Li Yuan felt a man's presence before the sound of his footsteps reached the door. His Ganjing picked up a different resonance from what he usually felt in this small house—not the domestic warmth of Anna and the innocent cheerfulness of Lila, but something harder, more alert, like someone who had grown used to living in a state of readiness.
The knock on the door came with a firm but not rude rhythm—the knock of someone who respects their own home but doesn't need to ask for permission to enter.
"Papa!" Lila exclaimed with an outburst of cheerfulness, jumping from her seat and running toward the door.
Anna rose with a smile that immediately warmed her entire face. "He's home earlier than usual," she said to Li Yuan in a happy tone mixed with a little worry. "He usually doesn't come back until after sunset."
The door opened, and a tall man stepped in with economical movements—no wasted motion, every step had a purpose. His hair was dark brown with streaks of gray at the temples, his eyes were green like a deep forest, and his skin was tanned from exposure to the sun and wind. A well-maintained bow hung from his shoulder, and a hunting knife was sheathed at his waist.
But when Lila hugged him tightly, the hunter's entire firmness melted into a father's tenderness.
"Hello, my little girl," he said in a deep but soft voice, lifting Lila into his arms. "How was your day?"
"Papa, we have a guest!" Lila said enthusiastically, pointing toward Li Yuan. "His name is Yuan, and he likes the big tree on the hill just like me!"
The man's green eyes shifted to Li Yuan with a sharp but not hostile gaze—the eyes of someone used to assessing threats but also trained to recognize good intentions. Li Yuan could feel the quick evaluation that was happening—his posture, facial expression, the way he sat at their family table.
"Marcus Brennan," the man said, carefully setting Lila down before stepping forward with an outstretched hand. "Anna's husband and the father of this chatty little girl."
Li Yuan rose and shook Marcus's hand respectfully. The grip was strong—the hand of someone used to physical work and weapons—but did not try to intimidate.
"Yuan," Li Yuan replied simply. "Thank you for allowing me to share your family's table."
Marcus nodded, then looked at Anna. "Sorry I'm late for breakfast. The trail of the deer I was hunting this morning suddenly disappeared at the small river. No use continuing without a new lead."
"It's okay," Anna said, hurrying to prepare a plate for her husband. "It's good, actually, we can eat together."
Li Yuan observed this family dynamic with unobtrusive interest. Marcus sat with his back not fully leaning against the chair—the posture of someone who, even in the comfort of his own home, remains alert. But the way he looked at his wife and child revealed a tenderness that contrasted with his wariness.
"So, Yuan," Marcus said as Anna placed warm bread and soup in front of him, "where are you from? And what brings you to Millbrook?"
A direct question, but asked in a neutral tone. Li Yuan sensed that Marcus was the type of person who appreciated direct honesty more than convoluted diplomacy.
"From a very distant place," Li Yuan replied. "I've been traveling for a long time, and this village... felt like a good place to stop for a while."
Marcus nodded while eating. "Millbrook is indeed a peaceful place. For the most part." He paused for a moment, then added, "Although sometimes that peace needs to be guarded."
"Marcus is the main hunter for the village," Anna explained proudly. "And also one of the village guards."
"Guards against what?" Li Yuan asked with genuine interest.
Marcus looked at him with eyes that evaluated whether the question was born from simple curiosity or something else. After a moment, he seemed to decide that Li Yuan could be trusted with basic information.
"Wild animals, mainly," he answered. "Wolves sometimes come down from the northern mountains when winter is harsh. Bears are sometimes attracted to our harvests. And..." he paused for a moment, "sometimes there are humans who are more dangerous than wild animals."
"Robbers?" Li Yuan asked.
"Deserters from the royal army, lost bandits, unscrupulous traders who try to take more than they paid for," Marcus explained in a factual tone. "Not often, but often enough to keep us from being complacent."
Lila, who had heard this conversation many times, seemed bored with a topic she considered too serious. "Papa, tell the story about the deer that could run on water!"
Marcus smiled—the first truly relaxed smile since he entered. "That's just an old story, sweetie."
"But it's a good story!" Lila protested.
Anna laughed. "Lila loves stories about animals that can do magical things. Maybe it's from her father, who tells too many stories about the strange tracks he finds in the forest."
"Strange tracks?" Li Yuan asked in a carefully neutral tone.
Marcus seemed a little uncomfortable. "Sometimes, in parts of the forest that people rarely visit, I find tracks or signs that are... difficult to explain. Animals that move in an unnatural way. Trees that are broken in a strange pattern. Maybe it's just a hunter's imagination from being alone in the forest for too long."
Li Yuan felt something tremble in his Ganjing when Marcus mentioned those anomalies. It was possible that there were creatures or plants affected by the resonance of five thousand years ago—who had developed unusual characteristics, but not enough to be called supernatural.
"Interesting," Li Yuan said in a tone that didn't show excessive interest. "Nature is indeed full of mysteries."
"That's what I say," Marcus nodded. "As a hunter, you learn to respect what you don't understand, rather than trying to explain everything."
That simple wisdom made Li Yuan appreciate Marcus more deeply. This man might not have an understanding of cultivation or spiritual resonance, but he had a practical wisdom born from direct experience with nature.
"Papa usually leaves before sunrise," Lila said to Li Yuan, "and comes home when the stars are out. I sometimes don't see Papa for days during a big hunting season."
There was a little sadness in Lila's voice, even though she tried to hide it. Marcus seemed to catch the nuance, his face becoming a little guilty.
"That's why today is special," Anna said quickly, reaching for her husband's hand. "Papa came home earlier, so we can eat together."
"And tomorrow is a rest day," Marcus added, touching Lila's head gently. "We can go to the market together."
Lila's eyes immediately sparkled. "Really?"
"Papa promises."
Li Yuan observed this interaction with complex feelings. There was a family dynamic that was familiar yet foreign to him—the sacrifice of a father who had to work far and long to provide for his family, the patience of a wife who waited, and the longing of a child who wanted more time with her parents.
Humans live with challenges that haven't changed for thousands of years, Li Yuan reflected. The need to survive, to protect family, to balance responsibility and love.
"Yuan," Marcus said suddenly, "if you plan to stay long enough in Millbrook, maybe you'd be interested in joining the village guards? We can always use extra help, especially from someone who..." he looked at Li Yuan with a discerning eye, "seems to have some experience traveling."
The offer surprised Li Yuan. He hadn't expected to be asked to become an active part of this village's protection.
"That's... a noble offer," Li Yuan replied carefully. "But I'm not sure how useful I would be in terms of village defense."
Marcus smiled thinly. "Someone who has traveled as far as you have must have learned to take care of himself. And sometimes, fresh eyes can see dangers that accustomed eyes miss."
Anna looked at her husband with eyes that gleamed with pride. "Marcus always has a good instinct about people. If he's offering you to join, it means he trusts you."
Li Yuan felt the honor in the offer, but also the complexity that might arise if he actually joined. How could he protect the village without using abilities that exceeded those of a normal human?
"Allow me to think about it," Li Yuan said finally. "I appreciate your trust."
"Of course," Marcus replied. "There's no rush. But if you decide to join, I would be happy to introduce you to the other guards."
The sun was beginning to set when Li Yuan finally said goodbye to the Brennan family's house. He took with him a deeper understanding of life in Millbrook—about the daily challenges, about how a small community protects each other, and about how family love endures despite being tested by the practical demands of life.
Perhaps, Li Yuan said to himself as he walked back toward the Miller Inn, the best way to understand a place is through the families who build a life within it.