Chapter 20｜Hunting in the Mountains

Dawn had just broken, and the mountain mist lingered thickly.

The thin fog crept along the ground like a layer of damp, cold gauze, slicing the forest on the front mountain into patches of indistinct shadows. Bird songs were sparse and intermittent, yet none dared venture deep into the woods.

Li Xing led the way, his footsteps so light they barely disturbed the fallen leaves. He paused, raised his hand, and curled his fingers slightly.

The four behind him slowed their movements simultaneously.

This was their first time hunting together as a complete five-man team.

Not a last-minute patchwork, nor each fighting alone—this was a genuine team hunting operation.

Team Formation

Zhao Yun walked on the left flank, Desert Eagle holstered at his waist, hand perpetually poised over the grip. He showed no urgency, yet his gaze constantly scanned the forest edge, like a predator poised to pounce.

Li Yu positioned herself mid-rear, her Type 56 semi-automatic rifle slung across her chest, the strap digging into her shoulder. Her breathing was steady, her footsteps almost in lockstep with Li Xing's.

Zhou Xiaoyu walked right rear, carrying binoculars and a supply pack, occasionally glancing up at the canopy and terrain shifts.

Zhou Yan brought up the rear.

A man of few words and solid build, he carried no rifle—only a short-handled hunting knife and a rope—yet his eyes never left the footprints and ground marks beneath his feet.

Five people, no unnecessary words.

This was Li Xing’s rule: speak little in the mountains. Survival mattered above all else.

The Hound Alarms

They hadn't gone far when the hound suddenly halted.

Its nose pressed to the ground, tail twitching lightly, a low growl rumbled in its throat.

Li Xing immediately crouched, palms pressed low.

“Something's here.”

Zhou Yan was the first to react, whispering, “Not small. Scattered tracks. Probably a wild boar.”

Zhao Yun's lips curved slightly. “Perfect.”

Li Yu said nothing, only slowly pressing the rifle butt into the hollow of his shoulder.

Zhou Xiaoyu had already climbed a slightly higher rocky slope to observe from above.

“The thickets up ahead are dense, and the wind direction is against us.”

Li Xing nodded. “Circle halfway around. Lure it out.”

The First Prey

Zhao Yun and Zhou Yan spread out, one to the left, one to the right.

Zhou Yan tapped a tree trunk lightly with a stone—the rhythm wasn't fast, but it was enough to stir something.

The next second—

The thicket exploded!

A full-grown boar burst out, tusks bared, charging at Zhao Yun with terrifying speed.

“Don't confront it head-on!” Li Xing barked.

Instead of retreating, Zhao Yun advanced, sidestepping the charge. He raised his Desert Eagle but held fire.

“Draw it out!”

Li Yu pulled the trigger.

Bang—

The crack of the Type 56 semi-automatic rifle echoed through the woods, the bullet striking the boar's front leg with precision.

The boar let out a piercing scream, its speed plummeting as it veered wildly.

The hunting dogs pounced, maintaining a sideways bite to avoid a frontal collision.

“Good!” Zhou Xiaoyu whispered from above. “It's turning back!”

Li Xing raised his hunting rifle and pulled the trigger steadily.

Bang.

The bullet pierced its chest.

The boar crashed to the ground, mud flying everywhere.

Stay calm

The five remained at a distance.

Only after waiting a full ten seconds, confirming the beast was utterly spent, did Li Xing signal with a wave.

Zhou Yan stepped forward first, delivering a swift finishing blow with his hunting knife.

“Impressive size,” he remarked simply.

Zhao Yun exhaled. “First time working as a five-man team. Not bad.”

Li Yu stared at her trembling hands, clenching them into fists almost immediately.

The system interface flashed briefly in her vision:

[Live-Fire Exercise Completed]

Stability slightly improved

She kept her thoughts to herself, only lifting her gaze to meet Li Xing's.

Li Xing gave a slight nod.

It was acknowledgment.

The Second Prey, Unexpected Turn

They pressed forward.

Less than half an hour later, the hunting dogs alerted them again.

This time, it was a deer.

Just as Li Xing was about to signal Li Yu to shoot, Zhou Yan suddenly whispered, “Something's off.”

“What?”

“There are human footprints on the ground. They're very fresh.”

The air instantly fell silent.

Zhao Yun's hand had already fallen on his rifle grip.

Zhou Xiaoyu scanned the area from her elevated position, her expression changing. “Deep in the woods, there are branches broken by human hands. Not ours.”

Li Xing glanced toward the deer.

The deer had sensed something amiss and was retreating.

“Call it off,” he ordered decisively.

No one objected.

Withdrawal

They swiftly processed the first kill, portioning it and securing it with ropes.

They adjusted their retreat route to avoid the area where the footprints were found.

No one spoke along the way.

The wind swept through the forest, carrying an indescribable sense of oppression.

Zhou Yan, bringing up the rear, suddenly murmured, “Someone's mimicking our footsteps.”

Li Xing's heart sank.

The shadow of the black market was closing in.

Descent and Harvest

The game sold well.

Meat hung from the rafters, rice sacks were replaced with fresh ones, and Mother cooked an extra pot of soup—asking no questions.

That night, the five of them sat...