Chapter 67: Goose Feather

A goose’s neck is long, and its head is hard.

When it swings its neck, its head hits like an iron hammer.

The impact is immense.

Plus, it’s got a mouth full of teeth, and if it bites you…

It’s a nightmare.

And this creature, though it doesn’t look big, suddenly spreads its wings when attacking, seeming to double in size.

Basically…

It’s more terrifying than a dog.

Not only was Zhou Qing scared, but Zhou Yao and Zhou Ping also turned pale at the sight of the goose attacking.

A battle goose’s combat power rivals that of a battle dog!

Who dares mess with it?

It’s the village tyrant!

But they couldn’t just stand by and watch Zhou Huaishan get chased down by a goose.

Zhou Qing jumped up and, instead of running away, gritted her teeth and bravely grabbed a burning stick from the fire, charging at the goose.

She looked like a hero making a last stand.

"You devil, I’ll fight you to the end!"

"Father, I’m risking my life to save you! If you don’t study hard, you’re letting me down!"

As she charged, Zhou Qing shouted her final words.

Daughter, there’s no need for this!

I’d rather let the goose bite me.

In the time it took for Zhou Huaishan’s eye to twitch, the goose had already nipped his butt.

"Ah!"

Zhou Huaishan screamed, hopping in pain while clutching his behind.

Fine, fine, I’ll study.

I can’t let a goose harm me.

"Daughter, help me!"

Zhou Qing, holding the flaming stick, shakily charged at the goose.

Maybe it saw Zhou Qing’s attack coming, but the goose switched targets, aiming at Zhou Qing and lunging with its wings flapping.

One second, Zhou Qing was all heroic, and the next, she tossed the flaming stick.

"Oh no!"

And she turned to run.

She could stab Wang Qiang without blinking, but she couldn’t face a fierce goose without flinching!

It was something that killed her from within.

As Zhou Qing ran, Zhou Ping, who had been ready to help with a stick, also screamed and ran in all directions.

Zhou Huaishan, still shaken and gasping for breath, turned to see the goose about to bite Zhou Qing’s butt.

"Daughter, watch out! You darn goose, I’ll fight you!"

Ignoring his exhaustion, Zhou Huaishan lunged at the goose again.

At that moment, a fish flew through the air in a sharp, straight line.

It hit the goose's leg directly.

The goose was struck by the fish and collapsed.

Hearing the noise, Zhou Qing turned around and saw the goose flapping its wings, struggling to stand but unable to because of the pain in its leg.

Next to it, a fish flopped wildly.

The fish’s eyes seemed to say: What did I do wrong to get thrown at a goose?

Zhou Qing, relieved to have survived, looked over at Shen Li.

Zhou Ping stared in shock at the fish, then quickly turned his head.

"Senior Brother, do you know martial arts?"

The shadowy figures on the hillside…

Oh no!

The boss has been exposed!

This is going to be fun!

Shen Li glanced at Zhou Qing, his expression calm and serene. "Yes, I know a bit of martial arts. I had a teacher when I was young."

The hillside shadows…

Just a bit?

Boss, do you not understand what “a bit” means?

Zhou Qing, still catching her breath, picked up the glaring fish and tossed it into the basket. "You always seem so gentle, but I didn’t expect you to know martial arts too!"

The hillside shadows…

Gentle?

Are you kidding me?

Have you seen how he drills us at night?

Have you seen how he interrogates prisoners?

Do you know what people in the capital call him?

And you say he’s gentle!

Well, he is gentle with you!

Hearing that Shen Li knew martial arts, Zhou Ping immediately latched onto him like an octopus.

"Senior Brother, did you know that my dream since childhood has been to roam the world with a sword, righting wrongs? Can you teach me martial arts? Then I’ll never have to fear a goose again."

Zhou Yao immediately rolled her eyes at Zhou Ping.

"So, you want to learn martial arts to get revenge on a goose? The goose that bit you as a kid was cooked by Aunt Zhang ages ago. Your enemy is dead!"

Zhou Ping clung to Shen Li, refusing to let go, wriggling around.

"Senior Brother, Senior Brother, Senior Brother…"

He resorted to acting cute.

Shen Li patted Zhou Ping’s head. "When we get back, I’ll ask Third Uncle. If he agrees, I’ll teach you a bit, but I only know the basics."

The hillside shadows…

Shameless!

Zhou Ping, delighted, hopped off Shen Li. "It’s okay. Your basics are enough for me to catch fish, hunt birds, and beat up geese."

Zhou Yao rolled her eyes again. "You’re hopeless!"

As they spoke, Zhou Huaishan had recovered.

He wasn’t interested in Zhou Ping learning martial arts or Shen Li knowing martial arts. He gritted his teeth and grabbed the goose by the neck.

"You little thing, you dared to chase me! I’ll stew you in the pot later!"

The goose struggled, flapping its wings in defiance.

Zhou Huaishan and the goose stared each other down.

"Flap again, and I’ll roast your wings first!"

The wings flapped again.

At the same time, it stretched its neck, trying to bite Zhou Huaishan again.

Zhou Huaishan’s eyes widened. "Hey, you think I’m joking?"

He said this with a fierce look, dragging the goose straight toward the fire.

"Father, whose goose is this? You should return it to them…"

Before Zhou Qing could finish, Zhou Huaishan suddenly drew out a knife, and with one swift motion, aimed it at the goose’s neck.

With a slash, blood spurted onto Zhou Huaishan’s face.

The goose struggled wildly in his grip.

Zhou Huaishan, in his excitement, slashed several more times.

"Keep struggling! I’ll deal with you!"

Zhou Qing sighed and held her head.

"Father, whose goose is this?"

"Aunt Zhang’s from next door!"

After saying that, Zhou Huaishan’s eye twitched as he looked at Zhou Qing, then at the now-dead goose.

"Daughter, it’s already dead. It wouldn’t be good to return it now, right?"

Zhou Qing was almost furious. "You know it’s not good, yet you still killed it!"

Zhou Huaishan immediately became indignant. "Daughter, it’s not my fault. You don’t know how arrogant it was just now!"

"Aren’t you supposed to be resting at home? How did you end up getting chased by a goose?"

Zhou Huaishan opened his mouth, his shoulders slumped, and he pouted.

Zhou Ping, gleeful at others’ misfortune, said, "Second Uncle, did you shoot the goose with a slingshot?"

That’s how he was chased back in the day.

He didn’t hit the goose and was chased all over the village.

Zhou Huaishan gave Zhou Ping a contemptuous look. "Your Second Uncle is a grown man. Do you think I’d do something that childish?"

"Then how did you provoke it?"

"I wanted to pluck a goose feather to make a quill! I want to experience writing with it while enjoying wine and send letters with a goose feather."

You’re quite romantic!

Zhou Qing was directly exasperated by Zhou Huaishan.

She could already imagine how Zhou Huaishan cautiously approached the goose, tried to quickly pluck a feather and run, and then got chased.

It was exactly the sort of thing Zhou Huaishan would do.

Just then…

"My goose! My goose!"

Aunt Zhang from next door suddenly appeared out of nowhere, screaming as she ran over.