Entering the Mountains to Hunt

Luo Xi, alone at home, heard the knock at the door and remembered her brother's warning before he left—don't open the door for anyone.

Terrified, she bolted the courtyard gate shut and fled back to her room, slamming the door tight.

After walking along the dirt road outside town for about half an hour, Luo Yi finally reached the foot of the mountain.

Gazing at the great mountain the nearby villagers called Yunling, he saw its ridges stretching endlessly, a branch of the Yunlu Mountain Range that spanned thousands of li. From the base, Yunling Mountain rose steep and rugged, winding and twisting, with the area above the waist shrouded in thick, heavy mist.

At the same time, the entire Yunling Mountain was divided into three zones by the town's hunters:

The woodlands near Yunling Mountain were the "Outer Area," home to small animals like wild chickens, wild rabbits, squirrels, foxes, sika deer, and common birds.

From the foot of Yunling Mountain to the mid-slope was called the "Inner Area," where large carnivorous beasts roamed—tigers, leopards, wolves, wild boars, black bears, and more.

Above the waist of Yunling Mountain, where the thick fog clung, was known as the "Core," teeming with countless demons and evil spirits. Not a few skilled martial artists had met their end in the core zone of Yunling Mountain.

This time, entering the mountain, considering he only had the beginner-level Basic Archery, Luo Yi worried that encountering large carnivorous beasts on his first hunt would be too dangerous.

So he planned to stick to the Outer Area of Yunling Mountain and hunt some small animals.

"Luo Yi?"

Just as he was about to head into the mountain, he heard someone calling his name from behind.

Turning around, he saw Chen Liu, the hunter who had carried his predecessor home a few days ago, carrying a hunting bow and also preparing to enter the mountain.

Seeing Luo Yi with his own hunting bow, Chen Liu said in shock:

"Luo Yi? Are you a man or a ghost? That day I carried you down the mountain, you were on your last breath. It's only been a few days, and you're already recovered?"

Looking at the stunned Chen Liu, Luo Yi thanked him:

"I owe it all to Brother Chen Liu for carrying me down the mountain that day—I barely scraped by. If not for you, Brother Chen Liu, even if I hadn't died on the spot, I'd have been food for the mountain beasts."

Hearing Luo Yi's thanks, Chen Liu waved his hand to say it was nothing. Noticing Luo Yi's outfit, he asked, "Are you planning to go hunting in the mountain?"

At Chen Liu's question, Luo Yi nodded.

"Want to join the village hunting team? It's definitely safer than going in alone."

Hearing Chen Liu's invitation, Luo Yi thought about how his predecessor had encountered an evil spirit on his very first trip into the mountain. Relying only on that predecessor's memories to enter the mountain would be extremely risky.

He nodded. "Then I'll have to thank Brother Chen Liu."

Chen Liu smiled at Luo Yi's agreement. "Don't be so polite, kid. Quite a few people in the village hunting team have received favors from your father."

"Back then, Uncle Luo taught me hunting skills too. If you hunt with us, I'm sure everyone will welcome you."

He led Luo Yi to the meeting point of the hunting team at the Outer Area of Yunling Mountain. Since the two arrived late, the other team members had already been waiting for a while.

Seeing that Chen Liu was not only late but also brought someone along, a few people muttered complaints under their breath.

When they realized the newcomer was Luo Yi, a middle-aged man at the front walked over.

He squeezed Luo Yi's shoulder muscles and said, "Xiao Yi, I heard from your dad before: you liked studying and hated hunting. What brings you here today with Liu Zi?"

Looking at the sturdy middle-aged man, Luo Yi recalled his predecessor's memories and recognized him.

"Wang Meng, captain of the Dongsheng Town Hunting Team, and a good friend of his predecessor's father. The two often went to the town's pleasure houses to listen to songs and drink."

On the day his predecessor's father disappeared, he hadn't gone with the hunting team but chose to enter Yunling Mountain alone. Otherwise, he might not have vanished.

