Xie Chi’s entire body ached, especially her legs.

She wanted to walk back on her own, but her body told her she needed to be carried.

The two had lingered on the mountaintop until dark.

When they came down, Qing Yangzi was still guarding the path, except he had curled up on a large boulder and fallen asleep, even snoring. When Xie Chi saw him, she felt extremely embarrassed, hugging He Feng’s neck and burying her face in his chest to hide.

He Feng kicked Qing Yangzi, “Hey, stop sleeping.”

Qing Yangzi bolted upright, looking at them both in a daze, “All done?”

Xie Chi: “…”

Qing Yangzi shivered, “It’s already dark, you’re really fierce.”

Xie Chi gripped the clothes on He Feng’s chest and gently tugged, signaling him to make Qing Yangzi stop talking.

He Feng ignored her small gestures and instead smiled proudly, “That’s right.”

Xie Chi: “…”

He Feng looked down at Xie Chi. Her face was hidden, but her ears were red as if they’d been boiled. He Feng recalled the sensation of biting them, and quietly felt stirrings below again. He didn’t dare look at her anymore and said to Qing Yangzi, “Let’s go back.”

Tonight the moon was bright, illuminating the mountain path.

Qing Yangzi followed behind him, yawning one moment and secretly laughing the next.

…

It was too late, the small kitchen was empty, everyone had already gone back to sleep.

He Feng placed Xie Chi in his room and went to get her something to eat. After an afternoon of exertion, he was also starving, wishing he could catch a bird and stuff it straight into his mouth.

Xie Chi waited for a long time, but He Feng still hadn’t returned. She wanted to get up to check, but as soon as her feet touched the ground, her legs went weak and she nearly fell.

She steadied herself against the bed, adjusted for a moment, then slowly made her way to the kitchen.

He Feng was scolding Qing Yangzi.

From far away, Xie Chi could smell a burnt odor and hear the clanging sounds coming from the kitchen.

Seeing her approach, He Feng came over to meet her, “Why did you come out?”

“To see what delicious food you’re making.”

Qing Yangzi held up firewood, looking at her aggrievedly, “Third Brother told me to stew all the vegetables in one pot. I said you can’t stew them like that, but now that it didn’t turn out well, he’s scolding me again.”

Xie Chi walked over for a look—a pot of mushy vegetables, impossible to tell what specific ingredients they were. She wanted to laugh helplessly, “Let me make something.”

“No need, I’ll do it. It’s just cooking, simple.” He Feng wanted to help her sit down.

Xie Chi pushed him away, “By the time you finish cooking, I’ll have starved to death.”

Seeing He Feng get rebuffed, Qing Yangzi crouched by the stove and secretly laughed.

Xie Chi found some flour and directed the two of them to knead dough and cut noodles. Qing Yangzi cut the noodles as thick as fingers, earning him severe mockery from He Feng.

“If you’re so capable, you do it!”

He Feng really was capable—he cut them thin, long, and evenly, looking quite professional. He spent his days wielding swords and guns, riding horses and hunting, appearing to be a rough person, yet he also had a delicate side. He often carved wood, sculpting strange little trinkets, with excellent control over pressure and technique.

Xie Chi played with the dough while watching this bandit bow his waist and seriously cut noodles, couldn’t help but laugh, “If you didn’t become a bandit, opening a noodle shop would be pretty good too.”

He Feng glanced up at her, “Fine, boss lady.”

Xie Chi pinched off a small piece of dough and threw it at him, “Hurry up and cut.”

“Yes ma’am, boss lady.”

Qing Yangzi went to Old Lady Liu’s chicken coop and snatched a few eggs, happily holding them up, “Look!”

Plop—one egg slipped from his grip and fell to the ground.

Qing Yangzi howled, “I worked so hard to steal them!”

After He Feng finished cutting the noodles, Xie Chi got up to cook. The two of them stood beside her watching, looking exceptionally well-behaved.

Soon, fragrant noodles were ready.

Qing Yangzi was practically drooling from the aroma.

