In times of chaos and famine, I traded one pound of rice for two royal flushes.

Li Hu mimicked the mannerisms of those people, gesturing as he said, "They said that after following Er Mazi for so many years, they've had to bear their injuries alone. They haven't even received a word of comfort, let alone meat soup. This bowl of soup you brought them is more effective than anything else!"

"And those who were injured, after using the herbs you gave them, all say their wounds are much better and less painful. Now, every hunter in the village speaks highly of your kindness! Several people have asked me to inquire whether they could also contribute to the hunt for the white-browed tiger, free of charge, as a way of repaying your kindness!"

This result was entirely within Qin Shaolang's expectations.

Offering help in times of need is always more effective in winning people's hearts than adding to someone's success. A bowl of meat soup and a jar of cheap herbs were enough to completely dismantle Er Mazi's hunting team, which he had painstakingly built up over many years, and even turn them into potential allies.

This deal is a guaranteed steal!

Chu Wu, standing nearby, was also deeply moved after listening. He could no longer simply regard Qin Shaolang as a doctor. Such methods and cunning—in the army, he would definitely be general material!

"Brother Qin, I, Chu Wu, am completely impressed by your skills," Chu Wu said sincerely.

Qin Shaolang simply smiled faintly. "The human heart is also a battlefield. Let's go, another battlefield awaits us."

The three of them returned to the mountains and repeated the same actions as yesterday.

A piece of pork of the same size, also drizzled with chicken blood, was quietly placed into the spring.

They then retreated to the observation point and began to wait patiently.

This time, the white-browed tiger appeared about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn earlier than yesterday.

It seems to be getting impatient.

It remained vigilant, but circled the spring about half as many times as it had yesterday. After confirming there was no unusual activity around, it quickly snatched the meat and disappeared back into the forest.

Seeing this, Qin Shaolang's lips finally curved into a definite smile.

"It's done." He uttered two words softly.

"Did it work?" Chu Wu and Li Hu asked in unison.

"Its vigilance has dropped to the minimum; it's treating this place like its regular canteen." Qin Shaolang's eyes gleamed with a hunter's light. "Tomorrow will be its death day."

Upon returning to the earthen kiln, Qin Shaolang immediately summoned the ten elite family soldiers he had selected.

The atmosphere instantly became serious.

"Brothers, we've been training for this day, and tomorrow is the day we hunt down that beast!" Qin Shaolang's voice wasn't loud, but it was extremely penetrating.

The ten guards' breathing became heavy, their eyes flashing with excitement and tension.

Qin Shaolang didn't say much to inspire people; instead, he went straight to assigning specific tasks.

"Tomorrow, we will all set off ahead of time and ambush it around the spring. I will lure that beast out, and when it is most vulnerable, you will listen to my command and use the formation I taught you to trap it!"

He explained in detail everyone's positioning, the timing of attack and defense, and even made contingency plans for possible unexpected situations.

Everyone listened intently, memorizing every detail.

After arranging everything, Qin Shaolang dismissed everyone except Chu Wu.

In the dim firelight, Qin Shaolang took out a small paper package from his bag.

"What is this?" Chu Wu asked curiously.

"The 'seasoning' for tomorrow's lunch." Qin Shaolang smiled mysteriously, opened the paper package, and inside were some crushed herbal powders.

"This isn't poison," Qin Shaolang explained, noticing Chu Wu's doubt. "It's a herb that can paralyze muscles and bones, making one drowsy. I've controlled the dosage precisely, enough to weaken that tiger but not enough to kill it immediately. What we need is a complete tiger skin and a whole set of tiger bones. If we poison it, it'll be worthless."

Chu Wu suddenly realized, and his admiration for Qin Shaolang rose to a new level.

They even considered such details! The dosage of the drug, the timing of its onset, the impact on the value of the tiger skin and bones... This isn't hunting; it's clearly a meticulously calculated surgical procedure!

On the third day, before dawn, the thirteen-man tiger-hunting team quietly set off.

They concealed themselves perfectly in the dense forest surrounding the spring, just as planned, with everyone's heart pounding in their chest.

Qin Shaolang personally placed the piece of pork with the added "seasoning" into the spring water.

Everything is ready; all that's left is to wait.

Time passed by, and the forest was eerily silent, with only the tense beating of everyone's hearts audible.

Finally, that familiar, enormous figure arrived as expected.

Today, the white-browed tiger appeared even more composed. It hardly made any unnecessary observations, walked straight to the spring, snatched the piece of pork that exuded an enticing aroma, and without even turning its head, lay down on a large rock not far away and began to tear at it.

It ate it!

It finally ate it on the spot!

All the soldiers lying in ambush held their breath, gripping their weapons even tighter.

Qin Shaolang gestured for everyone to remain quiet and wait for the medicine to take effect.

The white-browed tiger quickly devoured the piece of meat, licked the blood from its mouth with satisfaction, yawned, and seemed to be preparing to lie down for a nap.

But just then, its massive body suddenly swayed.

It suddenly stood up, looked around warily, and let out a low growl, as if it had sensed something was wrong.

It tried to stand firm, but its limbs felt as heavy as if they were filled with lead.

It shook its huge head, trying to dispel the sudden drowsiness, but its eyelids grew heavier and heavier.

It stood up again, but stumbled and fell heavily to the ground. After struggling for a few moments, it was unable to get up immediately!

opportunity!

Qin Shaolang's pupils suddenly contracted, and he abruptly raised his right hand, then swung it down sharply!

"Let's do it!"

The command was like a boulder being thrown into a calm lake!

At Chu Wu's low roar, the ten soldiers who had been lying in ambush in the dense forest suddenly sprang into action!

Unlike ordinary hunters who charge haphazardly in droves, they moved with synchronized yet incredibly swift steps, darting out from three directions in an instant. Each person's position was as if measured with a ruler, not an inch more, not an inch less.

The ten men, with their ten sharpened hardwood spears, formed a sparse yet impenetrable crescent-shaped encirclement the moment they appeared, completely blocking the white-browed tiger that had just fallen to the ground, along with all its escape routes back to the dense forest!

"roar--!"

Although the white-browed tiger's limbs were paralyzed by the medicine, its ferocity and instincts as the king of beasts remained.

Danger! Deadly danger!

Its massive body jerked violently, springing itself up from the ground. Its large, bell-like eyes instantly filled with bloodshot veins. It recognized the humans who had suddenly appeared, and instead of its usual territorial roar, it let out a scream filled with shock, anger, and terror!