It Is Said That I Have Been Crushed By Dimensionality Reduction (Quick Travel) - Chapter 10

The couple quickly packed their belongings and pushed the wooden cart forward.

Bai Yuan paused for a moment, then stood and followed them.

He wasn’t sure if anyone in the village would still be angry at the couple after what happened last night.

This was also a chance for him to return to the village and absorb another surge of emotional energy.

He noticed his absorption was still slow, partly because his ability to fully integrate with his current body was quite limited.

But that didn’t stop Bai Yuan.

As he walked, he sent tiny energy seeds into various trees around the village. From then on, those trees became part of him, able to absorb energy nearby and relay it back to him.

More than that—

Those trees would also serve as his spies, alerting him to any disturbances in the village. This way, he could track down any villager secretly visiting the county, especially the one who had indirectly caused the original family’s demise.

He looked up at the sky.

Heavy rains were expected in a few days, and both this village and the neighboring one were about to face flooding.

…

The couple pushed the cart and soon encountered other villagers, who wore complicated expressions.

Many in the village actually blamed Brother Yuan for attracting the monster king, but no one dared voice it openly.

They felt fear mixed with awe.

Some were relieved they hadn’t made trouble for the family, while others felt it was too harsh to target an infant.

From start to finish, the villagers had little contact with Zhao Pingan’s family of three. They had only helped out of pity when the family split up yesterday.

Maybe because of this—

They avoided being punished by the monster king, who normally threw people into the lake to drown each night.

No one knew if they should feel grateful for not angering the entire village or anxious about the consequences of downplaying things.

No one was dead yet.

But what if that changed?

After all, the monster king is still a monster. Even if it’s said to heed Brother Yuan’s requests, would such a powerful being really remain friends with a five-year-old forever?

If that friendship ever broke, would everyone in the village suffer the fallout?

And would Zhao Pingan’s family be the first to suffer?

These thoughts stirred a mix of sympathy and unease in the villagers.

But then their attention was caught by the abundant pork on the cart.

The thick wild boar fur and large tusks showed just how huge the animal was.

How could Zhao Pingan and his wife have been hunted?

A wild speculation crossed their minds: had the monster king killed the boar and given it to the couple?

For a moment, the villagers were stunned.

This was a wild boar whose fur alone could fetch a good price. The pork legs and hooves would be worth even more—enough to support a regular villager for half a year.

They hesitated, then began to wonder—

Could being friends with the monster king actually be beneficial?

From now on, the couple wouldn’t be forced to make constant sacrifices.

Looking at Zhao Pingan’s family again, their health seemed much better in just two days.

The villagers glanced back at the pork, no longer envious but curious.

Some friendly villagers asked, “Are you selling all this meat in town?”

Zhao Pingan stopped the cart and wiped his forehead.

Actually—

Though they were nervous returning to the village with the cart, fearing rejection, the villagers’ attitudes seemed unchanged…

Zhao Pingan quickly answered, “It’s just a wild boar. Thanks to the village chief and elders helping separate our family, I shared some meat as a token of gratitude.”

Those who hadn’t helped looked jealous.

Lin Cuiniang added, “But the town doesn’t pay much for pigs. If you want, you can buy some.”

Nobody expected such good fortune.

Pig meat and bones are always appreciated, even if just for soups.

“Sure! I’ll get a bowl from home,” the villagers eagerly replied, rushing off.

The village chief, hearing the commotion, came out to see many villagers gathered in the heat.

“Village chief, are you coming?” someone called out.

He approached groggily, listening to the story and noting the couple’s healthier appearance. Relief and worry mingled in his expression.

It was good that the couple’s life had improved after separating.

But he worried about the monster king and what accepting this pig really meant for the family.

Even if it wasn’t all good…

Who could refuse a monster’s favor?

Lin Cuiniang gave the village chief some pre-cut meat, tied up for easy carrying.

As the village head, his home was slightly better than others, but it wasn’t a festival, and meat was hard to come by. This pork, hunted by a monster, had to be something special.

He couldn’t resist and took some meat, handing over money.

Upon hearing this, other villagers realized their hesitation had passed.

Yes, this was monster-hunted pork. They’d never seen such a large boar. Eating it would surely be beneficial.

Even if they had to pinch pennies, they wanted some.

