Calm and Unease

The next day, early morning.

Everything in the deep mountains was just waking up. The dawn broke through the thin mist, scattering across the forest like a layer of gold leaf.

Somewhere unknown, birds perched on treetops chirped joyfully, as if calling friends and companions to welcome the new day.

Lin Yuan got up and stretched, habitually throwing a couple of punches, which were met with a crisp sound.

The air in the mountains was incredibly fresh, mixed with a faint scent of grass. Taking a deep breath instantly cleared away the lingering sleepiness.

Everyone else also woke up from their slumber.

It was an autumn morning, and the dew was heavy. The surfaces of their sleeping bags were covered in a layer of moisture.

"Ahhh—yaa—yaa—"

Liu Shan got out of his sleeping bag, stretched his arms, and let out a long, strange cry.

"My arms, legs, and back are all numb. When we get back this time, I'm definitely going to find a spa for a good massage."

Before long, a fire was rekindled at the spot where the bonfire had died down.

Han Shusheng was making breakfast.

"Uncle Han, where did you get the water?" Xun Ruobing asked politely.

"There's a small stream nearby, just over there," Han Shusheng pointed in that direction.

Xun Ruobing then took her toiletries and walked in that direction.

Sure enough, she didn't have to walk far before she heard the sound of running water.

Xun Ruobing quickened her pace and soon saw a clear stream.

At the same time, she also saw Lin Yuan, who was washing up.

Lin Yuan scooped up water with his hands and splashed it onto his face repeatedly. After three times, his face was clean.

"Do you need face wash? I can lend you some."

Lin Yuan turned his head. "What do I need face wash for? A couple of rubs and it's done."

"Fine, if you don't want it, you don't want it. I was too lazy to lend it to you anyway," Xun Ruobing said, walking over to a bluestone slab to brush her teeth and wash her face.

Lin Yuan finished washing up in a flash and was about to head back.

But after just a few steps, Xun Ruobing's voice reached his ears. "Thanks for last night."

"It was nothing."

Around 9 AM, everyone was almost ready to set off.

This time, they didn't bring all their luggage. Instead, they left behind what they didn't need to carry, reducing their burden.

Han Housheng carried his Pudao on his back, a bundle of hemp rope slung over his shoulder, and a kettle at his waist. Han Shusheng held his javelin.

Xun Haotian carried the Tang Saber in his hand, and Zhao Youjia had his Compound Bow and a quiver of arrows on his back.

As for Lin Yuan, he only had a pair of gloves tucked into his pocket.

Liu Shan and Han Fei each carried a stick about the thickness of a wrist. Xun Ruobing, on the other hand, carried practically nothing.

Liu Shan surveyed everyone and chuckled, saying, "Perfectly matched for a team: Warrior, Shooter, Healer, Jungler."

"What are you?" Xun Ruobing asked, confused.

"I'm the Jungler, of course."

"Pfft, you the Jungler? You're just a minion at best."

"Alright, let's go," Han Housheng said.

The group followed the formation they had agreed upon the night before, with the Han brothers and Xun Haotian taking the lead.

Zhao Youjia and Lin Yuan followed closely behind.

Lastly came Han Fei, Xun Ruobing, and Liu Shan.

They maintained a distance of about four to five meters between each pair.

The eight of them slowly advanced in one direction.

After walking for about two kilometers, Han Shusheng squatted down under a pine tree, examining the remaining traces on it.

"Brother, it's a wild boar."

Wild boars have a very strong territorial instinct. They typically mark their territory using their feces and by marking tree trunks.

Han Housheng nodded upon seeing this and turned to face the group. "We've pretty much entered wild boar territory. Everyone needs to be careful from now on."

"Shusheng, go ahead and check the traps we set earlier, and scout the path."

"Okay."

"If you encounter any danger, climb a tree and shout loudly."

"Got it."

After speaking, Han Shusheng stepped ahead of everyone and went forward.

"Everyone, stay alert, and let's keep moving."

As they ventured deeper, the surrounding terrain became flatter, and their field of vision widened.

"These wild boars really know how to pick a spot," Liu Shan muttered from behind.

"In the Central China region, wild boars have almost no natural predators in the wild, so of course they'd occupy the best spots and become local overlords," Xun Ruobing said.

"We've already seen quite a bit of wild boar droppings along the way, so we probably won't have to wait long to encounter them."

"Encounter them? Fine by me, it's the perfect chance to test out my pig-bashing stick!"

Liu Shan brandished the stick in his hand and swung it through the air a couple of times.

Xun Ruobing shook her head dismissively.

"Do you see what kind of trees are all around here? And do you see the marks the wild boars left on them?"

"Pine trees, what about it?"

"Wild boars often rub themselves against pine trees to scratch an itch. When a pine tree is rubbed by a wild boar, it leaves pine resin on the boar. Over time, the wild boar's skin and bristles become smooth and hard, just like... your face," Xun Ruobing said with a slight smile.

"Hey, you're calling me ugly, aren't you?"

"So, your flimsy stick probably won't even be able to scratch a single hair off a wild boar. Besides, I don't believe you have the guts to take on a wild boar with just a stick."

Liu Shan immediately retorted, "Just you wait and see."

Before long, Han Housheng, who was in front, stopped.

A few meters away from him was the spot where they had set up a trap earlier.

But now, the trap was a complete mess.

Han Shusheng, who had been waiting there, jogged over and said to Han Housheng, "Brother, the wild boars destroyed the trap."

Xun Haotian sounded surprised, "Are these wild boars that smart, to the point where they'd destroy traps?"

"Brother Haotian might not know, but we often say pigs are dumb, when in reality, pigs have very high intelligence."

Han Housheng's brow furrowed, a sense of unease creeping into his heart.

It wasn't just because his trap had been destroyed, but because ever since they entered the wild boar territory, the journey had been unusually calm.

"Shusheng, you stay here. Did you find anything unusual?" Han Housheng asked.

Han Shusheng shook his head, "I've scouted all around here and haven't found any sign of wild boars."

"Could it be that these wild boars have migrated?" Xun Haotian asked.

"No, along the way, many of the wild boar signs are fresh, and some of the droppings on the ground were left no more than two days ago."

At this point, Han Housheng couldn't figure it out either.

"Let's keep moving forward."

Lin Yuan and Zhao Youjia, walking side-by-side in the middle, hadn't spoken much along the way.

Lin Yuan, however, seemed interested in the bow and arrows in Zhao Youjia's hand.

"With trees everywhere, it won't be easy to hit a wild boar."

Zhao Youjia snorted coldly.

"You should worry about yourself. You have nothing, do you really plan to fight wild boars with your bare hands? I really don't understand why they made you walk with me."

"Walking with me is your good fortune."

Zhao Youjia chuckled at Lin Yuan's words, "My good fortune? I didn't realize you were so narcissistic."

"Can I borrow your bow and arrows to play with?"

"Dream on!"

"It won't kill you to let me try, we're teammates now, after all."

"Who's your teammate? Don't try to get close to me."

"Alright." Lin Yuan didn't push it further.