Just returned to Chen Family Village, Zhang Yuan quickly found a string of "tails" behind him.
The village children were very curious about the wild boar he carried on his shoulder. They all stared at the fierce big pig's head, both scared and intrigued, and their cries echoed one after another.
"Yuanwa'Er, did you kill a wild boar?"
The villagers they encountered on the road were shocked, each of them widening their eyes in disbelief.
Adult wild boars are classified as ferocious beasts, and villagers who go into the mountains to chop wood or gather herbs often encounter wild boars, and casualties are not uncommon, so they are generally talked about with fear.
Among those in Chen Family Village who have the ability to kill wild boars, Hunter Gao would undoubtedly count as one.
But he had a lame leg and wasn't very mobile, so he hadn't gone out of his way to hunt wild boars.
Now that Zhang Yuan, who was only fifteen years old, actually hunted a big wild boar, it really made people see him in a new light.
"Today's luck wasn't bad."
Zhang Yuan sighed, "It's a pity that the whole pig was too heavy, so I only brought back half, and the rest had to be offered to the Mountain God."
"What a pity!"
The inquiring villagers banged their chests in regret, as if they had personally lost a million dollars.
Although wild boar meat is tough and gamey, meat is meat, and the villagers have very few opportunities to eat meat throughout the year, so no one would refuse it.
Yet such a large wild boar was half wasted by Zhang Yuan, it was truly a travesty of resources!
Some villagers even looked at Zhang Yuan with envy, jealousy, and hatred, unable to understand how this outsider boy could have such luck to capture such a big prey.
Some even had thoughts of going into the mountains to hunt.
When Zhang Yuan returned home, his eagerly waiting Mother Zhang was both pleased and surprised.
Pleased that Zhang Yuan returned safely, and surprised that he had actually gone to hunt wild boar: "You child, too reckless!"
In Mother Zhang's view, it didn't matter if the family was poor and struggling, the key thing was for everyone to be safe and sound.
Zhang Yuan laughed, "Mother, I caught this wild boar with a trap, it's not dangerous."
Afraid that his mother would press him further, he added, "Quickly smoke it, or else it will spoil, and that would be a big loss!"
Mother Zhang's focus shifted immediately, and she hurried to the back room to get dry pine branches.
Over the years, Zhang Yuan, having learned the skills of hunting, would occasionally bring back some game.
To prevent spoilage of the meat, it was often smoked before being sold in the county town.
They seldom ate the meat themselves.
Zhang Yuan first rinsed the wild boar meat with clean water, then used a dagger to separate the tough and thick pig skin, and then cut the large pieces of pork into strips.
These strips were tied with hemp rope and hung on a wooden rack.
To be smoked by pine smoke.
"Cough, cough!"
Mother Zhang was choked by the thick smoke, coughing out tears.
"Mother."
Zhang Yuan hurriedly took two strips of pork: "Leave this to me, you take these to Uncle Fu and Seventh Aunt's house."
Uncle Fu and Seventh Aunt were close neighbors, with whom they had always had a good relationship, and cared for Zhang Yuan and his mother occasionally.
Though a strip of boar meat was only three or four pounds and not worth a lot, it was still a significant gift in the village.
Mother Zhang naturally had no objections.
When she returned, her face was beaming, and she looked much healthier.
It wasn't until late at night that all of the over one hundred pounds of pork was completely smoked, which took a lot of effort from Zhang Yuan.
Due to going to bed so late, he woke up very late the next day.
While still lying in bed, Zhang Yuan vaguely heard his mother talking to someone outside.
As soon as he got out of bed, Mother Zhang came over to tap the door: "Yuanwa'Er, get up quickly, Master Gao is here!"
Hunter Gao?
Zhang Yuan was a bit surprised and hurriedly put on his outerwear to go out.
He saw Hunter Gao standing in the small courtyard outside, with no expression on his face.
Zhang Yuan went forward to salute, "Master Gao."
"Hmm."
Hunter Gao nodded, his expression indifferent, "I've come this time to discuss something with you."
Without waiting for Zhang Yuan to respond, he continued, "You're probably aware of Landlord Chen's matter. I've agreed to his invitation and will soon go to Chen Family Ancestral Residence to be an Instructor."
"Haven't you always wanted to learn martial arts? Then come with me and be a sparring partner for the Chen Family children."
"This way, you not only learn skills but also get a monthly stipend."
"Two birds with one stone!"
Zhang Yuan was taken aback: "This..."
At this moment, Zhang Yuan's heart was far from as calm as it appeared!
He seriously suspected that he was at odds with the Chen Family, otherwise, why would they repeatedly target him?
First, they assigned labor to his family, then tried to trick him into signing a slave contract.
Zhang Yuan had barely managed to cope with these, and now Hunter Gao came knocking, wanting him to be a sparring partner for the Chen Family children!
The offer was sugar-coated, painting a rosy picture.
If it were any other naive teenager, they would probably agree, thinking it a great opportunity.
But Zhang Yuan, having lived two lives and already wary, would not be easily fooled by Hunter Gao's few words!
Seeing Zhang Yuan hesitate, Hunter Gao's face immediately turned sullen: "What, you aren't willing?"
His expression was rather displeased.
Hunter Gao knew that Zhang Yuan was different from the ordinary youths in the village. Not only could he read and write, but he was also mature and steady.
But he didn't think Zhang Yuan had the right to refuse his request!
This middle-aged man with a military background glanced coldly at Mother Zhang, who was brewing water by the thatched house: "Zhang Yuan, I'll give you two days to think it over carefully."
He was very familiar with Zhang Yuan and knew what his weaknesses were!
That glance carried a heavy sense of threat.
Zhang Yuan understood it.
Watching Hunter Gao leave without looking back, Zhang Yuan's eyes seemed to be ablaze.
Glowing red.
He couldn't help but clench his fist, the Divine Nest Badge silently appearing on the back of his left hand!
Damned, cursed!
"Yuanwa'Er?"
Mother Zhang came over, puzzled: "Why did Master Gao leave just like that?"
"He had something urgent."
Zhang Yuan released his fist and said with a smile, "Mother, I need to go to the county town today, so no need to prepare lunch for me."
Mother Zhang was confused: "Alright."
Then she felt a bit worried: "Yuanwa'Er, whatever it is, discuss it properly with Master Gao, don't act impulsively."
Even though Mother Zhang hadn't heard the conversation clearly between Zhang Yuan and Hunter Gao earlier.
She clearly sensed that Hunter Gao was somewhat displeased.
Zhang Yuan smiled, "I understand, don't worry."
Only then did Mother Zhang feel relieved.
However, little did she know that at this moment, her son's heart was filled with murderous intent.
Zhang Yuan had murderous intent towards Hunter Gao!
Previously, even though Hunter Gao had ignored Zhang Yuan's efforts of over three years, and had even taken advantage of him.
Zhang Yuan harbored little resentment towards him.
After all, this hunter had taught Zhang Yuan many hunting skills.
But their friendship had ended a few days ago.
Hunter Gao was the one who cut it off.
And now, not only was Hunter Gao forcing Zhang Yuan to work like a horse for the Chen Family, he was also using Mother Zhang as a threat.
Then Zhang Yuan could not be blamed for turning hostile!