C13 Linying City

Gao Xiong examined Lee Cha's scarred hands and remarked, "Looks like you've had a rough couple of days, Lee."

With a wry smile, Lee Cha responded, "I ran into quite a few wild beasts in the forest. I'm lucky to be alive; these scratches are trivial in comparison."

He instinctively straightened up. The cuts on his hands were manageable, but he had sustained a serious injury to his back. Sharp pains occasionally shot through the area, and he was concerned about the risk of infection.

"Do you have injuries on your back as well, Lee?"

"It's nothing serious," Lee Cha replied. "Just a scratch from a wild beast. I patched it up with some herbs I found in the wild."

"Why don't I have a look?" Gao Xiong offered. "I've got some medicinal herbs at home. You can't take wild animal scratches lightly. I've seen hunters die from what seemed like minor wounds every year."

After a brief hesitation, Lee Cha accepted, "I'd appreciate that, Brother Gao."

He then removed his shirt.

"This herb's turned black," Gao Xiong observed. "Lucky it's not summer, or it would be moldy by now. Hold on, I'll fetch some warm water to clean it off for you."

Gao Xiong had Lee Cha lie down on a long bench and gently washed off the herb with warm water and a cloth.

Lee Cha mused to himself about the generosity of ancient people.

In the future, someone with an unclear background like his wouldn't even be offered water, let alone help; they might even take the chance to finish him off.

He felt there was no need to fear harm from Gao Xiong; if Gao Xiong had wanted to hurt him, he'd had plenty of opportunities since Lee Cha walked through the door.

Gao Xiong was taken aback by the vicious wound on Lee Cha's back.

It wasn't a cut from a knife or a scratch from a branch; it was clearly inflicted by a large predator.

He had a suspicion but immediately dismissed it. To have escaped from such a creature, one would have to be either an innate master or among a group of heavily armed soldiers.

Considering Lee Cha's unsteady gait and obvious vulnerabilities, not to mention the lack of a soldier's demeanor, Gao Xiong concluded that he couldn't possibly be either.

He paused briefly before giving in to his curiosity, "Mr. Lee, what kind of beast gave you that scratch?"

Lee Cha replied, "I'm not sure myself. I was fishing above the waterfall at night when suddenly something burst out of the forest. I leaped down the waterfall in a panic, but still got clawed midair."

Gao Xiong exhaled softly, "Mr. Lee, you must have a guardian angel."

Yet, there were inconsistencies in Lee Cha's account.

Why was only the innermost layer of his thermal undershirt torn, while his coat and sweater remained intact?

Gao Xiong didn't press further and promptly dressed the wound.

Freed from the makeshift tree bark bandage, Lee Cha felt a significant relief wash over him.

Gao Xiong's wife entered with a bowl of steaming white porridge and set it on the table.

"Little brother, we live simply here, without any fancy foods. I hope this will suffice."

Lee Cha remained silent for a moment before responding, "I cannot thank you enough for your generosity."

In a world ravaged by disaster, encounters with such kindness were rare, leaving him at a loss for words.

Gao Xiong dismissed the thanks with a wave, "No need for such formality, Mr. Lee. It's merely a bowl of porridge."

The porridge was indeed watery, with just a sparse layer of rice and a few pieces of dried radish at the bottom of the bowl.

Yet, Lee Cha devoured it hungrily, savoring every bite.

This brought a smile to the faces of Gao Xiong and his wife. For them, making a guest feel at home was the highest praise.

Later that afternoon, Gao Xiong and his wife busied themselves in their fields.

Lee Cha had intended to set off for Linying City to the north, but Gao Xiong and his wife strongly urged him to stay. The journey spanned over thirty miles—roughly fifteen kilometers by future measurements—and with the treacherous mountain paths, he might not complete it by nightfall.

And even if he did, the city gates would be closed, forcing him to spend the night outside.

Considering the reality of the situation, Lee Cha reluctantly decided to stay put.

He approached Gao Xiong's brother, offering to help if needed.

But the man gave him a cold look and remained silent, leaving him feeling quite embarrassed.

Was his name Gao Shuai?

Lee Cha thought the guy was far from handsome, especially with that scar on his face. Without it, he might pass for a pre-apocalyptic movie star.

As Lee Cha turned to leave, Gao Shuai suddenly warned, "No matter who you are, I'd suggest you stay on the straight and narrow. Otherwise..."

Caught off guard, Lee Cha responded, "Brother, could there be some misunderstanding?"

"You were skulking around outside," Gao Shuai accused. "You think I didn't notice?"

"Ah, that was just a natural reaction. I'm new to these parts..."

"And the blood scent on you? You think a wash will fool my nose?"

Internally, Lee Cha cursed. What are you, part hound?

"I got hurt in the jungle."

"There's animal blood, sure, but I smell human blood too."

"That's my own..."

With a thud, Gao Shuai snapped off a bamboo strip and flung it, embedding his thirty-centimeter pig butcher knife halfway into a nearby post.

Lee Cha fell silent.

He resolved to steer clear of this lunatic. The man might be prone to violence or mentally unstable.

And if he got hurt, who would he turn to? It's not like the law applies to killing by the mentally ill.

At twilight, Gao Xiong burst in, exclaiming, "Mr. Lee, you're in for a treat tonight. Check out what I found."

Lee Cha saw that Gao Xiong was holding two plump rabbits.

"Not a bad haul."

"I'm not sure if these fat rabbits died from a collision or a fight. I'll check the area again tomorrow. Maybe luck will bring a few more my way."

Mrs. Gao chided with a laugh, "Hoping to 'wait for the rabbit,' are you?"

"Hehe, Mr. Lee, the moment you walked in, we started off with a feast. You truly are my good luck charm," Gao Xiong said with a hearty slap on Lee Cha's shoulder.

