Killing Intent Arose

Just after returning to Chen Family Village, Zhang Yuan soon found a string of "tails" following behind him.

The village children were intensely curious about the Wild Boar slung over his shoulder. They stared at its ferocious head, frightened yet eager to see the spectacle, their startled cries rising and falling one after another.

"Yuan Baby, did you kill a Wild Boar?"

The villagers he met along the way were equally shocked, every one of them staring wide-eyed in disbelief.

Adult Wild Boars were classed among fierce beasts. Villagers who entered the mountains to gather firewood or herbs often suffered casualties when they encountered one, and people basically turned pale at the mere mention of them.

Among Chen Family Village, Hunter Gao was undoubtedly one of those capable of killing a Wild Boar.

But one of his legs was lame, making it inconvenient for him to move around, so he had never specifically gone hunting Wild Boars.

Now Zhang Yuan, only fifteen years old, had actually hunted such a large Wild Boar. That truly made people see him in a new light.

"I got lucky today."

Zhang Yuan sighed. "It's a pity the whole boar was simply too heavy, so I only brought half back. The rest could only be offered to the mountain god."

"What a pity!"

The villager who had asked beat his chest and stamped his feet, as though he himself had lost a fortune.

Although Wild Boar meat was tough and rank, meat was still meat. Village folk could count on one hand how many times they ate meat in an entire year; no one would turn up their nose at it.

And such a huge Wild Boar had actually been thrown away half by Zhang Yuan. What a waste of heaven's gifts!

Some villagers were also consumed by envy, jealousy, and resentment toward Zhang Yuan. They could not understand what virtues or abilities this boy from outside the clan possessed to have caught such a large prey.

Some even began entertaining the idea of going into the mountains to hunt.

When Zhang Yuan returned home, Zhang's Mother, who had been craning her neck in anticipation, was both delighted and alarmed.

She was delighted that Zhang Yuan had returned safely, but alarmed that he had actually gone to hunt a Wild Boar. "You child, you were far too reckless!"

In Zhang's Mother's eyes, it did not matter if the family was poor or suffered a little. What mattered was that everyone stayed safe and sound.

Zhang Yuan smiled. "Mother, I caught this Wild Boar with a trap. It wasn't dangerous."

Afraid that his mother would press him further, he added, "Hurry and smoke it, or it'll spoil. That would be a huge loss!"

Zhang's Mother's attention immediately shifted. She hurried to the back room to fetch dry pine branches.

Over the past few years, after Zhang Yuan had learned how to hunt, he had brought game home from time to time.

To keep the meat from spoiling, it was usually smoked before being taken to the County Town to sell.

Very little of it actually ended up on their own table.

Zhang Yuan first washed the Wild Boar meat with clean water, then used a dagger to strip away the tough, thick hide before cutting the large slabs of pork into strips.

He tied hemp ropes around the strips and hung them from a wooden rack.

There, they were smoked over pine fumes.

"Cough, cough!"

Zhang's Mother was choked by the billowing smoke until tears came out.

"Mother."

Zhang Yuan hurriedly took down two strips of pork. "Leave this to me. Take these to Uncle Fu's and Aunt Qi's homes."

Uncle Fu and Aunt Qi were neighbors who lived nearby. They usually got along well, and Zhang Yuan and his mother had received help from both families.

A strip of Wild Boar meat weighed three or four jin and was not especially valuable.

But in the village, it was still a gift that carried plenty of weight.

Naturally, Zhang's Mother had no objections.

When she returned, her face was beaming, and even her complexion seemed much improved.

It was not until late at night that all one hundred-odd jin of pork had been smoked, costing Zhang Yuan no small amount of effort.

Because he had gone to bed so late, he woke up late the next day as well.

While he was still lying in bed, Zhang Yuan vaguely heard his mother talking with someone outside.

Just as he got out of bed, Zhang's Mother came over and patted the door. "Yuan Baby, get up quickly. Master Gao is here!"

