Chapter 1

Yuanzhou is located in the southwest of the Great Tang. The southwest is mostly mountainous, and in the mouths of the people of the Great Tang, this place is known as a land of poverty and hardship. If it were not for Yuanzhou bordering the Southern Zhou Kingdom, the nobles of Chang'an would hardly mention Yuanzhou once a year.

Southern Zhou has money, but under the intimidation of the Great Tang's invincible tiger troops, they can only bow their heads. In the absence of border troubles, Yuanzhou's status has become even lower. The officials who can come to serve in Yuanzhou are either those without backing or the losers in the political struggles of Chang'an.

The saying "high mountains and a distant emperor" aptly describes the political landscape of Yuanzhou.

Indeed, the concubine of the magistrate of Dingshan County, Qin Xu, fell ill. After the doctors examined her, they demanded a specific medicine. Qin Xu offered a reward, promising that whoever could obtain this medicine would be well rewarded.

If this were to happen in Chang'an, the censors would impeach Qin Xu to the point of ruin.

...

"What illness requires a fresh tiger kidney?"

Zhang Qiyuan, the village head of Xiaohetun, looked at the snow-capped peak of Dongyushan in the distance and cursed, "In early spring, the tigers and wolves in the mountains have been hungry all winter, their eyes are green with hunger. At this time, is it the tigers hunting humans, or humans hunting tigers? Damn it... who would dare to go?"

Behind him were several able-bodied men, one of whom said, "The only place nearby with tigers is Dongyushan. In past years, tigers have eaten several hunters. Southern Zhou has also sent skilled hunters into the mountains to capture them, but those few people never returned, likely fed to the tigers and wolves. Now, even the best hunters are silent when it comes to the tigers of Dongyushan."

"Bad news!"

Someone behind him cried out in alarm. Zhang Qiyuan turned around and saw a young man running out of the village entrance.

"Village head, Yang Sanlang has entered the mountains."

Zhang Qiyuan's face turned pale, "That boy is courting death!"

Several horsemen galloped over, and upon closer inspection, they were government soldiers.

The soldier on horseback looked down at Zhang Qiyuan and shouted, "Recently, Southern Zhou's spies have been rampant, preparing to cross Dongyushan. The state has ordered that all villages must keep watch. If any suspicious individuals are discovered, report them immediately..."

The squadron leader behind him had a sharp gaze and said in a deep voice, "But remember, do not act rashly out of a desire for merit. These spies are skilled in concealment and combat. No matter how many of you go, it will be a death sentence. Just report them."

The military order was as heavy as a mountain, and Zhang Qiyuan loudly acknowledged it.

The cavalry rode away.

Zhang Qiyuan cursed, "Tell Yang Ding, Yang Sanlang is gone!"

One of the able-bodied men muttered, "Though young, Yang Sanlang is the best hunter in the village."

Zhang Qiyuan felt his authority challenged, turned around, and stared at the man, speaking each word clearly, "That's not just a tiger, but also the more terrifying Southern Zhou spies. The Southern Zhou spies are formidable; unless the scholars of the Imperial Academy are mobilized to eliminate them, even the government soldiers of Yuanzhou are helpless."

But the Imperial Academy is far in Chang'an, and distant water does not quench immediate thirst.

Zhang Qiyuan silently watched the snow on the distant mountain peak for a long time, then softly said, "Poor child, this is... fate!"

...

In the mountains of Dongyushan.

The snow was gradually melting, trickling into the streams.

The stream flowed gently, and the clear bird songs added to the ethereal atmosphere.

Thud!

Thud!

Thud!

Heavy footsteps approached from a distance.

A hunter, carrying a large tiger, walked briskly along the left side of the stream.

The hunter was not tall, making it look as if the tiger was walking upright, which was quite terrifying.

A man was resting downstream. Upon hearing the footsteps, he instantly packed his water bag and turned his outer robe over. He lay there, looking like a patch of withered grass unless one looked closely...

A glint of a blade moved under the withered grass.

The killing intent was intense!

The hunter walked step by step.

Suddenly, his ears twitched slightly, his muscles tensed, and then relaxed.

When he reached the patch of withered grass, it suddenly rose into the air.

Flap!

Birds were startled and flew high. Snow on the branches was shaken loose, falling down.

The blade flashed.

At the moment the withered grass rose, the hunter's body suddenly sprang forward, and the tiger flew over.

The Southern Zhou spy intended to kill the hunter, but what faced him was a tiger.

In mid-air, the only place to gain leverage was the tiger. The spy roared and struck a palm, preparing to use it for leverage.

Clang!

The saber was drawn!

The blade flashed!

The hunter sheathed his saber and pounced on the fallen tiger, "Don't damage the fur, or it won't be worth much."

The young man's face was full of pain. His mother had long wanted a tiger skin for a rug, and if it was damaged, where would he find another tiger?

At this moment, the spy finally fell heavily to the ground.

"You..." Blood gushed from the spy's mouth, and he coughed a few times, "How did you know I was hiding here?"

