The spring of the first year of Yonghui was particularly cold, and several spring rains under Jiangnan Road not only did not give birth to willow buds, but there were no ducks to eat even by the river.

When the sky was not bright in the east, in the small mountain village called Zhaojia Village, Zhang Xiao, a young man like a big stone pier, was already squatting in the courtyard, sucking the noodles in the bowl.

"Baby, this is today's dry food, don't forget to bring it!" Zhang Xiao's grandmother took out a few shriveled cakes from the house and put them beside Zhang Xiao.

"Hmm." Zhang Xiao, who was busy stuffing noodles into his mouth, nodded.

"Baby, you are fifteen years old this year, and it is time to get married. Hurry up Ming, grandma asked your second aunt at the head of the village to find you a look, do you think it? ”

Zhang Xiao, who took the last bite of noodles into his mouth, grabbed the machete beside him, stood up suddenly, and ran out of the yard while turning back and shouting to his grandmother: "Grandma, Zhao Tian is still waiting for me to go up the mountain to chop wood in the east of the village." I'll talk about this when I get back! ”

"Dry food, baby, your dry food!" Grandma took broken steps and chased a few steps outside.

"I'll just eat what Zhao Tian brought!" Zhang Xiao's voice became farther and farther away.

As a small village close to Dazhu Mountain, Zhaojia Village has always relied on the mountains to eat the mountains. The children in the village, if they are not from wealthy families, will be led by adults to the mountains to search for herbs, chop wood and cut trees when they are more than ten years old.

As an orphan who lives with his grandmother, Zhang Xiao understood at a very young age that he would not have the opportunity to study in the ancestral hall surnamed Zhao. After all, relying on the cloth woven by the grandmother who stayed up all night is far from enough to exchange for pen and ink. Of course, Zhang Xiao followed the adults in the village to the mountains to chop firewood very early.

For his parents, Zhang Xiao has no memory. For Zhang Xiao, his parents are the distant vague figures in his mind after he was bullied by children in the same village. As for where his parents are now, and why he lives in this small mountain village full of surnames Zhao, Zhang Xiao is not without doubt. It's just that Grandma is getting older and her health is getting worse and worse. After Zhang Xiao gradually got used to life in the mountains, he dispelled the idea of looking for his parents and cut firewood to supplement his family with peace of mind.

"Why is it so slow?" Under the hundred-year-old willow tree at the east end of the village, Zhao Tian sat on a large stone pier. Seeing Zhang Xiao coming, he immediately stood up and asked.

"Grandma loves me and doesn't call me!" Zhang Xiao scratched his head embarrassedly.

"Alright, let's hurry into the mountain. Listen to my father, Zhangjiazhuang's has already entered the mountain. If it's too late, we'll not even be able to touch the tail of the worm! Zhao Tian put the back basket on his back and said.

"With your herbs and my strength, we're sure we'll be able to catch that big worm!" Zhang Xiao slapped his chest loudly. But Zhao Tian didn't even look at Zhang Xiao, and walked out of the village.

"Eh, eh, eh." Zhang Xiao saw that Zhao Tian ignored him, and hurriedly chased after him.

As the saying goes, relying on the mountains to eat the mountains, relying on the sea to eat the sea, this is a more ancient truth. But the mountains have the temper of the mountains, and the sea has the strength of the sea. This is not the only time that the mountain god has become angry, so that a big insect has run to the vicinity of Erdun Mountain.

If a small mountain village cannot enter the mountains, it will be no less than a locust plague in a dry year for all the villagers. Therefore, on the first day of the appearance of the big insect, the township posted a notice that whoever can catch or kill the big insect can not only give money Baiguan, but even help find an errand in the yamen.

As soon as the news was announced, the hunters in all the towns and villages copied the guys one after another. I don't want to miss the opportunity to get promoted and make a fortune. But I didn't expect that after a few days, the big insect seemed to disappear, and many hunters searched in the mountains for several days, but they didn't find a single hair.

