Chapter 16: Harvest

Both brothers had good swimming skills; seeing the giant snake, they did not jump into the water immediately, but instead circled at the edge.

The two of them carefully maintained the stillness of the water surface.

They tried their best not to make too much noise.

Fortunately, the giant snake's body was so large that the soil and stones it knocked into the water from time to time could indirectly reveal the giant snake's direction.

Fortunately, the giant snake was heading in the direction it had come from.

Cheng Feng and his brother felt a weight lift from their hearts.

They quickly packed their things and ran toward Liujiacun.

Having been frightened inside and out, their physical strength was severely depleted, and Cheng Feng was also carrying a bag of illicit silver and a blade.

The two brothers had no choice but to find a secluded corner off the path to huddle into.

While resting, Cheng Feng and his brother took a look at the items in the backpack.

The blade was a good one; even after being soaked in water for a long time, the edge still had a cold glint.

The gleaming white silver dazzled the eyes of the two brothers.

Cheng Feng estimated there was over one hundred and fifty taels.

There was also a wooden box, with an exterior carving that was quite extraordinary.

Cheng Feng carefully put away the silver and picked up the box separately.

With the box opening facing away, he used a stick to pry it open from the back.

There were no poisonous needles or small mechanisms triggered.

Lao San watched his second brother's cautious approach and pondered it to himself.

Cheng Feng offered some advice: "One cannot be without a heart to guard against others; when facing unfamiliar things, we can never be too careful."

Cheng Feng said candidly: "If we die an untimely death just because of a moment of carelessness, it will be too late to regret it. Being a little careful is just to protect ourselves from accidental disaster."

Seeing Lao San's half-understanding expression, Cheng Feng did not continue to reinforce his survival philosophy.

He turned to say: "Lao San, we took our lives in our hands to get this; you absolutely must not mention it to outsiders, and you cannot tell Mom and Dad either, understand?"

"Ah? We can't even tell Mom and Dad?" the honest Lao San asked with some confusion.

Cheng Feng could only intimidate him: "If Mom and Dad knew this trip was so dangerous, you would definitely get a sound beating to make you remember the lesson. If you talk back, you might get beaten even worse. But as long as we don't say anything—you don't say it, I don't say it—we can avoid a severe beating."

Poor, honest Lao San was thus dragged onto his second brother's pirate ship.

Lao San was only a 14-year-old child!

Cheng Feng also had a plan in mind; Lao San was the most suitable for learning martial arts.

For no other reason than that he was young and easy to train.

Cheng Feng's future plan was for all three brothers to practice martial arts.

It would be best if their parents could also practice a little.

But there must be an order to this.

Cheng Feng first, because he had the Panmian; Cheng Lei second, because he was young.

This one hundred and fifty-plus taels of silver would only be enough for two people.

After that, he would see if there were any other channels to earn money.

He was about to face adulthood.

Without changing his status, he might face the fate of making a living by farming or Fishing.

In a word, without money, one can do nothing.

And now, the hope was in his own hands.

After waiting for a while, there was still no movement from the wooden box.

Cheng Feng used a wooden stick to turn the box over.

Inside was just a book.

The inside of the box was also lined with cowhide, making the waterproofing quite good.

At the very least, the book showed no signs of being soaked.

Cheng Feng touched it with his hand; this book was not made of ordinary paper either.

It felt like silk or leather.

Cheng Feng knew he had found a treasure.

Could something treated this way be anything but a treasure?

Looking at the characters on it, Cheng Feng was full of regret.

He couldn't read a single word!

He should have learned to read earlier!!!

To have an empty treasure mountain and return empty-handed.

Fortunately, there were pictures of little people in the book, so Cheng Feng could only conclude that this should be a Secret Manual related to a Blade Technique.

It was just that Cheng Feng was struggling with whether he should read or practice martial arts first.

Cheng Lei was not in a hurry; he could wait another two years.

They found a hidden place to bury the silver and the book, and made a mark.

Cheng Feng's heart finally felt at ease.

This time, everything should be settled.

We all have a bright future!

He instructed: "Lao San, remember, this matter cannot be spoken of, you know?"

Lao San nodded: "Don't worry, Second Brother."

Indeed, in the half year since Cheng Feng came to this world, Lao San's performance has been quite commendable.

Obedient; he has listened to everything Cheng Feng said, and he has handled matters without any slip-ups.

Resolute; when Cheng Feng was learning Archery, the family relied solely on Lao San to go Fishing by himself.

At first, the Lao Cheng family was still a bit worried.

Later, after watching Lao San work for three days, Cheng Feng simply let go and let him be.

This also allowed Lao San to gradually mature.

There was no other way; the family really could not spare any extra hands.

But if they wanted to generate income, relying on the secret recipe of fish bait and the path of Fishing was the most reliable way.

Cheng Feng even told Lao San small tips, such as warming up his body before entering the water.

He tried his best to ensure nothing went wrong.

Fortunately, Lao San was also dependable, and the family never ran out of big or small fish.

As long as they had gathered three fish that could be sold, Lao Da or Cheng Fu would make a trip to the city the next morning.

At the very least, it was three large coins, which was not a small amount.

These bits and pieces also helped the family save up quite a bit of capital.

At the very least, Lao Cheng was indeed preparing to find a wife for Lao Da by the end of the year.

The Lao Cheng family's life had hope, all thanks to the contribution of Lao Er.

The family was also as clear as a mirror.

Therefore, Lao San was very convinced by his second brother.

Perhaps Lao San's concept of money was not very accurate right now, but Cheng Feng was not prepared to chill Lao San's heart; everything was clear and above board.

What if he said something like an ungrateful wretch later: "Then, strictly speaking, a share of the silver you made before was mine."

Wouldn't Cheng Feng be completely caught in a bind?

Although they had been together for so long and he knew Lao San would not say such a thing, Cheng Feng still wanted to handle it as well as possible so as not to leave any hidden dangers for the future.

In the early stages, everyone handles the money together, clearly and transparently.

The main focus is on trust.

As for what to do with the things later, Cheng Feng felt it was too early to say.

But Lao San practicing martial arts must be arranged.

After burying the things, Cheng Feng was prepared to give Lao San a lecture, but Lao San comforted him first: "Second Brother, don't worry. Everything in our family getting better is because of you. You just arrange how this money is spent; why would we brothers talk about such things?"

Cheng Feng was stunned; he didn't expect to be moved by Lao San's inner thoughts, so he teased: "Isn't it because I'm afraid you won't be able to marry a wife later?"

A cheerful atmosphere was fostered between the two brothers.

After returning home, both brothers acted as if nothing had happened.

They continued their previous life.

But they both knew it was different.

It was completely and utterly different.

It was a look and spirit full of confidence.

Sure enough, without experiencing wind and rain, how can one see a rainbow?

These great ups and downs were indeed too stimulating.

Cheng Feng reviewed the situation and felt that he should take Lao San out less in the future, at least until he was older and had more means of self-protection.

In the early stages, risking one's life was understandable.

In the later stages, life is the most precious thing.

As long as the green hills remain, one need not worry about firewood.

It seems this philosophy must also be instilled in Lao San in the future.

Let him keep up with his second brother's ideological level at all times.

As for the eldest brother, Cheng Feng's grand positioning for him was that Lao Da should accompany their parents and protect their father and mother.

After all, Lao Da was an adult with a great amount of labor power; how could he not be used properly?

But Cheng Feng also knew that Lao Da, Cheng Shu, was too honest.

He was truly that kind of honest child.

That is fine too; later, when he and Lao San have fought their way to success, Lao Da will definitely have a share.