Chapter Thirteen: Borrow Your Dagger to Chop Firewood

  Chu Dongyang furrowed his brow and looked at Jiu Niang deeply, then shook his head and refused decisively: "That dagger is too sharp, it's easy to hurt your hand."

  That dagger is called Blood Drink, and it has been with him for five years. It's no exaggeration to say that they are sworn brothers of life and death.

  There are two things that Chu Dongyang has always carried with him, one is the jade pendant and the other is the dagger called Xue Yin.

  The Blood Drink has been stained with too much human blood and its killing aura is too heavy, how could Chu Dongyang possibly give it to a weak woman who can't even truss a chicken?

  "It's better to be sharp, what's the use of being too dull!" Jiuniang looked up at Chudongyang, her expression was very determined, and she didn't stop cleaning the bamboo mouse, the clumsy kitchen knife in her hand became very agile.

  The day before yesterday, Jiuniang had seen Chudongyang playing with his dagger in the courtyard. Under the golden sunlight, the sharp blade flashed out a dazzling cold light, which made ordinary people feel chilled to the bone. However, at that moment, Jiuniang felt a thrill of excitement in her heart.

  It's not because the dagger looks beautiful that Jiuniang likes it, but she thinks that dagger is very similar to one she collected in her previous life. Moreover, the dagger is not only sharp and can cut through iron like mud, but its blade is also very hard. In the absence of other tools, she needs such a dagger to make exquisite wooden crafts.

  Jiuniang currently has only one available tool, a hatchet. Some rough craftsmanship can be done with it, but to make something that can be taken to the town to sell for money, the more exquisite the workmanship is, the better. So, of course, just using a hatchet won't do; she can only rely on Chudongyang's dagger.

  Chu Dongyang narrowed his eyes and stared at Jiu Niang, asking in a low voice: "Then what use do you have for it?"

  "After dinner, I'll go up the mountain with my sister-in-law to dig bamboo shoots. If we encounter a bamboo rat again, I'll bring a sharp dagger and throw it at it. Who knows, maybe we can kill it and have dinner without worrying!" Jiuniang said seriously.

  "To be honest!" Chu Dongyang glared at Jiuniang and said in a cold tone.

  Jiuniang coughed lightly twice, then dryly said: "......your dagger looks very sharp, I think I'll use it to chop firewood!"

  Making wooden crafts also requires splitting, so she's not lying about this.

  Ke Chu Dongyang's eyes suddenly turned into a cold blade, slashing towards her, as if he wanted to split her in two. She couldn't help but shiver and forced a smile, explaining: "Your dagger can cut through iron like mud, it must be great for chopping firewood too!"

  "You know it's as sharp as a knife, and it's a rare good cleaver. How could I let you use it to chop firewood? Wouldn't that be a waste of a good thing?" Chu Dongyang gave her a "don't even think about it" look, then coldly hummed: "Hurry up and cook, I'm starving!"

  “……” Jiuniang knew that Chudongyang wouldn't easily lend her his dagger, but hearing him refuse so directly still made her feel a bit displeased. She muttered in a low voice: "I'm just a weak woman with no ability to even tie up a chicken, and I risked my life to climb the mountain and dig for bamboo shoots so you wouldn't go hungry. Now I just want to borrow your dagger for self-defense, but you're being so stingy, humph!"

  Chu Dongyang's eyelids drooped for a moment before he said in a low voice, "You can very well pawn the jade pendant and exchange it for silver, which would be enough for us to eat for several years."

  Although the jade pendant was very important to him, but now the situation is so difficult, he also injured his leg and cannot go to work to support his family, so he can only pawn the only valuable thing on his body.

  This time, Jiuniang didn't make another sound. She lowered her head and quickly cleaned the bamboo rat, then started chopping it into small pieces.

  She chopped with a bit too much force, as if she had a vendetta against the chopping board, making loud banging sounds.

  Chu Dongyang sat beside her and saw that she was chopping the bamboo shoots fiercely, stunned for a moment, suddenly feeling a bit funny.

  At this time, Yang Jin and his wife walked into the kitchen, Yunniang holding a pot of rice in her hand, Yang Jin holding a small jar of wine in his hand, seeing Chu Dongyang and his wife busy cooking in the kitchen, they smiled and greeted them.