Just when the government thought that the big insect had gone to other places and was about to tear down the notice, the news that a pedestrian on Erdun Mountain had been attacked by the big insect came again. The hunters who were guarding the mountains and forests were like hungry men seeing white buns, and they picked up the guys and plunged into Erdun Mountain.

Zhaojia Village is not far from Erdun Mountain, and it will naturally be attacked by big insects. Therefore, after learning the news of the big insect, the village chief immediately organized the hunters in the village to enter the mountain.

Originally, Zhao Tian and Zhang Xiao also wanted to follow the past. was accused by the village chief that the two were too young to help. After a scolding session, he drove them home.

The two little calves who thought about sharing the money to become officials were not willing to miss this opportunity at all. With the familiarity of chopping firewood and collecting medicine on weekdays, the two of them carried their parents and the village behind their backs, and also sneaked into Erdun Mountain.

Maybe God wants to see how two twelve or thirteen-year-old boys deal with a big worm. Not long after the two of them sneaked into Erdun Mountain, they saw a huge white-fronted tiger with a bloody mouth open and biting flesh. There were arrows and clothing scattered on the ground around it.

The two teenagers had never seen such a bloody scene, and they were immediately frightened by the appearance of the tiger biting the flesh and blood of the Orion. I didn't know what to do for a while, and I lay on the spot in a daze.

Maybe the big worm was busy eating and didn't notice the two people. After a long time, Zhang Xiao was the first to react. Pulling Zhao Tian and running down the mountain.

After returning to Zhaojia Village, the two teenagers buried the matter of seeing the big insect deep in their hearts and did not mention it to anyone.

Two days passed, and on a sunny afternoon, Zhao Tian suddenly found Zhang Xiao. The two teenagers took the branches and gestured on the ground of the courtyard for a long time. The next day, Zhang Xiao and Zhao Tian entered Erdun Mountain again.

"Eh, Zhao Tian, you say, will that big worm eat the meat you threw on that big stone?" Seeing that Erdun Mountain was getting closer and closer, and the east was already white, Zhang Xiao asked Zhao Tian, who walked all the way without saying a word.

"Hey, what's wrong with you today?" Seeing that Zhao Tian didn't care about himself at all, and still walked ahead by himself, Zhang Xiao was a little puzzled. Just about to catch up quickly, Zhao Tian stopped. The thin body was slightly thin under the blowing of the mountain wind.

"What's wrong?" Zhang Xiao's eyes were concerned.

"Nothing!" Zhao Tian avoided Zhang Xiao's gaze, smiled at the corner of his mouth, lifted the medicine basket on his back, and without waiting for Zhang Xiao to ask again, he turned his head and walked along the mountain road.

The distance between Zhao Tian and Zhang Xiao was widened. Looking at Zhao Tian, who was more than ten feet away from him, Zhang Xiao was a little angry.

"Zhao Tian, you turtle son, you stop for me!" Zhang Xiao couldn't bear Zhao Tian's attitude anymore, ran forward, grabbed Zhao Tian, and yelled loudly.

"Xiao Xiao, my father has set me a kiss." Zhao Tian's face was a little reluctant.

"That's a good thing, what's wrong, that girl isn't good-looking?" Zhang Xiao laughed and said: "I said Zhao Tian, you don't look at your appearance, it's good to have a mother-in-law!" ”

"My dad is looking for Xiaohua's father!"

Zhao Tian's words were very light, and as soon as the wind blew, they dispersed. But falling in Zhang Xiao's heart, it was no less than thunder falling and winding on the ground.

"Xiao Xiao, I told my father. It's just ......" Seeing Zhang Xiao's dejected appearance, Zhao Tian hurriedly explained, but Zhang Xiao suddenly waved his hand.

