Chapter 9｜The Prey

The mountain forest at dawn was eerily quiet, with mist hanging like gauze over the treetops.

Li Xing slung his hunting pack over his shoulder, his steps light yet steady.

He didn't consult a map or deliberately mark his route, relying solely on instinct as he followed the old hunting trail his father had left behind.

“What's our target today?” asked Zhao Yun, his Tang sword gleaming faintly in the morning light.

Li Xing glanced at him, then at Li Yu crouched nearby, and smiled. “Plenty. Rabbits, pheasants, and wild boar.”

Li Yu nodded, her hands gripping the sniper rifle. Though less physically strong than her two brothers, the system indicated her long-range hunting skills had significantly improved.

First Round of Prey

Rabbits were the easiest prey to start with, yet they tested patience the most.

Li Xing crouched in the grass as the system whispered in his mind:

“Prey location confirmed. Successful capture probability: 78%.”

Zhao Yun shifted sideways, his Tang sword scraping lightly across the grass with a faint rustle.

This sound, more precise than a bullet, scared off the approaching hare but sent another straight into Li Xing's trap zone.

Li Xing moved swiftly, grabbing the trembling little body cleanly and decisively.

System notification:

“Prey captured successfully. Experience +2, Physical Reaction +1.”

Li Yu aimed at the pheasant, held her breath, and pulled the trigger.

The bullet whistled through the air, and the pheasant fell with a thud.

System Notification:

“Sniper Skill +3, Precise Hunting Rate increased.”

Second Round of Prey

Wild boars were the most dangerous prey.

Not because of their size, but their alertness and aggressive nature.

Zhao Yun scouted the route first, clearing the path with his Tang sword.

Li Xing followed behind, holding the hunting rifle at the ready.

Li Yu provided suppressive fire from a distance, reserving bullets for distraction.

When the wild boar appeared, it was faster and fiercer than anticipated.

Zhao Yun and Li Xing swiftly adjusted their positions, forming an encircling perimeter.

Li Yu crouched low, aimed at the boar's path, and fired a shot that shook the air.

Cornered into the trap zone, Li Xing leapt aside as the Tang sword flashed a cold gleam.

System Notification:

“Prey trapped successfully. High danger level. Experience +5, Tactical Coordination +3.”

The boar was finally subdued, but the fierce struggle left all three drenched in sweat.

Prey Returned Home

Under the setting sun, their haul lay piled beside the mountain path: rabbits, pheasants, wild boar, scattered squirrels, and wild geese.

Zhao Yun wiped his brow. “Today... was far more exhausting than the past few days.”

Li Yu loaded her bullets, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “The system says my accuracy improved by 5% today, and my prey count increased too.”

Li Xing didn't smile, but as he surveyed the pile, a sense of solidity settled in his chest.

Mother's eyes brightened at the sight of the catch: “Enough to feed us for days.”

Li Xing murmured, “Enough to trade for grain too.”

He recalled earlier chapters where selling game had improved their family's life.

This time, it wasn't just about survival—it was part of their training and real combat experience.

System Notification:

“Prey delivery completed. Household Living Index +2, Teamwork Index +3, Hunter Experience accumulated.”

Night Harvest

That night, the trio organized their weapons and prey.

Tang swords were polished clean, rifles loaded and ready.

The system flashed in his mind:

"Prey acquisition training complete. Night training preparations complete. Team coordination stable. Next phase—external threats expected to escalate."

Li Xing gazed at the moonlight streaming through the window, understanding:

The prey was merely the beginning. The true prey were those who had set their sights on them.

Zhao Yun leaned against the wall, the tip of his blade grazing the ground. He murmured, “Are we ready?”

Li Xing clenched his fist. “The prey was just the first step. Next... no one will leave these mountains unscathed.”