American Hunting: Starting with Solitary Life in the Wilderness

Chapter 331 Reporting to the Forest Police! (A long chapter of 10,000 words, making up for yesterday's missing 5,000 words)

The night, sheltered by the bamboo forest, was exceptionally peaceful.

Lin Yu'an had a very high-quality deep sleep for the first time after entering the Ailao Mountains.

The warm shelter, ample food, and the campfire that burned all night, along with the heat-reflecting wall, created a safe, civilized island where he was able to recover both physically and mentally.

As dawn broke and the first rays of grayish-white morning light struggled to pierce through the dense bamboo canopy, turning the thin mist into a hazy silvery-gray hue, Lin Yu'an opened his eyes.

He didn't get up immediately, but lay quietly for a few seconds, allowing his senses to fully awaken from sleep.

Listen carefully to the pulse of the forest at dawn—the babbling of the distant stream, the chirping of birds in the early morning.

everything is normal.

He emerged from his shelter, which resembled a giant green cocoon, and the icy mountain wind sent a shiver down his spine, instantly banishing any sleepiness.

Walk over to the still-warm fire, add a few pieces of dry wood, and let the flames rise again, injecting the first warmth into this new day.

Day four of the challenge has begun.

"The early bird catches the worm, and the early riser may catch the fish."

He spoke softly to the camera, a hint of anticipation on his face, "Dawn is when fish are most active and least wary; let's try our luck."

Arriving at the quietly flowing bamboo forest stream, a layer of morning mist, like a light veil, floated on the surface.

He faced the camera and picked up a small, dark red object. "Last night, we used aquatic insects for fishing, targeting the insect-eating mountain mullet. But today my target has changed."

Lin Yu'an's eyes sharpened, filled with the calculations of a hunter.

"With such a dense population of mountain barbels in this stream, according to the laws of the food chain, there must be higher-level predators that feed on them."

"I hope to catch not the mountain lipped fish, but the main fish of this pond. They are the true underwater predators here."

"The best bait to catch a hunter is the prey itself. This fish liver has an extremely strong ability to diffuse its scent in water. It is used as bait to attract the big guys lurking in the deep water."

He then firmly attached the pungent fish liver to the sturdy snake bone fishhook.

The fishing line, baited with fish bait, was carefully lowered into a crevice in a rock in the deep pool—a perfect ambush spot.

The bamboo fishing rod was firmly held down on the bank by a large rock, like a hunter who had set a deadly trap, waiting silently.

"This is a simple, unattended longline fishing trip. Now let's pack our bags and come back in half an hour to see the results."

Instead of waiting where he was, he immediately returned to the camp and efficiently prepared for today's forced march.

After drinking a bowl of warm fish soup, I carefully packed up the roasted dried fish and dried bamboo shoots. I filled the snakeskin water bag and two bamboo tubes with heated stream water.

As he packed all his belongings, dismantled the shelter, and allowed the bent bamboo to spring back into place, the sun had already begun to rise, and golden rays pierced through the bamboo forest.

He returned to the creek to retrieve his fishing gear.

Before he even got close, he could see from afar that the bamboo pole, which had been lying there quietly, now had a slight curve!

The entire rod was nodding towards the water's surface with each stroke! Even the rock pressing down on the rod tip was loosened a bit!

"Holy crap, I hit it! It's a huge one!" Lin Yu'an's heart raced instantly, and he rushed forward immediately!

He grabbed the still violently trembling fishing rod. A heavy force immediately traveled from the rod to his palm!

Don't pull it up too quickly, or the fishing line might break.

He immediately crouched down, gripped the fishing rod tightly with both hands, and used the amazing elasticity of the bamboo rod and his own body weight to start a tug-of-war with the giant creature underwater!
"Om - hum -"

The sturdy nettle fishing line was stretched taut, making a sound like a violin string in the air.

The creature underwater was desperately trying to burrow into the crevices of the rocks in the deep water, attempting to cut the fishing line by rubbing against the rocks.

