Chapter 9

Ironwood, also known as iron pear wood, is a representative type of tree in the dense forest, with a very high hardness. In times of weapon shortages in the villages, it is used to make spears and thrusting weapons, and is also used to construct various fences and traps.

"Yes, ironwood is very hard and can be sharpened to a sharp edge!" Lu Qi lightly raised the blood spike in his hand, and there was no need to hide this fact.

Xitu nodded and asked with interest, "Can I take a look?"

"Of course!" Lu Qi handed over the blood spike, which was only four inches long, to him. This was modeled after the three-edged military spike he was most skilled with in his previous life.

Looking at the conical tip, with three deep grooves still faintly oozing fresh blood, Xitu's eyes sparkled. "The heavy bleeding from Anze and Dagu's wounds must be related to these grooves, right?"

"Yes, these are called blood grooves!" Lu Qi replied without reservation. "After piercing the body, they increase the bleeding rate, and the wounds are hard to heal. I think the spear tips of the pitchforks can be made like this, which would be very effective for hunting large beasts."

Xitu, an old hunter, had studied weapons and injuries in depth. After a moment's thought, he clapped his hands in admiration. "That's right. Such a weapon, when it pierces the body, creates not just a simple tear but a square blood hole, cutting multiple blood vessels... tsk tsk, no wonder the blood couldn't be stopped. Your idea is great. I'll arrange for it to be made immediately. I can almost foresee the success of this winter hunt. How did you come up with this, Hu Tou?"

Meeting Xitu's bright gaze, Lu Qi, who was well-prepared, replied, "A few years ago, I was accidentally injured by a similar wooden spike. I tried to make something like this. I used the large ring knife to help, otherwise, I couldn't have carved such neat blood grooves with a stone."

"Oh, you little rascal, you had the nerve to use the decapitation knife without permission!" Xitu narrowed his eyes, looking at Lu Qi. "Aren't you afraid I'll hold you accountable now?"

Yes, because it is used to behead people, the large ring knife is also called the decapitation knife, a symbol of the penal power of the Northwest Village. Apart from the head of the village and the executioners, no one else is allowed to touch the decapitation knife without permission.

"Didn't the old head of the village say that if I ever defeat the head of the village with the things children play with, you would listen to me?" Lu Qi's thin lips curled. "I wouldn't be so foolish as to let you punish me, would I?"

"Good boy, you remember that clearly, don't you?" Xitu's eyes widened, but his expression was somewhat wry.

Lu Qi countered, "Old head of the village, you haven't forgotten either, have you?"

"Of course not!" Xitu's gaze turned distant and profound. "I, Xitu, may be just a slave, but I have never gone back on my word."

Everyone has a story hidden deep in their hearts. Some may know, but most do not, and it is not convenient for others to know. Just like Lu Qi's rebirth, Xitu, the old slave, must have such a story too.

Lu Qi didn't say anything more. The gentleman's agreement between him and Xitu now seemed more like a few words of jest. Lu Qi practiced the Five Animal Exercises regularly, and although he tried to find secluded corners, he couldn't stay too far from the gathering place, so he was often seen by others.

Moreover, Lu Qi hardly interacted with others, and gradually, he was known as a "fool." In the Northwest Village, apart from Daku and Huini, who didn't consider their son a fool, only Xitu didn't treat him as one.

Of course, if Anze had also seriously observed Lu Qi's training like Xitu, he wouldn't have underestimated Lu Qi. Over the years, he had never paid attention to a "fool," and in the end, he died at the hands of the "fool" Lu Qi, which was indeed a tragic event.

At first, Xitu didn't pay much attention to Lu Qi's "play." After all, when Lu Qi was just a few years old, his body's limitations made it difficult for him to practice the Five Animal Imitation Boxing to the current level. It looked like a child playing around.

It wasn't until three years ago, when Xitu was wandering around idly and saw Lu Qi practicing the Five Animal Imitation Boxing again, that he was amazed. At that moment, Lu Qi was standing in the Tiger Roar Stance, and Xitu was astounded.

That was the first time in this life that Lu Qi had perfectly executed the Tiger Roar Stance, holding it for over a minute. At that time, Lu Qi's hands were on the ground, his body was stretched forward to the extreme, his legs were kneeling, his waist was extended, and his head was raised, his eyes wide open, looking fierce like a tiger roaring in the forest.

