The sun hadn't set yet.
Gu Sheng had already finished chopping the thousand logs for the day. When he opened his panel, the proficiency in the Martial Arts section for chopping wood had impressively reached 54%.
"Just over ten more days and I can achieve the Perfect realm in chopping wood. I wonder how powerful I'll become after advancing to the Perfect realm!"
Gu Sheng felt invigorated inside.
For now, chopping wood was his only means of survival, so he naturally valued it greatly.
"Unfortunately, the quota given to me is, at most, only a thousand logs. This is because Gu He, the overseer, has a good relationship with me. Otherwise, I wouldn't even get any share."
Chopping wood might seem exhausting, but it was very safe with a steady income, leading many to use connections to get in.
Gu Sheng shook his head and packed up his things.
As long as he finished the work, he could leave early, and now he had more and more free time.
Once chopping wood broke through to the Perfect realm, perhaps he could finish all his work in half a day. Gu Sheng was considering finding a good way to earn money with the remaining time. Otherwise, simply relying on chopping wood, the accumulation of wealth would be too slow.
Now that he had solved the basic problem of food and clothing, Gu Sheng also started to think about the future.
He slowly walked out of the small courtyard, and the young servant he passed by gave him a friendly smile. Gu He thought highly of Gu Sheng, and many servants privately speculated that Gu He and Gu Sheng had some familial ties.
The young servants, who initially looked down on Gu Sheng when he first came to chop wood, even specially came to deliver water to him once, expressing their apologies.
Gu Sheng nodded and smiled, finding Gu He.
Gu He laughed and handed over ten copper coins.
"There's good news, the martial artists who went into the mountains have come back to the manor."
Gu Sheng was taken aback, then nervously asked:
"Were there any casualties?"
"Only a few were injured, and no one died. Gu Erniu was lucky, not only uninjured but he also achieved merit."
Gu Sheng said joyfully:
"Thank you, overseer, for letting me know!"
A huge stone in his heart finally fell to the ground. Gu Erniu had gone into the mountains for half a month, and now he finally returned safely.
Gu Erniu's family was considered the only close relatives left in Gu's Manor, and Gu Sheng did not want anything to happen to them.
He quickly headed home, initially planning to drop off his things and then visit Gu Erniu's house to have a look. However, as soon as he got to his door, he saw a long-unseen burly figure pacing back and forth, waiting.
"Er Niu brother!"
"Asheng!"
Both were elated and laughed heartily. Gu Erniu moved forward to give Gu Sheng a bear hug and patted his shoulder.
"Good lad, only half a month and you've grown so much stronger!"
Gu Erniu grinned, his eyes showing some surprise.
Gu Sheng's change was indeed significant.
Once frail and weak-looking, now his arm muscles were slightly protruding, and most importantly, his aura was extraordinary.
There was a calmness under pressure, as if he had some hidden strength.
The sudden wolf attack brought Gu Sheng changes not just in wolf meat, but also in spirit; his courage was greatly enhanced after personally slaughtering two fierce wolves.
Hearing Gu Erniu's praise, Gu Sheng merely smiled.
He brought Gu Erniu into the house.
"Er Niu brother, you're finally back."
Gu Erniu couldn't help but sigh:
"Yes, finally back."
He looked straight into Gu Sheng's eyes, sincerely saying:
"Thank you for your help while I was away. If it weren't for you risking your life that night, your sister-in-law and Xiao Wan might have..."
As he spoke, Gu Erniu showed a look of lingering fear, and bowed with clasped fists toward Gu Sheng.
Gu Sheng quickly supported Gu Erniu, saying:
"Er Niu brother, there's no need for this. You and sister-in-law treat me like family, how could I not save you?"
Gu Erniu shook his head.
Just from Li Lian's account, he could tell how dangerous it was. Without the bow in hand, even he must be cautious when fighting wolves, not to mention a fourteen-year-old boy.
He took out two wild rabbits and a wild chicken, handing them to Gu Sheng.
"Don't refuse, this time's bounty in the mountains was quite good, and many of the game caught was distributed to us hunters. This is a token from your Er Niu brother. Refusing means you don't consider me and your sister-in-law as family!"