"Think beautifully!"

Lin Yu'an leaned back and used the strength of his waist and abdomen to forcefully pull the fishing rod to the side, changing the direction of the underwater behemoth's charge and preventing it from squeezing into the crevice.

The clear pool of water was stirred up and became murky.

After nearly two minutes of thrilling stalemate, he finally felt the violent force underwater begin to show signs of exhaustion.

"It's now!"

He seized an opportunity, exerted all his strength, and dragged the giant object toward the shallow shore.

"Wow!"

A huge, dark blue figure was dragged out of the water, creating a huge splash on the shallows!
Lin Yu'an threw down his fishing rod, rushed forward, and used both hands to firmly press down on the underwater tank that was still struggling desperately!

It was a fish that was over forty centimeters long and as thick as a cannonball.

Its back is dark blue, with fine scales that shimmer with a metallic sheen in the morning light, while its belly is silvery white.

He carefully controlled the large fish, his eyes quickly scanning its key features.

“This mouth shape… the lower lip has a well-developed keratin layer, almost in a straight line… and here!” He lifted the fish’s belly slightly, pointing to both sides of the anus.

"This row of specialized, large anal scales is like armor! This is the most typical characteristic of the genus Schizothorax!"

After confirming these details, Lin Yu'an's eyes lit up with immense joy, and he shouted excitedly, "It's the Qikou Schizothorax! That's it! The king of mountain streams!"

He carefully avoided the fins and firmly controlled the giant creature. The sturdy snake-bone fishhook was stubbornly and deeply hooked into its thick upper jaw, and no matter how much it struggled, it could not be freed.

Facing the camera, his expression shifted from pure excitement to a solemnity mixed with seriousness and relief.

"In the wild, obtaining food is important, but there is one premise that can never be crossed: the law."

Lin Yu'an breathed a sigh of relief, a bright smile spreading across his face. The camera zoomed in, clearly showing the fish's characteristics.

"The reason I'm so excited is that I'm 100% certain that the Qikou Schizothorax is not on the 'National Key Protected Wild Animals List.' It also does not belong to the 'Three-Protected Wild Animals' category."

"This means that, legally, it falls under the category of fishery resources that can be legally harvested, and it's completely legal and compliant! Now I can enjoy this gift from the Ailao Mountains with a clear conscience!"

He weighed the fish, which weighed at least three or four pounds, in his hand, his joy evident: "With this, I've got my protein and fat covered for the next two days!"

Carrying a large, lively fish through the jungle is not only physically demanding, but the smell of blood could also cause trouble.

He returned to the natural stone cutting board and began his smooth and efficient processing procedure.

Scaling such a large fish is hard work; it took nearly ten minutes with the blunt side of the flint to completely scrape off its hard armor.

Next came gutting the fish. Because the fish was so large, it was easy to remove the internal organs, tear off the black membrane, remove the gills, and remove the fish's waist, among other steps to remove the fishy smell.

He kept only the fattest piece of fish liver, and threw the rest of the internal organs into the deep grass far from the water source.

"Such a big fish can't be eaten in one meal; it must be carefully divided and rationally planned."

As he spoke, he used a sharp stone slab to cleanly and neatly divide the fish into three parts along its spine.

"The two thickest and most intact pieces of fish belly meat are the most quintessential parts of the whole fish, with tender meat and rich fat."

"A fish head with a large piece of head meat and a fish skeleton, these are the ingredients for making soup."

"A long, slender fish tail with firm flesh is perfect for grilling."

He carried the cut-up fish meat back to the camp he was about to abandon.

First, carefully skewer the two snow-white, translucent pieces of fish belly meat with beautiful marbling using sharpened bamboo skewers, then place them on the charcoal fire to grill.

He put the short bamboo pot back on the fire, added water and a few leaves of Litsea cubeba, but no other side dishes.

After the water boiled, he put the plump fish liver into it.

