Chapter 20: Chapter 20 Distribution Zhang Ze sat on the ground, panting heavily, still somewhat shaken. Gu Erniu extended his right hand, pulled him up, and said with a reproachful tone: "Ah Ze, I told you last time that such behavior is very dangerous, but you didn't listen. When we hunt, we focus on patience and sustainability. If not for Asheng's unexpectedly excellent archery today, with only me here, you might have been done for!" His archery skills were exceptional, and although he was usually very amiable, his words carried weight among the other hunters. Strength commands respect—this is a law that holds true anywhere. Zhang Ze's face showed some shame. He stammered a little but ultimately didn't retort, knowing full well that he had narrowly escaped death this time. He glanced at Gu Sheng, standing nearby, with a look of astonishment. The first time he and Gu Erniu invited Gu Sheng to enter the mountains, he had seen Gu Sheng shoot arrows. Back then, his skills were nowhere near today's level. Yet now, in just half a month, his progress had been outrageously rapid, nearly reaching Gu Erniu's level. It was downright terrifying! He recalled Gu Erniu mentioning last time that Gu Sheng had only been practicing archery for ten days. At the time, Zhang Ze was skeptical, thinking Gu Erniu was intentionally exaggerating. But now, it seemed highly likely to be true! At this thought, Zhang Ze was even more shocked. "Asheng, thank you and Erniu this time." Zhang Ze expressed his gratitude aloud. Gu Erniu patted Zhang Ze on the shoulder and said: "When we go hunting together, we naturally aim to come back to the village together as a whole. Next time, remember not to take unnecessary risks in pursuit of glory." Gu Sheng simply smiled and nodded; he could sense Zhang Ze's shift in attitude. This was the first time he had entered the mountains, and immediately he was met with such an ordeal involving Zhang Ze. A silent alarm bell rang in his heart. In future mountain hunts, he would need to exercise even greater caution. Though his archery had reached a level of Small Success with decent offensive capabilities, he had not yet trained in martial arts. His body was still that of an ordinary mortal, incapable of withstanding the impact of wild beasts. Even the slightest mistake could lead to death on the spot. Zhang Ze thanked the two of them again, but when his gaze met Gu Youfu's, he gave a cold snort and said nothing. Earlier, when Zhang Ze was facing a life-or-death crisis, Gu Youfu chose to prioritize self-preservation and retreated at the first opportunity. This left Zhang Ze feeling deeply displeased. Gu Sheng observed this scene and inwardly shook his head. When all was said and done, this crisis was caused by Zhang Ze's own recklessness. Gu Youfu's archery was not on par with Gu Sheng and Gu Erniu; without confidence in killing the wild boar, retreating was only natural. Otherwise, if the wild boar were provoked and turned its attention to Gu Youfu, Gu Youfu, lacking Zhang Ze's youthful strength and agility, might misstep just once, resulting in an immediate death. For Gu Youfu's family, that would be a true catastrophe! Gu Youfu's expression was somewhat embarrassed. Gu Erniu gave him a reassuring look but didn't say much. However, the mutual understanding was clear: henceforth, it was unlikely they would hunt alongside Gu Youfu. Though understandable, everyone hopes that when they fall into dire straits, their companions will step forward and offer help. After a brief rest, the four began to process the wild boar. The scent of blood began to spread, and if they didn't descend the mountain promptly, attracting predators like bears or tigers of this level would spell big trouble. The usable arrows were pulled out, wiped clean, and returned to the quiver. Broken ones had their iron arrowheads salvaged to attach to new wooden shafts later. The group looked at the wild boar with eyes full of joy. This boar was estimated to weigh nearly three hundred pounds—a substantial haul! "As per usual, Asheng and I will each take 25%, Ah Ze discovered the tracks and gets an extra 10%, totaling 30%, and Uncle Youfu will take the remaining 20%." Gu Erniu began distributing the spoils of this hunt. The distribution was generally fair. The main contributors to the kill were still Gu Sheng and Gu Erniu. Although Zhang Ze's initial arrow was critical, it nearly cost him his life, so he remained silent. Fortunately, he gained an extra share for discovering the tracks. Typically, the differences in shares weren't too significant, as collaboration was key for everyone. "Erniu and I will carry the boar." Feeling a bit guilty, Gu Youfu volunteered to carry the game. Zhang Ze had sustained some minor scratches earlier, and Gu Sheng, being younger, though skilled in archery, lacked the physical strength of the others. The task thus fell naturally to Gu Erniu and Gu Youfu. Gu Erniu didn't decline. Zhang Ze, familiar with the mountain paths, led the way, while Gu Sheng brought up the rear. The group maintained a steady pace, but along the way, they encountered a wild pheasant. Perhaps due to his unsettled mood, Zhang Ze missed his shot, and the pheasant, with an arrow lodged, vanished into the dense forest. Frustrated, Zhang Ze cursed loudly, lamenting the wasted arrow. Gu Sheng also felt a twinge of regret; being farther back, he had been too distant to help. The startled pheasant sprinted away quickly and disappeared before long, leaving no chance for pursuit. With nerves taut, the group pressed onwards, encountering no further incidents. Soon, they reached the outer edge of Cang Mountain. By this point, there were no signs of large predators. The hunt had gone well—shortly after entering the mountain, they had already found the wild boar's tracks. It was still just afternoon. "Once we're home, I'm going to relax with my wife for a bit!" With the tension finally easing, Zhang Ze let out a knowing laugh, eliciting laughter from Gu Erniu and Gu Youfu. "Ah, I almost forgot—we've still got a greenhorn here." All three exchanged teasing looks, turning their attention to Gu Sheng. Gu Sheng remained silent, slightly amused. Though he was currently just a fourteen-year-old boy, the wild experiences of his last life were far beyond anything these men could imagine. Assuming Gu Sheng was simply shy, Zhang Ze chuckled and said: "Once you're a bit older, Brother Ze will introduce you to some fine ladies. Get married quickly—once you've had a taste of the good life, you'll know just how wonderful it is!" Zhang Ze's attitude toward Gu Sheng had taken a drastic turn; there was a clear intent to bond. Gu Sheng's archery talent had stunned him. Given time to grow, he might very well become a renowned marksman in the region. Gu Erniu joked, "Get lost! The women you know aren't worthy of our Asheng." Gu Sheng just smiled shyly, watching the group banter. With a successful hunt and safe return, their moods were high, the earlier frictions in the hunt temporarily forgotten. As the group traversed the mountain, the path leading down was finally in sight. Suddenly— Gu Sheng's expression sharpened. He darted to the side, taking cover behind a nearby tree. In an instant, he swiftly drew an arrow from his quiver, nocked it on his bow, and aimed at the dense foliage ahead, shouting loudly: "Who's there? Stop!" Gu Sheng's Chopping Wood skill had reached the Perfect realm, granting him a heightened sense of awareness. The faint sound of footsteps brushing against branches stood out sharply to him. He knew someone—or more than one person—was approaching. His shout startled Gu Erniu and the others, but they reacted swiftly. The two dropped the wild boar and rolled to the ground, using its body as cover as they hid behind trees. Zhang Ze was slightly slower but still managed to dodge to safety. All three drew their bows, their gazes cold and focused on the direction ahead. Though this was the outer edge of Cang Mountain, where robberies were rare, vigilance was always necessary.