Rebirth in a Courtyard: I Am a Little Hunter

After listening, Zhao Gensheng's face remained expressionless, but his eagle eyes lingered on Wei Chen's face for a few seconds, as if trying to pierce through his heart.

Wei Chen looked back at him calmly.

After a moment, Zhao Gensheng withdrew his gaze, picked up the bowl again, took a sip of wine, and let out a muffled "Hmm" from his throat, which was considered his agreement.

He didn't even bother to ask what breed the dog was or where it came from, as if he was already used to such "unknown origins" or simply didn't care. He only cared about the character of his apprentice, whom he trusted.

Wei Chen breathed a sigh of relief, feeling a warmth in his heart. This was his master—cold on the outside but warm on the inside, never asking questions, only trusting him.

After drinking two more bowls of wine and chatting about the tracks of wild animals in the mountains and their hunting plans for the spring, Wei Chen looked out the window at the approaching dusk and got up to take his leave: "Master, it's getting late, and I have to rush back to Beijing today. Please take care of yourself. If anything happens, just go down the mountain and find my uncle Wei Changsheng or my cousin Wei Feng. I've already spoken to them. Or have them send me a message, and I'll be right back."

Zhao Gensheng also stood up, his tall figure appearing even more imposing in the firelight. He waved his large, fan-like hand, a hint of impatience on his face, and gruffly cursed, "Get lost! I'm not so old that I can't walk, I don't need you to worry about me! Mind your own business!" Yet, there was a subtle warmth in his curse.

"Master, I'm leaving now. I'll come to see you again when I have time in the spring!" Wei Chen said with a smile, not minding his master's "harsh tone," he bowed deeply, turned around, lifted the curtain, and went out.

The biting mountain wind immediately enveloped Wei Chen, invigorating him. He hurried down the snow-covered mountain path until he was sure he was out of sight of his master's hut and had arrived at an extremely secluded mountain hollow, hidden by tall pine trees.

He stopped in his tracks, and with a slight thought, he connected with the game world deep within his consciousness.

The next moment, the air on the open ground beside him rippled like water, and a huge and agile figure appeared silently!

What a dog!

It is extremely robust, with a large frame, bulging muscles, and smooth lines that exude explosive power. Its thick, golden-brown fur gleams like fine silk against the snowy backdrop, shimmering with a healthy sheen.

Its mane, especially thick and bushy, makes it look majestic, like a lion. Its limbs are strong and powerful, with large, thick claws that firmly plant deep paw prints on the snow.

Its head is the most striking feature. It has a broad head with a clearly defined forehead and a strong, powerful muzzle. Its eyes are a deep amber color, sharp and steady, full of wild alertness and an indescribable spirituality, as if they can see into people's hearts.

Its ears stood erect, twitching alertly, catching the faintest sounds in the forest. A bushy tail hung down naturally, swaying slightly with an air of composed regal authority.

This is Dahuang, a Chinese rural dog that Wei Chen summoned from the game world. After multiple upgrades and careful training, it has now reached level 15!

At this moment, although Dahuang looks like a standard top-class Chinese rural dog, its size and imposing presence far surpass those of its kind, exuding a sense of oppression like a large, ferocious beast.

At level 15, its physical attributes far surpass those of ordinary dogs, with astonishing strength and speed, sharp claws and teeth, agile reflexes, and rich combat experience.

Its unique skill, [Super Smell], allows it to track lingering scents from days ago and detect extremely faint anomalies. Let alone a few wolves, even when encountering a ferocious wild boar, Big Yellow can use its powerful physique, agile movements, and combat intelligence to outmaneuver and even defeat it!

As soon as Dahuang appeared, it affectionately rubbed its huge head against Wei Chen's leg, making a low and satisfied "woof" sound in its throat, its amber eyes filled with loyalty and affection.

Wei Chen smiled and ruffled its thick, warm neck fur, feeling the powerful muscles throbbing beneath his palm: "Good buddy, you'll be with me from now on. Come on, let me introduce you to my family."

With his imposing dog, Big Yellow, Wei Chen returned to his uncle's courtyard. His arrival caused a stir as soon as he entered.

"My God! What... what is this?!" Wei Feng, Wei Chen's cousin, was chopping wood in the yard when he saw the big yellow dog behind Wei Chen, which was as big and imposing as a calf. He was so shocked that he almost dropped the axe in his hand, and his eyes widened.

"Dog! What a big dog!" Wei Yan and Wei Guo, who were playing in the yard, ran over, both surprised and a little scared, and dared not get too close.

Hearing the commotion, the women inside came out one after another. Aunt Zhao Jinhua exclaimed, "Oh my! Chen'er, where did you get such a big dog? This...this looks even bigger than a wolf!"

Grandma Zhang Guifen, leaning against the doorframe, also exclaimed in amazement, "This dog...it's so spirited! Like a little tiger!"

Even the usually composed grandfather, Wei Shoutian, and uncle, Wei Changsheng, came out, their eyes filled with undisguised surprise upon seeing Dahuang. The dog's appearance and bearing were clearly not something an ordinary family could afford.

