Chapter 3: Evil‑Warding Object

Yuan Laoer was punched into a daze; he didn't even see clearly who had rushed in.

Chen Wuji's barrage of punches left him dizzy, his vision blurred, his head buzzing, as if all the blood in his body had suddenly rushed into his head.

When he finally made out the figure before him, a surge of anger welled up in Yuan Laoer's heart: "Turns out you're this idiot thing; if it weren't for Laborers kindly lending you grain, you beast would have starved to death, and you still dare hit me!"

He suddenly broke free of Chen Wuji's arm and swung a punch straight at Chen Wuji's face.

But he didn't succeed.

Chen Wuji gripped his fist tightly in his hand, and no matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't pull it out.

"Thank you!" Chen Wuji said sincerely, then lashed out with a fierce punch.

"You bastard, is borrowing grain just your excuse to coax Huo Sanniang into your home with the intent to assault her?"

"A person rotten to the bone—you think you deserve it?"

Chen Wuji's punches fell like raindrops.

Blood seeped along his gums, turning Yuan Laoer's mouth full of yellow teeth red.

Immediately afterward, several teeth could no longer withstand the heavy blows and fell unwillingly from Yuan Laoer's mouth.

Yuan Laoer was beaten into a dazed fool, his eyes glazed and unfocused, barely able to stand.

Seeing this, Huo Sanniang hurriedly tugged at Chen Wuji: "Wuji, let's leave quickly, stop hitting him—if we keep going, someone could die."

"No, I... I'll beat him to death." Chen Wuji said, neck stiff.

When an idiot fights, he must have the stubborn determination to go all the way to the death.

Huo Sanniang stared, she had clearly heard Wuji speak coherently before, so why...?

Perhaps he was just a bit more coherent because he was in a panic.

Huo Sanniang found an excuse in her mind, then pulled hard on Chen Wuji: "Wuji, go, that's enough."

Only then did Chen Wuji reluctantly release Yuan Laoer and shove him onto the kang bed.

Seeing him spread-eagled, Chen Wuji turned and kicked him in the groin.

"Oh..."

Yuan Laoer, on the verge of unconsciousness, suddenly let out a howl, his body instantly curling like a shrimp.

"Hurry up, hurry up!" Huo Sanniang gripped Chen Wuji's hand tightly and forcibly dragged him out the door.

By the time the two returned home, the night had grown completely dark.

Huo Sanniang nervously clutched Chen Wuji's hand and fumbled to light the oil lamp.

"Wuji, are your hands okay?" she asked, her face full of worry, grabbing his hands and examining them back and forth.

Chen Wuji shook his head, but inside he felt as sweet as having eaten wild royal jelly.

Having lived two lives, this was the first time he felt genuine family care and concern, giving him an indescribable feeling.

It felt unfamiliar, yet...

It was warm.

Also, Huo Sanniang's little hand was soft and pliable, like a ball of cotton.

Huo Sanniang checked him over, confirmed Chen Wuji was unharmed, then relaxed and led him to the broken vat in the courtyard to wash their hands.

Chen Wuji didn't move, letting Huo Sanniang take his hand and feel around to wash off the bloodstains.

The distance between them was very close—so close that Chen Wuji could clearly feel the warm breath from Huo Sanniang's sandalwood-tinged mouth blowing on his neck, making him itch and his mind wander.

If the light were sufficient right now, he should be able to see the stunning sight beneath Huo Sanniang's fire-hemp cloth short robe...

Huo Sanniang's figure is outrageously good—graceful, slender, with a prominent front and curved back.

She surely has two dimples on her lower back.

"Today's incident is my oversight—I didn't know Yuan Laoer took the initiative to bring us grain, having some other motive; I thought he was just kind-hearted and wanted to help..."

Huo Sanniang washed Chen Wuji's hands, her voice soft with a hint of self-reproach.

"If..." she paused.

"If there's any trouble, I won't drag you into it, but your future meals might become a problem. Wuji, remember my words: if something happens, don't worry about me, find a villager to take you to the city, you can go beg—it's at least a way to survive."

Hearing this, Chen Wuji's nose immediately soured: "I... I'll protect you, it's... it's fine."

Huo Sanniang gave a light laugh: "I know, my Wuji is indeed brave."

"But... never mind. Your hands should be clean now; I'll go make porridge, we'll make do for today, and tomorrow I'll go up the mountain to see if I can find something to eat."

Chen Wuji actually knew what Huo Sanniang was worried about.

Yuan Laoer's older brother is the village chief of this area.

That's also the main reason Yuan Laoer dares to swagger around the village like a turtle.

However, in Chen Wuji's eyes, that status counts for nothing.

His family has already come to this miserable state—what else is there to lose?

At worst, I'll chop him down with one blow and flee with Huo Sanniang to the ends of the earth.

He shook the water from his hands, then hurriedly took his afternoon harvest from under the eaves of the west room into the small kitchen, saying, "Food, food."

Huo Sanniang had just brought the sole oil lamp into the kitchen and was picking wild vegetables by its dim light.

Several kinds of wild vegetables with varying textures, mixed with a bit of elm bark and boiled together, create a terrifyingly strong sense of fullness.

It's just tricking the stomach, easily causing intestinal dissatisfaction.

Huo Sanniang heard the sound and looked over; upon seeing the rough bamboo basket with those crabs still stretching their arms and kicking their legs, her expression changed instantly: "Silly Wuji, these things aren't edible—eating them will kill you."

Chen Wuji blinked, wondering when eating crabs could kill someone.

"This thing is unknown to humans and ghosts alike—it's an evil‑warding object. How did you catch them? Hurry up and release them!" Huo Sanniang urged.

"I've heard that honey and sugar can neutralize its toxicity, allowing only small amounts to be eaten, but we don't have either of those at home—better just throw them away."

Chen Wuji remained silent for a long while.

He finally understands why he could catch it so easily.

It's not that he's lucky; it's purely that the villagers dare not eat it.

Long-term, it can be developed as a food ingredient, plus one.

Great news.

"No, don't throw it away... it can... can be." Chen Wuji stubbornly said, "It won't kill me."

"You'll die."

"Won't... our family are hunters."

In order to pretend to be a fool, Chen Wuji gave it his all.

Explaining made his tongue almost tie up in knots.

"I know our family are hunters, but even if we're hunters..." Huo Sanniang shook her head.

Chen Wuji interrupted her words, speaking loudly and forcefully: "I've eaten it!"

Huo Sanniang was startled, "Really eaten it?"

"Delicious."

Huo Sanniang still somewhat doubtful, "You didn't lie to me?"

Chen Wuji vigorously shook his head twice, "I've eaten it many times."

Damn, he's really being an idiot.

Why does he insist on pretending to be a fool?