"Fuck-"

On the other side, the oil from the grilled fish dripped onto the scorching charcoal, bursting into a burst of sparks, and the rich aroma of caramel instantly filled the bamboo forest.

The surface of the fish quickly shrinks, turning golden and crispy, while the juices inside are perfectly locked in.

A few minutes later, the first piece of grilled fish was cooked. I blew on it to cool it down and couldn't wait to take a big bite.

The outer skin is crispy and fragrant, with a smoky flavor reminiscent of charcoal. The fish inside melts in your mouth! The rich oils burst in your mouth, perfectly blending with the delicate fish meat.

What amazed him most was that the fish meat had absolutely no muddy taste, which is common in freshwater fish, and even the fishy smell that is common in carp was barely noticeable.

The mouth is filled with pure, exquisite freshness.

"It's so...so delicious..." Lin Yu'an closed her eyes in bliss, savoring the sweetness.

He never imagined that he could eat such top-quality delicacies in the wilderness of his homeland.

While enjoying the fish, he explained to the camera, "Many people might be curious as to why this fish doesn't have a muddy taste?"

"How is it different from the carp and grass carp we usually eat?"

He swallowed the fish in his mouth, picked up the remaining half of the grilled fish, and said, "The answer lies in the environment and the recipe, which is also the secret of all top-quality ingredients."

"The carp and crucian carp we are familiar with mostly live in the lower reaches of rivers, lakes or ponds with slow-moving water."

“Those places have thick silt at the bottom of the water, and the source of the earthy smell is geosmin, which is produced by microorganisms in the silt.”

"Fish breathe and feed in such an environment, so they naturally accumulate this flavor in their bodies."

He pointed to the clear stream that was still flowing beside him, "But this place is different. This is a mountain stream with flowing water, and the current is rapid with no silt at all."

"This eliminates the possibility of an earthy taste at the source; it's like a top-notch mineral water farm."

"Secondly, there's the diet. This schizothorax eats the mountain lip fish, which also lives in this pristine stream. The entire food chain is as clean as a crystal chain."

"Unlike carp, which often forage for organic debris in the mud at the bottom of the water, clean water and clean food result in incredibly clean flesh."

"So what I'm tasting now is its most original and pure flavor."

After finishing the last bite of grilled fish, he took a sip of the simple fish liver soup. "Hmm, this tastes good. Well, as long as it provides some energy, that's fine."

A hearty, high-calorie, high-protein breakfast made him feel like every cell in his body was filled with explosive energy again.

After eating and drinking to their hearts' content, they began the final finishing touches. The remaining piece of grilled fish, along with the nearly grilled fish head, skeleton, and tail, were carefully wrapped in banana leaves and placed in the basket.

These will be his strongest trump cards in the next two days to combat fatigue and hunger.

Then, they extinguished the fire completely and erased all traces.

After bidding farewell to the bamboo forest that had brought him countless surprises, Lin Yu'an once again shouldered his heavy willow basket and embarked on the rugged road that traversed the mountain ridge.

"Alright, guys, breakfast time over. Now it's time to pay our debts! Yesterday, due to supply issues, our progress was far slower than expected."

"Today, I must make up for all the lost time! The goal is to get over this damn ridge before nightfall!"

He no longer stopped to commentate as frequently as before, but instead entered a state of almost sprinting.

His body was like a sophisticated off-road machine, operating at high speed on a rugged and steep mountain road.

Using the antler spear I made last night as a trekking pole and a third foothold, I continuously probed the way for support.

Its figure leaps and climbs among the tangled tree roots and slippery rocks, like a monkey moving through the forest.

His eyes were also rapidly scanning the surrounding environment, and his brain planned the most efficient and effortless route forward in a fraction of a second.

Time flew by amidst sweat and heavy breathing. He had been marching at high intensity for more than five hours since he set off at dawn.

During this period, there were only two short breaks, during which they drank water and ate dried grilled fish to replenish their energy.

Around 2 p.m., as he climbed to a steep mountain pass overlooking the valley he had come from, he prepared to take his third short breather.