Mrs. Gao rolled up her sleeves and announced, "You all just wait. Tonight, I'm going to make you a delicious stew with radish, sauerkraut, and rabbit meat."

Gao Xiong's throat bobbed, saliva nearly escaping in anticipation.

Lee Cha massaged his aching shoulder, wincing. It's just a home-cooked meal, isn't it?

I've eaten tiger meat before; what's a bit of rabbit to me? Look at you, getting all worked up—no sophistication...

Yet, he felt a twinge of envy for Gao Xiong and Mrs. Gao. Despite their poverty and hard lives, rising with the sun and resting at dusk, their genuine smiles and the way they paired up showed a deep, harmonious bond, so much simpler than the relationships of later times.

Lee Cha pitched in to help in the kitchen.

Soon, the kitchen filled with the tantalizing aroma of the cooking food.

Having had only a bowl of thin porridge for lunch, Lee Cha's hunger wasn't satisfied, and now his stomach was audibly complaining.

He watched Mrs. Gao cook, amazed that she had mastered the use of spices, albeit in their crudest forms—wild Sichuan peppercorns, cornelian cherries, and coarse ginger.

Her technique was straightforward, tossing the rabbit meat, dried radishes, and sauerkraut together into the pot to stew.

When it was time to eat, Gao Xiong brought out a soccer ball-sized dark brown ceramic jar with a solemn expression.

"This is my treasured sorghum wine, saved for many years. I seldom indulge, but with Mr. Lee gracing our humble home today, I'll make an exception," he declared.

Lee Cha caught the look of reluctance on his face and almost chuckled.

If only there were ample food, for someone with his knowledge of chemistry, such wine could be plentiful.

Gao Xiong poured a small cup for each of them and eagerly brought it to his nose for a deep sniff, his face radiating contentment.

Lee Cha had been about to politely inquire why Gao Shuai wasn't partaking.

But catching sight of his sullen expression, he thought better of it and kept his question to himself.

"Do I owe you billions or something? Why the hostility towards me?"

Lee Cha lifted his wine cup and sampled the contents. The alcohol was mild, akin to the homemade rice wine of future wine shops, hovering around 20 proof.

It was clear that the Song Dynasty had mastered the art of winemaking.

While he wasn't an expert on alcoholic beverages, he understood that distillation could raise the alcohol level, and adding a touch of fragrance would enhance the aroma.

Selling high-proof spirits in the Song Dynasty could potentially be quite profitable.

"Excellent wine," he complimented.

He pondered the possibilities. Commerce thrived in the Song Dynasty, reaching its zenith during the feudal era, with population mobility and congregation officially sanctioned. Engaging in business to amass wealth seemed like an attractive option.

Early the next day, Lee Cha embarked on his journey to Linying City.

As it happened, Gao Xiong and Gao Shuai were setting out to sell their handcrafted bamboo baskets and sieves, and to purchase essentials like rice and salt. Lee Cha decided to join them.

After several hours of walking, with the sun now high above, they spotted a slender line on the horizon.

Drawing closer, they beheld a city wall stretching hundreds of meters.

Constructed of neatly stacked stones and clay, the barrier stood at least three meters tall, with a large gate at its center, bustling with a constant flow of people.

Despite the Song Dynasty's economic prosperity, the common folk seemed to lead harsh lives, evident from their gaunt frames and coarse garments.

The city streets, however, were notably smoother, complete with drainage ditches on either side, catching Lee Cha's attention.

The houses, though aged, were mostly built of stone, clay, and timber, topped with dark gray tiles—a significant step up from the Gao family's humble mud dwellings.

Soon, they reached the bustling marketplace, alive with the din of vendors and patrons alike.

Stalls offered an array of goods—snacks, tools, ornaments—and street performers entertained the crowds, while numerous patrons frequented the shops lining the streets.

Everything was in abundance—food, clothing, shelter, and transportation.

It's no surprise that the Song Dynasty's economy was thriving; with the right conditions, anyone could venture into commerce.

Lee Cha even encountered a place reminiscent of a modern-day commercial hub, where dining, shopping, and entertainment were all available under one roof.

This was a comprehensive business complex run by the government, offering goods and services at attractive prices—a must-visit for many upon entering the city.

Even the thrifty Gao Xiong admitted that if his business flourished, he'd treat himself to a feast there.

Once Gao Xiong and Gao Shuai had secured a spot for their stall, Lee Cha set off on his own.

He was puzzled. Knowing that this alien world was the Huaxia of the Northern Song Dynasty, why hadn't the system confirmed his mission's completion? Was he expected to explore the entire globe?

That would be a death sentence.

Don't ask; the answer is to explore on your own.

But first things first: he needed to satisfy his hunger and find a place to stay.

Relying on the impoverished Gao family for meals was out of the question.

In any world, money was the ultimate tool.

How could he make money quickly?

He came up with at least ten plans, but each was challenging to execute without initial capital or resources.

So, the priority was to secure some seed money.

He took stock of his possessions: a broken phone, a small utility knife, an electronic pointer watch, a lighter, and an empty, worn-out wallet.

He had hidden the tiger skin and the Chang'e wood carving in a box near Gao Xiong's home.

The tiger skin was too precious to reveal without the means to safeguard it.

The ID and other documents in the wallet, along with the knife, were immediately ruled out.

The phone was as good as a brick, dead and unusable.

The watch was a potential option, but since it was unfamiliar to the people of the past and not essential, traders would likely drive a hard bargain.

But the lighter... that sparked an idea in Lee Cha.

The previous night, he had used the lighter to start a fire, astonishing Gao Xiong and his wife to the point where they nearly knelt before him, hailing him as a sorcerer.