Journey to the End of the Night
Chapter 31 - 31 31 The Fragrance of the Deer

31: Chapter 31: The Fragrance of the Deer 31: Chapter 31: The Fragrance of the Deer The young lad’s eyes brimmed with excitement, his cheeks flushed with delight at having gained the iron bow.

He struck a mighty pose, drawing the iron bow into a perfect arc—his action eliciting a round of resounding cheers and shrill shrieks from the girls.

The iron bow seemed to be of significant heft; even a grown, muscular man might not be able to draw it fully.

Yet, the youth did it with effortless grace, earning the respect and applause of all present.

Having acquired the new bow, the young lad did not immediately test its power; instead, he held the iron bow and walked towards Baili An.

His eyes shone brightly, exuding an air of high spirits.

Upon his approach, he introduced himself, “My name is Qi Yang.”

Out of courtesy, Baili An stood to respond, “My name is…”

He hadn’t finished stating his name when the other interrupted, “I know your name.

I heard it when you first introduced yourself as the Scavenger Si Chen.”

Perhaps among the mortals present, this young man named Qi Yang was the most distinctive.

He was capable of cultivation, possessing the strength to take on a hundred men.

With him alone entering the mountains to hunt, the village would not have to worry about a lack of meat for the entire year.

Therefore, his uniqueness led to a somewhat casual and impolite demeanor, with an air of arrogance evident in the corner of his eyes and the arch of his brows.

He glanced at the white deer at Baili An’s feet and continued, “But don’t be mistaken; I remember your name not because you are something special, but because I’m exceedingly interested in this spiritual deer beside you.”

The mountain villagers immediately crowded around, curious.

They whispered among themselves.

“Has Qi Yang singled someone out to bully, picking on the newcomer?”

“Didn’t you hear?

Qi Yang has taken a liking to that deer.”

“Well, that kid’s in for it now.

Qi Yang is the renowned bully of the village.

Whichever girl he fancies ends up with the same treatment and eventually enters his room.”

“But that’s because the girls are willing, right?

Qi Yang is different from us; he has been guided by the Immortal and is so powerful because he practices Immortal arts.

The girls are thrilled to serve him.”

“But that deer is not a girl; it won’t be pleased.”

“Heh, let’s just wait and see.”

…

Baili An, looking at the defiant youth before him, said calmly, “This deer is mine.”

Qi Yang smiled and lifted the iron bow in his hand, offering it forth.

As he did so, he intentionally put extra force into his hands, causing an evil wind to whip towards Baili An’s cheeks.

An ordinary person would surely be startled.

But Baili An’s gaze remained calm, unflinching as he eyed the iron bow before him.

This left Qi Yang slightly disappointed.

He thought to himself, Could this kid be a fool?

Whatever.

This deer, I must have!

“I know the deer is yours.

I won’t take advantage of you.

I’ll exchange this iron bow for it,” Qi Yang said.

Without a second thought, Baili An flatly refused, “No exchange.”

Qi Yang’s eyes darkened slightly, a bitter edge to his demeanor.

Fortunately, it seemed that in front of the villagers, he restrained himself due to his status and didn’t resort to outright aggression and robbery.

He looked down at the beautiful white deer pulsating with Spiritual Energy at Baili An’s feet.

He sneered with a mocking patience, “I suppose, a simple Scavenger from the forests wouldn’t have seen much of the world.

You think this iron bow I’m holding is just a mortal item?

Let me honestly tell you, this bow is a top-grade weapon, worthy of being counted among the treasures of an Immortal Sect family.

Exchanging it for your deer, you would be making a huge profit.”

Qi Yang spoke with haughty pride, his confidence on full display.

His expression and demeanor suggested that by taking his bow, Baili An would be the one gaining a significant advantage.

Baili An, amused inwardly, understood that not only was this bow a mere treasure, but it was a Low Grade one at that.

As he had claimed, since waking up from the ancient coffin, he hadn’t much experience of the world, yet to him, this bow was far from a top-grade weapon.

“Since this bow is as outstanding as you describe, you might as well keep it.

I don’t understand archery; I only know about raising deer,” Baili An refused once more, with gentle tact.

But Qi Yang, dead set on obtaining the deer, could not be dissuaded by a few words.

He scoffed coldly, thinking if he won’t drink to a toast, he must drink to a dare, “If you don’t want to trade the deer for the bow, that’s fine.

Let’s settle this like men instead.

We’ll have a duel.

If you win, you can have the bow, but if you lose, the deer becomes mine.

Of course, I’m not one to take advantage of newcomers.

Even if you lose the deer to me, I’ll still give you the bow.”

Qi Yang’s face bore the expression of a strong man pitying a weaker one, almost as if bestowing charity.

The surrounding villagers glanced at each other; some felt Baili An was being ungracious, while a few thought Qi Yang too domineering, placing unreasonable demands.

But everyone understood one thing for certain.

The youth facing them now—pale and wan—did not seem a match for Qi Yang in the slightest.

So many robust men in the village had been easily swept aside by Qi Yang’s hand alone.

This Scavenger lad, looking like he hadn’t had a full meal in years, would likely not even stand one move against Qi Yang.

Any smart person would refuse such a duel.

And that was precisely what Qi Yang thought too.

But he didn’t need his opponent’s agreement—without waiting for Baili An to speak, he had already posed himself for attack, the heavy iron bow plunging deep into the earth.

The force was so great that the massive iron bow sank halfway into the ground, stunning many of the villagers.

“That’s fine by me.”

Contrary to expectation, Baili An agreed calmly and promptly.

Qi Yang, poised for attack, froze, his expression turning baffled.

The villagers also paused in confusion, then some quickly got the joke and burst out laughing, “This Scavenger kid is too proud.

Qi Yang seriously proposed a trade, and he wouldn’t accept, insisting on taking a beating before handing over the deer willingly.”

“How foolish.

Had he agreed from the start, there’d be no issue.

Even the strong men in our village suffer for days after taking just a couple of hits, and that’s when Qi Yang is holding back.

This kid is asking for trouble; he’s in for some real pain.”

“Guess how many days he’ll be in bed after Qi Yang’s punch?”

“Ha, does the kid even have a bed?

He’s just a penniless Scavenger.

He’ll probably find some cave to lie in for ten days or a fortnight, unnoticed, maybe even starve to death.”

“Serves him right.

Had he just agreed to trade with Qi Yang from the get-go, none of this would be happening.”

The strapping man who had begun gnawing on a lamb leg to strike a conversation with Baili An earlier stroked his chin.

Chuckling, he said, “A fight wouldn’t be too bad.

The boy is handsome, and my sister fancies him.

If he’s badly injured and nobody cares for him, I’ll drag him home on my sister’s behalf, nurse him back to health, and make him our brother-in-law.”