Hunter Gao?

Zhang Yuan was somewhat surprised and hurriedly put on his outer clothes before going out.

Hunter Gao stood in the small courtyard outside, his face expressionless.

Zhang Yuan stepped forward and saluted him. "Master Gao."

"Mm."

Hunter Gao nodded, his expression calm as he said, "I came this time because there's something I need to discuss with you."

Without waiting for Zhang Yuan to answer, he continued, "You must have heard about Chen Yuanwai's matter. I've already accepted his invitation, and in a couple of days, I'll be going to the Chen Family Ancestral Home as an instructor."

"Haven't you always wanted to learn martial arts? Then come with me and serve as a sparring partner for the Chen Family juniors."

"That way, not only can you learn some skills, you'll also receive a monthly stipend."

"Two birds with one stone!"

Zhang Yuan was stunned. "This..."

At that moment, Zhang Yuan was far less calm inside than he appeared!

He seriously suspected that he and the Chen Family were at odds, otherwise why would they target him time and time again?

First, they assigned Corvée to his family. Then, they tried to trick him into signing a slave contract.

Zhang Yuan had finally dealt with both matters, yet Hunter Gao now came to his door and wanted him to become a sparring partner for the Chen Family juniors!

The man made it sound nice, painting him a big pie in the sky.

Had it been some other naïve young boy, he would probably have agreed on the spot, believing that a great opportunity had fallen into his lap.

But Zhang Yuan had lived two lives, and he had long been on guard. How could he possibly be fooled by Hunter Gao's few words!

Seeing Zhang Yuan hesitate, Hunter Gao's face immediately darkened. "What, you're unwilling?"

He looked distinctly displeased.

Hunter Gao knew that Zhang Yuan differed from the ordinary boys in the village. Not only could he read and write, but he was mature and steady beyond his years.

But he did not think Zhang Yuan was qualified to refuse his demand!

This middle-aged man who had come from the Military Camp glanced at Zhang's Mother, who was boiling water beside the thatched cottage, and said coldly, "Zhang Yuan, I'll give you two days to think it over. Consider it carefully yourself."

He knew Zhang Yuan well, and he understood exactly where the latter's weakness lay!

That glance was thick with threat.

Zhang Yuan understood.

Watching Hunter Gao stride away, Zhang Yuan's eyes seemed to ignite with blazing flames.

They were a deep crimson.

He could not help clenching his fists. The Divine Nest Emblem silently surfaced on the back of his left hand!

Damn him. Kill him!

"Yuan Baby?"

Zhang's Mother came over and asked in confusion, "Why did Master Gao leave already?"

"He had something to do, so he left first."

Zhang Yuan loosened his fists and smiled. "Mother, I'm going to the County Town today, so there's no need to prepare lunch for me."

Zhang's Mother did not understand why. "All right."

Then she felt a trace of worry. "Yuan Baby, whatever it is, you must discuss it properly with Master Gao. Don't act rashly."

Although Zhang's Mother had not clearly heard the conversation between Zhang Yuan and Hunter Gao just now.

She could clearly sense that Hunter Gao was somewhat unhappy.

Zhang Yuan smiled. "I know. Don't worry."

Only then did Zhang's Mother set her mind at ease.

Yet she could never have imagined that, at this very moment, her son's heart was filled to the brim with killing intent.

Zhang Yuan had developed the intent to kill Hunter Gao!

Previously, even though Hunter Gao had ignored Zhang Yuan's efforts and devotion for more than three years, and could even be said to have toyed with him.

Zhang Yuan had not held much resentment toward him.

After all, the hunter had taught Zhang Yuan quite a few hunting techniques.

But the bond between them had already been severed several days ago.

Hunter Gao had severed it himself.

And now, Hunter Gao not only wanted to force Zhang Yuan to serve the Chen Family juniors like an ox and a horse, but also used Zhang's Mother as a threat.

Then Hunter Gao could not blame Zhang Yuan for turning his face and showing no mercy!