Shen Qingyue went up the mountain not only to hunt but also to try out the system’s new feature.
She composed herself and silently said to the system, “Tongzi, activate automatic detection function.”
A system prompt sounded with a “ding”: [20 meters to the upper left, wild fern detected.]
As soon as the prompt ended, a semi-transparent arrow appeared on the ground as a guide.
Following the arrow, Shen Qingyue soon reached the spot. She brushed aside some weeds and indeed found the wild fern.
Shen Dabiao couldn’t see the arrow and was confused as he followed behind her. When he saw the wild ferns in the grass, he was surprised: “These wild ferns are hidden well; how did you find them?”
“Just lucky,” Shen Qingyue replied casually, snapping off the fern and putting it into the bamboo basket behind her.
After taking a few steps, the system beeped again:
[15 meters to the right, motherwort detected.][9 meters to the left, wild amaranth detected.][32 meters to the left, wild fern detected.][50 meters directly above, rehmannia detected.]
Shen Qingyue moved swiftly, picking and digging all the way!
Since Shen Dabiao was present, she didn’t sell the herbs to the marketplace but temporarily placed them in her basket.
“What are you digging that weird root for? Is it edible?” Shen Dabiao squatted on the ground, puzzled as he watched her dig up rehmannia.
“This is an herb called rehmannia. It’s used to boost male vitality,” Shen Qingyue answered simply, based on the system’s introduction.
“Really boosts vitality?” Shen Dabiao picked up the brownish root and examined it with interest. “Looks pretty ordinary. You’re not lying, are you?”
“Rehmannia is a common medicinal herb sold in pharmacies. It’s easy to recognize,” Shen Qingyue looked him up and down, then tentatively asked, “Dad, do you want to try some?”
Shen Dabiao cleared his throat and said slowly, “Bring me some when we get back.”
Then, as if remembering something, he suddenly said:
“You’re already eighteen, the right age to marry. Didn’t you give Mom twelve taels of silver yesterday? Why not go to the pawnshop and buy a husband to carry on the family line?”
Shen Qingyue froze for a moment and quickly refused, “I’ve disguised myself as a boy for years. If it’s suddenly revealed, won’t the village laugh at our family? We’ll talk about carrying on the family line later.”
Shen Dabiao clicked his tongue unhappily, “Not marrying will also cause gossip. I think—”
Shen Qingyue really didn’t want to discuss this topic. She put the rehmannia in the basket, dusted off her hands, pointed ahead, and shouted, “There’s a wild chicken over there. Let’s go check it out!”
With that, she slipped away quickly.
“Where’s the wild chicken?” Shen Dabiao looked around suspiciously. “This is the outskirts; how could there be wild chickens here?”
Shen Qingyue made a quieting gesture, “The wild chicken is ten meters ahead. Keep your voice down and follow me.”
Shen Dabiao followed hesitantly.
Suddenly, sparse rustling sounds came from the bushes.
Shen Dabiao’s eyes lit up. He immediately took out his bow and arrow, aimed at the bushes, and whispered, “Qingyue, watch closely. I’ll show you how to hunt a wild chicken.”
Shen Qingyue watched attentively, curious to see ancient archery skills.
However, reality was harsh.
Shen Dabiao’s arrow missed, and the wild chicken flew away!
“Damn!” Shen Dabiao cursed under his breath but kept chasing, determined not to lose face in front of the kid.
He ran through the forest, shooting arrow after arrow — five shots in a row — without a single hit.
Shen Qingyue couldn’t watch anymore and suggested, “Dad, can you do it or not? Should I try?”
Shen Dabiao refused to give up his bow and gritted his teeth, saying three words, “I can!”
Shen Qingyue shrugged and continued to observe.
Gathering his strength, on the seventh arrow, Shen Dabiao finally hit the wild chicken.
“I told you I could shoot it!” Shen Dabiao laughed excitedly.
“Good job! We have chicken for dinner!” Shen Qingyue praised generously.
Shen Dabiao picked up the wild chicken and threw it into the bamboo basket.
At that moment, faint sounds came from deep in the forest, distant and soft, sounding like someone calling for help.
“Help… help me…”
Shen Qingyue looked toward the forest’s depths, hesitating whether to check it out. “Sounds a bit like Chen the hunter from the village.”
At the same time, a system alert sounded:
[100 meters ahead, wild boar detected.]
Hearing “wild boar,” Shen Qingyue’s eyes brightened. Tonight, not only chicken but wild boar meat too!
She took two steps toward the direction of the cries but was grabbed by Shen Dabiao’s arm.
“Are you crazy? Going any further is the inner mountain!” His voice trembled with fear.
Shen Qingyue patted his shoulder to reassure him, “Don’t worry, I can protect myself. You stay here; I’ll go check.”
She then walked deeper into the forest.
After hesitating, Shen Dabiao bit his lip and followed, “I owe you from my last life. If we meet wild beasts, remember to run first!”
For a moment, Shen Qingyue was touched. She turned to look at her father. She never expected that this lazy, gambling-addicted man would say such words.
To outsiders, the Shen family wasn’t good people.
But to her, they were truly kind.
Shen Dabiao felt a little awkward. “Why are you looking at me like that? I’m your father! I have more experience than you in the mountains.”
He walked ahead of Shen Qingyue, bow in hand, alertly watching their surroundings. Though she wasn’t a boy by birth, he had raised her as his son all these years, and his favoritism was genuine.
When life is on the line, the instinct is to protect her.
Shen Qingyue withdrew her gaze and without hesitation pulled up the system marketplace interface, quickly searching for self-defense items.
[AK47 Assault Rifle: 1200 star coins, effective range about 400 meters, semi-auto and full-auto fire, high lethality.]
[Strength Talisman: 1000 star coins, when worn increases strength tenfold, lasts one hour, non-reusable.]
She looked at the AK47 longingly but didn’t have enough star coins, so she bought the Strength Talisman instead.
Holding the talisman in her hand, she felt full of security.
She walked over to Shen Dabiao’s side and frankly said, “Dad, your bow and arrow won’t work well on thick-skinned wild beasts. Don’t stray too far from me.”
Shen Dabiao was unconvinced, “I’ve eaten more salt than you’ve walked roads. There’s no way I’ll lose to you!”