【Harming the Region】

【You have comprehended 'Mountain Splitting Strike' and mastered a blade technique.】

【Mountain Splitting Strike, Level 1 (1/10)】

【Effect: Coordinate your entire body, channel your strength, and deliver a powerful overhead slash.】

As soon as the notification, which only Zhou Yuan could hear, echoed in his mind, an indescribable sense of relief washed over him, as if years of pent-up pressure had suddenly dissipated.

“Hahaha... I've done it!”

The three village men watching Zhou Yuan burst into a fit of laughter could only shake their heads in resignation.

What a pitiful sight. Stone may have always been simple-minded and a bit dim-witted, but he used to be honest and reliable, always volunteering for the dirtiest and hardest jobs in the village. Now, all it took was a single conscription notice to scare the poor fool into madness. Forget doing work—at this point, they were grateful if he didn’t try to run away.

They’d done everything they could to accommodate him, letting him live in comfort with his meals prepared and chores handled, hoping that by easing his mind, his madness wouldn't worsen. Who could have imagined that even chopping wood would push him further off the deep end? The three men exchanged glances, each letting out a long sigh.

“Damn those government officials. They’ve scared the simple-minded Stone into full-blown insanity.”

They muttered a few more words, grumbling. Stone was really just a coward. Everyone else had to do military service too. What was the big deal? Yet this fool had gone mad before even leaving the village.

They failed to notice that the log Zhou Yuan had just split had a remarkably clean cut. The smoothness of the cut was far beyond what a rusty, dull hatchet should be able to achieve.

Thunk.

【Mountain Splitting Strike, +1 Experience】

At that moment, Zhou Yuan felt utterly exhilarated. He kept chopping, one swing after another, and soon, he had chopped enough firewood for the day. The skill 'Mountain Splitting Strike' had even leveled up to Level 2.

“I probably swung about thirty times, but only gained twelve experience points. So, it seems that not every strike earns experience. Still, this is great. Now I know how to gain skill experience. The key is to focus completely and constantly think about improving.”

The appearance of skills and experience filled Zhou Yuan with excitement. At last, he felt as if he had caught hold of a lifeline in this world and had earned the right to survive.

Just as he was about to continue chopping wood and push 'Mountain Splitting Strike' to max level, he realized his hands, still clutching the hatchet, had started to tremble involuntarily.

He was, after all, flesh and blood, not some tireless, invincible game character. Exhausted, he decided to rest and try a different survival technique: running. After all, if you can outrun your comrades, your odds of surviving in battle increase. Zhou Yuan was no more valuable than any other village man.

“What’s the matter, Stone? Done practicing?”

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“I’ve already mastered 'Mountain Splitting Strike.' Now I'm working on another technique. Uncle Huang, if you trust me, feel free to chop wood in my yard. I can at least teach you a surefire way to take one enemy down with you.”

“Pah! I don’t need you to teach me that. If someone stabs me with a spear, I’ll just stay put and stab him right back.”

“That’s true, but in real combat, we won’t just be facing a single spear or blade. If you practice my way, at least you can guarantee taking someone down with you—unless they’re wearing armor.”

“Bah, my method’s better. Armor or no armor, we’ll gang up on the guy, and if we knock him over, we’ll stomp him to death.”

“Uncle Huang, you’ve got some wisdom there. Have you been to war?”

“No, but my father did. Before he passed, he said all the fancy stuff was useless. The spear is the only thing that matters. If you master thrusting and withdrawing, you’ll be fine.”

“That’s fair. Find me a long wooden stick later, and I’ll practice spears too.”

“Sure thing. With your strength, a spear’s better than a hatchet.”

Zhou Yuan had no intention of hiding his knowledge. If they were really conscripted, these fellow villagers would be more reliable than outsiders, and it was good to have more of them survive. He didn’t expect that the village men would have their own ideas, better adapted to this world. Luckily, Zhou Yuan was willing to take advice if it made sense.

“Stone, Er Gou is looking for you. You should’ve seen him—his legs were shaking like noodles, and he was sweating like a pig. Imagine that. Married yesterday and already a wreck today. His wife must be something else.”

“Enough of that. I can’t believe you’re so crude. Everyone’s nervous the first time, and he’s just... savoring the moment.”

“Huh? Stone, how do you know so much? Tell me, did you sneak into someone’s bed? Ah, you sly dog, after everything we’ve done for you, you couldn’t even share the good stuff?”

“Hold it right there. My 'Mountain Splitting Strike' is ready for action, and I’d be happy to test it on you.”

The village man eyed the hatchet at Zhou Yuan’s waist and shrank back, grumbling as he walked away, but not without raising his voice as if afraid Zhou Yuan wouldn't hear him.

“Coward. No loyalty. Sneaking into beds without telling anyone.”

Zhou Yuan didn’t care. He knew he was innocent, and a sharp blade didn’t fear petty gossip. In fact, he and the other three men, led by Uncle Huang, had been getting along well. They were just making sure he didn’t hurt anyone. Zhou Yuan wouldn’t have scared the guy if his teasing hadn’t gone too far.

When Zhou Yuan stepped outside, he realized he might’ve misjudged. Er Gou really did look awful—pale, sweating, and with trembling legs. Even sitting on a wooden stump, his legs shook uncontrollably. The worst part was that his health bar had dropped to 89%, below the 90% mark.

“Stone Bro, I need to talk to you.”

“Er Gou, take it easy. Brother, you didn’t need to go all out like that. She’s still a person, you know. If you’re this shaky, she must be in even more pain.”

At Zhou Yuan’s words, Er Gou’s eyes filled with tears.

“Stone Bro, it’s not what you think. Cui Niang is a widow from Qiao East Village. My family’s barely better off than yours. No decent family would marry off their daughter to me, risking a life of widowhood.”

“Stone Bro, I don’t mind that Cui Niang is a widow, but since last night, we’ve done it seven times. I really can’t take it anymore. But my parents won’t let me leave the room. They say I must leave them a grandchild before I go.”

The more Zhou Yuan heard, the more shocked he became. He had underestimated Er Gou’s stamina.

“Er Gou, I feel for you. Maybe you should tough it out. Cui Niang just wants to give you a kid, you know? Even if I’m somewhat well-known around here, there’s not much I can do.”

“No, Stone Bro! Weren’t you always planning to escape into the wilderness and wreak havoc? Take me with you! We have to leave, or the officials and Cui Niang will work me to death.”

Er Gou’s desperation only made Zhou Yuan more serious.

“Hold on, Er Gou. Forget about running for a second. First, explain to me what you mean by 'wreaking havoc'.”