Chapter 2: Fierce Battle with the Savage Wolf
Wild Kudzu Roots generally grow deep underground, with so extending over a yard in length. Typically, old Kudzu Roots have nurous insect holes and are prone to hollowness. However, the one Wang Hong was digging was exceptionally sturdy and robust, devoid of any insect holes.
Initially, it was only the thickness of a wrist, but as he dug deeper, it grew larger. By now, he had dug down more than two feet, and it was already as large as Er Gou Zi's leg.
Wang Hong beca increasingly excited as he dug, his face turning a deep red, and the sweat on his chin dripping unnoticed. After two hours of relentless digging, the true form of this Kudzu Root was finally revealed. It was about a yard in length, the thickest part being as wide as Wang Hong's waist, weighing around sixty to seventy catties.
Carrying this Kudzu Root back would at least ensure that the two brothers could safely get through the winter without worrying about starving.
However, Wang Hong suddenly tossed the Kudzu Root aside, his attention focused on an item in his hand. It was a fist-sized pearl he had just unearthed next to the Kudzu Root.
The object was smooth as a mirror, ticulously polished, shining like jade with a green glow, adorned with blood-red patterns that sparkled brilliantly under the sun.
Extraordinarily hard, the stone didn't even leave a mark when accidentally struck with a hoe. Its smooth and warm texture in hand alleviated the fatigue from the strenuous work.
"This should be a gemstone; it should fetch a good price," Wang Hong muttered to himself. Though lacking sophistication, he had accompanied his father to the county town before and had seen the various gemstones worn by wealthy young n and ladies, feeling that none were as impressive as the one he now possessed.
Thinking about how to sell the gemstone, Wang Hong pondered on the need for secrecy. It was imperative not to disclose this find to others, as the world was far from peaceful, with bandits and thieves often roaming.
Two years ago, Zhang Tiezhu from Erlihe Village found a Three Leaf Divine Mushroom on Misty Cloud Mountain. The news of his discovery led to the annihilation of his entire family that very night, all six mbers eting a tragic end.
Once the gemstone was sold, Wang Hong planned to buy so land. Like all farrs, he dread of owning a piece of land. Landownership was not only essential for survival but also for establishing a foundation for future generations.
"If I have land, I can raise a few chickens. Every now and then, I can enjoy a fresh egg. Last night's egg drop soup was delicious, even if I couldn't quite discern the flavor," Wang Hong thought, licking his lips.
"And there's white rice, big white stead buns, and slow-cooked fatty at." He couldn't continue his thoughts, fearing he would drown in his own saliva.
Daydreaming of a better life, Wang Hong continued to tidy up the Kudzu Root he had dug up. Suddenly, an inexplicable sense of alarm swept over him, and he vigilantly surveyed his surroundings.
Simultaneously, he picked up the makeshift cudgel he had used to clear the way, swiftly sharpening its tip with a hunting knife and securing the knife at his waist.
Gripping the cudgel with both hands, he scanned the surroundings rapidly, only to see the grass on his right side rapidly parting. Before he could get a clear look, a dark shadow quickly pounced towards him.
Wang Hong's body turned swiftly to the right, aiming the pointed end of the cudgel at the dark shadow and thrusting forcefully. Just before the strike, the shadow, in a swift maneuver, managed to dodge a few inches to the right. The attack only grazed the left side of the shadow.
Accompanying the strike was a trendous impact that forced him to retreat several steps, almost sitting on the ground.
It was only now that he had ti to carefully examine the creature before himit was a wolf, its fur a mix of gray and white. It seed to be an old wolf, as the cudgel had struck its left leg, causing blood to seep out.
The wolf, with bared teeth and a strand of saliva hanging from its mouth, had its back fur standing on end. Its back slightly arched, it was preparing for the next attack.
Wang Hong felt his heart pounding like a drum, his hands and feet trembling uncontrollably. He tightened his grip on the wooden stick.
In fear, Wang Hong thought, "Facing such a large wolf, almost as big as , it seems unlikely that I'll survive today."
"Am I, Wang Hong, going to die here? I'm only twelve years old. What will happen to my little brother if I die? I still want to buy land and have a good life. I don't want to die!"
The intense will to survive cald him down. He carefully assessed the strengths and weaknesses of both sides. In terms of strength, the wolf surpassed him, and in speed, he was no match. In terms of combat skills, these beasts had been through countless battles and erged victorious. His advantage lay in having a knife and a long cudgel; the wolf could only harm him with its claws and teeth, primarily the latter.
Wang Hong quickly formulated a plan. The next step was to engage with the wolf using the long cudgel, avoiding close-quarter combat as much as possible to maintain a distance advantage.
If the wolf managed to get up close, he would prioritize defending vital areas. With inferior speed, he would use the knife to exchange wounds, seeing who could endure and perish first.
In life-threatening situations, the mind becos exceptionally active. Wang Hong processed these thoughts in a re instant.
"Beast, today we'll see if you feast on
or if I feast on you. Co on!" Once Wang Hong had a plan, he hardened his resolve and shouted at the wild wolf.
"Co on!"
"Bite !"
First, he feigned a thrust at the wolf. Seeing an opportunity, the wolf lunged straight at him. Wang Hong still thrust the cudgel into its chest, but the blunt wooden stick only pierced the skin before sliding aside. The wolf managed to bite a small piece out of his leg, but Wang Hong also inflicted a cut on the wolf's chest, further fueling its aggression. Wang Hong quickly stepped back.
The wolf pounced from the side again, aiming for his legs. As Wang Hong retreated, he swung the cudgel diagonally with force. The cudgel struck the wolf's back with a "snap," breaking it into two pieces.
The wolf, now snarling, lunged towards his abdon. As Wang Hong retreated, he used the remaining half of the cudgel to shield his stomach, drawing his knife with his right hand.
The wolf bit into his left arm. Ignoring the pain, Wang Hong raised the knife and struck down, hitting the wolf's neck near its ear. Blood sprayed out. Wang Hong had heard from an old hunter that striking this spot could instantly kill both humans and animals, and it proved to be true.
Now, the wolf lay on the ground, emitting a resentful whimper. Wang Hong sat on the ground, gasping for air. After the intense battle, he felt completely drained, unable to summon any strength.
His left arm throbbed with intense pain, and several areas stung fiercely, likely from scratches by the wolf's claws.
"That was close! I almost died. Luckily, it's just a chunk of flesh missing from my left arm."
"Fortune and misfortune truly coexist. Just when I found a treasure, I almost died."
Surviving the perilous encounter, Wang Hong's first thought was about the gemstone. He quickly took it out from his pocket and examined it, finally easing his mind.
While looking at the gemstone in his hand, Wang Hong noticed sothing peculiar. The blood flowing from his wounds was being absorbed as soon as it touched the gemstone.
Upon closer inspection, he observed that the blood automatically flowed into the red patterns on the gemstone. Changing positions, he saw the blood being absorbed again, and the luster of the gemstone seed even brighter, emitting a slight warmth.
This sight astonished Wang Hong; he had never heard of a gemstone that could absorb blood. Hesitating for a mont, he pressed the gemstone onto the wound on his left arm. The blood quickly rushed towards the gemstone, growing faster and faster. The gemstone beca scalding hot.
Just as he was about to remove it from the wound, a flash of multicolored light occurred. It penetrated the wound and disappeared. Then, he felt a rush of heat ascending through his arm, passing through his shoulder, neck, and rushing towards his head. The speed was astonishing.
Wang Hong panicked, unable to stop it. The surge of heat entered his brain, and with a resounding "boom," his entire consciousness plunged into darkness.
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