Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Charging Wild Boar

After hearing this, Dahua thought it over and realized it made sense. As long as it wasn't deadly, anything could be eaten.

For people like them, having food at all was already a blessing. In Lotus Village, several families now only ate once a day.

"Sister-in-law, you're absolutely right. I just wasn't thinking straight. Should we go farther in? I feel we've gathered quite a lot today."

Looking at the items filling the basket, Dahua couldn't help but smile.

If her parents saw how many good things she'd brought back from the mountain, they'd surely be overjoyed.

"I want to go further in. Don't worry, if there's any danger, we'll leave immediately. I won't let you take any risks," Gu Xiaoyao replied, her tone steady yet confident. This small haul wouldn't even fill their stomachs.

The two walked several more miles deeper into the woods, with Gu Xiaoyao leading the way and Dahua following close behind.

Whenever they spotted edible wild greens, they'd crouch down to gather them, and before long, their baskets were full.

"Sister-in-law, let me carry yours. I'm stronger," Dahua offered enthusiastically, feeling she hadn't helped much and wanting to at least use her strength.

Seeing how eager Dahua was, Gu Xiaoyao released her grip, and Dahua quickly hoisted the basket onto her back.

"Sister-in-law, I've heard there are wild boars nearby. Do you think we might run into one?"

If they really did encounter a wild boar, should they run or not?

As Dahua pondered this, Gu Xiaoyao's expression shifted; she instantly pulled Dahua down beside her.

They gazed into the distance where a wild boar was snuffling and strolling.

"If we meet a wild boar, naturally we should drag it home," Gu Xiaoyao said, excitement flickering in her heart as she sized up the beast, though her face betrayed nothing.

The boar was snorting and rooting at the ground, oblivious to the two humans eyeing it hungrily nearby.

"But that's not possible, is it? There's just the two of us, and this boar weighs at least two hundred pounds..." Dahua was confident in her own strength, but worried Gu Xiaoyao might get hurt.

"Don't you want to eat wild boar? I do. So, we have to bring it back," Gu Xiaoyao answered without hesitation, crouching lower as she quietly approached the beast.

She gripped the hatchet tightly, focusing all her energy, while Dahua, following behind, unconsciously held her breath.

Once she was within striking distance, Gu Xiaoyao discreetly activated her ability.

Silent vines, manipulated by her will, crept toward the unsuspecting wild boar like shadows in the night.

When the moment was right, the vines wrapped around the boar's hind legs, and Gu Xiaoyao rushed forward, swinging her hatchet at the animal's head.

"Sister-in-law..." Dahua was startled by her ferocity and hurried after her.

The boar, ensnared by the vines, let out a few panicked squeals and quickly broke free of the slender tendrils. Fortunately, the ground was covered with winding vines, so Gu Xiaoyao had no shortage of them.

"Sister-in-law, what should we do?" Dahua cried out, completely flustered.

"I'll block it; you circle behind. We'll surround it and attack. Grab anything you can use," Gu Xiaoyao instructed, striking the boar's neck with her hatchet as she spoke.

Unfortunately, the blade hadn't been sharpened, and the blow didn't fell the beast. Instead, it became even more frenzied.