Song Luyuan blinked his eyes and demanded of Song Xian,
“On what grounds are you making us brothers bet our lives?”
Song Xian showed understanding; indeed, he had nothing now that could earn others’ trust.
“I believe! I believe!”
Song Jimin placed his fair little hand into Song Xian’s palm, looking up with a sweet smile at him.
“Thank you!”
Song Xian was about to be completely melted by this child.
He squatted down and kissed Song Jimin’s plump cheek.
Song Jimin:
“!”
Song Xian said,
“Then I’ll take Little Third over first. As for whether what I say is true or not, that will be proven shortly.”
The second son was strong and healthy; a bit of rain shouldn’t harm him.
Even if he caught a cold, it wouldn’t matter.
With so much dense vegetation nearby, he should be able to find medicinal herbs to treat it.
Song Xian took Song Jimin’s hand and headed under the big lotus tree to shelter from the rain.
“Don’t risk your life and drag Little Third along. Little Third, you come back to me!”
Song Luyuan wanted to stop Song Jimin, but his shoulder was suddenly tapped by Song Hancheng.
“Big Brother, should I go pull Little Third back?”
“No need.”
Song Hancheng followed Song Xian and the others under the big lotus tree.
Song Luyuan was utterly shocked!
Big Brother went too, leaving only him behind!?
Were Big Brother and Little Third crazy?
To cooperate with Song Xian, they didn’t need to risk their lives!
Boom!
Boom!
Boom—
Thunder roared continuously.
Suddenly, a strong wind rose and the storm came fast and fierce.
Song Luyuan was soaked through in an instant.
Seeing the dense lightning in the clouds, Song Xian shouted at Song Luyuan,
“Danger! This is a thunder zone! Hurry over here!”
“Don’t lie to me! I was just going to tell you not to hide under the big tree to court death. Getting wet from the rain is nothing; being struck by lightning is terrifying!”
“The thunder is getting closer. It’ll strike where you are any moment now, and I can’t save you!”
Song Luyuan crossed his arms and stood firm in the rain, unmoved by the raging wind and storm.
At this moment, Song Jimin stood dry under the big lotus tree, not a drop of rain on him.
But he was worried; he didn’t truly believe Song Xian.
Everyone knew not to shelter under trees during thunderstorms.
He chose to side with Song Xian just to “play nice.”
After all, Big Brother was there to protect him, but he hadn’t expected Big Brother to actually believe Song Xian’s nonsense.
Song Jimin quietly moved beside Song Hancheng and asked,
“Big Brother, is it really safe here from lightning?”
“Hm.”
Song Hancheng withdrew his curious gaze from the lotus tree and asked Song Jimin,
“Do you recognize this tree?”
Song Jimin shook his head.
Not just him—probably no one in Yongzhou Commandery recognized this tree.
Where they lived was surrounded by high mountains and ancient forests.
All the Ancient Forests were places taboo to mortals; no one dared explore what grew inside, and everyone avoided them.
“He knows. He knows every plant we can see. That’s good, isn’t it?”
Song Jimin was stunned for a moment, his gaze shifting to Song Xian.
Song Xian stood quietly before the curtain of rain.
His tall and handsome figure outlined against the dim rain resembled a poignant ink painting.
Song Jimin stared at Song Xian’s back in a daze for a moment, then pursed his lips and nodded in agreement with Song Hancheng.
“It is good. I hope it stays this way.”
A flash of white light streaked by, and thunder exploded overhead.
Song Luyuan shouted,
“L-l-lightning… it almost hit me!”
He was still shaken, water dripping all over him.
White flashes flickered again and again.
Then a string of thunder boomed, ringing painfully in their ears with a constant ringing.
Each time lightning struck the clearing in front of the Broken Straw Hut, a wisp of white smoke rose.
Under the frequent lightning and thunder, the Broken Straw Hut caught fire.
Shortly after, a large tree behind the hut was struck and burst into flames.
