7 – Ha! The Frail Ones
by spirapira“If someone from the village goes out in the future, I’ll ask them to take you out of here.”
The village chief then shook his head and said.
“Thank you, village chief!”
Wang Ping felt a weight lift off his chest upon hearing this.
It seemed that the village chief believed his story; the issue of his identity and background was somewhat resolved.
In truth, Wang Ping really wanted to say he wished to stay here for a long time.
After all, he knew nothing about this world.
If he left this village, he would be wandering the streets.
To be honest, it’s very dangerous.
However, the fact that this village could allow him to stay for a period was already quite good; he had no right to ask for more.
“Big brother, what’s that in your bag? It smells so good.”
Just then, a ten-year-old girl with pigtails and wearing linen clothes gathered up her courage, ran over, pinched Wang Ping’s sleeve, and stared at him with innocent eyes. Her voice was crisp and pleasant.
After this ten-year-old girl ran over, the other children who had been lagging behind seemed to gain confidence and gathered around, all staring at Wang Ping with eager eyes.
Some of the children even gulped, swallowing their saliva.
“…”
Facing the children’s eyes, Wang Ping’s expression froze.
He clearly remembered the contents of the Life Simulator.
If he gave it to them to eat, the outcome would be very tragic.
After all, the village chief died instantly after eating it, let alone giving it to children.
“This is food from my hometown. Although it’s convenient, fragrant, and delicious, it’s poisonous and harmful to the body. Children can’t eat it.”
Wang Ping’s mind raced, and he chose to tell the truth.
“Poisonous? How scary.”
“Are people outside so stupid? Eating poisonous things.”
“Grandpa said that if something is poisonous, no matter how tasty it is, don’t touch it.”
“Eating poisonous things affects martial arts practice, I won’t eat it.”
With Wang Ping’s truthful explanation, the children all showed disappointed expressions and then scattered.
For this, Wang Ping breathed a sigh of relief.
“Are all the people from your hometown so crazy?”
The village chief also glanced at Wang Ping with a strange look.
“…” Wang Ping opened his mouth, not knowing how to answer.
“No wonder your body is so weak. It seems not only due to indulgence in desires but also because of this food.”
Seeing Wang Ping’s embarrassment, the village chief shook his head and said.
“Young man, don’t indulge in desires, and don’t indulge in so-called delicacies. Cherish your body.”
“The village chief is right. I won’t do it again.”
Wang Ping felt a bit embarrassed but made a humble posture of receiving guidance.
Being directly pointed out for having a body drained by indulgence in desires was indeed awkward.
However, the bad habits of modern people were indeed too numerous to refute.
“Village chief, do you think I can still practice martial arts now?”
Wang Ping asked full of hope.
“The kidneys are the essence of life. Your essence is severely depleted, which greatly affects martial arts practice. Besides, you are old now, and it’s too late to practice martial arts. Even if you forcibly practice martial arts by soaking in medicine, you won’t achieve much. At most, you can strengthen your body.”
The village chief glanced at Wang Ping and directly pronounced his fate.
“…”
Wang Ping was speechless.
However, he was not completely despairing.
After all, he had the chat group and the Life Simulator.
In the future, the path to martial arts was still hopeful.
After all, the seniors in the chat group might not have been in a better situation before they crossed over, yet they all embarked on the path of cultivation now.
Especially Cai Yonglong, who was thriving.
“Of course, you don’t have to be disheartened. Practicing martial arts has its benefits, and being an ordinary person also has its advantages. Different lives can’t be said to be better or worse.”
“Sometimes, living a peaceful life may be better than entering the world of cultivation where you constantly face life and death.”
Seeing Wang Ping’s silence, the village chief comforted him.
“The village chief is right, but this experience made me realize the importance of practicing martial arts, so I will still strive to practice. I’ve also heard of some people who enter the martial arts path in middle age, and with good luck, obtain precious elixirs, achieving remarkable results.”
Wang Ping nodded humbly and then spoke seriously.
“You narrowly escaped death this time, indeed a lesson. Having strength makes wandering the martial arts world safer. As for the elixirs you mentioned, it purely depends on your luck. If your luck is good and you obtain some elixirs that replenish essence and improve aptitude, you might also achieve something in the future.”
The village chief nodded, agreeing with Wang Ping’s words.
Of course, he didn’t think Wang Ping could obtain such elixirs.
After all, these heavenly items are very hard to come by.
“Alright, you can stay here and help me take care of a child.”
During the conversation, the village chief stopped in front of a very simple courtyard.
Wang Ping looked around and saw four chickens and three ducks in the courtyard.
Besides, there was a small yellow dog rolling on the ground, playing with a big goose.
“A child?”
Wang Ping looked at the village chief with some confusion.
“Yes, his name is Chi Feng. His parents died in a hunting accident. Because of their sudden death, he became depressed and silent, staying in the house all day.”
The village chief nodded and said.
“You are an educated person from the outside world. I hope you can help counsel this child.”
Wang Ping was a bit surprised at how the village chief guessed he had studied.
However, Wang Ping didn’t ask further but nodded and said, “Since it’s the village chief’s request, I will do my best.”
“Alright.”
The village chief nodded, opened the gate, and walked inside with Wang Ping.
When Wang Ping and the village chief entered the simple wooden house, they saw a skinny child who looked about eight years old sitting on a chair in a daze, lost in thought.
Even when Wang Ping and the village chief came in, Chi Feng only glanced at them and didn’t greet them, continuing to stare blankly into space.
“Chi Feng, Grandpa brought a guest for you. He will stay here for some time and can tell you about the outside world.”
Seeing Chi Feng in this state, the village chief sighed inwardly, then showed a kind smile and went over to touch Chi Feng’s head.
Only then did Chi Feng somewhat react.
However, he quickly lowered his head and said in a hoarse voice, “I don’t want to know about the outside world. I just want my parents back.”
Hearing this, the village chief gave a bitter smile.
This child was too stubborn, no matter how they tried to persuade him, it didn’t work.
However, the sudden death of his parents was indeed too big a blow for a child. It was understandable that he couldn’t get over it.