The beast skin map was very thick, not like paper that could be folded for easy carrying. Fang Yuan could only roll up the hide map, put it back into the bamboo tube, tie both ends of the bamboo tube with hemp rope, and carry it on his back.
The two hunters stared fixedly at the bamboo tube, their eyes inevitably revealing greed. They weren't fools; naturally, they knew its value.
Although this beast skin map was overlooked by Gu Masters, for mortals, especially hunters like them, it was a priceless treasure.
It was something passed down from the Wang family's ancestors. Old Man Wang had become a renowned hunting leader far and wide, and this map contributed significantly to that. It was truly a family heirloom.
"I ask you, does Old Man Wang's household have anyone else?" Fang Yuan's eyes flickered with 'Section 69: Life as Cheap as Grass', and he coldly demanded.
The two young men kneeling on the ground trembled all over upon hearing Fang Yuan's words, remembering their current situation. The greed on their faces quickly faded, replaced by fear.
"No, they're all dead, Gu Master!"
"Hunter Wang originally had a wife, but more than a decade ago, she was killed by wolves that broke into the village. Before his wife died, she gave Old Wang two sons and a daughter. But the eldest son, Wang Da, died in the mountains while hunting three years ago. The Wang family has no one left."
The two young hunters quickly answered.
"I see..." Fang Yuan narrowed his eyes. Looking at the kneeling men, he knew that what they said was likely true. Their lives were in his hands, so the chance of them lying was slim.
Nevertheless, he still asked, "You're not lying to me?"
"We wouldn't dare deceive you, my lord!"
"I, I remember! Old Man Wang actually had another daughter-in-law, Wang Da's wife. But after Wang Da disappeared, she died out of love. That year, the mountain stronghold even sent down a chastity arch. But I heard that Wang Da's wife actually wanted to remarry, and Old Man Wang forced her to death. My lord, you killed Old Wang in Section 69: Life as Cheap as Grass, which is eliminating bullies and bringing peace to the people."
The other person quickly chimed in, "Indeed, indeed. Actually, my lord, we've long disliked this Old Wang. Hmph, what's so great about him? Just because he's better at hunting than us? He's mortal just like us, but he acts like he's something special, moving out of the village to live here. When we, as juniors, sometimes wanted to ask for his advice, he would just chase us away and forbid us from appearing near his cabin!"
Fang Yuan quietly listened and nodded. Although these two were slandering Old Man Wang to save their own skins, it wasn't hard to detect the resentment in their words.
Fang Yuan guessed privately that the two young men's request for hunting advice was a pretense; they were likely coveting the Wang daughter's beauty. When Old Man Wang found out, he had taught them a severe lesson a few times.
"Spare me the talk of eliminating bullies and bringing peace. My reason for killing this time is simply coveting this hide map. Well, your performance has satisfied me, and you can leave now." Fang Yuan's tone softened a bit, while on the right hand behind his back, a faint moonlight glow appeared.
The two young men kneeling on the ground were both surprised and delighted upon hearing this.
"Thank you for sparing our lives, my lord!"
"My lord, your mercy and kindness, we will remember forever!!"
Tears and snot streaming down their faces, they knocked their foreheads against the ground with a soft thudding sound. After kowtowing a few times, they immediately turned and fled.
Although Fang Yuan was younger than them, after witnessing his methods, they were utterly terrified and never wanted to face him again.
"Hold on." At that moment, a voice suddenly sounded.
The words had barely fallen when, with a swoosh, a Gu Master jumped down from the treetop.
"You cannot leave. Explain clearly what happened here." The Gu Master who jumped down was wearing a deep blue tight-fitting outfit, tied with a red belt. In the center of the belt was embedded an iron plate with the character for "two" engraved on it.
This Second-turn Gu Master was slender, with narrow, elongated eyes. He wore arm guards on his wrists and sturdy leg bindings on his calves, exuding an air of competence.