Chapter Forty: The Two Heroes and Their Divine Eagle

Hunting, in ancient times also known as "field hunting," "bird hunting," "game hunting," or "encirclement hunting," was a popular pastime among both royals and aristocrats. The forms of hunting were as varied as its history was long, with tools evolving from stone balls and branches to tridents, spears, swords, and bows.

Gu Shen led Gou Ye into a hunting supplies shop, where the dazzling array of equipment left Gou Ye utterly bewildered. He was adept at buying gear in online games, but when faced with real objects, he was at a complete loss. He knew his own limitations—let alone drawing a bow and shooting, he could hardly muster the strength to swing a longsword a few times.

Gu Shen noticed Gou Ye's predicament and laughed heartily. He asked the shopkeeper for two leather wrist guards, then selected a short bow and also purchased a short spear. As Gou Ye glanced around, his eyes suddenly lit up. He spotted a leather tunic hanging on the wall and asked, "Shopkeeper, is this garment for protection?"

"Yes, young master. However..." The shopkeeper looked a little embarrassed, but before he could finish, Gu Shen pulled Gou Ye aside and whispered, "He means to say this is for girls—female hunters wear it to avoid injury. What man would wrap himself up so tightly for a hunt?"

Gou Ye studied the tunic for a while, then turned around with a broad grin. Gu Shen immediately understood what he meant, and although he could only sigh inwardly, he called the shopkeeper over and bought the leather tunic.

Gu Shen looked at Gou Ye with undisguised disdain, while Gou Ye hugged the tunic with delight. He thought to himself that hunting seemed simple enough, but since he could neither shoot nor wield a weapon, who knew what wild beasts lurked in these ancient wilds? For him, this hunt was merely a way to relax; above all, he needed to ensure his own safety.

But what followed made Gu Shen realize just how mistaken he’d been to bring Gou Ye hunting that day. Never in his wildest dreams did he imagine that the renowned Gou Ye didn’t even know how to ride a horse.

"Gou Ye, I really didn’t expect that you can’t even ride! How do you plan to hunt?"

Gou Ye bristled, "Who says I can’t? When I was little, I learned with the village kids." In his heart, he recalled that earlier this year, he’d only managed to sneak a few days’ play at a friend’s riding club. Gou Ye struggled for a long while before finally getting a foot into the stirrup. As he swung his other leg up, the horse moved forward a couple of steps and Gou Ye, losing his balance, toppled backwards and landed flat on his back. Even the guards at the city gate couldn’t help but burst out laughing.

Gu Shen sighed, dismounted with effortless grace, and helped Gou Ye up from the ground. But Gou Ye pushed him away, still defiant, muttering, "Damn it, I don’t believe this." He spat into his palms, rubbed his hands together, and looked ready to try again. Gu Shen and the guards watched intently as Gou Ye nimbly stepped into the stirrup. Just as everyone thought he’d finally mount, his other foot kicked the horse’s rump instead. The horse neighed and bolted forward.

Fortunately, Gou Ye’s foot wasn’t caught in the stirrup; he simply fell to the ground with a thud. Otherwise, he’d have been dragged along the road. In the end, with Gu Shen’s help, Gou Ye finally managed to sit astride the horse. Still disgruntled, he proclaimed, "See? I told you I’d get on! I just haven’t ridden in a while, that’s all. Wait and see how good I am." Gu Shen and the young guard exchanged glances and saw the same words written on Gou Ye’s face: "Shameless as ever."

Gou Ye then proceeded to "demonstrate" his riding skills. He gripped the reins so tightly it was painful to watch. Whenever the horse picked up speed or hit a bump, Gou Ye would clutch the horse’s neck for dear life. Gu Shen could only pity the horse, while Gou Ye shamelessly claimed it was to get closer to the animal. If the horse could speak, no doubt it would have said, "Thanks a lot, pal!"

They rode for some time before Gu Shen led Gou Ye into a dense forest. To Gu Shen, the chorus of insects and birds and the deep green shade made for a picturesque landscape. To Gou Ye, however, the rustling undergrowth and dim woods spelled nothing but danger.

Seeing Gou Ye’s wary expression, Gu Shen decided to play a prank and shouted suddenly, nearly startling Gou Ye off his horse. "Gu Shen, you bastard!"

Gu Shen laughed heartily, then his gaze sharpened. A rabbit darted by in the distance. Without hesitation, Gu Shen drew his bow, nocked an arrow, and with a twang, struck the rabbit down. "Bravo, bravo!" Gou Ye applauded. As they moved to pick up the rabbit, two figures leapt from the trees.

The newcomers were both dark-skinned, faces obscured by black cloth. One was fat and short, the other tall and thin—resembling the comedic pair from the classic tale "The Deer and the Cauldron." Each wielded a massive woodcutter’s axe, the heads alone weighing dozens of pounds.

Unexpectedly, the thin one was a stutterer. He affected a menacing tone and said, "Th-this... mountain... was p-planted by me, th-this tree... c-cut by me. If you want t-t-to pass... leave—"

His companion, anxious to help, added, "Leave your toll." Then he turned to the thin one, "Brother, you got it backwards. It’s ‘This mountain was cut by me, this tree was planted by me.’"

The thin man waved dismissively, "It d-doesn’t matter... all the same!"

Gu Shen and Gou Ye immediately realized they’d run into bandits—but it seemed they’d encountered a pair of fools. They exchanged glances and burst out laughing.

Gu Shen nudged his horse forward and joked, "So, gallant heroes, here to rob us? Might I know your names?"

The two instantly raised their axes in alarm. The fat one jumped forward, face twisted in a fierce expression, and bellowed, "You don’t know us? Let me tell you, we are the legendary heroes of this forest, famous far and wide—the Gallant Duo of the Divine Eagle!"

At this, Gou Ye nearly fell off his horse laughing. The Gallant Duo of the Divine Eagle—could these be fans of his novels? Perhaps they’d read too many stories. He teased, "Two gallant heroes, have you been spending too much time at the city’s bookshops? This ‘Divine Eagle Duo’—pray tell, which of you is the Eagle and which is the Divine one?"