Chapter 34

Looking at Ming Yan's wound, Wang Lishou pursed his lips: "You are really useless. You practiced the Force Decree for ten years, but didn't even hurt a single hair of that silver wolf, and instead lost two pounds of flesh."

Although Ming Yan was a major household head, he didn't dare to argue in front of Wang Lishou: "Master Wang is right. However, that was a spirit beast. Apart from experts like Master Wang, ordinary Bone Resonance Realm martial artists would run away if they encountered it. I'm already lucky to be alive."

Ming Yan's point wasn't wrong. He was only at the Seventh Level of Courageous Strength, just like An Ze. To face a spirit beast head-on and still survive was already quite an achievement.

Unfortunately, Wang Lishou's standards were now very high. He spat and said, "Don't flatter yourself. The major household head of the Northwest Household killed a violent bear before he even started practicing the Force Decree. That was a much bigger creature than this silver wolf."

"Ah? Ha..." Ming Yan was first stunned, then his lips curled slightly, somewhat disdainfully: "You mean An Ze? I've seen that kid a few times. How come I never heard he had such skills?"

Wang Lishou sneered, "An Ze is dead. Who would still talk about him? I'm talking about the new major household head of the Northwest Household!"

"Ah... An Ze is dead? How did he die?" Although he didn't have much of a relationship with An Ze, Ming Yan still felt a sense of sorrow, as they were both major household heads.

While Wang Lishou was looking over, Lu Buqi, who was still standing in a桩 (桩 means "stake" or "post," but in this context, it refers to a martial arts stance), said coldly, "I killed him!"

"Ah..." The lingering cold aura from Lu Buqi startled Ming Yan. He had been chatting well with Wang Lishou and almost forgot about the dangerous person beside him. Lu Buqi had left a deep impression on Ming Yan. Just now, when he killed the silver wolf, this not-so-tall guy was even more fierce than Wang Lishou, and it was he who gutted the silver wolf.

Wang Lishou said from the side, "Don't be so surprised. He is the new major household head of the Northwest Household I mentioned. His name is Buqi. He is much more capable than you. He is only thirteen years old, but his Courageous Strength is much stronger than yours. Even his name was chosen by himself."

Ming Yan's expression changed rapidly, and he quickly put on a radiant smile: "Oh, truly a hero emerges from the young. I always thought An Ze wasn't a good person, ha ha..."

Lu Buqi looked at him coldly, making Ming Yan feel even more awkward about his obviously fake smile. He then shifted the topic by mentioning his wound: "Master Wang, why are you here? Has the hunting direction for the Northwest Household changed this year?"

Wang Lishou shook his head: "It's not something that can be explained in a few words. You should first take care of your wound and then arrange the affairs of your hunting team. We'll talk later!"

At this moment, Ze Nu, who had gone to fetch ointment for Ming Yan, returned. Ming Yan nodded repeatedly and began to treat his wound, but his eyes kept glancing at Lu Buqi, his mind clearly pondering something.

"Given such heavy losses and so many injured, there's no need to continue this spring hunt!" Lu Buqi said: "Have everyone gather the wolf corpses. We'll set off for the village tomorrow. Master Wang and I need to resupply in your village."

"Uh..." Ming Yan responded softly. Perhaps because of Lu Buqi's domineering attitude, Ming Yan didn't think much and reflexively agreed. It wasn't until later that he suddenly realized he was also a major household head, and why should he listen to Lu Buqi?

But thinking of Lu Buqi's strength and his own condition, Ming Yan decided to be obedient. He didn't want to be killed by Lu Buqi, who still had the decapitating knife.

Lu Buqi hadn't realized that his stance and cold tone, combined with Wang Lishou's words, had created such a powerful deterrent.

Feeling his strength restored, Lu Buqi gradually relaxed and then began to handle the silver wolf's corpse, which no one else dared to touch.

This silver wolf was killed by Lu Buqi and Wang Lishou. In Ze Nu's simple mind, it was their trophy and had nothing to do with the West Waist Household.

Soon, Lu Buqi found the silver wolf's heart core, and his face relaxed. After all, the standard for judging a spirit beast wasn't based on combat power but on whether it had a heart core.

Under Ming Yan's intense gaze, Lu Buqi walked over to him: "Ming Yan, I believe you know the main household's rules. As long as you submit a spirit beast heart core, you can offset three years of material quotas."

Ming Yan nodded repeatedly, his eyes fixed on the heart core in Lu Buqi's hand, which resembled a small ox head. His heart burned with desire. If he didn't know that Lu Buqi was much stronger than him, he might have taken a risk to get it, so he wouldn't have to worry about failing his task.

"You don't need to worry about failing your task due to the heavy losses this time!" Lu Buqi's sharp eyes seemed to have the power to see through people's hearts, making Ming Yan's heart suddenly tighten.

Lu Buqi turned his hand and handed the heart core to him: "This is for you. However, we will take the silver wolf's skin when we peel it off, as it will be our trophy. As for the silver wolf's meat and organs, we will eat them over the next few days."

In Wang Lishou's surprised gaze, Ming Yan struggled to stand up, his leg, which wasn't fully treated, seemingly no longer hurting. His eyes were full of disbelief: "Brother Buqi, are you giving me this heart core? Giving... giving it to me?"

Lu Buqi nodded: "Although this heart core is rare, the Northwest Household doesn't need it for now. Giving it to you can solve the West Waist Household's urgent needs. It's a win-win situation, so why not?"

"Ah... Master Wang..." Ming Yan wasn't stupid. There was still a person of higher status nearby, and he still had some doubts about whether Lu Buqi could make this decision.

Although he didn't know why Lu Buqi was being so generous, Wang Lishou waved his hand and agreed: "What are you looking at me for? If Buqi gives it to you, take it. When you show respect to Li Hong, don't forget to show some respect to me as well!"

"Ah... Of course, of course!" Ming Yan was overjoyed. This was like a huge pie falling from the sky. He looked at Lu Buqi with excitement: "Brother Buqi, you have saved me and the entire West Waist Household. How can I thank you?"

Lu Buqi pursed his lips: "You don't need to think of me as too noble. I do have some requirements..."

"Speak!" Ming Yan wasn't stupid. Lu Buqi's words made him feel much more at ease.

"Since this can offset three years of material quotas, I assume the West Waist Household won't need this decapitating knife for now. We will take it with us!" Lu Buqi said: "Additionally, you need to prepare two high-quality large bows for us and ensure all the necessary supplies are ready."

"Is that all?" Ming Yan was stunned. Lu Buqi's request was really not much. Even without Wang Lishou, just the two of them saving hundreds of people was enough to justify these requests.

The decapitating knife was precious, but the main household didn't have a rule against losing it. Honestly, with Wang Lishou and Lu Buqi's ability to kill a spirit beast, who could stop them from taking the knife?

"That's all!" Lu Buqi shrugged lightly: "Of course, if you feel indebted, how you want to show your gratitude is up to you."

Ming Yan's frown relaxed, and his face broke into the most genuine smile: "Brother Buqi is truly a remarkable person. I understand. No matter what you and Master Wang plan to do next, just watch. The Ze Nu of the West Waist Household is not an ungrateful person."

Saying this, Ming Yan stood up on his one good leg, full of spirit, and shouted loudly: "Da Dong, get everyone to work faster and get everything ready..."

As Ming Yan, full of energy, limped to supervise the progress, Lu Buqi looked apologetically at Wang Lishou: "Master Wang, I'm sorry. The silver wolf was killed by both of us, but I made the decision to give the heart core to the West Waist Household without consulting you first."