Volume One, Chapter 19: When Paths Cross, the Brave Prevail!

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Listening to everyone’s suggestions, the old village chief cleared his throat and looked at Old Kuzi. “The matter of the wolf pelts will be entrusted to you. Of course, the village won’t let you work for nothing; come spring next year, we’ll credit you with ten work points.”

The old village chief changed the subject, avoiding mention of the genealogy.

The villagers were no fools. Seeing the chief’s expression, they didn’t bring up that topic again.

“Folks, I’m an expert at skinning. These beasts’ pelts will be my job. It’s like avenging the Hammers’ family.”

“There’s so much wolf meat here; it’ll feed the whole village well for several days.”

“Such a pity about the Hammer family of four!”

Watching the villagers enthusiastically gather around the thirteen snow wolf carcasses, Xu Mo furrowed his brow, glanced around, and walked toward the excited Xu Datou.

“Brother Datou!” Xu Mo called out.

“Heizi, you’re truly amazing,” Xu Datou said with admiration. “When do you have time? Teach me your marksmanship?”

Once or twice could be chalked up to luck.

But the snow wolf outside the Red Star family’s cattle pen had its neck pierced by a single bullet.

Another wolf behind the village had its eye sockets shattered by gunfire.

Could that still be luck?

Marksmanship can’t be taught by words alone.

To achieve perfect accuracy, it’s simple: feed the bullets.

Therefore, Xu Mo didn’t answer but instead asked, “Brother Datou, do you still remember how many snow wolves you encountered in the mountains back then?”

Xu Datou blinked and gave a wry smile. “Heizi, you’re putting me on the spot. Things were so dangerous then, I didn’t have time to count how many wolves there were. What’s wrong? Do you think the number of wolves doesn’t add up?”

Xu Mo shook his head subtly. “I can’t recall the exact number either. But I have a feeling... these snow wolves came to the village gate as if they were deliberately courting death. Also, if a wolf pack dares to attack the village, that means a new wolf king must have been born.”

“Brother Datou, you should know wolf kings rarely lead the charge. Most of the time, they stay in safe zones...”

As Xu Mo spoke, a sudden realization struck him.

There was no time to think further. Xu Mo swung the hunting rifle off his shoulder, gripped it tightly, and turned to run toward the mud-brick house.

Xu Datou was momentarily stunned, watching Xu Mo’s sudden turn and sprint with confusion.

Thinking back on Xu Mo’s words, Datou grew concerned, grabbed a hunting rifle from a companion nearby, and hurried after him.

Xu Mo ran non-stop back to the mud-brick house. Seeing the door firmly shut and the window sealed with earth bricks showing no signs of disturbance, he finally exhaled in relief.

“Could it really be just my imagination?”

“Bang!”

Just as Xu Mo was about to push away the earth bricks sealing the window, a pile of snow next to him suddenly exploded. A black shadow shot out like an arrow from a bow and slammed into his shoulder, knocking him to the ground and sending his rifle flying.

Xu Mo felt his shoulder bones dislocate. Instinctively, he grabbed his shoulder with his opposite hand, pressed his palm to the ground, and twisted sharply.

While realigning his shoulder, Xu Mo drew his military knife from his waist and stabbed backwards.

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“Shing!!!”

His sleeve was bitten through, and white cotton fibers scattered in the air.

Xu Mo’s eyes turned icy cold. He swung his right arm fiercely, and the sharp military knife sliced toward the attacking snow wolf.

If he had been unarmed in an open field, he might have been helpless against the wolf.

But not now.

Humans are strong because they know how to use tools.

As soon as he threw the knife, Xu Mo rolled toward the rifle lying a few meters away.

“Puff!”

The sharp blade pierced the wolf’s abdomen, blood spraying.

But the wolf’s eyes gleamed fiercely, seemingly impervious to pain. It bent its hind legs and kicked forcefully, lunging at the rolling Xu Mo.

The sound of rushing air filled Xu Mo’s ears. With his back to the ground and chest up, his sun-darkened face twisted into a cold, fierce grin. His toes dug into the snow, driving his hips upward while bending his knees.

“Boom!”

Xu Mo’s legs sprang like coiled springs, kicking up two plumes of snow, blocking the wolf’s line of sight.

Simultaneously, he bent his hands to the ground, using them to propel himself upward and drew the woodcutting knife from his waist.

The woodcutting knife was not suited for hunting or fighting.

After all, it had a single-edged blade with a rounded tip to prevent injury while chopping wood.

Taking advantage of the snow obscuring the wolf’s vision, Xu Mo leapt up but didn’t go for the rifle several meters away. Instead, he strode forward fiercely.

“Arroo!!!”

A low, violent wolf howl erupted.

Xu Mo’s eyes snapped wide open. Holding his breath, his blood seemed to boil. With a clenched right hand, he stabbed forward.

This move was called the “military knife thrust.”

No fancy feints—just speed!

The woodcutting knife pierced into the wolf’s mouth.

Unfortunately, the rounded tip prevented it from injuring the wolf’s oral cavity.

Yet,

Xu Mo would never let such an opportunity pass. Leaning in, he wrapped his arms around the wolf’s massive head, and turning the knife inside its mouth sharply.

“Arroo!!!”

The wolf howled in pain as the sharpened edge sliced its tongue with Xu Mo’s forceful twist.

Xu Mo released the knife and pinched the wolf’s snout like a vice with his five fingers.

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With its snout firmly grasped, the snow wolf was rendered helpless.

Xu Mo gave a sharp yell, gripping the wolf’s long snout with both hands. He bent his waist, knelt on his left knee, and mustering all his strength, slammed the wolf down.

“Bang!”

A perfect shoulder throw.

After flipping the wolf onto the ground, Xu Mo raised his knee again.

His knee pressed firmly against the wolf’s neck.

Xu Mo’s cheeks flushed red, veins bulging on the back of his hands as he applied more pressure.

“Crack!”

The wolf’s cervical vertebrae snapped under Xu Mo’s force.

“Phew!”

Seeing the wolf no longer moving, Xu Mo exhaled deeply but soon felt exhausted throughout his body.

Canine wolves have a clear weakness: once their snout is seized, they lose their sharpest weapon.

In just over twenty seconds, Xu Mo was too drained even to yell at the madwoman.

“Holy crap!”

At that moment, hurried footsteps approached, followed by incredulous shouts.

“Heizi, you—barehanded—killed a snow wolf?”

Xu Datou’s eyes widened as he stared at the wolf pinned beneath Xu Mo’s rear, almost wanting to slap himself to confirm he wasn’t dreaming.

Meanwhile,

The tightly shut door of the mud-brick house suddenly swung open.

Xu Mo was surprised to see the madwoman bursting out. He wondered how she knew to remove the beam blocking the door.

She hurried to Xu Mo’s side, her delicate features etched with deep worry.

Standing stunned, Xu Datou snapped back to reality, rushed forward, and helped Xu Mo up.

“Blackie, I’m totally convinced of you now,” he said with emotion.

Xu Datou draped Xu Mo’s arm over his shoulder, carefully supporting him back into the house, then dashed out excitedly.

As soon as he stepped outside, Xu Datou couldn’t help but shout.

“Heizi killed a wolf with his bare hands!!!”

“Heizi knocked a wolf down with a few punches!!!”