The Hunt

As the team pressed forward, the terrain grew increasingly desolate. The withered grass crunched beneath their feet, and the mountain wind blew from the valley mouth, carrying a biting chill.

By the afternoon, a sharp cry from an eagle suddenly pierced the sky.

Zhuang Huan stopped abruptly, looking up toward the heavens.

A White-headed Eagle was circling at high speed, diving down every so often to scout a specific direction.

Zhuang Huan's eyes lit up as he pointed a finger. "The eagle has found something! Stay sharp, everyone, pick up the pace!"

"We're likely to run into some fat prey on this trip!"

Upon hearing this, the dozen or so warriors in the hunting party seemed ignited by a flame; their spirits soared, their steps quickened, and their breathing grew shallow with anticipation.

Chen Jing followed closely by Zhuang Huan's side, heading deeper into the mountains.

Once they entered the outer reaches of Cold Mountain, the path narrowed sharply, becoming wide enough for only one person to pass.

The dense forest on both sides nearly blotted out the sky. The constant chirping of insects filled their ears, and the low growls of unknown exotic beasts echoed from the distant woods, causing Chen Jing, who was entering the mountains for the first time, to feel a slight tightening in his chest.

By the time the sun set, the light between heaven and earth grew dim.

Zhuang Huan raised a hand to signal. "It's getting late. The depths of Cold Mountain are not to be trifled with at night. Prepare to set up camp and rest; we'll head deeper tomorrow."

"Understood!"

The hunters responded in unison and began searching for suitable terrain.

Before long, they selected a clearing that backed against a mountain and a rock face, offering a wide field of vision.

The men worked with practiced ease—unloading baskets, setting up tent poles, laying out animal hides, and sharpening wooden stakes—busy and content.

Although this was his first time participating, Chen Jing helped move logs and clear away dead branches, blending into the hunting party in no time.

As twilight descended, a campfire was lit.

The flames danced, casting long, distorted, and flickering shadows of every man.

The hunters sat in a semi-circle, gnawing on dry rations while whispering about the habits of the exotic beasts in the mountains and the dangers they had encountered in previous years.

At this moment, after arranging three shifts of night watch, Zhuang Huan walked over to Chen Jing.

"Xiao Jing, since it's your first time, I won't assign you to the night watch."

Zhuang Huan patted Chen Jing on the shoulder, his tone generous. "Once you've run the mountains a few more times, it'll be your turn to stand guard."

Chen Jing nodded. "Thank you, Uncle Huan."

Zhuang Huan asked again, "By the way, what weapon are you accustomed to?"

Chen Jing shook his head and replied, "I only know fist techniques; I'm not really skilled with weapons."

Fei Feng had only taught him fist techniques these past few days, so Chen Jing knew nothing of saber or sword arts; even if he held one, he would only be swinging it about blindly.

Zhuang Huan understood. "Then just take a saber when the time comes and guard the flank. Don't rush in recklessly."

He paused, then began to speak of the essentials. "Our primary target for this hunt is the Green-skinned Horned Pig."

"You've eaten this exotic beast before, haven't you?"

At these words, Chen Jing instantly recalled the two pounds of pork Zhuang Tao had given him. "I've eaten it, but I've never seen one alive."

Zhuang Huan laughed immediately and continued, "You'll see one tomorrow."

Chen Jing asked, "By the way, Uncle Huan, are those Green-skinned Horned Pigs dangerous?"

Zhuang Huan smiled. "Naturally, they are dangerous. Otherwise, anyone could hunt a Green-skinned Horned Pig."

"Let me tell you about them first. They usually live in groups and have violent temperaments. A single adult is larger than two men combined. Their green quills are as hard as iron plates, but the most dangerous part is that horn—a single strike can pierce a hole right through a tree."

"But don't be afraid."

Zhuang Huan smiled again. "With so many of us, hunting two stragglers will be more than enough."

As Zhuang Huan spoke, Chen Jing listened and memorized every word.