A faint, extremely discordant smell, carried by the biting mountain wind, entered his nostrils.

Before he could even wipe the sweat from his face, his expression froze instantly.

It wasn't the fresh scent of plants, nor the fragrance of earth after rain. It was a nauseating stench mixed with the stench of blood, decay, and wild beasts.

Lin Yu'an's expression instantly turned serious. Almost instinctively, he turned to the side and completely hid his massive body behind a huge rock and a dense patch of azaleas.

All senses were heightened to their peak. I crouched down, took off the basket, and tried to minimize my presence.

Then, she carefully raised her head, made a shushing gesture towards the camera, and said in the lowest possible voice, "Something's not right... I have a bad feeling."

“I’ve barely stopped since I set off this morning. Based on my stride, I’ve probably covered more than five kilometers of mountain trail at full speed.”

"We crossed two small hills and climbed nearly 600 meters in altitude, which is much faster than I expected. I thought we had completely shaken off the danger of that area from last night..."

He took a deep breath, trying to pinpoint the source of the ominous smell in the wind. "But now it seems we're not escaping danger, but rushing towards another!"

Lin Yu'an instantly suppressed all fatigue and complacency. His heart, which had been pounding violently due to the high-intensity exercise, now felt as if it were being gripped by an icy hand.

His entire demeanor underwent a fundamental transformation at that moment. He transformed from a high-speed off-road machine into a hunter who became one with his environment!

He moved against the wind, using the complex terrain of the ridge, rocks, rhododendron bushes, and fallen trees as cover, and crept slowly toward the source of the ominous smell.

Each step lands on the softest moss or the hardest rock, ensuring that not a single sound is made.

The posture of advancing is no longer upright walking, but rather lowering the center of gravity and crawling like a cheetah.

Every movement was filled with vigilance. He gripped the rugged antler spear tightly in his hand, the tip pointing forward, ready to deal with any unexpected situation that might arise from any corner.

The smell grew stronger and stronger, almost to the point of being suffocating.

Finally, he crawled behind a huge rock and cautiously poked his head out.

The sight before him made his battle-hardened heart clench! A surge of anger and dread rushed up his spine to the top of his head!
Less than thirty meters ahead, in the center of a bush that had been violently flattened, lay a huge black carcass—an adult Asiatic black bear!

Its enormous size meant that even in death it still exuded an awe-inspiring sense of oppression.

But its death was gruesome, like a piece of a machine that had been dismantled and broken into pieces.

However, what chilled Lin Yu'an even more was that right next to the black bear's carcass lay another, smaller corpse—a hunting dog of an unknown breed.

Its body was lean but wiry, with somewhat mottled fur. It wore a rough collar around its neck, but its abdomen and hind legs also bore several bloody, mangled wounds.

It was just left there carelessly, its eyes wide open, as if it couldn't believe that this was its fate.

Lin Yu'an used his camera to record this tragic scene in its entirety. His fingers were trembling slightly, not from fear, but from an uncontrollable anger.

This is not a hunt for survival at all; it is a naked, assembly-line slaughter that shows no respect for any life, and it is happening on the land of one's own country!
He lowered his voice, faced the camera, and began to dissect the crime, his voice filled with barely suppressed anger.

"Their goals were clear, and their division of labor was extremely professional. They were definitely a group of seasoned professionals, not just a group of mountain folk who acted on a whim."

The camera zoomed in, and he began to analyze the gruesome wounds one by one.

He pointed to the empty abdominal cavity. "The incision was precise and skillful. A complete wild bear bile is worth a fortune on the black market, and that's their primary target."

The camera pans to the severed limbs: "The four bear paws, along with the lower half of the forearms and calves, were all cut off."

"The cut was made at the joint, very cleanly. This shows that they were carrying a professional machete and a portable bone saw."

“Then, there are the more secretive, but better stuff that only experts know about.” His voice grew colder.

