Towering mountains with ancient trees reached the sky, birds circling above. The fierce sun of early sumr hung high, adding a touch of heat to the ancient forest. Nestled on a gentle slope were neatly arranged houses made of earth and timber. To the south of the slope flowed a river, crossed by a newly constructed concrete bridge, which led to the only dirt and sandy road connecting to the outside world. This place was far removed from the big city, and even the nearest town was almost a hundred kiloters away.
The gentle slope was called Qinglong Slope, and the cluster of houses was known as Qinglong Village. The village had only about a hundred households, who had lived off hunting for generations. Nobody knew why their ancestors had chosen to settle here. Everyone in Qinglong Village shared the surna Luo; they ca from a single lineage. The ancient family records had vanished in the wars, leaving no trace to be searched or verified. The elder generation couldn't understand why they didn't na the village after the family surna. The Luo family's Village—such a nice-sounding na, yet why was it called Qinglong Village?
Luo Zheng had grown up in this village. Like others, he'd often pestered the elders with questions about the na but never received a satisfactory answer, nor did anyone suggest changing it.
South of the stream lay wide and flat farmland. The ga on the mountain had beco increasingly scarce, and with governnt regulations advocating for environntal and animal protection, the people of Qinglong Village now lived off farming. Hunting rifles were surrendered to the governnt, though a few households secretly preserved their hunting skills. Still, they dared not hunt nearby—usually heading to the more northern prival forests, disappearing for two or three months at a ti, not to hunt for food but to pass on their skills—like Luo Zheng.
It was rare for soone from this village far from city life to return in a given year. Children went to boarding schools in towns a hundred li away, with one parent accompanying them while the other stayed behind to care for the elderly and the farm. Seniors who had nothing particular to do would gather together to chat, often about which ancestor had hunted a rare wild beast. The outside world had no relevance to these old folks, whose days passed quietly and uneventfully.
That day, two SUVs appeared on the dirt road. The chatting seniors, curious, stood up to see the approaching vehicles. They excitedly guessed at who it might be, and soon, the SUVs stopped beside the bridge, which could not bear the vehicles' weight and was impassable.
Five youths jumped out of the cars: four n and one woman. The n were lean and strong, radiating masculinity, while the woman was graceful and beautiful, exuding feminine charm. It was Luo Zheng and his group. The casually dressed Luo Zheng looked completely different from when he left the village three years ago, and the elders didn't recognize him.
Luo Zheng, taking in the familiar village, deeply inhaled the fragrant earthy air, his excitent palpable. Lan Xue, observing the simple, poor village that nevertheless had a close and natural charm, felt a peaceful and harmonious vibe, untouched by the outside world, and found it to be a true paradise. Thinking of her lover who had grown up here added a layer of warmth to her feelings.
"No way, bro, your place is super poor. Don't tell there's not even electricity here?" Snow Leopard said incredulously, looking at the village. "It's true what they say: a poor child becos the household manager early. It's probably only an environnt like this that could produce a freakishly good fighter like you. I need to study this place thoroughly."
"I should have brought a generator," Ghost Hand remarked with a sigh.
"Don't worry, there's already a hydroelectric generator. Lighting isn't a problem. The gifts we bought are your responsibility, so make sure to carry them yourselves," Luo Zheng said with a laugh, striding forward across the bridge. He cheerfully greeted the elders coming to et them, "Great-uncle, still smoking that dry pipe, huh? Third great-uncle, you're looking sturdy as ever. Auntie Six, has your knee arthritis cleared up?..."
Luo Zheng continued to greet everyone he saw with warmth and joy, the familiar local accent, familiar faces—it was like he had returned to three years prior, back to his happy youth. The elderly people around him watched Luo Zheng in surprise, and soone uncertainly asked, "Are you from Luo Hu's family?"
"Yeah, don't recognize anymore?" Luo Zheng said with a happy smile.
"You're back? It's been three years, hasn't it? Good to have you back, good to have you back. Quickly, who will go and inform Luo Hu?" the elder shouted excitedly. Kids with nothing better to do eagerly agreed and joyfully ran off. It was rare for visitors to co to the village, and the kids were the happiest. Even the hunting dogs stopped barking and wagged their tails.
Lan Xue and the others, trailing behind, saw this scene and noticed how well-liked Luo Zheng was and how enthusiastic the villagers were. They all smiled. This kind of heartfelt sentint had long since disappeared in the city. Ghost Hand couldn't help but comnt, "Ghost Brother is usually so low-key, but he's so popular. He's got charm with everyone, young and old alike."
"Watch your words," Lan Xue said, glaring at Ghost Hand disapprovingly. Ghost Hand imdiately raised his hands in surrender. Lan Xue continued, "Also, here we must use real nas as a sign of respect, not codenas." Real nas are what everyone can disclose publicly, like Luo Zheng. The Special Warfare Team had prepared a set of docunts with the na "Luo Zheng" for such occasions. As for nicknas like "Luo Zheng" and "Ghost," these were classified as top national secrets and were not to be used lightly.
"Yes." No one dared to ss around in front of discipline. They all agreed. Seeing Luo Zheng warmly greeting the elders, they signaled to catch up, quickening their pace and following.
Before long, they stopped near an open dirt slope. Luo Zheng saw his parents erge from the house, looking haggard, their temples noticeably grayer. Not having seen them in over three years, they had aged a lot. Luo Zheng felt a lump in his throat and a tightness in his chest. He hurried forward, shouting excitedly, "Dad, Mom, I'm back."
"Little Houtou, it's good that you're back, and you've brought guests too. Quick, co inside," Mrs. Luo said joyfully, gesturing for everyone to enter the house. Luo Zheng clearly saw tears welling up in his mother's eyes. He felt a tightness in his chest and an urge to cry but held back, quickly stepping forward and saying with concern, "Mom, you've aged, and so has Dad."
"You silly child, of course, I've aged; I'm getting older," Mrs. Luo said happily, playfully scolding him. She glanced at Lan Xue and the others, her gaze settling on Lan Xue with surprise, then looked back at Luo Zheng, asking in a low voice, full of curiosity, "Who are they?"
Sons know their mothers best. Luo Zheng guessed what his mother was thinking and nodded knowingly. Mrs. Luo imdiately beca so excited she was almost beside herself, shouting, "Luo Hu, quick, kill two of those old hens of ours and the sheep too!"
"Luo Hu, you've got important guests over, hurry up, why don't you? Need any help?" soone called out.
"With your skills? You're only good for being a sous chef," Luo Zheng's father laughed and scolded mockingly, also glancing at Lan Xue curiously. He then looked at Ghost Hand and the others and intuitively felt a sense of danger emanating from them. His expression changed subtly, but without saying more, he busied himself ushering everyone inside.
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