Chapter 49 Compared to Lin Sui's life, his life is of course more important.

Lin Heng summoned the same group of people who had gone hunting with him last time. They hadn't had enough fun last time, and when he said he wanted to go again, they were all tempted. They each instructed their servants to prepare horses and bows and arrows.

Lin Heng approached Xue Zhao and patted him on the shoulder: "Come on, let's go hunting in a bit."

Xue Zhao hesitated. It wasn't that he didn't want to go; it was extremely difficult for him to enter this circle.

However, since his uncle passed away, his mother has been particularly concerned about his safety, and even refused to let him go out alone. Xue Zhao was annoyed, but dared not disobey her.

Seeing that Xue Zhao didn't move, Lin Heng frowned: "What, you don't want to go?"

"No, I need to go and tell my mother first," Xue Zhao said quickly, sensing Lin Heng's displeasure.

"Fine, you're such a grown-up, why do you still need to tell your mother when you go out to play?" Lin Heng pouted.

"Brother Lin, wait for me a moment, I'll be right back." Xue Zhao pretended not to hear him and hurried off to find Xue Shi.

Madam Xue sat with her daughter Xue Ying in the Lanhe Garden not far away. Many noble ladies had gathered there. The girls from various families were playing the zither, painting, or playing and having fun. Their every move was observed by the ladies of the various families sitting and talking on the side.

Rather than saying that the ladies gathered here to admire the flowers, it would be more accurate to say that they were taking the opportunity to select suitable marriage partners for their children.

Because the Marquis of Jinyang had been reprimanded by the emperor last time, no one had yet come forward to talk to Madam Xue, and Madam Xue was slightly anxious.

Xue Zhao dared not trespass upon arriving at Lanhe Garden, so he asked the maid guarding the gate to announce his arrival. Before long, Xue Shi was led over.

"Zhao'er, weren't you playing with others in the garden? Why did you come here? Did something happen?" Madam Xue asked upon seeing her son.

"It's nothing. Brother Lin invited me to go hunting, so I came to tell my mother."

"No, you can't go." Madam Xue's expression changed immediately when she heard that he wanted to go hunting. "Last time you went out with them and ended up encountering a tiger demon in the mountains. Haven't you learned your lesson yet?"

"Mother, that was just an accident. Besides, the tiger demon has already been dealt with by the Mingjing Division. There won't be any more trouble this time."

"That won't do either. Don't you know how dangerous the mountains are? Even if there are no monsters, what if you encounter an accident? Do you think the people who sent you there will care about you?"

Xue Zhao was already getting impatient. He frowned and said, "Mother, your son still needs to socialize with people."

"Then associate with respectable people. Look at those spoiled brats you've made friends with..."

Before Xue could finish speaking, Xue Zhao interrupted her: "Do you think decent people would want to associate with me?"

He pointed to himself and said, "Mother, have you forgotten who I am?"

Although he was the only son of the Marquis of Jinyang, his identity remained clandestine, and many noble sons refused to even glance at him. It was only through deliberately approaching the third son of the Duke of Liguo at the academy that he was brought into this circle.

Unfortunately, his mother didn't understand anything, yet she still blamed him.

Xue Zhao's words made Xue Shi choke up, unable to speak any more.

After a long pause, she said with red eyes, "It's all because your mother is incompetent that you and your sister are looked down upon by others."

Seeing his mother so upset, Xue Zhao softened his voice: "Mother, this is not your fault. If anyone is to blame, it is Ji Chan... We will get better and better in the future."

"Yes, our family will get better and better." Although Madam Xue said this, her brows were still furrowed. She knew she couldn't force her son to stay, so she could only say, "You must be extra careful when you go up the mountain this time."

"Don't worry, they have guards with them this time, there will be no danger."

"Will you be able to come back tonight?"

"Yes, you can wait for your son to hunt a fox for you."

After speaking with Xue Shi, Xue Zhao hurriedly went to find Lin Heng.

After finding Lin Heng, the group left the Lotus Garden on horseback, carrying bows and arrows. Behind them were four guards from the Duke of Li's mansion, all of whom were second-realm cultivators.

With these guards around, they all relaxed a lot.

"Lin Heng, which way should we enter the mountains this time?"

Zhang Xuyao, the third son of the Duke of Liguo, asked loudly. Zhang Xuyao's mother was the Duke of Liguo's second wife and also the cousin of Lin Heng's mother, Yao.

