The mountain was a bit desolate, with many trees shedding their yellowed leaves, leaving only bare branches.

Uncle Qi told us that winter wasn't the best season for hunting because the weather was cold, and many animals hid away, especially large ones which would hibernate.

So the first thing to do after entering the mountain was to make the forest "lively". Hunters often prepared firecrackers, drums, and similar items. Instead of fearing to startle the animals, the idea was to scare them out.

With that said, Uncle Qi took out a string of firecrackers from his bag, lit them, and threw them into a bush. The firecrackers crackled, echoing through the forest, startling a flock of birds.

Before long, the forest was filled with the continuous popping of firecrackers, just like during the New Year's celebration.

The previously lifeless forest suddenly became bustling, like a boiling pot. Occasionally, sporadic gunfire could be heard, indicating that someone had found prey.

Uncle Qi took out a copper gong and, while banging it, shouted in a strange tone, as if performing in a play, yelling phrases like "the king has summoned me to patrol the mountain."

"Calling the mountain" is a custom of the hunters here. Before entering the mountain, they usually call out to the mountain deity, asking for protection, both for safety and a bountiful harvest.

Fatty and I found it amusing, so we took the copper gong and tried to imitate Uncle Qi's manner, but no matter how hard we tried, we couldn't get the tone right, and we couldn't help but laugh at ourselves.

Uncle Qi scolded us, reminding us to be serious because "calling the mountain" is a solemn matter. Offending the mountain deity could lead to serious consequences.

We stuck out our tongues and quickly restrained our laughter, earnestly calling out to the mountain.

Uncle Qi said, "There are many customs and taboos in these mountains, enough for you two to learn for a lifetime! For example, 'calling the mountain' is a tradition passed down from our ancestors, which every generation must follow. There are also some taboos, such as not going up the mountain on the fifteenth day of the seventh lunar month. These are all experiences left by our ancestors. If you don't follow the rules and don't believe in experiences, you'll get into trouble!"

We continued into the depths of the forest, slowly entering the primeval forest. The trees in the primeval forest remained evergreen throughout the four seasons. Although it was winter, as far as the eye could see, it was still an endless green ocean, lush and pleasing to the eye.

A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

After walking for a while, we stopped to rest and had some dry rations to fill our stomachs.

Uncle Qi reminded us, "Don't think I'm nagging, but everyone must remember, there are some things in this forest that you must not provoke, especially creatures like the yellow-skins. Don't provoke them, or it will lead to big trouble!"

The "yellow-skins" he mentioned were actually yellow weasels. Because their fur is yellow, locals are used to calling them "yellow-skins".

At that time, the ecological environment in the mountains was still good, and there were many yellow-skins inside. In fact, yellow-skins are not scary creatures and don't have strong attacking power. However, people usually dare not provoke them casually because yellow-skins have some sinister characteristics.

Fatty, with a naturally dumbfounded look, asked Uncle Qi, "Uncle, why can't we hunt yellow-skins?"

I glanced at Fatty, thinking, "Are you stupid? Don't you know that yellow-skins are very sinister?"

Since ancient times, there have been many strange stories circulating in the mountains, and the stories about yellow-skins are definitely one of them, enough to last for three days and nights.

I've heard from Grandpa since I was young that yellow-skins are very sinister and cunning, with a strong vengeful heart. If you provoke a yellow-skin, it will definitely come to seek revenge. Yellow-skins can also cultivate into spirits. After becoming spirits, they can not only transform into human form but also mimic human speech. Even more powerful yellow-skins can even lure people's souls, which is very eerie.

These legends have always cast a shadow over me since I was young.

Fatty asked Uncle Qi, "Uncle, are yellow-skins really as weird as the legends say?"

Uncle Qi didn't directly answer Fatty's question but instead lit a cigarette and said, "Do you want to hear a story?"

Fatty and I, both with childish curiosity, immediately became interested when Uncle Qi mentioned telling a story and quickly sat down obediently.

Uncle Qi smoked his cigarette, puffing away.

The locals call this type of cigarette "black weapon," which is actually homemade tobacco wrapped in dried leaves. It's very strong, and many villagers enjoy smoking it. It's said that those who are used to smoking this kind of cigarette have no interest in boxed cigarettes because they find them too bland in taste.

As a hunter, every time we hunt, we have to lurk in the forest for a long time. Most of the time, it's very lonely and boring, and the only pleasure to pass the time is smoking. So many hunters have a big addiction to smoking, and Uncle Qi is no exception.

Uncle Qi, smoking his cigarette, soon opened up.

This story happened in the late Qing Dynasty and has been passed down from Uncle Qi's ancestors.

It is said that there was a very powerful hunter at that time, born with extraordinary strength, and everyone called him "Niu Er."

This Niu Er could lift a big water jar taller than himself at a very young age. As he grew older, he became even more fierce and brave. He dared to fight hand-to-hand with bears and even fought and killed a white tiger with his bare hands. His combat power was comparable to Wu Song in the "Water Margin."

Niu Er was fearless. His reputation quickly spread, and over time, he became arrogant.

He deliberately didn't abide by the rules and taboos set by our ancestors. Every time he violated the rules and broke the taboos, he would boast arrogantly, saying that he was living well, and it seemed that the rules set by our ancestors were all nonsense.

People warned Niu Er not to provoke the yellow-skins, but to show off his abilities, Niu Er insisted on going into the mountains alone to find them.

As a result, Niu Er found a den of yellow-skins. He killed them all and then proudly skinned them with his hunting knife before swaggering back down the mountain.

Back in the village, Niu Er boasted to everyone about killing the yellow-skins. The elders in the village advised him to hide for a while, saying he would suffer retaliation from the yellow-skins, but Niu Er didn't believe in such superstitions. He even stuck his hunting knife into the courtyard gate, threatening that if the yellow-skins dared to come, he would kill every single one of them.

Later, the villagers stopped advising him and kept their distance, afraid of being accidentally injured when the yellow-skins came to seek revenge.

The news of Niu Er daring to kill yellow-skins spread far and wide. Every day, people came from far and wide, wanting to see what this fearless Niu Er looked like, and some out of admiration brought him food and drink. During that time, Niu Er's house was bustling with visitors every day, enjoying a period of great popularity.