The beast's attack came suddenly, catching everyone completely off guard.
In a single assault, three or four villagers were bitten to death. A nauseating bloody smell permeated the air, momentarily overwhelming the villagers.
Their gazes became dull. By the time they reacted, the beast's thick tiger paw was already descending.
"What are you all spacing out for? Attack! Tonight, either this beast dies or we do!"
Li Hu's low voice rang out again. The dazed villagers cast aside their other thoughts, raising torches, hoes, sickles, and iron shovels, along with a barrage of imprecise arrows, attacking the beast.
The momentum was strong, but aside from a few minor injuries, the white beast remained extremely savage.
Li Hu appeared calm, but his heart was anxious. Dealing with such a ferocious beast was already difficult, and now it was in a completely frenzied state.
Although Li Hu said nothing, he kept glancing at Su Qi'an beside him.
The previous command was given according to Su Qi'an's instructions. The first order was issued, but Su Qi'an's second command was inexplicably delayed, making Li Hu quite nervous.
At this moment, Su Qi'an's slightly urgent voice spoke up, "Release the ropes, launch another volley of arrows. Have all close-combat villagers retreat and use only long-range attacks."
"Release the ropes?" Li Hu was somewhat confused.
But he didn't hesitate and followed Su Qi'an's orders.
Without the rope restraints, the maddened beast became completely uncontrolled, charging wildly.
However, this unbridled rampage didn't last long. It was met with countless arrows, torches, and even iron shovels and hoes.
Though the accuracy was poor, eventually something would hit.
After several rounds, in addition to the wounded left hind leg, the beast's right front leg was also pierced by arrows.
Even more critically, an arrow had just grazed its only eye, not hitting directly but striking its cheek.
The white beast couldn't understand why previous human attacks couldn't harm it, but these strange arrows somehow caused it pain.
At this moment, the beast had no time to think. It suddenly noticed its consciousness becoming blurry.
After knocking down several villagers, the wounded white beast roared viciously at everyone, and in the next moment, unexpectedly turned to flee.
This scene left everyone stunned. They had expected a desperate fight, but now they seemed safe.
After confirming the beast truly fled, the remaining villagers began breathing heavily, collapsing to the ground with expressions of survivors who had narrowly escaped death.
There was also some regret. If the beast had continued fighting, it would likely have been subdued.
A nearly cooked duck had flown away - what a pity.
Though disappointed, they understood. Anyone who wanted to chase and kill the beast wouldn't dare, even if given the opportunity.
The beast was wounded but not a sick cat. Once it returned to its territory, even experienced hunters like Li Hu and Zhao Da wouldn't easily pursue it.
Surviving and driving the beast away was already a stroke of luck.
Dawn came quickly. Counting the casualties: five dead, twelve injured, with five seriously wounded.
This demonstrated the beast's savage nature.
Seeing their dead companions, everyone felt a moment of grief, but quickly composed themselves. In these times, who hadn't seen death?
Under Li Hu and Zhao Da's arrangements, the remaining villagers gradually returned home to spread the news.
The hunters decided to continue deep into the forest to eliminate the threat, knowing well the consequences of letting a tiger return to the mountains.
They would strike while the beast was weakened.
This time, not all hunters went out. Some remained to protect the village. The hunting party consisted of Li Hu, Zhao Da, Shui Sheng, Tie Niu, and Su Qi'an.
The villagers understood the hunters' decision but looked at Su Qi'an with pitying eyes. A weak scholar, despite his lucky shot, couldn't possibly survive.
As the villagers dispersed, the five quickly set out, undeniably tense.
Throughout the journey, Tie Niu and Shui Sheng constantly asked Li Hu to confirm the details.
Li Hu, though patient, eventually lost his temper after repeated questioning.
"I've told you this is definitely true. Why else would the scholar be traveling with us? If you're afraid, go back. I won't stop you."
Tie Niu and Shui Sheng, embarrassed, scratched their heads.
Su Qi'an turned and told them, "Don't worry. Though the beast is savage, the arrow I shot was poisoned. The toxin isn't strong but causes paralysis. We'll follow slowly, and when the time comes, the beast will practically deliver itself to us."
His words both surprised and delighted the two - if true, they might effortlessly claim such a valuable prey.
They were shocked that this seemingly honest and traditional scholar knew how to make poison, and his walking posture didn't match that of a typical bookworm.
"Could the rumors be true? Has Master Su lost his mind to a water ghost?"
Seeing Su Qi'an's retreating figure, they trembled slightly.
Li Hu, hearing their thoughts, passionately defended Su Qi'an, sounding like a devoted fan.
The other hunters recognized Li Hu's insight. Despite being rough, he was perceptive. Even wounded, he was determined to follow Su Qi'an, indicating the scholar's extraordinary nature.
Tie Niu and Water Sheng quickly changed their attitude, seeking guidance from Li Hu and Zhao Da.
They decided they must hold onto Su Qi'an - a scholar with an official title who was also a potential master archer was a rare find.
As they tracked the beast through the vast forest, they realized its size was enormous - dozens of times larger than Dongshan Village.
Fortunately, they had prepared three days' worth of provisions.
While the hunters were accustomed to such conditions, Su Qi'an, despite his weak physique, remained surprisingly composed.
This impressed the hunters, who appreciated a scholar willing to rough it out with them.
After two days of pursuit, they finally found the wounded beast near evening on the second day.
It lay motionless, seemingly dead or sleeping.
No one dared approach, but Su Qi'an slowly advanced.
Tie Niu and Shui Sheng were worried, but Li Hu and Zhao Da seemed expectant.
When Su Qi'an was about 80 meters away, he smoothly drew, aimed, and shot an arrow targeting the beast's wounded leg.
The moment the arrow struck, the seemingly dead beast suddenly sprang to life, charging directly at Su Qi'an.
Li Hu and Zhao Da were shocked by the beast's cunning.
Su Qi'an remained calm. In one fluid motion, he shot three arrows - one at the eye, one at the heart, one at the skull.
The beast fell instantly, just half a meter from Su Qi'an.
The other four were stunned by his skill and composure.
Tie Niu and Shui Sheng exchanged a look, both thinking they must stick close to Su Qi'an - a scholar with such talents was worth his weight in gold.
As they celebrated eliminating the beast that had terrorized Dongshan Village for years, a group of rough-looking men approached the village, led by the long-absent Manager Guan...
While Su Qi'an and his group were eliminating the beast that had plagued Dongshan Village for years.
Outside the village, Manager Guan, who hadn't been seen for days, was slowly approaching Dongshan Village, surrounded by a group of rough-looking men...
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