Chapter 499 - 408: Someone Died Again

"He’s still at the hospital In the Town. I heard he’s out of danger," Ma Ling said. "Uncle Guo just came by my house."

The Uncle Guo she mentioned was Zhu Dashan’s son, Zhu Aiguo.

"Huh?" Zhao Jun was a little confused. ’Even if Zhu Dashan is out of danger, his son, Zhu Aiguo, should be at his bedside taking care of him. Why would he run back home?’

Ma Ling said, "Last night, Elder Jiang’s nephew went looking for him In the Town. He told my Uncle Guo to figure out a way to kill that Black Bear and avenge his uncle."

Zhao Jun understood the situation immediately. Ma Ling had come to see him because the Zhu Family wanted him to go kill the Black Bear.

But the key question was, why would the Zhu Family agree to Jiang Zhou’s demand?

In this day and age, you couldn’t just extort people. Besides, Jiang Hua had gone with Zhu Dashan voluntarily. Even if he was killed by the Black Bear, the Zhu Family had no reason to agree to his family’s excessive demands.

Seeing Zhao Jun remain silent, Ma Ling explained, "My Uncle Guo said that Jiang Zhou told him Mrs. Elder Jiang is incredibly distraught. She’s insisting that my great-uncle’s family avenge her old man. Otherwise, the old woman is threatening to hang herself at their front door."

At this point, Ma Ling glanced at Zhao Jun and said softly, "Look, if it’s convenient for you, please help my Uncle Guo out. If it’s not, then just forget it."

When Ma Ling was younger, she’d heard people say that hunting a Black Bear was dangerous. But Zhao Jun’s exploits over the past six months had been so legendary that it made people feel like any Black Bear would be just another kill for his gun.

That was why Ma Ling had agreed to ask on Zhu Aiguo’s behalf.

Zhao Jun knew what Ma Ling was thinking. He had also already made up his mind—he couldn’t hunt this Black Bear. The problem now was how to turn Ma Ling down.

In Ma Ling’s eyes, if Zhao Jun took action, killing that Black Bear would be a sure thing.

Refusing to help with something that seemed like such a small effort would be a little cold.

So, Zhao Jun smiled at Ma Ling and said, "Since you’re the one asking, even if it’s inconvenient, I have to make it convenient!"

Hearing him say that, Ma Ling smiled happily.

Her happiness wasn’t about saving face or fulfilling a family obligation. It was because his words showed how much he valued her.

But right after, Zhao Jun’s tone shifted. "It’s just that this Black Bear... it’s considered jinxed."

"What?" Hearing the word "jinxed," Ma Ling’s eyes widened instantly. She asked anxiously, "How is it jinxed?"

Zhao Jun whispered to Ma Ling, "This Black Bear has killed a man before. That makes it malevolent."

"Oh my goodness!" Ma Ling’s expression changed drastically at his words. She grabbed Zhao Jun’s arm and said, "Then you absolutely can’t go hunt it!"

Just then, Ma Ling also remembered: anything that had taken a human life was taboo.

And how could she let her fiancé get involved in something taboo? It wouldn’t matter if it were for her cousin-uncle; even if it were for her own uncle, the answer would be no.

"Huh? So I’m not going?" Zhao Jun found Ma Ling’s nervous expression amusing and decided to tease her. "But what about Mrs. Elder Jiang? She’s going to make a scene at your great-uncle’s house."

In truth, Zhao Jun wasn’t lying to Ma Ling. Among hunters, the elders always warned the younger generation not to go after any mountain beast that had taken a human life.

This was also the reason why Wang Dalong had given up on hunting the Black Bear as soon as Zhao Jun reminded him that it had mauled someone to death.

In response to Zhao Jun’s question, Ma Ling said, "Forget about them. I’ll go back and tell them you’re busy with work and can’t get away. Let them do whatever they want."

After saying that, Ma Ling added a warning, "You should get to work. We absolutely can’t get involved in this, you hear? It doesn’t matter who comes asking."

"Alright." Zhao Jun smiled and said to Ma Ling, "I’m heading out, then."

"Okay, be careful."

...

During the day, Zhao Jun went to work at the Forest Farm. In the evening, he returned home and had dinner with his family.

After dinner, Zhao Jun sat on top of the wall, eating musk-melons and chatting with Li Baoyu.

Suddenly, Li Ruhai came running back from outside. As soon as he entered the courtyard and saw Li Baoyu and Zhao Jun sitting on the wall laughing and talking, he yelled, "Bro! Brother Jun!"

"Whoa!" Li Ruhai’s sudden shout made Li Baoyu, whose back was turned, jump in fright. He spun around to face Li Ruhai and barked, "What are you yelling for? You scared the hell out of me!"

Li Ruhai completely ignored Li Baoyu’s attitude. He rushed over in just a couple of steps and said, "Something terrible has happened! Someone else died!"

"What?" Hearing that someone else had died, Zhao Jun was stunned. Just as he was about to ask Li Ruhai what had happened, the dogs in both the Zhao and Li family courtyards all started barking furiously at something outside!