Jason Brooks and his nephew, along with Emily Martin, were all keeping watch inside, while Samuel Brooks led the able-bodied tenant farmers and guards, fully armed, patrolling outside the spirit fields, looking highly vigilant.

On the small drying ground beside the spirit fields, some aged spirit rice was spread out to dry. It gave off a strong aroma of wine, its fragrance wafting far and wide. With the help of magic, the scent was carried far away by the wind.

Jason Brooks questioned, “Since you’re setting a trap, why bother with a patrol to guard the fields?”

“That locust sparrow leader isn’t stupid. Wouldn’t it be suspicious if no one was watching the spirit fields at a time like this? Heh~~” Emily Martin said, cheeks flushed, burping as she spoke. “This actually lowers the locust sparrows’ suspicion.”

“Isn’t your trap a bit too obvious?” Jason Brooks questioned again. “The bait is just scattered around, and why mix in wine? Would locust sparrows even be interested in wine?”

“Jason Brooks, have you ever fished? Wine enhances the aroma of the bait and carries it much farther. It’s like telling the locust sparrows, ‘There’s something delicious here, come and get it.’” Emily Martin rolled her eyes and said irritably, “Are you questioning my expertise in hunting?”

Aren’t you specialized in artifact forging?

Jason Brooks was speechless.

Suddenly.

A dark cloud appeared on the distant horizon—a huge flock of locust sparrows came flying over with a great commotion.

“They actually came?” Jason Brooks was a bit stunned.

“Of course,” Emily Martin said smugly. “As the saying goes, ‘Man dies for wealth, birds die for food.’ If the locust sparrows don’t eat more and store up energy in this season, winter will be hard for them. Their instincts make it hard to resist the lure of food.”

“It’s just like many humans—knowing full well the risks, they still recklessly chase after money.”

“Chirp chirp chirp!”

The leader locust sparrow let out a sharp cry, but didn’t immediately dive for the tempting food. Instead, it directed the flock to circle the spirit fields and drying ground twice, as if checking for traps.

Then, the leader hovered in the air, glanced at the drying ground, and let out two disdainful “chirp chirp” sounds, as if sneering.

Two head locust sparrows, following orders, swooped down from the sky and snapped their wings!

Some of the scattered spirit rice was instantly flung aside, and at the same time—“snap snap!”—two iron traps hidden under the rice sprang shut.

They repeated the trick, continuously destroying the iron trap mechanisms.

“Beasts!”

Samuel Brooks was furious and immediately led the tenant guards forward, trying to drive the locust sparrows away.

But the leader chirped twice again, and one of the head locust sparrows led a squad to attack the guards, tangling with them and keeping them outside the drying ground.

The leader locust sparrow personally swooped down, hooked a white hemp rope in the drying ground with its steel claws, and lifted it into the air—revealing a large hidden bird net attached to the end.

It was so strong that it dragged the net aside and threw it to the ground, then unleashed over a dozen wind blades, shredding the net into flying pieces.

After all this—

The leader flapped its wings triumphantly, letting out a string of “chirp chirp” calls at Samuel Brooks and the other guards.

It looked just like it was saying: Foolish humans, did you really think these crude little traps could deal with me, your king?

We’ll enjoy the bait, and as for your traps, you can keep them for yourselves~

The scene was so arrogant and infuriating, like a fish mocking the fisherman who feeds it.

Truly a repeat offender among locust sparrows.

Even Jason Brooks, watching from the night watch hut, could barely restrain the urge to blast it with a 【Golden Light Blade】 and teach it a lesson.

Meanwhile, a few more locust sparrows couldn’t resist the lure of food and swooped down onto the drying ground, gobbling up the rice, and soon started chasing and playing with each other in excitement.

After a while—

Seeing that those sparrows had no ill effects after eating, the leader finally landed on the drying ground and began feasting on the fragrant, aged spirit rice.

The rest of the flock then surged forward, desperately fighting over the limited spirit rice.

As they ate, none of the locust sparrows noticed that a thin cover on the drying ground had shifted, revealing a patch of enticing, gleaming white jade spirit rice.

Driven mad by hunger, the sparrows rushed over, fighting and eating even faster. Even the leader wasn’t immune—though, thanks to its authority and size, it managed to snatch and eat the most.

Such a scene—

Jason Brooks couldn’t help but sigh softly, “Truly, birds die for food. So it is with people—I must reflect on myself.”

“Well done, Miss Qianqian.” Henry Brooks also gave a thumbs up, praising Emily Martin, “Using several obvious traps in a row to lower the sparrows’ guard, making them overconfident and overlook the final trump card. I didn’t expect Miss Qianqian to be such a skilled hunter.”

“Fourth Uncle, you flatter me.” Emily Martin replied with a modest, shy smile. “As a rogue cultivator wandering the world of cultivation, it’s only natural for me to know a bit about fishing and hunting to improve my meals.”

Fourth Uncle?