Leiting struggled all the way .
But could only manage to bring the barrel half distance from their hiding place .
After hiding the barrel he decided to bring others for help to lift barrel bAck to their place.
Upon returning He saw Everyone drinking water .His brother together with other strong man's had brought back cart full of water .
"We found a pool of stagnant water in the deep forest .The water isn't entirely clean .but after boiling it's drinkable .The only problem is we suspect it was a nest of some beast .
fornutaley it was not present there "
"We don't have to worry about water for a few days ."Explained a strong man .
Everyone released a sigh .
After drinking water Leiting's mother was little better .
After leiting told his brother .he found a barrel full of water outside .
They together went to brought it back .
*******
A week passed.
Leiting had come to the bearded man everyday .which later him brought him to secluded hut .
The old man didn't teach him anything signifact .But only told him to kick and punch while fully submerging in water .
The water resistant made him very hard to practicing punching and kicking .
It was unknown whether his strength improved or not .
But he wanted bearded man to teach him cultivation moves .The same movements he had used while beating up people in tavern .But the man refused and only told him focus on what he was teaching .
But the man had done one good thing .After lei ting brought the yellow martial book to bearded man .He had improved it and mentioned next moves to practice on .
Which greatly helped his brother to see a new light .
Suddenly a sparrow came flying to him carrying message.
After reading The expression of bearded man change .
"Kid ,it looks like The situation is going to become even worse .Soon whole world will be engulfed in flames of war "
"I really pity those innocents who are going to die in unnecessarily "
"What do you mean mAster "lei ting asked .
"Nothing .it's not something you should know .But i advice you to become strong .if you want to survive against the upcoming war "
After that bearded man didn't said a single word .
Next day .
The old man was nowhere to seen .
A letter and some weapon techniques were placed on table .
In the letter bearded man warned that .
The war that was between 2 small Kingdoms was going to become big .soon many kingdoms will start fighting each other .
If he wanted to protect his family .He should become strong .Also incase he had significant improvements.He should not mention about him to anyone .
********
4months later
After His brother started practicing the techniques left by the bearded man .
His brother's strength started improving .
Leiting didn't divulge the secrets of technique books .And only told they were found in forest left by someone .
The technique left by bearded man weren't any miraculous.They were just basic techniques on how to use weapons like swords,shield and spear .
But after learning these techniques His brother Tong was able to hunt Tier 1 beasts .
In the wilderness unless he met Tier 3 beast he could effectively survive or escape against Tier 2 beast .It wasn't much . But it was definitely better than Before.Now they could atleast hunt for food in the wilderness.
However one thing was strange .Like the bearded man . kingdom war didn't turn worse .Instead Things seemed to be turning calm.
Many Elders had even started to discuss to return to villages or their towns.
But nevertheless leiting and his brother Tong didn't stop improving themselves.
*******
A month later .
The war between kingdoms had stopped for many days .There were rumours inside the nearby towns .Both kingdoms had reached a compromise and peace was to follow.
Elders in the refugee had decided to create their own village .instead of returning to their previous ones they belonged too.
It was not like They had someone or something waiting for them .All their assets had been destroyed in war .Their closer ones died .Instead of returning and lament their helplessness their whole life .They had started to start new .
The new village was named "Xinfeng".
********
2 months later in "Xinfeng village "
Leiting was taking care of Mother .
It was unknown How .But mother of Ting was able to hold on for life till now .
Tong had even brought a Apothecary to take a look on mother .Even the Apothecary said .it is miracle she survived till now .But she won't live for long and would die within a month .
But yet 2months passed .
Although her condition didn't improve .As long as she was alive .There was hope .
"What a big beast "
"It's iron tooth tiger I heard its most seekable beast by cultivators .It can even grow upto Tier 7 beast .you are really strong to be able to hunt these beast "
"It was already injured when we hunted it . Please don't praise me unnecessary "Tong said to crowding elderly of village .
Lei ting took a look outside their but .
His brother Tong together with others had hunted a Tier 2 beast .
Previously they could only escape against Tier 2 beast .But to think now they can hunt it .
His brother had really grown strong .
But tong was'nt satisfied with himself .For his goal Beyond normal .It was nearly impossible.He wanted to grow strong enough to go against kaou clan and free his sister .
It was unachievable .But he had to try with his every being .
Perhaps there will be small chance he will succeed.
Tong cut a small leg piece out of beast .
"Ting go and prepare this meat .I heard from others that it's meat is very nourishing to body."Tong
"Ah yes "Ting nodded.He had learned these simple household chores from village elderlies.And he could do them without any mistakes now .
Also Tong had hunted many types of these beast with the goal of nourishing their mother's sickly body .
So he had gotten used to the way to cook these beast meat by now .
But Their mother's condition never improved .
******
Another month later .
A sparrow with letter came flying on leiting's hut .
It's relentless chirping finally brought leiting's attention .He together with others when read the letter .They felt their bodies chilled .They stood shocked unmoved for a while .
The message summarised was :-
Another war had started .And these time it wasn't simple war between 2 small kingdoms .Many small kingdoms were taking part in it .The numbers of kingdom warring each other reached 20 kingdoms .
And the war wouldn't stop until A super kingdom or Empire was decided between them .
Panic had started to rest in everyone's heart .
That day the Elderly discussed whether the letter could be fake or what were the origins of letter .
