Chapter 1: Ma Wu

This book was found by Ma Wu during his first ascent of the mountain; at that time, he picked it up to use for kindling. However, this book is impervious to water and fire, and its material remains unknown. As he flipped through the contents of the book, Ma Wu, in a moment of inspiration, began to follow the instructions within. After several years of practice, Ma Wu's body became increasingly robust, and even his hearing became extraordinary. It was then that he realized his transformation stemmed from that ancient book. Thus, whenever he had free time, Ma Wu began to practice the contents of the ancient book.

"Just agree, and when we get to the town, I will find you a wife that will surely satisfy you," the shopkeeper said, stroking his little mustache with a lewd smile, and continued, "That girl has a big backside, perfect for bearing children"

The ancient book contains only patterns and no text. Ma Wuping usually studies characters with the village teacher. If there were words, he would be able to identify what this book is.

Thus, Ma Wu and the shopkeeper first delivered the goods to the buyer. Then, the shopkeeper smiled mysteriously and took Ma Wu to a certain place

The harsh winter has passed, and the rivers have begun to flow; the footsteps of spring have arrived. After a winter of training, every muscle in Ma Mu's body is filled with explosive strength. Ma Mu has put away the ancient books and has started a new year of life.

"Alright, stop idly looking around. Once the goods are unloaded, I will take you for a proper tour." The shopkeeper couldn't help but slightly curl the corners of his mouth at the sight of Ma Wu.

The entire village remained unchanged after Ma Wu's departure, with no significant alterations; the people had grown content with the current situation. Inside and outside the village, there was a harmonious coexistence. The elderly had come out to enjoy the warmth of spring, and the children were each flying their kites. However, beneath this tranquility, a storm was about to arrive

"How much is it? I don't care. Just the usual, as long as it is enough for my basic needs. You set the price." After saying this, Ma Wu placed the catch on the counter.

A woman of similar age to the shopkeeper approached, looking at Ma Wu, and exclaimed: "Not bad, just as described. The young man is quite pleasing to the eye. Cui'er, come out and take a look."

On the way, Ma Wu and the shopkeeper spoke very little; it was essentially the shopkeeper talking to himself. Meanwhile, Ma Wu had long lost track of his own spirit.

Finally arriving in the town, Ma Wu was astonished by the scenery before him, forgetting his earlier worries. He observed vendors shouting to sell their goods, street performers entertaining the crowd, and young ladies dressed in vibrant attire. Ma Wu couldn't help but feel a stir in his heart as he watched.

"Ma Wu, would you like to go to the town? I happen to be going there today and could use some company. Why don't you come along with me? We can also take a look at what the big town is like," the shopkeeper said to Ma Wu.

The shopkeeper knocked on the table and said, "Is it really necessary to act like this just because you came out once? You look completely foolish."

The shopkeeper said as he pushed open the door: "Madam Jia, I have brought Ma Wu here, come out and take a look"

In a small mountain village, whenever the rooster crows, the villagers gradually rise from their beds, marking the beginning of a new day's work

In a wooden house at the eastern end of the village, a young man, after hearing the crowing of a rooster, rubbed his sleepy eyes and habitually got dressed in bed. After completing all his tasks, the young man walked towards the door with a hunting knife in hand

When Ma Wu was about to leave after selling the prey to the shopkeeper, he was stopped by the shopkeeper.

Ma Wu was completely bewildered, not knowing what had happened. Suddenly, a woman with an unattractive appearance walked out of the room. Although the woman was not good-looking, her figure was exceptional. Especially her round and elastic hips. In an instant, Ma Wu realized what was about to happen.

Ma Wu hesitated for a moment; he had never left the village before, and this was a rare invitation from the shopkeeper. Thus, he agreed.

Upon seeing the expression of the shopkeeper and the drool at the corner of his mouth, Ma Wu couldn't help but chuckle and scold inwardly: "This shopkeeper is over forty years old and still not behaving properly. Fortunately, he has no wife; otherwise, he would be in trouble."

Hehe, Ma Wu, you have hunted something good again. If the fur of this animal is processed and sold to the shops in the town twenty miles away from our village, it would be worth quite a bit of money

In the wooden cabin, Ma Wu held an unbound ancient book in his hands and began to meditate according to the instructions within it

Ma Wu followed the shopkeeper and sat in the horse-drawn carriage, transporting goods towards the town. Along the way, Ma Wu's curious gaze wandered about, completely oblivious to the shopkeeper's words.

At noon, a young man with a beaming smile walked into a shop, saying to the shopkeeper, "Look at what good stuff I've brought in today." A man in his forties, dressed elegantly and sporting a round face with two small mustaches, looked at the prey on the young man's back. His already small eyes became even smaller.

Ma Wu is now eighteen years old, and several peers in the village have already taken wives. Whenever Ma Wu sees them returning home in pairs, a sense of longing for home stirs within him, especially after being alone for such a long time

Ma Wu has lived in this small mountain village since childhood and has never ventured outside. He grew up relying on the charity of the villagers. Once he was able to sustain himself through hunting, he began selling his game to the wealthiest shopkeeper in the village, who often traveled outside. This shop is the only one in the village. During his childhood, Ma Wu received considerable care from the shopkeeper. From the very first transaction, the shopkeeper saved all of Ma Wu's earnings, stating that he would use the money to arrange for Ma Wu to marry a bride from a town outside the village when he turned eighteen. This shop is the only one in the village. During his childhood, Ma Wu received considerable care from the shopkeeper. From the very first transaction, the shopkeeper saved all of Ma Wu's earnings, stating that he would use the money to arrange for Ma Wu to marry a bride from a town outside the village when he turned eighteen

On the road, Ma Wu and his companions encountered a group of people traveling in the opposite direction. The village is surrounded by mountains on three sides, with only one road leading in and out. Ma Wu looked at those people, feeling a sense of unfamiliarity; their direction was clearly towards the village. It had been a long time since a large number of people had passed through the village. "What are these people here for?" Ma Wu couldn't help but feel anxious. As the carriage passed, the dust it raised enveloped the group. One particularly fierce-looking man shouted at the passing carriage: "People in the carriage, don't let me run into you next time, or I will definitely skin you alive." "What are these people here for?" Ma Wu couldn't help but feel anxious. As the carriage passed, the dust it raised enveloped the group. One particularly fierce-looking man shouted at the passing carriage: "People in the carriage, don't let me run into you next time, or I will definitely skin you alive."

Ma Wu chuckled foolishly and said, "Isn't this the first time coming out? We must take a good look; who knows, we might not come out again in the future"

After several consecutive days without catching any prey, Ma Wu decided to stop hunting. He took some winter supplies from the shopkeeper and returned to his small wooden cabin

Observing Ma Wu's demeanor, the shopkeeper shot him a glare and said, "Be mindful in town, don't embarrass me, especially in front of the young ladies." It is unclear whether Ma Wu took this to heart. The shopkeeper raised his whip and quickened the pace.

"Then I will give you one or two silver coins, as usual. You can keep the money with me, and I will save it for you," said the shopkeeper, and then he took the prey away.

In a row of houses, the shopkeeper led Ma Wu into one of them

I hope to hunt good prey today to exchange for items needed for winter. Winter is approaching, and by then, prey will be scarce. I must prepare in advance for the winter. As the young man walked, he thought to himself, gradually disappearing into the vast mountains.