"Look at its head, its nose and lips are missing, which are a dish in some wild game cultures." "And its kneecaps, also known as bear kneecaps, were also violently smashed and removed."

He slowly scanned the entire body and made his final judgment: "They only took the small, valuable, and easily portable parts."

"They didn't touch the bear meat, which weighed hundreds of kilograms, or the entire bear skin, which was extremely time-consuming and laborious to process."

"They were like a group of efficient butchers, dismantling everything that could be converted into money from the bear in the shortest amount of time."

"Then leave the rest here to rot."

"This was a targeted, parts-based poaching operation purely for black market transactions."

His gaze finally settled on the dead hunting dog, his eyes filled with sorrow and contempt.

"And the carcass of this hunting dog tells us more. A true hunter will regard his hunting dog as a partner, as family."

"In their eyes, this dog, like that bear, was just a tool. It's very likely that it was caught in the crossfire from a steel ball fired by one of their own men while hunting the black bear, because it was in a bad position."

"To this group of people, an injured dog is just a burden. So they didn't hesitate to abandon it here and let it rot."

"This group of people has no bottom line, no humanity, they are ruthless criminals who will stop at nothing for profit!"

Lin Yu'an suppressed his anger and continued to observe. The black bear carcass had begun to rot, but judging from the fact that the blood had not yet completely coagulated into a deep black color, it was clear that the carcass was not yet completely coagulated.

Its time of death was no more than 24 hours ago; it was very likely yesterday afternoon, or even early this morning!
This means that the murderers may not have gone far!

Lin Yu'an did not immediately approach the body. Instead, like an experienced battlefield scout, he began to conduct a wider-ranging reconnaissance around the body, searching for more clues.

Soon, downwind of the body, he found some traces in the mud—several footprints, belonging to human hiking boots, deeply embedded in the soil.

And a shotgun shell casing that had been trampled into the mud, with only a tiny bit of its brass edge showing!

After confirming that the surroundings were safe, he quickly moved to the footprints and carefully used a twig to pick the spent cartridge case out of the mud.

He held the mud-covered shell casings up to the camera, saying, "Homemade 12-gauge shotgun shell casings, hand-filled with gunpowder."

He then zoomed in on the fatal wounds on the bear carcass.

"The wounds were concentrated in the bear's chest and neck area, appearing as a bowl-sized, radiating circular pattern. Several dark black metallic particles were embedded in the edges; these were large steel balls, not lead shot."

He combined the two clues and reconstructed the bloody ambush in his mind.

"This was not an encounter battle; it was a premeditated, high-risk hunt."

"They risked getting within about 20 meters of the bear, and then used these homemade but powerful hunting rifles to fire at its vitals, either simultaneously or in succession."

"The person who fired the shot was ruthless and had a steady hand. They knew very well that only at this distance, with this type of ammunition, could they ensure a fatal blow."

"They don't care if they accidentally injure the hunting dogs. These aren't ordinary poachers; they're a group of desperate criminals who live by slaughtering!"

He stood up and his gaze swept over the chaotic scene of slaughter, a mixture of overwhelming rage and extreme rationality surging within him.

Anger is anger at the cruel trampling of life. Fear, on the other hand, comes from the calmest judgment.

"I didn't stumble into a hunting ground for wild beasts, but rather the crime scene of a lawless professional poaching gang, and they were very likely nearby!"

"In the wild, the most dangerous thing is never the wild animals. The actions of wild animals follow the laws of nature and are traceable."

“Compared to these outlaws,” he glanced at the dismantled black bear, “they follow no rules except greed.”

He knew that his personal survival challenge had become meaningless at this moment; he was facing a more important choice!
Without the slightest hesitation, he immediately retreated at top speed to the crevice in the rock where he had previously hidden his belongings. The terrain there was higher, offering a wider view and making it easier to defend.

He took out his most important talisman for this trip, a palm-sized Beidou emergency communication device.

He leaned against the cold rock, trying to calm his rapid breathing caused by anger and tension, and then pressed the power button.

