The First Order

h…” Yan Liuyuan nodded and said, “Then why do you still insist on sending me to school?”

Ren Xiaosu choked on his words. “Why do you keep blabbering?”

“When can I go hunting with you?” Yan Liuyuan continued to ask.

“Youre only 14. Why would you want to go hunting? If you do well in school, you wont have to go hunting.” Ren Xiaosu said, “Isnt it much better to learn accounting, physics, or chemistry rather than hunting?”

“Arent you only 17?” Yan Liuyuan was unconvinced.

In this era, even savages recognized the importance of knowledge.

This was also why a teacher could survive in town. Whatever trouble happened in town, a teacher would always be the safest person since no one would target them.

However, tuition was expensive. Otherwise, Ren Xiaosu would have gone to attend classes himself as well.

Ren Xiaosu propped up the cauldron and skillfully dissected the sparrow at the same time. “What did the teacher talk about today? I can only let you eat the sparrows offal. I have to sell off the rest of it at the market tomorrow.”

“Did you get injured?” Yan Liuyuan frowned when he saw the wound on Ren Xiaosus hand. It had been pecked by the sparrow, and the wound was still bleeding.

The big cauldron was hung on a rod, and the flicking fire in the shacks fire pit illuminated Ren Xiaosus face every now and again. “Its just a scratch.”

It fell silent in the shack. After a while, Ren Xiaosu ladled out the cooked organs of the sparrow from the pot and handed them to Yan Liuyuan. “Eat up.”

Yan Liuyuans eyes suddenly reddened. “I dont want it. You should have it instead since you need to heal your wound.”

“Ill just have some soup.” Ren Xiaosu said, “I still have some black bread that I can eat.”

“Im not eating. Your wound isnt a scratch at all. I saw someone in town die as a result of an infection a few days ago because we dont have access to any medicine for treating cuts and scrapes,” Yan Liuyuan stubbornly said as tears nearly rolled down his face.

Pah!

Ren Xiaosu suddenly slapped Yan Liuyuan across the face and said, “Remember this, you and I can never cry as long as we are living in this world. This world doesnt trust tears.”

Ren Xiaosu continued, “Look at what kind of people are around us. What will happen to me if you dont eat well and someone rushes in and stabs me to death at night? I send you to school because I hope you wont become someone like me, who only knows how to hunt. You have a unique skill. As long as you study hard, you will not need to work all day in the wilderness like me to earn a living. The reason I send you to school is because I dont want you to become savages like them!”

Yan Liuyuan suddenly took the sparrow offal from Ren Xiaosu and gobbled them down. He managed to hold back his tears in the end as he wanted to learn to be as strong as Ren Xiaosu.

“Ahem, come over and help me dress the wound with a clean cloth after youve eaten,” Ren Xiaosu said.

“OK,” Yan Liuyuan responded.

“Youre normally full of mischief when were outside, so why do you behave like such a doormat whenever were home?” Ren Xiaosu sighed. “Did anything happen in town today?”

“Oh yes!” Yan Liuyuan said as he looked for a clean cloth, “A group of people came out of the stronghold saying that they were looking for a guide to lead them to Stronghold 112. They want to head there by going straight through the Jing Mountains.”

“They want to go to Stronghold 112?” Ren Xiaosu was stunned for a moment before frowning. “Theyre even insisting on getting there via the Jing Mountains?”

“Do you think theyll come looking for you? Everyone in town knows that youre familiar with the lands outside.” Yan Liuyuan blinked and said, “I heard that theyre musicians and singers of a band in Stronghold 113 who have been invited to perform at Stronghold 112. Ive never seen a singer before though.”

“Im not going.” Ren Xiaosu shook his head and said, “Let those people go via the Jing Mountains if they want. I want you to stay away from them. Theres something strange about those people.”

At this moment, Ren Xiaosu had conflicted feelings. In a world like this, there were still professional singers and musicians in bands? What on earth was it like inside the stronghold?

Ren Xiaosu was suddenly looking forward to finding out.