Chapter 4: The Bet

Ning Ye only savored this moment of relief briefly. "Alright, this mutton is enough to last us a few days. Let's head back."

Liu Qinshu realized the impropriety of their lingering and felt her cheeks flush. It had taken two hours to get here, and they had spent quite some time in the mountains; the sky was already beginning to dim. By the time Ning Ye and Liu Qinshu’s party returned to the county town, a squad of soldiers was already preparing to close the gates.

Many people were hurrying back. Behind Ning Ye, a burly man was pushing a single-wheeled cart loaded with several burlap sacks, their contents unknown. As dusk fell, everyone wore a hurried expression. The man, however, looked sturdy and well-fed, suggesting he was reasonably well-off.

A fat man sniffed the air and sneered, "Oh, what a thick stench of blood! You brat, did you go out there to scavenge for corpses? You really are a lunatic—picking up three scrawny wrecks, and now resorting to such things just for a bite to eat."

The fat man made no effort to lower his voice, instantly drawing the attention of those nearby. The spots of blood dripping from the cart were particularly jarring, and soon many were pointing and whispering. While rumors of people trading children to eat had been heard, seeing it implied right before their eyes was different. Furthermore, such things had not yet occurred in Qingyuan County. If Ning Ye had truly committed such an act, he would surely face the executioner’s blade.

Ning Ye raised an eyebrow and glanced at the fat man. A flicker of memory surfaced: the man owned a steamed bun shop in town. He recalled his predecessor once being humiliated by this very man while trying to buy buns. The fat man’s shifty eyes roamed over Liu Qinshu and the others. "Hey, if you can’t afford to keep them, just tell me. I can help you share the burden."

Ning Ye sneered inwardly. It seemed that in any era, the saying that a beautiful woman is a source of misfortune held true.

Liu Qinshu said indignantly, "This is a wild goat my husband hunted. Do not spout such nonsense here."

Her words had no effect and only drew raucous laughter from the crowd. A man retorted, "The land for ten miles around has been scoured clean; there isn't a single living creature left to eat, let alone a wild goat, which is the hardest thing to catch."

Despite their words, a few people, clinging to a sliver of hope, moved closer to the cart. If it really was a wild goat, they might finally get a taste of meat.

Ning Ye stepped forward, blocking the cart. "Everyone, whether it is or isn't, is none of your business, is it?"

Ning Ye’s protective stance made the others believe the rumors even more, and they began to press in tighter. "Putting on quite a show, aren't you? Brat, I don't believe a scrawny monkey like you has the skill to hunt."

Ning Ye remained calm. "Fat man, I don't believe I've ever provoked you, have I?"

The fat man immediately shouted, "I knew you were feeling guilty! Can we really let a cannibal enter the city with us?"

The onlookers chanted, "No! If he's a monster like that, we should tie him up and hang him on the city wall!"

The fat man looked at Ning Ye triumphantly. "Boy, you shouldn't go around bragging."

Ning Ye surveyed the crowd, a chill in his eyes. "If this cart truly contains a wild goat, what then?"

The fat man chuckled. "If it's really a wild goat, I'll give you ten catties of wild flour. If it's not, you leave one of those three girls with me, and I'll let you go."

The crowd joined in, "Bet! Whoever doesn't bet isn't a man!"

"Boy, if it's really meat, you'll win ten catties of flour. Surely you aren't afraid to bet!"

Liu Qinshu and Xiao Qing glared at them, furious at the bullying. Even the timid Xiao Yuan began scanning the ground for anything they could use as a weapon.

Just as some were losing patience and preparing to seize the cart, a deep, resonant voice rang out. "This is interesting. Let me be the witness to your wager."

The speaker wore armor with a red cloak draped over his shoulders. Walking with the stride of a tiger, he moved into the crowd. It was none other than Lin Changhe, the leader of the garrison, accompanied by several arrogant soldiers in armor—likely his personal guards. In the territory of Qingyuan County, aside from the Magistrate, he held the most authority.

Ning Ye watched as the fat man reached toward the blanket covering the cart. "I think ten catties of flour is too little. I bet that whole sack on your cart. Do you dare?"

"Bet is a bet! I'm not afraid of you!"

When the blanket was pulled back, the fat man rubbed his eyes in disbelief. A wild goat, weighing several dozen catties, lay on the cart. He rushed to the cart, grabbed the carcass, and instinctively slapped his own face. He wasn't hallucinating; it was a genuine wild goat.

The fat man couldn't fathom how a useless man like Ning Ye, accompanied by three fragile women, could have caught such a massive animal. The others looked on with greed, clearly wanting to swarm forward and seize the goat.

Ning Ye said mockingly, "There are still some kind souls in the world. I was just worrying about what to eat today, and someone has kindly delivered a sack of flour."

Lin Changhe stepped forward, took a look, and exclaimed, "A single, fatal strike. I didn't expect you to be an expert with a bow."

Ning Ye cupped his hands. "You are too kind, sir. It was just a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse; pure luck."

Lin Changhe studied Ning Ye for a moment. None of the surrounding villagers dared to meet his gaze, yet he sensed no fear in this young man. "It has been a long time since I've tasted game. This goat meat is truly a delicacy."

Ning Ye replied immediately, "If this were ordinary times, I would gladly offer it to you, sir. But at the moment, my family is struggling to keep the pot boiling."

Lin Changhe laughed heartily. "I'm no bandit. Fat man, fulfill the agreement you made."

The fat man hesitated, dragging his feet, filled with regret. Why had he let his lust cloud his judgment? That sack of flour was worth a hundred copper coins, and losing it pained him deeply.

Ning Ye said coldly, "A man should at least have some backbone. Don't let your words be like passing gas."

Gritting his teeth, the fat man tossed a sack of flour onto the ground. He had already lost face; if he lost his nerve as well, he would never be able to show his face in this town again. After dropping the flour, the fat man quickly pushed his cart and fled.

The fat man was gone, but the onlookers lingered, eyes filled with longing. This was meat—they hadn't tasted a bite of protein in ages.