The three ate in silence.

He Feng picked the egg from Qing Yangzi’s bowl and put it in Xie Chi’s, “Eat more.”

Qing Yangzi had already guessed his egg would be snatched away, just hadn’t expected it to happen so quickly. He accepted it and continued slurping his noodles.

Seeing Qing Yangzi eating his noodles glumly, Xie Chi gave the egg back to him, “You eat it.”

Qing Yangzi glanced at He Feng, then put it back in her bowl, “You eat, you eat, you’re tired.”

“What’s she tired from? She just lay there enjoying herself.”

“…” Xie Chi kicked him hard.

“Young lady, that hurts.”

Qing Yangzi felt secretly pleased—this Third Brother of his could only be controlled by the person in front of him.

He Feng ate while watching Xie Chi, and even started smiling as he watched.

Xie Chi couldn’t stand him anymore and took her bowl to sit across from him. He Feng followed over to sit beside her, even rubbing against her thigh, “This is the most delicious noodles I’ve ever eaten.”

Qing Yangzi pretended not to see anything, finished eating and drinking, then served himself another bowl and crouched by the door to continue eating.

Xie Chi moved her legs to the other side, not wanting to touch him. He Feng shamelessly pressed closer again, “Does it still hurt there?”

Xie Chi was so embarrassed she wanted to hit him—there was an outsider present!

She poked at the egg and randomly stuffed it into his mouth, “Can’t you just eat quietly?”

He Feng chewed and swallowed it whole, “Oh.”

He finished his noodles in a few bites and started urging Xie Chi, “Hurry up and eat.”

He urged her five times in a row.

“Hurry up, we’ll continue after eating.”

Xie Chi understood what he meant by “continue.” After being tormented several times that afternoon, if they continued, she would surely die in his hands.

When her bowl was empty, He Feng impatiently dragged her along. Xie Chi hugged her bowl and wouldn’t move, “I’m hungry, I want another bowl.”

He Feng stood behind her rubbing against her back, “Eat, eat more to have strength.”

Later, He Feng carried her back to the room, but didn’t do anything else, just held her and slept through the night.

Early the next morning, before dawn, he started fondling her again, forcibly waking her up with his touches. Xie Chi only felt her head was heavy, her whole body ached, and she was so tired she could barely open her eyes.

She lay there like a corpse, motionless, letting him turn her this way and that.

…

Lei Village had caught a Japanese woman and two children and brought them up. Many people in the stronghold gathered to watch the excitement.

He Feng was teaching Xie Chi to throw flying knives in the courtyard.

He got a bundle of chopsticks from the kitchen, sharpened each tip, picked up one and casually threw it at a distant cage, “See that? As long as you’re accurate and have enough force, anything can become a weapon.”

Xie Chi stared blankly at the gray rabbit whose throat had been pierced—it was the one He Feng had given her last time. She had been keeping it in the courtyard, and sometimes when bored, would talk to it.

Xie Chi ran over and took the rabbit out. Its body was still trembling slightly, moved twice, then completely stopped breathing. She angrily scolded He Feng, “Why did you kill it!”

He Feng was completely confused, “What’s wrong?”

Seeing his indifferent attitude, Xie Chi said, “Can’t you stop casually hunting and killing these animals?”

“I’ve been hunting like this since childhood.” He Feng laughed, “It’s just a rabbit. Never mind these beasts—I’ve killed plenty of people too.”

“…” Xie Chi pressed him urgently, “What people?”

“Forgot.”

“How many people?”

“How could I remember clearly.” He Feng counted on his fingers, “About twenty-five, twenty-six, twenty-seven?”

Seeing him describe human lives so casually, Xie Chi cursed, “Damn bandit.”

Seeing her turn and walk away, He Feng twirled his chopstick and followed, “Why are you getting upset with me over this? They’re already dead.”

Chen Zheng and Song Wan sat under the tree by the courtyard entrance, “What’s wrong with them?”

Song Wan looked lovingly at her gold bracelet, holding up her hand and waving it back and forth in the sunlight, “Young couple quarreling, normal, normal.”

