Chapter 157: Joining the Hunting Expedition

That night, the prefectural academy garrison was quite lively. The aroma of meat drifted everywhere, a scent that even caused the soldiers on guard duty at the nearby military camp to glance over repeatedly.

However, such behavior lasted for only that single night. The next day, under the various admonitions and instructions of the masters, everyone once again resumed their previous dignified demeanor.

After all, scholars were scholars; sometimes, they still had to put on airs.

On this day, Song Mu also woke up early. After completing his usual morning reading, Song Mu began to organize his belongings with great interest.

Putting on a set of cyan martial attire, covered with a layer of leather armor, Song Mu began strapping various weapons to his body: a long bow, a matching sword, a ceremonial tablet, and a leather bag containing writing brushes, ink, and paper.

Tao Fengming was already awake as well. Sitting by the window with a cloak draped over his shoulders, he watched Song Mu's movements with eyes as calm as an ancient well.

"Is the prefectural academy planning a hunt today?"

Tao Fengming asked. Song Mu nodded immediately and replied to him, "Yes, Master. There happens to be a patrol mission today, and Senior Brother Fu asked me to tag along."

Tao Fengming uttered a soft "hmm," which served as his opinion. However, thinking of something else, he added a remark to Song Mu.

"This is no longer the mountains of Nanling. You must exercise more caution and avoid trying to be brave when facing trouble."

Song Mu had just finished buckling the sword at his waist. Hearing Tao Fengming say this, he was slightly stunned for a moment, but then nodded.

"Master, I have kept it in mind."

With that said, Tao Fengming waved his hand to let Song Mu set off. Song Mu gathered his things and hurried down the stairs.

The sky today was somewhat gloomy, seemingly threatening rain. Late autumn rain ought to be scarce under normal circumstances, but perhaps the frontline warfare had stirred the winds and clouds, affecting the weather here instead.

When Song Mu reached the lower floor, Fu Zefeng and his group were already lining up outside. Instructor Xiao was leading the team and inspecting everyone's condition.

Seeing Song Mu arrive, Instructor Xiao did not say much, merely gesturing for Song Mu to join the formation immediately.

Song Mu took his place in the ranks and noticed that Xue Kaiwen was standing not far away.

The other man stood alone at the edge of the rear rank, keeping his head down. Seemingly sensing Song Mu's gaze, he looked up.

Song Mu flashed a smile at him and cupped his hands in greeting. Xue Kaiwen curved the corners of his mouth and nodded gently in return.

Xue Kaiwen had kept a very low profile these past few days, and Song Mu had not seen him for quite a while.

"The place we are heading to this time is a mountain range fifty miles away from here. Everyone, stay close, and report immediately if you encounter anything unusual."

Instructor Xiao led the group toward the village entrance while continually reminding everyone how to conduct themselves once outside.

At the village entrance, several other squads were already gathered.

They were the Fuzhou Prefectural Academy, Jianzhou Prefectural Academy, Hongzhou Prefectural Academy, Ganzhou Prefectural Academy, and the Jizhou Prefectural Academy, to which Song Mu belonged.

Over a hundred people were gathered here, presenting an imposing and grand spectacle.

However, most of the faces among them were youthful and tender. In truth, today's event was a deliberately arranged hunt designed precisely to give these inexperienced young scholars a chance to practice their skills.

Song Mu followed the procession to the front, where he spotted Xing Zhengyang among the Fuzhou Prefectural Academy's ranks.

Today, Xing Zhengyang had changed into a gray-robed tunic. Seeing that Song Mu had also appeared in the contingent, a trace of delight crossed his face as he waved at Song Mu.

Song Mu nodded and carefully scanned the crowd. Most were youthful faces, with only a rare few seasoned visages.

After all, since this was a hunting operation specially tailored for young scholars like them, it probably would not be overly dangerous. Each prefectural academy had dispatched only one or two licentiate instructors.

After the instructors conducted a quick headcount and confirmation, they signaled for the procession to set off.

The group marched out of the village in a grand and imposing column. Shortly after leaving, they were gradually joined by soldiers clad in military armor on all sides.

