Chapter 6: Tracking Skills Equal Radar, A Night Rendezvous with the Widow (Please Subscribe and Follow)

The breeze was gentle, carrying the fresh scent of grass and trees mixed with the earthy aroma of soil, brushing against his nose. Zhou Chen strode along the narrow, winding mountain path, feeling on top of the world.

It had to be said, having a woman at home was truly satisfying! There was no need to deal with any of that "true love" nonsense. He could focus entirely on making money without hindering his path to becoming stronger.

"I have twenty-seven Romance Points now. Archery mastery requires eighty points, and Tracking requires forty..." Zhou Chen observed his personal panel with a flicker of consciousness. "I wonder if I need to max out a skill for it to take effect, or if each point adds a incremental benefit?"

Zhou Chen decided to test it. "But should I put the points into Archery or Tracking?"

"I have the Thunderous Wish-Granting Hand, which provides a massive boost to my archery. My current 'Minor Mastery' in archery is already comparable to 'Grand Mastery,' allowing me to hit any target within my line of sight with absolute precision... Even if I increased my archery to 'Grand Mastery,' the hunting results would be the same as they are now. What I need most isn't more archery skill, but tracking."

Zhou Chen soon reached a decision. Tracking was equivalent to radar; it would not only allow him to hunt more efficiently and increase his yield, but it would also enable him to detect danger in advance, ensuring his safety. If he encountered a surprise attack from a tiger, there would be no difference between Minor and Grand Mastery in archery—he would likely get off only one shot before the beast was upon him, if he had time to shoot at all.

But if his tracking were superior, it would be different. He could detect a lurking tiger or other threats beforehand, allowing him to choose to ambush the predator or take a detour. Simply put, tracking was radar and intelligence. Without powerful radar and intelligence, he was just a blind man or a headless fly. Unless his archery reached a level where he could brute-force through everything, it was far less useful than tracking. Besides, at his current stage, Grand Mastery in archery was useless. For instance, what difference did it make to him if he could hit a target at a hundred paces versus one hundred and fifty? He had no need to hunt anything that far away.

"Tracking, add points!"

Zhou Chen poured all twenty-seven Romance Points into the skill. A profound and mystical sensation flooded his mind. He felt as if he had been transported into a jungle, living and learning there, dealing with various flora and fauna every day, studying their habits, and sensing their scents and traces. Day after day. His eyes grew sharper. His ears grew more acute. His nose grew more sensitive. His tongue became more flexible and refined, capable of distinguishing even the subtlest of differences...

"Tracking has improved a notch. It seems every point adds a bit more strength. It's a pity I'm still thirteen points away from Minor Mastery!" Zhou Chen sighed slightly, then used his enhanced tracking to search for game. His nose twitched, and he soon caught the scent of prey. He approached quietly and discovered wolf droppings. Based on their freshness, he knew the wolf had left them the previous night.

"No signs of other wolves nearby; it must be a lone wolf."

Zhou Chen followed the tracks quickly. He encountered some small game along the way and didn't turn any of it down. Although he lacked formal internal arts, he could build a strong body through nutrition at this stage. In particular, his Thunderous Wish-Granting Hand allowed him to massage himself, helping with digestion and strengthening his physique. He was only eighteen, and his physical condition had yet to reach its peak.

"Another little spicy strip!" Zhou Chen flicked his finger, and a pebble shot out like a bullet, shattering the head of a small green snake coiled on a tree branch.

Although his tracking had not yet reached Minor Mastery, it was not far off. His senses were sharp, and he had a clear view of the dangers around him. "This tracking skill is truly formidable. I must max it out as soon as possible to equip myself with a 'super radar' so I won't have to worry about being ambushed by beasts or snakes in the future!"

Zhou Chen decided to return early and put in some effort with Qin Hongyu to ensure he could upgrade his tracking to Minor Mastery by tomorrow.

An hour later, Zhou Chen had harvested four wild rabbits, two pheasants, and a variety of other small prey.

"That lone wolf should be just ahead!" Zhou Chen nocked an arrow, searching carefully as he advanced. Finally, he spotted the lone wolf resting under a large tree. It sensed his presence at that moment and sprang up, but an arrow whistled through the air, piercing its brow.

"Roar!" The wolf howled, struggling to stand before collapsing and twitching, its limbs kicking as it died.

Zhou Chen approached with a smile and picked up the carcass. "Hunting for today, mission accomplished!"

Fully loaded with game, Zhou Chen felt light and happy, walking with a spring in his step. Along the way, he gathered some wild vegetables.

