11: 11 Exposure 11: 11 Exposure “Hmm, I’m feeling it now.”
Fang Zhixing was greatly energized.
From drawing the sword from its scabbard to chopping, it had to be done in one breath without any pause, not only swiftly but also with great momentum and precise brutality.
He then practiced over and over again, gradually drenched in sweat.
He rested for a while, then continued practicing.
This cycle repeated itself.
Before he knew it, two hours had passed, and the sun was setting.
Fang Zhixing felt his arms; they were okay, not too sore.
With the foundation of a full level apprentice archer, Fang Zhixing slightly understood how to channel his strength, thus avoiding any strains.
Luckily, he then went down to the river to catch some clams and snails, and also managed to dig up a large eel.
Dinner was exceedingly satisfying.
After it got dark, he went home to sleep.
The night was hazy; Zhao Dahu and his group returned from hunting, carrying a hefty wild boar between them back home.
The old village chief was grinning from ear to ear as he stepped outside to welcome them.
In this famine year, being able to eat meat would make anyone immensely happy, especially when feeding dozens in the household.
During the meal, Zhao Dahu mentioned, “Dad, did you notice that big guy?”
The old village chief paused, puzzled, and said, “Isn’t that lad nearly starved to death?
Why bother with him?”
Zhao Dahu hurriedly recounted his encounter with the big guy that day.
The old village chief became deeply suspicious and mused, “That lad, glowing with health?
Where did he get food from?”
Zhao Dahu whispered, “Dad, Er Gou lost his legs, didn’t you suspect someone…”
The old village chief’s face changed, he exclaimed, “You suspect the big guy did that!”
Zhao Dahu nodded firmly, “Otherwise, how could he have fatted himself up?”
The old village chief stroked his beard.
Dawn broke, and the rooster crowed.
Fang Zhixing woke up, irritated by the crowing and contemplated eating that noisy bird.
But that particular bird was raised by the old village chief, the only household still keeping chickens in the village.
A man and his dog stepped out of the house.
No sooner had they stepped out than they encountered someone—it was the old village chief himself.
Fang Zhixing immediately put on an obedient expression and smiled while bowing his head, “Good morning, old village chief, have you eaten?”
“Not yet, I’ll eat in a bit.”
The old village chief smiled benevolently, squinting his eyes and shaking his pipe in his hand, and smiled, “Da Niu, how have you been?
Do you still have food at home?”
Fang Zhixing immediately responded, “The food ran out long ago, I’ve been digging up wild vegetables to eat every day.”
The old village chief nodded and smiled, “Do you want me to lend you some grain?
I can spare ten or eight pounds.”
Fang Zhixing first looked up, his face hopeful, then sheepishly smiled, “Grain is more precious than anything now, I couldn’t repay you even if I borrowed!
How about this, I still have half an acre of land, I’ll sell it to you, old chief.
Just give me whatever you think it’s worth.”
The old village chief’s expression slightly stiffened.
What use to me is that waste land now?
After a brief silence, the old village chief smiled, “You’re thinking of selling the land?
Okay, let me think it over and get back to you.”
Fang Zhixing walked briskly away from the village, entering a thicket and then hiding behind a tree to covertly observe the village entrance.
Seeing this, Xigou telepathically said, “What’s up, do you suspect your encounter with the old village chief wasn’t by chance?”
Fang Zhixing nodded, “The old village chief wanders around the village every day.
Have you ever seen him concerned about whether I live or die?
His sudden goodwill today is too unusual, there must be something fishy going on.”
Xigou suddenly realized and murmured, “Yesterday we encountered Zhao Dahu and others, and today we met the old village chief again.
Could they have discovered something?”
Fang Zhixing suddenly looked up and saw a young man walking out of the village, heading towards this forest.
Fang Zhixing recognized him as Zhao Dahu’s son, the old village chief’s obedient grandson.
Due to a fall that injured his arm during a hunt, he had been resting at home, essentially an idle person.
As Zhao Zikun walked, he looked around sneakily and slipped into the forest, turning here and there, seemingly searching for something.
Fang Zhixing hid quietly, making no sound.
After a while, Zhao Zikun grew increasingly impatient, angrily stamped his foot, and turned back towards the village.
Fang Zhixing watched as Zhao Zikun really entered the village, then he stepped out and quickly left.
Xigou hesitated, “What does the old village chief mean by this?
We haven’t offended him, have we?”
Fang Zhixing curled his lips, “In these chaotic times, there’s no need to consider the motives behind a person’s actions.
Hurting someone or even killing may just be a spur of the moment thing, or there might be other motives.
But whatever it is, what we need to do is to survive!”
Xigou understood and responded immediately, “I’ll stay alert at all times.”
The man and the dog traveled through the forest, reached the big river, fished, ate, and then practiced the Sword Drawing Skill.
A fulfilling day passed quickly.
Draw Sword 1000 times (269/1000)]
A quiet night passed, and soon it was dawn again.
Fang Zhixing and Xigou got up earlier than usual, sneaked out, and took a different route to leave the village.
Thus, seven or eight days passed in a flash.
Draw Sword 1000 times (Completed)]
Fang Zhixing let out a long sigh.
He had been practicing the Sword Drawing Skill every day, causing calluses on his hands that eventually broke open, painfully.
Fortunately, he only needed to complete it a thousand times!
Kill two life forms of the same level (Uncompleted)]
Fang Zhixing looked at the second requirement and fell into thought.
“Same level life forms, what does that mean?” Xigou also pondered.
Obviously, these days Fang Zhixing had tried to chop clams, snails, crayfish, and giant eels with a hunting knife, none of which were counted by the cheat.
Xigou couldn’t help but think of a possibility: “You might have to kill two people to qualify.”
If not people, what else could be considered life forms of the same level as Fang Zhixing?
Fang Zhixing shook his head, “The ‘same level’ here might refer to some aspect of physical fitness, for instance, an animal whose speed is comparable to mine, or perhaps in terms of weight, strength, or jumping height, etc.”
Xigou questioned, “The speed of crayfish isn’t slow either.”
Fang Zhixing pondered, “Crayfish are too small, and since I’m able to catch them, their speed cannot really be considered fast.”
Xigou thought for a moment and responded, “Guessing isn’t enough; we need to find a living creature to test.”
Fang Zhixing considered for a moment, then nodded, “Tomorrow we’ll go hunting in the mountains.”
The man and the dog returned to the village, and from a distance, they saw lights shining in the village.
Fang Zhixing and Xigou looked at each other, quickened their pace, and upon entering the village, they saw it wasn’t a fire.
The villagers were holding torches, gathering at “Uncle Liu’s” house.
This Uncle Liu was a widower, his wife had died of illness, and he had no children, living alone.
Fang Zhixing approached and stood next to Aunt Wang, asking, “Auntie, what happened?”
Aunt Wang glanced at him and whispered, “Your Uncle Liu had an accident, he was killed!”
Fang Zhixing’s heart chilled as he heard Aunt Wang say, “Uncle Liu hasn’t been seen for several days, neither alive nor dead, and there was a strange smell coming from his house.
This evening, Neighbor Bai’s wife couldn’t stand the smell any longer, went to check his house, and discovered his decomposing corpse.”