Delivering the Message, Beasts in Uproar

Inside the tent, Li Bufan slowly finished his cultivation. A sharp gleam was contained within his eyes, and his blood and qi flowed steadily yet powerfully around him, like a dormant volcano harboring immense strength.

The medicinal potency of the Snow Ganoderma had been completely absorbed and refined. Not only had it helped him consolidate his peak Minor Success in Skin Refining, it had also smoothly and solidly remedied the slight instability in his foundation caused by the bloody battle with the wolf pack and his rapid advancement.

At this moment, he felt better than ever before. His five senses had grown increasingly acute, and his control over his own strength had reached an exquisitely meticulous level.

He even had the confidence that, if he faced that wolf pack again, though he did not dare claim he could escape unscathed, he certainly would not be in such a sorry state. At the very least, he would be able to kill more wolves.

Just then, a respectful voice came from outside the tent. "Li Bufan, Eldest Miss Lin summons you. Report to the carriage at once."

Li Bufan's heart tightened. He immediately restrained all his aura, his face returning to calm as he answered, "Yes, I'll be right there."

He straightened the leather armor he wore for patrol, smoothing out its folds and ensuring there was nothing improper about his appearance before lifting the tent flap and stepping outside.

The wind and snow had ceased, but the sky remained overcast. Bonfires blazed throughout the camp. Some guards were processing the game they had caught, while others rested. Seeing Li Bufan emerge—and having been personally summoned by Eldest Miss Lin—their gazes could not help following him, filled with all manner of complicated emotions.

Li Bufan kept his eyes straight ahead. He quickly walked to a point several steps before the ever-silent carriage, then cupped his fists and bowed. "This subordinate, Li Bufan, awaits Eldest Miss's orders."

The carriage curtain did not lift. Lin Zhiyan's cool voice came from within, going straight to the point. "The Winter Hunt is more than halfway over. Li Bufan, how have you recovered from the injuries you sustained when you encountered the wolf pack?"

Li Bufan's heart stirred. He had not expected Eldest Miss Lin to personally inquire about his injuries. He immediately answered respectfully, "Reporting to Eldest Miss, thank you for your concern. This subordinate's injuries have nearly healed, and there is no serious problem. They will not affect my ability to carry out my duties." His tone was steady and confident.

"Mm." Lin Zhiyan did not seem surprised by his answer. She responded faintly before issuing her command. "Very well. Since that is the case, immediately summon the patrol captain here. Then the two of you will act separately. You will go to the left-wing forest, while he goes to the right-wing river valley. Deliver the order to all Lin Family members still hunting: return here at once and assemble. The Winter Hunt is about to end. Sort and tally the game, then prepare for the journey back."

Her tone remained even, but it carried an unquestionable decisiveness.

Li Bufan was startled. They were returning? At the same time, a sense of responsibility rose within him. Delivering orders and gathering everyone seemed simple, but it was in fact an important task that required reliable people. Eldest Miss Lin had entrusted it to him and the newly arrived patrol captain, clearly showing a degree of recognition for his abilities.

He did not dare delay and answered solemnly, "This subordinate obeys!"

"The left-wing forest is only twenty or thirty li from here, but the weather in the mountains is unpredictable, and the wild beasts have not yet settled. Do not let down your guard. Proceed with caution." Lin Zhiyan gave one final reminder. Though her tone remained cool, the reminder itself revealed a measure of concern.

"Yes! This subordinate understands! I will not fail your trust!" Li Bufan cupped his fists again, his voice ringing like iron.

No further sound came from inside the carriage.

Li Bufan bowed in salute before turning and striding toward the patrol captain's tent. He quickly found Captain Zhang and relayed Eldest Miss Lin's orders.

Captain Zhang's expression turned solemn at once, and he immediately nodded. "Since Eldest Miss has given the order, we naturally must obey. I'll take charge of the right-wing river valley, while Brother Li goes to the left-wing forest. We'll set out immediately and make sure to bring everyone back as soon as possible." He clearly knew that Li Bufan was no longer the same as before, and his words were quite courteous.

"Rest assured, Captain Zhang." Li Bufan nodded. After a brief discussion, the two settled on rough routes and a meeting time. They did not delay further, each taking a weapon and a horn for emergency contact and assembly before leaving the camp. One went left and the other right, swiftly disappearing into the vast mountain forest.

