Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 337 - 323: Hunting and Being Hunted

Chapter 337: Chapter 323: Hunting and Being Hunted

Over the course of three days, Zhang San had been frantically consuming resources to enhance the effects of his Body Refinement.

Previously, Zhang San had only cultivated three hundred and six of the seven hundred and twenty Qi Acupoints in his body to perfection.

But now, Zhang San had directly cultivated all three hundred and sixty Qi Acupoints in his body to perfection.

He had completed half of his Body Refinement progress!

Although Zhang San didn’t know what level his defensive power had reached, his strength in drawing the Dragon Tongue Bow that Principal Officer Ximen had lent him was much easier than before.

Especially after witnessing Sister Ling’s display of the Zheng Family’s Meteor Arrow Technique during the day, that night, he dreamt that his grandfather gave him eight years’ worth of lessons.

As a result, Zhang San had mastered all three of the strongest Archery Techniques he was aware of.

And it was precisely at this time that Zhang San received an invitation sent by Pei Shouqi’s envoy.

Because of the unpleasantness at the previous birthday banquet, and with the refreshing autumn season approaching, Pei Shouqi invited Zhang San to join him on a hunt at Phoenix Mountain, southwest of the capital, the next day.

Zhang San felt the invitation was somewhat odd.

After all, given what happened last time, Pei Shouqi should know the Zheng Family in the capital disliked him and should also be aware that the Wen Family had always been looking to trouble him.

The Han Family, though inactive, couldn’t be ruled out for suddenly striking a blow against him.

Yet, he insisted on inviting Zhang San—could it be that Pei Shouqi thought he was capable of playing the peacemaker?

Zhang San couldn’t help but feel the situation was strange, yet he still believed he should go.

On one hand, he certainly needed an opportunity to truly test the extent of his Archery skills.

On the other hand, if there was danger this time, it was better to know in advance than falling into an unknown trap.

The next day, Zhang San arrived at Phoenix Mountain with Big Head Wang, Wang Ziteng, and Ximen Jinxing in tow.

By then, many young people from the capital had already gathered, along with quite a few ladies.

After all, this autumnal hunt was not just about gallivanting through the forest on horseback; it was also an opportunity for the ladies to choose their groom.

So every time such an event was held, it would attract a crowd to the area.

Upon seeing Zhang San’s arrival, Pei Shouqi immediately approached with Lady Yu.

"Brother Zhang San, thank you for the invitation."

Upon hearing these words, Zhang San frowned slightly and spoke in a low voice, "Big Brother Pei, wasn’t it your invitation that brought me here?"

Pei Shouqi was startled upon hearing this and his eyes widened.

"But the invitation I received was from you, wasn’t it? I was curious why you would be the one to send out invitations for this event."

In that moment, as the two men looked at each other, they both realized that something was amiss.

Pei Shouqi quickly grasped the situation and spoke softly, "Could it be the Zheng Family? Brother Zhang San, you must be careful!"

Zhang San patted Pei Shouqi on the shoulder and said in a low voice, "Big Brother Pei, I was aware that something was not right before I came, but I have a way to get through this ordeal. You, on the other hand, need to be really careful."

"Ah?" Pei Shouqi was momentarily unable to grasp the meaning of Zhang San’s words.

"Big Brother Pei, my skills are quite good; I won’t die. But you mustn’t. If you were to die, and the invitation received was still from me, Zhang San, you would lose your life, and I would be in great trouble."

Pei Shouqi initially thought that the Zheng Family might be using his name to deal with Zhang San, but now he realized he was still too naive.

If he died, not only would Zhang San be in trouble now, but his grandfather in Sword South Path would also not let the matter rest after receiving the news.

Zhang San had already offended the Ministry of Punishment, and now with the Ministry of War against him as well, it would be even easier to crush Zhang San.

Thinking of this, sweat began to bead on Pei Shouqi’s forehead.

At that moment, Lady Yu next to him suddenly clutched at her belly and let out a loud cry.

The cry was so loud that not only Zhang San and his companions heard it clearly, but even passersby nearby could hear it.

Pei Shouqi was startled and quickly supported his wife, asking with concern, "My lady, what’s wrong with you? Brother Zhang San, I would trouble Principal Officer Ximen to take care of her for a moment, I will go fetch the doctor immediately... Ah!"

Before Pei Shouqi could finish speaking, Lady Yu pinched him hard on his waist.

Zhang San helplessly looked at Pei Shouqi, unable to understand how such a formidable military general and former Minister of War, Pei Renwu, could have such a foolish son.

"Big Brother Pei, seeing that sister-in-law is not feeling well, you don’t need to accompany us on the hunt. Take good care of your wife here. Jinxing, you stay as well to help take care of her. Big Head Wang, you stay behind too, to help run errands!"

Principal Officer Ximen nodded his head.

But Big Head Wang shook his head and said, "Big Brother Pei brought his servants, there’s no need for me to run errands. I’ll stick with Brother San instead, that way there’s an extra layer of protection."

Zhang San turned his head to look at a carriage that had just arrived behind him.

Following Zhang San’s gaze, Big Head Wang saw a plump woman stepping down from the carriage, the very Qiong from the Yu Family whom he had encountered last time at the Pei Family.

"But Brother San, you are here..."

"I’ve attained the Five Emperors’ Proper Position, and you’re the one attuned with Yin and Yang Harmony, so why worry about me? Get lost, get lost, get lost!"

Zhang San sent Big Head Wang away and then mounted a horse with Wang Ziteng to meet up with the others for the hunt.

Whereas Pei Shouqi, supporting Lady Yu, headed toward the resting place for the ladies.

Principal Officer Ximen stood by their side. Although he wished to stay by Zhang San’s side, he knew even better that this hunt was nominally for hunting, but in reality, there were people looking for the opportunity to make a move on Zhang San.

If they failed to strike Zhang San, they would probably target Pei Shouqi next.

After all, if Pei Shouqi died, it would be complicated, as he had been invited by Zhang San.

Therefore, ensuring the safety of Pei Shouqi was helping to lessen a significant trouble for Zhang San.

Upon seeing Principal Officer Ximen following by her side, Lady Yu felt somewhat touched and whispered to Pei Shouqi, "During the last birthday celebration, we did not treat Zhang San properly. Although this time we were the ones being plotted against, Zhang San did not send us away but instead left Principal Officer Ximen to protect us. This shows his benevolence. In the future, my husband and the Pei Family must definitely repay Zhang San generously."

Lady Yu’s words were meant for her own husband, and also for Principal Officer Ximen who was listening nearby.

Pei Shouqi suddenly had an epiphany and said, "Right! We could just go back now!"

"If something happens on the road, it will be the same. But here, with so many ladies present and many guards nearby, surely they wouldn’t dare to openly commit assault, would they?"

Only then did Pei Shouqi understand, and lowering his head, he assisted his wife without speaking further.

Zhang San and Wang Ziteng, riding horses, headed towards the group ready to go hunting. Wang Ziteng whispered, "I guess they will try to separate the two of us."

Zhang San chuckled softly and said, "You are of the Wang Family, they surely wouldn’t dare to touch you. So you’re perfect to draw some people away. Remember, the more you try to come to me, the more they will stop you. So just distract them for me, and buy me some time. This time, let them clearly understand whether they’ve come to hunt or be hunted!"