A single pose might not seem too special, but at that moment, the tattered clothes on Lu Qi's body couldn't hide his long and strong waist. The extreme tension in his muscles caught Xitu's eye.

At that moment, Xitu suddenly realized that years of "play" had given this child an extraordinary physique. Although his training method was different from the Force Formula, the effect seemed similar. Xitu even thought at the time that Lu Qi might be able to create his own Force Formula.

However, Xitu quickly dismissed this idea. Although the Force Formula is only a low-level formula in the body-strengthening stage, it is not something a child can create. It might just be a lucky coincidence, like how running every day for a few years can make one's body stronger than an average person.

That day was the first time Xitu had a conversation with Lu Qi. After that, his evaluation of Lu Qi was: "This child is like a newborn calf, with a strong and resilient character, a mature mind, and a proud spirit, but he is a bit overconfident!"

The reason Xitu said Lu Qi was overconfident was that when Xitu said that this kind of training was useless and that if he couldn't learn the Force Formula, he would only be strong in body. Lu Qi didn't argue much, but his demeanor showed a fierce determination, as if his inner faith had been trampled. He then said, "Old head of the village, do you believe that even if I don't practice the Force Formula, when I grow up, the head of the village won't be my match?"

Xitu found it amusing at the time, but seeing Lu Qi's spirit, he didn't want to discourage him. He casually replied, "You overconfident brat, I'll wait and see. If that day ever comes, I'll let you use my old bones as you wish."

This was the closest interaction between Xitu and Lu Qi. In the following years, Xitu, who occasionally remembered Lu Qi, showed some kindness and care towards Lukuang and Huini. When Lu Qi challenged Anze, he was surprised but also calm, knowing that this day would come, just not so soon.

Xitu had high hopes for Lu Qi because he could see his rapid growth over the past two years. He thought that Lu Qi would be a good head of the Northwest Village in the future. He even sometimes wanted to pass on the Force Formula to him, but the rules of the main family were like a knife hanging over his head, so he stopped this thought.

However, at that time, Xitu only hoped that Lu Qi would stand out in the new head of the village selection after he grew up. He didn't think Lu Qi could defeat Anze, the head of the village. In his view, even if dozens of people who hadn't practiced the Force Formula worked together, they wouldn't be a match for a warrior at the seventh level of bravery.

But today, Lu Qi undoubtedly made him look at him with new eyes. Although Lu Qi didn't directly confront Anze from start to finish, the agility, speed, and ruthlessness he displayed were no less than Anze's, and even surpassed him.

Therefore, despite the significant difference in strength, Lu Qi ultimately secured victory. Although there were many other factors, such as Anze's underestimation and the sudden appearance of the three-edged wooden spike, Lu Qi ultimately created a legendary achievement of a commoner defeating a seventh-level warrior, which Xitu and over a thousand people in the Northwest Village witnessed firsthand.

"I should thank you for not mentioning our agreement in front of everyone, which saved face for me, the old head of the village." Xitu looked kindly at Lu Qi. "Tell me, what do you want me to do next?"

Xitu's words were equivalent to acknowledging Lu Qi's leadership. If other slaves in the Northwest Village saw this, they would be shocked. Even Anze, the head of the village, had no direct command over the old head of the village.

"Old head of the village, don't tease me. From the way you arranged for my father to work with Dafeng, I can see that you already had a plan." Lu Qi replied, "You've been the head of the village for decades. You know better than I do how to manage this place. Do what you think is right, and I'll follow your lead in daily affairs."

"Good boy, you're young, but your mind is as clear as mine, if not better. I wonder how your father and mother taught you." Xitu smiled. "It seems I need to be more careful in the future, so I don't get outsmarted by you without even knowing it."

"Old head of the village, are you praising me or criticizing me? Don't worry, I don't have many strengths, but I understand the principle of not betraying those who don't betray me."

Xitu's eyes narrowed. "What if someone betrays you?"

"Never show mercy!" Lu Qi's aura suddenly intensified. "Whether it's an ungrateful person or a traitor, they deserve to die. With my three-inch blood spike, I will make them bleed to death!"

Xitu was silent, looking at the young man in front of him, feeling a deep respect. At that moment, he no longer saw him as a young man but placed him in a position higher than himself. He knew that this young man was not an ordinary person, and following him might one day help him escape the name of a slave.