The knife is hungry and wants to see blood; humans are hungry and want to eat meat.
The meat was taken from the Yang family. To solve his hunger problem with the knife, Du Chengfeng simply found a fat pig raised by the Yang family and killed it with one stroke. Although just killing a pig couldn't fully satisfy the knife, after using his familiar butchering skills, the knife became quiet.
Can a knife also feel nostalgic?
Du Chengfeng wasn't sure if it was the knife feeling nostalgic or himself.
Perhaps both.
As for whether the Yang family would have a problem with this, Du Chengfeng hadn't considered it. He was almost killed when he was called to grind the knife before, so not massacring the Yang family was already giving face to Carpenter Li. Why make a fuss over just killing a pig to eat?
However, the Yang family seemed to welcome this. Not only did they not mention a word about the pig being killed, but they even sent someone to invite Du Chengfeng to join the celebration feast after the battle.
Du Chengfeng did not go, but the Yang family didn't mind and sent over several jars of fine wine and some exquisite dishes.
Du Chengfeng didn't touch a single bite of these fine foods and drinks.
"Brother, I suggest you don't touch them either."
When he got back to his small courtyard, seeing Carpenter Li's eyes glued to the food and drinks, Du Chengfeng simply threw all of it outside the courtyard.
Stray dogs nearby, attracted by the smell, quickly came and devoured everything.
And Carpenter Li finally realized why Du Chengfeng did it.
"You don't trust Old Yang?"
"Is that how you usually call Yang Xuan?"
Watching the stray dogs leave after finishing the food, Du Chengfeng picked up his large knife and started cutting the pork.
Many knew that Fatty Yang's pig-slaughtering skills were top-notch, but few knew that his cooking skills weren't as simple. Only Fatty Yang's family enjoyed them, and outsiders never saw them.
But just because outsiders hadn't seen it doesn't mean the knife hadn't.
And if the knife had seen it, it was almost as if Du Chengfeng had seen it too.
Chopped into one-inch pieces, the pork belly was placed in the pot, seasoned with onions, ginger, and spices to remove any bad smells, and cheap wine taken from Carpenter Li was poured in, forming the signature braised pork inherited from Fatty Yang.
"This is the best I can do, given that I'm missing lots of other seasonings."
Thinking of this, Du Chengfeng sighed.
Let alone seasonings, even the furniture and decorations were lacking in his small courtyard. Originally, this wasn't the case; the well-meaning Carpenter Li had sold him a lot of tables, chairs, cabinets, and furniture at a low price. But when the nomads came, everyone sought refuge in the Dock Fortress, and with no one caring for the courtyard, the nomads smashed everything.
Luckily, Du Chengfeng had previously thought of building a heated bed, so he simply integrated the cooking pot into the stove; otherwise, a hot meal would've been a problem for him.
"But why not use the Yang family's wine?"
At this moment, while Du Chengfeng was silently cursing the nomads, Carpenter Li suddenly asked.
"Brother Du, I mean, Old Yang is actually a good person. How could he possibly poison you..."
"I know."
Although he said this, Du Chengfeng only shook his head.
He knew Yang Xuan wasn't a bad person. This understanding came partly from the knife's memory and partly from his personal experiences. As an outsider who came to this village named after a single family, he managed to acquire some wealth and even had his own small courtyard. This wasn't only due to his efforts; the non-exclusive culture of the Yang family fort played a significant role.
And this culture came from that frail old man named Yang Xuan, who, despite lacking the decisive authority of a family head, had a reconciliatory nature that encouraged more people to do things for him.
Just like Carpenter Li, who couldn't even stand the sight of blood, but he still stood on the watchtower with a spear when the nomads came.
However, this goodwill had nothing to do with Du Chengfeng anymore.
The nomads were certainly the enemy, but the Yang family was not a friend. That night, he almost died in the Yang Family Ancestral Hall, and that debt couldn't simply be forgotten. He still remembered when he woke up surrounded by spear remnants and arrows. It was clear many in the Yang family fort wanted him dead.
In this unfamiliar chaotic world, perhaps the only one he could trust was this sincere Carpenter Li.
And the knife in his hand.
He had learned the knife's memories; the knife had used his body. They completely understood each other and would never betray one another.
If there was any issue, it would be...
That this knife was not his.
"Could you return the treasured knife to the Yang family?"
Just as the meat was perfectly cooked, the elderly Yang Xuan arrived at the small courtyard with several Yang family members.
"Warrior, indeed, this incident was the Yang family's fault from the beginning. The Yang family is willing to apologize to you, but this knife is a family heirloom, invaluable to our clan. So, if you could see fit..."
"No."
Du Chengfeng bluntly refused Yang Xuan's request.
"Even if I gave it to you, would you dare take it?"
...
The dilapidated small courtyard fell silent.
The Yang family members who wanted to retrieve the knife were already drenched in cold sweat.
They had talked about persuading Du Chengfeng earlier when he woke up, and they felt he shouldn't continue desecrating the knife by using it to slaughter pigs, considering it wasteful and unappreciative.
It was supposed to be a family heirloom, respectfully worshipped in the Yang Family Ancestral Hall. How could it be used to slaughter pigs?
But at this moment, they realized they were confronting nothing ordinary.
It was a blade that had just slain over two hundred people.
And they wanted to reason with the holder of such a fearsome blade?
"Then... let's leave the knife with the warrior. I kindly ask the warrior to treat it well."
Ultimately, the elderly Yang Xuan stepped forward with determination.
"Furthermore, if the warrior needs anything, please let us know. The Yang family sees you as a benefactor for keeping the Yang family fort safe from enemy disaster. Within our capabilities, the Yang family will oblige any request you have."
"Very well," Du Chengfeng considered and nodded.
"Then bring me the Grinding Stone."
"Certainly, certainly,"
Yang Xuan nodded repeatedly, and a servant quickly approached with a small box, opened before Du Chengfeng.
The box was full, containing a complete set of Grinding Stones, along with tools and oil for maintaining blades and swords.
Even if Du Chengfeng hadn't requested, these items were to be delivered. After all, maintaining the Yang family's treasured knife was necessary, and only Du Chengfeng was capable at the Yang family fort.
Yet just as Yang Xuan was about to leave, Du Chengfeng spoke again.
"There's one more thing."
This time, Du Chengfeng narrowed his eyes.
"Bring me all the weapons left from that battle."
"I need to sharpen the knives."