The young man flipped the nearly three-hundred-pound tiger over, carefully examining the fur, and said casually, "I have a natural keen sense, otherwise how could I have hunted at the age of ten?"

The spy gasped, his body shaking, "Hunting at the age of ten, you are... Yang Sanlang?!"

The young man turned around, smiled slightly, his not-so-big eyes squinting, revealing white teeth, "You know me too?"

This mountain was shared by the Great Tang and Southern Zhou. Hunters from both countries often met in the mountains, and fights over prey were not uncommon. At first, the two sides were evenly matched, but five years ago, a half-grown child suddenly joined in, causing heavy casualties among the Southern Zhou hunters. Survivors heard the young man mutter "I, Yang Sanlang," and thus the name Yang Sanlang was brought back.

The spy's body relaxed, and he regretfully said, "If I hadn't hidden, and we had fought face-to-face, I would have had a ninety percent chance of killing you!"

The young man exerted himself and somehow carried the heavy tiger on his back.

He slowly walked past the spy, whose eyes were dimming, and said calmly, "The ground is cold, and when you pounced, your body was somewhat stiff, and your arm was not fully extended. When you were one step in front of me, the angle of your long saber would change slightly, and I would pretend to be scared and unable to draw my saber. When you relaxed your guard..."

He waved his right hand, which was holding the tiger's front paw, and a sharp glint appeared on his middle finger.

It was a ring, with a sharp needle on it. The color of the needle was also unusual, likely poisoned.

The most cunning hunter could not match this young man... The spy's eyes gradually lost their light, "I... die without regret."

His body gradually relaxed...

This was a sign of impending death.

A foot suddenly stomped down.

It landed squarely on the spy's chest.

The sound of broken bones echoed, and the spy clutched the young man's ankle, his eyes wide open, and he gasped, "You..."

Faking death to survive was the spy's life-saving skill. But he didn't expect it to be seen through by this young man.

Yang Sanlang lifted his foot again, aiming for the spy's throat.

"When I was eleven, I hunted a leopard. The leopard was hit by three of my arrows and seemed dead, but as I approached, it suddenly leaped up, and that claw... almost cost me my life."

Yang Sanlang thought of the leopard, licked his lips, and his stomach growled, "Leopard meat is gamey, but it's still meat. Boil it and then grill it, and the gamey taste will be much less..."

Thud!

The spy's hands covered his flattened throat, and he watched the young man walk away in despair.

Compared to the leopard, his talent for faking death was far inferior.

A half-grown child at eleven could hunt the most agile and cunning leopard in the mountains.

He was a born hunter!

I really... die without regret.

...

Xiaohetun Village.

Yang Family.

Yang Ding and his wife, Wang Shi, had wooden expressions. Their three sons, ranging from twenty to nine years old, looked listless, showing no signs of sorrow, and the nine-year-old youngest even laughed at the children watching.

The neighbors' attempts to console them were also weak.

"Sanlang is filial. He went into the mountains with good intentions. Poor child."

A woman's eyes were red.

Yang Ding forced a dry laugh, feeling it was inappropriate, and kept a wooden face, "Yes!"

A minor official arrived at the door.

Everyone quickly stood up, standing respectfully.

The official's stern gaze swept over everyone, and he said coolly, "The Prefect knows about Yang Sanlang entering the mountains. The young man's bravery in serving the country is greatly appreciated..."

Yang Sanlang entered the mountains for Qin Xu's reward, not to serve the country!

But no one dared to argue, thinking it was Qin Xu's private matter, and to cover it up, there would likely be compensation afterward.

The Yang family's eyes brightened.

And they had hope!

The official cleared his throat, "Yang Sanlang is dead..."

The woman with red eyes muttered, "Maybe he's not dead!"

The official frowned at her, "There is only one stream in the mountains. Tigers and wolves like to wait near the stream to hunt prey, as do the hunters from the Great Tang and Southern Zhou, and the spies as well."

The Prefect's advisor said that the spies would send people to scout first. In the past, many fights have broken out near the stream, and the skilled Southern Zhou spies often won easily.

A young man encountering the ruthless Southern Zhou spies...

The woman choked, "Sanlang is a good person, often helping me with my cart. Otherwise, how could I earn money in the city? He must be alive."

The official was impatient, "If he is not dead, I will give him this official position!"

After the reward was announced, no one dared to enter the mountains, and Qin Xu was very angry. When he learned that a young man had bravely gone, he was quite moved. Knowing that the Southern Zhou spies were active and the young man was surely dead, Qin Xu sent the official to comfort the Yang family, a gesture akin to buying a dead horse for a thousand gold.

Thud!

A heavy object fell outside, causing the window frame to shake.

Someone opened the door, stunned.

Everyone felt something was wrong and came out.

Outside the door, a young man, and a tiger.

...

About three months after parting ways with everyone, the new book is released. The new book is set in a fictional historical setting, so please do not try to verify the details. Today, three chapters are released together, and from tomorrow, two chapters will be released daily, around 4 PM, to allow for ample time.

Additionally, the new book can receive monthly votes...

Recommendation votes, monthly votes... Jazz is asking for votes!