Once he left the warmth of the campfires, the biting cold immediately rushed at him. Li Bufan drew a deep breath of icy air, yet his spirits only rose further. After identifying his direction, he hurried toward the left-wing forest.

The snow beneath his feet remained thick, but it posed little obstacle to Li Bufan now. He circulated his blood and qi, his steps light yet steady. Every step left only a shallow depression in the snow, but he moved swiftly. After his breakthrough, his strength, endurance, and agility had all undergone a qualitative transformation.

As he hurried onward, his sharp gaze continuously swept his surroundings. Eldest Miss Lin's warning still rang in his ears, and he naturally would not be careless. The terrain of the left-wing forest was more uneven, filled with steep slopes and dense woods. Though most Lin Family members should theoretically be hunting in relatively safe areas, there was no guarantee that none had ventured deep into dangerous ground while pursuing prey, or encountered some unexpected mishap.

After traveling roughly seven or eight li, he had gradually entered the heart of the forest. All around him was silent, save for the soft rustling of snow falling from treetops in the wind.

Suddenly, Li Bufan's ears twitched. He keenly caught the faint sound of metal clashing from somewhere far ahead to the side, mixed with several urgent shouts!

Someone was fighting?!

Li Bufan's expression hardened. Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately changed direction and darted toward the source of the sounds! His speed instantly surged to its limit. Like a leopard hunting through the forest, he was soundless yet incomparably swift.

The closer he came, the clearer the fighting sounds became, accompanied by the furious roars of beasts!

Passing through a dense stretch of woods, his vision abruptly opened up. Before him lay a relatively broad snowy clearing amid the forest. Three Lin Family Guards stood back-to-back in a small defensive formation, fiercely battling five or six unusually large, vicious Snow Wolves with bared fangs that had surrounded them!

Two Snow Wolf corpses and one guard already lay on the ground. The guard appeared gravely injured, lying in a pool of blood, his fate unknown.

The remaining three guards were all wounded as well, panting heavily. They were clearly at the end of their tether, merely struggling to hold on. Several Snow Rabbits and Snow Chickens they had hunted lay scattered at their feet. Clearly, the scent of blood had drawn this pack of hungry wolves.

These Snow Wolves seemed even more bloodthirsty and cunning than the ones Li Bufan had encountered before. They repeatedly launched feints and lunges from every direction, draining the guards' stamina and concentration.

"Hold on! Reinforcements will be here soon!" One guard, seemingly a minor leader, roared encouragement to himself and his companions. Yet the arm wielding his blade was already visibly trembling.

A cold gleam flashed through Li Bufan's eyes. Without the slightest hesitation, he sprang from the woods and let out a long howl, drawing the wolves' attention!

Roar! The wolf pack immediately noticed this uninvited guest. The Snow Wolf nearest him instantly changed targets, pouncing with a low growl, its gaping jaws biting straight for his throat!

"Courting death!" Li Bufan snorted coldly. He neither dodged nor drew his blade! The instant the Snow Wolf lunged before him, he clenched his right hand into a fist. The blood and qi of his Mighty Ox Fist, now at Great Mastery, erupted thunderously from within him as he threw a plain, unadorned Mighty Ox Charge straight ahead!

Bang!

Crack!

A dull impact rang out alongside the clear sound of shattering bone! That brawny Snow Wolf was sent flying by his single punch, its chest visibly caved in. It let out a miserable howl as it crashed into the snow, twitched twice, and then fell still!

One punch, one wolf slain!

This horrifying sight not only froze the remaining Snow Wolves in place, but even the three guards struggling to hold on stared dumbfounded, nearly forgetting the danger before them!

But Li Bufan did not pause at all. His body flashed like lightning as he charged straight into the wolf pack! He did not even use his blade. With only his iron fists and nimble footwork, he brought the power of his Great Mastery Mighty Ox Fist into full, vivid display!

His fists whistled through the air as his blood and qi surged! Every strike was heavy and powerful, like a mighty ox stamping its hooves, yet he precisely evaded wolf fangs and sharp claws, blasting the Snow Wolves' vital points—their waists, necks, and heads!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

A series of dull impacts rang out, accompanied by the Snow Wolves' unceasing shrieks! In barely a single exchange, two more Snow Wolves were instantly killed or severely wounded by him!

