Longevity Martial Arts: Grinding Experience in the Chaotic World

Chapter 119: Chapter 97: Tragic Scene at Cang Mountain! Elders’ High Stakes Gamble!

Gu Sheng carried the bear carcass but did not head toward Gu’s Manor. Instead, he found a hidden mountain cave to process the bear carcass, waiting until nightfall to bring it back to the manor without attracting attention.

He had no intention of revealing that he had hunted another black bear.

This didn’t align with the typical combat abilities of a Refining Skin Realm martial artist. Encountering an injured ferocious tiger once might be plausible, but repeatedly hunting wounded large beasts would easily arouse suspicion.

With the Great Success Snake Breath Skill, Gu Sheng could easily avoid the patrols of the manor’s martial artists.

In actuality, the patrol frequency in the outer manor was extremely low, and many martial artists wouldn’t patrol this area at all. Otherwise, during the previous wolf pack attack on the village, they wouldn’t have reacted so slowly.

Night deepened.

Gu Sheng returned home and took a deep breath, a lingering unease in his heart.

He practiced several rounds of Iron Stone Fist, yet still felt restless.

When handling the bear carcass, he had noticed that the wild bear’s flesh seemed unnaturally withered, as if something had drained part of its essence. This left Gu Sheng with an eerie feeling.

”Something has definitely emerged deep within the Cang Mountain. I absolutely cannot go there during this period!”

His gaze became resolute. He decided to warn Gu Erniu and a few close hunters to avoid hunting in the mountains during this time.

No matter how tempting the frequent appearances of large beasts were, he wouldn’t be swayed. If that mysterious thing in the mountain truly came out, it would be disastrous. He had worked so hard to reach the Blood Refining Realm and couldn’t afford to lose everything in such an unpredictable moment.

Gu Sheng remained as cautious as always, not allowing his growing strength to make him arrogant.

The next day.

Gu Sheng indirectly hinted to Gu Erniu, Zhang Ze, and others that due to the recent increase in the frequency of large beasts in the mountains, it was best to wait until the situation calmed down before hunting. Zhang Ze and the others readily agreed, as just the previous day, a martial artist from Dahe Village had also hunted a tiger!

Zhang Ze and the others weren’t fools; large beasts weren’t something ordinary hunters should deal with.

Without a martial artist leading the team, hunting such beasts would be reckless.

In previous years, spotting one or two such beasts in a year would be rare, but now they seemed to appear in clusters, which was extremely unusual.

Seeing that Gu Erniu and the others took his advice seriously, Gu Sheng felt slightly relieved.

He privately emphasized the importance of caution to Gu Erniu once more. Gu Erniu nodded repeatedly, elevating his level of concern further. He was well aware of Gu Sheng’s prudent nature, and such warnings were certainly not without foundation.

However, not everyone would be deterred.

Some saw this as a heaven-sent opportunity. If one man couldn’t take down a tiger, then they would form a team to kill it!

Some even had martial artists leading teams into the mountains.

After all.

A tiger or black bear was worth dozens of taels of silver. Even most Refining Skin Realm martial artists would be tempted. Even acquiring a share of the bounty would be considered a solid profit.

The news gradually spread among nearby villages and forts, and even further afield.

Gu Sheng also received an invitation from a manor martial artist.

A Refining Skin Realm martial artist intended to lead a team into the mountains to hunt large beasts and invited Gu Sheng to join. Gu Sheng was known as a skilled archer, whose participation would undoubtedly simplify the hunt.

Outside a shabby courtyard, a young martial artist named Gu Jinmu extended the invitation to Gu Sheng.

”Asheng, martial arts cultivation requires resources for every step. I know money must be tight for you right now. With the recent surge of large beasts in the mountains, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. If we collaborate, with your marksmanship and my strength, we’ll surely reap a great harvest—perhaps even hunt more than one!”

”With resources gained from this hunt, your martial arts progress will be much faster in the future.”

The young man’s face bore a resolute expression. Despite being from the main family, he had not been allocated many resources, so he couldn’t suppress his eagerness upon seeing such an opportunity.

Gu Sheng looked at Gu Jinmu but politely declined:

”Brother Jinmu, I’m certainly tempted, but I’ve recently gained some insights while practicing Iron Stone Fist. I don’t want to interrupt my training, so I must thank you for your kind offer.”

Gu Jinmu’s expression froze; he hadn’t expected Gu Sheng to refuse such a lucrative opportunity.

He found it difficult to comprehend.

Since Gu Sheng had refused the clan elders’ proposal of an arranged marriage, it was clear he did not want to be constrained. Given that, he should even more desperately pursue resources at all costs—otherwise, how could his martial arts cultivation advance boldly?

The excuse of not wanting to interrupt the practice of Iron Stone Fist was, in all likelihood, just a pretext.

”Asheng, you...”

Gu Jinmu looked at Gu Sheng with mixed emotions. Although their interactions had been limited, they had previously guarded a procurement convoy together. He didn’t have a bad impression of Gu Sheng.

While Gu Sheng was quiet and not particularly sociable, Gu Jinmu’s brief observations made him believe that Gu Sheng was someone worth befriending. This opportunity was also an attempt to deepen their connection, which would strengthen his network. After all, Gu Sheng’s archery skills were widely recognized.

Gu Sheng apologized:

”I truly don’t have the time right now. If I happen to have some free time later on, I’d certainly help Brother Jinmu. However, I’ve heard that several villages and forts around here have hunted large beasts recently; Brother Jinmu would do well to be cautious. Perhaps it’s better to wait for the elders’ approval first.”

Gu Jinmu suddenly understood.

”So he’s worried about danger. After all, one’s roots shape their courage and outlook...”

His gaze carried a subtle shift, though he didn’t reveal it outright.

”Forget it, Asheng, consider it further...”

Gu Jinmu turned and left.

Gu Sheng shook his head slowly. As a practitioner at the Blood Refining Realm, he could easily sense the fleeting disdain and mockery in Gu Jinmu’s eyes, though he paid it no mind. If disaster did strike, regret would be too late.