The northern forest was relatively rich in game, but the visibility was poor.
Spotting prey was the main challenge.
The southern wilderness offered a clear view, but Mutated Beasts were scarce.
Finding prey wasn't easy either.
If only he had a hunting dog.
"Caw! Caw! Caw!"
The Blood Raven cawed, hopping around in its cage.
"Hmm, or maybe you'll do?"
Tang Wen walked into the courtyard and opened the cage.
The Blood Raven spread its wings, soared into the sky, circled for a while, and then landed back on Tang Wen's shoulder.
After some simple preparations, just like last year, Tang Wen exited through the eastern gate and entered the forest.
The difference was, last year he walked, but this time he rode a horse.
A few minutes later, a group of Scavengers armed with clubs followed him into the forest.
Though they noticed the sword on Tang Wen's back.
And understood that he might not be an easy target.
But what was there to fear?
He was alone, and they were many!
Clip-clop! Clip-clop!
The horse broke into a trot, and Tang Wen shook off the persistent followers.
However, the faint hoofprints on the ground still pointed the Scavengers in the right direction.
It was rare for anyone to ride a horse through this forest, even once every ten or fifteen days.
After an hour of galloping, the Scavengers disappeared from sight.
"I've come this far. If those fools still dare to follow, they're truly asking for death."
Tang Wen tied up the horse, gave a light shrug, and the Blood Raven took flight: "Go, find me some beasts."
Flap, flap.
With that, the Blood Raven flew off toward the north.
Tang Wen wandered around the area.
"Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!"
A familiar and endearing sound reached his ears.
A warm smile spread across Tang Wen's lips: "Red-billed Finches."
His eyes softened with affection as he watched the five Red-billed Finches, like a farmer admiring a bountiful harvest.
He deftly pulled out a pebble, raised his hand halfway, then paused, looking at the pebble before lowering his arm.
The pebble was large and round, almost twice the size of a Red-billed Finch.
Throwing it felt like bullying the weak.
Moreover, for some reason, he hadn't seen many Red-billed Finches along the way.
It felt wrong to harm them.
"Consider yourselves lucky."
He continued wandering through the forest, searching for signs of beasts.
"Caw! Caw! Caw!"
The Blood Raven returned, accurately finding its master.
Plop.
Its claws released.
A pinecone fell to the ground.
Tang Wen didn't pick it up, instead patiently grooming the Blood Raven's feathers: "Not pinecones, prey. Something that runs, something with meat."
As he spoke, he took out a piece of Exotic Beast Jerky, broke it into smaller pieces, and placed one in his palm.
The Blood Raven pecked at it, swallowed it, its small eyes darting around before it cawed and flew back into the sky.
After a while, Tang Wen didn't see the Blood Raven return.
Deciding not to wait, he mounted his horse and rode in the direction the Blood Raven had flown.
Caw! Caw! Caw!
The Blood Raven returned.
It circled above Tang Wen's head, cawing incessantly.
His Beast Taming Art was still at a beginner level.
He could only guess half-heartedly: "Are you saying there's something in that direction?"
Caw! Caw! Caw!
The raven communicated in its own way.
Tang Wen strained to listen, trying to decipher the meaning from the varying intensity of its calls.
But this was harder than advanced mathematics.
After a while, he gave up, beckoned the Blood Raven to land on his shoulder, and spurred his horse forward.
If he couldn't understand, he'd just go and see for himself.
In the forest, the horse couldn't run fast.
After about half an hour, Tang Wen spotted the shadow of a building in the distance.
He was speechless: "You didn't mean this place, did you?"
"Caw!"
The Blood Raven let out a single caw.
"Who's there?"
The person on the stone wall shouted upon hearing the commotion.
This was a sentry post of the camp.
Tang Wen rode his horse closer and said, "It's me, Tang Wen."
"Tang Wen?"
"Are you Commander Tang Wen?"
Tang Wen revealed his commander's identity badge and tossed it up to the nearly ten-meter-high wall.
The person on the wall caught it.
This sentry post had been recently built.
It wasn't large, covering only a few hundred square meters, shaped like a trapezoid that was wider at the bottom and narrower at the top.
