Volume One, Chapter Nine: The Wild Boar

After seeing off Elder Tian, Liu Feng hurriedly carved the zhe wood into a bow frame using the axe he had bought on credit during the day. Then he roasted it over the fire to remove most of the moisture.

Next came the shaping process.

After tidying up the dishes, the two sisters sat under the faint light to do some handiwork—the first task was making cotton quilts.

Looking at his wife so close that he could almost touch her tears, Liu Feng’s heart swelled with love, feelings hard to contain.

Mu Wanqing was calm and serene, her eyes like clear autumn waters, a faint smile gracing her face. Mu Wanqing, on the other hand, was lively and adorable, her laughter ringing like silver bells from time to time.

Perhaps feeling Liu Feng’s gaze, Mu Wanqing’s body trembled slightly, her cheeks coloring faintly, radiating a unique charm in the soft glow.

Liu Feng couldn’t help but sigh in admiration.

It is said that the waist of a young wife is like a deadly blade.

That saying was absolutely true.

Where else could he find such a wife? No matter what, he could never let her suffer.

Yes, he must work hard hunting, earn more money, and make sure his wife was well fed and warmly clothed.

If his body wasn’t strong enough, how could he hope to have sons in the future?

With the bow and arrows ready, there was no time to waste.

Saying this, he headed toward the inner room, not forgetting to call out, “Qing’er, come in quickly.”

Of course, that night was yet another harmonious and intimate evening.

The next morning, before dawn, Liu Feng carefully opened the door, the hinges creaking softly.

Fortunately, the slight noise did not disturb the two sisters.

“Phew!” Liu Feng looked up at the stars still faintly lingering in the sky and let out a long breath.

Perhaps due to the time-traveling ordeal, this body was too frail; the strength and agility he once possessed, enough to take on enemy soldiers alone, had greatly diminished.

He glanced around.

Taking off his cloth shoes, he stepped barefoot into the courtyard, gently.

This had always been his habit—to train his body every morning on an empty stomach before breakfast.

Half an hour passed.

Liu Feng’s eyes gleamed brightly, a thin layer of sticky sweat covered his skin, and he felt much lighter.

Next, he stripped off his shirt, revealing a fairly sturdy physique, then reached out to grab a fine steel spear.

He planted his feet firmly, raised the spear high with both hands, its tip pointing forward, then twisted his waist and lowered his hips, forcefully bringing the spear down vertically!

As his morning training ended, the Mu sisters also woke up, feeling even better than the first time. The two had grown into women, no longer the awkward girls they once were.

After breakfast, Liu Feng prepared to enter the mountain.

Before leaving, the sisters took turns reminding him to be careful in the mountains.

The morning mist was hazy.

The forest air was damp, and after only a few steps, the dew-soaked bushes brushed against Liu Feng’s pant legs.

The foothills were covered mainly with wild pear bushes, their branches heavy with ripe fruit.

Liu Feng plucked a wild pear and popped it into his mouth; the sour and sweet juice burst instantly, the unique aroma refreshing his eyes. “Not bad, I’ll pick some to bring back for my wife.”

Carefully, he harvested the pears from the branches.

Though the thorns occasionally pricked his fingers, it did not dampen his enthusiasm.

Gently placing the pears one by one into the cloth bag at his waist, the bag gradually bulged. Liu Feng glanced down and nodded with satisfaction.

He pressed onward.

The gray-brown tree trunks grew denser, and the scent of pine resin became increasingly pungent.

Fully aware of his current condition, Liu Feng dared not venture too deep.

After all, villagers had warned that a few days ago a tiger had attacked, cruelly devouring a hunter and frightening a young man into madness.

Since his physical state had yet to return to peak form, if he met a tiger again in these mountains, running would likely be his only option.

“Hm?”

Not far on the path, a cluster of round droppings caught Liu Feng’s attention.

The scat was still moist. Crouching down, Liu Feng poked it with a twig, revealing clear fibers of grass stems. “A wild rabbit group, probably just passed by.”

He straightened up, a faint smile curling his lips.

The rabbits were heading exactly toward the traps he had set.

A few rabbits would be good; this was Liu Feng’s first true hunting expedition in this world.

Big game like deer or bears wouldn’t be so easily encountered.

With that thought, Liu Feng quickly untied the hemp rope at his waist and skillfully took down the bow and arrows from his back.

Slowly, he moved toward the trap area.

Soon, he arrived but dared not get too close, fearing to startle the rabbits.

Still, he gripped the bow tightly, nocked several ordinary arrows, ready to shoot at any moment.

Suddenly, gray shadows darted.

Four or five wild rabbits were heading toward the trap zone.

Just as Liu Feng thought they would fall into the trap, the lead buck seemed to sense danger, standing upright slightly, its small nose twitching rapidly as it watched its surroundings warily.

“This one’s quite alert!” Liu Feng whispered to himself.

Just as the buck turned to flee, Liu Feng decisively released an arrow.

Whoosh!

The arrow whistled through the air, grazing the rabbits and embedding itself in a tree trunk with wood chips flying.

It wasn’t that Liu Feng lacked skill, but wild rabbits were incredibly quick and agile; hitting them perfectly with an arrow was never easy.

Moreover,

Liu Feng hadn’t intended to kill them outright—this was part of his plan.

Frightened, the rabbits immediately turned and bolted, rushing headlong into the trap area in their panic.

“Too bad.”

Liu Feng stood, sighing inwardly.

Of the five traps, only two rabbits were caught, and two traps were destroyed.

Rabbit meat was tasty, but only suitable as a delicacy, not a staple food. Long-term consumption could cause rabbit starvation disease.

Lacking fat and carbohydrates, the body would start breaking down muscle for energy, making one even hungrier.

Hmph!

At that moment, a faint, rapid breathing sound came from nearby, instantly putting Liu Feng on alert.

Quick as a flash, he drew an arrow and steadied it on his mountain bow, scanning his surroundings.

Not far ahead stood a young wild boar, ears perked and eyes cautiously scanning, clearly disturbed by the fleeing rabbits.

Liu Feng’s face brightened with joy. “Luck really is on my side.”

Without hesitation, he replaced the ordinary arrow with one tipped with fine steel.

Like a cat stalking prey, he slowly crept closer to the boar.

Hiding behind a sturdy tree, he firmly nocked the steel-tipped arrow, drew the bowstring to its full length, holding his breath.

At this moment, his muscles tensed like a war god ready to strike.

Swish!

With a sharp cutting sound, the steel arrow shot forward with unstoppable force, striking the boar’s side.

The arrow hit its mark instantly.