Next, Zhuang Huan explained their combat positioning, how to judge the movements of the herd, when to provide cover, and when to retreat, explaining everything in meticulous detail.

"Alright, get some rest early."

With that, Zhuang Huan patted Chen Jing on the shoulder and turned to leave.

Chen Jing listened to the chirping of insects in the surroundings and slowly closed his eyes.

The next morning.

Chen Jing had slept for less than two hours when the rustling sounds around him caused him to open his eyes.

The campfire was nearly extinguished, and some hunters were already up boiling water for their flasks, while others were sharpening blades and organizing their bows and arrows.

Seeing Chen Jing wake up, Zhuang Huan laughed. "You're an early riser. But we won't be leaving for a while yet; eat your rations first."

After a simple breakfast, the team set off once more, officially heading deep into Cold Mountain.

The further they went, the cooler the air became, and the harder it was for sunlight to penetrate.

They reached the third mountain hollow.

"Swoosh!"

The White-headed Eagle let out another sharp cry.

Immediately following, the two hounds suddenly whimpered, their tails standing straight up as they stared ahead.

Seeing the situation before him, Zhuang Huan made a gesture, signaling everyone to stop.

The group behind him saw this and all crouched down, holding their breath.

Zhuang Huan then gently pushed aside the bushes blocking their path and peered through the gap.

In front of them was a clear, babbling brook.

On the other side of the water, seven or eight Green-skinned Horned Pigs of terrifying size were lowering their heads to drink, their green bristles gleaming with a chilling luster under the sunlight.

The leader among them was of an almost exaggerated size, its shoulders and back towering, easily as large as a polar bear.

Looking at such a behemoth, Chen Jing could not help but gasp.

At this moment, Zhuang Huan whispered to Chen Jing, "This is a Green-skinned Horned Pig. It's your first time seeing one alive, right?"

"Yeah."

Chen Jing nodded, his heartbeat gradually accelerating.

Zhuang Huan continued to explain, "The largest one is the Pig King. Never provoke it. A beast like that... it takes a Third Blood Martial Artist to fight it head-on."

Zhuang Huan then frowned slightly and said, "Strange. A herd usually has a dozen or so... why are there only seven here?"

However, he immediately waved his hand, "Forget it, we only hunt the stragglers."

Zhuang Huan then turned to Chen Jing and said, "One Green-skinned Horned Pig requires two Second Blood Martial Artists working together to take down."

"We'll keep watch first, everyone else provide cover as planned!"

"Wait for now. Once the Pig King leads the main group away, we'll ambush the stragglers!"

As his words fell, the hunters all held their breath, slowly moving a few steps closer under the cover of the trees.

The wind rustled the leaves, and the air was as taut as a fully drawn bowstring.

Zhuang Huan leaned against a tree, watching the Pig King's movements.

The massive Pig King finished drinking, slowly raised its head, and snorted hot air from its nostrils, seemingly sniffing the air.

"Don't move..."

Someone nearby whispered a warning.

A moment later, the Pig King shook its head and moved toward the deeper mountain forest.

The remaining five Green-skinned Horned Pigs followed closely behind, their footsteps thudding against the ground, making Chen Jing's heart pound in rhythm.

Soon, only two stragglers—one large and one small—remained by the brook.

Zhuang Huan's eyes lit up, and he whispered, "It's actually a large and a small one, so we'll take those two! Same old rules: Old Wu and I will handle the big one head-on, the rest of you provide cover, and Xiao Jing..."

He glanced at Chen Jing and continued, "You stay to my rear right with your blade to hold the line. Don't charge in blindly! Only move when you see an opening!"

Chen Jing nodded, his palms sweating from nervousness.

Zhuang Huan then made a gesture.

Everyone bent forward, moving silently across the wet grass.

The brook grew closer, and the atmosphere tightened.

When the distance closed to less than twenty paces, Zhuang Huan suddenly shouted, "Move!!"

