Chương 24: Chapter 23: Home Again

Yang thought back to the past eight months as he made his way to the elder's house. His chest felt tight with anticipation and something he couldn't quite name. Nervousness and fear of losing what he'd found here. After Yang had been welcomed in the village, he'd found out it was called Yunxi Village. Named after the river he'd followed here. The same river that widened from a mountain stream into the source of life for this community. The name had made him smile when Li San first explained it.

A village with an actual name. Not just "the village" like his old home. After he'd eaten with the village elder that first night, Yang had been introduced to a man called Li Shun and his three sons. Li Da, Li Er, and Li San. Yang remembered feeling overwhelmed, it had been years since he had been around anyone let alone so many people. His head still spinning from the meal and the warmth of being around people again. Yang later came to find out that the village elder had asked Uncle Li Shun to take him in.

There were no women in their household. Li Shun's wife had died almost three years ago of a sickness. The elder believed this made the Li household the best choice. When Yang learned this, he'd felt a pang of shared grief. Understanding the loss that haunted the Li household. The way Uncle Li's eyes sometimes grew distant during meals. The way the sons kept their home meticulously clean, as if trying to honor a memory. The villagers were grateful for Yang's help with the injured child.

After seeing his condition, ragged clothes and wild appearance, they'd assumed he was either lost or his caravan had been killed and robbed. They'd decided to help him learn the language and teach him how to survive here. Their kindness had nearly broken him that first week. Yang had almost cried several times. Overwhelmed by the simple generosity of strangers. After years of solitude and struggle, human compassion felt almost painful in its intensity.

They believed he was strong and could contribute to the village. Maybe provide a helping hand in farming or something. The elder had asked Li Shun to take Yang in because most houses with daughters and sisters would be uncomfortable inviting a strange young man to live in their midst. Especially since he didn't even speak their language. It could cause problems and create inappropriate situations.

Uncle Li Shun's sons were, Yang found out once he had command of the language, seventeen, fifteen, and fourteen years old. A little older than Yang's actual age. But no one in the village knew or could tell. Yang's struggle in the forest had shed much of his youthful freshness. Sometimes Yang caught glimpses of himself in water reflections. Saw a stranger's face looking back. Harder. Older. The soft features of childhood completely gone. It made him sad in ways he couldn't articulate.

He could be passed for being around the same age as the eldest son. He had the height and musculature after the beast cores' transformation. Yang had gone with Uncle Li Shun that first night to where he would live. They'd entered a good-looking wooden house. Inside was a large room with pallets for beds. A corner held a wooden stove and all the things needed in an old peasant household. Cooking pots. Storage jars. Simple furniture dotted around the large room.

It was better than the best households in Yang's old village. Yang had stood in the doorway and stared. His throat tight. This was luxury compared to the mud hut he'd shared with Grandpa and compared to years sleeping in caves and trees. His old village hadn't even had a name. It was the only village anyone there knew about. There was no need to differentiate. The villagers could have called themselves the Roman Empire and no one would have come to dispute it.

That would need someone to know of the village and care enough about it. The realization hit Yang hard sometimes. How small his old world had been. How isolated. Grandpa had lived and died in a place so insignificant it didn't even warrant a name, yet even in that insignificant place Grandpa had a heart big enough to occupy the whole world. Apart from the seldom-appearing merchants, the village had been completely isolated. Yang had never even thought about it before.

But he wasn't sure what kingdom or empire they'd been under. If they'd been under one at all. Uncle Li had given Yang a pallet and mimed sleeping. The older man's face had been kind. Patient. Not a trace of resentment at taking in a strange boy. Yang's eyes had burned with unshed tears. He'd bowed deeply. Trying to convey gratitude that words couldn't express. Uncle Li had just patted his shoulder. A gentle gesture that reminded Yang painfully of Grandpa.

He'd also shown Yang where to get water and where to relieve himself. After drinking and relieving himself, Yang had gone to sleep on his pallet. He'd seen the youngest son give him a smile. Warm and genuine. No suspicion or fear. Yang had smiled back. The expression feeling strange on his face after so long. The son had said something. Yang hadn't understood. But the boy had repeated the word and pointed at the bed. Saying the word again. Yang had repeated it. His first word in this new language.

The boy's face lit up with delight. Excited to be teaching. In this way, over the past eight months, Li San had become his closest companion. Yang spent most of his time with him. Li San helped him learn the language of the village with endless patience and enthusiasm. Yang was fluent now. He'd had no choice. If he wanted to communicate, he had to know the language. He'd thrown himself into learning with desperate intensity. Every word felt like a lifeline.

