Clan Rise: Starting as a Grandfather Chapter 5 - 5 4 If we encounter a big beast Dad will run

Upon returning home, darkness had already enveloped the sky.

Yang Mingcheng transported the purchased grains into the storage area, while Yang Zhenshan handed over the pork, bones, and seasonings to Ms. Wang.

“Dad, why did you purchase such a large quantity of meat?” Ms. Wang gazed at the pork and involuntarily gulped.

“Prepare it to be tasty!” Yang Zhenshan replied calmly, offering no additional details.

There was simply no suitable explanation. He couldn't admit that he disliked the hardship of poverty.

“Alright.” Ms. Wang responded with enthusiasm.

In truth, she paid little mind to whatever had prompted Yang Zhenshan's decision; all she desired was to savor some meat.

Ms. Wang possessed decent culinary abilities. Using the seasonings and pork, she soon whipped up a spread of dishes.

Pork simmered with cabbage.

Well, the impressive spread amounted to one large pot of pork simmered with cabbage.

The household members stared intently at the pork simmered with cabbage on the table, their gazes locked.

However, honoring Yang Zhenshan's position as the family leader, they refrained from touching their utensils and merely observed.

“Dad, please dish it out!”

Ms. Wang could no longer contain herself, despite the grease marks near her mouth and that of her eldest grandson revealing their earlier secret tastes, yet this failed to diminish their eagerness for seconds.

Yang Zhenshan scanned the group, then retrieved the pork buns.

He had acquired twenty pork buns, distributed five to Yang Minghao, which left fifteen.

Currently, nine individuals resided in the home, minus the three-month-old granddaughter Yang Qingwan, leaving eight.

Yang Zhenshan pondered briefly, then allocated three buns to his eldest grandson, three to his second grandson, and three to his youngest daughter.

“Thank you, Grandpa! Grandpa is the greatest!” The eldest grandson expressed the most endearingly.

Mrs. Li from the Li family noticed the pork buns before her, her eyes gleaming, “Hurry, thank your Grandpa!”

Yang Chengmao, the second grandson, was merely one year old and struggled with speech, “Thank... Grandpa!”

The young child, drawn by the aroma of meat, uttered thanks to his grandpa verbally, yet his focus remained glued to the buns right in front of him.

“Dad, you're wonderful!” The youngest daughter uttered sweetly.

Yang Zhenshan's lips lifted slightly in a smile, then he passed one bun each to his eldest son, second son, Ms. Wang, and Mrs. Li, reserving two for his own consumption.

Regarding the pork simmered with cabbage, Yang Zhenshan also served a generous bowl to each person.

“Time to eat!”

The buns proved delectable, with the handmade pork fillings emitting an irresistible savoriness.

The pork simmered with cabbage tasted excellent too. After spending a full day in this realm, Yang Zhenshan at last enjoyed a fulfilling meal.

…

Time flew by, and five days elapsed in the wink of an eye.

Over those five days, meat appeared in nearly every meal at the Yang household, not in abundance, but sufficient for Yang Zhenshan to partake adequately.

Ms. Wang may have harbored minor selfish intentions, favoring her immediate kin, yet she contributed diligently to the entire family's needs.

With meat available, the home's mood lifted noticeably. The two young ones, Yang Chengye and Yang Chengmao, grew more energetic, frolicking energetically in the yard throughout the day, and the youngest daughter Yang Yunxue's spear skills advanced considerably.

Bonds strengthen via daily exchanges, and within three days, Yang Zhenshan had blended seamlessly into the family and embraced its members.

In those three days, the Spiritual Spring yielded a bowl of Spiritual Spring Water each day, which mended Yang Zhenshan's internal wounds effectively; now he could train his spear techniques without interruption.

Based on the recollections from his former self, he had restored the prowess of a Martial Artist.

The stages within the Martial Artist Realm consist of Body Refining Realm, Postnatal Realm, and Innate Realm.

The Body Refining Realm splits into three phases: Refining Power, Changing Tendons, and Harnessing Strength.

Those who practice martial arts must persistently drill basic cultivation methods, slowly substituting the awkward strength in their frames with solid power; this is termed ‘Refining Power’.

To put it plainly, Refining Power enables more efficient deployment of the body's might.

At present, Yang Zhenshan stood at the Refining Power stage, where every strike and thrust overflowed with potent force.

With his injuries recovered, Yang Zhenshan began contemplating ways to generate income.

Little silver remained, and the earlier pork and bones were almost depleted. Without a means to earn, the family would revert to those lean times devoid of any grease.

