Lu Yan said with a smile.
It would be a lie to say that Lu Yan had any feelings for the old couple right after his journey. But over the past half a month, if the old couple had any food, they would give Lu Yan first. If there was any danger, they would bear it for him, shielding him from danger like a wall. If it wasn't for the old couple's careful care, he would have died along the way with his malnourished body.
After spending half a month with them, Lu Yan had accepted Lu Qingshan and Wang Cui as his adoptive parents.
The couple wanted to say more, but Lu Yan insisted that he was full. Unable to argue with him, they reluctantly picked up their bowls and ate their porridge clean, even licking up the last bit of porridge from the bottom of the bowl.
"How dare you, you've already received food and still want to sneak in for more, thinking you can deceive my eyes? You're asking for death."
A loud yell, like thunder ringing.
A cavalryman rode out, his spear stabbing out like lightning, impaling a middle-aged man and raising him over his head.
The man, like a fish impaled, squirmed spasmodically, his eyes full of despair.
Buzz!
The cavalryman forced his spear, generating a terrifying power. The middle-aged man's body shattered into pieces, his intestines and body parts scattered all over.
Having seen countless deaths on his journey, Lu Yan almost threw up the porridge he had just eaten.
People died of starvation during their journey. But this was the first time Lu Yan witnessed such a bloody scene.
"How strong! Is that martial arts? The mere force of the spear shaking could shatter a grown man's body. What kind of power is that?"
Suppressing his discomfort, Lu Yan watched the cavalryman, his heart churned with emotions.
The visual impact was too strong, it could not have been captured by any cheap effects in TV shows or movies.
Through the memory of this body, he knew that martial arts existed in this world. Killing a tiger with bare hands was just common for those martial artists, but he had never seen it.
This was the first time he saw a martial artist in action.
"Oh my child's father, why did you have to kill him? He just wanted another bowl of porridge for our child. How are we going to survive without you?"
Then, a withered woman thudded to the ground, crying and grieving.
"Cry again, and I'll send you both to meet him."
The knight who had killed earlier scolded, filling the air with a murderous aura, as fierce as a beast choosing people to devour.
How dare the withered woman weep any further, she could only embrace her child and shiver in fear.
The other refugees remained silent. Those who also wanted to sneak in for a second bowl of porridge gave up on the idea.
The distribution of porridge continued. When the bowls were all collected, an officer came to register everyone's information.
The registration was simple, only asking for their names, ages, origins and skills.
Those with skills in smelting, forging, and medicine were assigned elsewhere.
Through the memory of his previous life, Lu Yan found out that the place he currently resided was known as the Da Chu Dynasty.
However, the dynasty's power was weak, only ruling over several provinces, while the rest of the territory was immersed in war among the feudal princes and feudal lords who had declared independence. These lords raised their own armies, established their own laws, and each lord essentially ruled over a small, independent nation.
The lords and their families were aloof, treating ordinary citizens as pigs and dogs at their mercy.
There were constant wars between the major lords, fighting for resources. As a result, weapons and medicine became crucial commodities, making the skills to produce them highly valued.
"Lu Qingshan, Lu Chuan, Lu Daniu, Wu Si, Wu Hai..."
"You fifty households, follow me, you will be settled in Kaoshan Village."
An officer called out loudly. Those whose names were called gathered their families and approached the officer.
...
Kaoshan Village was named after Woniu Mountain, which loomed at the back of the village. The village was about ten miles away from Changfeng City.
Lead by an officer and two knights, more than fifty families followed behind. Half an hour later, they could just make out the distant view of the village.
All along the way, Lu Yan had a question on his mind.
Kaoshan Village seemed to be an old village. Usually, these kinds of villages were fully populated. So, how would they fit these fifty additional families?
Not only Lu Yan but also the others had the same question. But with the officer and the knights remaining silent, no one dared to ask.
Kaoshan Village was surrounded by a wooden fence over two meters high, constructed to prevent wild animals from entering the village at night.
The gates were open, and Lu Yan caught sight of more than ten people watching from inside.
Soon, they entered the village.
"We have arrived at Kaoshan Village. Now there are some things that I need to announce..."
Just as the officer was about to speak, he was interrupted by a shout.
"Don't come, don't come, once you enter, you can't get out, everyone will die here, everyone."
A village woman, her body thin and hair disheveled, her face twisted with fear, looked at Lu Yan and others with a desperate cry.
"Where did this madwoman come from? Take her away immediately."
The officer's face changed, and he shouted sharply.
A knight was about to dash out on his horse when he saw a few figures rushing out from the village. Two men dragged the mad woman away, and an elder fell to his knees, shaking with fear, said, "My lord, spare us. My daughter is mad, she talks nonsense all day. I will take her away immediately."
"I'm not mad, we're all dead, this is a village of cannibals, there are ghosts asking for their lives..."
Despite being dragged away, the village woman continued to scream. Her hysterical voice, distorted face, eyes filled with terror made everyone feel a chill down their spines.
A villager quickly covered the woman's mouth, silencing her screams.