Song Luyuan looked fearfully at the place where he had just stood—it was now scorched earth.
Luckily, he had a keen sense of danger and quick reflexes, dodging just in time.
Otherwise, he would have been burned to a crisp by lightning!
His face pale, Song Luyuan asked Song Xian,
“Are you sure it’s safe under this tree?”
“Certain.”
Song Xian took off his outer jacket and handed it to Song Luyuan.
“Quick, wipe the rain off. Be careful not to catch a cold.”
Song Luyuan paused for a moment, then pushed the jacket away.
“Don’t pretend to be kind. I’m perfectly fine, not afraid of catching cold.”
After speaking, he sneezed loudly.
Song Hancheng took off his jacket and gave it to Song Luyuan, who finally accepted it.
Song Xian felt a little embarrassed putting his jacket back on.
The three brothers’ clothes were old and full of patches, but his own garment was not only newer but made of soft silk.
From head to toe, he really invited complaints.
The three kids were well-mannered and good-looking, each handsome in their own way.
In personality, the eldest was calm and steady, the youngest lively and adorable, and the middle one, though seeming a bit gruff, had a kind heart.
Otherwise, with his strong muscles, it would have been easy to punch him twice and settle it.
The storm showed no sign of stopping soon.
The four sat on the leeward side of the tree, chatting.
Song Xian took the opportunity to learn about this world’s situation.
The chaotic times had upended all order; the common people struggled to survive, lacking food and clothing.
Yongzhou Commandery was temporarily at peace, and life was relatively bearable.
Main grains included rice, wheat, millet, yellow corn, and soybeans.
Vegetables were scarce; besides wild greens, there were only Allium Chinense, chives, winter purslane, Bean Leaves, and Allium Chinense.
Ordinary people were forbidden by ritual law to eat meat; only high-ranking officials and nobles could.
But in these chaotic times, many government offices did nothing, and commoners secretly ate meat without anyone intervening.
“There are dozens of Ancient Forests in Yongzhou Commandery. They’ve been cursed since ancient times. Nine out of ten who enter die, and not even their bodies are ever found.”
“Today, because of you, we’re breaking all rules, staying in this Cursed Land of the Ancient Forest—it’s like trusting in your devilry!”
Song Luyuan rolled his eyes and grumbled unhappily.
“Sorry for dragging you all into this,”
Song Xian apologized kindly.
He was always the type to admit his faults, no matter how long it took.
While pondering how to make amends, the eldest and youngest sons comforted him together.
“Father, it’s okay! Everyone makes mistakes. I’ve made mistakes too. Big Brother says the important thing is to recognize and correct them.”
“Yes, it’s all in the past.”
Song Hancheng brought over the Bean Leaves and millet porridge he had prepared earlier, letting Song Xian fill his stomach first.
Bean Leaves were simply bean leaves, and the millet’s husk wasn’t fully removed.
Such a bowl of porridge was rough in texture, slightly scratchy in the throat, with little rice aroma but a strong grassy taste.
It was said that the main cooking methods here were stewing and boiling, without oil and with minimal seasoning.
Song Xian felt this was a chance to shine.
He couldn’t guarantee everything, but conquering these three children’s appetites was definitely doable.
Seeing Song Xian’s subtle expression while drinking the porridge, Song Hancheng asked,
“Not tasty?”
“Tasty. The best flavor in the world!”
Song Xian didn’t lie; despite the coarse texture, the warmth of family made it the most beautiful taste.
Song Hancheng smiled but never quite understood the contradiction in Song Xian.
He seemed not to think the porridge was delicious, yet his words were sincere, not a lie.
As dusk approached, the rain ceased.
They planned to spend the night under the big lotus tree.
Song Xian hurried to the Broken Straw Hut and gathered the partially burnt wood.
This kind of wood smoked little and didn’t irritate the eyes when burned, perfect for roasting food.
He moved the makeshift stove under the tree.