Xie Chi returned to her room and locked the door. He Feng stood outside knocking, “What are you angry about? I won’t kill anymore, okay? From now on I’ll just practice with guns, swords, and arrows, guaranteed not to kill anything living.” Hearing no movement inside, he continued, “Those people I killed weren’t good people either—murderers, rapists.”

Xie Chi leaned against the door, listening to his rambling.

“Those who abused their parents, those who embezzled disaster relief funds.”

He suddenly went quiet. Xie Chi opened the door to see He Feng crouching by the entrance, looking up at her.

“Any others?”

He Feng stood up, grinning playfully, “And Japanese dogs.” He pulled her into his arms to coax her, “Look how angry you got. I’ll get you another rabbit.”

“I don’t want one.” Xie Chi lowered her eyes, “I have no right to despise you all. My hands are the same as yours, stained with the smell of blood.”

Hearing her tone, He Feng immediately became serious, released her, bent down to look into her eyes, “That wasn’t your fault.”

“I know.” Xie Chi pushed him out and closed the door again, “I’m tired, I want to sleep for a while.”

He Feng knocked on the door, “What about the rabbit?”

“Bury it.”

“It’s already dead, such a waste to bury it. I’ll roast it for you to eat.”

“Bury it!”

“Alright, alright, I’ll bury it right away, immediately.”

…

He Feng took the rabbit to dig a hole. He had just picked up the shovel when a young brother came to call him to the main hall.

The Japanese woman held two children, cowering in fear. The brothers were clamoring to slaughter them.

When He Feng arrived, the stronghold brothers were dragging them toward the back mountain. He Feng stopped them, “Lei Laosan, where are you going?”

Seeing He Feng, Lei Fu smiled and stopped, “Little Feng’s here. These Japanese people were traveling the mountain path and got robbed by the brothers. Seeing these dog spawn makes me furious—today I’m definitely going to slaughter them.”

The Japanese woman held the two children, so frightened that tears streamed down her face as she pleaded in a low voice.

Lei Fu couldn’t understand Japanese and angrily kicked the woman, “Speak human language!”

The Japanese woman and children were knocked down by his kick. Kneeling on the ground begging for mercy, Lei Fu was about to kick again when He Feng stopped him, “Enough, what’s the point of taking it out on women and children?”

Lei Fu huffed angrily, glaring fiercely at the three people, and spat, “The women and offspring of beasts are no good either!”

He Feng said something in Japanese to the Japanese woman, and she nodded repeatedly through her tears.

Hearing this chattering bird language gave Lei Fu a headache, “Little Feng, what are you saying to them?”

“Let them go.”

“Let them go?” Lei Fu was puzzled, “Are you kidding me?”

“No killing women and small children.”

Someone from Yun Village interjected: “When they were massacring randomly in Jinan, they didn’t care about defenseless elderly, women, and children!”

“Exactly! If you ask me, killing them would be too merciful—they should be flayed alive!”

Qing Yangzi rushed over upon hearing the news. He stood beside He Feng, gritting his teeth. Everyone knew his brother had died at the hands of the Japanese. Lei Fu quickly said: “Qing Yangzi, you came just in time! Tell us, should these people be killed or not!”

Qing Yangzi clenched his fists, looking at the mother protecting her two children, his body trembling with hatred.

He Feng pressed his shoulder, “I’ll leave it to you, you decide.”

Qing Yangzi met his gaze, then relaxed his fists, “Real men don’t make things difficult for women and children. Bullets are saved for those beasts who harm people.”

His answer was within He Feng’s expectations.

Lei Fu was unconvinced, “I’m the one who captured them. Just letting them go like this? No way.”

He Feng said: “We are Chinese, not Japanese. They are beasts—are you beasts too?”

“Little Feng!”

“I think they should be released too.” Chen Rongrong arrived, “Lei Laosan, can you really shoot these children?”

“I…” Lei Fu sighed angrily in frustration.

