Returning from the Tiger Hunt, Shocking Everyone

Ignoring the pain that might still be in its body, the tiger swung its claws and pounced, intent on tearing Zhang Sheng to pieces.

Seeing how utterly enraged the tiger had become, Zhang Sheng grew even more cautious. When a wild beast fought back, one careless moment could easily send him tumbling into a ditch.

Several minutes passed, and the tiger pounced at him several times in succession, only for Zhang Sheng to dodge every one.

It howled in frustration, but there was nothing it could do to the two-legged beast before it.

Zhang Sheng, meanwhile, was nimble on his feet, running it around in circles:

"Big cat! Come and get me!"

"Grrrroar!"

After several exchanges in this battle of attrition, Zhang Sheng lost interest in playing any longer.

So, taking advantage of a moment when the tiger wasn't paying attention, he sprang onto its back and swung his little fists at its head.

His fists were so fast and struck with such force that before long, blood was flying from the tiger. It was a truly miserable sight.

Thud!

"Who would've thought a dead cat like you could take such a beating? My hands hurt from pounding you."

Looking at the tiger lying before him, completely lifeless, Zhang Sheng couldn't help letting out a sigh.

He himself was drenched in sweat, and his face was somewhat flushed, as though he had been through strenuous exercise.

Zhang Sheng wasted no time. If he didn't head back soon, Uncle Dashan really would start worrying.

He hoisted the tiger's carcass over his shoulder and headed back. Its enormous body nearly swallowed him up, and if he hadn't been so strong, he might not have been able to carry it home.

After the encounter with the tiger, Zhang Sheng ran into no further trouble on the way back.

He made it out of the forest without a hitch and headed straight for home.

"Why isn't he back yet? I'm worried sick. I never should have let him go up the mountain.

"If anything happens to him, how am I supposed to face my late elder brother and sister-in-law?

"No! I have to go up the mountain and look for him."

Just as Uncle Dashan was growing too anxious to wait any longer and wanted to go up the mountain in search of Zhang Sheng, Zhang Sheng was already nearly home.

Uncle Dashan merely glanced up into the distance and noticed that something seemed to be coming this way.

When it drew closer, Uncle Dashan suddenly turned pale with shock.

"A tiger? It's a tiger! How could a tiger appear here?"

Just as Uncle Dashan was about to call for help, a voice that still sounded a little childish called out to him.

"Uncle Dashan! I'm back! Look what I hunted!"

"Huh? That's the Eldest Son of the Zhang Family's voice. Why is it coming from the tiger's direction?"

Zhang Sheng's voice took Uncle Dashan by surprise, suppressing the fear in his heart as he tried to see what was going on.

Only as Zhang Sheng drew closer did Uncle Dashan see what was happening, and then he could hardly believe his eyes.

His pupils began to widen, and he immediately raced toward Zhang Sheng.

By the time Uncle Dashan reached Zhang Sheng's side, he could barely get his words out.

"Eldest Son of the Zhang Family! Th-this is the prey you brought down?"

Seeing the astonishment and disbelief on Uncle Dashan's face, Zhang Sheng gave him a firm answer:

"Mm! Yes!"

"Unbelievable! Truly unbelievable! Who would have thought that a child not yet eight years old

"could actually hunt a tiger? You really are extraordinary. Heaven has truly blessed you!

"My elder brother and sister-in-law must have been blessed by Heaven for their virtue, and now they're protecting the young master from above."

Uncle Dashan's excited words left Zhang Sheng somewhat speechless, and he couldn't help thinking to himself:

I don't know whether Heaven has blessed me, but I earned this strength through hard cultivation.

Of course, Zhang Sheng wasn't about to contradict Uncle Dashan at a time like this. Let him misunderstand.

In any case, now that Uncle Dashan had seen what I could do, he probably wouldn't object to him entering the mountain forest again.

"Oh, right! Eldest Son of the Zhang Family! Are you hurt? Quick, let your Uncle Dashan have a look."

"Uncle Dashan! I'm not hurt, not even a little. This big cat was no match for me. I'm really strong!"

Seeing the proud look on Zhang Sheng's face, Uncle Dashan couldn't help nodding.

As far as he knew, anyone who could beat a tiger to death barehanded was someone remarkable.

But Uncle Dashan couldn't let Zhang Sheng grow too proud and complacent, or he would suffer for it in the future. So he began advising him:

"Eldest Son of the Zhang Family! You mustn't be so proud and complacent. Even though you can hunt a tiger barehanded,

"you still need to be careful in the future. There are too many dangers in the forest. One careless moment could easily cost you your life."

"Uncle Dashan! I understand. I'll be careful from now on!"

"Mm! Then let's hurry back! We need to see what to do with this tiger."

"Mm! Let's go home. Uncle Dashan, let me tell you..."

As they walked, Zhang Sheng told Uncle Dashan everything that had happened in the forest. Of course, Zhang Sheng didn't tell Uncle Dashan

that he had gone deep into the forest, or it would only make Uncle Dashan worry again.

By the time the two reached Zhang Sheng's home, Auntie and Huzi had come over too. When they saw the tiger carcass on Zhang Sheng's shoulder,

they jumped in fright, then hurriedly backed away, as though terrified the tiger might come back to life.

"Eldest Son of the Zhang Family! Did you hunt this tiger? It's enormous! I've never seen one before."

Seeing that Auntie and little brother Huzi were a little frightened, Zhang Sheng hurriedly reassured them:

"Auntie! Don't be afraid. I beat this tiger to death long ago. Now it's just a dish!"

"Pfft! You little rascal, always saying such amusing things. You still need to be more careful when you go into the forest.

"Don't be rash and take risks. Better yet, don't go there at all in the future."

Auntie's concerned words left Zhang Sheng at a loss for an answer. Uncle Dashan, standing beside him, seemed to see his difficulty and changed the subject:

"Eldest Son of the Zhang Family! What do you plan to do with this tiger? That way I can find someone to help."

After giving it some thought, Zhang Sheng made a decision:

"Uncle Dashan! Here's what I'm thinking. I'd like to keep the tiger's hide and make some winter clothes for myself and little brother Huzi.

"We'll keep the meat to eat, and the remaining bones can be used to steep some medicinal wine. What do you think?"

"You hunted the tiger, so you can do whatever you want with it. But didn't you want to earn some money? The tiger's hide is worth quite a lot, and you can't find one for sale even if you have the money."

"No need. I also brought back some ginseng this time. I think it'll be enough to buy what I need for a while. Let's keep the tiger's hide for ourselves!"

Seeing that Zhang Sheng didn't seem to mind much, Uncle Dashan said no more.

After all, the tiger's hide belonged to Zhang Sheng and was worth a considerable amount, so it wasn't really his place to decide what to do with it.

Once they had a plan, Uncle Dashan hurried out to find an expert.

Although there were only a few households in the village, there were still hunters, and they knew a thing or two about preparing game.

While Uncle Dashan was out looking for someone, Zhang Sheng decided to fill his stomach first. It wouldn't be good once things got bloody later.

The tiger wasn't the only prey he had brought back, of course. There were also a few wild hares in his carrying basket!

After telling Zhang Sheng to go eat first, Auntie, who had been standing to one side, began helping him sort through the things in the basket.

But when she saw three more sizable ginseng roots, she was astonished all over again, making Zhang Sheng's heart jump along with her.