All the children in the dilapidated temple were invigorated by this.
Heaven knows how long they had been waiting for this day; even the shepherd's purse leaves by the door had withered.
Jiang Sheng rushed to a sheltered spot in the dilapidated temple and shouted to Fang Heng, who was shirtless, "Third Brother, Third Brother, there's a big tiger!"
Even though they don't often buy meat to eat, they know the value of tigers.
From the fur to the bones to the head and tail, everything is quite expensive.
Fang Heng had practiced martial arts since childhood and could be considered a person of resolute character. Even when he wandered to a dilapidated temple and ate chaff and wild vegetables, he did not have much emotional fluctuation. He once thought that he had achieved what his father had said: to remain calm even when Mount Tai collapsed in front of him.
At this moment, after all the hardships he had endured, he finally reaped the fruits of his labor, and a feeling of joy welled up in his heart.
Fang Heng immediately threw away the wooden stick, put on his cotton-padded coat, and followed to the dilapidated temple. "Is it really a big tiger?"
Zhang Qiquan was taken aback, unsure how to explain.
Fortunately, Zheng Ruqian was used to speaking and said fluently, "That idiot Jiang Sheng got it wrong. It's 'big guy,' not 'big tiger.'"
Fang Heng paused, his disappointment visibly evident.
Even a wild boar cannot be compared to a tiger in terms of value.
"We're not sure what it is yet," Zhang Qiquan comforted the agile child. "Let's go take a look."
Fang Heng nodded, hoisted the mountain onto his shoulder, and sat cross-legged on the donkey cart.
Jiang Sheng subconsciously lifted her foot to follow.
The other children exchanged glances. Being quite young, they couldn't resist joining in the fun and all climbed onto the flatbed cart.
The journey from the dilapidated temple to the mountainside, which normally takes two quarters of an hour, was completed in just one quarter of an hour.
Zhang Qiquan is cleaning the camouflage covering the trap.
A violent thud came from the deep burrow, probably from the prey trying to escape.
Fang Heng's sharp eyes caught sight of a patch of black and yellow striped fur under the fallen leaves, and his heart leaped into his chest.
Until, a weak tiger's roar rang out.
Fang Heng felt his heart return to his chest. He tried to suppress his excitement, his hands trembling at his sides.
"It really is a tiger," Jiang Sheng exclaimed in surprise.
She had only heard of such a ferocious creature in storybooks; it was said that it could bite people to death, and when it went berserk, even four or five adults would not be a match for it.
“It’s a tiger.” Zhang Qiquan’s voice trembled.
As long as they can sell this tiger, they can get through the New Year.
Once all the camouflage was removed, the tiger's full form was revealed.
Zhang Qiquan, being quite experienced, commented, "It should be a tiger that has just reached adulthood. It came out to hunt for food and fell into the cave. I put a sharpened branch at the bottom of the cave, which was enough to pierce its body."
But the tiger is the king of the mountain after all, and even with blood flowing freely, it still kept trying to climb out.
Zhang Qiquan was ruthless. He raised the iron fork and hit its head twice more before the burrow finally returned to peace.
"Bring it out."
He took two older children, jumped down into the burrow, and lifted the unconscious tiger out.
Jiang Sheng, along with her fourth and fifth brothers, pulled desperately from above.
After much effort and hardship, they finally managed to lift it onto the donkey cart.
To prevent the tiger from waking up and becoming ferocious, its four hooves were tied with ropes.
On the way back to the dilapidated temple from the mountains, Zhang Qiquan inevitably encountered several villagers carrying hoes. With a beaming smile, he changed his usual dejected demeanor and took the initiative to greet the villagers.
"We met some big shots today."
"It was a tiger; it took a lot of effort to carry it out."
"It's a pity I'm not a pig, so I can't treat everyone to meat."
Jiang Sheng could see clearly that none of the uncles had actually seen what was on the donkey cart; it was all Uncle Zhang who was being proud.
She stuck out her tongue, but didn't expose it.
Back to the dilapidated temple.
Zhang Qiquan worked as a hunter for several years, learning not only how to make traps, but more importantly, how to skin and butcher animal limbs and hair.
He first measured the tiger's body with his palm, then located the carotid artery in its neck, and with one slash, tiger blood gushed out and fell into the large bucket that Jiang Sheng had prepared beforehand.
The blood from one adult tiger filled three buckets.
Zhang Qiquan was overjoyed. He took a bowl, scooped out a bowl of blood, and drank it all while it was still hot.
The children standing nearby were all stunned.
"Would you like some drinks too?" He scooped out a bowl and handed it to them.
Jiang Sheng was startled and took small steps back. This was too frightening; she dared not drink it.
“A bunch of kids.” Zhang Qiquan shook his head. “This tiger blood is extremely nourishing. Countless high-ranking officials and nobles would kill to get a sip. It’s such a waste that you don’t drink it.”
After saying that, he gulped down two more bowls and was so hot that he took off his cotton-padded coat.
Fang Heng watched with shining eyes. After hesitating for a moment, he scooped up a bowl for himself and sipped it.
Tiger blood may not have any practical effect, but those who yearn to become stronger will never let go of any possibility.
After Fang Heng drank a bowl, Chang Yan, who had been silent all along, actually stepped forward, scooped up half a bowl, and drank it with a frown.
Zhang Qiquan looked at the two boys with new respect. He patted Fang Heng on the shoulder and said, "Watch closely, see how they skin and debone you."
As he spoke, he swung his arms wide and moved with great enthusiasm.
With a swift, dark dagger, the tiger skin separated from the meat, the bones snapped easily, and even the internal organs were sliced open.
“A sharp blade is very important. I’ve sharpened this blade countless times.” Zhang Qiquan really likes Fang Heng and explains without holding back. “But knowing the anatomy of every inch of bone and flesh is even more important. For example, you need three to five cuts to cut bone at a joint, but if you cut into the fascia, you can cut it with a single cut.”
If we say that practicing martial arts is about enhancing one's endurance, explosive power, and tolerance.
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