Forging Immortality: The Undying Blacksmith

Chapter 56: The Hunter

The moment the Wuli Army departed for the imperial capital, Li Qing wasted no time. He rented a horse-drawn carriage, loaded it with his newly forged equipment, and set a course south for Xiaocui Ridge.

His quarry was a man-eater, a true predator of the deep mountains, not some declawed spectacle pacing in a cage. A zoo tiger has its spirit broken; a wild one could claim the life of an Outer Force expert in a single moment of carelessness.

Spring had long since chased winter from the land, and the snow that once blanketed the official roads had melted into memory. The carriage wheels crunched over gravel, jostling the frame. Through a half-drawn curtain, the faint, sweet scent of wildflowers drifted in.

Outside, a hired coachman managed the horses. Inside, Li Qing sat in a deep, meditative trance, his eyes closed. He simultaneously cultivated his Golden Body Art while his senses remained razor-sharp, alert to any potential threat on the road.

Xiaocui Ridge was a considerable distance from Shengtian City. After three, nearly four, full days of travel, the coachman’s voice finally broke the silence.

“We’re at Xiaocui Ridge. Cuishan Village is just ahead. The carriage can’t go any further up the mountain; you’ll have to walk from here.”

At his words, Li Qing ceased his cultivation. He opened his eyes, and a sharp glint within them slowly softened and receded.

*Hah.*

Ever since discovering that the Golden Body Art and the Turtle Breath Technique could be trained in tandem, he had not wasted a single moment. The progress of his Golden Body Art remained glacial, but the Turtle Breath Technique had advanced by leaps and bounds. His inner energy was far from profound, but it was now a tangible weapon, a force he could bring to bear in a real fight.

He pushed aside the curtain and gazed at the unbroken mountain range sprawling before him. “Find a place to park the carriage,” he said. “I’ll head up the mountain alone.”

“Right you are!” the coachman replied.

The path up the mountain was rugged, but for a man of Li Qing’s constitution, it was a minor inconvenience. Within moments, he arrived at the steady pace of Cuishan Village.

It was a settlement carved into the foot of the mountain, a place that lived and died by the old saying: ‘live by the mountain, eat from the mountain.’ Most of its inhabitants were hunters. The doorways of many homes were adorned with animal pelts and bleached bones, giving the village a raw, primal air.

“Elder,” Li Qing began, approaching an old man sitting leisurely at the village entrance, “who is the most skilled hunter here?”

The old man’s hair was thin, his face a roadmap of wrinkles, and his eyes were narrowed to slits against the daylight. Only when Li Qing spoke did he slowly turn his head, sizing up the young man in the blue robe who was so clearly an outsider.

“Heh, looking for a skilled hunter, are you?” the old man said with a toothy grin. “Every man in this village is a top-notch hunter. To us, the mountains are just a second home.” He puffed out his chest. “But if you’re asking who’s the *most* skilled… if I claim to be second, no one would dare claim first.”

Before Li Qing could press further, the door of a neighboring house creaked open. A scornful, equally aged voice cut through the air.

“I can hear you bragging in broad daylight, Old Sun. Shameless. You, the best hunter in the village? What a laugh.”

Another old man emerged, casting a look of pure disdain at the one beside Li Qing.

Old Sun was instantly incensed. “What’s that supposed to mean, Old Wu?” he snapped. “You think you’re a better hunter than me?”

“Of course I am. Remember that year the whole village was starving? I was the only one who managed to bring down a wild boar. Ah, the taste of it…” Old Wu trailed off, a wistful look on his face.

Li Qing had no interest in listening to them bicker. They might have been formidable in their youth, but at their age, he doubted they could even manage the climb.

Just as he was about to interrupt, Old Sun’s next boast caught his attention.

“Hmph, a wild boar is nothing! I once went up that mountain and hunted a tiger. Now *that* was a sight to see!” Old Sun declared, beaming with pride.

Old Wu refused to be outdone. “You have the nerve to bring up that palm-sized cub? Should I show you the bearskin hanging in my house? That blind bear was ten times fiercer than your little cat!”

“Nonsense! How could a bear ever compare to a tiger?!”

“You’re the one talking nonsense! A tiger is no match for a bear!”

Li Qing’s eyelid twitched. A blind bear and a tiger. These two really had been the genuine article in their prime.

“Honored elders,” Li Qing cut in, his calm voice slicing through their argument. “I plan to hunt a tiger on the mountain. Could one of you recommend a reliable hunter for the task?”

He still wanted someone with steady legs. As impressive as their records were, their age would be a liability.

Hearing his intention, both old men fell silent and turned to stare at him, their gazes sharp and scrutinizing.

“Young man, a tiger is no simple prey,” Old Wu warned. “A few years back, some rich young masters from the capital came here with the same idea. They ran into a thick-skinned boar, and it sent them flying. Broke half the bones in their bodies.”

“That’s right,” Old Sun added. “I advise you to give up this foolish notion.”

Li Qing simply smiled. He produced a single gold leaf, letting it catch the light as he tossed it casually in his hand. “I only need a guide to track the tiger,” he stated plainly. “I will handle the hunt myself.”

*Hunt it himself?*

The two elders’ eyes went wide with disbelief.

Old Sun leaned forward, his voice a low query. “Young man… are you a martial artist?”

Li Qing offered no answer, merely flicking the gold leaf again.

Old Wu shook his head. “Even if you’re an Outer Force expert, going up there empty-handed against a tiger is suicide.”

“I will bring my own armor and weapons. How I hunt it is my concern. Once the tiger is located, the guide’s job is done, and he can leave.” Li Qing laid out his terms. “Afterward, I will take only the tiger bone and whip. The pelt, which is the most valuable part, is yours to keep. I will also provide an additional payment in silver.”

A tiger pelt could fetch a fortune. That, plus a bonus in silver, was a reward beyond generous.

Old Sun’s expression became one of deep conflict, his brow furrowed in hesitation.

“Old Sun,” Wu warned, “don’t tell me you’re actually considering it. At your age, you should be taking it easy.”

After a long silence, Old Sun spoke, his voice heavy. “I’m not like you, Wu. You have no one. If you die, who would even know? My grandson was just born. I want to send him to the capital to study, to have a life better than this.”

Li Qing frowned slightly. “Elder, are your legs still fit for the mountain?”

“Why wouldn’t they be?” Old Sun straightened his back, his pride flaring. “Don’t underestimate me because of my age. The moment I set foot in those woods, I’m home.” He looked Li Qing square in the eye. “So, what do you say, young man? If you need a hunter, I’ll go with you. I’m not boasting when I say you won’t find a more experienced tracker in this entire village.”

This time, Old Wu said nothing to contradict him. He simply remained silent.

Li Qing’s gaze sharpened for a moment, a calculating light flickering in his eyes. Then, a smile spread across his face.

“Good. We have a deal.”