Chapter 6: Human Sentiments and Worldly Wisdom

County of Skyfire.

At dusk, as twilight began to recede.

The Jingde Market was still brightly lit. The largest marketplace in the entire county, it attracted both extravagant northern traders selling beasts' skins and southern travelers purchasing medicinal herbs. Visitors from all regions pass through this bustling spot.

This was the primary source of the county's economy.

As the sky darkened, the helpers at the Fur Shop yawned, planning to close shop earlier than usual. The day's business had been average, and they didn't expect any more customers.

One of the store's assistants began to rub his eyes, preparing to close the shop.

"Bang!"

A thud echoed, hitting the table of the Fur Shop. The assistant recoiled in disbelief, retreating several steps with an expression akin to seeing a ghost.

A gigantic tiger, comparable to a hefty colt, lay on the table.

The tiger's head was facing him, its eyes open, staring directly at him, chilling him to the bone.

The sight severely shocked him.

Still, the extensive blood stains and the lack of any signs of movement indicated that the tiger was dead. Its skull was slightly deformed, suggesting it was killed by someone. A bloody hole was visible on its neck.

Who on earth was brutal enough...

To wrestle a tiger with their bare hands?

"What magnificent fur!"

The market assistant was fairly discerning, recognizing at first glance that the tiger's fur was of high value and would fetch a handsome sum.

A young man with a robust build, wheat-coloured skin and three blood-streaks on his sturdy arms was standing outside the shop. Next to him stood an even taller man, nearly nine feet tall.

The passersby who glimpsed these two could not help but stare.

"People say that the prices in the Jingde Market are fair and honest. I'm here to sell, so tell me, how much is it worth?" Han Ye asked from the doorway.

"Young hero, your skills are impressive!"

"Rest assured, leave the pricing to us at the Fur Shop, we will provide you with the fairest price!"

Seeing a potential deal, the assistant put off closing the shop, called his brothers from inside, and began to measure and estimate the price.

All of them gasped at the sight of the tiger skin.

"Such a ferocious beast, lying right here."

"The fact that this young hero could kill such a beast, truly remarkable!"

For a moment, their gaze was filled with awe towards Han Ye.

After a period of assessment.

The assistant gave the price.

"This tiger's size is huge, and the fur is in excellent condition. It should be worth about a hundred and fifty taels of silver."

"The only pity, is this cut on the neck, which has damaged the fur. Otherwise, a perfect tiger skin could sell for two hundred taels."

Han Ye nodded slowly, signalling to the side.

Wang Da Niu, standing by his side, threw a large wild boar and deer from the basket.

"Add the value of these deer skins and pig skins."

The shop assistant was slightly taken aback, glanced briefly and replied:

"There are damages to them as well, adding them up will be fifty taels."

"How's that?"

Han Ye looked towards Wang Da Niu.

As a former hunter, his family should know about these trades better than Han Ye.

Wang Da Niu nodded, "That's about right, these are the usual market prices. The tiger skin should be slightly more because it's scarce."

"Alright, deal."

The transaction was agreed upon.

A shop assistant brought a money bag and handed it to Han Ye.

A heavy bag, total of two hundred taels.

"Please wait a moment, sir. We at the Fur Shop have professional masters who will separate the skin and meat. If you want, you can take the deer meat and pork, or sell them to us."

Han Ye thought for a while and said, "Prepare some meat for us."

"Okay!"

After receiving the money, Han Ye walked over to a red steed nearby and handed a silver ingot to the steward of the Liu Manor:

"Thank you for your help, accompanying us in the market at this late hour."

"No bother at all."

The steward of the Liu Manor stroked his moustache, his face full of smiles as he accepted the silver.

"Your role in killing the tiger is commendable – ridding the people of a threat. In the eyes of Liu Manor, it's also a considerable merit."

With the emergence of a tiger-slaying hero from the Liu Manor, no matter what, they will benefit from Han Ye's fame.

He had recommended Han Ye, so he would also gain praise.

What's not to like about that?

So, when he heard about Han Ye killing a large beast in the Black Cliff Forest, he was determined to report this young man to his mistress, being both shocked and pleased.

Han Ye bet intelligently, contributing quite a bit to their mutual interests.

There was no reason for him not to be happy with such a deal that benefitted both sides.

...

It was late in the night.

Han Ye planned to stay in the inn of the County of Skyfire for one night and return the next day.

He had already taken care of things with the steward.

Tomorrow's tasks, even if he were to be absent, wouldn't pose a problem.

He believed that if he wanted to set his roots in this world where dynasties and immortals reign supreme, strength alone was never going to be enough.

One must also understand human relationships and use their brains.

Problems are easily and quickly solved with silver, which is far more efficient than worrying himself.

In his room.

The table was laden with dishes of greasy deer meat and pork and a couple of jars of fine wine.

Han Ye pushed the money he had divided into a bag in front of Wang Da Niu.

"Han, what is this?" Wang Da Niu asked in surprise.

"Had it not been for you today, Da Niu, I might have been dead. I wouldn't be sitting here, eating meat and drinking wine. This money is what you deserve."

