Chapter 2: Returning a Drop of Kindness with a Fist

After returning home, Bai Yu did not rush to claim the reward but started to check the Burial Records first.

He opened the first page, which contained Bai Yu's information:

[Name: Bai Yu]

[Qualification: 1]

[Qi and Blood: 3]

[Strength: 5]

[Skills: None]

[Magic Power: Immortality]

[Skills: Playing the Suona (Practice Makes Perfect), Reading and Writing (A Glimpse of the Way), Hunting (Not Yet Started)]

It seemed this body was really weak—a rookie, like Kun Kun playing basketball.

"A weakling with strength of only 5," Bai Yu thought to himself.

After some thought, he decided to claim the funeral reward.

[Successfully buried Zhao Laogen. Strength +5, Life Experience +5!]

Suddenly his body crackled as if his joints were being reset.

His muscles swelled, and strength surged through them.

He could feel his power doubling. Before, his maximum strength was about thirty kilograms, but now it had soared to a hundred kilograms.

Overjoyed, Bai Yu picked up a stone with both hands and threw it up with all his strength.

"There is no one like me in the world who can pick the stars with the palm and the moon in my hands. Hahahaha—"

With a loud "clang," the stone accidentally smashed Bai Yu's only broken jar.

That jar had been the only thing he could use as a pot.

Bai Yu looked embarrassed and turned to the little black dog.

"Ahem, in fact, you can cook without a pot. We'll have grilled fish tonight."

The little black dog tilted its head, its face full of disbelief, as if to say, Is this what people do? Even dogs would shake their heads at this.

Bai Yu smiled awkwardly, took out a plum pit, and quickly changed the subject.

"Lao Mo, let's dig a hole and plant it."

"In a few years, there will be plums to eat."

The little black dog nodded and quickly began digging a hole in the ground.

Once the hole was ready, Bai Yu solemnly placed the plum pit inside. He covered it with soil, watered it, and made a wish.

Both man and dog stared at the spot, their minds filled with thoughts of endless plums in the future.

Just then, a loud voice echoed from the bottom of the mountain.

"Oh, Xiao Heizi has grown so big."

The voice belonged to Uncle Dazhuang, who was holding a small sack in his hand.

He was referring to the little black dog, which used to be called Xiao Heizi before Bai Yu renamed it Lao Mo.

"Uncle Dazhuang, why are you here?" Bai Yu asked curiously.

Uncle Dazhuang handed him the sack.

"Changsheng, I brought you some brown rice—just over ten pounds. Don't think it's too little. Sweet potatoes will cause heartburn if you eat too much."

"And this sack is for you too."

Bai Yu was deeply moved and hurriedly invited Uncle Dazhuang to stay for dinner.

Uncle Dazhuang waved him off.

"Changsheng, I'll call you if there's a wedding or funeral. Your father is gone, but you have to live well."

After Uncle Dazhuang left, a neighbor, Third Sister-in-law, came by with a bowl of wild vegetable dumplings.

"People need to look ahead. Only when you have enough food can you live a good life," she said before leaving.

In this rural village, there were both oppressive tyrants like the Chen family and kind-hearted people like Uncle Dazhuang and Third Sister-in-law.

Tears welled up in Bai Yu's eyes as he said, "Lao Mo, let's eat dumplings tonight."

The little black dog wagged its tail enthusiastically.

Man and dog sat down and shared the bowl of dumplings, savoring every bite. They even licked the bottom of the bowl clean.

Finally, Bai Yu poured some water into the bowl, creating a thin layer of oily water. He drank it in one gulp.

Only those who have gone hungry understand the true value of food.

"It feels good to have something in my stomach," Bai Yu sighed. "It would be even better if I could have ten more bowls of dumplings."

A few days ago, both man and dog had been so hungry they'd wished they could eat a raw cattle.

Bai Yu patted his belly and declared, "Lao Mo, let me tell you, a gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years."

"But we immortals—we take revenge even after a hundred years."

The little black dog nodded eagerly, its eyes gleaming with excitement and licked the oil on the corner of it's mouth.

It has now become a burial beast, immortal, and has plenty of time.

"Hehe, when the Chen brothers are old, I will give them all my pension!"

The little black dog was even more eager to try, very excited.

We immortals, who to be afraid of?

At that moment, a voice called out from the mountain path.

"Brother Changsheng!"

Bai Yu looked up to see a little girl with pigtails running toward him. She had delicate eyebrows, red lips, white teeth, and a radiant face—a little beauty.

"Xiaoyu, why are you here?" Bai Yu asked with a smile.

Xiaoyu arrived at the shed, panting slightly.

"My father asked me to bring you a pot and a can of rapeseed oil. If you need anything else, let me know."

Xiaoyu was the daughter of the village teacher, Mr. Meng, and had always been close to Bai Yu.

Bai Yu was touched. "Please thank Mr. Meng and thank you, Xiaoyu."

Supplies were scarce in the small mountain village.

A pot, a sack, and a pottery jar were all very important properties.

Mr. Meng, the village's only teacher, was a fair and upright man with great prestige. Even the Chen family had to give him some respect.

But prestige wasn't the same as force, and the Chen family wouldn't return Bai Yu's property just because of Mr. Meng's words.

Xiaoyu added, "My father feels guilty for not being able to get your house and land back."

Bai Yu quickly reassured her. "How could I blame Mr. Meng? I'm already grateful that he spoke up for me."

Xiaoyu said again,"Brother Changsheng, are you not going to school?"

"My father said that you don't have to pay tuition in the future."

Bai Yu smiled bitterly,"I appreciate your kindness, but I am not suitable for studying in my current state."

Xiao Yu's face darkened and she said "Oh".

Xiaoyu hesitated before taking a small purse from her pocket and trying to give it to Bai Yu.

"Brother Changsheng, this is my savings. Please take it. Don't tell my father."

Bai Yu firmly declined. "No, Xiaoyu, I can't take your money. Don't worry, I'll get better soon."

He changed the subject. "How about I tell you a story later?"

Mr. Meng is very old-fashioned and firmly believes that "women are virtuous if they have no talent."

Xiao Yu likes reading books, so she had to pester Bai Changsheng to tell stories.

Bai Changsheng was also happy to show off what he had learned to the little girl.

The two had a very close relationship.

Relieved, Xiaoyu put the purse away and skipped off, her pigtails swaying with each step.

That night, Bai Yu and the little black dog lit a bonfire and cooked fish soup. The flickering firelight illuminated Bai Yu's face as he spoke seriously to Lao Mo.

"Lao Mo, we must repay kindness with strength. The villagers have helped us so much. If anyone dares to bully them, we'll strike back hard."

The little black dog barked in agreement, its loyalty shining in its eyes.

With their bellies full, Bai Yu's thoughts turned to the future.

"We have enough food to last half a month, thanks to everyone's help. But we need to find a way to earn money."

He opened the Burial Records and noticed he had gained 5 life experience points. These could be used to improve skills.

He examined his skill panel:

[Skills: Playing the Suona (Practice Makes Perfect), Reading and Writing (A Glimpse of the Way), Hunting (Not Yet Started)]

Bai Yu decided to invest 3 life experience points into hunting.

[Hunting skill level improved: A Glimpse of the Way!]

Suddenly, the hunting knowledge he had learned from his grandfather became crystal clear, as if he'd been practicing it for years.

Bai Yu smiled. "Lao Mo, go to bed early. Tomorrow, we're going hunting."

"Woof woof!"