Chapter 53 Li Xian Arrives, Arrows Pierce the Heart
Reminded by her maid Qiuyue, Jiang Yun began preparations for the winter hunt well in advance.
They bought animal-attracting incense and animal traps beforehand, and their harvest was quite plentiful.
When taken out at this moment, two wild "spotted deer" were revealed. This is a rare species that runs faster than ordinary deer.
"Tiger!"
The seventh animal captured was a tiger. This tiger was not a sick or injured tiger, but a robust young mountain tiger.
Hunting such a tiger is something to be proud of.
All the game was presented... a total of four deer, two tigers, two wild boars, and one tree crocodile. The rest were not worth a glance.
Although it has one more tiger than Pang Long, its overall quality is not as good as Pang Long's.
"Wow, Xiaoyun is amazing."
Pang Long was generous with his praise.
"Thank you, Commander." Jiang Yun smiled, but couldn't help but sigh, thinking, "It's really too difficult to hunt a three-headed bear beast."
"I'm not going to get promoted this time."
The thought of what happened in the mountains sent a chill down her spine. With her limited abilities, hunting a bear would be tantamount to asking for trouble; the risk was far too great.
"Although they hunted two tigers, they won by using tools." Madam Wen saw through the trick at a glance.
Both tigers died in the same way: they were caught in a hunting net with barbs inside, which pierced their bodies and made it impossible for them to escape.
He was slowly bleed to death.
"It seems that no one can achieve the reward I set," Madam Wen said with slight disappointment. She herself had reaped a great reward, but it would be too boring if there was no one who could appreciate it.
"It's Master Ying."
"Eagle Master is back too."
Just then, the much-anticipated Hua Hanying appeared in everyone's sight.
Madam Wen raised an eyebrow slightly. "I remember you. Last time you hunted a spotted tiger. What did you hunt this time?"
Hua Hanying was overjoyed: "Madam still remembers me! I have gained a lot this time, and I am sure that Madam will look at me in a new light!"
He humbly replied, "My knowledge is very limited, and the prey I hunt is certainly no match for Commander Pang. I'm afraid I'll be laughed at."
The words were loaded with barbs; in reality, while martial arts were important in hunting, they were not the most crucial element.
Fighting prey head-on is ultimately a inferior strategy. He was even confident that Pang Long's harvest might not be as plentiful as his own.
This statement, seemingly humble, is actually a dig at Pang Long.
"Haha, let's see what it's really like first," Pang Long joked, oblivious to the underlying meaning.
"Alas, my luck was so-so; I only managed to hunt three mountain tigers," Hua Hanying sighed, unfolding his shrunken flesh pouch...
There were three more mountain tigers on the ground, all of them quite large.
The scene was quiet for a moment, then erupted in a great commotion. Many of the servants who were carrying the game stopped to watch.
Luo Fang stopped urging him and subconsciously moved closer.
"Not bad." Madam Wen nodded gently. "You are the first to raise enough for three tigers."
Hua Hanying was overjoyed and deliberately avoided looking at Pang Long. He knew that his beast had surpassed Pang Long's, and that he had defeated him.
"It's a pity it rained on the third day, otherwise... we could have hunted another bear."
He finished speaking.
A black bear carcass lay on the ground.
The bear carcass is larger, with black needle-like fur and sharp fangs, all of which exude wildness.
At this moment, however, it was pierced by an arrow and lay quietly on the ground, becoming Hua Hanying's trophy, which made it appear even taller and more imposing.
Lady Wen raised an eyebrow slightly, her expression becoming more pleased. She had always enjoyed hunting, not only herself but also watching others hunt.
Seeing the second bear carcass put me in a better mood.
She said, "This black bear fought you in close combat. You used your Fire Eagle Claw to wound its chest, then created distance and shot it dead."
"The Fire Eagle Claw has some potential and has already reached a high level. However, when it extends its claws, it is sticky and the internal energy does not flow smoothly through the Tianque acupoint, lacking some fire."
