Zhang San, please behave yourself!
Chapter 338 - 324: Crisis at Shouyang Mountain!

Chapter 338: Chapter 324: Crisis at Shouyang Mountain!

Zhang San followed Wang Ziteng halfway, then asked Wang Ziteng to go ahead while he took a moment for himself.

Then, Zhang San rode Hei to a secluded bush.

Zhang San employed the Summoning the Gods Method, stomping his foot.

With a loud bang, a patch of white smoke rose up, and a short Earth God appeared, bowing to Zhang San with a grin.

"Young man, what brings you here?"

Zhang San immediately returned the bow to the Earth God and softly said, "This is my first visit to Phoenix Mountain, and I am unfamiliar with the surroundings. I hope the Earth God can provide some guidance. Here is a token of my respect, a mere hundred taels of gold."

After receiving the gold from Zhang San, the Earth God’s face instantly bloomed into a smile.

"This Phoenix Mountain, during the spring and autumn seasons every year, people come here to hunt, though they have come earlier this autumn."

"Most beasts on this mountain are ordinary and pose no danger, especially since people hunt here annually, so you can be assured about safety."

Zhang San curiously asked, "Are there any suitable places nearby for an ambush?"

The Earth God pointed westward and said, "Not on Phoenix Mountain, as it is frequently visited by hunters every year, ensuring it’s free from dangerous spots. However, Shouyang Mountain over there is a different story."

"There are three dangers on Shouyang Mountain."

"First, there are many wild animals in Shouyang Mountain, including some demon beasts, obviously making it much more dangerous."

"Second, someone set up some traps at the top of Shouyang Mountain recently. I dared not get close, but the person who set them up was highly skilled. Although the traps were set a few days ago, since I don’t know exactly what was set up, you should still be cautious if you approach."

"Third, on the southern slope of Shouyang Mountain, a large area has been covered with a huge fog formation since last night. It’s just ordinary fog but can easily cause one to get lost and unable to find their way out. Just this morning, several formidable individuals have gone there to set up an ambush."

Zhang San immediately took out another hundred taels of gold and handed it to the Earth God.

"Thank you, Earth God. If I encounter anything later in Shouyang Mountain, I hope you can warn me."

"Sure, sure. This old man, I always enjoy helping others."

After parting from the Earth God, Zhang San had a clear understanding of the plans of those who intended to put him in mortal danger today.

He just needed to see who else was involved.

Pretending he had finished his break, Zhang San returned and rejoined Wang Ziteng.

By this time, quite a few people had already greeted Wang Ziteng.

After all, being a prodigy of the Wang Family, many wanted to take the opportunity to make his acquaintance.

Upon seeing Zhang San return, Wang Ziteng immediately let Zhang San choose his arrows.

"Brother San, it turns out that for hunting you have to pick arrows suitable for yourself and carve your own mark on them. This way, someone can bring back the game later, making it clear who hunted it."

Zhang San nodded, realizing this, and picked a large bundle of arrows to carve the name Wang Junwu on their shafts.

Zhang San knew that someone intended to target him, and he also feared they would try to trap him.

So he carved the name Big Head Wang on his arrows, since Big Head Wang wouldn’t come hunting as he stayed behind with Qiong. If someone tried to impersonate him, he could turn the tables on them.

And while Zhang San was busy with his arrows, a few young men walked over.

The leader glared at Zhang San and asked discontentedly, "Are you Zhang San?"

Zhang San greeted them with a warm smile, nodded politely, and said, "Indeed, I am."

"We are from the Baili Family. What’s this I hear? You stole our Observation Skill ’Baili Shenxuan’ and even distributed it elsewhere?"

Despite maintaining a polite smile, Zhang San was genuinely puzzled.

Though he still didn’t know the true identity of Lady Yu, whom he acknowledged as his sister, it was clear that her status was significant enough to influence the Baili Family head.

If the Baili Family head could be influenced, what are you few small fry jumping around for?

"You might be mistaken, gentlemen; I merely found that secret manual by chance. I haven’t looked at it, not even a single glance."

Several young men from the Baili Family, unable to discern the truth yet hearing Zhang San’s words and noting his polite demeanor, found it difficult to trouble Zhang San any further. They huffed coldly a few more times, looking down on Zhang San before turning around and leaving.

Zhang San continued to engrave the name Wang Junwu on the arrows, then whispered into the shadow, "Try to borrow some arrows from the Baili Family without them noticing. The more, the better."

Hidden in the shadow, White Shadow thought to himself, What do you mean borrow when they aren’t paying attention? That’s stealing! Only you would sugarcoat it!

Soon, all the young hunters had gathered.

Everyone set off at the same time, starting their hunt on Phoenix Mountain.

However, not long after Zhang San and Wang Ziteng rode out, they encountered Zheng Poyue.

Zheng Poyue yelled out to Zhang San, "I didn’t expect Brother Zhang to be here! I’ve heard Brother Zhang is the Acting Military Chief of the Town Martial Office, so your archery must be exceptional. Why don’t we compete today to see who can catch more game? How about it?"

Zhang San laughed heartily and said, "Good idea! But is there a prize involved?"

If Zhang San had merely responded casually, Zheng Poyue might have suspected that Zhang was on guard. However, Zhang’s immediate interest in a prize seemed to align with the information Zheng had gathered about him from the Town Martial Office.

This man is greedy for money and fond of drinking!

To deal with such a lowly character, tempting him with profit was an easy way to bait him.

"While I was on the northern frontlines, I exchanged my military merits for the service of dozens of smiths who worked day and night to forge a Mo Blade from refined steel. Among upper-grade Mysterious Weapons, it’s top-notch. Whoever wins first place today will receive this blade as a prize!"

The crowd around them cheered in approval, and they spurred their horses, spreading the news of the precious prize Zheng Poyue offered.

Meanwhile, Zhang San and Wang Ziteng galloped across Phoenix Mountain in search of game.

The people from the Baili Family secretly watched from a distance and reported what they saw to Zheng Poyue.

"That Zhang San indeed knows how to shoot; among ordinary Martial Artists, his Archery Technique is accurate. But to us, who specialize in archery, it’s rather mediocre."

Hearing this, Zheng Poyue was reassured.

At that moment, someone from the Wen Family approached quietly and whispered, "Pei Shouqi said his wife is ill and is looking after her at the back; he hasn’t come for the hunt."

Upon hearing this, Zheng Poyue watched as Zhang San rode away into the distance, unable to suppress his laughter.

"Hahahaha... This Zhang San is too clever for his own good. I invited them under the guise of their mutual acquaintanceship, aiming to make them realize there’s a trap as soon as they meet, thereby scattering Zhang San’s followers. Now Zhang’s Sworn Fifth Brother and Ximen Jinxing are absent, leaving only Wang Ziteng. Isn’t the advantage mine?"

"My plan is to make Zhang worry that we might kill Pei Shouqi to ensnare him in revenge from the Pei Family and the Ministry of War. But doesn’t he think that who would be as reckless as him, daring to hurt people from the Zheng and Han Families upon his arrival in the Capital? We certainly won’t really lay a hand on Pei Shouqi; it’s merely a strategy to reduce Zhang’s companions. Hmph..."

"Next, all I need is to separate Wang Ziteng from Zhang San. Just give me half a moment, and I can fill Zhang’s body with arrows!"