Chapter - 389 Veiled Woman In the Black Marshes (13) (1/2)

Huang Rong smiled, ”Just now we heard the song 'hillside sheep', and now we see the 'hillside ox'!” she said.

On that mountain peak there was a piece of flat land, already plowed ready for cultivation, about twenty 'mu's [around 1.6 acres or 2/3 of a hectare] rice field. There was a hoe by the edge of the field. The man who held the rock was bare-chested, his legs were covered with mud up to his knees; looked like the ox fell down when he was weeding the grass.

Huang Rong looked around to assess the situation, she mulled over in her heart, ”This man obviously is the 'farmer' from 'the fisherman, the woodcutter, the farmer and the scholar'. The ox weighs approximately three hundred catties [about 300 lbs or 150 kg]; looks like that rock is not lighter that the ox. Even though half of the rock is leaning on the hillside, yet looking at his steady feet, this man has an astonishing strength.”

Guo Jing had already put her down and rushed to help. Huang Rong hastily called out, ”Not so fast, don't be rash!” But Guo Jing thought helping others was more important; he had already arrived by the farmer's side.

He crouched underneath the rock and lifted it up while saying, ”I'll hold it, you go and save the ox first!”

That farmer felt his load was getting lighter, but he was still afraid that Guo Jing might not be strong enough to support both the ox and the big rock. He let go his right hand and leaned to the side, but his left hand was still supporting the bottom of the rock. Guo Jing steadied his legs, then exerted his internal strength and pushed upward with both of his arms; the rock was lifted up for about a foot, giving that farmer an opportunity to let his left hand go.

The farmer waited for a moment. After seeing that the big rock would not crush down, he knew Guo Jing's strength was enough to support it. Finally he stooped down and got out from underneath the rock, leaped to the hillside to save the yellow ox. He could not help but stealing a glance toward Guo Jing to see what kind of hero had suddenly come and offered help. He was astonished since what he saw was an eighteen, nineteen years old youngster. More surprisingly, this youngster's hands were holding up the rock and the ox seemingly without straining himself.

That farmer was always proud of having an outstanding physical strength, but obviously this youngster's strength was far above his. His suspicions arose; he also looked down the hillside and saw a young woman leaning against a rock, her facial expression was weary, like she was suffering from a serious illness. His suspicion deepened, ”Friend, what are you doing here?” he asked Guo Jing.

”To seek an audience with your master,” Guo Jing replied.

”For what purpose?” the farmer asked again.

Guo Jing was startled and for an instant did not know how to reply. Huang Rong on the side called out, ”Quickly pull the ox to safety first, it won't be too late to ask question later. If his hands slip, won't the man and the ox fall down together?”

The farmer thought, ”These two are here to see Shifu, how come my two elder martial brothers down the mountain did not shoot whistling arrows? If these two broke through them, that means their martial arts are not to be trifled with. Now while his hands are not free, I need to understand this matter better.” Thereupon he asked, ”Are you going to ask my Shifu to treat your injury?”

Guo Jing thought, ”The people down the mountains are already aware anyway, there is no need to hide the truth from him.” He simply nodded his head.