Chapter 34: The Journey

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Chapter 34: The Journey

“Geer, Geer!” Alansa called out breathlessly to Ye Tian, who was walking ahead.
“What is it?” Ye Tian asked with a cheerful smile, the kind that made Alansa want to punch him, though she knew she wasn’t his match and could only suppress the urge.
“I’m tired!” Alansa said pitifully.
“Really? Didn’t we just rest half an hour ago?” Ye Tian exclaimed dramatically. “Don’t tell me you can’t even handle this much.”
“Who said so? I just... I just need to pee, that’s all!” Alansa argued.
“Oh, go ahead. You have the time it takes for an incense stick to burn. If you’re late, we’ll leave without you,” Ye Tian replied, his face all smiles—but to Alansa, he looked like a true devil.
“Tired, huh? Give me your things,” Ye Tian said to Taya, who was also panting.
Taya shook her head lightly. Ye Tian smiled and said, “Don’t push yourself. Training should be gradual, overdoing it only hurts you.”
With that, Ye Tian gently took the girl’s pack, and she collapsed to the ground.
“Why did you bother joining in the nonsense?” Ye Tian shook his head.
“How should I know if you really wanted to help Alansa?” the girl shot him a glance. “Don’t talk to me, I need to catch my breath.”
Ye Tian was speechless. Was he really that untrustworthy?
“By the way, on the way back, try to breathe differently—three short breaths, one long. Don’t break the rhythm. If you can’t manage it, tell me. Got it?” Ye Tian instructed seriously.
“What’s the point?” Taya wondered, as the breathing method didn’t sound difficult at all.
“Trust me, it’ll be good for you,” Ye Tian assured her, then called out toward the distant woods, “Are you done yet? Time’s up!”
“Coming, coming!” Alansa ran out hurriedly, complaining, “It’s only been five minutes, why are you yelling like a lunatic?”
“Too slow. Next time, I’ll give you two incense sticks. Now, onward!” With that, Ye Tian took up two bundles and led the way.
“Monster,” Alansa muttered under her breath.
Taya stepped forward and whispered, “Want me to carry your pack?”
“No need,” Alansa shook her head and quickly caught up.
Taya sighed and began to try the breathing method Ye Tian had taught her.
At noon, when they stopped to rest, Alansa tossed aside her pack and rushed to remove her wrist guards.
“No taking them off. Go fetch water, and I’ll make you something tasty,” Ye Tian tossed her two water skins.
“Geer! I hate you!” Alansa wailed, getting up to search for a water source.
“How are you feeling?” Ye Tian asked Taya, who was equally exhausted. She waved him off, signaling she didn’t want to talk.
“Come on, it’s only just begun!” Ye Tian smiled and started preparing lunch.
Soon, Alansa returned, threw the water skins at Ye Tian, and found a tree to lie against, unwilling to move.
“Miss Alansa, how do you feel?” Ye Tian glanced at her sideways and teased.

