Chapter 26

Lin Bei sent Cui Shi, Alán, and the other two to the edge of the forest. The trees at the edge were not as large as those inside the forest, and Lin Bei could see the scorching heat outside through the bushes. Various weeds lay limp on the ground, showing no signs of life, as the drought continued.

In fact, looking at the fall of Chinese dynasties, one can see that natural disasters, especially droughts, were frequent in the years leading up to their collapse. These droughts often lasted for a long time. Back then, with underdeveloped technology, locust plagues would follow the droughts, leading to crop failures. If the rulers were foolish enough to increase taxes, it would drive people to rebellion.

Lin Bei, who was familiar with the history of the Three Kingdoms, knew that this drought would last for a long time. Even in the vicinity of Nanyue, the situation was dire. In the Central Plains, such as Ji Province, there might already be cases of cannibalism.

However, Lin Bei could do nothing at the moment. Even if he were human, he couldn't change the fate of millions, let alone as a snake.

"Sir, you should go back," Cui Shi Alán said, turning around.

Lin Bei nodded and threw the wild boar to the ground. He still had to stay in the forest.

"Sir, the New Year is approaching. We will likely enter the mountains multiple times in the coming period. Is there anything you need us to bring for you?"

Cui Shi Alán had already noticed that the man in front of her could cook, so he probably didn't lack meat. However, the cooperation needed to continue, and Cui Shi Alán didn't want to cut off this connection. Therefore, proposing other ways to cooperate was crucial.

Lin Bei thought for a moment. Like Cui Shi Alán, he didn't want to lose contact with these hunters. Loneliness was a formidable enemy, so even though he didn't lack much, he still thought of something.

Using his tail, Lin Bei drew the shapes of pots, bowls, and other kitchen utensils on the ground, indicating that he hoped the hunters would bring these items next time. Cui Shi Alán asked several times to confirm what Lin Bei wanted.

"Then, Sir, we'll come back to see you in ten days. Should we meet at the wooden shelter or your residence? At your residence? Alright."

After settling this, the three of them made a simple frame with wooden sticks and carried the wild boar out. Lin Bei watched them as they walked farther and farther away.

The sun outside was intense, and the ground was cracked. In just a short while, the three of them were drenched in sweat. Life was tough.

After the three had walked far enough, Lin Bei didn't return directly. Instead, he crawled around the edge of the forest, wanting to see the surrounding environment.

The sparsely populated area meant that Lin Bei couldn't see anyone. All he saw were weeds, and the land was completely uncultivated.

Lin Bei climbed a stone hill, which was only about 300 to 400 meters high, with some sparse shrubs. Climbing to the top, he looked far into the distance and finally saw the smoke from a village. However, the village was small, with only about a dozen households.

Suddenly, a fierce howl echoed in Lin Bei's ears. Following the sound, he saw several wild wolves running on the distant plain. Behind the wolves, a few hunters with bows and arrows were closely following. One hunter drew an arrow and shot it, hitting a wolf. Although the wolf was hit, it ran even faster and soon disappeared from Lin Bei's sight, with the hunters following closely behind.

"Do the wild wolves find it hard to survive in the forest, so they need to come out to find food?" Lin Bei speculated from behind a bush. "But the area outside the forest is also quite dangerous for humans."

Even before entering the forest, there were already wolf packs. It was easy to imagine the dangers the hunters faced each time they entered the mountains. Lin Bei couldn't help but worry about their safety. Would he see them intact the next time?

After some thought, Lin Bei climbed down the stone hill and headed in the direction the hunters had chased the wolves.

Moving at full speed, Lin Bei was like a train, crushing all the weeds in his path, forming a snake trail. He moved incredibly fast, comparable to a galloping horse, and his senses were sharp. Soon, Lin Bei could faintly hear the heavy breathing of humans.

"Ah!" one of the hunters suddenly screamed.

"Old Three?" someone nearby exclaimed. "What's wrong?"

"Sanlang? What happened?"

"I was bitten by a snake, a gray-headed snake."

"Gray-headed snake? Don't move."

In the weeds, the hunters quickly gathered around.

Lin Bei's sensitivity to snakes was even greater than to humans, so even from a distance, he could sense the gray-headed snake that Sanlang mentioned.

The gray-headed snake, as its name suggests, had a gray head and a grayish body, looking like a dirty rag. It was about 1.5 meters long, with a blunt triangular head. In stark contrast was its bright red tongue, indicating that it was a highly venomous snake. Sanlang's luck didn't seem to be very good.

The gray-headed snake was quickly killed by the hunters, but Sanlang's leg quickly swelled up, almost as thick as a bucket. His face turned purplish-black, and despite clenching his teeth, his fear was evident. Sanlang was probably only 17 or 18 years old.

The hunters were silent for a moment. Lin Bei had initially wanted to go over and see if he could help but stopped. If he went over now, the hunters would likely attack him. There was no logic between humans and snakes.

"Ah!!"

A bright flash of a hunting knife, and one of the hunters decisively cut off Sanlang's leg, making Lin Bei shudder.

Sanlang fainted from the pain, but his body still trembled. The hunters quickly tore open his hemp clothes and wrapped his severed leg. Blood gushed out, and soon the hemp clothes were soaked red.

"Sanlang... might not make it," one of the hunters said, sounding numb and resigned, as if they had seen this many times before.

"Yanlang, carry Sanlang. Let's go back. We need to let Sanlang see his wife."

"Okay."

"These damned wild wolves!!"

"A few days ago, Erlang died, and now it's Sanlang. Next time, it could be any of us."

"Pity Sanlang doesn't have a child yet."

The hunters continued talking as they walked away, leaving Lin Bei lying on the ground.

This scene was a shock to Lin Bei. Although he knew that the mortality rate in ancient times was high, he hadn't realized how easily it could happen. The hunters were also ruthless, cutting off the leg of someone bitten by a snake and then wrapping it haphazardly, relying on human will to survive. Lin Bei found it hard to accept.