The night was hazy; gusts of cold wind swept past the courtyard door, making rustling sounds in the cracks.
Although the bed was not large, for two people, the space was still amply wide and tall. Lying on it, neither felt crowded.
Tran Mac gently embraced Han An Nuong and said, "Sister-in-law, do you want to leave Binh Dinh County?"
Tran Mac, as a transmigrator, had lived in peace for too long. Suddenly thrust into such a chaotic world, where officials and gangs were like man-eating tigers, and common people were like mayflies – a single wave could bring ruin to families. Quiet peace, such a thing, had actually become a rare and extravagant hope.
Tran Mac had thought he had adapted to this world, but he hadn't.
He truly hadn't thought of harming anyone, but just killing a minor figure like Brother Ho had actually caused such widespread repercussions, causing so many people to suffer because of him.
He thought his considerations were thorough, his preparations painstaking, but in reality, they were at most equivalent to a sampan, barely able to navigate. If he wanted to ride the wind and break the waves in this chaotic world, he was still far lacking.
He thought of the rebel army that was to attack Thanh Chau in early spring next year.
All sorts of things made Tran Mac feel like fleeing.
If he couldn't solve it, then could he leave?
This world was so big; could it be that there wasn't even one place for peaceful existence?
"Leave Binh Dinh County? Where would we go?" Han An Nuong narrowed her gentle, rippling, clear eyes, her brows slightly furrowed. Those waves, like a great tide, rushed over, making her consciousness fundamentally unable to focus.
She said, "Uncle... do you have any acquaintances outside?"
That's right, where could they go after leaving Binh Dinh County?
His original body had never even left Thanh Chau. And as for his connection to this world, he was merely a strand of soul from another world.
He wanted to escape, but who knew if other places weren't just like Binh Dinh County.
What was happening now in Binh Dinh County was perhaps just a microcosm for the entire Dai Song imperial dynasty.
When chaotic times arrive, no one can only look out for themselves.
In the end, it was still about strength, strength!
If his own strength was sufficient, even if he stood before everyone in the Thanh Ha Bang and said, "I killed Brother Ho and his men."
What could they do to him?
"Sister-in-law, we're not leaving. We'll stay in Binh Dinh County..."
In such a short moment, Tran Mac thought through many things, letting out a roar.
You're formidable? Then I'll be even more vicious than you!
Tran Mac's eyes were dark and still. A sound like a bamboo joint snapping echoed in the room.
"Uncle..." Han An Nuong turned her head, speaking softly, then suddenly looked at the young man with a slightly resentful gaze.
"Sister-in-law, I'll take you to see fairies..."
Tran Mac swept Han An Nuong up in one arm. Amidst her cry of alarm, he continued...
And it's unknown how long passed, perhaps it was midnight. The snow outside the window stopped, and the cold wind had lessened considerably. Only the lamp flame in the room swayed gently. Then, the lamp flame extinguished, and everything fell silent.
Tran Mac hugged Han An Nuong, who had curled up like a small cat, and an indescribable emotion couldn't help but rise in his heart.
...
The next day, Tran Mac began to expand the cellar, hoping to dig out an exit before early spring.
This way, even if the northern rebels attacked, they could hide in the cellar for a while.
As for whether the rebels would search carefully?
Unless someone who knew about the Tran family's cellar informed on them, otherwise, the wealth in the city was much more enticing than the countryside outside the city. Why would they waste too much time in such a small mountain village?
Tran Mac called Truong Ha over to help.
He had actually thought about keeping it from Truong Ha.
But one person's strength was ultimately limited. Moreover, he still needed to practice his dao and increase his strength. If he spent time digging a tunnel, then he wouldn't have time for dao practice.
As for whether Truong Ha would inform on him?
Not very likely.
Firstly, Tran Mac had no enmity with him.
Secondly, if the tunnel was really completed, it would also benefit Truong Ha. If such a day came, Truong Ha and his family could also hide inside.
Lastly, the two of them were already in the same boat; Truong Ha had no need to harm his own interests.
Also, Truong Ha had a family; he wasn't alone. And he clearly knew Tran Mac's methods; there was absolutely no need for him to inform.
Of course, one cannot be without vigilance against others. Tran Mac still maintained a point of caution towards him in his heart.
As for the earth dug out from the cellar, he would carry it out at night to dump.
The countryside wasn't like the city. Casually dumping it in some corner wouldn't attract anyone's attention.
...
One day later.
At night.
[Nourishing meat consumption +0.05, Blood Nurturing Technique experience +0.05.]
[Nourishing meat consumption +0.05, Blood Nurturing Technique experience +0.05.]
[...]
When the Blood Nurturing Technique experience reached (minor success 499.95/500).
Tran Mac once again ate a mouthful of bear meat.
"Boom!"
In an instant, a surge of strange energy, several times larger than when he had first entered a rank, emerged from the void, pouring into his body.
A small part was retained by the body, a portion was absorbed by his flesh and blood, and an even larger portion merged into his own bones.
Like when he first entered a rank, Tran Mac felt a ball of fire emerge within his body, burning his blood.
But what was different from last time was that he felt his own bones, as if they were being roasted over a fire.
Strands of hot energy roamed throughout his body, flowing through his meridians, finally converging at his dantian.
His entire body once again steamed with heat, like a boiling iron kettle, constantly evaporating.
However, he didn't feel uncomfortable in the slightest. Instead, he felt all the pores in his body relax and open, a refreshing sensation that made one want to hum.
Sweat flowed profusely, like running water, all over his body.
During this process, strands of internal strength were generated within his flesh, bones, and meridians.
"Uncle."
Han An Nuong's eyes widened, but having experienced this kind of situation before, she didn't panic like last time.
Instead, she closed all the kitchen doors and windows tightly, her fists clenched, watching Tran Mac with extreme nervousness.
Half a quarter of an hour later, Tran Mac took a deep breath. The scorching hot current within his body had gradually dissipated.
Tran Mac ignored Han An Nuong's worried gaze and first called up his panel to look.
[Name: Tran Mac.]
[Age: 16.]
[Cultivation Technique: Blood Nurturing Technique (major success 0/1000).]
[Realm: Bone Refining (eighth rank).]
[Strength: 85.]
[Skill: Demon-Breaking Dao Technique (intermediate 123655/200000).]
Looking at the "85" in the strength column.
Tran Mac's eyes widened. A "wicked thought" suddenly surged in his heart. He quickly returned to his room and picked up the Tang Dao he had crafted.
In an instant, the strength column changed to "85 + 32".
That black-clad girl's bodyguard, what was his maximum strength?
His peripheral vision caught the stone used for arm strength training in the corner of the room. He turned and picked it up. With just a slight exertion of force, he broke off a piece, then held this broken piece in his palm.
With another exertion of force.
His five fingers opened, palm facing downwards.
A pile of white powder drifted away.
"Uncle..." At this moment, Han An Nuong, worried about Tran Mac, also walked into the room to see how he was.
But as soon as she entered, Tran Mac grabbed her hand.
Then, with a gentle pull, Han An Nuong let out a cry of alarm, fluttering over like a butterfly.
Tran Mac dropped the Tang Dao, hugged her tightly, and spun her around in the snowdrift, laughing heartily...