Chapter 1 (1/2)
Chapter 1 – Growth
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Spring
People love spring. Spring marks the end of winter, beginning of a new year, no harsh cold, food can be acquired more easily and availability of more resources. Therefore the time at which winter ends and spring begins is the time for year’s biggest celebration. Not just for humans, it also holds true for dwarfs, beast people, elves and even ogre’s. However the world is complex, so exceptions are always present, for example the underground world’s residents, for them spring doesn’t hold any special meaning. Exceptions are also in extreme ways like snow demons, this race specifically detest spring the most. Regardless, for majority of humankind, spring brings happiness.
A warm and moist breeze crossed over coastal mountain range and entered Lu se Lan village, letting villagers know the arrival of spring. Lu se Lan village is situated at the coast of mountain range. In this ten thousand li mountain range, this village is nothing but an small insignificant place among many other countless habitats of humanity. It is under Tucker Baron’s rule, belonging to the Divine Alliance empire’s territory. However, even if straight line distance is measured from here to Tucker Baron castle, it will still turn out to be more than three thousand kilometers. Every year at autumn’s harvest time, villagers will see Baron tax officer, also only at this time would lord show a little bit of mercy by relaxing Baron taxes by a wide margin, only collecting a few local items that are easily available on mountains, having insignificant effect on a villager’s livelihood. However, if the production is limited then it might become a question of survival.
Life in mountains is actually not considered to be hard as long as they work hard all year.
With the arrival of spring, soil outside the village would be dug out to plant seeds. Hunters would start to enter the forest. At this time, magical beasts residing deep in forest and hungry throughout the entire winter, would gradually wake up to search for food. These beasts are very dangerous and very aggressive in nature. Body of some these magical beasts contains unique body-parts, having many different uses. Some of these might serve as precious medical ingredients or some might be used as delicious foods. Their quality and selling price is also best at this time.
Every year at this time, many hunters will die, but still like every other year, hunters will enter the mountains once again. As a result of this, people in this village mostly wors.h.i.+p forest G.o.ddess and hunting G.o.ddess. It must be known that in this world apart from eternal dragons, religions and G.o.ds are countless just like stars above head.
Nuo Lan De continent is a land of rich natural resources and a land where strength matters.
Even though Lu Se Lan is a kind of remote and quiet village, it still left a deep mark on history’s page. Villagers are simple and sincere, but they wors.h.i.+p strong and look down on weak. It is a small village having a few tens of households, but it’s relative condition is still better.
A tiny figure appeared outside the village. It is a boy, he is carrying a basket bigger than himself on his back. Basket is filled with jack fruit. At the time of spring, when winter savings are almost finished and time to harvest new crops has yet to come, these kind of common ration are very important. They are easy to obtain just by going into woods at village’s side.
Behind small boy, 3 youngsters appeared. They were taller than him by a full head. They were holding a small hunting bow in their hands and a hunting knife sticking out from their waists as they carried deer, rabbits and other small preys on their backs. Not even ten years old, yet they were already hunting in woods. Their prey was obviously not some magical beast, instead it was small harmless animals. Hunting method is also to rely on traps primarily, however it is already considered very difficult. In cities and towns, children of commoners and n.o.bility at this age would be studying and cultivating under their parents.
First youngster loudly said: “Hey ! Li Cha say, your father didn’t teach you how to hunt? At your age, I was already able to enter the mountains to set up traps and catch rabbits.”
Youngster beside him smiled and in a similar manner said “No father’s child can only pick up fruits.”
Third big youngster laughingly walked past by the small boy towards the village entrance. He was walking very leisurely, one cannot tell that he is carrying a ten kg heavy prey. Small boy without paying any attention to mockery, indifferently continued to walk towards the village. A robust middle age man sitting near village entrance was watching this. He waved towards the little boy to come over. Afterwards, the man stuffed a piece of dried magical beast’s meat into small boy’s hand and while lovingly rubbing his head, he said ” Pi Lu group, they bully you like this, don’t you get angry? Later uncle will tell them to stop. They should not go too far just because you are small.”
Unexpectedly, small boy shaked his head and said “No need, i am not angry.”
“But….” The middle aged man scratched his head with his rough dark hands, he was somewhat at a loss. Believing that small child is afraid of those big youngsters, he couldn’t help but say a few things about how mountain children must not lack courage.
Who would have imagined that small boy would laughingly say” I may not have a father, but I have the best mother.”
Man hearing this couldn’t help but to continue scratching his head, laughing foolishly, he said “of course….of course.”
Small boy humming, carrying the basket while jumping and bouncing, walked inside the village.Thismoment, gloomy feeling in his heart is already gone, instead he his happy. Because his mother had told him that no matter what, one must be happy.
This year Xiao Li Cha is six years old. At an age of six years, he has learned “to be happy”.
The middle-aged man is called Bao Bi. He is village blacksmith. Boy’s mother is believed to be a magician. When she arrived completely alone at the village, Xiao Li Cha was still an infant inside her womb. Even though she is no extraordinary beauty, she is as gentle as water. Her arrival at this insignificant village produced a completely different atmosphere. This was the first time that village has a doctor present. No need to run several ten kilometers just for a minor illness or small pain. Or endure it, slowly waiting for it to recover naturally. Her name is Yi Lian. She opened a small medical shop in a corner of village. Even though she only provides the most basic treatment, she still saved more than one villager’s life during her first year in the village.
As a result, village chief and elders decided to give her a block of land. Hence, she officially became the member of the village. In the small Lu Se Lan village, most villagers are hunters, only three people are of other professions. They are; the blacksmith, the current doctor Yi lian and the retired military officer and also the village-chief. Entire village matters are combinedly supported by these three individuals.
Lu Se Lan village daily life is tranquil and unhurried. Time pa.s.sed by in a flash and it’s spring once again.
Xioa Li Cha has grown up to a few dozen centimeters, he looks like a eight-nine year old child. According to village traditions, he should be already learning to make and lay traps, hunting rabbits as well as gra.s.s eaters which are small magical beasts. These kind of small animals can be easily found in the woods, just a little bit far from village. Large magical beasts rarely appear there. Naturally, children were trained inside the village to hunt. Hunters also never hunt these small beasts, however they regularly patrol there once in a while to dispose of large dangerous magical beasts which occasionally find their way in from deeper parts. In every short interval of a few days, Xiao Li Cha could be seen carrying a big basket, watching him carrying that basket bigger than himself doesn’t seem to be out of proportion at all. However he is carrying jack fruit, which is to say not tasty at all. Everywhere on mountain and even more so in village, people like to eat tasty meat of magical beasts. Even if taste is not considered, eating meat is considered to be beneficial for increasing strength.