"Unfortunately, his archery skills are mediocre; he can only barely be accurate within fifteen paces. Therefore, he must first engage in close combat with each wild beast before killing it with a bow and arrow."
Pang Long reminded her, "Why don't you thank Madam?"
Hua Hanying belatedly realized that his words were just casual advice from his wife, and he immediately thanked her repeatedly.
Then the prey that followed became much more ordinary.
"Perhaps too many people have entered the mountains, disturbing the animals."
"If I encounter tigers and bears again, I'm sure I can take down even more."
Hua Hanying said regretfully, "I won't let any opportunity to perform slip by."
"The harvest was not bad, but it ultimately failed to meet my expectations." Madam Wen looked down at Hua Hanying, her eyes devoid of any emotion.
Hunting...the emphasis is on the word "shooting".
Pang Long, Hua Hanying, and others all emphasize the word "fight." Entering the forest is not for hunting, but for fighting with wild animals.
Although both involve shooting wild animals.
But the difference is like that between tea and water.
Many people in the Great Wu Dynasty revered the bow. It is said that the Great Wu Emperor started out as a bowman and shot down the great events of the Great Wu Dynasty, as well as the changing of the sun and moon.
"Is there anyone else?" Madam Wen asked.
Pang Long hurriedly went to confirm, and returned to say, "There are still a few Class C guards."
"Wait another quarter of an hour. If it doesn't appear, it must have been eaten by wild beasts." Madam Wen's voice was melodious, but her words revealed an indifference deep within her.
He was completely indifferent to whether the guards lived or died.
"It's him!"
"Ah, so he's not dead after all."
Just then, some whispers broke out in the crowd.
The visitor was none other than Li Xian. He ventured deep into the inner perimeter. Although he had intended to return yesterday, the rain continued relentlessly, and he also wanted to smoke and dry meat.
They found a cave, lit a fire, and smoked the meat. It wasn't until this morning, after the rain had completely stopped, that they began their arduous journey back.
"How could he..." Hua Hanying was taken aback, and sneered inwardly: "What real skills could a mere third-class guard like you have? He must have deliberately hidden himself and appeared last to attract the madam's attention."
"Compared to my harvest, you have only brought shame upon yourself. If it weren't for Pang Long's help, how could the lady have rewarded you with such a delicacy?"
Unbeknownst to her, jealousy was already rising, and her eyes were filled with hostility.
Jiang Yun was also taken aback, and her brows furrowed involuntarily.
"You're too late." Madam Wen noticed that Li Xian's clothes were dry and couldn't help but feel curious.
"I took shelter from the rain last night, and rushed back this morning without stopping," Li Xian explained.
Madam Wen said, "What did you hunt? Let me see it."
"Yes!" Li Xian took out the shrinking meat bag, first pulled out a wild rabbit, and then shot an arrow right into its neck, blood still dripping.
He had shot the rabbit in a hurry while traveling. He still had one arrow left, and there was no reason not to use it.
Madam Wen frowned, no longer wanting to look.
"I thought you'd come out so late, I was hoping for a surprise," Jiang Yun muttered to herself, her expression full of disdain, but she dared not utter a word.
"They're probably all wild rabbits and wild boars." Hua Hanying's mind raced, and he secretly observed his wife's expression. When she looked away, he immediately said, "Alright, don't embarrass yourself. Quickly step aside."
Li Xian ignored it, and with a forceful scoop, pulled out a deer carcass.
Hua Hanying thought to himself, "It's just a deer carcass." He was about to make a sarcastic remark, but when he saw the deer carcass appear, the lady shifted her gaze back and remained silent.
"An arrow through the heart," Madam Wen said softly.
This arrow was quite good; it was as if one could already see the arrow flying through the forest, leaving a trail, and hitting the prey right in the heart.
There were no unnecessary movements; it was simple, straightforward, and efficient.
Immediately…
They pulled out the second deer carcass.
"Another arrow through the heart." Madam Wen raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued.
There are many deer hunters, but very few who are pierced through the heart by arrows.
(End of this chapter)
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