Super Combat Soldier

Chapter 834: Chapter 833 [The Men, Women, and Children of Desolate Stone Village]

[PS: First update delivered. It’s the beginning of the month, asking for monthly votes to secure our standing, even just one would be great?]

As they walked into Desolate Stone Village, guided by a small yellow dog, Tianshuang narrated to Ye Tianchen and Zhang Ruotong about the village, the connection between the Heavenly Number Mysterious Sect and Desolate Stone Village.

The origin of Desolate Stone Village can be traced back to the Ancient Era. At that time, Earth was a flourishing age of cultivation, and the village already existed. However, through evolution to the present, Earth became unsuitable for cultivation, leading to the death or departure of countless strong individuals. The village, once containing tens of thousands, now scarcely surpasses one hundred people. Yet even now, Desolate Stone Village continues to lead a life untainted by worldly conflicts, leading an ordinary life of breeding, farming, and hunting, continuing their livelihood and survival.

About five thousand years ago, Desolate Stone Village faced a great calamity, with the village on the brink of extermination. The Divine Calculation happened to pass by and perceived the misfortune of the villagers. Touched by their simplicity and kindness, he decided to defy the heavens and alter their fate, staying in the village for a while. During that time, he used his divine skills for their benefit. The villagers were deeply grateful, passing down this gratitude from generation to generation as their most sincere way of expressing their heartfelt thanks. Afterward, Divine Calculation left, but having taken Tianshuang as his disciple, he often sent her to visit the Desolate Stone Village, forming an unbreakable and indescribable bond.

Divine Calculation lived for seven thousand years, having helped the village five thousand years ago. Naturally, the current villagers are not the same from five millennia ago, having gone through many generations. However, they perpetually passed down their gratitude, forever honoring the beneficence of Divine Calculation.

”What happened? The old Divine Calculation, he...” The elder leaning on a cane saw Tianshuang silent and was startled, hurriedly asking.

”Grandpa Shi, my master he... he has entered eternal meditation...” Tianshuang gritted her teeth and said.

The old village chief was stunned upon hearing Tianshuang’s words, almost fainting. Supported by a few strong young men, he slowly stood up, already in tears.

With a thud, the old village chief knelt to the ground, followed by over a hundred men and women, old and young, kneeling as well. Everyone was extremely sorrowful; this sadness came from the heart, not feigned. Tianshuang, Zhang Ruotong, and two child disciples were already in tears. Their connection to Desolate Stone Village felt as if all were family, openly expressing joy, anger, grief, and pleasure in front of family was best, most unreserved. Even Ye Tianchen was moved, touched by the villagers’ kindness and simplicity. The merciful thought Divine Calculation had back then was unexpectedly cherished and remembered by the villagers for generations. Such kindness was imaginable.

This scene shocked and moved Ye Tianchen. It reminded him of the villages he protected on Apocalypse Star, where the people were equally kind, simple, and optimistic, with unyielding spirits, treating him as both their support and family, sharing everything with candor. However... thinking of this, Ye Tianchen clenched his fist tightly, secretly vowing to return to Apocalypse Star and avenge the villagers who died.

”Divine Calculation senior, we will never see you again...” the old village chief looked up and cried.

”Divine Calculation senior, let us kowtow thrice, to send you off, repaying your generations of kindness to our Desolate Stone Village!”

The scene was grand, moving, uplifting. This sincere gratitude and simple emotions deeply touched Ye Tianchen’s heart. These villagers were worth trusting and befriending.

After the three kowtows, Tianshuang and Zhang Ruotong helped the old village chief up. The old chief, choked with sobs, said: ”Why, why didn’t we even see Divine Calculation senior for the last time.”

”Grandpa Shi, Master always said he didn’t believe in fate, birth, aging, sickness, and death have their patterns. He spent his life defying the heavens, it was a lifelong battle with them. Don’t be sad!” Tianshuang said firmly.

”Alright, everyone in Desolate Stone Village, listen up. From now, we mourn for Divine Calculation senior, wearing mourning clothes for seven days, and pray for his heroic spirit morning, noon, and night!” The old village chief announced, trembling, as he stomped his cane on the ground.

”Yes!” the people of Desolate Stone Village responded in unison.

”Children, don’t stand outside anymore, come into the village and sit, let me lead the way for you!” The old village chief warmly said, a kind smile on his face.

Very soon, Tianshuang, Zhang Ruotong, the two young disciples, and Ye Tianchen all walked into the Desolate Stone Village and arrived at the courtyard of the old village chief. The courtyard was surrounded by simple thatched cottages. In Desolate Stone Village, everyone is like family, with no one being special, except for the central leader, who is the old village chief.