The headwear and ribbons of the scholars indicated their identity as men of letters, contrasting with the iron armor worn by the soldiers, which differed from the leather armor of the scholars. Their weapons were also of every conceivable variety.

Walking along both flanks of the procession, an occasional soldier would step forward to exchange a few words with the instructors.

As Song Mu walked with the ranks, Xue Kaiwen stepped up beside him and cupped his hands in greeting.

"Brother Jingzhao, are you planning to compete for a spot on the ranking board in this hunt?"

Song Mu was slightly startled, recalling the beast ranking board that Fu Zefeng had mentioned to him yesterday, and smiled with a shake of his head.

Xue Kaiwen was somewhat taken aback by Song Mu's reaction, clearly finding it unexpected. Several nearby students who had overheard their conversation also looked over with expressions of bewilderment.

"Brother Song, you need not worry. These rankings are merely meant to encourage everyone; participation is what matters most."

Xue Kaiwen offered these words of reassurance. Song Mu naturally nodded, yet still smiled and replied, "Song will naturally strike down any ferocious beasts he encounters, but as for the leaderboard itself, I truly have no heart to compete for it."

Hearing Song Mu say this, Xue Kaiwen looked somewhat perplexed, but chose to press the matter no further.

Instead, Song Mu suddenly recalled a certain matter concerning the other man and asked, "Brother Ziyuan, haven't you always been talking about searching for fish gelatin? How is that progressing now?"

A wry and helpless smile appeared on Xue Kaiwen's face as he shook his head and said, "Just the day before yesterday, I actually tracked down a fish demon. But I failed to hold back my strength at the time and struck too fiercely; the fish maw and gall bladder became contaminated with fresh blood, rendering them completely unusable."

Hearing this, Song Mu wore an expression of regret, but promptly consoled him.

"Brother Ziyuan need not fret. Since there are fish demons here, you are bound to encounter them again."

Chatting as they walked, the group maintained a harmonious atmosphere all the way. Before they knew it, they arrived at the edge of the plains and the entrance to the mountain forest.

Upon reaching this point, the hundred-odd people split into two groups, taking two different mountain trails with the mutual agreement to meet on the other side and return to the garrison together.

This was a long-established method meant to prevent a massive troop movement from startling and driving away ferocious beasts, while also maximizing the safety of every individual.

Reaching the foothills of the mountain, Yuezhou was known for its banyan trees, and the phenomenon of a single tree forming an entire forest had undergone many changes in this turbulent and shifting era.

Even these trees could transform into wood-sprites or perhaps mature into great monsters of the world.

In the southern border regions, such occurrences were most common, frequently giving rise to strange rumors that caught the attention of the common folk.

"Everyone keep up! I've already coordinated with our brothers in the military. When we encounter demon soldiers and fierce beasts later, we'll let you all test your skills first."

"If we have enough time today, we'll venture deeper in. If we run into demon generals, we'll give you plenty of chances to try your hand at them as well."

Xiao Xiong called out to the crowd from the side. This naturally stirred everyone's interest, eliciting cheers and shouts. Song Mu also nodded with keen interest, rubbing his palms together in anticipation.

When resolving the wild boar meat with poetry yesterday, Song Mu had made a particular discovery.

Although he had used a poem against a dead wild boar, for some reason, that poem had not imprinted itself onto his ancient book.

Song Mu deduced that the ancient book could perhaps only imprint poems whose attacking power was unleashed while the ferocious beast was still alive.

With this realization, Song Mu naturally pinned high hopes on this hunting expedition. If he could use this opportunity to imprint more poetry into his ancient book, his everyday combat would become even more effortless.

With this thought in mind, Song Mu drew out his ceremonial tablet and began writing poems upon it in advance.

Most of his previous poems had been related to archery and the like, but now Song Mu switched them out, writing down various verses concerning edged weapons and bodily invigoration.

Just as Song Mu was writing, a low and cold voice suddenly rang out from nearby.

"Hmph, sharpening the spear right before the battle. It seems like nothing more than a few superficial tricks."