In that instant, the hunters lying in the forest rushed out from the thicket like tigers descending a mountain!

The startled Green-skinned Horned Pigs looked up simultaneously, a savage glint flashing in their eyes.

"Roar!!"

The larger Green-skinned Horned Pig let out an angry bellow, its four hooves digging into the earth, sending soil flying as it charged toward Zhuang Huan like a massive boulder!

"Go!!"

Zhuang Huan gripped his blade with both hands and roared as he met it head-on.

Old Wu seized the opportunity immediately, lunging at the Green-skinned Horned Pig from the side.

"Bang!!"

With a loud crash, Zhuang Huan's blade struck the side of the Green-skinned Horned Pig's neck. Sparks flew, and the blade was almost forced to bounce off!

"Such tough bristles!"

"Keep distracting its line of sight!"

Old Wu shouted, his spear striking at the Green-skinned Horned Pig's belly like a venomous snake.

Pfft!!

This time it pierced half an inch deep, but it only fueled the Green-skinned Horned Pig's ferocity, causing it to thrash its body in a frenzy.

"Retreat!"

Zhuang Huan performed a side roll, barely dodging the sharp horn capable of piercing a thick tree.

The other, smaller Green-skinned Horned Pig was also startled, charging wildly toward the hunters' right flank!

"Block it!!"

"Don't let it break the formation!!"

The hunters on the right, including Chen Jing, all took half a step back with their blades gripped tight, holding their formation to resist.

However, as the Green-skinned Horned Pig reached them, Chen Jing felt as if the very air were being compressed until it exploded!

The roar made his ears ring.

The massive size of the Green-skinned Horned Pig, its terrifying speed, and the killing intent radiating from the primal beast made Chen Jing tremble instinctively.

His first time facing a real exotic beast.

His first time feeling the pressure of death at such close range.

Chen Jing's hands were shaking slightly, yet he gripped the hilt of his blade with a death grip.

"Chen Jing! Move left! It's going to ram you!!"

At that moment, someone's voice rang out in his ear.

In that very instant, the smaller Green-skinned Horned Pig lowered its head and charged, the direction of its sharp horn aimed precisely at where Chen Jing stood!

Chen Jing scrambled to roll to the left.

BANG!!

The sound of the massive impact was deafening.

The tree trunk beside Chen Jing was snapped clean in two, and wood splinters sprayed out like flying daggers!

"ROAR!!"

The Green-skinned Horned Pig's roar sounded again, nearly tearing his eardrums apart.

Chen Jing scrambled to his feet, his chest heaving violently.

His first time facing an exotic beast that could truly kill him.

His first time realizing this wasn't training; this was a gamble between life and death.

Before Chen Jing could even catch his breath, the Green-skinned Horned Pig turned its head and charged at him again!

"Chen Jing!!"

A First Blood Hunter on the left swung his blade desperately, diverting the Horned Pig's charge by a few inches.

Seeing this, Chen Jing gritted his teeth, the veins on his sword-wielding arm bulging as he forced his blood and qi to circulate rapidly throughout his body.

"HRAAAH!!"

Seizing the opportunity, Chen Jing pushed off with both feet and lunged forward, slashing fiercely at the Green-skinned Horned Pig's eye before it could turn around.

Pfft!

Blood sprayed out, and the Green-skinned Horned Pig let out a heaven-shaking roar, thrashing its head in agony.

"Nice!! Pull back, don't take it head-on!!"

Someone shouted from behind.

Chen Jing quickly yanked his blade out, but the next second, the Green-skinned Horned Pig's front hoof slammed toward him like an iron hammer!

If that strike landed, he would be severely injured, if not dead.

Suppressing his fear, Chen Jing shifted his feet, dodging by a hair's breadth.

"Block it! Don't let it charge toward Master Zhuang!"

The veteran hunter in charge of this flank shouted a reminder.

