Chapter 191: Chapter 191: Lingzhi
Liu Pingkang nodded and didn’t say anything. After all, they handed the people over to the local authorities and must rush back, though he wasn’t sure if they’d make it by the New Year.
Gu Kaiyuan was resting his eyes when he heard Lin Hua outside the carriage whispering, "Young master, Mr. Liu and Liu Biaotou are outside."
Gu Kaiyuan opened his eyes, saw Bai Suihe already asleep, and helped cover her with a blanket before quietly exiting the carriage.
"What are you two discussing that’s so interesting?" Gu Kaiyuan approached them with Lin Wei.
Though Gu Kaiyuan’s attire wasn’t noticeable, Liu Pingkang could keenly tell that there was fur worn beneath his cloak.
Clearly a banished convict, yet accompanied by attendants.
But thinking of what Bai Family had given, and Gu Kaiyuan not skimping on good things along the way, he refrained from commenting.
"Just chatting idly," Liu Biaotou greeted as their employer arrived, "We just suggested to Mr. Liu to have a drink together tonight. Would you like to join us, boss?"
Seeing that Liu Pingkang didn’t refuse, Gu Kaiyuan chuckled, "That’s certainly not a problem. I happen to have some fine Huadiao wine..."
Liu Biaotou felt a little awkward; Mr. Liu had previously mentioned providing the wine, yet his boss was unaware and offered it himself; would this offend anyone?
Gu Kaiyuan noticed Liu Biaotou’s expression and guessed, "Though whether the wine is good or not isn’t the point; mainly it’s too cold, and a bit could warm us up.
Besides, today I want to take the brothers into the mountains to see if we can’t hunt some meat for everyone. I wish to exchange some wine with Mr. Liu for a break."
Liu Pingkang indeed didn’t mind if Gu Kaiyuan’s wine was better; given his capabilities, it wasn’t surprising if he produced good wine.
His mannered words were pleasant, and since Gu Kaiyuan rarely returned empty-handed from a mountain trip, naturally no one would stop him. Liu Pingkang agreed readily.
At this time, Xu Biaotou’s team arrived, and several people simply stood roadside chatting leisurely, waiting until the team passed to slowly follow behind.
The day went relatively smoothly, reaching the next camp by dusk.
Seeing this familiar hillside, Gu Kaiyuan quickly found the best spot, settled Bai Suihe, then hurried into the mountains with his men.
"Young master, have you been here before?" Lin Wei was somewhat surprised, as Gu Kaiyuan seemed familiar with everything, even choosing a path without hesitating.
Gu Kaiyuan said, "...I asked Mr. Liu in advance."
With that, he handed a red cord to Lin Wei, "Remember to mark every so often, with snow covering the mountain, lest you lose direction later."
Lin Wei didn’t doubt, feeling a bit remorseful, "Young master is indeed foresighted, why didn’t I think to inquire from them earlier?"
"Next time, you can chat with them more, especially Mr. Liu and the two Biaotou. They know this area better than us."
"That’s true, but there are too many bandits around here, though they all seem like ragtag groups. One wonders what the local authorities think, not managing them."
Gu Kaiyuan ignored him, instead quickly leaping into the woods, and from the snow emerged holding a plump rabbit. He tossed it to Lin Hua, who promptly gripped its ears, deftly pulled a rope from his waist, and with a few quick moves, hung the rabbit upside down.
"Don’t just stand there," Lin Hua chided Lin Wei, "Young master has already caught something; hurry and look around."
With that, Gu Kaiyuan signaled for everyone to spread out, evidently spotting something promising.
Lin Hua led people apart, soon discovering many small prints in the snow, then glanced at his waist with four swaying limbs—this was a rabbit den.
Yet rabbits are cunning, with many bushes here, catching them barehanded isn’t simple.
At this time, Gu Kaiyuan stood up and instructed, "You guys find rabbit burrow entrances. Each of you guards one and smokes them out, I’ll go check in the front."
Lin Hua, "Young master, let me accompany you."
Gu Kaiyuan, "I’m only scouting ahead, not going far."
Not waiting for their reply, he swiftly disappeared from view.
"Are you two Brothers Lin still worried for your young master? His skills far surpass ours." Yun Ni believed Gu Kaiyuan wouldn’t leave without a reason, and it was best not to pry too much.
"There’s bound to be plenty of rabbits here, let’s aim to catch them all for a feast for the brothers."
Lin Hua saw the area was now empty and was forced to suppress his concern, joining the others in seeking rabbit holes.
Gu Kaiyuan sped towards the mountain, soon reaching the halfway point, glanced back to where he came, then veered swiftly towards the nearby woods.
Due to being near the mountain hollow, the snow wasn’t thick, and he quickly found the familiar small pine woods.
In a previous life, he chased mountain chickens here accidentally and discovered Lingzhi on these trees, aiding his recovery.
Though he didn’t need it now, such treasures couldn’t be missed.
Recognizing familiar clusters of Purple Ganoderma, Gu Kaiyuan grinned wide. Asking a doctor afterwards revealed it’s Hemlock Ganoderma, fetching high prices for good ones.
Back then, exchanging a small Ganoderma gained him several medicine doses, with the doctor even adding some silver.
This small patch had ten or so Lingzhi, and he happily accepted once more.
Retrieving the bag he specifically brought, he carefully placed them inside, soon filling half the bag.
He didn’t intend to sell those; with Suihe’s treasure storage, they would keep it for her postpartum recovery.
Ensuring he missed none, he ran ahead and halted at a cave entrance.
Putting his hands on the ground, he pushed himself upwards at the entrance, hitting a rock at the cave mouth with the back of his knife, hearing distinct noises inside.
As the first wild boar emerged, he sliced its nape, sending it staggering forth before it fell.
Gu Kaiyuan had no time to tend to it, as the second and third boar charged at him in fury.
More boars and piglets emerged, leaving him no opportunity to strike.