The remaining two or three Snow Wolves finally felt fear. Whimpering, they retreated backward and no longer dared approach.

Only then did Li Bufan stop. Standing in the snow, he panted slightly, heat steaming from his body. His fists were covered in wolf blood, yet he was completely unharmed.

The three guards who had escaped death looked at Li Bufan, who had appeared like a war god and resolved the crisis in an instant. Only after a long while did they regain their senses, their faces filled with shock and gratitude.

"Th-thank you, brother, for saving our lives!" The minor leader hurried forward and cupped his fists excitedly. "If you hadn't arrived in time, we would probably have died here today!"

Li Bufan waved his hand and said quickly, "No need for formalities. We are all Lin Family Guards. Eldest Miss has ordered that the Winter Hunt is over, and everyone is to return to camp immediately to assemble and prepare for the journey back. Hurry and gather yourselves. Bring the wounded and the game, then return with me."

"Are you Lin Family members who entered the mountains from the left side of the Official Road? Is this your camp? Why are there only a few of you? Where is Second Young Master?"

The three were startled again upon hearing this, only then learning that Eldest Miss Lin had ordered everyone recalled. Not daring to delay, they answered before even tending to their wounds. "Brother, our camp was attacked by all kinds of ferocious beasts. It was as though they had been provoked by something, charging madly out from the depths of the mountains. Our entire party was scattered. Our captain, Lin Hu, told us to act on our own while he escorted Second Young Master out of the mountains first."

Li Bufan frowned slightly. "All right. I need to report this matter to Eldest Miss. Tend to your wounds, then return with me."

The group did not dare linger any longer. With Li Bufan leading the way, they swiftly headed back toward the camp.

In less than an hour, Li Bufan returned to camp with the others.

Almost at the same time, Captain Zhang returned with the people he had gathered from the right-wing river valley. Their side had gone relatively smoothly, without encountering any great danger.

Li Bufan quickly stepped forward and bowed toward the silent carriage as he reported, "Eldest Miss, the members in the left-wing forest were struck by beast hordes, and their entire camp was scattered. This subordinate discovered four people surrounded by a small wolf pack near their camp. One was severely injured, so this subordinate brought them back to await Eldest Miss's further instructions."

The carriage was silent for a moment before Lin Zhiyan's ever-cool, emotionless voice came from within. "Where is Second Young Master?"

"The four said that Second Young Master had already been escorted back to the Lin Family by their captain, Lin Hu, while the remaining people were told to act on their own."

"Hmph. Those incompetent fools. If anything happens to Second Brother, none of you need keep living."

Among the people who had returned from the right wing, a young man around Li Bufan's age, dressed in a brocade fur coat, spoke up. ""

In an instant, a crow could be heard in the silence. After a long while, Lin Zhiyan said, "Lin Ming, have your people lead the wounded in the party and these four back to the manor. Check whether Lin Gong has returned home safely. The rest of you will head for the left wing with me to investigate the situation."

"Sister, I want to go too."

Lin Zhiyan ignored him, saying only two words in a flat tone. "Set out."

Lin Ming seemed to want to say something more, but in the end, he said nothing and turned his horse around.

Within the Lin Family, aside from the master of Lin Manor, everyone had to obey Eldest Miss Lin. There was no other reason: though she had not yet reached twenty, she had already passed the Body Refining Pass and been accepted as a personal disciple by Lin Zhentian, master of the Songhe Martial Arts School in Yingtian Prefecture City. Lin Zhentian was her second uncle, as well as the younger brother of her father, Lin Zhennan.

After that group had departed for roughly the time it took to burn one stick of incense, Lin Zhiyan said again, "Qin Shi, Nanny Wu, and Li Bufan will remain. Everyone else, take the game back to the manor." With that, Lin Zhiyan leaped up and was already seated on her horse.

"Yes." Everyone cupped their fists in acknowledgment.

"Move. Li Bufan, lead the horse." Li Fan quickly walked to the horse and took hold of the reins. Nanny Wu and Qin Shi, the instructor of the new guards, followed behind the horse as they headed toward the place Li Fan had described.