“If you’re really that angry, give them a couple punches and chase them down the mountain. Little Feng is right, we’re not damn Japanese dogs. We don’t do such lowly things as killing children. Everyone let them go.”

Qing Yangzi felt stifled inside, controlling his emotions. Not wanting to see them anymore, he turned and left the main hall. He Feng glanced at him, also feeling depressed, and said to Chen Rongrong: “Disgusting to look at, I’m leaving.”

…

After Chen Rongrong’s persuasion, Lei Fu agreed to escort the three Japanese people back the way they came. Passing through Qing Village, they happened to be spotted by Song Ye standing on the watchtower.

He came up to greet them, “Chief Lei San.”

“Hey, Ye’zi.”

“What are these people for?”

“Japanese women and kids, orders from above to let them go.”

“He Feng ordered their release?”

“And Chen Rongrong, the big chief also meant the same.”

“Women’s kindness.” Song Ye sneered, “Didn’t Qing Qiaozi die at the hands of the Japanese? I heard his head was completely gone. For someone who considers He Feng a good brother, that’s really loyal.”

“Don’t even mention it, he wouldn’t even let his own brother be killed.”

“Everyone from Yun Village is the same—they’re becoming less and less spirited, really disgracing the old chief.” Song Ye stood with his hands behind his back, “Your Lei Village is still so obedient, I see you’ll be assimilated soon too, and eventually be recruited by the government.”

“Keep such talk to yourself in the future.” Lei Fu poked his belly, “Qing Village and Lei Village are both assigned from above, we still depend on them in all aspects. But I have to admit our Three Crazies do have some ability. When you have time, persuade your father to send some people down to the mines—the money comes pouring in.”

Song Ye found it annoying to listen to.

Lei Fu waved his hand, cursed at the Japanese woman, “Stay quiet! Stop your damn crying!” He turned back to Song Ye, “Forget it, thinking about it, grievances have their sources and debts have their owners. Although they’re Japanese goods, killing women and children wouldn’t look good if word got out. That’s how it is, I’m leaving.”

“Mm, take care.”

As soon as Lei Fu went down the mountain, Song Qingtao walked out of the stronghold. Song Ye quickly approached, “Qingtao.”

Song Qingtao didn’t even glance at him, heading straight for her horse.

Though Song Ye was her cousin, he had harbored romantic feelings for her since childhood. Knowing she kept He Feng in her heart, his emotions had been suppressed for years, not daring to express them. Lately seeing Qingtao being so humiliated, his desire to kill him grew even stronger.

“Where are you going?”

“Hunting.”

“I’ll accompany you.”

“No need.”

This horse shared the same mother as He Feng’s Little White. Song Qingtao loved it dearly, gently stroking its mane.

Song Ye had been holding back a bellyful of words and finally spoke them out, “You’re still thinking about him. He’s lovey-dovey with that whore every day, not even caring about years of friendship. Why are you still thinking about such a person?”

Hearing this, Song Qingtao’s expression grew even more somber.

“Qingtao, the He family treats us like this, are you just going to let it go? Always be controlled by them?”

“Then what can we do?” Song Qingtao glared at him fiercely, “Do you have the ability to help me kill that little bitch?”

“I…”

“If you don’t dare, then shut your mouth.” Song Qingtao led the white horse away, “What a shame you’re still a brother several years older, you don’t even dare breathe in front of him.”

Song Ye frowned, “I’ve had enough of obeying them unconditionally all these years.”

“What, you want to rebel?” Song Qingtao looked down on him, her eyes full of disdain, “You’d better see if you have that ability first. Just Qing Yangzi alone could take ten of your lives.”

Being so negated by her, Song Ye felt even more resentful and didn’t follow her anymore.

Song Qingtao rode away on horseback. He drew the knife from his waist and threw it forcefully, stabbing it into the neck of a young horse.

He stared at the dead horse on the ground through gritted teeth, pulled out the knife, and wiped the blood clean on its body.

“You little bastard, just watch—I’ll get you and your damn Yun Village.”

…