In a communal space, a gathering for a free lunch unfolded as residents formed queues amidst somewhat restored houses. Despite the damaged roofs and sparse remnants, some sides offered a semblance of shelter for the night.
Renxian who fulfilled his hunger, did not hold back at all when eating what they offered, finishing it without a trace. "Ah, what a relief!" The man sighed while caressing his stomach.
"Take it slow, Renxian," Siuxa said who had not finished her food while shaking her head, unable to understand the behavior of the man next to her.
"Ah, sorry for that," Sanxiu responded who now had his hair in a bun, drinking the beverage in the glass. "I can't help it, it's delicious!"
Seated across from the Chief of Timberlake village, a faint smile traversed his face. "The culinary expertise of old Sani is undeniable; she's been immersed in the world of cooking since her youth."
He turned his head, making Renxian follow the chief's direction who was watching the several individuals who were busy cooking there. The aged, stooped woman with white hair seemed to be in a haste, preparing food. The same woman who was once excited to see Sanxiu's execution.
"Not surprised, indeed," Renxian admitted, his eyes fixed on the elder now carrying the dish and approaching. "Her dedication to cooking is inspirational."
Unexpectedly, Sani turned toward Renxian's location and halted next to him, her expression reflecting deep remorse. "Sanxiu, it's the least I can do for you to redeem myself. Please eat as much as you need!" She delivered the meal with various side dishes in front of the man.
Amidst the watchful eyes around him, Renxian tried to refuse. "It's fine madam, you don't need to force yourself hard like this."
"No, no, you saved us all!" The two teary eyes pleaded, making it difficult for Renxian to refuse. In the end, he accepted. "Sanxiu, the cultivator killer... is no more."
Unable to find words, the man responded with a wide smile, bowing deeply and etched his hands together in appreciation. As some who harbored a dislike for the Rogue Cultivator began to subside, there remained those unwilling to accept the truth.
"So, Renxian, isn't it?" Liuhan now opened his voice, sitting next to the chief in a more elegant blue outfit. "A famous Sanxiu who just saved the village from the Hornclaw Goblin's rampage, if I'm not mistaken is one of the A-level Mystical Beasts."
All eyes turned to the man with wavy black hair, neatly arranged around his wrinkled face. Renxian, who was now focused on him, replied, "So, what did you want to tell me?"
Liuhan took a sip of the tanned liquid before speaking, "All of this, except for the Goblin, is my fault." He glanced at Niara's eyes, and continued, "I made a mistake by choosing violence over talking to Niara first."
"If I had not kidnapped her in the first place," the azure-colored eyes flicked back to Sanxiu who was listening as he began eating Sani's cook. "You might not have experienced that execution."
Renxian briefly paused in his eating, questioning, "Why did you compel Niara to return, then?"
"Her father wanted to see her so much," Liuhan's voice sounded soft. "Although the Clover Sect is known for its healing techniques, his illness seems unable to be recovered."
"In those moments, all he desired was to see his daughter," the raven-haired man continued as he drank the hot tea. "The only child he truly loved."
Niara, upon hearing those words, was flooded with flashbacks of cherished moments with her father. Despite her current resentment, there was a time when their bond was strong, along with her late mother. The blonde woman looked away, emotions stirring within her.
"Niara..." He turned his gaze back to his niece. "For once, please, come home."
Niara, unable to contain her tears any longer, was comforted by Meagu, who stroked her back soothingly. Between sobs, she doubted, "But why... why did he realize all this at a time like this? Blinded by ambition, not caring about mother at all."
Liuhan remained speechless, unable to defend his brother's actions. Turning Niara into a means to fulfill his desires, even having one of his concubines replace Niara's mother was a conflict that shattered the woman's world.
Renxian who had chosen to listen from both points of view, considered Niara's earlier request. "Niara... if you want to meet your father, we will come with you."
Niara, Meagu, and Siuxa, moved by Renxian's gesture, choked up and turned to the man. Despite Renxian's initial goal to study martial arts in a sect located in Mount Ardiwa, he set that aside for this urgent matter.