A way to connect with these people who'd shown him kindness and taught him to live again. Yang thought back to when he'd woken from his first night in the Li household at dawn. The other Lis were also waking up. They were farmers. Used to starting their days with dawn and working hard till sundown. Yang had been welcomed to a small table on the floor. All three sons and their father sat around it. Yang was invited to sit and given a bowl full of porridge cooked by the second brother.

Li Er had served him with shy kindness. The middle brother was quieter than the others. More reserved. But his care in preparing the food spoke volumes. He'd eaten the bowl and been given another. He'd taken it gratefully and polished it off. The Lis were generous to him. More generous than he felt he deserved. Yang had wanted to weep into his porridge. The simple act of sharing a meal. Of being part of a family again. It hurt and healed simultaneously.

The first few days, Yang found out Li San had been excused from the fields by his father so he could show Yang around. Li San had been thrilled with the responsibility. Bouncing with energy as he dragged Yang all over the village. Li San accompanied him everywhere. Pointing at things to teach him the language. He also introduced Yang to many people with obvious pride.

"This is Yang! He saved Xiao Ming!" Yang had felt embarrassed by the attention. But also warmed by Li San's genuine friendship. Including the father of the child Yang had saved. Xiao Ming. The boy had followed his older brothers as they were being naughty. Gotten deeper in the forest than was allowed. Xiao Ming's father had almost kowtowed to Yang before Yang stopped him. Pulled him up before he could complete the bow. Shaking his head no and repeating the word.

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"No, no, please don't," Yang had said desperately in broken words. His face burning with discomfort. There were tears streaming down Xiao Ming's father's face.

"You saved my son. My youngest. If you hadn't been there..." The man's voice broke. His wife stood behind him, also crying. Clutching little Xiao Ming to her chest. Yang had felt his own heart soften.

"I'm glad I could help." The past months had been the best since Grandpa died. The village was a pleasant place. Everyone worked and contributed and bartered so they had everything they needed. Yang felt himself healing here. The constant tension that had gripped him for years slowly unwinding. He laughed more. Smiled easily. Slept through nights without nightmares. Yang found out something else when he tried going into the forest. The villagers stopped him. Wouldn't let him go in.

"Too dangerous!" they said.

"Wild beasts!" Yang later figured out they wanted to protect him. They'd always known the forest to be full of dangerous beasts. No one went deep. Most survived off the land. River fishing. Poultry and eggs. Their concern touched him deeply. These people barely knew him. But they cared whether he lived or died. They also occasionally hunted and trapped any small creatures that came near the edge of the forest or into the village. But they didn't bother hunting deeper. They lived on fertile land.

It wasn't worth the risk to them. They prevented Yang from going into the forest for almost a month. Until Yang felt he was trusted enough that he snuck into the forest and hunted down a large deer and brought it into the village. The young boys and men were delighted. Cheering and slapping his back. Examining the deer with awe. But many folks were worried about him. Scolding him for taking risks. Fussing over potential injuries. But they all joyfully roasted the meat that night. Everyone got to enjoy it.

True, everyone got a small portion. But everyone had a smile. Children laughed and played. Adults ate with satisfaction. The whole village felt warm and alive. Li San was impressed and happy.

"You're amazing! That deer is huge! How did you kill it and bring it all the way here?" But Uncle Li seemed worried. His weathered face creased with concern. He pulled Yang aside later.

"You don't need to risk yourself. We have more than enough."

"I want to help," Yang said quietly.

"You've given me so much and it was no great effort." Uncle Li's expression softened. He squeezed Yang's shoulder.

"You're part of this family now. You don't owe us anything." Yang had to look away. Blinking hard. The next day, everyone in the village brought something to Yang at the Li house. He tried to refuse. Mortified and overwhelmed.

"Too much! I can't accept!" But Uncle Li explained that would be disrespectful.

"Everyone contributes in this village. The villagers don't take advantage of each other. You gave meat. They give back. This is how we survive together." People brought small amounts of different vegetables. Fruits. Eggs. Anything they had. Each gift came with smiles and thanks. Old women patted his cheek. Men clapped his shoulder. Children stared at him with admiration. Yang's throat felt thick the entire time. He bowed to each person. Trying to show gratitude he couldn't speak.

Different people in the village had access to different crops. Rice was the most common. If you wanted something you didn't have, you needed to barter for it from someone else. The Lis were happy with the variety of options in the next few days. Li San kept exclaiming over each new food.

"Mushrooms! I haven't had mushrooms in months!" His joy was infectious. Yang found himself smiling constantly since coming to Yunxi village. A few days later Yang went into the forest again to find beasts. With his strength, finding them was the issue. Not killing them. Thankfully, he and the inner instincts had become so in tune that it didn't take long to find game. This time Yang hunted three large wolves. They were likely a pack. They were also strong beasts. Each had a beast core.