"Xiaotian, we played from childhood to adulthood. You were the first to come to me when they didn't want to play with me. You also took me into the water to catch fish and shrimp. So, I don't blame you for this. Zhang Xiao's face was full of bitterness, "You also know the situation of my family, not to mention the gift money, I'm afraid I can't even afford a decent dress." Xiaohua follows you and is not aggrieved. ”

"Xiao Xiao......" Zhao Tian wanted to say something, but was stopped by Zhang Xiao. Brother, don't say it. Let's hurry into the mountains. If we delay any longer, we won't even be able to get rid of the big worm feathers! ”

The mountain wind was still blowing, and there were occasional birdsongs among the trees, but there was silence between the two brothers who were injured walking on the mountain road. Zhang Xiao walked in front alone with a machete, and Zhao Tian was a few steps behind, following suit.

I don't know how long it took, Zhang Xiao and Zhao Tian, who had been wandering around the mountains and forests for a long time, stopped when the sun was rising.

"Is this it?" Walking to a big bluestone, Zhang Xiao turned around and asked.

Zhao Tian turned his head to look at the surrounding mountains and forests and nodded.

"Then let's get ready." After speaking, Zhang Xiao squatted down and began to clean up the trap. Looking at Zhang Xiao, who was squatting on the ground and busy, Zhao Tian wanted to speak and stopped.

"I said, Zhao Tian, when did you become such a mother-in-law? If you don't get it again, I won't give you a penny until I catch the worm. ”

"Besides, we said yes. No matter who Xiaohua marries, the other one can't be in a hurry. Why, are you still afraid that I won't be able to rob my relatives? Zhang Xiao looked back at Zhao Tian with a bright smile.

Hearing Zhang Xiao's words, Zhao Tian showed a wry smile, "It's that I'm thinking too much." ”

As the saying goes, there is no fox that doesn't lie, and there is no tiger that doesn't eat meat. After a winter of hibernation, it was time for the tiger to patrol the mountains and forests. Usually in the spring, the beasts revive, and the tigers do not worry about having no food. But this spring, there were several cold rains in a row, and the beasts could not be dormant. Big insects that can't find food can only rush out of the mountains and forests, causing disaster to the village.

The big insect that has been hungry for a winter is the weakest time, but even so, in the face of a big insect that several hunters may not be able to handle, lent Zhang Xiao and Zhao Tian Xiongxin leopard gall, and the two of them did not dare to go up the mountain to fight the tiger. Not long ago, Zhao Tian, who was studying medicine with his master, learned a new herb. This herb has the effect of paralyzing pain, and if the amount is large, it can even stun people. And what is even more coincidental is that Zhao Tian knows where this herb grows.

After throwing the rabbit meat marinated in the herb juice under a tree that the big worm often passes, two daring teenagers nest in a tree and wait for the big worm to enter the trap.

There is no time in the mountains, only the moon rises. By the time the big insect appeared in the sight of Zhang Xiao and the others with a leisurely pace, the sun had sunk in the west, and a crescent moon also showed shallow traces on the horizon. And the two have waited until they are drowsy.

In the final analysis, Zhang Xiao and Zhao Tian were still nestlings, and they came out with the hunters in the village on their backs, so they didn't understand the predatory habits of the big insects, so they waited in vain for most of the day.

Although he was already drowsy waiting, after seeing the big insect appear, Zhang Xiao excitedly woke up Zhao Tian beside him. "Zhao Tian, wake up quickly, the big worm is out, it's out!" Zhang Xiao's hand holding the machete at this moment was already sweating.

"What if the worm doesn't eat the meat?" Seeing the big insect swaying over, Zhang Xiao's hands holding the machete were already stained with sweat. "Then we can only hope that this big worm will not find us!" Zhao Tian watched the big insect sniffing around on the ground, and he wasn't too sure.

Hearing Zhao Tian's words, Zhang Xiao's originally nervous heart tightened a little. The two teenagers squatted on the tree, staring intently at the pace of the big insect.

Perhaps the heavens sensed the thoughts of the two teenagers, and the big worm lowered its head and smelled on the ground for a long time, and finally smelled the smell of meat, and slowly approached the pile of meat.