As for earning methods, Yang Zhenshan had devised a plan.

As the proverb states, those dwelling by mountains depend on them, and those by waters rely on them; Yang Family Village nestled against Changqing Mountain, teeming with wild birds and ferocious creatures. Securing one or two beasts would cover the household's costs for some time.

Prior to this, Yang Zhenshan would never have considered such a venture, since wild beasts prove formidable foes, but as a Martial Artist now, caution should ensure safety.

During midday meal, Yang Zhenshan instructed Ms. Wang: “Pack some provisions this afternoon; I intend to head into the mountains for a couple of days starting tomorrow!”

His words caused everyone at the table, previously focused on their food, to raise their heads in shock.

“Dad, the mountains hold great peril,” his eldest son Yang Mingcheng voiced with concern.

“I'm aware,” Yang Zhenshan responded nonchalantly.

“I'll accompany Dad!”

Yang Mingcheng remained uncertain of Yang Zhenshan's mountain purpose, but he believed joining him safer than allowing a solo trip; together, they could watch each other's backs.

“I should join Dad instead, while my older brother handles home duties!” the typically reserved Yang Mingzhi suggested.

Ms. Li discreetly pulled at Yang Mingzhi's sleeve; she opposed her husband risking the mountains.

Few wild animals lurked on the slopes near Yang Family Village, but since Yang Zhenshan spoke of a multi-day stay, it implied venturing far beyond the village confines into the woods' depths.

Yang Family Village boasted few hunters, unlike the western villages brimming with them, and tales of hunters vanishing in the mountains often circulated to Yang Family Village.

“No issue, my martial prowess rivals my elder brother's!” Yang Mingzhi comforted Ms. Li.

Yang Zhenshan observed his eldest then his second son; both proved reliable and dutiful offspring.

“The second son will join me.”

Recognizing the value of assistance, Yang Zhenshan chose to bring Yang Mingzhi along into the mountains.

…

The following morning.

Post-breakfast, Yang Zhenshan, armed with two Short Spears, led Yang Mingzhi toward the mountains.

The dense mountain brush hindered long spear use, so Yang Zhenshan opted for two compact wooden Short Spears and toted a machete as well.

Yang Mingzhi carried a machete too, plus flatbreads, a water flask, fire starter, and sundry essentials.

Rather than entering via the rear hills of Yang Family Village, the pair trekked westward for an hour prior to penetrating the woods.

Once inside the forest, Yang Mingzhi tensed up, his gaze sweeping alertly over the area and frequently glancing rearward, fearing a sudden beast assault from behind.

His excessive wariness began to weary Yang Zhenshan.

“No threats lurk here!” Yang Zhenshan declared at last, his patience spent.

Excessive tension proves harmful; it drains vast mental and physical reserves, and should Yang Mingzhi persist thus, exhaustion would soon set in.

“Dad, rumors speak of tigers haunting these peaks; we won't cross one, right?” Yang Mingzhi's head bobbed ceaselessly, surveying all directions.

“Relax, should a tiger appear, Dad will outrun you,” Yang Zhenshan quipped.

“…”

Yang Mingzhi stared at him incredulously.

You are my father!

How could you abandon me to flee solo?

Observing his response, a subtle amusement flickered in Yang Zhenshan's eyes.

“Fine, this zone borders Jiang Family Village, teeming with hunters.”

Though no hunter himself, he knew this forest section near Jiang Family Village well; it remained secure, free of major predators or venomous serpents.

His reassurance eased Yang Mingzhi, who relaxed somewhat, though he pressed, “Dad, what's our aim in the mountains?”

Yet his calm proved fleeting as Yang Zhenshan announced, “Didn't you mention tigers dwell here? We're hunting that tiger.”

“What!” Yang Mingzhi froze in shock.

Though a youth, he was ultimately just a seventeen-year-old lad.

“Fine, your dad won't abandon you for real. If a tiger shows, you flee ahead!” As he spoke, Yang Zhenshan pressed onward into the mountain's heart.

Yang Mingzhi paused briefly before recovering and hastening to trail his father.

The duo advanced leisurely, pausing around midday for respite; that afternoon, they delved further into the woods.

Their inaugural forest day focused on travel.

That evening, they sheltered beneath a cliff, and the subsequent day, Yang Zhenshan commenced pursuing game trails.

He held no intention of targeting a tiger; despite his Martial Artist strength, a tiger reigned as beast sovereign, and he refused to hazard his life against such a foe heedlessly.