Han Ye replied with utmost seriousness.

He was well aware that if it hadn't been for Wang Da Niu's arrow that day, and the following action of teasing the tiger with stones,

There wouldn't have been a tiger for him to kill afterwards.

Without Wang Da Niu's help, I might not have been a match for this fierce tiger.

So, sharing half of the money isn't much.

After all, money can be earned again, but such a good brother is hard to find.

"But after all, this beast was killed by you, Han Ye."

Wang Da Niu, looking at the bag of money in front of him, showed some hesitation.

"Da Niu, now we are friends who have been through life and death together. Don't be so distant, just accept it as my brother."

Seeing Han Ye speak so sincerely, Wang Da Niu finally pocketed the money bag and solemnly said:

"If there's ever a need for me in the future, brother Han Ye, you must come and find me."

"Absolutely, absolutely, today we've finally had a chance to eat some meat, let's not waste it!"

Han Ye first filled both of their wine bowls, then picked up a piece of meat with his chopsticks, put it in his mouth, and started eating happily.

A look of enjoyment appeared on his face.

Ah, meat.

How could anyone not eat meat?

Life without meat, just unbearable.

The two of them chatted and drank together like this.

"Da Niu, with your abilities, hasn't your family planned a marriage for you? Or is there a girl you have your eye on?"

Han Ye took a sip of his wine and asked curiously.

Wang Da Niu, with flushed cheeks from the wine, replied, "There is, but I can't afford a wife right now. My mother fell ill and every year we need a lot of money for her treatment, so I think I'd rather not."

"Making careful considerations for marriage is a necessity."

Perhaps it was the courage from the alcohol, but Wang Da Niu seemed to remember something and chuckled, "There's a girl, Hongliu from the Chen Family. I think she's quite good, but they are wealthy, and probably wouldn't be interested in me."

Han Ye said with a smile, "Da Niu, I didn't realize that you liked plump girls."

Feeling somewhat embarrassed, Wang Da Niu laughed and asked, "What type of girl do you like, brother Han Ye?"

"Well, I'm really not sure."

Han Ye was telling the truth.

In his previous life, he did have a few girlfriends before he graduated, but they all went their separate ways after graduation, without any ending.

After he started working, he did attend a few blind dates, but the bride-price was so high that it scared him off.

What do I like? The answer is still unclear in my mind.

"If I really have to say, I like pretty girls."

"Pretty? The young lady from the Liu Manor is quite good looking."

"She seems a bit fierce. I don't think she is easygoing."

Han Ye recalled the demure figure he saw a few days ago; the determination in her eyes was even visible in his memory now.

Feeling bored, he started to examine his own panel.

"Strength of a Cartload (38/100): Possesses great strength, equivalent to the force exerted by a cartload, never ending energy."

It seems the speed of attribute gathering is too slow.

The selection day is starting in a few days.

I must figure out a way.

Suddenly, a brilliant idea flashed across Han Ye's mind.

Right, how could I not have thought of it.

So, he slapped the table and laughed, "Da Niu, let's have an arm wrestling competition."

"Arm wrestling?"

"I'm quite strong, are you sure you want to compete with me?" Wang Da Niu rubbed his eyes, looking a bit tipsy.

It could be seen that he was considering for Han Ye, instead of boasting.

Han Ye laughed, "It's fine, we have nothing else to do right now, just think of it as something to make our drinks more enjoyable."

"Alright."

Wang Da Niu did not refuse anymore.

And so, the two of them started an arm wrestling match at the table.

In the beginning, Wang Da Niu planned to go easy on Han Ye, trying not to hurt him.

But the moment he gripped Han Ye's hand, his eyes widened.

He felt a strong force coming from the other side.

If he didn't take it seriously, he would probably be defeated in an instant.

Turns out brother Han Ye was this strong.

For a moment, Wang Da Niu became interested and took the match seriously.

Both of them exerted their force, their muscular arms bulging with veins, fully displaying the muscles and tendons. They started to compete with great seriousness.

Neither was willing to admit defeat.

"Crack!"

With a brief standoff, the wooden table beneath them was cracked by their force.

"Gather attribute: Strength of a Cartload+1"

"Gather attribute: Strength of a Cartload+1"

As Han Ye hoped, there indeed was an attribute drop.

But in the end, he was still not a match for Wang Da Niu and was defeated.

Because every time when it came to a crucial moment, a frightening force would come from Wang Da Niu's arm, making him unable to resist.

It seemed there was still quite a gap between him and Da Niu.

Winning against Wang Da Niu easily wasn't an easy task for him.

"Again!"

He immediately demanded another round.

"Alright."

Wang Da Niu thought he was unwilling to admit defeat and wanted to compete again, so he agreed readily.

"Gather attribute: Strength of a Cartload+1"

"Gather attribute: Strength of a Cartload+1"

...

Looking at the gathered attributes, Han Ye felt a burst of exhilaration.

Yes, this is it.

It won't be long before he is able to gather all the attributes!

...