Volume One, Chapter 18: A Hero Emerges in Youth

Li Chen’s eyes darkened as he quickened his pace toward home. Yet, just as he reached the gate, he froze in surprise.

There, at the courtyard entrance, knelt a sturdy young girl, her head adorned with a large piece of meat, sobbing uncontrollably. Beside her stood a limping man wielding a vine whip, intermittently striking her with harsh blows.

While lashing out, he cursed, “You spoiled brat, how dare you bully Chen’s family like this? You’re going to stay here on your knees until Chen comes back and forgives you. Otherwise, don’t even think about going home tonight!”

To Li Chen’s astonishment, it was Zhou Dahai and his daughter Zhou Jiao. A few villagers nearby were trying to reason with Zhou Dahai, but he refused to listen. Wang Caifeng stood by, tears streaming from her heartache, yet dared not speak a word. Yu Qingwan timidly lingered at the doorway, softly pleading, “Uncle Zhou, please let Jiao get up. She has already apologized. Truly, it’s alright now. Please, don’t keep beating her…”

But Zhou Dahai was adamant, insisting on waiting for Li Chen’s return before discussing the matter further.

Witnessing this scene stirred deep emotions within Li Chen. Zhou Dahai, a man of military background, was truly a man of character.

Footsteps approaching from afar drew the attention of the villagers, who turned to see Li Chen returning. As he drew closer, a sharp-eyed onlooker called out, “Stop the noise! Chen’s back, and it looks like he caught quite a few wild beasts again.”

Immediately, a crowd gathered around.

However, a few nearby women, upon seeing the large leopard Li Chen dragged behind him, screamed in terror and retreated, their faces pale. “A leopard—a leopard! Oh heavens, such a large one…”

Several youths around seventeen or eighteen years old circled Li Chen, their eyes wide with awe. Leading them were Zhao Dash and Hou Xiaobai, along with a boy named Liu Chenxu.

At that moment, their gazes upon Li Chen were as if beholding a deity.

“Brother Chen, did you really kill that leopard?” Zhao Dash’s voice trembled as he stammered.

Li Chen nodded simply. He had no intention of hiding the truth—for news of killing such a fierce beast would serve as a powerful deterrent to the village’s troublemakers, warning them not to provoke him or face the same fate as the leopard.

“Oh my… Brother Chen, are you the reincarnation of the Mountain God? That’s incredible bravery!” The group of youths regarded him with admiration and reverence.

Even the surrounding villagers watching the spectacle wore expressions blending awe and fear—this young man was terrifying indeed!

That was no ordinary beast; a leopard ranked just below a tiger in the jungle’s hierarchy of predators. More cunning than tigers, swift as the wind, it was said that while some had killed tigers before, no one had ever slain a leopard.

The crowd pressed so close around Li Chen that his small servant girl could barely push her way through.

“Brother Chen, you’re back!” Zhou Dahai hurried over, his eyes filled with newfound respect and awe upon seeing the great leopard.

Even in the army, few warriors could boast of killing a leopard.

This young man was truly formidable!

Gathering his courage, Zhou Dahai handed the vine whip to Li Chen, shame washing over his face. “Brother Chen, I know what happened yesterday. It was my fault for not disciplining her properly. That wicked girl dared to bully your family and insult you… I won’t say more. Whip her as much as you like—I won’t flinch even if you beat her to death.”

Li Chen shook his head and pushed the whip back toward him. “Uncle Zhou, killing is too harsh. Besides, I have already punished her, and she understands her mistake. Let Jiao get up now.”

“No, Brother Chen, you saved my life, yet my family mistreated yours. I can’t bear it. You have to whip her again, right here, in front of me!”

Tears welled up in Zhou Dahai’s eyes as he spoke. The debt of gratitude weighed heavily on him, and to have his wife and child treat others so was a source of deep shame.

Li Chen had no choice but to take the vine whip and step toward Zhou Jiao.

“Brother Chen, I’m sorry for what I did—to you and to Wan’er. Please, hit me. This piece of meat on my head, my father said it couldn’t be eaten, so I brought it to your family. Please accept it and forgive my childish ignorance…”

With the heavy chunk of meat balanced on her head, Zhou Jiao spoke with trembling sobs. Nearby, the servant girl covered her mouth, quietly weeping alongside her.

Li Chen raised the whip high. Wang Caifeng turned away, unable to watch, her heart aching. Zhou Jiao clenched her teeth and closed her eyes tightly.

But unexpectedly, Li Chen only let the whip lightly touch her back.

Then, he dropped the whip and smiled at Zhou Dahai. “Uncle Zhou, I have punished her and forgiven Jiao.”

He helped Zhou Jiao to her feet, brushing the dust from her clothes with a smile. “It’s all right now. We’re brothers and sisters from the same village. From now on, you and Wan’er should get along well.”

Zhou Jiao, holding the meat atop her head, opened her mouth wide, a mixture of shame and gratitude flooding her expression. After a moment’s thought, she carefully lifted the heavy piece of meat and offered it to Li Chen.

“Brother Chen, this meat is for your family.”

Her voice trembled with emotion.

Li Chen shook his head with a gentle smile and pushed the meat back. “My family has enough meat. Please keep it for yourselves.”

“Father, Brother Chen doesn’t want it…” Zhou Jiao called anxiously to Zhou Dahai.

“Brother Chen…” Zhou Dahai limped forward, his eyes filled with urgency.

Wang Caifeng gratefully approached, pressing the meat into Li Chen’s arms. “Brother Chen, your kindness is immense. My husband and Jiao were wrong. The head of the household has already reprimanded us. We won’t cause trouble again. You’re so generous and forgiving, but it weighs on our hearts. Please, take this meat.”

“Uncle Zhou, Auntie, my family truly doesn’t lack meat. Look, today I brought back plenty of wild game, including this big leopard. Please keep the meat for yourselves. We’re from the same village—there’s no need for hard feelings. It’s all settled. Please go home now,” Li Chen said with a smile.

“A hero emerges in youth! Brother Chen, you’re truly capable and magnanimous. No more words—I, Zhou Dahai, will remember your kindness!” Zhou Dahai gave him a hearty thumbs-up.

Wang Caifeng and Zhou Jiao bowed deeply, cheeks flushed with shame and gratitude.

Then the three of them joyfully went home to stew the meat.

“Brother Chen, my mother said you saved my life, and one must know gratitude. But I have little to repay you. This is all my family has—some arrow shafts I made to sell at the city’s bowyer’s shop for extra income. I want to give them to you. They’re not perfect, so please don’t be too critical,” Hou Xiaobai approached, taking down a small bundle of about twenty arrow shafts from his back and setting them upright on the ground.