A few seconds later, the device emitted a soft beep, and the screen displayed that the satellite had been connected.

I took a deep breath and pressed the red SOS button without hesitation, which represented the highest level of emergency.

He pressed the preset communication button, which connects him directly to the emergency rescue team at the rear.

After a brief static, the call was quickly connected. A calm yet anxious voice came through the receiver: "Lin Yu'an? Is that you? What happened? You pressed the emergency contact button!"

That was the voice of Zhou Hai, the captain of the emergency rescue team. They were in the county town, dozens of kilometers away, ready to deal with any unexpected events that Lin Yu'an might encounter during the challenge.

"Team Leader Zhou, it's me. I'm safe, but the situation is extremely urgent." Lin Yu'an's voice was very low, but he spoke very quickly, filled with an undeniable sense of urgency.

"Listen, I'm currently at coordinates XX North latitude, XX East longitude, on the ridge of the middle section of the Ailao Mountains. I've discovered the crime scene of an armed poaching gang."

“An adult female bear was hunted down, and 12-gauge shotgun shell casings were found at the scene. The crime occurred within the last 24 hours, and the suspect is very likely still in the area.”

Zhou Hai on the other end of the phone gasped, instantly realizing the seriousness of the situation.

"Received! Lin Yu'an, you did the right thing! Stay calm, stay where you are, and ensure your safety and concealment! I'll handle it immediately!" Zhou Hai's voice became extremely serious.

"I'm immediately reporting this critical situation to the 110 command center and the forest police! Keep your devices connected; the police may need to speak directly with you to obtain firsthand information!"

The call was temporarily disconnected. Lin Yu'an could imagine that dozens of kilometers away, a highly efficient emergency response was already in operation, like a sophisticated machine.

Sure enough, less than five minutes later, his satellite phone rang again. This time, it was a strange, authoritative voice.

"Is this Mr. Lin Yu'an? This is the Municipal Public Security Bureau Command Center. We have received the emergency rescue team's report and have classified it as a major criminal case."

"I need you to recount the situation as thoroughly as possible, without missing any details."

Lin Yu'an immediately and calmly reported all his findings: the dismembered parts of the black bear carcass, the carcass of the hunting dog, the footprints of the hiking boots, the characteristics of the homemade bullet casings, and his assessment of the poaching gang's professionalism.

While the police officer on the other end of the phone quickly took notes, he asked several key questions, such as the number of footprints and their general direction.

Finally, the other party said in an unquestionable tone, "Mr. Lin, thank you for providing valuable information! You have bought us the most crucial time."

"Based on your report, we have activated the emergency response plan for major cases. The nearest mobile unit of the Armed Police will arrive in your area by helicopter as soon as possible. Criminal investigation experts and police dog teams from the Provincial Forestry Public Security Bureau will also arrive shortly thereafter."

"Now, your primary task, and only task, is to protect yourself!"

"Do not conduct any further reconnaissance, do not reveal your location, and do not have any contact with the criminals!"

"Find a completely safe location to hide and wait for our comrades to rendezvous with you. Keep your communication devices on; we will contact you at any time. Understand?"

"understand!"

call ended.

Lin Yu'an leaned against the cold rock, his tense nerves suddenly relaxing at that moment.

The adrenaline receded like a tide, leaving behind only the utter exhaustion of physical strength almost completely drained after the long journey and the extreme fatigue resulting from intense mental stress.

Just minutes before, he was facing the most unpredictable dangers in the forest all by himself.

Every rustle of wind could be the footsteps of a desperate criminal. Every swaying shadow of a tree could conceal a cold gun barrel.

But now...everything is different.

He looked down at the Beidou communication device in his hand, which was still flashing its signal lights, and then looked up at the sky.

Somewhere in that azure expanse, a powerful and sophisticated national machine has already sped up at high speed because of his phone call.

He is no longer alone.

Behind him stood the emergency rescue team, the forest police, the approaching armed police helicopter, and fully armed soldiers.

