Chapter 85: Wild Boar Feast
“Qian Xia!”
Seeing the scene unfold, Ye Lingchen called out anxiously.
“This is bad!”
Fang Xiaocao exclaimed in shock.
Qian Xia, unflinching in the face of danger, raised his hand and hurled a flying knife straight at the wild boar. At the same time, he executed a tactical roll, swiftly dodging behind a nearby tree.
A wild boar’s charge is relentless—it doesn’t turn. That’s exactly why Qian Xia remained so composed.
Boom!
The wild boar’s head smashed into the tree.
This melon is ripe!
A peculiar thought popped into Fang Xiaocao’s mind.
“Ah—!”
Before she could dwell on it, two sharp screams yanked her back to reality.
Fang Xiaocao’s eyes widened in shock.
The immense force of the wild boar’s impact caused the tree to shake violently, dislodging Su Wanqing and Wan Xiaozhou from their perch on a branch.
Like tumbling gourds, the two fell straight in front of the dazed wild boar.
The boar froze.
Su Wanqing and Wan Xiaozhou were dumbfounded!
Wild Boar: What’s going on? Bonus surprise?
Blood covering its face, the wild boar’s eyes locked onto Su Wanqing and Wan Xiaozhou.
The next second, it let out a loud “AOOO!” and swung its head forward, charging straight at them.
Its yellowed, bloodstained tusks gleamed like the scythe of death, radiating a chilling aura that sent shivers down Su Wanqing and Wan Xiaozhou’s spines.
We’re doomed!
Everyone present had the same thought.
At such a close distance, there was no time to react.
Even Qian Xia couldn’t reach out in time.
Bang!
A gunshot rang out.
The charging wild boar shuddered, its body stumbling forward a few steps from sheer momentum before collapsing with a loud thud.
Its massive tusks stopped less than ten centimeters from Su Wanqing.
“Impressive shot!”
Qian Xia exclaimed.
“W-We’re saved?”
Su Wanqing murmured in disbelief.
Phew…
Fang Xiaocao let out a sigh of relief.
That was some skill.
Give the shooter a drumstick!
She muttered inwardly.
Qian Xia stepped out from behind the tree and helped Su Wanqing and Wan Xiaozhou up.
Su Wanqing’s legs had turned to jelly—she nearly wet herself.
Even Wan Xiaozhou, having brushed past death, was still trembling with lingering fear.
“You two okay?”
Qian Xia asked in a low voice.
“I-I’m fine…”
Su Wanqing stammered.
Wan Xiaozhou, her face pale, shook her head.
“As long as you’re okay.”
Fang Xiaocao slid down from the tree and spoke.
The others descended as well, gathering around, concerned for Su Wanqing and Wan Xiaozhou.
“Aquarius?”
Fang Xiaocao called out.
“Princess, I’m here!”
Aquarius emerged from behind a tree.
“What happened just now? Why were you so late?”
Fang Xiaocao frowned.
“We ran into a squad of Blacklist peripheral members. The three of us took them down before rushing back.”
Aquarius lowered his head and reported.
“How many?”
Fang Xiaocao’s expression changed.
The presence of Blacklist members meant that Capricorn and the others were likely nearby.
According to Aquarius, Blacklist’s peripheral members were subordinates of official members and never acted alone.
If they appeared, at least one official member had to be in the vicinity.
“One squad, ten people.”
Aquarius replied solemnly.
“Who was leading them?”
Fang Xiaocao pressed.
“We didn’t find an official member.”
Aquarius sighed.
“Could it be Capricorn?”
Fang Xiaocao narrowed her eyes.
“I’m not sure.”
Aquarius hesitated.
“But if it were Capricorn, she wouldn’t have let the three of us go.”
Aquarius hesitated before adding,
“Unless…”
He trailed off as if something had just clicked in his mind.
“Unless what? Stop keeping us in suspense!”
Fang Xiaocao frowned.
“Unless Capricorn is being held up by someone else!”
Noticing Fang Xiaocao’s irritation, Aquarius quickly responded.
“Held up? Could there be others nearby?”
“Is Capricorn targeting them instead?”
Fang Xiaocao’s mind raced.
“Exactly.”
“It could be the same people who left those traces earlier.”
Aquarius nodded, analyzing the situation.
“That’s possible.”
Fang Xiaocao agreed.
“Xiaocao, what should we do?”
Zhi Qi asked worriedly after listening to their discussion.
“We stay put and rest.”
“Let’s deal with the wild boar first and fill our stomachs.”
Fang Xiaocao decided after a moment of thought.
They couldn’t take four entire wild boars with them, but they could have a feast and pack some meat for later.
Hearing her orders, everyone got to work.
Some skinned the boar, some gathered firewood, others started a fire.
Even though Capricorn might be nearby, Fang Xiaocao didn’t rush to move.
The battle with the wild boars had been loud—there was no way they hadn’t been noticed. Moving now would only leave tracks, making it even easier for Capricorn to find them.
Rather than running themselves ragged, it was better to stay put and prepare for the worst.
They needed to replenish their energy.
If Capricorn came, they’d just fight.
“Aquarius, check the area for any signs of battle.”
“See if you can trace those people or find any corpses.”
Fang Xiaocao ordered in a low voice.
“Yes!”
Aquarius acknowledged and swiftly disappeared into the forest.
“Xiaozhou, go bring Lin Meng over.”
Fang Xiaocao said once Aquarius left.
“Got it!”
Wan Xiaozhou nodded and made her way toward the camp.
“Qian Xia, pick a concealed spot in the trees and keep watch.”
“If any strangers approach, alert us immediately.”
Fang Xiaocao instructed.
“Understood.”
Qian Xia nodded, retrieved her flying knives from the wild boar’s body, and leapt onto a nearby tree. With swift, agile movements, she vanished into the thick foliage.
The tree she chose was perfect—it covered their entire area within her line of sight.
With everything arranged, Fang Xiaocao rolled up her sleeves, grabbed a dagger, and joined in processing the boar meat.
She reasoned that with the cool weather, fresh meat should last a while.
They had no idea how long they’d be stuck in this godforsaken wilderness.
This expedition had been a trap from the start.
The promised supplies at the gathering point? Likely a lie.
Blacklist never intended for them to reach the gathering point—why would they leave provisions there?
Fang Xiaocao knew they had to make plans.
They needed more food.
Not just fresh meat, but cooked meat as well.
Until their supplies ran out, their meals would be nothing but wild boar.
They still had instant food like noodles, but those lasted indefinitely. Unless absolutely necessary, Fang Xiaocao wouldn’t let anyone touch them.
(End of Chapter 85)