In no time, the villagers ran home for money and bowls. Even if their mothers-in-law objected, they insisted on buying.

At home, when they shared the news, instead of scolding, family members urged haste: “Hurry and get the money before someone else buys it!”

People looked at one another, growing more convinced of the boar’s size.

“Yes, it’s huge,” they agreed.

“Buy it! We must buy it!”

Zhao Pingan and Lin Cuiniang watched, puzzled by the villagers’ sudden eagerness.

“Are you sure you want to buy it?” the couple asked nervously.

“Of course!” came the impatient reply.

The couple was baffled but happy to earn money.

Selling meat in town would also lighten the cart’s load.

Nearby, several villagers scowled with resentment.

Some had stirred trouble years ago, and some had children who had pushed Brother Yuan.

None expected Zhao Pingan and Lin Cuiniang to suddenly have people eager to buy their meat, as if possessed.

Other villages had pork sellers, but no one there rushed to snap it up like this.

How did Zhao’s family get such a huge boar? Surely the monster king must have helped kill it.

If the couple tried to sell the meat secretly, wouldn’t they fear the monster’s vengeance?

They thought it was simply because the disaster star was friends with the monster king, so they feared no retaliation.

Their faces grew darker.

They wanted to find someone to hunt these monsters and make the disaster star pay.

But what if the monsters retaliated?

Unless they could be certain of a master to kill all monsters, they’d have to hold back. After all… they probably wouldn’t really die.

Some villagers watched coldly, waiting for the buyers to be punished.

At that moment, Zhao’s family heard the noise.

They saw Zhao Pingan and Lin Cuiniang cutting meat and collecting money, their smiles so bright it was as if they were finally free of fear.

Zhao Pingshun held back from insulting the monster king, but he mocked the couple: “No wonder you insisted on separating yesterday. Did you get this meat long ago, trying to keep it from us?”

It sounded like the couple had separated purely for selfish reasons.

Villagers were stunned.

They had known the Zhao family was shameless but not to this degree.

The couple had labored for Brother Yuan for five years, and only when he nearly died from fever and they had no money for medicine did they separate.

Before the villagers could defend the couple, Tian Xiaowan shouted back: “You’re secretly selling this meat too, aren’t you? Won’t you be punished? You deserve it!”

Suddenly, the nearby trees seemed alive.

Branches wrapped around the Zhao family, lifting them off the ground. Other branches showed sharp teeth and claws, beating them fiercely.

Each strike was stronger than the last.

The Zhao family screamed in pain, with bl00d quickly appearing.

The village watched in shock and fear, stepping back.

Some knelt, trembling, whispering, “Demon! Monster!”

Before they finished, someone nearby covered their mouth, fearing the trees might strike them too.

Trees—were actually alive?

No, it was more like a monster had possessed the trees.

They appeared to defend Zhao Pingan and Lin Cuiniang, who had been wronged.

The villagers dared not intervene, fearing the trees’ wrath.

Mrs. Zhao screamed, feeling unfairly treated.

She had often been blamed by her son for causing the family’s breakup and inviting monsters.

But this time, she truly was innocent.

Why was she being beaten?

Zhao Pingshun cried out, tears and snot running down his face: “I was wrong! Please, Your Majesty, spare me!”

Zhao Fu, humiliated and hurt, collapsed but angrily shouted: “Even if we separated, I’m still your father! How can you watch me and your mother get beaten?”

The couple’s faces turned pale with frustration and anger.

Why had they helplessly watched Brother Yuan nearly die from fever before?

Family?

What severance letter?

Besides…

They barely knew the monster king and dared not ask it to spare the Zhao family.

The Zhao family only thought of themselves, never considering Brother Yuan.

The couple shook with rage.

As they were about to speak, a cold voice cut through the air.

“You signed the severance letter.”

The villagers turned, stunned again.

Nearby, a child with white hair and pale eyes walked slowly, dragging an enormous wild boar with one hand.

His long, sharp fangs glistened.

This striking sight left the villagers wide-eyed and excited.

Brother Yuan—how could he carry such a huge boar effortlessly?

And after nearly burning up, he was out again.

How could a monster king befriend a mortal child?

It just didn’t add up.

Unless—

A terrifying thought crept into their minds.

The villagers swallowed nervously.

—Could Brother Yuan be a monster too?