An unprecedented sense of security instantly enveloped him; it was the kind of peace of mind that comes from finally seeing a towering lighthouse amidst raging storms.

He took a deep breath, and the air in the forest seemed to soften. He took out the dried roasted fish from his backpack, tore off a piece, and slowly chewed it.

All we can do now is hide ourselves and wait.

We await the arrival of civilization upon this primeval jungle tainted by evil.

Waiting is the longest torment in the world.

Lin Yu'an hid in the crevice of the rocks, curling his body into its smallest size to blend into the surrounding environment.

Time ticked by, and he checked the time on the camera; fifty minutes had passed since he issued the alarm.

Just as his patience was about to run out, a buzzing sound, growing louder as it approached, broke the silence of the forest.

That was... the sound of a helicopter rotor! Much faster than he expected!
Lin Yu'an's spirits lifted suddenly. He poked his head out from the crack in the rock and looked up at the sky.

Against the azure sky, a black dot was rapidly growing larger. A military green helicopter painted with the words "Armed Police" appeared in his field of vision.

A tremendous roar echoed throughout the valley. Birds and beasts scattered, and all was silent.

The helicopter circled around the area before finally hovering over a relatively flat hillside with sparse trees not far away.

The hatch opened, and several thick ropes were thrown down.

Immediately following, six armed police officers dressed in special operations camouflage, wearing tactical helmets, and fully equipped appeared.

Like a nimble cheetah, it descended from the sky with highly professional tactical maneuvers, quickly forming a circular warning circle on the ground.

At this moment, Lin Yu'an's heart was filled with an unprecedented sense of security and excitement. It was the power of civilization, the iron fist of the nation.

He waited until the helicopter had climbed away and the surroundings were quiet before emerging from his hiding place, raising his hands, and walking towards the direction of the squad.

The squad quickly spotted him, and the two soldiers immediately raised their guns, remaining highly vigilant, their movements textbook perfect.

"Don't move! Who goes there!"

"Don't shoot! I'm Lin Yu'an! I called the police!" Lin Yu'an shouted, slowly lowering his hands to show his harmlessness to the other party.

A tall, dark-skinned, middle-aged officer with sharp, hawk-like eyes gave a tactical hand signal, instructing his men to lower their weapons.

He strode forward, maintaining a safe distance from Lin Yu'an, his gaze sharp as he scrutinized the man who looked like a savage.

"Are you Lin Yu'an, the one who called the police?" His voice was firm and powerful, filled with unquestionable authority.

“Yes, comrade. The scene is over there.” Lin Yu’an pointed in the direction of the black bear carcass.

The captain nodded and immediately sent two team members to scout ahead, while the rest remained on guard.

While waiting for confirmation, the captain's eyes never left Lin Yu'an.

He looked Lin Yu'an up and down at his peculiar, handcrafted gear—a willow basket, a leather water bag, a bamboo tube, and a rugged deer antler spear that gleamed with a bone-like luster in the sunlight—and his astonishment grew stronger.

"What...do you do? A forest ranger?" the captain asked, frowning, his tone wary.

Lin Yu'an shook his head: "No, I am a wilderness survival expert and an outdoor adventure blogger. I am currently conducting a personal extreme survival challenge here."

"A survival challenge?" The captain was clearly not satisfied with the answer; in his view, it was nothing short of a dangerous game.

Just then, the youngest-looking soldier suddenly widened his eyes, his face showing disbelief.

He hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help but whisper to the captain, "Captain... he looks like Lin Yu'an... the Chinese guy who won the international 'Wilderness Solo' challenge! A lot of people in our team have seen his videos!"

The word "champion" seems to carry a special kind of magic. In any field, those who stand at the top deserve respect.

The captain's gaze changed instantly; the scrutiny and vigilance were quickly replaced by a solemn expression that mixed surprise and reassessment.

He looked at Lin Yu'an again, his gaze sweeping from top to bottom. This time, he no longer saw a reckless savage, but a seasoned veteran who had fought countless battles in another extreme realm.

