“Come in and talk.” Old Reed beckoned Brian Carter into the yard, looked the pig over, and said, “I can help you, but one hind leg isn’t enough.”

Brian Carter glanced at the old man with a half-smile. “You’re not the only one who knows how to butcher a pig and braise meat. It’s just one hind leg—if you don’t want to, forget it.”

“I’m just looking out for you.” Old Reed hurried to explain, “You’re young, and this pig’s origin is unclear. If you go to someone else, they’ll take at least half.”

Brian Carter pointed to his own temple and said, “My mind is fine now. I got this pig as my share from the family split. Besides, what does the pig’s origin have to do with you?”

Old Reed felt a bit embarrassed by the words, but luckily his old face was dark and wrinkled, so it didn’t really show.

He awkwardly explained, “I just didn’t know. It’s great that your mind is better. If your father’s spirit in heaven knew, he’d be comforted.”

“Who knows if he’s even dead? Saying that isn’t very appropriate.”

Brian Carter couldn’t stand the old man acting superior and spoke bluntly.

Old Reed was even more embarrassed. Brian Carter continued, “If you don’t want to, I’ll go find Lame Clark.”

Brian Carter was also thinking that pork was hard to store, so he wanted to have it braised at Old Reed’s place, which would make it last a few more days.

Braising meat wasn’t some rare skill—many people in the Tielin tribe could do it. They just didn’t have the spices and old broth, so they couldn’t get that flavor. If Old Reed was too greedy, he’d just find someone else.

“Fine, I’ll help you out.”

Old Reed was afraid Brian Carter would leave, so he quickly patted his chest and agreed, putting on a loyal front. “I was old friends with your father, of course I’ll look after you.”

Brian Carter felt a bit helpless—Old Reed was so old and still didn’t know how to deal with people. He’d made things so clear, yet the old man still insisted on selling him a favor.

He didn’t realize that this only made people dislike him and served no other purpose.

Brian Carter didn’t want to argue, so he let the old man ramble on.

Old Reed wasn’t very smart, but he was efficient.

With one swift cut, he finished off the black pig, bled it, removed the hair, cut the meat, and deboned it. In no time, the black pig was reduced to a pile of meat chunks.

The black pig hadn’t had enough to eat, and after nearly a year of raising, it weighed just over a hundred jin. After removing the organs and bones, there wasn’t much meat left.

There were several large pots in Old Reed’s yard. He first boiled the pork briefly in a pot of clean water to remove the scum, then added old broth, spices, salt, and other seasonings, and simmered it over medium heat.

Soon, the aroma of meat wafted out.

Sitting nearby, Brian Carter couldn’t help but swallow twice. This body hadn’t eaten meat in a long time, and the smell awakened memories of good food, naturally stimulating his saliva.

Old Reed grinned proudly. “Don’t rush. The pork is a bit tough—it needs to simmer over medium heat for two hours to absorb the flavor and taste good.”

Brian Carter looked up at the sun slanting overhead. It was about nine in the morning. Two hours meant he could eat at around one in the afternoon.

Brian Carter brought over a wooden chair and sat not far from the big pot, waiting patiently.

Meat was a precious thing—Brian Carter had to keep an eye on it.

Old Reed cleaned the organs and started boiling them in another small pot.

Brian Carter felt a bit regretful. In his previous life, he’d eaten “pig-killing dishes” before, with all kinds of preparations that could make a sumptuous feast.

Here, there were no ingredients and the methods were simple. It was a bit of a waste.

The organs cooked quickly. Old Reed soon fished out a piece of liver and handed it to Brian Carter, saying, “This is ready, try it…”

The dark liver still had a bit of a gamey smell.

Brian Carter didn’t stand on ceremony and took a bite. Though it didn’t have much flavor, it was far better than cornbread.

He was in urgent need of nutrition now. Taste didn’t matter.

Old Reed also chuckled and grabbed a piece to gnaw on.

The two were happily eating when suddenly, shouting and cursing came from outside the door.

“Stupid fool, get out here right now…”

Chapter 6: Duel Challenge

At noon, the aroma of meat cooking in Old Reed’s yard grew even stronger, drifting far away on the wind.

The squint-eyed youth cursing at the door was drooling from the smell.

“Damn, that smells good!” Standing next to the squint-eyed youth, Adam Steele couldn’t resist the temptation any longer and kicked the door open. “What are you yelling outside for? Let’s go in!”

Adam Steele was tall and sturdy, his arms exposed by his leather vest, with bulging, dark muscles. Three long scars ran down the left side of his face, giving him a naturally fierce aura even without trying.

He was the youngest son of Tie Feng, a company commander in the Ironblood Army. At ten, he’d already gone out hunting, and by last year, he could kill a green wolf on his own.

With such strength and his father’s backing, Adam Steele had always acted domineeringly.

Old Reed was just a pig butcher—Adam Steele didn’t take him seriously at all.

Led by Adam Steele, more than a dozen youths rushed in, charging into Old Reed’s backyard.

“That’s him.” The squint-eyed youth pointed at Brian Carter, his face full of hatred. “Boss, you have to stand up for me.”

Adam Steele’s triangular eyes glanced at Brian Carter, then shifted to the saber in his hand.

The saber, with its ebony scabbard, was long and elegant in shape—just its appearance alone was extraordinary.