"Yo, Xiao Chen, you bagged a wolf today?"
"Xiao Chen is becoming more and more impressive!"
"A perfect shot between the eyes; Xiao Chen's archery doesn't lose to Old Man Cao's. Truly, the student has surpassed the master!"

Seeing Zhou Chen with the wolf and his other spoils, the villagers looked at him with newfound respect. Everywhere, the strong were revered.

"Look at you, you can't even catch two rabbits in three days. You're useless!" a woman complained to her husband nearby.
"Hunting is often about luck. Xiao Chen must just be lucky; I never saw him catch much before. I think it’s his wife, Little Niangzi, who brings him good fortune!"
"What did you say? Are you saying marrying me was your bad luck?"
"No! That's not what I meant!"
"Then what did you mean?"

...

Ignoring the gossip, Zhou Chen returned home with his catch. Qin Hongyu, who had been keeping an eye out, spotted him immediately and rushed out to help him take the basket.

"Wow, Brother Chen, you even caught a wolf, and so many rabbits and pheasants..." Qin Hongyu's beautiful eyes shone. In these times, it was hard enough to eat one's fill, let alone eat meat.

"Brother Chen, you are amazing. Being able to marry you is the greatest blessing of my life!" Qin Hongyu hugged his arm and swayed, her figure—made magnificent by Zhou Chen's skillful care—pressing against him like a mountain.

Zhou Chen set down his bow and machete, wrapped his arms around her slender waist, lifted her up, and spun her twice before leaning in to claim her red, soft lips.

[Romance Points +1]

After a long while, Qin Hongyu was breathless, and Zhou Chen finally let her go. Her eyes were moist, and her legs felt weak.

"You're hateful!" Qin Hongyu blushed, hurriedly smoothing her clothes and skirt, glaring at him playfully. "Always acting up the moment you get home!"
"Who told you to be so beautiful, Hongyu? It’s impossible to resist!"

Zhou Chen chuckled. While such words might have been considered cliché in his past life, Qin Hongyu found them incredibly sweet, her heart drumming against her ribs.

"Go wash up and eat!" She rolled her eyes at him, turning to head to the kitchen, her shapely hips swaying. That perfection, of course, was also thanks to Zhou Chen's Thunderous Wish-Granting Hand.

"Now that you mention it, I am quite hungry!" Zhou Chen went to the washstand where a basin of clean water, prepared by Qin Hongyu, awaited him. He splashed his face, feeling refreshed, and soon the faint aroma of meat wafted from the kitchen.

Qin Hongyu brought the meal to the table and served him a large bowl of white rice. Zhou Chen sat down and began to eat heartily. Having gone hunting since morning, he was indeed famished.

"Brother Chen, I think my father is secretly seeing the Widow Chen. I heard he snuck over to her house last night!" Qin Hongyu shared the news she had learned today. "I went back to check, and he didn't return home until noon!"

"Your father is a man, too; it's normal to want a woman. Besides, the Widow Chen doesn't have a husband, so it's no big deal," Zhou Chen remarked casually.

"Actually, if my father really is with her, I think it would be quite nice." Qin Hongyu nodded; her mother had passed away two years ago.

"Hmm."

Amidst their idle chatter, Zhou Chen finished three large bowls of rice and finally felt full. Qin Hongyu began to clear the table. Watching her beautiful figure, the satisfied Zhou Chen felt his heart stir. He reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Stop it, wait until I've cleaned up!" she chided, though her voice was soft.
"Why bother cleaning up? It can wait until later!"

Zhou Chen scooped her up into his arms and, ignoring her shy protests, strode into the bedroom.

...

The sun set in the west, and the moon rose in the east. The night was still and silent.

Old Man Qin, heart pounding with excitement, crept out in the middle of the night and arrived quietly at the Widow Chen's house.

"Little Chen, I'm here. Open up!" he whispered toward the house, full of anticipation.

However, after a long wait, there was no sound.

"What's going on? Is she not home?" He was puzzled. "Where would she be at this hour? Could she be with some other man?"

"Old Qin, I'm here!" The Widow Chen beckoned to him from under a large tree.

"Little Chen, why are you out here?" He rushed over, grabbing her pale, cold hands.

"Old Qin, I've found a wonderful place. Follow me!" She pulled him toward the back of the mountain.

"What kind of place?" He frowned, feeling uneasy. "It's not safe on the mountain at night; there are wild beasts!"

"Don't worry, it's not far, and there's a great treasure there!" She shook his arm. "Do you think I'd let any harm come to you? Don't you want to be with me?"

"Alright, alright, we'll go!" Though he said this, he had already decided that if it was too far, he would turn back. A woman was a pleasure, but his life was worth more.