After rain, the forest’s leaf litter was moist and loose, an excellent place for mushrooms to grow.
Song Xian circled through the leaf litter and indeed found many signs of Boletus mushrooms.
He peeled back the leaves and found a plump Boletus.
Boletus was the king of mushrooms, with a wonderfully fragrant taste.
Who could understand the joy of picking mushrooms?
One after another, it was addicting.
Song Xian broke off a big leaf as a container and quickly collected many Boletus.
Song Hancheng stopped him,
“Why are you picking those?”
Song Xian found another plump Boletus and said,
“To eat, of course. They’re delicious.”
Song Hancheng frowned.
“These mushrooms are poisonous.”
Song Jimin and Song Luyuan, who were starting the fire, both looked over.
Song Luyuan pointed at Song Xian,
“What’s wrong with you? Didn’t the lightning kill us? Now you want to poison us?”
Song Jimin couldn’t defend Song Xian this time.
He recognized the mushrooms.
Someone in the village had eaten them before, first going mad, then dying from the poison.
Song Xian explained,
“These mushrooms are indeed poisonous when raw.”
Song Luyuan brandished his treasured dagger eagerly.
“Cooked thoroughly, they’re safe and taste especially good. I’ll eat some first to prove it.”
Song Xian bent to pick another Boletus and noticed Song Luyuan holding a Dagger.
“What’s that?”
Song Luyuan twitched the corner of his mouth,
“It’s for Father to cut mushrooms.”
Song Xian stared unblinking at him.
Just as Song Luyuan thought his lie was exposed, Song Xian suddenly embraced him.
“Good boy, you finally acknowledge me as your father.”
The second son called him “Father” for the first time!
Song Xian felt a small joy.
Feeling the warmth of the boy’s body pressed against him, Song Luyuan was momentarily stunned by the unexpected “enemy ambush,” not knowing how to react.
“But this Dao Knife shape is quite special.”
After hugging Song Luyuan, Song Xian took the Dagger from his hand and traced the hooked tip with his finger.
The three children watched Song Xian silently.
His eyes stayed on the Dagger, his pupils shifting as if deep in thought.
“Brilliant! Which craftsman was so clever? Making a Dao Knife like this must be very practical! Besides normal chopping, it’s great for gutting fish, deveining shrimp, and handling ginger and other roots.”
Song Xian’s tone carried excitement, as if eager to cook with this knife.
Song Hancheng, Song Luyuan, and Song Jimin thought:
All he ever thinks about is food!
Soon, Song Xian returned with several pounds of Boletus and a handful of Allium Chinense.
Song Jimin and Song Hancheng exchanged glances.
Song Xian happily washed and sliced the Boletus, placed them on lotus leaves, and mixed them with chopped Allium Chinense and salt to marinate.
Then he grilled the mushroom slices on a flat stone by the fire.
After a while, the fragrant aroma of grilled mushrooms wafted through the air.
The three brothers had never smelled anything so delicious and couldn’t help but feel tempted, their mouths watering.
Song Jimin, being the youngest, couldn’t resist and asked Song Xian,
“Is it done? Can we eat now?”
Song Xian shook his head,
“Not yet. They must be thoroughly cooked before eating.”
While waiting for the mushrooms to finish, Song Luyuan suddenly grew mischievous and ran up beside Song Xian.
“There are rumors that because this Ancient Forest rarely sees sunlight, Yin energy accumulates, attracting many Haunted Spirits. Anyone entering this forest gets eaten down to the bones—”
“Jie! Jie!”
As if responding to Song Luyuan’s words, a piercing laughter echoed from the depths of the Ancient Forest—terrifying and eerie, sending chills down their spines.
Everyone instinctively looked toward the source.
The forest was too dark to see anything, but they felt something moving, drawing nearer, the rustling sounds growing louder.
Moments later, a white shadow appeared, drifting toward them from within the forest.
“Ghost—”
“Ahhh! A ghost!”