"Because the ham is only a very small piece, even for a nine-year-old child, it would require at least double the amount to make me full. But I can no longer be too demanding. And I also know, Unless the person accidentally or intentionally left the piece of ham in my trap, but I can't be sure who that person is. Yes, my friend, after my initial surprise, I also thought that way, that piece of ham My father hung the ham there!
But, it can't be him! I had disgraced him yesterday before the king and queen, and he not only beat me, but drove me out of the house, and cursed me viciously that he never wanted to see me again. How could he be worried about his only son and follow me secretly? Although I know that with some of his abilities unknown to the Babukole people, he could have done it! "
As he spoke, he sighed softly: "Trinville, this is the first time I have talked about my father with my friends in so many years. As you know well, he is a kind, diligent, and somewhat dull man of few words. People. Everyone would think so. Indeed, because of this, he even gained the trust of the most respected family in the kingdom, and made other people in the royal city feel a little jealous or envious when they talked about him, but even if Even the most demanding and critical person, no one will have the slightest doubt about his character!
When I stayed at that home and stayed by his side, I always felt the deepest love a father has for his son. Although he never spoke much, the look he looked at me made me tremble with happiness. But it was not always like this, Trinville. From the time I was six years old, he would take me out of the city and westward to the coast. I also left my footprints in the dense forests of the east. I also blew through the south more than once. The wildest mountain winds in those high mountains.
He always told me that what a gardener father can leave to his son is something that even a baby can easily hold in his hands. However, the knowledge and skills you learn will accompany you throughout your life, and will keep those young masters with the best teachers in the royal city out of reach. They will always be chasing after you and looking up to you. I don’t know where his enthusiasm comes from, but fortunately, I like everything about him.
Leave a piece of bamboo and sharpen it to make a harpoon, or make a small bow with your own hands and try to shoot the first grouse. As for fishing for shrimps in the river or catching bird eggs in the trees, it is no problem. A father taught his son all the games or 'skills' he could do, and he taught them all to me.
I even thought that if he hadn't been too young at that time, he would probably leave me alone in the mountains and forests for the night when I was six years old! But he didn't do that after all. But that's exactly what it is, Trinville, although when you praise me as 'the most famous hunter', I will shake my hand humbly. But now you know, at the age of nine, I was indeed a hunter! I just lack some experience and strength, and my courage needs some tempering, but after a lonely night, these are no longer big problems that bother me!
After I judged that my father had really abandoned me cruelly, I really thought that it was not such a terrible thing for a person to survive far away from him. Although it is really difficult to make such a determination. Now, all I have to do is think about where I'm going. Because I haven’t figured out how far I want to go. Finally, I decided to continue walking east. Because after climbing over the mountains, you can quickly see the village. I have been to Xilai Village once before - with my father.
I quickly found the main road out of the mountain, and there were also a few sparsely traveled paths, because in summer the grass was knee-deep and hidden in the dense forest of rocks. But I can find it as long as I put in more effort. At that time, I just wanted to go faster. Therefore, taking the main road will be more convenient, faster and safer.
When I'm lucky, I'll meet carriages driven by kind-hearted people. When they see a child walking alone in the mountains and forests, they can't help but feel surprised and pity. So during that journey I rode in at least two carriages. I kept company with merchant porters from all over. He also accidentally broke into the camp of a patrol sentry in the middle of the night and received their care and gifts.
There was also a troupe of three people who also took me some distance. To be honest, their tricks were very interesting. If they didn't stop and perform in every village and town they arrived, which was a bit of a waste of time, I would have almost followed them. Although those days were a bit bitter, my horizons broadened and my mood gradually became brighter. More importantly, in those days, the tension followed by the unknown feeling in the mountains and forests, I don’t know when it has gradually been forgotten.
The trip during the day was too easy for me, and I no longer had to worry about poisonous insects and beasts, but that was in the dark. So I quickened my pace. When I climbed another peak, I looked back to the west. Under the setting sun, the tallest and majestic city wall of the royal city became blurred and insignificant, and finally disappeared.
Looking at the rosy sunset in the west, I knew there was no way back. If I were a little angry a few days ago, I was still feeling uneasy. I even hope that my father can follow my footsteps and catch up with me and take me home to my mother in Babkole. But, no!
Tomorrow, over this mountain, I can only keep moving forward! I can't believe my heart can be so hard. But the coming of night left me no more time to think about it. I had to use the time before it was completely dark to set up various traps as soon as possible. There is also a small piece of ham in my arms that I am reluctant to eat, because even if I catch some small game in the trap, I have no ability to make them as delicious as Aunt Musila's ham. I want to keep it and taste it slowly. This can be regarded as the familiar life in Wangcheng, the few last memories left to me!
Climbing up the tallest tree branch, I looked towards the royal city in the distance. When I thought that when the sun rose tomorrow, I would never see that majestic city again, I couldn't help but feel sad. I quickly withdrew my gaze and stopped thinking about it.
