Chapter 46: Father and Daughter
Chapter 46: Father and Daughter
“Shan Guoer~”
Just as Gao Jing finished his third “Eagle Spread” stance, a clear voice suddenly called out from the woods.
A little girl carrying a vine basket dashed toward them.
Spotting the visitor, Shan Guoer immediately stood up and waved. “Sister Shan Chaer!”
Shan Chaer was one of the closest friends of the little girl in the Shan Yue Tribe, having just turned nine this year.
She brought lunch for Shan Guoer and Gao Jing.
Shan Guoer bent down to take the vine basket handed to her. “Thank you.”
“No need.”
Shan Chaer glanced curiously at Gao Jing, then smiled shyly. “I’ll head back now.”
“Wait.”
The little girl put down the basket and fished something out of her pocket…
A piece of peanut brittle!
She swiftly unwrapped its plastic film and gave it to Shan Chaer. “Have this.”
Huge delight instantly bloomed on Shan Chaer’s face.
Every child in the Shan Yue Tribe knew that the Ancient Descendant, Gao Jing, hadn’t just brought precious salt to their Village Fort.
He’d also given Shan Guoer many chunks of peanut brittle.
Shan Guoer wasn’t a selfish girl.
At last night’s gathering, she’d already shared dozens of peanut brittle pieces for everyone to taste.
Shan Chaer had gotten half a piece then.
The sweet, nutty flavor lingered on her tongue ever since.
She regretted gobbling it down so fast.
Never expected she’d get a whole piece now!
“Shan Guoer, you’re the best!”
The Giant girl gleefully cradled the peanut brittle in her hands like it was sacred treasure.
“Don’t let Shan Gouer and the others see it…” Shan Guoer warned. “Hide it and eat it alone.”
When those rowdy boys first tasted peanut brittle last night, they acted completely wild.
It was just too delicious!
If they spotted candy in Shan Chaer’s hands, chaos would surely follow!
“Yes, yes, yes.”
Shan Chaer nodded fiercely, treating the advice as absolute law.
“See you later.”
After waving goodbye, Shan Guoer pulled a clay pot, wooden bowl, and spoon from the vine basket.
She arranged them on the rocky ground.
Gao Jing really wanted to see what was in the clay pot.
Unfortunately, even with his feet on tiptoes, he still couldn’t peek inside!
Shan Guoer used her bone dagger to carve out a large portion of food.
She placed it in Gao Jing’s wooden bowl.
Then added two spoonfuls of broth.
That was Gao Jing’s lunch—a huge chunk of stewed meat.
The meat in his bowl looked dark red, swimming in pitch-black broth with a strong medicinal smell.
After dividing the food, Shan Guoer told Gao Jing, “Grandfather says you’ll eat meals with me from now on.”
She pointed at his bowl. “Finish all the meat and soup. I’ll give you more if it’s not enough.”
“It’s plenty.”
Gao Jing estimated that the portion weighed over ten pounds. And its preparation resembled some strange dark cuisine.
His worry was whether he could even finish it!
Woof!
The Little Yellow Dog nearby barked, its bright eyes fixed on the little girl.
Its tail wagged like a fan.
Shan Guoer cut off another piece for the dog.
Seeing it eat happily, Gao Jing lifted his oversized bowl with both hands.
He took a sip of the broth.
Yiee—
Instantly, his whole face scrunched up.
So bitter!
This wasn’t broth at all!
It tasted like ultra-concentrated herbal medicine without a hint of sweetness.
The bitterness spread to his heart the moment it touched his tongue!
“Is it very bitter?”
Shan Guoer wrinkled her nose. “The meat’s boiled with herbs from the mountains. Grandfather says this medicinal meat must be eaten when learning the Great Wilderness Combat Manual.”
“It replenishes spent blood and energy.
“Otherwise, it harms your body.”
Gao Jing understood now.
Martial practice naturally took a toll on the body. Techniques like the Great Wilderness Combat Manual were exceptionally demanding.
So they required support like this.
Understanding the reason suddenly made the bitterness feel lighter.
For the sake of getting stronger!
Both Gao Jing and the little girl cleaned their bowls completely.
He discovered that despite its bitterness, the medicinal meat left a long-lasting sweetness in his mouth.
After swallowing it, his stomach soon felt very warm, sending streams of heat flowing inside his body.
It quickly reduced the tiredness and pain in his muscles and bones.
The effect was simply magical!
This way, Gao Jing had enough strength to handle his afternoon practice.
Dinner was the same meal.
But the amount was doubled.
……
When night fell, Gao Jing returned to the wooden house.
He took out the medicinal oil the Elder Shaman had given him the previous night.
He smeared it on his body.
The medicinal oil seemed to come from some kind of animal; it had a thick and smelly scent, with a dark yellow color.
At first, it stung when applied to the skin, giving a fiery hot feeling.
But soon it soaked into his muscles and even his bones.
Then it felt really refreshing!
Interestingly, the smelly odor of the oil vanished quickly after it was rubbed in.
As if it had evaporated.
The Elder Shaman had instructed him clearly last night to apply that oil after every practice of “Records of the Great Wilderness Combat”.
Until he Ignite Bloodline!
Boom~
Outside, thunder suddenly roared.
Wind shook the trees near the house, making rustling sounds.
Soon the thunder grew louder and more frequent.
It felt as if the whole world was about to shatter.
Gao Jing, who had just lain down to rest in the bird’s nest, lost all sleepiness instantly!
He had been exploring the Great World for some time, but this was his first thunderstorm.
Though he couldn’t see outside, the noise told him it was scary.
Gao Jing felt fortunate to have such a safe home.
Otherwise, sleeping rough outdoors would be painful and messy!
Since he was wide awake now, Gao Jing left the nest to look over “Records of the Great Wilderness Combat” once more.
The Elder Shaman had already gifted him that combat book.
And just as Gao Jing turned the pages under the oil lamp, the door was suddenly pushed open hard.
That wooden house of the Elder Shaman’s had no lock, but its heavy door needed strong force to open.
Wind and raindrops blew in, and a familiar figure stepped inside.
It was Shan Guoer.
Holding the Little Yellow Dog, the little girl leaned against the door she had shut tightly, a hint of fear on her face.
She asked softly, “Gao Jing, can I sleep here tonight?”
Boom!
Another thunderclap echoed, making her jump with fright!
Seeing the fear and helplessness in her eyes, Gao Jing felt the softest part of his heart deeply touched.
He said with a smile, “Come here, I’ll tell you a story.”
“Mm.”
Shan Guoer gave a crisp answer, then hurried to the wooden table with the puppy.
She stood on a stool and propped herself against the table.
Her face was very close to Gao Jing’s.
Wind and rain roared louder outside, and the thunder kept booming.
But now, the little girl’s face showed no more fear.
Only happiness and joy.
Though Gao Jing didn’t know why she hadn’t gone to the Elder Shaman and ran to him for comfort instead.
He gladly stayed by this little girl’s side through the long night.
It felt like having an extra daughter to care for.
And he was the devoted and responsible father!