The captain's tone softened considerably, but remained serious. "You seem very professional, but that doesn't change the fact that you're in danger right now. This shouldn't be the venue for your challenge."

At this moment, the reconnaissance team transmitted confirmation via tactical earpieces, confirming everything Lin Yu'an had reported.

The captain's expression became even more serious. He saluted and formally introduced himself: "Hello comrade, we are the Mobile Detachment of the Yunnan Armed Police Corps."

"My name is Yang Zhen. After receiving the report, we set off from the nearest station and arrived in 58 minutes."

His tone left no room for argument: "We have now taken over this area, and your mission has been successfully completed. We will take full responsibility for the subsequent pursuit and investigation."

"For your safety, please return to the landing point immediately and wait patiently for the forest police officers who are carrying police dogs and professional criminal investigation equipment."

"They will arrive in at least two hours. The helicopter will make a second landing soon to evacuate you safely."

These words were both a thank you and a clear command.

"Captain, I can't leave!" Lin Yu'an blurted out.

Yang Zhen's brows furrowed immediately, and his eyes sharpened: "Comrade, I'll say it again, this isn't a discussion, it's an order!"

"There are armed desperados ahead, and a firefight could break out at any moment. This is no joke; people could really die! We can't let a civilian like you risk your life with us!"

“I understand this is no joke!” Lin Yu’an stepped forward, meeting the captain’s gaze without flinching. “Precisely because this is no joke, you need me even more!”

"Oh?" A cold smile curled at the corner of Yang Zhen's lips. He wanted to hear what gave this champion such confidence. "Give us a reason."

“There are three reasons,” Lin Yu’an said, extending his finger, his voice steady and powerful.

"First, I have extensive professional tracking knowledge. The two-hour wait for the police dogs is the golden time for those people to escape."

"And look at the sky, it's going to rain soon. By the time the forest police dogs arrive, the scent will probably have been masked by the rain."

"And I can understand the language of this forest, the trampled grass, the scratches on the branches... these are traces they cannot erase."

"I can lead you to catch up immediately and have the best chance of catching this poaching gang!"

Yang Zhen didn't speak, but the disdain in his eyes had lessened somewhat.

Lin Yu'an continued, "Secondly, I am a wilderness survival expert. Captain, if I may be so bold, you are the sharpest swords on the battlefield."

“But in this primeval jungle, your advantages will be greatly diminished. And here, this is my home turf.”

"Intense pursuits inevitably lead into the night. How to orient oneself in the forest, how to quickly establish a safe camp, how to conserve energy, how to deal with venomous snakes and miasma..."

“I’m more professional in these areas than anyone else. I can guarantee that I won’t be a burden to the team, but rather will enhance the team’s sustained combat capability.”

“Third, and most importantly,” his voice was filled with undeniable firmness.

“I am a Chinese citizen. On my own land, when such a crime occurs, every citizen of the People’s Republic of China has an obligation to assist the organization in bringing the perpetrators to justice!”

"I can't just sit in the helicopter and leave without a care in the world. With great power comes great responsibility. I have the ability to contribute to capturing them!"

These words resonated deeply, brimming with professional confidence and a deep sense of patriotism. The way the young soldiers present looked at Lin Yu'an had completely changed, now filled with admiration.

Yang Zhen fell silent, gazing intently at Lin Yu'an. In this man's eyes, he saw something that shared the same origin as their military uniforms—something called responsibility and commitment.

He admitted he was persuaded, but military discipline and a sense of responsibility for life made it impossible for him to easily give in.

“I acknowledge your determination and professionalism. However, the risk of having you accompany the team is too great. I cannot…”

Just as Yang Zhen was about to refuse again, a rapid call suddenly came through his tactical headset. It was the two team members who had gone to scout the scene!

"Captain! There's something new at the scene! You'd better... come and take a look yourself!"

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

(I've dreamt about catching poachers, so I guess I got a bit of satisfaction from the book.)
(End of this chapter)