Chapter Seven: The Coastal County Town

The bear still had to be taken to the county town for a reward, so naturally, they couldn't skin it and eat its meat. Qin Chuan decided to offer up all the rabbits he had caught that day, inviting the entire village for a feast of broth.

"My family has some fish I just caught today, I'll bring them over!"

"I have a few bundles of wild greens, wait for me!"

The meat broth turned into a hearty stew in a huge pot.

Every household contributed their surplus grain, as if celebrating the New Year.

That night.

"Sister-in-law, I want to marry you."

On the bed, Qin Zhen revealed his feelings to Liu Juan.

"Zhen, I'm older, and a widow besides; I'm not good enough for you." Liu Juan's heart fluttered, and a faint sadness crossed her face. "You've grown up, and in a few days I'll find you a good girl from the neighboring villages, alright?"

Truth be told, Liu Juan was only just over twenty. In this world, she might be considered an old maid, a loss to her family. But in Qin Zhen's heart, she was beautiful and radiant, in the prime of her youth.

Unlike the rough women of the countryside, Liu Juan's skin was smooth and fair, like warm jade. Though she'd suffered some hardship, her grace shone through, captivating in every gesture.

"Sister-in-law!"

"Ah~"

The next day, Qin Zhen rose early. According to the plan, he would join the villagers on a trek of over fifty miles through the mountains to the nearest county town for the reward.

"Dear... when you get to town, could you buy me some silk thread?"

Liu Juan lay wrapped in the quilt, her cheeks flushed crimson.

She spoke softly.

"My mother said that now I'm a grown woman, I should wear new clothes. I want to make you a new set."

A smile played at Qin Zhen's lips, showing his white teeth. "No problem, Juan."

That gentle address made Liu Juan's heart tremble.

As she looked at the cherry blossoms on the bedsheet, emotions surged within her. On the day she married Qin Zhen's brother, her period had come, and shortly after, pirates invaded the village.

In the end, it was for the best; she had truly become part of the Qin family.

The old village chief was at the head of the village, organizing the loading of the brown bear onto a cart, his face radiant, as though years had fallen away.

When he saw Qin Zhen, he gave immediate advice.

"Stick with your brother Liu later, listen, observe, learn—it's different outside than in the village, don't make a fool of yourself!"

The village chief's surname was Liu, and the "brother Liu" he spoke of was his son, Liu Quan.

Liu Quan, just over twenty, was dark-skinned and looked honest, but his eyes betrayed his shrewdness.

He often traveled outside the village to trade, selling the fish the villagers caught.

He was one of the few in the village who had seen the wider world.

"Thank you, Brother Liu!"

"We're all villagers, don't mention it!" Liu Quan replied with a cheerful smile. "Today, you're the hero who killed the bear, our whole village benefits from your glory!"

Chen Shu and Li Han came over as well.

"It's a pity my father won't let me go; otherwise, I'd really want to see the world with you." Li Han pulled a long face. Ever since he returned yesterday, his father had kept him tied at home, not allowing him to go anywhere except within the village.

He feared his son would get ideas again and follow Qin Zhen out hunting.

Qin Zhen had managed to kill a bear once, but could he do it a second time? The Li family had only this single heir; such is the love of parents.

"No worries, there will be plenty of chances to go out in the future." Qin Zhen comforted him. "The forest is too dangerous now, but someday I'll build a road and clear out the wild beasts. Then, we'll go wherever we please!"

Li Han didn’t understand the full implication of Qin Zhen’s words, but he knew Qin Zhen would never deceive him.

Thinking of future adventures outside the village, he couldn't help but grin foolishly.

Meanwhile, Chen Shu, standing nearby, flashed a strange look at Qin Zhen.

"Brother Qin..."

A girl of fourteen or fifteen approached timidly, holding a red flower in her hands. Under the teasing eyes of the crowd, she blushed and hurriedly thrust the flower into Qin Zhen’s hands before fleeing.

"Isn’t that the chief’s youngest daughter? Why did she give me a flower?"

Qin Zhen looked confused.

"She likes you!" Li Han, surprisingly sharp at this moment, whispered. "Zhen, you have no idea—since you killed that bear yesterday, many girls in the village look at you differently."

"Don’t talk nonsense."

Qin Zhen glanced at the red flower, feeling conflicted, but finally put it away, planning to return it later.

He already had his sister-in-law; he couldn’t go courting other girls.

"I’m not joking! In a few years, the girls in the village will have to pay head taxes. The villagers treat us well, we can’t let them suffer! Why not help out and marry a few more?" Li Han grew excited, shouting, "My dad says only a man who marries several wives is truly capable!"

The times were harsh, people were poor; marrying another meant another mouth to feed. Many couldn't even support themselves, let alone several wives.

Thus, in this world, a man with three or four wives was not breaking the law, but showing his ability.

Liu Quan waved from up ahead, signaling it was time to depart.

Qin Zhen, not interested in bantering with Li Han, called Chen Shu and set off.

The road to the county town was not easy—in fact, there was no road. The group picked their way through the mountains.

"Hurry up, everyone. If night falls and the city gates close, we’ll spend the night outside in the wind," urged Liu Quan.

Qin Zhen managed well; he’d been a soldier in his past life and endured plenty during mountain exercises.

Chen Shu, once a scout, was sure-footed and handled the rugged path with ease.

But the villagers, most of whom had never entered the woods, struggled, dragging the huge bear carcass along the rough mountain road—it was torture.

"Brother Quan, are you sure this is the right way? It’s so hard to walk!" someone complained.

"Hard roads are safer!" Liu Quan replied with a chuckle. "There’s a big road five miles over, much easier, but who knows how many eyes are watching from the hills beside it. Would you dare? A bit of hardship is better than being robbed by bandits."

Liu Quan had gained some wisdom from his years of trading.

"Bandits?" Qin Zhen was shocked. "Doesn’t the government do anything?"

"Do anything? The constables earn so little silver a month, why risk their lives? The frontlines are at war, and many troops from our county have been sent there. The rest can barely guard the city—they don’t have the strength to deal with bandits."

Seeing Qin Zhen’s worried face, Liu Quan reassured him.

"Don’t worry, I know the bandits around these hills. They only want money, not lives. If we run into them, we can pay them off."

"What if they take our bear?" Qin Zhen asked.

"They won’t!" Liu Quan answered confidently. "Those scoundrels respect heroes above all—they won’t trouble us. Still, it’s best to be cautious when traveling."

With Liu Quan leading, the group crossed the mountains without incident, arriving at the county town just before sunset.

"My heavens! Is that a bear? Someone killed a bear!"