Qiao Xin led the group through Lao Hu Town.

After walking for half an hour, they arrived at the foot of Beishan Mountain.

Beishan wasn’t very tall—compared to the other mountains in the region, it was more like a small hill.

However, the vegetation on the mountain was clearly cultivated, showing obvious signs of human planting.

An abandoned stone path led straight to the top, but it was long overgrown with withered vines and weeds.

On both sides of the path stood numerous persimmon trees.

In the coldest months of winter, many birds survived solely by feeding on the persimmons.

“This path leads to an old academy that a wealthy family built. It used to be a lively place,” Li Zhong explained to Qiao Xin with some regret. “Many scholars gathered there to drink and compose poetry, but unfortunately, it was destroyed. Look over there—lots of peach trees! In spring, when we stand at the foot of the mountain and look up, it’s a breathtaking sight. There are also plenty of other fruit trees in the forest. When the weather warms up, the place is filled with birds. But the land below is completely ruled by wild boars.”

Qiao Xin asked, “Have you ever gone up there?”

“We did once—it was a complete wreck!” Wang Dakui said with disgust.

They had just taken a few steps into the mountain when they heard some noise ahead.

They crept forward to take a look—and what a sight! Two groups of wild boars were fighting fiercely, locked in a brutal battle over territory.

The other members of their respective groups glared menacingly at their opponents, ready to charge at any moment.

These beasts had absolutely no regard for humans! Right at the foot of the mountain, they were openly fighting for land, completely unafraid.

Qiao Xin handed her bow and arrow to Qiao Yunxin.

The mother and son exchanged a glance.

Qiao Yunxin pointed at himself in silent question: “Me?”

Qiao Xin raised an eyebrow and pointed toward the wild boars.

The meaning was clear—just shoot. Don’t worry, your mother has your back!

Qiao Yunxin tested the weight of the bow, not caring whether he hit or missed.

He squinted and instinctively released an arrow toward the boars.

“Ow!!!”

The arrow actually hit one of the wild boars—but only in the rear!

The wounded boar spun around in pain, howling, its small green eyes locking onto its attacker. It scraped the ground with its hooves and charged!

The three Qiao brothers usually supported their mother from a distance.

It wasn’t that they didn’t want to fight, but rather that their mother wouldn’t allow them to.

Qiao Xin, however, rushed forward without hesitation.

Her dagger was as deadly as ever.

With a swift stab and a powerful throw, another wild boar fell lifelessly to the ground.

Meanwhile, Li Zhong and Wang Dakui were still running for their lives from a pursuing wild boar.

By the time they realized what was happening, Qiao Xin had already finished the fight.

They looked around in confusion—there wasn’t a single standing wild boar left. It was an absolute massacre.

Seeing this, the group suddenly felt immense confidence in Qiao Xin’s plan to clear out the wild boars from Beishan.

Just an hour later, the gate of the Qiao family’s courtyard swung open again.

The people inside the yard stared, mouths agape, as Qiao Xin dragged a massive wild boar inside and threw it onto the ground with a loud thud!

The three Qiao brothers followed closely behind, each carrying a wild boar on his back.

Granny Shi and Old Mo leaned against the wall for support, struggling to stay upright.

What kind of family had they ended up with?!

How were they all so unbelievably strong?

If they ever got angry in the future…

They finally understood why Qiao Xin never worried about them betraying her.

With their frail old bodies, they probably couldn’t even take a single punch from her! What was there for her to fear?

Old Mo forced himself to stop thinking too much.

At the very least, this winter, the Qiao family wouldn’t have to worry about food.

He and his son wouldn’t have to go hungry, either.

Zhang Shi and Xu Shi peeked outside the courtyard, holding onto the doorframe for support.

In shock, Zhang Shi mumbled, “My goodness… Did you raid a wild boar nest?”

Hearing this, Qiao Yunting burst into laughter. “Big Sister-in-law, you’re exactly right! We had just entered the mountain when we came across two groups of wild boars fighting for territory. The smaller ones we let go, but the bigger ones… well, we took them all down!”

“But this is… too much! There are over ten of them!”

Two months ago, they were starving.

And now, they had so much meat they were almost complaining about it!

Seeing his wife still in shock, Qiao Yunxin quickly said, “Why are you worrying about this? Mother knows what she’s doing. Hurry up and boil some water!”

The wild boars had to be bled quickly; otherwise, the meat would have a strong, unpleasant odor.

Wang Dakui was experienced in handling wild animals and took on the task of draining the blood.

Other hunters also stayed to help—some fetching water, others scraping hair or cutting up the meat.

In no time, the courtyard had turned into a full-blown slaughterhouse.

Once everything was almost done, Li Zhong stepped forward and asked, “Aunt Qiao, do you have any other instructions?”

Qiao Xin glanced at the snowy ground, where a small mountain of meat had formed.

After thinking for a moment, she said, “Go tell everyone that we’re hosting a feast for lunch today. Pick one boar and cook it well to treat everyone. See if anyone good at cooking can help out.

I also have something important to discuss. The wild boar population on Beishan is out of control. We need to clear them out properly. I’ll take everyone up the mountain to train and get some practice!”

Hearing this, Li Zhong was overjoyed.

He eagerly agreed.

He had always felt bitter seeing wild boars roaming Beishan in groups of three or five, charging at people instead of running away.

So much good land and property had been abandoned because of them!

Now, hearing that Qiao Xin was going to lead them in wiping out the wild boars, he felt a surge of satisfaction—like a long-awaited revenge was finally within reach!

Qiao Xin had no intention of simply giving the meat away.

After all, today’s hunt was almost entirely her own family’s effort.

It wasn’t that the villagers didn’t want to help—it was just that Qiao Xin was too strong.

Against her, the wild boars were like helpless little chicks.

She took them down with ease, leaving no opportunity for the others to even get a hit in.

In the end, all they could do was help carry the boars back down the mountain!

She wasn’t going to hand out free meat.

People got lazy when they got too used to free things—it would only hurt them in the long run.

Instead, she was inviting them to a meal and giving them a chance to improve their hunting skills.

That was the best way to truly help everyone.

With Qiao Xin leading them, they were guaranteed safety.

At this rate, even if they hunted every day for half a month, it wouldn’t be a problem!

And wild boars—these were beasts that even tigers and bears had to think twice about before confronting!

Li Zhong didn’t even bother asking what Qiao Xin wanted with the Chinese tallow trees.

Beishan was full of them.

In the summer, they were covered in caterpillars, and no one ever wanted to go near them.

In winter, their leaves fell, leaving only white seeds hanging from the branches. No one had ever heard of them being useful.

He decided not to ask. Whatever Qiao Xin wanted them for, it didn’t matter.

The Qiao family had already generously paid with a whole wild boar—what was there to complain about?