Allure of a Country Maiden
Chapter 186 - 184: Hunting

Chapter 186: Chapter 184: Hunting

Deer were spotted here, which could indicate that ferocious beasts had strayed from the depths of the great mountain, frightening benign animals into hiding nearby.

The village chief’s grandfather had encountered such cases before. Not only did he stumble upon herds of deer and goats while hunting in the mountain, he also tamed a wild horse, and even inadvertently captured a big tiger.

His family started to prosper during his grandfather’s era.

Upon hearing the village chief’s story, the villagers were all the more excited. They had heard quite a few inspiring stories about the village chief’s grandfather!

Xiao’er continued leading the group forward, pondering how to store these deer in her space ring for freshness.

As they went along, they saw a few hares.

Up ahead was a red fox. Xiao’er couldn’t help but quicken her pace.

Because of Bai Tian, Xiao’er was able to pinpoint the red fox’s location first and then effortlessly shot it dead.

"Bai Tian, can’t you help me find some animals for the space ring? I don’t know if there are any fox cubs in the fox den. I want to raise fox cubs in the space. I want to raise all kinds of foxes. And I’d like to raise little tigers, little leopards, little horses, little deer..." Xiao’er talked to Bai Tian mentally.

"Master, you want to raise them for their fur, don’t you?"

Xiao’er kept silent; he really knew her too well.

"Raising them in the space will let them breed quickly, and it’s only when they naturally age and die that I’ll harvest, categorizing and placing them in the storage space. Even their hides are naturally prepared by the space. This way, they can live peacefully as animals in the space!"

"Then master, let me out!"

Xiao’er also remembered that if she took these beast cubs at this time, it would infuriate the parents. The villagers were still on the mountain; this could cost lives.

"Master, rest assured, I’ll specifically look for those that are dying or ill. They will be willing. In this vast mountain range, I’ll go far away, so there won’t be any accidents."

On the verge of death? Sick? Xiao’er heard it and kept silent. Alright, as long as they can be cured, their situations are the same! It’s a relief that this wouldn’t cause trouble.

Xiao’er also released a homing pigeon, had it pretend to deliver her a letter, and took time to secretly communicate with Shen Chengyao.

Sheng Chengyao nodded. Keeping these game fresh by storing them in the space ring would be for the best.

To the others, Shen Chengyao said, "Let’s take a break, I want to get everyone’s opinions."

All eyes turned towards Shen Chengyao.

"We’ve already caught quite a lot of game right now. It’s inconvenient to keep going forward while pushing so many deer."

"Does Chengyao want to stop hunting?" Youfu asked in surprise.

"No," Shen Chengyao shook his head.

"Then, do you want to hide these deer somewhere?" Dashi looked around. He had not heard of any nearby caves.

"No, I want to notify the proprietor of our restaurant to dispatch people to transport these game down the mountain first. I want to ask if everyone is willing to sell these deer to our restaurant. The price will be absolutely fair."

"Why would anyone object to that? We’re all buddies who grew up together," Youcai thought it was a trivial matter! Asking opinions on this small matter was unnecessary; a simple announcement would suffice.

"Who else should we sell to, if not to them? Selling to your restaurant would even mean a bit of a discount, right?" Once the village chief heard this, he turned to the villagers and said.

Dashi and the others nodded.

"Young Master Lai, Young Master Ming, what about your deer?" Shen Chengyao turned to them.

"We don’t really care, we’ll follow the host’s arrangements. We just came along for a leisurely hunt, we didn’t even want the game," they were only interested in participating, they had no intention of taking the game.

This matter was settled, and when the pigeon circled and landed on Xiao’er’s shoulder, she pretended to tear off the note and glance at it before she said to Shen Chengyao, "Dad, the people sent by the restaurant owner have arrived at the mountain."

Then, everyone worked together to load as much of the hunted game onto one cart as possible.

"It is stacked too high, Older Brother if you divide it into two carts, I can help you transfer it."

Divide it into two carts, then how could he put it into the space ring?

"No need, you guys just go hunting for more game, I’ll be back very quickly."

Shen Chengyao pushed the cart filled with deer around and left, the heap of deer on the cart swaying slightly.

"Let’s hurry on, there might be another herd of deer!" Xiao’er cheerfully moved forward on purpose.

Everyone heard and laughed, thinking it was just a child’s eagerness to play and didn’t want to wait.

Xiao’er kept heading in the direction where there were roe deer, fox, deer, goats, and similar larger game. As for pheasants and hares, she simply took them when she came across them.

After Shen Chengyao had gone a bit of the way seeing no one nearby, he transferred the goods into the space ring. Then he chose another direction to go towards the gathering spot for the evening.

As the sun was setting, the village chief saw that their group had hunted two roe deer, five foxes, three goats, seven pheasants, and ten hares in just one afternoon. He said, "Today’s haul has topped the total of the previous two or three years. Everyone must be tired, let’s get to the gathering spot early!"

Although everyone was still full of enthusiasm, they were indeed tired. They were just glad Shen Chengyao had sent those dozen deer away early. Otherwise, pushing all these games all the way would have been tiring.

They are tired but exhilarated! No matter how tired, they were very willing!

"Master, a group from your village ran into a tiger on the eastern side." Bai Tian was searching for animal cubs, Tian Bai was leading and speaking.

Upon hearing these words, Xiao’er felt her heart skip a beat, she then quickened her pace towards the east.

The tiger was the king of the mountain. She hoped no one was hurt. Everyone here was from the same village, and she believed that if anyone were to be hurt, everyone else would be very upset. Otherwise, why would so many people enter the mountain to hunt together? It was all for everyone’s safety!

They heard the roar of the tiger soon after. The village chief turned pale and then without a word, they all ran in that direction.

"Chengzu, Young Master Lai, Young Master Ming, you guys stay here with Jingrui and wait for us. Don’t come over," the village chief remembered the children and quickly told Shen Chengzu. Otherwise, if anything happened to any of the children, he wouldn’t have the face to see Shen Chengyao.

Others also hurriedly told them to wait there, and someone would return after the tiger was killed to regroup with them.

Xiao’er was touched by their care for her family. But the better others treat her, the more she wanted to return the favor, especially as she was not incapable of dealing with the situation. So she said, "Uncles and elders, I know you are doing this for our sake. But all along the way, you have seen my archery skills. I may be able to help if I go with you. As for my brothers, they can stay here with Fourth Uncle."

"But..."

"We’re all from the same village. Our family hasn’t contributed anything and we have needed everyone to take care of us. That’s not right!" Xiao’er looked firmly at the village chief.

"I’ve been studying martial arts since childhood, I’ll go as well. Zhijie, you stay here with Shen Fourth Uncle and help look after the children," Lai Zhewei also said.

Ming Zhijie nodded. He was weak since childhood and had a clear understanding of himself. Moreover, a wise man doesn’t stand under a dangerous wall.