Chapter 86

Ye Baizhi quickly stepped forward and helped him up. “Get up,” she said gently. “I’m not used to people kneeling to me. Come inside to talk.”

Only then did Zhan Peng rise.

When Ye Baizhi had touched him just now, she’d felt how cold his body was—who knew how long he’d been standing there?

“Are you feeling better?” she asked.

Zhan Peng nodded. “Yes… when I woke up this morning, I felt much better.”

“Brother Shi Fan watched over me all night.”

He was deeply grateful to Shi Fan, too—and vowed he’d repay that kindness someday. He had truly believed he was going to die. He never expected that after one night’s sleep, he’d be alive again.

Brother Shi Fan had told him it was Madam Ye who saved him. So from now on, his life would belong to her.

Ye Baizhi had come to realize that most beastmen on the Beast Continent had simple, straightforward values—deeply rooted in the idea of repaying kindness. Though, in truth, it hadn’t taken much effort for her to save him.

However, there were no real doctors here, only shamans. And for most injured beastmen, their fate was to be left to die—a healer was their only hope. That’s why, in times like this, when someone saves their life, they feel profoundly grateful.

Suni’s family was the same—they would repay kindness every single day if they could.

Ye Baizhi understood that this sense of loyalty and obligation ran deep. Trying to talk them out of it wouldn’t change a thing. She guided Zhan Peng inside. When he saw Ye Wulan, he greeted him respectfully, “Greetings, Brother Ye!”

Ye Wulan, who had seen Zhan Peng a few times while fetching water at the well, smiled and replied, “No need to be so formal—have a seat.”

Zhan Peng sat, clearly feeling awkward.

The aroma in the house was overwhelming. It smelled incredible.

His mouth began to water uncontrollably, and he felt embarrassed—worried his stomach might rumble out loud.

That morning, Ye Baizhi had already made fresh scallion pancakes. She cut a slice and poured a bowl of soy milk, then handed them to him.

Zhan Peng waved his hands quickly. “Madam Ye, I—I’m not hungry. I really don’t need food.”

He had come to repay her, not to take from her. Food was precious—he couldn’t accept it, let alone eat it.

But Ye Baizhi knew his kind—proud, self-reliant, guided by a firm moral compass. She said firmly, “You said your life belongs to me now, didn’t you? Then you’ll do as I say.”

“I’m telling you to eat—so eat.”

“You need to build your strength back up if you want to do anything.”

“And besides, I made plenty of food—if you don’t eat it, it’ll just go to waste.”

Zhan Peng felt his chest grow warm. He understood—Madam Ye was saying all this so that he’d feel okay accepting the food. But she was right. His body was still weak, and he needed to build up his strength if he wanted to be of use. And food was the fastest way to replenish energy.

Honestly, his stomach had been aching from hunger.

“Come on, eat while it’s hot—hot meals taste better.”

He gave a slight nod and took a sip of the soy milk. His eyes went wide in surprise. He’d thought the white liquid was beast milk—but it wasn’t.

It was delicious, without any gaminess—rich and smooth, comforting all the way down. Warmth spread through his entire body. Then he took a bite of the scallion pancake. It was so flavorful. Was it even possible for food to taste this good?

For a moment, he wondered if he was dreaming. But it was real—and it was wonderful. The flavor nearly brought him to tears. His eyes reddened, and he fought hard to keep from crying.

He couldn’t cry.

Zhan Peng didn’t even dare take big bites of something this delicious—he nibbled carefully, afraid it would be gone too fast.

And that warm white soup? So good.

While Ye Wulan tended the fire, Ye Baizhi had made egg-stuffed pancakes for breakfast. She handed an extra one to Zhan Peng, then sat down with Ye Wulan and Da Bao so the three of them could share the meal together.

One egg pancake and a bowl of soy milk—that was breakfast. The pancake had tomato sauce spread on top, filled with wild greens, and rolled up—it was perfect that way.

“Madam Ye, I… I’m full already. No need to give me more,” Zhan Peng said, embarrassed to accept too much.

But Ye Baizhi knew—there’s no way a growing boy like him could be full so soon. She told him, “This is called an egg-stuffed pancake. It’s best fresh—once it cools down, it’s not nearly as tasty.”

“So go ahead. Eat it while it’s hot.”

Only then did Zhan Peng pick it up. One bite—and he was stunned.

That filling… was that really egg? It was incredible. He had no idea how Madam Ye cooked it, but it tasted nothing like the bird or chicken eggs he’d had before.

Ye Baizhi, guessing his silent confusion, explained as she ate, “Fry it in oil like this, and that’s how eggs turn out.”

“Bird eggs too—same principle.”

Looking slightly sheepish, Zhan Peng murmured, “Back when I was really starving, I’d just crack open a bird egg and drink it raw…”

“It was just to fill my stomach. I never knew you could cook it like this—never knew it could taste so good.”

Ye Baizhi figured his parents must’ve passed away early—he probably never learned how to properly care for himself.

“Eggs and bird eggs can be steamed, boiled, roasted, or fried,” she told him gently.

“Eating them raw can easily make you sick.”

Zhan Peng nodded seriously. He’d never known any of that—no one had ever taught him. All he ever thought about was how to catch something, only to make it to the next day. Now, sitting on a stool in Madam Ye’s warm home, eating hot food, it all felt like a dream. This warmth reminded him of when his mother was still alive. Ever since both his parents were gone, his home had been cold and silent.

After he finished eating, Ye Baizhi asked, “Would you like to stay with me and help out?”

Zhan Peng nodded firmly. “Please, Madam Ye, take me in. I can do anything—I don’t fear hardship or heavy work.”

“I’ve reached third-tier strength. I can hunt, chop firewood…”

“I… I can eat less, too.”

What he wanted was to repay her kindness. But after tasting food this good—something stirred deeper inside him. He didn’t know why, but he found himself admiring Madam Ye with all his heart.

She seemed like a celestial beast—knowing so much, making incredible food, healing people. To him, both Madam Ye and Brother Ye felt legendary.

Ye Baizhi had been thinking about forming a guard unit for some time—and now that idea finally had ground.

“I want to build a small guard force,” she said. “My own team.”

“We’ll call it Youth Camp for now—and since you’re the first, you’ll be the leader.”

“Your job will be to train and grow stronger.”

“You won’t need to worry about food—eat as much as you need.”

“And since you’ll be following my orders, you’ll also get a monthly spirit stone allowance.”

Zhan Peng shook his head quickly. “No—no need for spirit stones. I just want to repay your kindness.”

“If I took payment, it wouldn’t feel right.”

To him, this wasn’t about gaining anything—it was about gratitude.

Ye Baizhi understood that a proper guard force would need rules and structure, but some things would come with time. She thought for a moment, then said, “Alright. For now, I’ll make sure you have three full meals a day.”

“During the day, you can help out with things here and there. When we have time, I’ll teach you a set of martial arts techniques.”

“Then I’ll send you to my brother for further training.”

Back when she lived in the Rabbit tribe, she’d taught her brother a bladed combat style. But Zhan Peng seemed more suited to hand-to-hand combat.

“Once we recruit more people and the team takes shape, we’ll be able to do a lot more.”

Her vision was clear: when there was no trouble, the unit could operate like a merchant caravan—transporting goods, moving back and forth. And when danger arose, they’d serve as a proper security force. In time, when their numbers grew large enough, they’d become a true army.