Lin Heng and Zhang Xuyao ​​are cousins, which is why they can hang out together.

"It's the same place as before, there are more wild animals there."

"That place is difficult to get into. Do you remember the way?"

Lin Heng chuckled: "No need to remember the way. Wasn't the guy who led the way last time quite useful? I'll ask him again this time."

When Lin Heng mentioned the person who had led the way last time, the group couldn't help but laugh. One of them even said, "That kid didn't die? I thought he was eaten by the tiger demon."

"They probably thought he smelled too much of earth on him."

The group laughed heartily and soon arrived at Huangxi Village.

The villagers, who were chatting idly at the village entrance, saw this group of young men riding tall horses and accompanied by guards. They all kept their distance and no one dared to go up and ask them what they were doing there.

Lin Heng didn't even glance at the villagers. He easily found Lin Sui's younger brother's house, dismounted, and kicked the flimsy door open.

Gao Luo, who was chopping firewood at home dressed in shorts, looked up when he heard the sound. He saw Lin Heng and a group of noble sons on horseback outside the door, and his grip on the axe tightened.

"What are you going to do?" Gao Luo asked warily.

Lin Heng glanced down at his right leg: "I heard you're lame?"

"What does this have to do with you?"

"My father had someone examine your leg a few days ago, right? It looks like he used some kind of magic medicine on you, otherwise you wouldn't have been able to get out of bed so quickly. Did he also give you some money?" Lin Heng asked instead of answering.

Gao Luo said with a straight face, "If you're here to ask for your money back, I'll give it back to you right now."

"No need. You're already making a profit by buying your leg with that little bit of silver. You should keep it. We've come to you this time to ask you to lead us up the mountain."

"I'm not going!" Thinking of his last experience going up the mountain, Gao Luo swallowed hard and refused without hesitation.

He barely escaped with his life, and he'll never go back this time, no matter what.

"Ha." Lin Heng sneered, "That's not up to you. If you don't go, I'll have to break your other leg too, so you'll never be able to stand up again."

He didn't take Gao Luo seriously at all. Seeing his stubborn look, he sneered, "You don't really think Lin Sui would turn against me for you, do you? Wake up, stop dreaming."

As he spoke, he waved to the guards behind him.

One of the guards walked in, staring intently at Gao Luo.

The man's eyes were terrifying; Gao Luo felt a chill run down his spine from his gaze.

The guard asked Lin Heng, "Young Master Lin, shall we break his legs now?"

Lin Heng chuckled and asked, "Gao Luo, are you going or not?"

Gao Luo gritted his teeth: "I'll go."

Gao Luo and Lin Heng entered the mountains through the woods behind Huangxi Village. About an hour after they left, A Chan's carriage finally arrived.

Lin Sui sat outside giving directions to Chen Hui. The closer they got to Huangxi Village, the more uneasy she became.

The last time we met was two years ago. I wonder if my brother wants to see her? Will he kick her out of the house instead of letting her in?

The carriage stopped outside the Gao family's gate. The three of them got out of the carriage and found that the gate of the Gao family's house was wide open, and there was a half-chopped piece of firewood in the yard, but no one was inside.

"Xiao Luo might have gone out. I'll go ask someone." Lin Sui turned and went to the village entrance to ask the aunties who were chatting.

Several village women greeted Lin Sui with smiles and asked her if she had moved to the city and was living a good life.

Lin Sui had no time to argue with them and asked urgently, "Auntie, have you seen Xiao Luo? Why isn't he home?"

One of the older women spoke up: "A group of young men came to the village just now. They seem to be looking for Xiao Luo. They look familiar. I think they were the ones who took Xiao Luo away last time."

"That's them! They just headed towards the back of the village; it looks like they're going into the mountains," someone nearby chimed in.

Lin Sui's expression changed upon hearing their words: "Are you sure it's those same people from last time?"

The old lady thought for a moment and said, "There seem to be more people than last time, but one of the boys looks just like you, so I'm sure I won't mistake him for someone else."

Lin Sui clenched his fists and turned to walk back.

After Ah Chan and the others waited in the Gao family's courtyard for a while, Lin Sui walked back with stiff steps.

"Have you found your brother?" Achan asked.

Lin Sui's voice trembled: "No, Xiao Luo may have been taken into the mountains by Lin Heng and the others."

