Chapter 3

We shared a silent meal, and once we finished eating, Seeley and I immediately began cleaning the table.

"Uncle Jiang, how is our household fund at the moment?" I inquired, taking a sip of tea. I surveyed our new home. It had been a day since we settled here, and we were fortunate to have acquired this land and courtyard for a mere 30 silver coins. According to the Village Chief's account, the previous owners of this house were an elderly couple who recently passed away. Their child now lived comfortably in the county city and wanted to sell the house, leaving behind all the household tools.

"We only have 1 silver coin and 2 strings of copper coins," Uncle Jiang informed us. We had nearly depleted all our resources during the month we spent on the run. Moreover, we hadn't been able to secure any money during our escape.

"Hmm," I pondered. I needed to find ways to earn money, or we might not survive the upcoming winter.

"Big Brother Allardy, let's go to the mountains," I suggested. Life ahead was full of wonders, and we lived in an era abundant with resources.

"You can't," they all forbade me.

"Why not?" My lips tightened as I gazed at them.

"I'm the only one who knows which herbs and wild plants are edible. Can you?" I reasoned.

"We cannot afford to waste time. We need money, food, and survival, okay? Besides, I am not a fragile young lady confined to a boudoir, ignorant of the world," I stated thankfully, as the previous owner of this body had talent in medicine and had been learning from her mother since childhood.

"You know that I often disappear because I am in seclusion training," I continued. It wasn't a secret to the family that I had become a disciple of a powerful sage and had only returned when my Shifu left.

"But... your body? Can you endure the physical strain?" Seeley inquired.

"I was poisoned, but I have already detoxified myself, and..." my voice trailed off as I spoke.

"And?" Big Brother Allardy probed.

"And also, I have been training in martial arts and cultivating internal energy since I learned to walk," I revealed. Yes, unknown to them, our mother had secretly trained me. We knew nothing of our mother's background, only that she had a mysterious past and was a skilled orphan.

"Huh? Wait, what?" "Come again, you know martial arts?" Their eyes reflected astonishment. Our father, despite being an official, possessed incredible talent in martial arts and had ensured that all his sons received training.

"Yes, Mother wanted me to," I pursed my lips.

"I don't know why, but I am happy to train," we all sighed weakly, longing for our parents.

"So, there's no need to worry about me venturing into the mountains. Besides, I can no longer tolerate eating coarse powder," I scoffed.

"Right, you're correct," Big Brother sighed and placed the woven basket on his shoulder. Seeley was already getting up when I stopped him.

"You can't go," I firmly stated.

"Why? I can protect you too," he protested, grabbing my hand. "I'll come with you," Cree chimed in.

"No," I sternly replied.

"Both of you need to stay," I looked at them for a moment. They resembled adorable little puppies unwilling to be separated from their mother. I chuckled inwardly; it was difficult to be firm with them when I knew they always had my best interests at heart.

I spoke softly to them, "Bal, I need you to stay and gather firewood." I held his hands gently as I spoke. "There's a massive bamboo grove at the back, so we can have fuel for later."

Cree nodded in agreement. "That's right, Second Brother. Trust me and Eldest Brother Allardy. We'll be enough to protect Elder Sis," he said, imitating a mature man patting his chest. His actions brought about laughter from all of us.

"Why are you laughing at me? Don't you believe in me?" Cree spoke, looking like an aggrieved little puppy. His face crumbled as if the whole world had offended him, and his eyes welled up with mist.

"HA?! Who doesn't believe in you?" I patted his head gently. "Yo-You! Elder Sis! Elder Sis, you laughed too. Don't you believe in me?"

"Of course, I believe in you, our little mighty protector," I assured him.

"But you didn't want me to go?" he questioned.

"The reason I need you to stay is because I trust you to protect Uncle Jiang and our home. You're our little mighty Cree, and I know you can do it. Can you do that for me?" I consoled him. HAHA. His eyes widened, and they shone brightly, like the beginning of spring.

"HA! Don't worry, Elder Sister. I won't let you down!"

"HEH! Did you hear that? Did you hear that? Jie Jie only trusts me!" he proudly declared, as if entrusted with a life-and-death matter.

"HAHA," we all laughed. "Okay, okay, that's enough," Uncle Jiang interjected.

"Off you go," he said, handing us a hoe and another basket.