Chapter 443: Su Yang's Assigned Task! The Hunter and the Hunting Dog!

Feng Yan was extremely excited, rushing over to throw herself into Feng Jingchu's embrace.

The two hugged each other, savoring the long-lost familial affection and warmth.

Feng Yan buried her head in her chest, tears streaming down uncontrollably.

"Sister, where did you go? Not a single word for so many days."

Her voice carried a hint of complaint, but more than that, reluctance.

Feng Jingchu fondly patted her head, "You're this old and still crying and sniffling, what a sight."

Feng Yan lifted her tear-streaked face and looked closely, finding that in just a few days, the other had grown so haggard.

"Sister, how did you find this place?"

"I came back as soon as the war broke out. When I found no one at the manor, I guessed you'd be here," Feng Jingchu explained.

Feng Yan took her hand and sat down, asking curiously, "Is everyone else alright?"

"The brothers of Fengyun Hall have been moved to a safe place, don't worry."

"What about the others?"

"The Weiwu Hall brothers suffered heavy casualties, Hall Master Zhao's whereabouts are unknown; Qianshou Hall's location is hidden, so it's temporarily safe; Zhongyi Hall went to North City District long ago, also very safe."

"As for that guy Ceng Yunzhong... you know, he's a sly old fox, ordinary people can't do anything to him."

Hearing this, Feng Yan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but still felt a bit sad inside.

After all, she usually interacted most with the people of Weiwu Hall, and had long come to see them as family.

"Do you have the thing the leader instructed you to bring on you?" Feng Jingchu asked.

"Mm, I went to the study before I left." Feng Yan nodded, pulling a thick envelope from her pocket.

Feng Jingchu's expression immediately turned serious. She carefully tucked the envelope into her bosom and said quietly, "I still have a task to carry out, I have to go. You and Liang Shu stay put here, don't go anywhere."

Feng Yan was taken aback and hurriedly said, "Sister, you're leaving now?"

"This is of great importance, it can't be delayed." Feng Jingchu nodded slightly.

"Then... take care." Feng Yan wanted to ask her to stay, but she knew the situation was urgent, and Su Yang's orders took top priority.

Feng Jingchu pinched her cheek and said with a smile, "Yan'er has grown up."

With that, she got up and left, without any hesitation.

Feng Yan felt the lingering warmth on her face and lowered her head, saying, "Everyone's alive, that's wonderful..."

Liang Shu shook his head and sighed inwardly. When it came to worry, no one understood the bonds and ties between brothers better than he did.

On ordinary days, everyone acted like they wouldn't bow to anyone, but when faced with major issues of right and wrong, they all united against outsiders and stood together.

Now scattered far apart, Liang Shu knew well that each was deeply concerned for the other's safety.

"Fate plays cruel tricks; I hope there's still a time for reunion..."

Somewhere in the outskirts of Xicheng District.

"Woof woof woof!"

In the silent mountain forest, a cold wind howled, and a burst of barking stirred up a commotion.

Several hunters, holding walking sticks, struggled to climb the slope, trudging forward through the heavy snow.

In the distance, a few hunting dogs moved very quickly, disappearing from sight in the blink of an eye.

"Old Zhang, this winter is going to be tough..." a young, strong hunter said with a sigh.

"Yeah, coal prices have gone up like crazy this year. If we don't bring back some meat, we'll probably have to go work in the mines," Old Zhang nodded.

"Your kids are at the age where they're growing. You can't cut off their food. Suffer anyone but don't let the kids suffer," Lao Li said.

"My wife has been doing needlework at a workshop in the city these past few days, all for the kids..."

"I heard there was a riot in South City District, and the warlord personally stepped in to suppress it. A lot of people died."

"I heard that too. It's all about that so-called Jinshan again."

"They say it was a dispute started by a man named Su Yang. He chopped off the head of a Search Army captain right on the street."

"Really? He dared to touch the tiger's ass?"

"Young people these days have some nerve, but they've hurt a lot of people."

"Woof woof woof..."

Suddenly, urgent barking sounded.