As the king of beasts, the tiger has more power, but that doesn't mean that the tiger doesn't have any vigilance. Although there is a pile of meat not far away that exudes a delicious smell that can fill your stomach. But the insects were still lying on the ground, lurking behind the rocks and trees, approaching vigilantly.

"It's coming, it's coming." Although the big insect hid its body, its tracks still fell on the eyes of Zhang Xiao and Zhao Tian. And as the big worm approached, the heartbeats of the two teenagers became more and more intense. When the big worm finally ate a piece of meat, Zhang Xiao heard Zhao Tian's long sigh of relief.

"Can you do it?" When the big worm ate all the rabbit meat and lay on the ground and snored, Zhang Xiao asked in a low voice.

"Wait a little longer, my master said that the strength of this herb will take a little longer before it can come up."

"But it's getting dark, can we still kill this big worm then?" Zhang Xiao was a little worried. At this moment, the sunset on the horizon has turned red, and the originally shallow crescent moon has become clear.

"Then let's get on!" Zhao Tian aimed the crossbow machine in his hand at the eyes of the big insect.

As the bowstring sounded, a terrible tiger roar startled the birds that fell in the mountains. Zhang Xiao clenched the machete with both hands and jumped down from the tree.

"Zhang Xiao, how is it!" Looking at Zhang Xiao, who landed on the back of the big insect and was thrown around by the painful big worm, Zhao Tian shouted worriedly.

"Quick, give this beast a few more arrows, I can't hold on anymore." Zhang Xiao wanted to work hard to hold the body of the big insect. The big insect that could be stimulated by the pain was beating more and more, and if it weren't for Zhang Xiao's innate divine power, he would have been thrown down a long time ago.

"Zhang Xiao, let go!" Zhao Tian held the crossbow machine and wanted to aim at the big insect several times, but he was blocked by Zhang Xiao on the back of the big insect, and he couldn't shoot at all.

"Leave me alone! Shoot fast! Zhang Xiao clamped the body of the big insect tightly with his legs, and then tried to crawl forward, trying to pull out the machete that was still stuck in the neck of the big insect.

The frenzied worm, which had been stimulated by the pain in its neck, felt the movement on its back, and slammed its head into a tree after roaring. Zhang Xiao, who was caught off guard, let go of his hands and fell to the ground with a bang.

"Zhang Xiao!" Seeing that the big insect turned around and approached Zhang Xiao viciously, Zhao Tian, who was squatting on the tree, flashed a complicated look in his eyes, raised his bow and crossbow with both hands, and aimed it at the head of the big insect.

"Zhao Tian, don't come down! I'll deal with this brute! Zhang Xiao, who had already stood up, shouted not to let Zhao Tian come down, and at the same time looked at the surrounding ground, wanting to find something to take advantage of.

"Whew!" The big insect roared, and its huge head gradually pressed down, constantly walking around Zhang Xiao, and his fierce look flashed in the dark pupils.

"Zhang Xiao, go on!" Zhao Tian struggled to throw a small axe down, and at the same time pulled the crossbow machine in his hand. The bolt swooped at the worm.

Sensing the danger overhead, the big insect jumped to the side, dodging the crossbow arrow. And Zhang Xiao took advantage of this gap to grab the axe on the ground.

Seeing the axe in Zhang Xiao's hand, the bloodied big worm on his neck lowered his body and stopped moving for the time being. Seeing that the big insect did not move, Zhang Xiao also stood in place with his axe in both hands. A man and a tiger confronted each other like this.

On the mountain road on the other side of Erdun Mountain, a convoy is slowly moving. The head rider held a big yellow flag, and the big Liu character was written on it, and he hunted in the wind. On the mountain road paved with the setting sunset, a convoy walked slowly. In the increasingly rapid mountain wind, the head of the flag hunting sounded, and a big Liu character was written on it!