Knowing who this man was, Luo Yi smiled:

"Uncle Wang, Uncle Wang, stop squeezing—any more and I'll fall apart. It's just that the Autumn Tax is due at the end of the month, and Luo Wei has cleaned out the house. I have no choice but to try hunting in the mountain to earn some money."

Hearing Luo Yi's words, Wang Meng cursed directly:

"That second uncle of yours, Luo Wei, is a real piece of shit. 'Eating the widow's portion' even from his own brother's family? When we get back from hunting, I'll take some men to his house and get your things back."

At Wang Meng's words, Luo Yi quickly waved his hand:

"No need to trouble yourself, Uncle Wang. I'll go get my things back myself when the time comes."

Hearing Luo Yi's determined words, Wang Meng didn't press further. He called over the two people standing in the distance, and the group of five walked into the Outer Area of Yunling Mountain.

Having lived two lives, this was Luo Yi's first time hunting in the mountain. His heart raced, and he unconsciously tightened his grip on the bow and arrows in his hands.

Wang Meng, walking at the front of the team, saw Luo Yi's tense expression and remembered his own first hunt as a young man—he'd nearly wet his pants. He put an arm around Luo Yi's shoulder, who was walking behind him.

He began explaining various hunting techniques.

First, he made Luo Yi memorize the habits and activity patterns of the animals in Yunling Mountain.

Once Luo Yi had it down, Wang Meng continued:

"When you enter the forest, judge the type of animal and its activity time based on the tracks left behind. That's how you find your prey."

"After spotting an animal, choose your position based on the wind direction to avoid your scent being detected by keen-nosed beasts. Finally, it comes down to your archery skill—whether you hit the target determines if you'll have a catch."

Listening to Wang Meng's steady stream of explanations, Luo Yi felt he had gained a lot. He was deeply grateful he'd chosen to hunt with the team. With his beginner archery, he wouldn't even know where to find the animals, let alone bag any prey.

Just as Wang Meng was teaching Luo Yi hunting techniques, Chen Liu, at the very front of the line, stopped and signaled that he'd spotted prey. Everyone instantly froze in place.

Chen Liu slowly circled toward the downwind direction, drew his bow, and shot at a wild rabbit lingering near the mouth of a burrow.

The arrow whistled through the air, and the rabbit fell to the ground on the spot.

After picking up the rabbit carcass and stowing it in a special hunting bag designed to mask the scent of blood, Chen Liu laughed cheerfully. "Thanks to Brother Luo Yi today, we bagged some game as soon as we entered the mountains."

"Xiao Yi, first time hunting in the mountains, and your luck's bound to be good. With him along today, we're sure to have a big haul," Wang Meng teased with a grin.

And so the group kept moving through the forest, searching for prey. As the sky gradually darkened, Wang Meng glanced at the sunlight filtering through the trees.

"Time's about up. If we keep going, we won't make it back to the village before dark."

No one argued after hearing Wang Meng's words. They all turned and ran back the way they came, and just as dusk was about to fall, the group made it safely back to town.

Wang Meng led everyone to the most luxurious restaurant in Dongsheng Town, the "Drunken Fragrance Pavilion." He called out to the young greeter at the door, "Little brother, I'm looking for Manager Chen."

The waiter, recognizing Wang Meng as Captain Wang of the Hunting Team, hurried inside and called out the manager, who had been tallying accounts at the counter.

Seeing it was Wang Meng, Manager Chen smiled and said, "Captain Wang, it's been a few days. What good stuff have you brought me today?"

Hearing Manager Chen's inquiry, Wang Meng had the group take out the day's catch: three wild rabbits, two wild pheasants, and one squirrel.

Seeing it was just a few small animals, a flicker of disappointment passed through Manager Chen's eyes. Ever since Old Luo died, the Hunting Team hadn't brought in any big game.

Though disappointed inside, he spoke warmly, "Wild rabbits, forty-eight coppers each; wild pheasants, thirty coppers each; the squirrel, I can only offer twenty coppers. How about it?"

Hearing Manager Chen's offer, Wang Meng nodded and had the group hand over the game to him.

After receiving the prey, Manager Chen took out 224 coppers and handed them to Wang Meng. The two exchanged a few more perfunctory pleasantries.