Wei Chen patted Da Huang's head, signaling it to sit down quietly. Da Huang immediately bent its hind legs and sat steadily on the snow, its back straight, head held high, its eyes calmly scanning the crowd. That calmness and human-like feeling quickly turned the slight fear in everyone's hearts into admiration.

"My master gave it to me," Wei Chen said according to the plan. "Master Zhao heard that I sometimes have to hunt for jobs in the city, and he was worried that I would encounter danger, so he gave me this dog that he had carefully trained for several years. He said it was a good dog for guarding the house and hunting in the mountains."

"Brother Zhao's dog? No wonder!" Grandpa Wei Shoutian nodded in sudden realization, seemingly finding it perfectly reasonable. Zhao Gensheng was a legendary figure in the mountains; it made perfect sense for him to raise such a dog.

"Master Zhao is so thoughtful!" Uncle Wei Changsheng exclaimed. "This dog is clearly extraordinary! Chen'er, you're so lucky!"

"How impressive! What's its name?" Wei Feng looked at Da Huang with envy, eager to touch it, but also a little hesitant.

"Call him Big Yellow," Wei Chen said with a smile.

"Great name! Simple and elegant!" Everyone praised it. Big Yellow seemed to understand that it was being praised, and it wagged its tail gently and let out a low "woof" in response.

Wei Chen looked around but didn't see his mother or sister: "Auntie, where are my mom and Xiao Ran?"

"Oh, your mother said she was going back to the old house to take a look and pack some things. Xiao Ran went with her," Aunt Zhao Jinhua replied.

Wei Chen understood. His mother always visited that old house, which held so many memories, both to tidy it up and to pay her respects whenever she returned. He bid farewell to everyone, took Da Huang, and headed towards his family's mud-brick houses.

Pushing open the familiar, creaking courtyard gate, the small courtyard was indeed spotless. The snow had been swept to the corner and piled up neatly, and even the firewood stacks were arranged in an orderly fashion. Clearly, my uncle's family often came to look after the place.

The door was ajar. Wei Chen pushed it open and went inside. A chilly, uninhabited atmosphere hit him, mixed with a faint smell of dust and old wood.

Mother Wang Xiulan stood in the center of the main room, her back to the door, her head slightly bowed, looking at the old square table covered with a thin layer of dust. Her figure appeared somewhat thin and lonely. Her younger sister, Wei Ran, wandered around the room curiously, touching this and looking at that.

Hearing the noise, Wang Xiulan turned around, her eyes slightly red, clearly having been lost in memories, and carrying a hint of sadness.

Seeing Wei Chen, she forced a smile: "Chen'er, you're back? How is Master Zhao?"

"Master is doing well, he's full of energy," Wei Chen replied, his gaze sweeping over his mother's slightly reddened eyes, a pang of sadness welling up in his heart.

He understood his mother's feelings for this place; it was the home she and his father had built with their own hands, and every inch of the land was soaked with their sweat and memories.

"Mom, it's getting late, we should go. If we stay any longer, we might miss the bus back to the city," he reminded her softly.

"Sigh, I know." Wang Xiulan sighed, then looked around the house again, as if trying to memorize everything. She wasn't actually afraid of the cold on the bicycle; what she feared most was her son riding dozens of miles with her and her daughter—it was too tiring and exhausting. That's why she insisted on taking the bus both ways.

Wei Chen saw what his mother was thinking and added, "Mom, I don't think the weather looks good either. The clouds are getting thicker and thicker; it looks like it's going to snow. We should set off as soon as possible to be on the safe side."

Wang Xiulan looked up at the gloomy sky outside the window, nodded, and composed herself: "Alright, let's go then." She began to tie up the bundle she had brought.

At this moment, Big Yellow, who had been quietly following Wei Chen's feet, also entered the house. Its massive body made the previously empty main room seem a bit more crowded.

"Wow! What a big dog!" Wei Ran exclaimed in surprise. She had seen it from afar in the yard, and now that she was up close, she thought the big yellow dog was even more majestic and handsome. Her previous fear had long since vanished, and she couldn't help but want to rush over and hug it.

"Xiao Ran, don't worry!" Wei Chen quickly pulled his sister back and explained to his mother, "Mom, this is the dog that Master Zhao gave me, the one I told you about. Its name is Da Huang. From now on, it will guard the house and protect you and Xiao Ran."

Wang Xiulan was initially surprised to see the incredibly robust dog before her, yet with unusually gentle and calm eyes. However, seeing its affection for Wei Chen and its curiosity towards Wei Ran, she was immediately reassured by its intelligent and human-like demeanor. The dog was carefully sniffing Wei Ran's outstretched hand, and its intelligent and understanding nature immediately put her at ease, even inspiring a sense of fondness.

Especially considering that her son works in the city and it's just the two of them at home, having such a fierce and loyal dog to guard the house greatly enhances their sense of security.

"This dog...it's really impressive! Master Zhao is so thoughtful," Wang Xiulan said sincerely. She tentatively reached out and gently stroked Da Huang's thick fur. Da Huang obediently lowered its head, rubbed against her palm, and made a comfortable purring sound in its throat.