Achan and Chen Hui exchanged a glance. Not long ago, they learned that Lin Sui's second brother had caused her younger brother to break his leg. Why was this guy like a leech?

“I have to go into the mountains to find Xiao Luo. Lin Heng is a heartless person. I’m afraid Xiao Luo will never come back if she goes into the mountains with them.”

Seeing Lin Sui's current state, A Chan knew she couldn't persuade her, but it was too dangerous for her to go up the mountain alone, so A Chan could only look to Chen Hui.

Chen Hui said to Lin Sui, "Don't worry, I'll go with you to find them in a bit. You go to the village first and ask around to find out where they came from in the mountains. We'll follow them."

"What about Achan?" Lin Sui looked at Achan. She knew from their time together that Achan was in poor health. She was out of breath even after walking a few steps, let alone climbing mountains.

But Lin Sui was a little worried about leaving her alone in the village.

"It's alright, I'll stay here and wait for you. There are so many of us, nothing will happen."

Lin Sui thought for a moment before saying, "Grandma Wang's house is next door. I'll tell her in a bit, and you can call her if you need anything."

“Okay,” Achan replied.

Lin Sui first went around the village to inquire, and then went to Grandma Wang's house to ask her to help take care of A Chan before going into the mountains with Chen Hui.

After they left, Achan bolted the gate to the Gao family's courtyard and went inside.

Lin Sui's younger brother always lived in the west room, while the east room was filled with Lin Sui's things. Although she hadn't been back for two years, the room was kept very clean.

Achan sat on the bed where Lin Sui used to sleep and touched the headboard; there wasn't a speck of dust.

She couldn't help but think that it was no wonder Lin Sui always thought about her younger brother; her brother probably thought about her too.

That's wonderful. Although they are not related by blood, they care for each other like siblings.

The mountains behind Huangxi Village aren't steep, but they are very deep. There are some places Gao Luo hasn't been to either, because the elderly people in the village say those places are off-limits.

This time, Gao Luo led Lin Heng and the others to the West Mountain, where there was plenty of prey, as requested. However, for some reason, they only saw a few rabbits and two pheasants on the West Mountain and did not see any other prey.

Several people were somewhat dissatisfied and asked Gao Luo to find them a new hunting ground.

Gao Luo recalled that Zhang, the hunter who lived at the foot of the mountain, had been telling everyone he met that there were many rabbits, deer, and foxes on the southwestern mountain recently.

Several uncles from the village went into the mountains with Zhang the hunter and indeed brought back a lot of wild game.

After a slight hesitation, Gao Luo led the group southwest.

He rarely came here before because the mountains here are close to places that the village elders said should not be visited.

During this trip to Gaoluo, I discovered that the vegetation in the mountains was so lush that it was impossible to find any mountain paths.

Two of Zhang Xuyao's guards came to the front of the group. They used their swords to cut away the grass and branches on the road and forcibly trod a path.

Seeing that they had found a relatively smooth path, Gao Luo knew that the two men had some experience in traversing mountains, so he didn't say anything more.

After walking a while longer, they suddenly saw the grass blades swaying in the distance. Zhang Xuyao ​​immediately became excited: "White fur, is it a fox?"

"Don't shout, or you'll scare it away." Lin Heng drew his bow and shot an arrow, but missed. The wild beast hiding under the grass immediately darted out.

Several people hurriedly chased after him, and soon Lin Heng returned carrying a blood-soaked fox.

Zhang Xuyao, who was standing to the side, was still talking to Lin Heng: "Hey, I just saw a deer run into a ravine down below. Shall we go check it out there later?"

"Sure."

Upon hearing where they were going, Gao Luo quickly spoke up to stop them: "That won't do."

"Why not?" Zhang Xuyao ​​turned her head and looked at Gao Luo with disdain.

“It’s dangerous over there, and the elderly people in our village won’t let us go.”

His words immediately elicited a burst of laughter.

"Hahaha, there's still danger? Who are the people in your village? What are they anyway?"

Someone else joked, "Brother Lin, the guide you brought is no good; he's too timid."

Zhang Xuyao ​​asked the guard beside him, "Can you remember the way out of the mountain?"

The guard immediately replied, "Young master, I've noted it all down. Don't worry."

"Alright, since my guards can remember the way, we don't need this kid anymore. Let's avoid him dawdling and ruining our good mood."

Upon hearing this, Lin Heng glanced at Gao Luo and looked down at him, saying, "Alright, get lost."