"Despite the awful things he might have done to you, at least for once, you could have granted his wish," Renxian's voice sounded a little weak, self-introspecting as Charles had faced similar issues with Niara. "After all, he is your father who raised you."
Sanxiu's unexpected words surprised most people present. The reputation of the Rogue Cultivator being a lone wolf who avoided interactions was shattered. The conversation revealed that Sanxiu had a companion from the start, and his actions in saving the village demonstrated a notable change.
After the meal, Renxian decided to check on the village, which was in a better state than before. The citizens together rebuilt the residence, restoring it to its former glory. Tomorrow he wouldn't be here anymore, going to Niara's birthplace, which was none other than the Clover Kingdom.
The distance from here to that location according to Liuhan's estimation could be up to four days, a journey that was quite tiring even using horses and carriages. Renxian then sighed and muttered, "Well, at least I can explore other areas." His steps suddenly stopped when he saw Atar there, fixing his house.
Sanxiu hurriedly approached him and greeted, "Is it quite severe?"
The large man climbing the stairs was taken aback, looking down. "Ah, Sanxiu. It's not that bad, thanks to the Heavens for that." He, who was initially fixing the facade of the house, began to descend. "Thanks to you too for defeating that beast."
Renxian didn't say anything but offered a smile, leaving Atar astonished. "Looking for something?"
"Ah, no. I'll probably postpone going to Mount Ardiwa soon," Renxian explained, watching Atar tidy up his tools.
"It's ok, you can go anytime you want," replied the muscular man whose expression was still filled with optimism and enthusiasm. "What's more, Sanxiu would rather wander than settle down in that old house on the mountain, right?"
"But this katana—"
The black-haired man's sentence was quickly interrupted by Atar, who said, "Hey, that old man would rather you use that katana and maximize its power than years of just being a home decoration."
Sanxiu chuckled as he looked down, replying to the man in front of him. "Because with this katana, I could take down that creature."
"What did I tell you? This weapon becomes so dangerous when worn by the right person," Atar exclaimed, a wide grin spreading across his face, revealing his teeth.
"Yeah... thank you. I will take good care of it."
Before the sunset, Renxian took the time to visit the area where the bloodshed occurred. Weishi was still securing the situation, burying the bodies scattered around. The open area where the Hornclaw Goblin collapsed had transformed into a graveyard for the fallen heroes.
There, he found Yonxin, the brown-haired man who had fought alongside him, still whole and alive. Yonxin wept over the graves of his fellow hunters. Not wanting to disturb the moment, Sanxiu decided to return to the village as the light faded, replaced by a dim night sprinkled with stars.
People gathered in the village hall, lighting firewood as the efforts to rebuild the village were in full swing. They came together to chat, fostering a sense of kinship that Renxian found heartening. In this shared endeavor, they could appreciate each other without hostility.
It was a connection Charles had not felt until he arrived in this world—a world that made him sense togetherness, something he had been missing.
The inn's front room was wide open, with several homeless victims already asleep. Renxian could see Niara and Siuxa there, closing their eyes. Understanding their exhaustion from helping people in distress, Renxian went upstairs to his room.
He almost jumped in surprise when he found Meagu lying on the bed, still dressed in her white hanfu. However, this time, the atmosphere suddenly changed as Renxian entered the room, the fragrant smell wafting in as he closed the door.
"There you are," Meagu exclaimed, noticing the man's presence and getting up. "What took you so long?"
"I, uh... I was just looking around," Sanxiu stammered, attempting to back away as the woman with tied-up silver hair approached.
"I've been waiting for you all along, you know?" Meagu cornered Renxian until he leaned back against the door.
Sanxiu's blushed and flustered expression only seemed to fuel Meagu's excitement. "Punishment is what comes to you," she said with a seductive smile, pulling Renxian's hand until he was forced to lie on the mattress.
Meagu's strength was extraordinary, and Renxian did not attempt to resist as she sat on his waist. The moonlight streamed in from the slit of the wide-open roof hole, casting a mesmerizing light on the woman's white skin, giving her a domineering aura. Renxian remained stunned, seemingly captivated by the moment.
Meagu deftly slid her hanfu, revealing both shoulders that glistened in the night. "Now, shall we begin?"