Chapter 33: Refusing to Yield No Matter What

"Great-aunt never went to school either," someone nearby retorted confidently upon hearing these words. "Why wouldn't Great-aunt know? What about middle school knowledge? Even if it were high school, it wouldn't be strange for Great-aunt to know it. Look at those who went to middle or high school—can they speak Beast Tongue?"

"Exactly! There's nothing Great-aunt can't do!" If she can speak Beast Tongue, why would knowing anything else be surprising?

"You kids, don't think that just because you've been to school for a few days, you've grown wings and are ready to fly. Let me tell you, even if you become high officials in the future, you'll still be from Niuluo Village. The rule of respecting elders in Niuluo Village must never be forgotten—even in death."

"That's right, Great-aunt is Great-aunt, an elder—not to be bullied just because she's young."

"If we ever find out you've shown even a hint of disrespect to Great-aunt, you'll be in for some trouble." This last remark came from Li Xiao's father, who spoke sternly to his own son.

Naturally, the other adults also took the opportunity to give their children a serious lecture.

Originally, as they made their way home, everyone was chatting idly, but suddenly the scene transformed into a collective admonition of the younger generation. The boys and girls, caught up in the impromptu lesson, exchanged awkward glances—they hadn't said anything wrong, nor had anyone disrespected Great-aunt.

The children of Niuluo Village attended the primary school beside the commune. Only after passing the entrance exam for middle school did they go to study in the county town, returning home for two days each week—sometimes not at all.

It was now the height of summer vacation; whether they studied in the commune's primary school or the county's middle school, everyone had returned to the village, just in time to help their families with farm work and earn work points during the busy season.

For those attending school in the commune, the children were still young, and nearby villages all knew the rules passed down for generations in Niuluo Village. No one dared to criticize the customs that Niuluo Village guarded so fiercely.

But the teenagers studying in the county were different. Exposed to new ideas, they returned home full of questions or arguments, sometimes even getting into fights to defend the village's traditions. Though their families might scold them for fighting, they were also praised for doing the right thing.

However, if they came home questioning the village's ways, convinced by outsiders' arguments, they were sure to be punished.

Respecting elders was filial piety, a matter of conscience, and as natural as breathing. All talk of outdated, feudal thinking or "dregs of the past" was dismissed as nonsense.

In Niuluo Village, reverence for elders was the highest law.

It was not to be doubted, much less considered wrong.

Having been raised with these customs, any fleeting doubts were quickly set aside—after all, their own grandparents and parents respected Great-aunt, who ranked high in seniority. Questioning that would be asking for a beating.

Besides, it wasn't unusual for a ten- or twenty-year-old to address a thirty- or forty-year-old as grandfather, uncle, or aunt. Such was the way of seniority; what else could be done?

Soon, night fell.

Tonight, Niuluo Village felt distinctly different. Everyone ate early, locked their doors, and went to bed ahead of time.

Of course, beside every door and bed, they placed hoes, sickles, axes, or machetes—just in case.

Bai Xi was certain that Little Spirit Tiger wouldn't dare lie to her. A spirit beast with barely awakened intelligence followed her for protection and hoped for benefits, to aid its cultivation and eventual enlightenment. Having already recognized her as its master, it wouldn't have divided loyalties.

But the villagers of Niuluo didn't see it that way.

Though they agreed to let Little Spirit Tiger stay with Bai Xi, and it seemed to obey her, the village still organized a dozen able-bodied young men to keep watch near Bai Xi's treehouse.

If the big tiger really showed up, they'd at least have warning and could alert the villagers to take shelter.

At first, there was talk of having Chen Zhaodi and Ma Lian'er stay with Bai Xi for a few nights, but Bai Xi refused, and no one could change her mind. They had no choice but to give up.

Bai Xi knew the villagers wouldn't be at ease, so when she learned of the night watch, she said nothing.

Those on guard would check the cage under the treehouse every so often, making sure Little Spirit Tiger was staying put before resuming their patrol elsewhere.

Whenever this happened, Little Spirit Tiger would lift its eyelids to glance disdainfully at the humans below—what was there to see? Its master had ordered it to stay put; it wouldn't run off.

That night, no one in Niuluo Village slept well—except for Bai Xi.

With the sunrise, the watchmen finally relaxed and went home to sleep.

Most wild beasts lay low during the day and were active at night. With villagers about during daylight, a little vigilance was all that was needed—no special guard required.

After breakfast, Bai Xi headed out to stretch her legs.

Upon hearing her, Little Spirit Tiger immediately stood up, pacing in its cage and fawning over Bai Xi.

Master, master, it's morning—can you let me out now?

"No! Stay put. When it's time, I'll let you out," Bai Xi replied, ignoring Little Spirit Tiger's pitiful look and wandering off into the village.

She returned just before lunch, paying no attention to Little Spirit Tiger as she went straight to her treehouse, downed two cups of water, kicked off her shoes, and climbed onto the couch, waiting for someone to bring her a meal.

She hadn't ventured far—just strolled by the stream, where she spotted some fish. But because of her earlier near-drowning, the women doing laundry by the stream insisted she couldn't stay, coaxing and cajoling her back to the treehouse. Regretfully, Bai Xi let the fish go and headed elsewhere.

After popping the last bite of cured meat into her mouth, she chewed and swallowed, then remarked cheerfully, "Next time, let's try a different preparation."

Nearby, Chen Zhaodi, who was waiting to clear the dishes, found Bai Xi's soft and cute eating habits endearing. She immediately responded, "Alright, next time I'll stir-fry some cabbage with the cured meat for you, Great-aunt."

Bai Xi was speechless. Cabbage, leafy greens, garlic shoots, wild vegetables… she had tasted them all. Chen Zhaodi's suggestion made her slightly impatient—no fresh meat, no new dishes, it was getting repetitive. But then she consoled herself: at least she wasn't eating plain vegetables anymore.

"Alright then."

Bai Xi lounged lazily on the couch, glancing at the window, though from here she couldn't see Little Spirit Tiger below. Casually, she asked, "Has that little thing been fed?"

When she returned earlier, the little creature had reminded her, but she’d simply ignored it.

Chen Zhaodi quickly nodded, "Don't worry, Great-aunt. While you were eating, I already brought some rice porridge over—the tiger cub ate it all."

Truth be told, Chen Zhaodi had been a bit nervous feeding it. Even a small tiger was still a tiger, with sharp claws. The cub might have acknowledged Bai Xi, but had no patience for others. Chen Zhaodi had recited over and over that she meant no harm and was only feeding it on Bai Xi's orders. Carefully, she unlocked the cage, slid the bowl of porridge inside, then swiftly closed and locked it again before hanging the key back where it belonged.