Gu Erniu glared, so Gu Sheng accepted the game.
He curiously asked:
"Er Niu brother, what were you all after in the mountains this time?"
Their relationship had grown closer, or else Gu Sheng would not have asked this question.
Gu Erniu glanced at the door, stood up to close it tightly, and lowered his voice:
"It was for a demon wolf!"
"Apparently, the wolf attack that night couldn't be separated from this demon wolf. We pursued closely, and it used diversion tactics."
Gu Sheng's heart shook violently.
A demon wolf!
He knew that this world not only had martial artists with the strength to carry mountains and break rivers, but also powerful and mysterious demons that existed, although previously, these were only rumors.
Ordinary people might never see this in their lifetime, or those who did probably didn't live to tell the tale.
And now, hearing from Gu Erniu's mouth that they were hunting a demon wolf!
What an astonishing revelation.
Gu Sheng's interest soared.
Gu Erniu's expression showed some excitement.
"There were as many as seven or eight martial artists and three hunters in our party. Especially Master Gu Changming from the main family, he's incredibly fierce. It's said that his strength is even greater than that of Gu Jingang, the instructor, and he led the team this time."
"After going into the mountains that day, we quickly found the demon wolf's tracks. But this beast was cunning, quite intelligent, playing hide-and-seek, thus delaying us."
Gu Sheng couldn't help but ask:
"What did the demon wolf look like?"
"Its shoulder height was over half a zhang, its whole body fur silver-white like satin, its eyes blood-red, and its speed was astonishing!"
Gu Erniu looked somewhat fearful.
"Even with our preparations, several of us were injured, but luckily no one died."
In Gu Sheng's mind, the image of a demon wolf took form, and he couldn't help but marvel.
He also recalled the night vision of the wild wolves—likely influenced and deranged by the demon wolf, daring to raid the village.
Gu Erniu continued:
"After several days of delay, we found the demon wolf's tracks again. This time, your Er Niu brother displayed great prowess, shooting an arrow through the clouds, landing hard on the demon wolf's hind leg, thus setting the course!"
He looked proud.
"This time, your Er Niu brother achieved a great merit and built a relationship with Master Gu Changming. In the future at the manor, if anyone bullies us brothers, we have someone to rely on."
Listening to Gu Erniu's boasting, Gu Sheng couldn't help but secretly laugh.
Gu Erniu's nature was bold and likely exaggerated, but his merit indeed seemed real.
Gu Sheng guessed that during the martial artists' battle with the demon wolf, Gu Erniu accidentally shot and injured the demon wolf's hind leg, making the subsequent chase easier, leading to significant merit.
He nodded and agreed with a smile, then further inquired:
"I've heard the elders talk, saying demons are very powerful creatures, even possessing various strong divine skills. This demon wolf doesn't sound particularly mighty. Could it be injured or with cubs?"
Gu Sheng had seen Gu Jingang's moves, which were mighty but not wildly so.
Even if Gu Changming were somewhat stronger than Gu Jingang, it wouldn't be excessively overpowering.
With such strength, accompanied by a few martial artists and hunters, hunting a demon wolf didn't match Gu Sheng's impression of a demon's might.
Gu Erniu chuckled:
"Asheng, you're sharp. I heard Master Gu Changming say this demon wolf isn't a true demon, just has some demonic blood."
Gu Sheng realized.
So that's how it was.
"Er Niu brother, do you know why the manor is hunting this demon wolf?"
Gu Erniu shook his head, saying:
"Those are matters for the lords of the main family, they wouldn't tell us people. We only led the way."
Gu Sheng nodded, smiling:
"No matter what, it's good that you've returned safely this time. Now you can stay peacefully at home for a while."
Gu Erniu also nodded.
This harvest was quite bountiful, enough for Gu Erniu's family to spend some peaceful time. Though hunting in the mountains sounds carefree, it's truly a life-or-death affair, with even the slightest mistake leading to being torn apart by beasts.
The secret to long hunter survival is entering the mountains as little as possible.
The two chatted a bit longer, Gu Erniu looked at Gu Sheng, finally making up his mind and solemnly asked:
"Asheng, would you like to learn archery?"