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“Geer, if chasing you turns out to be useless, you’re dead!” Alansa glared fiercely at Ye Tian.
He laughed, “Don’t worry, I always keep my promises.”
“Tell that to someone who believes it!” Alansa struggled to lift her arm. “How can a couple of iron blocks on my hands and feet make me stronger? I’ve never even heard of such a thing.”
“There’s a lot you haven’t heard of,” Ye Tian smiled. “This is just the appetizer, a tool to help you adapt. The main course is yet to come!” He grinned, his white teeth gleaming in the sunlight, but Alansa felt no appreciation—she was already starting to regret agreeing.
Ye Tian had promised to help Alansa break her bad habits and increase her strength. Alansa had doubts, but when she saw Ye Tian effortlessly press a fork into the table, her suspicions eased—this unassuming man was clearly far stronger than she was. But could he really help her?
What followed made Alansa regret her decision more. Ye Tian had a blacksmith forge a pair of gold-iron wrist guards and leg bands! The heavy iron seemed unbearable, and then came the worst part—Ye Tian made her carry all their luggage, claiming it was for “training”!
“Despicable man!” Alansa muttered, watching Ye Tian busy at work. “So tired!” She closed her eyes and soon fell asleep against the tree.
“Mmm, something smells delicious!” In her sleep, Alansa caught the scent of roasting meat. She smacked her lips, savoring the aroma, which grew stronger and stronger.
“Wait, that’s not right!” Alansa suddenly opened her eyes, sniffed around, and spotted the roasted meat on Ye Tian’s rack.
“That’s it!” Alansa lunged for it.
“No, it’s not done yet,” Ye Tian grabbed the drooling girl.
“So fragrant!” Taya also woke up. The breathing method Ye Tian had taught wore her out, and she hadn’t lasted the morning before she too collapsed against a tree and fell asleep.
“Don’t rush, it’s almost ready,” Ye Tian said, tucking the girl under his arm as he checked the pot of porridge. Ye Tian disliked dry food, so a bit of porridge was a good complement.
“Mmm, this smells amazing too!” Alansa discovered a new delight. “What is it?”
“Porridge. Just needs a bit more fire. Don’t mess around, or you’ll get none,” Ye Tian warned.
“Okay, okay!” Alansa stared hungrily at the pot, whether she heard him or not.
“Watch her—it’ll be ready soon,” Ye Tian handed the girl over to Taya; otherwise, lunch would be ruined.
Alansa tried to rush over, but Taya quickly held her back.
“All right, come eat!” Ye Tian handed the crispy, tender roast meat to the eager Alansa. “By the way, do you like spicy?”
He took out a small bottle of his homemade chili sauce.
“We can handle it. What’s this?” Taya eyed the bright red jam-like sauce, appetizing in appearance.
“Try it and see,” Ye Tian smiled.
Taya scooped a bit onto her meat, while Alansa slathered on a generous amount.
“Chili!” Taya exclaimed, while Alansa grabbed her water skin and gulped desperately.
“It’s burning!” Alansa gasped, tongue aflame, and took several more gulps.

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“Geer, did you make this yourself?” Taya asked.
“Yes. How is it? Pretty good, right?” Ye Tian smiled.
“It’s all right,” Taya replied, carefully finishing a few bites before stopping.
“What’s wrong, don’t like the taste?” Ye Tian wondered.
“No, I just don’t like meat,” Taya said shyly.
“Oh, vegetarian! You should have told me earlier,” Ye Tian smacked his forehead. “There’s fruit in the pack. Make do for now, and I’ll make it up to you at dinner.”
“No need to go to so much trouble,” Taya said quickly. Different races had different dietary habits: elves preferred vegetarian fare, rarely touching meat, while beastfolk couldn’t go without it.
“It’s no trouble,” Ye Tian smiled, pulled out two apples, and handed them to Taya. “There’s porridge, too. Want some?”
“Porridge? What’s that?” Taya asked, puzzled.
Ye Tian smiled and ladled a bowl of rice porridge for her.
“Mmm, it smells wonderful!” Taya praised.
“Try it, see if you like it,” Ye Tian said.
Taya tasted it, nodded happily, and drank it down in big gulps.
“Is there more?” She licked her lips, clearly fond of the fragrant white rice porridge.
“Don’t worry, there’s plenty!” Ye Tian grinned, refilling her bowl.
“I want some, too!” Alansa, seeing Taya’s enjoyment, raised her hand eagerly.
“Serve yourself,” Ye Tian said, taking up a piece of roast meat. After all his work, he hadn’t tasted anything yet.
“This is heavy!” Alansa complained, lifting her arm.
“It’s fine. Consider it training,” Ye Tian said.
“So unfair!” Alansa had no choice but to serve herself.
“Wow, it smells amazing!” She inhaled deeply, then drank it down impatiently.
Pfft! Ye Tian twitched at the sight, then couldn’t help but leap up and give Alansa a knock on the head for splattering porridge everywhere.
“Why are you drinking so fast? Is someone snatching it from you?”
The girl covered her head in grievance, mumbling, “How would I know it was so hot?” She stuck out her tongue, clearly burned.
“Open your mouth, stick out your tongue, let me see,” Ye Tian ordered angrily.
The girl, knowing she was at fault, obediently crouched in front of Ye Tian.