Jared knew that the people of Rock Village lived very modestly. Emily’s family was the same. It seemed that Ali took good care of Emily, always taking her hunting to share the spoils.
If no one was there to help, how could Emily, a seventeen- or eighteen-year-old girl taking care of a blind old woman, make a living?
“Jared, hurry up and eat. Grandma and I don’t like to eat meat. You must eat more to recover your strength!” Emily said happily, noticing Jared’s improving complexion.
“Okay. I’ll eat.” Jared nodded. He also wanted to recover his abilities sooner. That way, he could help Emily. Still, with his current capabilities, he was already peerless in Rock Village. Even Ali wasn’t his match. Watching Jared eat with great relish, Emily couldn’t help but grin.
“Emily, do you have to go hunting every day?” he asked her, eager to learn more about Rock Village and its surrounding environment. Jared merely passed by the area back then, so he wasn’t familiar with Rock Village.
“Of course. If we don’t go out hunting every day, what should we eat? Besides, I also sell the beast skin and cores for money to hire the best doctor in town to treat my grandma’s eyes,” Emily replied optimistically. “Don’t worry about my eyes, Emily. You mustn’t overwork yourself. My eyes can’t be cured, so don’t waste your effort,” Ira persuaded Emily.
“Rest assured, Grandma. I’ve already asked around. Dr. Weiss has returned to town. When I’m free, I’ll invite him over to treat your eyes!” Emily said with a smile.
Jared was deeply moved by the young girl’s optimistic attitude. Even under such harsh. conditions, Emily, a mere teenager, could still stay upbeat.
After finishing the meal, Emily went hunting with the villagers again while Jared stayed in the room to cultivate. Jared and Ira had hardly spoken to each other for the past few days as each was somewhat wary of the other..
By the time Jared finished his cultivation and opened his eyes, the sky outside had turned dark, yet Emily hadn’t called him for dinner. Usually, by that time, Emily would’ve returned from hunting and prepared a meal. However, Jared hadn’t heard her voice even then, so he got up and exited the room.
When he stepped out, he saw Ira standing at the courtyard entrance, looking anxious, seemingly waiting for Emily’s return..
“It’s not like Emily to still not be home at this hour. Could she have encountered danger?” Ira paced back and forth, muttering to herself.
Just as Jared was about to ask what was going on, a young, bare-chested boy about ten years old ran over. He screamed as he ran, “Something bad has happened! Our loot was. stolen, and Ali and the others were captured. Everyone, grab your weapons and save them!”
Following the boy’s shouting, many people, ranging from both genders and all age groups, quickly gathered in Rock Village, all wielding weapons. At the same time, Ira grew visibly more anxious after hearing Emily and the others were seized. Jared halted that boy and asked, “Hey, kid. What exactly happened?”
The boy glanced at Jared and said, “Ali, Emily, and the others were lucky today. They killed at demon tiger but were stopped by people from the neighboring Cyan Village. They wanted the demon tiger, but Ali refused, and a fight broke out. Ali and Emily were injured and taken captive by them. I escaped and came back here. to get help.”
Hearing Emily was hurt, Jared emanated a murderous intent, causing the boy to shudder and freeze in fear with his eyes fixated on Jared.