Yang took the cores and ate them like they were snacks. They didn't affect him anymore. But he kept eating them in case they were having even minor improvements if he consumed enough of them. Yang used tree vine to tie all three wolves together. They were almost the size of ponies. Each one massive. He dragged them to the village and saw people go slack-jawed at his kills. But it wasn't only the wolves. They were also shocked at his strength. It would have taken several men to drag a single wolf. Let alone three.

Yang saw the fear creep into some faces. The way people stepped back. Uncertain. Yang brought the carcasses to the center. A few men came running along with the eldest brother Li Da. Li Da's face was pale with worry. He quickly looked Yang over. Touched him all over. Checking for wounds with shaking hands.

"Are you hurt? Yang, are you hurt?" There was genuine fear in Li Da's voice.

"I'm fine," Yang said. Touched that someone cared so much. Li Da's expression shifted from fear to exasperation.

"You idiot! Three wolves? What if something had happened?" But he was smiling. Relieved. Yang proudly showed off his kill. Trying to prove he could contribute. Li Da looked exasperated but happy. He ruffled Yang's hair roughly the same way Yang has seen him doing to Li San and second brother. Yang again offered the meat for all villagers to have. But the chief came out and refused. Elder Qingshan's weathered face was thoughtful as he studied Yang. He gathered men around to help butcher all three wolves.

Gave one large wolf to the Li house so they could dry the meat and keep and eat it as long as they wanted. The remaining two he accepted for the villagers.

"You're generous," the elder said to Yang.

"But don't think you need to earn your place here. You already have one." Yang's vision blurred. He nodded, not trusting his voice. That night, the village center felt like a festival. Everyone dancing and singing and eating their fill of meat. Yang sat with the Li family and watched. Feeling more content than he'd been since Grandpa died. Li San was vibrating with excitement beside him.

"Yang! Yang, you have to teach me hunting! Please! I want to learn to use a bow like yours!" The youngest Li son's eyes shone with hero worship. His enthusiasm was endearing and slightly embarrassing. Yang laughed. Actually laughed.

"I'll help you make a bow." Li San threw his arms around Yang in an impulsive hug. Yang froze. Then slowly hugged back. His chest tight with emotions. In this way, six months went by. Yang grew closer to the villagers. Became like family with the Li family members. Uncle Li treated him like a fourth son. Scolding him when he took unnecessary risks. Praising him when he helped with chores. The older man's gruff affection filled some of the hole Grandpa had left.

Even got scolded by Uncle Li a few times along with his sons. Yang had felt mortified the first time. But also strangely pleased. Being scolded meant belonging. Meant someone cared enough to correct you. Yang grew especially close to Li San. The boy was everything Yang had once been. Optimistic. Trusting. Full of laughter and energy. He helped him make a bow and taught him how to use it. Further helped make arrows and created targets for practice. Li San was a terrible shot at first.

His arrows flying everywhere except the target. But he practiced with single-minded determination that reminded Yang painfully of himself.

"Like this?" Li San asked for the hundredth time. His face scrunched in concentration.

"Yes, exactly like that," Yang encouraged. Feeling a swell of pride when Li San finally hit the target. The boy's whoop of joy was infectious. Li San wanted to go with Yang to the forest to hunt. His eyes bright with eagerness.

"Please! I'm ready! I've been practicing!" But Uncle Li refused. His face stern.

"The forest is too dangerous. You're not ready." Li San's face fell. Disappointment written clearly across his features. Yang obeyed Uncle Li's decision. Even though part of him wanted to give Li San what he wanted. The boy had become like a younger brother despite being older than him. Yang wanted to make him happy. Until one day, Li San in his youthful pride snuck into the forest along with a few other boys his age. They'd become admirers of Yang. Wanted to emulate his feats. Prove themselves just as capable.

Yang didn't know where Li San was. He'd thought the boy was at the fields as usual. Yang, since he hunted, wasn't allowed to work at the fields. So he hunted for the villagers and cleaned the Li house while he was free. Helping the Li family however he could. After all, they'd taken him in. Given him a home when he had nothing. Yang knew Uncle Li traded rice and other goods with an aunty in the village to get Yang clothes and shoes. Her sons had outgrown them. When Yang found out, he'd felt terrible.

The Lis weren't wealthy. Every grain of rice mattered. And Uncle Li was trading precious food for clothes for Yang. Apparently, the Lis didn't have spare clothes. Li San was wearing his brothers' outgrown clothes himself and he was a bit bigger tha him anyway. Yang had tried to refuse.

"I don't need more clothes. These are fine." But Uncle Li had been firm.

"You're part of this family. You'll dress properly." Yang was with Uncle Li and the second brother when he suddenly felt the warning of his inner instincts. Sharp and urgent. Terror flooded through him.