Chapter 80: I Advise You to Admit Defeat Quickly

After sitting cross-legged on the rock for a while, Gu Xiaoyao sensed the limits of her abilities. She withdrew her power and stood up, stretching lazily. Squatting down, she plucked a blade of grass, held it in her hand, and urged it to grow with her powers. But when she withdrew her energy, the grass in her hand had only grown to the height of her index finger; it hadn’t shot up wildly as she’d hoped.

“It seems I really need to upgrade my powers soon. Otherwise, even with land, I won’t be able to grow anything,” she muttered to herself. After a moment’s contemplation, she quickly left the mountain forest and returned to the village.

Breakfast had already been prepared by Gu Xiaoshu. White porridge, green vegetables, and sweet potatoes made for a fitting meal. Although there were still some other ingredients left at home, Gu Xiaoshu was very prudent in his planning. If they ate meat and fish every day, the supplies in the kitchen would eventually run out. He was even considering making some pickles to store in a jar for later.

“I need to go down the mountain today. Is there anything you want me to bring back?” Chu Chengjin, who needed to deliver a letter to town, finished the porridge in his bowl and looked at them as he spoke.

“No, I’ll be heading down the mountain myself tomorrow. Maybe I can hunt something else to sell in town,” Gu Xiaoyao replied. The wild boar meat from their last hunt had mostly been traded away; she’d originally intended to sell the rest. But Gu Xiaoshu suggested they could make smoked meat from it, so there would be something to eat during the New Year, at least ensuring they wouldn’t have to subsist on just vegetables.

After breakfast, Chu Chengjin seemed like he wanted to say something more, but after thinking it over, he fell silent. No one had told Mrs. Li about Gu Xiaoyao’s competition in Daguchi Village, and Gu Xiaoshu was forbidden to mention it as well. When the siblings left, they simply said they were going to clear more land, and Mrs. Li suspected nothing—after all, she hadn’t stepped outside in days.

“Come back early. I’ll prepare lunch, so there’s no need to rush,” Mrs. Li said with a gentle smile as she watched them gather their things.

“We know. We’ll be back early,” they promised.

It was almost time for the competition in Daguchi Village. The siblings arrived just as the village chief waved the group to hurry. Dahua was squeezed among the crowd. She’d come early, pestering the village chief to let her participate, but he had refused her firmly.

“Sister-in-law, be careful during the competition. If you can’t win, don’t force yourself. There’s no shame in admitting defeat, so don’t let it hurt your pride,” Dahua advised.

Gu Xiaoyao nodded in agreement. “Don’t worry, I won’t push myself.”

The group from Lotus Village was quick on their feet, arriving at Daguchi Village in half an hour. For some reason, Daguchi Village had already lined up outside the village to greet them.

“Well, you finally made it. I was starting to think you’d lost your nerve. Let’s get on with it—we all have things to do,” Tang Zhong called out as soon as he saw them, motioning for his villagers who were competing to step forward and not to waste any time.

Village chief Chu Lao watched Tang Zhong’s nonchalant demeanor and was so angry that his hands trembled. He swallowed his anger, realizing there was no point in confronting him now.

“You act as if only your village has things to do. Ours is busy too—let’s get started!” he retorted.

Both villages gathered around the competition grounds. Daguchi Village had already set up the arena—a round platform built from wood, sturdy and bearing the marks of long preparation.

“Chu Lao, let me give you a word of advice—if you know you can’t win, just admit defeat and don’t bother struggling,” Tang Zhong sneered, his gaze sweeping dismissively over the villagers from Lotus Village. In his eyes, they were nothing but a flock of chicks—how could they possibly beat his people? It was nothing but a dream.