Every old hunter knew this was the signal that prey had been found!

"Meat's coming," Lao Li immediately crouched down.

The few of them lay on the slope, staring straight ahead through the wind and snow.

Just as they reached for the bows and arrows at their backs, several hunting dogs ran back.

"Huh?"

The dogs were acting unusually, darting around the men, both anxious and excited.

The men exchanged glances; it was the first time they'd seen their dogs behave like this.

A dog bit Lao Li's pant leg and pulled hard in one direction.

"Lao Li, what's up with your dog?" Old Zhang asked in confusion.

"I don't know. Could it have found an old mountain ginseng?" Lao Li's heart stirred.

He had experienced something similar before, on a snowy night three years ago. The hunting dog had dragged him to a basin, where he dug up a ginseng as long as a finger.

Just that one root had kept his family warm through the entire winter.

Now the dog's reaction was somewhat similar to three years ago, but noticeably more excited.

"If it really is an old mountain ginseng, we'll hit the jackpot!" Old Zhang said excitedly.

"Quick, quick, quick, go over and Vision Perception!" another person said.

Lao Li did not delay, hurriedly ran forward following his own yellow dog.

Soon, the three people arrived at a flat ground.

Several dogs spun in place, their paws constantly digging the ground, occasionally raising their heads to bark twice.

"Is it just below?" Lao Li's heart stirred, he took out a pre‑prepared small hoe and began digging.

"Lend a hand."

The three people and three dogs dug down together, first clearing the white snow, then striking the frozen soil with force.

"Clang!"

A sound like metal colliding rang out, and after a short while it was drowned in the howling cold wind.

The three were full of vigor, their hearts full of anticipation.

If they could dig up a hundred‑year‑old ginseng, not only would they get through winter, buying a Suite in the city would be more than enough.

Thinking that his family could enjoy a good life and his children receive a good education, Lao Zhang worked even harder.

Not long after, their hoes struck an object of a different texture.

"White cloth?" Lao Li furrowed his brow.

"Woof woof!"

Lao Zhang felt it and found that the thing inside had edges and corners.

"Could it be that someone hid a treasure here?"

"Possible!"

"Come, keep digging, pull it out!"

The three grew even more excited, using all their strength.

After a short while, the full shape of the buried object emerged.

They lifted the object out, wiping the Frost‑covered Sweat from their Forehead.

After examining it, Lao Li was the first to spot a clue, "Vision Perception looks like a person?"

"Probably not; which family would bury a corpse here?"

"Never mind, open it and see."

Lao Zhang ripped open the white cloth, and a withered face's brain pouch came into view.

"My mother!"

At first glance, it startled him, causing him to stagger and step back, his eyes filled with bewildered doubt.

The other two, though frightened, still forced themselves to fully unwrap the white cloth.

A complete corpse appeared, emitting a faint fragrance from head to toe.

"Damn it, it's already marinated." Lao Li forced down his nausea, groping all over the corpse.

Suddenly, he felt a hard object in the corpse's hand.

He stared and discovered it was actually a gold Tooth!

"Really Fortune Tile!" Lao Li was ecstatic, unable to put it down.

"This gold Tooth is off, let me see." Lao Zhang said gravely.

"This is the treasure I felt, don't even think about snatching it!" Lao Li said with a wary expression.

"Cut the nonsense, hurry up!" Lao Zhang said, breathing rapidly.

He seized it without further words, then lit a Fire matchstick and examined it carefully.

"Vision Perception, are you done? Give it back quickly," Lao Li urged.

Lao Zhang said nothing, his face growing even more solemn, crouching down to pry open the corpse's Mouth.

He re‑set the gold Tooth back into its original spot, and a human face instantly flashed in his Brain.

The human face gradually merged with the corpse's features, and a massive Giant Wave rose in his heart.

"That's right, it's him!" Lao Zhang murmured absent‑mindedly.

"Who? Do you know him?" Lao Li said with his Mouth, while snatching the gold Tooth back.

Lao Zhang turned his head stiffly, trembling, "You also know him, he is…"

"Warlord Leader!"