a thief. Speaking of which, you’re the worst thief ever. You even had the gall to steal from my house! We’re dirt poor; I sometimes want to have a drink, but I can’t find a single copper coin in the whole house.”

Zhuang Hao: “…” When will my magic and combat energy return? Life like this is really unbearable.

“Ha! So you finally admitted it. Last time the house was ransacked, you lied and said it was burglars, but it was clearly you looking for money. I told you, who would be dumb enough to rob us?” Yun Que said, hands on her hips.

Qi Shaorong: “…”

Zhuang Hao: “…”

“Sister, cover for me while I head out. I’ll be back soon,” Yun Hu said.

Yun Que eyed him and said, “Don’t overdo it.”

Yun Hu nodded quickly. “Got it, got it, Sister. I know my limits. If I catch a wild boar, I’ll stew the trotters for you—they’re supposed to be good for your skin.”

Yun Que: “…”

Qi Shaorong and Zhuang Hao followed Yun Hu into the forest.

“You two don’t need to be afraid. Just stick close to your big brother Hu. Wild boars aren’t that big a deal. Don’t worry. With me here, I guarantee you’ll return unscathed. After all, who am I? I’m the man destined to be a hero,” Yun Hu declared confidently.

Qi Shaorong rolled his eyes, thinking, Hearing this from someone who almost got his vital parts broken by a wild boar isn’t exactly reassuring.

Yun Hu strode ahead boldly, while Zhuang Hao followed with arms crossed.

Qi Shaorong tilted his head toward Zhuang Hao and asked, “When do you think this guy will break through to become a Level 3 Dou Qi practitioner?”

Zhuang Hao glanced at Yun Hu. “He’s probably on the verge of a breakthrough but lacks the insight. If he figures it out, he might break through tomorrow. If not, even ten years might not be enough.”

Zhuang Hao thought to himself, Yun Hu actually has decent talent. If he were born into a prominent family with proper guidance, he’d likely have advanced long ago. But being in a small village with few knowledgeable people has held him back.

Qi Shaorong curled his lip. “Poor guy… For someone like him to have a breakthrough is like teaching a rock to think.”

Just then, the sound of rustling reached their ears, and a massive wild boar, three meters long with sharp tusks, emerged from the bushes.

Qi Shaorong swiftly climbed up a tree. Despite his sealed magic, his escape speed was impressive.

Yun Hu stood his ground, gripping a machete tightly. “Don’t be afraid. I can handle this! Stick with me, and you’ll get to eat meat tonight!”

Qi Shaorong watched Yun Hu’s trembling legs and covered his eyes. If you’re scared, just dodge! Why are you holding your ground like this?

In a flash, Zhuang Hao, who had already climbed a tree, jumped down lightly, landing directly on the wild boar’s head. With a single punch, he knocked the beast to the ground.

Seeing the boar collapse, Yun Hu rushed forward and began chopping at its head.

Qi Shaorong glanced at Zhuang Hao and asked quietly, “Your power’s back?”

Zhuang Hao shook his head. “No.”

“Then how did you…?”

“I’ve undergone special training. Even without magic or combat energy, my physical strength is more than enough to handle a wild boar like this,” Zhuang Hao replied.

Qi Shaorong rolled his eyes. “If you’re so capable, how did you get caught stealing?”

Zhuang Hao blushed slightly. “Lack of experience.”

Actually, even without magic or combat energy, I could’ve dealt with those people. But doing so would’ve exposed our whereabouts.

Qi Shaorong smirked. “Oh, lack of experience, huh? You’d better get more of that in the future.”

Zhuang Hao: “…” One experience like this is unforgettable enough. For now, keeping a low profile is best.