They were more inclined to believe the letter was fake .Than to beleive the possibility of upcoming war .
When lei ting told his brother everything.
"Its nothing but nonsense.war has already ended .How can there be another war in such short time .But no matter I will protect you & my family ."Said Tong with strong determination.
"I beleive in you brother "Said Ting .He believed what his big brother said .
"Why the way do you know anything about the messenger sparrow.who sent it .why did it landed on our hut "Asked Tong suddenly eyeing Ting.
"That Brother ..."Ting unded the gaze of his big brother explained everything.
Tong sighed ."Ting you were lucky nothing happened to you .cultivatiors are like demons.For them we are just like beasts .They only know how to use us mortals . And when they are done using us They will kill us .For them our lives is only worth their whim .you cannot believe them .Never "Tong
"But maybe he is different and the war might be true too"Said Ting in low voice.
He knew his brother Tong had biased opinion on Cultivatiors.
whereas others respected cultivatiors like god's .Tong hated them .
"You can never trust them "Said Tong beforinh leaving hut.
******
10 days later News came war has officially started .
Today In Xinfeng village .
A group of 10 showed up .
All of their clothes projected their high status .
The villagers gather in the main square as the sound of hooves and clinking armor grew louder. The air seemed to become heavy upon their presence .
dressed in ornate robes embroidered with intricate patterns of Sacred two headed snake. They carried themselves with an air of supreme confidence and authority. At the front Aan with snake like eyes and discerning gaze. Captain Wei, clad in gleaming armor, leads a contingent of elite guards.
"This place is good and we can even get free labour here "They talked among themselves.
"Excuse me I am this humble Village's chief .please let me know why have you esteemed nobles come here .I am sorry to say this .But we villagers feel uneasy in your presence.so if it's not bother .Please let us know the reason ."Said a Elderly man from village ..
Leader looking guy came forward from the 10 visitors .
"We have come to your humble village on important matters which will change your lives."The people beside him giggled.".is all the decision maker of this village here"
He asked taking a look at everyone .
Some people came forward under his gaze .
"My lords everyone is here please ..."Before the village chief could finish his words .His body exploded into mist.It was same with every decision maker .
All the villagers got horrified .Their figure trembled.
"Now that they are out of way . Listen everyone kneel "As the words left his mouth .all the villagers felt heavy pressure on body .Some were unable to bear it for even minute and instantly knelt .
"From now on all of you will work for us .Inshort you will be labour for us and our cause .Heehe"
"From now on You don't do unnecessary work .This village will be production house of weapons now on .And all of you will work towards mass producing weapons .Do all of you agree ?" The leader smiled with devilish gaze .No one denied it for they knew .They will die if they said No .
"As I thought All of you agreed haha."leader laughed shamelessly.
"This is a great chance for all of them to contribute to their kingdom.
To make their kingdom great why wouldn't they agree "responded his companions with gleeful smile .
However The villagers had nothing to say about it .For they would die .If they displeased these group .
If they had chance .They would problaly choose to stay out of this war mess .For one reason They wanted to stay out of war .
For 2nd reason They didn't knew what kingdom they were part of .
In fact In These Times .small villages like these had no voluntarily choice .which kingdom they were part of .
Because they were far from capital .They couldn't automatically be part of kingdom.
Every once in while A noble from would come Nearby city and claim them as part of kingdom a .And they would have no choice but to accept it .
For example:- Just a year ago This area was part of yu kingdom.But after a war They had heard it had become part of si kingdom.But than there were conflicted rumour this was still part of yu kingdom.
20 years ago They were part of Er kingdom.
And 50 years back They were part of Ba kingdom . However there was never offical order for small villages like them .They were just flock who followed the shepherd .In short which city they traded with .If that city was part of wu kingdom .Than they too were from wu kingdom .
Now that these powerful people claimed they were part of their kingdom .They had no choice but to work for their kingdom .For they didn't wanted to die .
**********
3months later .
Whole Xinfeng village had turned into big Smithy .
Everyday there would be rising of smoke & flames .As the villagers worked tirelessly on making weapons .If they didn't worked they would be whipped ,beaten and caged .In worst case killed .
Lightest punishment will be not giving food .
They were referred as labour .But they weren't even treated as humans .More like working puppets even worse than animals .
Those who weren't particularly strong or were kids would work on separating materials .for ex: Ting even if he was child . he still had to work .From sunrise to dawn .
Inshort Everyone who could work had to work .Those who couldn't work were killed .The only exception being his mother .And that was because His elder brother Tong was working for 3 people's work.
But even than The guards guarding this place would look strangely at his mother once in a while .As though she was waste of resources.
3 peices of hard bread were thrown at Ting ."These is the food for your labour . Honestly it's waste of food to let a sick eat it .If I were in your place .I would eat everything myself to satiate my hunger "The guards blabbered and sneered .
Probably thinking Ting wouldn't understand.But he did understood everything.Still he kept his head lowered and silently ate his share of bread .
His Brother Tong came to him .Seeing him guards left .Not only Tong was strong but he also worked 3 people's work .They wouldn't want to do something that impacted his work speed . atleast not in open.
"Brother They ...."Ting tried to explain.what the guards said .
"I know . don't worry I will protect mother and you "Tong patted his head and assured him .
As he ate his share of bread an inexplicable gaze glinted his eyes .He looked sharply at the receding guards figure