Suddenly, my heart was pounding. A black shadow staggered over silently. I didn't expect to encounter such a big prey. Although I set several traps, I didn't expect to be able to deal with prey larger than a rabbit! I stared at the black figure without blinking. The shadows were getting closer and I held my breath.
But what I didn't expect was that the black figure suddenly became much taller. With the last ray of dim light in the forest, I could see clearly. It turned out that it was not a beast, but a man who had been hunched over before. However, before he reached the big tree where I was hiding, he fell to the ground. "
Trinville's mouth fell open, his chest heaving. Althea's eyes were also full of anxiety.
"When I saw that the black shadow was just a person, I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. I was about to loudly remind him to be careful of the traps under his feet, but luckily he fell. I followed a vine and quickly jumped from the big tree. I slid from the tree to the ground. It was dark, my eyes were blurred, and I couldn't see the road clearly. I had to be careful about the traps under my feet.
I knelt beside him and looked at him. He is a short old man with shabby clothes, wrinkles on his face, eyes closed, and a worn pointed hat. He just fainted, but he was still alive. I ran to the creek, scooped some water from a large leaf, fed it into his mouth, and poured it on his face. It took a lot of effort for me to drag him to a large clean bluestone. His face became paler under the moonlight.
I will stay by his side until the moon rises over the hills. In the valley forest, the wind shook the trees, and several more howls of wild beasts came from the distance. I could tell it was a wolf, and it seemed to be getting closer. I was so anxious, but I couldn't leave this poor old man behind. Trinville, as I said just now, the few traps I set cannot deal with big guys like wolves!
Just as he was thinking this, he heard the old man making a gentle "ouch" sound. Yes, his eyes and lips were moving, and he was trying hard to open his eyes. He might have just fainted from hunger, and a small piece of ham would have saved his life. I was so happy that I gave him some more water. I sprinkled the water on his face and called him loudly.
Finally, he opened his eyes. His eyes were dull, and he didn't know where he was looking. I reached out from my arms and took out the small piece of precious ham that was warmed by my body temperature, but he seemed to be unable to chew it. I had to use a dagger to cut the ham into fine pieces and feed it into his mouth. Don't forget, Trinville, my traps have yielded nothing so far, which means I'm going to starve myself tonight. But this is what my father, a gardener, and my mother, a cook, taught me—food is most delicious when shared.
Seeing him eating the ham cleanly, he was still licking his lips with unsatisfied content, and his eyes became a little angry. He looked at me as a young man in the shadow. But now I just want him to stand up quickly.
'Old man, can you move? You can't lie here forever, listen, there are too many beasts in the mountains. We need to find a place to hide quickly. Come, let me help you, can you walk on your own? '
As if to confirm my words, the howling of wild wolves sounded again in the valley. However, he was too weak. I couldn't move him with all my strength. At this time, the howling of the wolf was getting closer and closer, which made people stand on edge. They had to quickly leave this stranger and run for their lives in panic. Still stick to his side and never leave a dying life alone to the beast. This is a difficult choice even for a man of sound mind. However, I made my choice without hesitation. "
Having said this, he glanced at the two people who were listening to his story attentively. Trinville changed his usual temper and did not even ask questions. It was as if he was so certain and convinced that his friend would make the same choice as him that it wasn't even worth asking. It would be an insult to him and his friends if he even asked. So he just blinked and shook his head. But Althea looked calm. Because she knew how he would choose.
Glenn smiled slightly. "Yes, my friend. Although seventeen years have passed, I can't help but proudly say that that is my choice - I will never abandon anyone who needs help. If I can save him from the attack of the wild beast, I will do that without hesitation! Even if it means sacrificing my life!
I held my dagger in my hand and stood guard by his side. The moon has risen over the hills, and everything is bright. Even though I couldn't light a torch, a raging fire lit up deep in my heart, making my body and mind hot and I forgot about fear. I looked at the old man lying on the bluestone slab again. He fell asleep, unaware that a nine-year-old boy would die on the top of the mountain on a moonlit night, guarding the life of a strange old man who was slowly passing away!
This is a bit helpless and a bit stupid. However, based on the teachings I received from my kind and loyal parents and my loving Majesty the Queen, I must do this for the sake of my still unclear righteousness, so that my heart can be at peace.
My eyes widened. Because wolves can suddenly burst out from any possible direction. Although I already knew that the worst-case scenario might happen, I was not someone who would give up my life without a struggle. Standing next to the bluestone, looking at the swift black shadows accompanied by howls, I completely forgot about fear. Because of defending myself and those around me, fighting spirit burst out from my young body. Because of the extreme excitement, I couldn't help but tremble all over, and I made a sound of fear from my chest. I was breathing heavily, but now I feel calmer.