  "Jiuniang, I've already cooked the meal at home and brought it over directly, so you don't have to start a new fire." Yunniang said, putting down the pot and walking over, rolling up her sleeves as she spoke: "Let me lend you a hand!"

  "Go!" Jiuniang didn't bother with politeness either, turning to Chudongyang who was tending the fire: "You don't need to tend the fire anymore, go outside and chat with Yang Jing for a bit. We'll call you when dinner is ready."

  It just so happened that Yang Jin had something to ask Chu Dongyang, he put the small wine jug on the table, rubbed his hands and looked at Chu Dongyang somewhat uncomfortably, saying: "Brother Dongyang, let's go sit in the outer courtyard, I have some questions I'd like to ask you..."

  Chu Dongyang couldn't help but raise an eyebrow, propping himself up with his staff as he stood up, nodding towards Yang Jin and saying: "Brother Yang Jin, if you have something to say to me, just say it, no need to stand on ceremony."

  Yang Jin looked a bit embarrassed, glanced at Yun Niang, scratched his head, and then seemed to muster up the courage to ask: "I was wondering if Dong Yang brothers know how to make bows and arrows. The bow and arrow I have don't have enough power, and when I encounter slightly larger prey, it often gets away..."

  Yang Jin would go hunting in the mountains during his spare time from farming. The game he hunted could be taken to town to exchange for silver, or eaten by his own family. However, last time he went hunting, he encountered a wild boar, chased it for a long time, and shot an arrow that hit its mark. But the wild boar that was hit by the arrow ran away as if nothing had happened.

  Yang Jin heard that Chu Dongyang, the military counselor of the East, was a brave and fierce frontline general when fighting, with one against a hundred, bravely killing enemies, his swordsmanship was formidable, and his archery skills must also be very impressive. Today is a rare opportunity, he definitely wants to learn from him thoroughly.

  "I won't be able to help Brother Yang Jin with this task, I'm not good at archery." Chu Dongyang's voice was light and his expression was also very calm.

  Yang Jin's face clearly showed disappointment, but in an instant he heard Chu Dongyang say: "However, I have a bow and arrow there. If Big Brother doesn't despise it, you can take it and use it."

  Yang Jin heard and couldn't help but feel a thrill in his heart, but quickly waved his hand: "No good! No good......"

  That is Chu Dongyang's weapon on the battlefield, not an ordinary object, how can it be taken away?

  "Anyway, since I'm already injured like this, it's useless to keep it. It's better to give it to Big Brother, and he can still go hunting in the mountains." Chu Dongyang patted Yang Jin's shoulder and said seriously.

  Yang Jin was momentarily unsure whether to accept or continue to decline.

  "Brother Yang Jin, don't be polite with him, he's giving it to you, just take it!" Jiuniang's face was smiling, but she was very unhappy in her heart.

  It's generous of him to give away his bow and arrow, but when I asked to borrow a dagger from him, he was so stingy.

  Chu Dongyang's gaze naturally turned to Jiuniang, a few meaningful smiles appearing on his face.

  Just like last night, one braised in soy sauce and one stewed in broth, the aroma is overwhelming.

  The meal was eaten with great pleasure, and Jiuniang hadn't been so full in a long time.

  After sweeping the house clean, Jiuniang and Yunniang set out to go up the mountain.

  Yang Jin took the bow and arrow of Chu Dongyang in his hand, admiring it for a long time before he couldn't help but want to try it out. Hearing that they were going up the mountain, he thought about following them together.

  "I'll also go up the mountain to hunt a few rabbits and bring them back. Your brother's craftsmanship is so good, if the Dongyang brothers don't mind, I'll bring the hunted rabbits over to your house to cook, and tonight we can bring some rice over to freeload dinner!" Yang Jin scratched his head with one hand, holding his heavy bow and arrow in the other, laughing foolishly.

  Jiuniang had originally wanted to use the crossbow she made yesterday to go hunting, but after all, she was not familiar with the mountain environment. It's better to have Yang Jin lead the way. This time she got familiar with it, next time she can go up the mountain and hunt alone.