PCJ – Chapter 93 Hunting for Fun

Zhang Jiaohua chuckled, threw the wild chicken into the bamboo basket, and strode home.

However, the hunting dog Zuan Shanbao seemed to be pondering something, constantly sniffing the spot where the wild chicken had been.

“Zuan Shanbao! Hurry up! Let’s go home!” Seeing that Zuan Shanbao hadn’t caught up, Zhang Jiaohua stopped and shouted back at the dog.

Zuan Shanbao, however, seemed not to hear him and continued sniffing around for a while. Instead of catching up, it dove into the roadside bushes.

“Woof! Woof! Woof!”

Soon, a series of melodious barks rang out. Zuan Shanbao’s speed was now more than double what it used to be, making its position even harder to track. Birds, startled, flew up from the dense forest, fleeing far from the area. Zuan Shanbao’s sudden movements scared them senseless.

Zhang Jiaohua knew well that this was a “mountain-driving dog” at work. These dogs, carefully bred by the navy, were far more intelligent than regular hunting dogs. They possessed a unique ability to drive game from the mountains. Though Zuan Shanbao was not yet fully grown, it had already mastered this skill. Its barks carried an authority that left small animals no chance to resist. However, being new to this skill, Zuan Shanbao was not yet adept at it. Otherwise, those birds wouldn’t have escaped so easily.

Feeling bored while waiting, Zhang Jiaohua put down his bamboo basket and began performing a mystical step while chanting the Meishan incantation: “With sincere heart, I bow and pay respects: I respectfully invite the Lord of Meishan, the Law Master of Meishan, to descend upon this altar. Wearing the mighty hat that covers the sky, eyes shining with divine light, in the morning at the Golden Palace of the Jade Emperor, in the evening roaming the seven stars of the Northern Dipper. When ordinary people call for aid, swiftly lead troops to the altar. Disciple sincerely prays, wishing the Law Master of Meishan to descend.”

With each step Zhang Jiaohua took, it seemed as if the mountain wind picked up, the trees swaying, leaves rustling loudly. This combination of the incantation and mystical steps seemed to mobilize every blade of grass and tree around him, making them like soldiers under his command. It was a mystical sensation, communicating with nature, ensuring that no prey could remain hidden.

However, Zhang Jiaohua’s skills were still shallow. Although he could communicate with trees, it was limited to a radius of ten steps. This small area was insignificant in the vast expanse of Meishan. Within this ten-step range, there might not even be a single rabbit. Only a few small birds hopped in the bushes, unaware of the danger. They didn’t know that Zhang Jiaohua already held their lives in his hands.

These birds, flitting through the bushes, seemed as though they were coins flipping in Zhang Jiaohua’s palm. He could capture them at any moment. With a thought, the birds flew directly out of the bushes, bewilderedly arriving at Zhang Jiaohua’s side. With a wave of his hand, three birds flew into his grasp, their eyes dazed as if in a dream. Finding it amusing, Zhang Jiaohua’s mystical steps faltered, breaking the incantation’s effect. The birds, suddenly freed from the spell, didn’t immediately wake but groggily realized they were in his hand.

“Squeak squeak…”

The three birds panicked, kicking and flapping their wings frantically, flying away in a hurry. In their rush, they left Zhang Jiaohua a parting gift. He frowned at the bird droppings in his palm. Birds are naturally carefree about such matters, dropping wherever they please. In the countryside, it’s wise not to look up at birds perched overhead unless you want regrets.

Zhang Jiaohua quickly wiped his hand with leaves, but no matter how hard he scrubbed, he could still catch a faint whiff of bird droppings.

Zuan Shanbao’s hunt, however, was a success. After a series of barks, it proudly dragged back a chicken even fatter than the one weasel had initially caught. Dropping the chicken at Zhang Jiaohua’s feet, it sat down, awaiting praise.

“It’s all your fault, I smell awful now. Hurry up and let’s get home. I need to wash my hands in the pond,” Zhang Jiaohua said, placing the chicken into the basket, shouldering it, and walking off, ignoring Zuan Shanbao.

Zuan Shanbao, confused, watched its master walk away, then quickly followed.

Before passing Zhang Enzhong’s house, Zhang Jiaohua hid the chickens under the chestnuts in his basket.

Zhang Enzhong’s wife was indeed pregnant; after a few months, her belly was prominent. Her status in the household had risen to the top. Zhang Enzhong wouldn’t let her do any work, saying her biggest contribution was taking care of the family heir.

Seeing Zhang Jiaohua with a basket of chestnuts, she smiled and greeted him, “Jiaohua, you picked chestnuts? So diligent, and such big ones. Auntie loves chestnuts, share some with me, won’t you?”

Had he not hidden the chickens, Zhang Jiaohua might have given her half the chestnuts. After all, they were from the mountains and didn’t cost anything, and she was pregnant. But if he shared, the chickens would be exposed, and he didn’t want to give those up.

He shook his head, “No, these are the first chestnuts I picked this season. I’ll give you some next time. Tell Uncle Enzhong to pick chestnuts himself instead of just making tofu. There are plenty in the mountains, he can easily get some.”

She laughed, “You stingy boy, you tricked him out of a hundred yuan and won’t even share a chestnut.”

Zhang Jiaohua felt a bit guilty about the money but wasn’t about to give it back.

“Jiaohua, your talismans work well. Draw one for me to keep me and the baby safe,” she said.

“Auntie, the safety talisman is still working. It’ll last until the New Year. I’ll draw a new one for your home before then,” he replied with a smile.