The old village chief invited Ye Tianchen and his group of five into his courtyard. The courtyard was large, and everyone sat around together with a bonfire lit in the middle. Tonight, to welcome Ye Tianchen and the others, the old village chief had the strong men in the village kill a few sheep and piglets for a bonfire party in the evening to entertain Ye Tianchen and his companions.

As night fell, over a hundred villagers gathered in the courtyard. Fortunately, the courtyard was large enough to accommodate over a hundred people. Ten sheep and ten piglets, which could be considered several years’ worth of food for everyone in the Desolate Stone Village. The village was not affluent, and people lived by farming and hunting, with almost no exchange of goods. Such a closed-off existence showcased the hardships of the village. However, to welcome Ye Tianchen and the others, and to express their gratitude to the Divine Calculation’s kindness to the village, everyone brought out the best from their homes to host Ye Tianchen, which deeply moved him and Tianshuang.

The tempting aroma of roasted lamb and piglets made some of the children drool uncontrollably. The two young disciples from the Heavenly Number Mysterious Sect each took a piece of piglet meat and began eating with relish. Even Ye Tianchen couldn’t help licking his lips; it was too fragrant. It had been a long time since he had tasted something so delicious, and alongside were jars of homemade pure grain liquor made by the villagers of Desolate Stone Village, with an aroma that was overwhelming and incredibly tasty.

”Little brother, I toast to you. May I know how to address you?” The old village chief, smiling, raised his bowl of liquor to Ye Tianchen.

”Oh, I am Ye Tianchen. Grandpa Shi can call me Tianchen!” Ye Tianchen replied politely.

After downing a bowl of liquor, Ye Tianchen couldn’t care much more, as his stomach had long been growling with hunger. He grabbed a roasted lamb leg and started munching on it. The aroma was irresistible, and the temptation of hunger was hard to withstand. Since entering the Ancient Martial World, Ye Tianchen hadn’t had a good night’s sleep or a satisfying meal. Now he could finally find some peace for a while. Once Tianshuang and the others settled down, Ye Tianchen thought it was time to visit the Mortal World to check on his mother and little sister, as it had been over two months since he left the Mortal World. Time flies swiftly.

Following this, Tianshuang told the old village chief about the Heavenly Number Mysterious Sect. The old village chief solemnly said, ”Stay here with us. I, Old Man Shi, am not very capable, and neither are the villagers of Desolate Stone Village. However, we are willing to live and die with you; you are our family.”

That night, Tianshuang and Grandpa Shi talked until late. Ye Tianchen was already drunk, enjoying a rare relaxation, and was carried by the villagers into a thatched hut, where he fell asleep. When Ye Tianchen woke up, he found a little boy next to him drawing water, seemingly preparing to wash his face.

”Big brother, you’re awake! Hurry up and wash your face!” the little boy said sensibly, looking at Ye Tianchen.

Ye Tianchen smiled slightly. He recognized this boy; he met him last night. The boy was Grandpa Shi’s grandson, five years old, named Little Shitou. He was very well-behaved and sensible. Grandpa Shi lived with his grandson, relying on each other. Little Shitou’s parents went hunting two years ago and never returned, probably killed by wild beasts. Every afternoon, Little Shitou waited at the village entrance, hoping his parents would return, but unfortunately, such hope was hard to fulfill.

”Little Shitou, why are you up so early?” Ye Tianchen got up, walked over to the washbasin, picked up a cloth, and asked.

”It’s not early! It’s almost noon, see, the sun’s already shining on your butt!” Little Shitou said with a naive smile.

Ye Tianchen felt a little embarrassed. He didn’t expect to sleep for so long, actually sleeping until noon. He hurriedly finished washing his face, while Little Shitou sensibly took the washbasin outside to dump the water.

Ye Tianchen stretched lazily. The sleep was very refreshing and fully restored his energy. After stepping out of the thatched hut, Ye Tianchen found that Tianshuang, Zhang Ruotong, and the two young disciples from the Heavenly Number Mysterious Sect had already awoken and were practicing the art of breathing, the most basic cultivation method.

”Little brother, come have a cup of tea?” The old village chief saw Ye Tianchen come out and called him over.

Ye Tianchen smiled and walked over, sitting opposite the old village chief. Little Shitou stood behind the old village chief, massaging his back. All the people in Desolate Stone Village had the surname Shi, a point Ye Tianchen found curious. Could they all be descended from the same family name? Now there were only a little over a hundred people left. Why were they becoming fewer? Here, with no disputes with the world and no strong enemies attacking, it should surely be thriving, Ye Tianchen thought, puzzled. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation votes and monthly votes. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com for reading.)