Gao Luo glanced at Lin Heng, somewhat suspicious that these people wouldn't let him off easily, but he still turned and left.

After walking a dozen or so steps, I suddenly heard a whooshing sound behind me.

Two arrows were stuck in a tree next to him, and before he could turn around, another arrow pierced his shoulder.

Gao Luo screamed and fell to the ground. He lost his balance and rolled down the slope.

At that moment, he could clearly hear the laughter of those people.

Lin Heng turned to Xue Zhao beside him and said, "Not bad, Xue Zhao, your archery skills are quite good."

The arrow that struck Gao Luo was shot by Xue Zhao.

"You flatter me," Xue Zhao smiled.

Seeing Gao Luo roll down the mountain, the group didn't give him another second glance, and didn't care about his life or death at all.

Lin Heng had already said when he came that he didn't want this kid to have an easy time. Since that's the case, then he might as well make him disappear into the mountains.

They didn't kill anyone themselves; they just accidentally shot an arrow. As for whether Gao Luo will survive, let's hope he won't be eaten by wild animals in the mountains.

The group quickly left and headed towards the ravine that Zhang Xuyao ​​had pointed out. The closer they got, the more noise they heard from the area.

Soon, they spotted a deer grazing with its head down, and the group immediately chased after it into the ravine.

However, they did not notice that the running deer was moving very stiffly, and every time it took a step, the movement was exactly the same.

Soon, Zhang Xuyao ​​caught up with the deer and shot an arrow.

The arrow pierced the deer's neck, but instead of falling, the deer continued to run forward.

"What's going on? Why isn't that deer bleeding?" Zhang Xuyao, making sure he wasn't mistaken, turned around with a somewhat grim expression.

At this moment, the group noticed that a thin mist had risen beneath their feet. The sky was still bright, but the surroundings had inexplicably darkened.

Lin Heng turned his head and saw a rabbit hiding in the grass. He poked it with his bow, but the rabbit's body was stiff and motionless, as if it had been dead for a long time.

"Young master, something's not right here. Let's get out of here immediately."

Zhang Xuyao's guards escorted several people out, but before they had gone far, the fog grew thicker and thicker, and a tiger's roar came from the depths of the fog.

Soon, a giant black tiger, three meters long, came into their view. The tiger's eyes were like a human's, looking them up and down.

"It's you again." Suddenly, the tiger opened its mouth and spoke in human language.

Lin Heng and his companions were terrified. Weren't they told that the tiger demon had been captured? How come there's still one left?

The guards protecting Zhang Xuyao ​​knew things were going badly. They exchanged glances and simultaneously pounced on the tiger demon.

However, to the expectant gazes of the group, the four guards were killed instantly by the Black Tiger Demon, one palm strike each.

The guards of the second realm died without any power to resist.

The tiger demon bit one of the guards' arms, tore at it twice, and said with some disgust, "It's a pity they're all men; their meat isn't fresh at all."

Lin Heng and the others swallowed hard: "Lord Mountain Lord, we don't taste good. If you want to eat women, we can send them to you."

“Yes, we can provide as much as you want,” Zhang Xuyao ​​immediately agreed.

"Really?" The Black Tiger Demon narrowed his eyes, seemingly weighing their words.

“Of course it’s true,” another person chimed in. “We can tell you right now where to find fresh, young women.”

"Tell me about it?" Black Tiger's eyes gleamed with a mocking light. He loved watching humans rack their brains to please him just to survive.

“Huang, Huangxi Village,” the man shouted, then pointed at Lin Heng and said, “His sister is in Huangxi Village today, and she will definitely meet Lord Shanjun’s requirements.”

"Oh?" The black tiger demon looked at Lin Heng. "What does your sister look like?"

Lin Heng's anger towards his companion vanished the moment he met the black tiger demon's large, copper-bell-like eyes. Compared to Lin Sui's life, his own was of course more important.

He quickly said, "My sister is very beautiful and is pampered at home by our mother. She... she meets the requirements of the mountain king."

"Alright, since you're still useful, I'll let you off the hook today."

The black tiger demon roared, "Go to Huangxi Village and bring that woman back!"

As its voice rang out, many figures suddenly appeared in the thick fog behind the black tiger. If Gao Luo were here at this moment, he would definitely have noticed that Zhang the hunter, whom he had met not long ago, was among them.