However, the reality may be somewhat unsatisfactory. My friend, think about it. When a little boy faces several ferocious wild wolves alone in a dark mountain forest, only those who have been in the situation can feel the despair. That is the despair of those who have lost the determination to fight for themselves and do not believe that they can still fight to defend others. That kind of despair can instantly defeat people's faith, but I gritted my teeth and held the dagger in my hand tightly. Now, I don't even have the chance to turn around and escape alone. Facing the real and cruel struggle of life and death, I had no time to regret or worry.
Fortunately, my position is quite favorable. He had spent all his strength dragging him to this bluestone platform before, but now he looked so lucky. I blocked the old man behind me and waved my dagger in an attempt to scare away the hungry wolf. I want them to see and not underestimate me! As long as I can stop the hungry wolf, if I can hold on until dawn, maybe I can be saved. But how difficult is it!
You know, it's not yet midnight, and the moon shines brightly on the top of the mountain, leaving us two lonely and hopeless figures, one old and one young, struggling in the darkness with no end in sight. The idea of resisting until dawn is an impossible luxury! Those pairs of charcoal-red and ferocious eyes were slowly approaching us. "
The two people who listened to him recount his childhood experiences still didn't ask questions or make any noise. But their breathing was rapid and their fists were clenched.
"One, two, three...there are five wolves in total. But this is not something worth celebrating for me. After all, I probably can't even deal with a wolf. A wolf and Five wolves, or more wolves, there is no difference at all!
The wild wolves were howling, walking or running around the bluestone, squatting or standing, and they didn't seem to be in a hurry to jump up and devour us. Maybe it's too easy in their eyes. Maybe they were just choosing which one to eat first. It is conceivable that as a result, my anxious mood will be tortured for a longer period of time. "
In the lonely and dark mountains, I, a nine-year-old boy, had to face five hungry wolves alone. For me, and for the old man who was blocked behind me and had not yet woken up, I could only rely on the dagger in my hand and the courage in my heart.
I held my dagger tightly, staring at the hungry wolves in front of me, and I had to be careful not to let them get behind me, which made me even more exhausted. I glanced at the old man from the corner of my eye, and at that moment, a hungry wolf jumped up and rushed towards me.
At this time, if my hands were shaking and my heart was timid, not only would I not be able to stop the hungry wolf from attacking, I might even be bitten in the neck by it, causing blood to splash in the forest, and I would die a violent death.
However, the bright dagger also prevented the hungry wolf from succeeding in the secret, and the sharp blade almost killed him on the spot. The hungry wolf was stabbed by the dagger in my hand, and let out a howl that shook the forest. Another wolf jumped up and attacked me, but I fought it off again with a swing of my dagger.
The howls of the wolves shook the valley and made people feel horrified. I didn't dare to relax even a little bit, so I waved my dagger and shouted loudly to encourage myself. But I know very well that before long, I will be exhausted and unable to resist, and I will inevitably become the food of a hungry wolf.
As soon as they thought this, the three wolves raised their heads and howled, jumping up almost at the same time, their front paws already resting on the bluestone. Before I could turn around, there was a howling sound behind me. My footing on the bluestone was unstable and I couldn't dodge. Facing the vicious wolf's canine teeth, the only way to stop it is with your body. "
Although Glenn spoke calmly, Trinville and Althea also knew that he was unharmed, so naturally they were not worried about him. But listening to his story, the thought of a frail young man in the dark, single-handedly defeating a pack of wolves, still made me feel frightened. However, his tone suddenly changed and he spoke quickly.
"Suddenly, a bolt of lightning illuminated my eyes, and the hungry wolf's blood-red eyes were fierce. For a moment, I couldn't see anything in front of my eyes. Then there was another thunderbolt in my ears, as if the entire mountain forest was shaken. , and suddenly the echo in the empty valley circled the mountain ridge, reaching into the sky, and birds and beasts flew away. I, who had been tensing my heartstrings to fight with the hungry wolf, could not help but tremble all over, and I almost dropped my dagger.
Thunderbolts fell from the sky, bringing a moment of snow-white light to the world, and then plunged into darkness. The few wolves that had shown their ferocious looks just now seemed to have been hit by lightning on their backs. They ran away with their tails between their legs, howling and running away without looking back.
Trinville and Althea were stunned.
"But do you know," he looked at the confused expressions on their faces and whispered even more softly. "In fact, although I was also startled by the thunder and briefly blinded by lightning, I felt so unreal. I really couldn't imagine that a thunderbolt came right next to me at the critical moment, and it was just for the sake of being impartial. To scare those hungry wolves. Unless the god was overlooking the mountains and couldn't bear to see us being devoured by the wolves, so he sent out such a bolt of lightning, right?
But the moment the thunder hit the ground, I really felt that it was an illusion. The light and the sound were thrilling, yet so far away. Although I was still frightened, I thought of the sleeping old man and couldn't help but look back. But at this time, I was really stunned! "
