Chapter 19: The Vanishing Hunter

However, when introducing herself, Bai Junjun concealed the past glory of the Shi clans.

She only mentioned that her family name was Bai and that all her parents and relatives had died on the road while fleeing famine, leaving only her and her two brothers to depend on each other for survival.

Sasa had mentioned this in the morning, but hearing it again still made one feel sorry for these children.

They were younger than Lao San at home, and at such a tender age, they had lost the protection of their parents. Seeing their ragged clothes, one could hardly imagine the hardships they had endured along the way.

Although Old Uncle Qiu's family was poor, compared to them, they were much more fortunate.

Especially grandson Xiao Shan, who on the road to fleeing, would one moment sprint forward and the next climb onto the cart to direct his second and third uncles to move faster. The eldest daughter-in-law, unable to bear his commotion, had to grab his belt and beat him several times to quiet him down.

In just half a day, Xiao Shan, relying on his own efforts, transformed the flight from famine into a semblance of going out for the greenery of spring.

However, Bai Junjun knew that this was not a good sign.

She knew better than anyone how harsh the external environment was.

Although they had temporarily avoided the large refugee group, many small refugee groups were still scattered in the mountains and wilderness, waiting to ambush people fleeing from the cities.

And although the postures of Old Uncle Qiu's family were agile, their carelessness would likely lead to danger for the entire family in the end.

Bai Junjun felt it was necessary to warn them to prevent overconfidence from capsizing their boat.

So, Bai Junjun shared the incidents of the refugee group outside the city resorting to extreme measures, such as exchanging children for food.

Not only Old Uncle Qiu, but Qiu Er and Qiu San were also greatly shocked upon hearing this, which completely overturned their understanding.

"I've heard about the refugees. Even tigers do not eat their cubs, yet I never imagined the refugees' situation could be far more dreadful than the rumors,"

"The cost of war, harming lives, is just so," Bai Junjun calmly commented.

Old Uncle Qiu, touched, sighed helplessly.

"I won't lie to you; we also came down the mountain because we were forced into desperation,"

...

Xuanwei is home to a famous Hunter Village, the villagers are agile and skilled at hunting.

They have always lived by the mountain, depending on hunting for their livelihood.

Only occasionally would they trade furs for necessary life supplies at the foot of the mountain.

But a month ago, all the hunters who went down the mountain never returned. The village sensed something was wrong and repeatedly sent capable men from each family to search, yet bizarrely, everyone who went down disappeared.

These were all skilled hunters; how could they be silently and effortlessly taken?

But they just did, disappeared without a trace.

The people in Hunter Village were panicked.

Eventually, several bold wives went down to the town to search for their husbands.

This time, they successfully reached the town and, after much inquiry, found out that the Fifth Prince was about to wage war against the Ninth Prince of the neighboring territory, and recruiting soldiers was underway everywhere.

The men of Hunter Village had barely appeared in the streets when they were detained by the government officials and taken away.

The recruitment officers, who had been worrying about not finding fit men to enlist, were thrilled to see the men of Hunter Village showing up one after another.

Finally learning about their husbands' whereabouts, the hunter's wives were startled. In desperation, they asked the surrounding people, "With just one man in my house, how can I manage without him?"

"We've paid the service exemption money this year."

Hunting is a very difficult occupation; the hunters often live in the woods year-round under harsh conditions, exposed to the elements and at risk from venomous snakes and wild beasts. Many hunters bear lasting ailments, and their families have always been small in number.

Thus, whether for military or labor service, they couldn't spare men to serve, so they had to pay service exemption money to avoid civil duties.