Wang Yongping wanted to ask what had happened but, seeing the expressions on the Liu Family siblings’ faces, and noting that both Song Chongjin and his own sister had remained silent, he swallowed his question.
Liu Xiaoqiao and Liu Daming whispered a brief consultation before turning back and saying, "Sister Wang, there’s been an incident in the mountains. My second brother and I need to go up there, and soon my father and eldest brother will follow. I’m really sorry, but it’s not far from our village. Just follow this road and you can get out..."
Wang Yongzhu waved her hand, "Don’t be polite, although I don’t know what happened, it’s clear there’s been an accident. Is there anything we can do to help?"
Liu Xiaoqiao bit her lip, glanced at Song Chongjin, who clearly looked like a skilled hunter who would be of help, and she had witnessed the strength of Wang Yongzhu. As for Wang Yongping, he also seemed to be quite strong. All three of them were formidable.
Life was at stake, and any additional strength was welcome.
So she nodded, "Then come with us!"
With that, she stamped her foot and turned back toward the deeper part of the mountains. Wang Yongzhu and the others exchanged glances and followed.
As they moved, Liu Xiaoqiao led the way and briefly explained the situation.
In the past few days, the hunters from Chongzi Gou had gone into the mountains in groups to hunt. The Liu Family had returned early because Father Liu’s old wound had flared up.
The remaining hunters, when the Liu Family siblings had returned, seemed to have spotted a group of deer and most of them had pursued the herd.
The noises they had just heard seemed to be from the village hunters encountering a big creature.
They had heard the unique signals of distress and alarm sent out by their fellow villagers.
The hunters of the village were like branches of the same tree, especially at times like these, they needed to unite and cooperate.
Hence, Liu Dasheng had gone back to the village to send a message and gather the few remaining men to rescue those in the mountains.
After laying out the situation, Liu Xiaoqiao made a special request, "If we do encounter a big creature later, you should leave first. If someone gets injured, and you can help bring a few people back, everyone in Chongzi Gou would be incredibly grateful."
Wang Yongzhu understood that Liu Xiaoqiao’s arrangement was made because she feared they might interfere without the proper experience, and also because she feared for their safety.
"Don’t worry, Sister Xiao Qiao. Human life is of utmost importance; we won’t act rashly. My Fourth Brother and I might not understand this, but we promise not to complicate things. Brother Song is a hunter too, so he should be able to help. If there’s anything we can do, just say the word."
Liu Xiaoqiao nodded her thanks.
As they walked deeper into the mountain, the shrill, unknown sounds grew closer and more piercing.
The expressions of the Liu Family siblings became increasingly solemn.
The woods were eerily quiet, the birds in the trees had stopped chirping, and only the sound of the wind rustling through the branches could be heard.
A faint smell of blood drifted towards them on the wind.
From afar came what seemed like the barking of dogs, but listening closely, it disappeared.
Wang Yongzhu felt a sense of déjà vu and turned to look at Song Chongjin.
Song Chongjin seemed to have realized something and, walking beside Wang Yongzhu, whispered, "Could it be—"
"A pack of wolves! They’ve encountered a pack of wolves!" Liu Xiaoqiao suddenly exclaimed after careful listening to the shrill noise.
Liu Daming’s face paled, "How could they have run into a pack of wolves? This is terrible."
For hunters, they would rather face a blind bear, tiger, or wild boar big creatures that, with enough people and effort, could eventually be worn down and killed.
But a wolf pack was like a ghostly presence, its attack unpredictable, launching at you without warning.
Especially since wolves hold grudges, if not dealt with properly, they might take revenge one day when the men had gone hunting and only women and children were left in the village.
That would be the true horror!