89: Wild boar essence

With the addition of two new Source Beasts to the battlefield, the situation temporarily stabilized.

Jiang Nian loudly instructed the two guards, “Lead them away from the medicine field.”

Hearing the command, the Source Beasts moved position while fighting. A layer of the forest ground cover on the nearby gentle slope was ripped away, leaving the ground uneven, as if ploughed by wild boars.

Uh, it seemed a large portion of the credit actually belonged to the Wild Boar Spirits' rooting.

A little radish head crawled out from the medicine field. It covered its eyes with both hands, peering towards the battlefield through the gaps between its fingers.

Looking at the Wild Boar Spirits, its clear eyes were filled with anger. After glancing at its short legs, it ultimately decided not to join the fight.

Instead, its tiny fists clenched, its entire face scrunched up, and its little feet fiercely kicked the ground several times.

The sprout on its head grew rapidly in an instant, and dozens of thumb-sized, emerald-green leaves immediately grew on the branch.

It controlled those leaves, flying them above 'its own people' and sticking them onto their bodies. Controlled personally by Ginseng Baby, they didn't need to consume the leaves; the energy contained within the leaves actively repaired their injuries.

Without the worry of injury, even if they were slightly outnumbered, the advantage in the battle increasingly shifted towards the Chu Family.

The largest Wild Boar Spirit pawed the ground with its hind legs and let out a roar, which seemed like a signal.

Hearing its roar, the other Wild Boar Spirits quickly gathered around it.

Jiang Nian stared intently at this scene, thinking the Wild Boar Spirits were about to change their battle strategy.

Instead, she saw the largest Wild Boar Spirit turn around and lead the remaining Wild Boar Spirits, many of whom were injured to varying degrees, retreating toward the foot of the mountain.

'Whoosh'

A cold light flashed, accompanied by a black figure. A long sword was plunged into the head of the leading Wild Boar Spirit.

The Wild Boar Spirit's body stiffened, but it wasn't completely dead. It stood on all fours, frantically shaking its head, trying to throw off the long sword and the black-clothed youth standing on its head.

The others were startled by the sudden appearance of the youth. Chu Shengyuan was the first to react, shouting out in surprise,

“Older Brother.”

No matter how the Wild Boar Spirit shook, the youth's figure stood firmly on its head. He then gripped the sword with both hands and fiercely pulled the hilt towards the back of the creature's head.

After moving it less than a palm's distance, the Wild Boar Spirit lost all strength to struggle, its body tilted, and it collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

Chu Shengfan leaped off the Wild Boar Spirit's body, flashed a big smile toward Chu Shengyuan and the others, then stood with his sword held horizontally, facing the remaining Wild Boar Spirits that were preparing to charge him.

The purple-pink Flower Medicine Butterfly fluttered around Chu Shengfan, and a faint layer of Phosphor Dust enveloped him, forming a light shield.

Accompanying the charging Wild Boar Spirits were massive rocks splashed up from the ground. Chu Shengfan's movements were agile; he dodged back and forth amidst the Wild Boar Spirits' reckless charges, occasionally stabbing down with his sword, leaving wounds on their bodies.

Jiang Nian looked at the two guards who were still stunned and ordered, “Hurry up and help the Young Master.”

The two guards finally snapped out of it and quickly joined the battle with their Source Beasts. With one Mortal Rank High Tier Wild Boar Spirit gone, the battle was basically a one-sided affair.

Just as the Cang Wolf was about to bite through the Wild Boar Spirit's neck, Chu Shengfan stopped it. The Cang Wolf paused and looked at its owner with confusion.

The guard quickly signaled it to stop, then looked towards Chu Shengfan.

Chu Shengfan took out many iron chains and shouted towards Jiang Nian, “Mother, it's a pity to kill so many Wild Boar Spirits all at once. Why don't we capture them and raise them? It will be convenient later if we want Source Beast meat.”

Jiang Nian was stunned for a moment, then replied, “Alright, we'll do as Xiao Fan says.”

Several Source Beasts surrounded the remaining Source Beasts one by one, and then the strongest Stone Monster knocked out the Wild Boar Spirits individually.

However, some ultimately died from being handled too roughly or due to overly severe injuries.

In the end, only one Mortal Rank High Tier, four Mortal Rank Middle Tier, and two Mortal Rank Low Tier Wild Boar Spirits were bound by chains. The remaining ones...

Jiang Nian looked at these Wild Boar Spirits, and the corner of her mouth lifted slightly. Well, it seemed she needed to arrange for someone to build a wild boar pen.

After properly cleaning up, Jiang Nian walked over to Chu Shengfan, examined him thoroughly, and only after confirming he wasn't injured did she ask softly:

“Why, you're back today?”

“Mom, did you forget? The New Year is coming soon, so I'm on winter break.”

Chu Shengfan slightly squatted down to catch Chu Shengyuan, who rushed into his arms like a small cannonball.

“Brother, Brother! You're back! Does that mean I can go out and play? Mom hasn't let us leave the house these past few days, I'm going crazy.”

Chu Shengfan laughed and patted the cowlick on Chu Shengyuan's head. “All you think about is going out to play. Have you seriously completed your homework and regular training?”

Hearing Chu Shengfan mention homework, Chu Shengyuan's eyes darted around several times. Then, he picked up the head of the Green Forest Giant Python, which had just crawled beside him, held it directly facing Chu Shengfan, and said proudly, “Brother, look, I've raised Sensen well, haven't I?”

His attempt to change the subject was slightly clumsy, but it didn't matter since someone was cooperating. Chu Shengfan nodded in approval. “It is indeed good.”

Chu Shenghan and the Illusory Sound Brilliant Feather Sparrow stood a little further away from Chu Shengyuan and the Green Forest Giant Python. She called out from a distance, “Brother.”

Chu Shengfan nodded gently towards her.

“Don't stay here anymore, let's go home first.” Jiang Nian said this to the three children, then looked at the two guards. “I'll leave things here to you two.”

The two guards quickly cupped their fists. “No trouble at all, no trouble at all.”

“It's our duty, our duty.”

After returning home, Chu Shengfan first quickly washed up, changing his black tight-fitting clothes into blue casual wear before going to the ancestral hall.

He pushed open the door of the Ancestral Hall, walked through the grassy courtyard, and arrived under the porch.

From a distance, Chu Shengfan saw Chu Qinhui sitting calmly on a prayer cushion.

After not seeing him for merely ten-odd days, the feeling his Father gave him had undergone a tremendous change.

The scholarly air he previously possessed had greatly diminished, replaced by a sense of composure. Sitting there, he resembled a massive rock, unmoved by any wind from any direction.

Chu Qinhui had heard the sound long ago, and based on the rhythm and weight of the footsteps, he knew who the visitor was without needing to turn around.

“You're on winter break?”

“Yes,” Chu Shengfan replied softly. Then, he slowly walked into the main room and bowed towards the stone scripture on the offering table, standing not far behind Chu Qinhui.

“There is still no news about the group who were conscripted to go Beyond the Border. Even the Town Head hasn't returned.”

Chu Qinhui stood up from the prayer cushion and sighed softly. “Perhaps, no news is good news.”

At least there is still a glimmer of hope.