Although it was ten meters high, apart from a few lookout holes, there wasn't even a window.
"Identity confirmed, it's Commander Tang Wen. Open the gate!"
A loud shout came from the wall, followed by the sound of clanking chains.
"No need for the trouble."
The gate of the fortress-like structure was a massive stone block that required iron chains to lift.
Opening it was a hassle, and they were doing it now as a sign of respect.
Tang Wen tied his horse to a tree, shouldered his pack, and with a light leap, he jumped into the air, tapping the wall with his toes.
He landed gracefully on the wall.
"Impressive skills!"
There were about ten people on the wall, a hunting squad under the jurisdiction of the inner city's hunting camp.
"Commander Tang Wen, your token."
Captain Tian, the leader, stepped forward to return the identity token.
They invited Tang Wen inside, curious about his purpose.
Upon hearing that Tang Wen was here to hunt, Captain Tian smiled and said, "There are plenty of prey in this forest. We occasionally go out to hunt to improve our meals. But you should be aware that this area is near the territory of the Silver Wolves. And..."
At this point, Captain Tian hesitated.
After a pause, he continued, "Try not to hunt female beasts."
Not hunting female beasts was a tradition in hunting.
But Tang Wen asked, "With the drought coming, do we still care about that?"
Captain Tian spread his hands, showing a bitter smile, "No choice, the rules here are set by the Silver Wolves. Even the Mutated Beasts in the forest are not allowed to eat female beasts."
"What?"
Tang Wen was surprised.
The hunting squad members explained in a clamor that the Silver Wolves liked to show off, often driving prey to this area to kill.
They had seen it three or four times, but each time, the Silver Wolves would spare the female and young beasts.
"Quite the understanding of sustainable development," Tang Wen remarked, then asked, "They haven't attacked?"
"No, the Silver Wolves are smart. After a fight with us last winter, we've had a mutual non-aggression pact."
Captain Tian said seriously, "The Silver Wolves regard this forest as their territory, especially as the drought worsens, their range of activity is getting closer to the forest's edge. You should be extra careful when hunting."
Even the most ordinary Silver Wolf is at the level of a Mid-level Exotic Beast.
Living a few more years often makes them a Superior Exotic Beast, equivalent to a human Martial Master.
As for the Silver Wolf King, needless to say, it's a terrifying being capable of controlling wind and snow.
Even the Queen couldn't kill it.
Tang Wen alone would be at a disadvantage against a pack of ordinary Silver Wolves.
"I understand. But if you encounter danger, how do you retreat?"
"Don't worry, sir, we have secret passages."
"That's good."
After replenishing his water supply, Tang Wen didn't linger here.
He released the Blood Raven and, once out of the sentries' sight, immediately turned his horse around and galloped back towards the camp.
What a joke, would I stay and compete with the Silver Wolves for food?
Although I am a dignified Martial Master, there's nothing to be ashamed of.
Can't a Martial Master run away?
A Martial Master can run much faster than an ordinary person!
"Giddy up!"
Tang Wen crouched on the horse's back to avoid branches, urging the horse to gallop faster.
Things aren't like they used to be; the forest isn't suitable for hunting anymore. It's better to head to the wilderness.
Suddenly, a dark shadow flashed in front of the horse, followed by a loud thud as it was knocked onto a waist-high rock.
Red and white splattered everywhere.
"A foolish roe deer. An unexpected catch?"
On the ground lay a patch of tender grass, with clear bite marks visible.
The foolish roe deer had been grazing here, startled, and ended up smashing its brains out.
Tang Wen dismounted and picked it up, smiling with satisfaction. "With this, I won't return empty-handed. So what if it's the Silver Wolf's territory? Can it really stop this Commander from hunting?"
"Roar!"
A growl sounded from behind.
Caw! Caw! Caw!
The Blood Raven flapped its wings, soaring
into the sky, heading straight for the camp.
The Silver Wolf!
Tang Wen's expression changed. Without a second thought, he mounted his horse and galloped away at full speed!
This wasn't fear; it was simply avoiding a pointless fight.
(End of Chapter)