Chapter 21: Tracking, Hunting the Wild Boar, and Uncle Zhou's Son

With the right arrowheads in hand, Xia He felt confident about dealing with the wild boar.

"Uncle Zhou, Erpang is my deputy; more hands mean more strength."

Only an hour after modifying the javelins, Xia He weighed one in his palm, aimed at a nearby poplar tree, and threw it with full force.

"Thwack!"

The javelin pierced the wood with ease, carving out a large hole and sending splinters flying.

Uncle Zhou watched in shock. That was at least thirty-four paces away—how could it have such power?

"Xiao He, you have incredible strength. Have you reached the Skin-Refining stage?!"

Wang Erpang’s mouth hung open wide enough to fit a fist, and he didn't hold back his praise. "Brother He, you’re amazing! On the battlefield, you could take the head of an enemy general from a thousand miles away!"

"Not at all. It’s the arrowheads Uncle Zhou provided that are formidable." These were meant for piercing horses; even without a bow, if one had enough physical strength, a javelin could be even more lethal. Xia He thought to himself, *As for the increase in strength, that is all thanks to the Fist Stance.*

"Uncle Zhou, let’s enter the mountain. If we delay any longer, it will be dark."

"Right."

The Daliang Mountains were dense and profound. The deeper one went, the more dangerous it became; even experienced hunters traveled in groups.

The three of them stepped into the deep forest. Along the way, Uncle Zhou sniffed the air and soon detected the pungent, heavy stench of wild boar urine.

"It’s to the north!"

However, Xia He did not agree. He shook his head and said, "It’s not in the north. This boar is very cunning; it did that intentionally to lead us astray."

With that, Xia He’s gaze remained sharp, tracking a faint, nearly invisible white trail that stretched forward. Before long, the corners of his mouth curled into a confident smile, for he had accurately locked onto the boar's hiding spot.

"This..." Uncle Zhou hesitated. But thinking of how Xia He had once hunted a giant python alone, he decided to trust him once more.

As they ventured deeper, the surroundings grew increasingly eerie and terrifying. Everyone knew that the further they went, the greater the danger. A single misstep into a miasma-filled trap could mean certain death. Yet, Xia He moved through the forest as if walking on flat ground.

"Erpang, keep up!"

Wang Erpang nodded, gritting his teeth. The initial excitement had faded, and he was already beginning to pant.

"Xiao He, were your ancestors hunters? How are you so seasoned at such a young age?"

"My father-in-law is a doctor who often comes into the mountains to gather herbs; I learned from him." Xia He tossed out a random excuse. Seeing Uncle Zhou nod in wonder, he turned his gaze away.

[Skill: Tracking (Novice)]
[Progress: 122/300]
[Effect: Hear from all directions, perceive for several yards.]

Even in the deep mountains, Xia He felt like a bird returning to the woods; he was in his element.

"Xiao He, wait!" Uncle Zhou suddenly bent down, picking up a strand of coarse, needle-like black hair, then glanced at a patch of black dung nearby, swarming with flies.

"The boar really is here!"

Within the next few dozen paces, signs of the beast were everywhere. Most chillingly, they even found human remains. Wang Erpang turned pale with fear. "Does this boar eat people?"

"It does." Xia He had known this for a long time. Any beast that became a "demon" craved objects of spiritual essence. While medicinal herbs were rich in spirit, what could compare to the spirit of a human?

"Ah!"

At that moment, a shrill scream echoed from nearby. Looking toward the sound, they saw a man and a woman facing a furious wild boar the size of a small hill, on the verge of death.

Uncle Zhou squinted and was struck with horror. "That’s my boy! How did he sneak into the mountain?!"

The man was his own son. Heart-stricken, Uncle Zhou ran toward him, but he was too far away to reach them in time.

In that split second, the javelin in Xia He’s hand flew like lightning. A dull thud echoed through the valley as the projectile forced the aggressive boar to retreat several steps.

Provoked, the boar turned its rage toward Xia He, letting out a low growl, its tusks glinting with a chilling light as it charged.

Xia He remained calm. He took a deep breath, his muscles hardening like iron. With a surge of terrifying power, he launched his remaining javelins like cannonballs.

Following a series of sharp, piercing sounds, every single javelin buried itself deep into the boar's massive frame.

The mortally wounded boar let out a final, desperate roar before collapsing with a crash, kicking up a cloud of dust.

It had all happened in a flash. Uncle Zhou rushed to his son, drawing his blade only to find he had nothing left to fight. The youth behind him, who looked quite like him, sat slumped on the ground, trembling and pale as a sheet. Beside him clung a delicate-looking courtesan he had brought home, her face drained of color.

Uncle Zhou was red with rage, veins bulging on his forehead. He stormed over, grabbed his son by the collar, and delivered a resounding slap.

"Smack!"

"You fool! Who told you to take such a risk!"

His son, still reeling from the shock, was stunned. But when he saw the massive boar lying motionless, he finally snapped out of his terror. Upon realizing it was his father, his face turned from white to blue. He stumbled, but then his own anger flared. "You said I was useless! I wanted to hunt this boar to prove myself to you!"

"You!" Uncle Zhou raised his hand to strike again but froze when he saw the stubborn tears in his son’s eyes.

"Uncle Zhou, let it be. As long as he's safe, that's what matters," Xia He said, walking over and glancing at the youth and the woman beside him.

"Sigh! Xiao He, I owe you my life! I really..." Uncle Zhou moved to kneel, but Xia He caught him, smiling helplessly. "Uncle Zhou, you’re shaming me."

"You saved my boy’s life. If you ever need anything from this old man, just say the word!"

Xia He hadn't thought much of it, but hearing this, his heart stirred. He couldn't help but ask, "Uncle Zhou, is the breathing technique of the Fist Stance something you can teach others in private?"