Chapter 465

Chapter 465: The Youth in the Mountainside

On the eastern side of Nide County, in a remote mountain village.

This unnamed village could not be found on the old Western Wind maps. After the establishment of Clancia, the locals gave it a name, Beech Tree Village, due to several rare beech trees at the entrance of the village.

A young man dressed in a fur vest walked along the rugged mountain path, carrying a stack of firewood nearly meters high on his back. The heavy stack of firewood and the figure below made a stark contrast, causing one to doubt whether this young man would be crushed under its weight.

However, he did not seem to feel any different and continued walking easily along the mountain path.

Upon entering the village, several children saw him and ran over to watch.

“Is Bard brother going to collect more firewood again?”

“Yes, it’s still quite cold these days, and there isn’t much firewood left at Old Man Tuoke’s house. I went out to find some.”

“Bard brother is so strong, able to carry so much.”

“Mm-hm, you kids focus on growing up, and one day you’ll be able to do it too,” he nodded.

This young man was none other than the restaurant trainee that Lolan Hill had met in Hope Lane, the same youth who had avenged his friend.

After obtaining the cultivation method and strength given by Lolan Hill, he killed his former enemies and then came to his friend Grat’s hometown, hoping to do what he could.

Although he was initially distrusted and feared by the locals due to his appearance, he later helped clear out many demonic beasts in the surrounding villages, gradually gaining recognition. Over time, the people here no longer rejected him but slowly accepted him.

“Hey, Bard, you’re back,” a middle-aged hunter emerged from his home and greeted Bard on the mountain path.

“I’m back, Uncle Fengde,” Bard nodded.

“In a while, I’ll ask Anna to bring you some smoked meat. It’s specially made by my wife; it has a unique flavor.”

“Thank you, Uncle,” the young man, though ugly yet simple, smiled slightly.

“It’s nothing. You’ve been helping everyone for the past two years.”

“Later, I’ll talk to Mrs. Liete and have her sew you some new clothes. Even though it’s spring now, it’s still quite cold. You can’t wear too little,” the hunter said after coming down the slope in front of his house and examining Bard’s worn vest.

“It’s unnecessary trouble. We got through the winter like this,” Bard shook his head, and his skin, marked by distinct muscles, flushed red, with wisps of white smoke rising as he dried the dew accumulated on his body.

“I am an Extraordinary Being, I don’t fear the cold.”

“True, but using magic power like this must be quite draining. It’s better to wear more clothes for comfort.”

“Besides, you’re our village’s great hero, having helped defeat so many demonic beasts. Such a powerful person shouldn’t dress too shabbily. Otherwise, outsiders might think we reject you.”

Unable to refuse the hunter’s kindness, Bard agreed and allowed Mrs. Liete to measure his size for new clothes.

Continuing on with the firewood, he first replenished Old Man Tuoke’s firewood supply, ensuring the elderly man wouldn’t suffer from the cold, before bringing the excess back to his own rough stone house with a thick thatched roof mixed with mud, and a layer of wooden boards underneath. Despite its simplicity, the waterproofing was decent thanks to the sturdy construction.

Returning home, he started a fire and cooked dinner. His skills from his days in the restaurant were particularly handy now.

He took down some dried meat strips from the rafters, cut them into pieces, and threw them into the pot, adding some radish cubes and greens. Once the flatbread beside the stove was done, it was ready to eat.

While waiting, he went to another part of the house, used a ladle to scoop water from a large water jar, washed himself briefly, and changed into a clean fur vest before sitting back by the stove. By then, everything was almost ready.

Life in the mountains may have been simple, but it brought peace and tranquility, which he found very satisfying.

Grat’s hometown was in this village. Originally, there were three children in his family. The eldest son, Grat’s older brother, died in a mining accident. Grat joined Clancia’s uprising and went south, never returning. Now, the only remaining member of the family is a girl named Karen, who lives with her parents.

Tomorrow, I should go visit Karen’s house and see if they need help with the fields. As he thought this, Bard closed the door to his house, prepared to practice his Extraordinary Sequence, and then went to sleep.

A clear and ethereal voice echoed through the village.

“Hello, may I ask if this is Beech Tree Village?” It seemed to be a girl, with a standard accent suggesting she came from the heart of Clancia and received excellent education.

“Yes,” the hunter replied straightforwardly.

“Miss, are you here to buy sable fur from our village? This is our village’s only specialty.”

“If you have fur, I can buy some, but I also want to inquire about someone—a young man named Bard.”

“Bard? May I ask what business you have with him? He has refused several offers before.”

“Not exactly an offer, just want to see him. He’s an old acquaintance.”

“Oh, he lives on the other side of the village. I’ll take you to him.”

The villagers were simple folk, directly leading the young lady to a house built from mountain stones. She wore a black windbreaker coat, gray boots on her slender legs, and a few golden strands peeked out from under her hood. Her face was beautiful yet somewhat hazy.

Hearing the approaching footsteps, the door opened early, and the strong young man stepped out of the house.

In the hunter’s surprised gaze, this usually formidable young man bowed respectfully.

“Miss Lacy, good evening,” he slowly raised his head. In the twilight, his eyes were bright and seemed filled with surprise and gratitude.

“It’s been a long time, Bard,” the blonde girl did not hesitate and naturally accepted his bow before replying.

“Then thank you, Uncle,” the blonde lady turned and said.

“It’s nothing, just a small matter,” despite his inner astonishment, the hunter slowly nodded and added, “I won’t disturb you anymore.” With that, he walked away.

Two candles lit a rough wooden table. The two sat down and slowly talked about their experiences over the past two years.

At first, Bard worried that the crude wooden chair might make the lady uncomfortable, but seeing that she seemed perfectly fine and comfortably sat down herself,

“Sit down, Bard, it’s been two years.”

(End of Chapter)