Chapter 28: Help, Brothers!

Fifth Brother Ji suddenly realized, “So that’s how it is, Zhaodi. I didn’t know you were so thoughtful. But going into the mountains alone like that is really dangerous.”

Hu Zhaodi sighed. “What choice do I have? I have to earn a living on my own, and I can’t stay with Mr. Ji and Mrs. Ji forever. I need to save money to build my own house.”

The eldest Ji brother interjected, “Zhaodi, even if you live with my parents forever, who in the village would dare talk behind your back?”

“I don’t care what they say, but I also want my own home. I want to show everyone in the village that I can stand tall and live freely, even better than I did with the Hu family.”

Fifth Brother Ji nodded. “You’re right; we need to make the Hu family regret it.”

The four continued chatting as they foraged for medicinal herbs.

After about half an hour, their baskets were filling up nicely with various herbs.

Hu Zhaodi seemed to be on a lucky streak. She just found a rare herb and, glancing up, saw a patch of edible mushrooms not far ahead.

“Wow! What a find! A gourmet treat – I can’t believe there are mushrooms here. We’re in for a feast.”

She called the Ji brothers over excitedly. “Big Brother Ji, come over here! There’s something good here.”

The three Ji brothers hurried over.

The eldest Ji brother asked, “Zhaodi, what did you find?”

Hu Zhaodi pointed to the mushrooms ahead. “Mushrooms! Gather them quickly. These aren’t poisonous, and they taste amazing.”

Fifth Brother Ji looked doubtful. “These mushrooms are edible? Are you sure they’re safe?”

“Absolutely! Hurry and pick them. They’re delicious when stir-fried with garlic and chili.”

Without hesitation, the Ji brothers knelt down and began picking mushrooms.

Hu Zhaodi smiled and joined them, gathering the mushrooms together.

Once they’d picked all the mushrooms, the four continued deeper into the mountains.

The mountain provided in abundance. Soon enough, Hu Zhaodi spotted two wild pheasants.

Bending down, she picked up a couple of small stones, flinging them with precision. With two soft thuds, both pheasants were knocked out.

As she went to retrieve the pheasants, she noticed a nest of wild eggs nearby. Counting them, she found eleven in total.

After placing the eggs in her basket, she picked up the pheasants and carried on.

Fifth Brother Ji also had good luck and managed to catch a wild rabbit.

Suddenly, Hu Zhaodi noticed the branches of a low shrub ahead rustling slightly.

She held her breath, moving carefully toward it.

Just then, a wild boar’s grunt echoed, and a massive boar’s head emerged from the bushes.

With just a glance, Hu Zhaodi knew this was no ordinary boar—it must weigh over three hundred pounds, with two long, curved tusks.

Taking down a boar of this size would be quite challenging for her alone, though not impossible. But even if she succeeded, she’d likely end up injured.

If she used a sedative, the task would be easy. However, she was reluctant to waste such a good opportunity for training.

Just as she hesitated, the boar spotted her.

“Oh, great, it noticed me,” she muttered, then called out loudly, “Brothers, help!”

Since she’d brought the Ji brothers into the mountains, it was only fair to share the profits with them.

Hearing her call for help, the Ji brothers rushed over immediately.

Their hearts nearly jumped out of their chests when they saw Hu Zhaodi running with a huge wild boar chasing close behind.

Hu Zhaodi ducked and weaved around several nearby trees, occasionally darting out from behind one to launch a surprise attack on the boar.

The three Ji brothers, worried about Hu Zhaodi’s safety, charged forward, clutching their hatchets. They understood the danger of wild boars well, so they didn’t attack recklessly. Instead, they focused on trying to divert the boar’s attention.

As long as one of them could hold the boar’s attention, the others would have a chance to launch a surprise attack.

While the boar was distracted by the eldest Ji brother, Hu Zhaodi suddenly darted out from behind a large tree, bringing her hatchet down hard on the boar’s hind leg.

Injured, the boar became even more enraged and charged toward the eldest Ji brother with renewed fury.

“Big Brother Ji, watch out!” Hu Zhaodi shouted. She couldn’t hold back her strength anymore, her speed so quick that she appeared as a mere blur, darting to the boar’s left side and raising her hatchet to strike at its neck.

Just as her blade was about to connect, the boar suddenly swerved to the right, pushing off its hind legs and charging directly at her.

Hu Zhaodi’s pupils shrank as she swiftly spun a circle and a half to her right, narrowly avoiding the boar’s tusks.

The four of them continued dodging and launching surprise attacks, landing a few hits here and there, though none of the injuries were severe enough to stop the boar.

Hu Zhaodi knew that the scent of blood could attract other large predators, and she feared she wouldn’t be able to protect the Ji brothers if that happened.

“Big Brother Ji,” she called out, “I’ll draw its attention. You all get ready to strike!”

“Understood!” the three brothers answered in unison.

With their response, Hu Zhaodi maneuvered the boar towards Fifth Brother Ji’s position. Fortunately, there was a large tree trunk as thick as a barrel nearby, which would provide good cover for a surprise attack.

As she led the boar closer, Fifth Brother Ji hid behind the tree, raising his hatchet high.

When the boar’s head appeared around the tree, Fifth Brother Ji swung down, slicing deep into its neck and then quickly dodging away.

Blood gushed from the wound on the boar’s neck.

Hu Zhaodi glanced over, sighing inwardly. “Fifth Brother Ji, your hatchet is too dull! With that angle, you should’ve been able to take its head clean off!”

At the same moment, Big Brother Ji and the third Ji brother, worried for Fifth Brother Ji and Hu Zhaodi, came up behind the boar, bringing their hatchets down onto its back.

The boar let out a piercing scream, and as it staggered, Hu Zhaodi leapt high into the air, delivering a final blow to its head.

With a heavy thud, the boar collapsed to the ground, its legs flailing wildly. Blood poured out more fiercely as it struggled, but soon, it stopped moving entirely.

The four of them leaned against a nearby tree, panting heavily.

“We finally killed it,” the eldest Ji brother said. “Zhaodi, let’s get back. I’m worried this blood will attract other predators.”

Hu Zhaodi nodded. “We should hurry. It’s a shame we don’t have any rope, but with the four of us, we should be able to carry it.”

“I have rope,” Fifth Brother Ji chimed in. “Big Brother, let’s cut a couple of poles and tie up the boar to carry it out.”

Hu Zhaodi agreed. “Fifth Brother Ji, you three handle tying up the boar. I’ll go cut the poles. Let’s be quick.”

“Got it, go ahead!” Fifth Brother Ji replied, then hurried to retrieve his basket, pulling out the rope as the three brothers began binding the boar.

Hu Zhaodi took her hatchet and went off to chop two sturdy poles, each as thick as a man’s arm.