Reborn in 72, I hunt to support my family and spoil my younger sister rotten.

As the sun set, a faint red glow appeared on the horizon. A cold wind howled across the riverbank, swirling up fine snowflakes.

"Look, the sky is already red!" Li Xiaoyun looked up at the sky, her face beaming with joy. "Today's harvest was really good."

"Hmm." Li Xiangyang carried a wooden bucket full of fish in one hand and supported Li Xiaoyun on the snow with the other, afraid that she would slip.

The fish in the wooden bucket were still thrashing about, making a "splashing" sound.

"When I get back, I'll make a sauerkraut fish dish for my aunt myself, so she can taste my cooking," Li Xiaoyun said happily.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than a series of footsteps sounded from ahead.

The sound of snow being crushed underfoot was particularly jarring in the quiet twilight.

Five figures appeared at the intersection, blocking the way.

Leading the way was a young man in his early twenties, wearing a thick fur coat, with a sinister look on his face.

Li Xiangyang's eyes narrowed.

These people clearly have ill intentions.

At that moment, he regretted not bringing his hunting rifle.

"Li Xiangyang," the young man sneered, "you're living quite the life, aren't you? My brother's still in the hospital, and you've found a girlfriend, and you're hunting and fishing all the time."

Li Xiangyang instinctively shielded Li Xiaoyun behind him and said in a deep voice, "What do you want?"

"So?" The young man took a step closer. "Either write a letter of understanding and pay compensation, or..." He patted his waist, where there was a bulge, clearly hiding something dangerous.

“Fine, as you wish,” Li Xiangyang suddenly spoke, his tone calm. “I’ll give you the money, and I’ll write the letter of understanding, but let her leave first.”

“Xiangyang…” Li Xiaoyun grabbed his sleeve, her voice trembling slightly.

The young man scoffed, "You think I'm stupid? If I let her go, do you think you'll behave yourself?"

He turned his head to look at Li Xiaoyun, a flirtatious glint in his eyes. "This girl is quite pretty. Why don't you stay and chat with us?"

Li Xiangyang's eyes suddenly sharpened, like a drawn blade.

He could tolerate being threatened, but he would never allow anyone to make a move on Li Xiaoyun.

"You'd better keep your mouth shut." His voice was terrifyingly low.

"What?" The young man laughed provocatively. "What did I say wrong? I heard you dated that educated youth named Su Yan, and now you're hooking up with...

"Snapped!"

The wooden bucket slammed heavily onto the ground, splashing fish and water everywhere.

Li Xiangyang's hands were now free, and he stared coldly at the other person: "Say that again?"

"You brat..." The young man was about to say something when he was stopped by a burly man with a buzz cut next to him.

"Da Hai, let's get down to business first." The burly man glared at Li Xiangyang. "Kid, our meaning is simple: either write a letter of understanding and pay compensation, or..."

"Or what?" Li Xiangyang sneered, his gaze sweeping over the group of people one by one. "If you want to fight or kill, come at me. But..."

He turned to look at Li Xiaoyun, his eyes softening instantly: "Xiaoyun, you go first."

"No!" Li Xiaoyun gripped Li Xiangyang's arm tightly. "I can't leave you behind!"

"Listen to me," Li Xiangyang said softly, "I'm fine."

"Ha, what a pair of lovestruck bastards," the young man named Dahai sneered. "I bet none of you are leaving here! Brothers..."

Before he could finish speaking, Li Xiangyang suddenly launched an attack.

His experience fighting ferocious beasts in the deep mountains and forests in his previous life allowed him to find the best angle of attack in an instant.

He dashed towards the sea, his right fist aimed straight at his opponent's face.

Da Hai was clearly caught off guard by Li Xiangyang's sudden attack. He hurriedly retreated, but tripped over the snow behind him and fell heavily to the ground.

"you......"

Before the others could react, Li Xiangyang had already seized the opportunity to grab Dahai by the collar and pull him up.

“I’ll give you two choices,” Li Xiangyang’s voice was as cold as ice, “either let her go first, and I’ll have a proper ‘talk’ with you. Or…”

He increased the pressure on his hand, and Dahai's face immediately turned bright red. "I'll take you to the hospital to be with your brother first."

“You dare…” Da Hai said with difficulty.

"What wouldn't I dare to do? If you don't believe me, I'll grant your wish."

Seeing the situation was turning against him, the burly man standing to the side quickly shouted, "Stop! Let that girl go!"

“Xiaoyun,” Li Xiangyang turned to look at Li Xiaoyun, his eyes resolute, “go find my second uncle and tell him I’m here.”