The other hunters rushed forward, swinging their polearms and forks in an attempt to restrain the Green-skinned Horned Pig.

But the Green-skinned Horned Pig struggled madly, its hooves slamming into the mud and kicking up dirt as it turned and rammed toward Chen Jing again!

"Come on then!"

Seeing this, Chen Jing seized the gap, slid in from the left, and slashed horizontally with his hunting knife.

Pfft!

The blade sliced open the Green-skinned Horned Pig's flank, and blood gushed out.

Feeling the intense pain, the Green-skinned Horned Pig let out a miserable howl, but it didn't retreat; instead, its ferocity was fully ignited, and it pressed forward with furious power.

In the blink of an eye.

Chen Jing channeled his Five Harms Technique to its limit, erupting with all the blood and qi he had accumulated over this period.

In an instant, a faint red aura of blood surged around Chen Jing, and his speed became blindingly fast.

With no flashy or unnecessary moves, he suddenly bent his knees, pressed them to the ground, and pushed off with his feet, sliding across the earth like an arrow released from a bow.

The cold, glinting tip of the long blade in his hand pointed straight at the soft flesh beneath the Green-skinned Horned Pig's neck—the weakest spot on the beast's entire body, and its fatal vital point.

Squelch!

The long blade pierced through the soft flesh without resistance, driving straight into the dense cluster of blood vessels.

The Green-skinned Horned Pig stiffened violently, its body seized by a sudden, agonizing spasm. The fierce, malevolent light in its eyes vanished like a receding tide, leaving behind only raw pain and bewilderment.

Chen Jing's gaze remained icy. He exerted force through his wrist, twisting the blade deep within the wound before yanking it out!

The sound of the blade tearing through skin and muscle was sharp and distinct. The small puncture was instantly ripped into a gruesome, gaping maw, and boiling blood erupted like a cascading waterfall, staining the earth beneath and drenching Chen Jing's robes.

Chen Jing withdrew his blade in one fluid motion. The massive body of the Green-skinned Horned Pig twitched twice more, its limbs kicking uselessly against the ground before it finally collapsed with a thunderous crash.

The dull thud sent surrounding fallen leaves scattering into the air. The beast was completely lifeless, with only its blood still gurgling from the wound, pooling into a crimson puddle on the ground.

"It's dead!"

"It actually died!?"

"He... he actually took down a Green-skinned Horned Pig all by himself!?"

The hunters gathered around stood stunned for a full three seconds before they finally snapped out of it. They stared at the twitching carcass on the ground with wide, disbelieving eyes, as if they had seen a ghost.

That was a Green-skinned Horned Pig!

Even the smallest one usually required at least two or three veteran First Blood hunters to surround and kill; a single moment of carelessness would result in broken bones and shattered limbs.

Yet now, a kid who had entered the mountains for the first time, a new martial artist who had only recently broken through to First Blood, had actually... killed it alone!!!

"Holy crap... am I seeing things?"

"That swordsmanship... that nerve... tch, even if you paid me to duel a Green-skinned Horned Pig, I wouldn't dare!"

The hunters exclaimed incessantly, their voices trembling with a shock that made their skin crawl.

Some couldn't help but swallow hard. As they looked at Chen Jing, the way they viewed him shifted from a newcomer needing protection to a reliable companion worthy of trust—even tinged with a hint of fear and awe!

Chen Jing still gripped his blood-stained hunting knife, his chest heaving, yet there was no fear in his eyes—only calmness, sharpness, and the lingering battle intent of a fresh kill.

Just as everyone was struck speechless, "What are you all standing around for!?"

Zhuang Huan's roar crashed against their ears like rolling thunder: "Get over here and help me, you bastards!!!"

The group jolted, suddenly snapping back to reality: "Right, right! The Big Horned Pig hasn't been dealt with yet!"

"Move, move! Don't let Master Zhuang lose his temper!"

The hunters hurriedly grabbed their weapons and scrambled toward the fray where Zhuang Huan was fighting.