Chapter 19: Chapter 19 Shock Looking at the wild boar, the four of them were visibly excited. Wild boars are typically very meaty, and this one looked particularly robust. If they managed to hunt it successfully, dividing the spoils among the four of them would surely yield a lucrative haul. Hunters rarely get such an excellent opportunity throughout the year. Gu Erniu called to the three of them in a low voice. "The usual plan. Ah Ze, you and Uncle Youfu go to the other side and set up the trip rope. I'll take Asheng and drive it from this side!" Zhang Ze glanced at Gu Sheng, hesitating to say something, but ultimately nodded. "Don't worry, we've got no issues on our side. We'll wait for your signal." Gu Erniu gave them a reassuring look and watched Zhang Ze and Uncle Youfu crouch and leave. The wild boar was still wandering among the trees, unaware of the looming danger. Gu Erniu seized the moment to teach Gu Sheng some hunting knowledge. "With large beasts like this, their hides are tough. Unless you hit a vital spot, they can easily take seven or eight arrows head-on without a problem. That's why we usually create simple traps." "If we're lucky enough to trap this wild boar, things will become much easier. Even if we don't trap it, we'll still have a chance to shoot at it." Seeing Gu Sheng nod, Gu Erniu reiterated: "When you see me shoot an arrow later, follow suit. Don't make a move too early so we don't alarm this beast." Both of them patiently waited among the trees. Elsewhere. Zhang Ze and Gu Youfu worked quickly, deftly setting up the simple trip rope. As long as the wild boar charged in this direction, it would be easily tripped. The two exchanged a glance, assuming a combat stance. Zhang Ze curled his fingers and let out a sharp whistle, the distinctive sound reverberating through the dense forest. Gu Sheng and Gu Erniu were instantly alert! The signal was here! At that moment, the wild boar seemed a bit unsettled by the whistle, but the two hunters moved even faster. In an instant, Gu Sheng entered a state of complete calmness. His body was as steady as a pine tree, and he drew his bow and prepared his arrows. Whoosh! Whoosh! Two sharp whistling sounds rang out almost simultaneously as the arrows sped toward the wild boar like lightning. The distance from the wild boar was quite far, so neither arrow targeted a vital spot. Aware of the threat, the wild boar's keen animal instincts immediately kicked in. With a grunt, it began to sprint furiously, its massive body charging forward with surprising speed. But the arrows were even faster. They struck from two opposing sides, embedding themselves in the wild boar's back. Its thick hide proved remarkably tough, as the arrows only sank halfway in before getting stuck. The wild boar, startled, let out a tortured howl and bolted forward at full speed. Gu Erniu seized the chance, drawing his bow and firing another arrow that hit the boar's right side, forcing it to veer to the left. Gu Sheng remained incredibly composed, landing an arrow in its left side, further directing its escape path. Their teamwork was seamless, prompting Gu Erniu to laugh and praise them. "Good kid! In just half a month without seeing you practice your archery, you've grown this much!" He was shocked internally, amazed by Gu Sheng's composure in his first hunt, able to perform at such an outstanding level. This must be a born hunter! Gu Sheng merely smiled. Now wasn't the time for talking; the two of them accelerated their chase, following the boar's escape route. The wild boar, with two arrows lodged in its back, was spurred by pain and the sense of danger, running at incredible speed. All they could see from a distance was its shadow. Thud!! With a heavy sound, the wild boar, charging at full speed, suddenly flew through the air and crashed to the ground, kicking up clouds of dust and leaving traces of grass and sap smeared across the landscape. Gu Youfu and Zhang Ze released the trip rope and pursued their advantage. Their archery skills weren't as refined as Gu Erniu's, but they were close to the level of Small Success. The wild boar, now sprawled on the ground, lay dazed and disoriented—essentially a living target! Added to the fact that they were closer, their arrows had greater impact. The hunt was going smoothly, and Zhang Ze and Uncle Youfu's eyes sparkled with joy. They fired two consecutive arrows, both hitting the wild boar's body and eliciting tortured screams as it staggered upright. Zhang Ze's gaze hardened as he cautiously moved a bit closer. He fired another arrow fiercely, aiming directly for the wild boar's head! Whoosh! The arrow whistled through the air. The wild boar's head was a massive target, and given the proximity, there was little chance of missing. The arrow embedded itself into the boar's head, sinking halfway into its flesh. Zhang Ze hadn't yet celebrated when Gu Youfu's terrified shout broke out: "Ah Ze, back off!" The wild boar let out a furious roar. The pain of the arrow piercing its skull drove it berserk, its eyes seeming to turn red. The rapid loss of Life Force caused the boar to lock its eyes on Zhang Ze, the chief perpetrator of its misery. Thump-thump-thump!! The wild boar charged relentlessly, sending bushes and leaves flying everywhere as it barreled straight toward Zhang Ze. Zhang Ze froze in panic. Earlier, he had deliberately moved closer for the arrow's greater power, but now he found himself in immediate danger. Regret surged through his mind. Last time he hunted a wild boar, he had done the same thing. That boar was smaller, and one arrow to the head killed it quickly, earning him a greater share of the spoils for landing the crucial blow. After tasting success, he had tried to replicate the tactic, never expecting this wild boar to have such a formidable Life Force! Even with an arrow in its head, it was still alive and kicking. "Save me!" Terrified, Zhang Ze shouted, ducking behind a tree to avoid the boar's charge. The slight miss nearly scared him out of his wits. Gu Youfu gritted his teeth but cared more about his own safety. He backed away repeatedly, retreating to a secure position first. Zhang Ze's life meant less to him than his own. What if he provoked the wild boar into attacking him? Zhang Ze was furious in his heart, but the wild boar was already charging at him once again. He rolled and dodged frantically. But this couldn't go on for long. Fortunately, at that moment, two approaching figures appeared in the distance—Gu Erniu and Gu Sheng had arrived! "Ah Ze, drop to the ground!" Gu Erniu shouted, his longbow drawn tight into a full crescent. But someone was even faster. Gu Sheng's sharp gaze locked onto the frenzied wild boar. With an arrow that flew like a meteor, carrying the sharp whistle of wind, he felt as though he had perfectly melded with the bow, becoming one with it. Whoosh! The arrow zipped through the air, drilling into the wild boar's left eye. The eyeball exploded, blood splattering everywhere, and the boar howled in agony. Gu Erniu also demonstrated his impressive archery skills, firing a second arrow that shattered the boar's right eye! With one arrow already lodged in its head and now blind in both eyes, not even the wild boar's incredible Life Force could sustain it. Unless it possessed demonic blood, survival was impossible! Gu Youfu stood to the side in stunned disbelief, finding it hard to accept what his eyes were seeing. He understood Gu Erniu's skill with the bow. But Gu Sheng? How could this be? Zhang Ze scrambled away, ignoring the scratches and scrapes on his body, retreating quickly while the wild boar thrashed blindly due to its loss of vision. The two hunters fired a few more arrows, and the wild boar, after twitching a few final times, collapsed to the ground, completely lifeless. Its body was riddled with arrows, resembling a porcupine. With the dust settling. Everyone finally let out a sigh of relief. Zhang Ze came to his senses, the feeling of narrowly escaping death leaving him deeply shaken, as though he had just survived a nightmare. After hunting for so many years, this was the closest he had ever come to dying. All of this stemmed from greed.