Chapter Seventy-Nine: The Wild Boar’s Aggrieved Demise (Three Updates Today—Please Keep Reading)

The five of them immediately stopped their conversation and exchanged glances. Old Zhang, the militia member holding the gun, nodded and quietly slipped out alone. Han Li and the others poked their heads out of the hut, peering in the direction of the sound.

In the dim light ahead, they could make out a wild boar, sniffing here and there, glancing around as if testing the situation. The boar wandered for a while, then slowly turned back the way it had come. Had it discovered them? Just as Han Li was about to move, a hand pressed down on his shoulder. He turned to look and saw the others gesturing for silence, so he patiently watched.

Soon, led by the first boar, a large group appeared in front, at least a dozen. These wild boars were less wary than the first, darting about and occasionally grunting or squealing. Upon discovering the cornfield, the smaller boars rushed forward, while the two largest stayed behind as reinforcements. As they were about to enter the cornfield, several fell into traps.

The agonized cries of the trapped boars echoed throughout the surrounding fields, and the dogs left deliberately at the rear began barking. The boar herd, startled by their companions' screams, scattered in all directions. The two largest boars were clever—they grunted twice, spun around, and retreated.

Seeing the largest prize about to escape, Old Zhang in the hut raised his rifle and fired, while another militia member rushed out. Han Li would never charge forward; a stray bullet could easily end his life. But if the boars came closer, he'd guarantee a fight.

A few gunshots rang out, and, perhaps as heaven had overheard Han Li's thoughts, the two largest boars turned back. Whether the shots hit, Han Li couldn't tell, but the boars were clearly enraged. They charged toward their direction, skirting the traps where other boars had fallen.

At that moment, Village Chief Zhao's voice rang out: "Each group, guard your area—do not shoot at random in other directions!"

Gunshots and barking filled the air.

Not far from their hut, one of the largest boars was struck and collapsed. It screamed in agony, struggling to rise. Its persistent thrashing caused blood to gush from its wound like a fountain, quickly staining the ground red. The other large boar staggered from a shot.

With a furious squeal, the wounded boar became even more frenzied, accelerating directly toward Han Li. Now, Han Li finally saw it clearly—its massive body, weighing two or three hundred pounds, exuded a powerful sense of menace. Its bristling hair stood upright, its tusked maw panting heavily, saliva and blood mixing at its lips. Like a savage tank, it charged with a foul wind, so close the militia dared not shoot.

"Everyone, get out of the way—don’t stand in front of the boar!" someone shouted, their voice indistinct. In moments of intense anxiety, people instinctively followed orders, and Han Li was no exception, running with the others to the sides.

Once clear of the boar’s path, Han Li tightened his grip on the iron birch spear in his hand. He thought, if he lacked even this courage after all his training, he’d be better off spending winter quietly at home after the autumn harvest.

He planted his feet, bent his waist slightly, and with a shout, dashed to the boar’s side. With both hands, he thrust the spear forcefully into the boar’s slightly drooping belly—stab, sweep—the boar’s intestines were exposed.

The wild boar bellowed in pain, its bloodshot eyes fixed on Han Li. Its head lunged forward, enormous tusks like two spears aimed straight at him. Anticipating this, Han Li pushed off with his feet and rolled behind the boar. With bent arms, he positioned the spear and drove it forward with all his might.

A sickening squelch resounded.

The boar let out its most agonized scream, one that sent chills down the spines of all who heard it. Not only Han Li’s four teammates but also villagers who had rushed over witnessed the scene—every one of them felt a tightening in their gut, and their gazes at Han Li were now tinged with awe.

But the matter was not yet settled. Han Li, steeling himself, decided to abandon the spear. As the boar screamed, he clenched his fists and hammered the end of the spear.

With another squelch, most of the spear vanished into the boar.

The beast, now terrified, bolted forward but collapsed after a few steps. Though the boar had fallen, its legs still thrashed desperately, as if it believed it could escape. A nearby militia member cautiously approached as the boar continued to pant heavily.

Village Chief Zhao and his group arrived, hastily calling out, "What are you staring at? Hurry and put a couple more bullets in it. If it suddenly revives, we’ll have trouble."

The militia raised his semi-automatic rifle and fired twice into the area above the boar’s foreleg, where the heart lay. The boar’s legs jerked reflexively, then went utterly still.

Han Li slumped to the ground, the sensation of killing a wolf last time returning once more. Although milder now, it still surfaced, revealing his physical and mental shortcomings.

Nearby, sporadic gunfire and the anguished cries of wild boars continued.

Village Chief Zhao sat beside Han Li, patting his shoulder. "You did well, kid. This boar weighs at least two hundred pounds, and you managed to take it down—not bad, not bad. But you’re looking a bit off. Don’t tell me you’re scared senseless?"

A veteran like Chief Zhao surely knew Han Li’s state, yet he joked all the same. Han Li forced a smile. "I was too focused just now and feel a bit drained."

"It’s nothing," said Chief Zhao. "There’s no good way to deal with this; you just have to go through it a few times. When I first... ah, I’ll save that story for another day. Rest here a bit and help out when you recover. There won’t be any more wild boars tonight. I’ll get everyone to bring them back—since it’s hot, we’ll have to process the meat overnight, or it’ll spoil."

"Alright."

Chief Zhao patted Han Li’s shoulder once more, then rose to give instructions.

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