With tears blurring her vision, Li Xiaoyun nodded, bit her lip, and turned to run away.

Although the group was unwilling, none of them dared to chase after him under Li Xiangyang's sharp gaze.

Once Li Xiaoyun's figure disappeared into the twilight, Li Xiangyang finally let go of her hand. Dahai immediately collapsed to the ground, clutching his neck and coughing violently.

Li Xiangyang's gaze swept across the faces of the remaining people: "Now, let's settle this score properly."

"You think you're the only one who can fight?" Dahai scrambled to his feet, his face contorted with rage. "Brothers, get him!"

Instead of retreating, Li Xiangyang advanced, grabbing the bamboo pole from the ground with his other hand.

He had sharpened the bamboo pole so much when he used it to catch fish, and now it was perfect as a weapon.

"Come on!" he hissed.

The afterglow of the setting sun cast a pale red glow on the snow, and several people instantly gathered around.

Each person held a dagger in their hand, the blade gleaming coldly in the afterglow of the setting sun.

These people did not act on a whim, but had been planning this for a long time.

Li Xiangyang instinctively adopted a defensive stance, holding the bamboo pole horizontally in front of him.

His hunting experience from his past life told him that he should not attack rashly at this time.

They are not ferocious beasts, but rather more dangerous people.

"Brothers," Da Hai sneered, "let's finish this quickly. Don't wait for that little wench to call her people!"

Upon hearing this, the group worked even faster.

Li Xiangyang wielded his bamboo pole, barely managing to block the first wave of attacks.

The bamboo pole and the dagger clashed, producing a crisp "clanging" sound.

But the five people were clearly not a mob.

While he was blocking the frontal attack, the two of them had already circled around to his back.

Li Xiangyang suddenly turned around and swept the bamboo pole horizontally.

But it was too late. A sharp pain shot through his back, and his cotton-padded coat was ripped open.

"How's it going?" Da Hai grinned maliciously. "Not a pleasant feeling, is it?"

Li Xiangyang did not answer, sweat sliding down his cheeks.

He could feel the warm blood spreading behind him.

Five men, five knives—he must find a way to break through this encirclement.

"Don't let him catch his breath!" Da Hai ordered.

The blade flashed again.

Li Xiangyang wielded the bamboo pole with impenetrable skill, but ultimately could not withstand the attacks from all sides.

Another wound appeared on his right arm, and blood quickly stained his sleeve.

He could feel his strength draining away.

Just then, someone suddenly lunged at him, the blade aimed straight for his throat.

Li Xiangyang instinctively leaned back, but his foot slipped and he fell heavily onto the snow.

"Is it over?" Da Hai approached with a cold laugh.

Li Xiangyang lay on the snow, feeling the biting cold.

He knew this was an opportunity.

When the sea reached him, he suddenly rolled over, grabbed a handful of snow with his right hand, and smeared it directly on the sea's face.

"Ah!" Da Hai instinctively wiped his eyes with his hand.

In that brief moment, Li Xiangyang had already flipped himself up.

Ignoring his own injuries, he swept the bamboo pole horizontally, striking Dahai's wrist, which was holding the knife.

The dagger fell to the ground with a thud.

"You..." Before Da Hai could finish speaking, Li Xiangyang had already lunged forward and grabbed him by the neck.

Seeing this, the others drew their knives and surrounded them.

But Li Xiangyang was prepared. He picked up the fallen dagger with his left hand and held it to Dahai's neck: "Everyone, step back!"

The group looked at each other, hesitant to make a move.

The afterglow of the setting sun shone on the blade, giving it a scarlet glow.

The group dared not make any rash moves, but they did not retreat either. Instead, they slowly dispersed to both sides, clearly looking for an opportunity to attack.

Li Xiangyang could feel the heavy breathing of the sea.

His arms were trembling, whether from fear or anger, it was hard to tell.

Warm blood flowed down his back, and the cold wind blew through the wound, causing a sharp pain.

"You lot," Li Xiangyang's gaze swept across their faces, his voice hoarse and icy, "do you really think I wouldn't dare to make a move?"

The burly man with the crew cut took half a step forward: "Li Xiangyang, don't do anything rash."

"Reckless actions?" Li Xiangyang sneered, increasing the pressure on his hand. "Who drew their knife first?"

Da Hai's Adam's apple bobbed slightly: "You...you dare to kill me?"

"What do you think?" Li Xiangyang's voice was even colder. "If you want to die, then go ahead and move."