Wandering America: My kill threshold is far ahead

Chapter 237 Wilderness Training Camp, Departure for Alaska

After comparing the images several times, Carson confirmed that the tough guy in the newspaper was the same person sitting in the interview chair.

He was shocked to learn such important information only now. Grace added insult to injury: "According to rumors, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier he was holding was shot by criminals during the hostage rescue. You can imagine how dangerous the situation was, no less than a war." Hearing this, Carson felt the room get warmer. He took out a tissue from his pocket and wiped the sweat from his forehead.

His nervousness stemmed from the fact that the US version of the game differed from other servers. If an American soldier killed enemies on the battlefield and became a war hero, the public would first question the necessity of the war, whether it was for justice or for plunder. This was especially evident after the Vietnam War, when people generally distrusted authority.

In contrast, teachers who protect students in school shootings, passersby who rescue the injured on the street, and those who bravely rush into fires are more easily accepted by the general public.

If it involves a tear-jerking scene like a loyal dog protecting its owner, it will be even more touching, like adding another layer of buffs.

After calming down, Carson cautiously asked, "Sir, how's your dog?"

"Thank God, Bruce is alright and is currently recovering at home."

"That's good, that's good." Carson continued, "So you're now a somewhat famous internet celebrity, at least that's how people perceive you. But why didn't you mention a single word about this advantage that could help in an interview? If Miss Grace hadn't reminded me, I would have been completely in the dark."

"Because it's unnecessary." Ma Jie replied without hesitation, "I came to participate in 'Living Alone in the Wilderness' not to promote myself. The two things are unrelated. I earned this opportunity through my own abilities, not through the halo that society bestowed upon me. Besides, this matter only brought me pain. My friend was almost shot, my dog ​​almost died on the operating table, and I myself had to fight to the death for it. Who wants to bear such glory? I certainly don't. No amount of praise is anything but an illusion. Living peacefully and healthily, and being with the people I love, is more important than anything else."

"Wow, if this incident were made into a movie, I strongly suggest using those words verbatim in the dialogue."

Grace couldn't help but applaud; sincerity was indeed the ultimate weapon.

"That's certainly a substantial answer." The lead interviewer, Carson, clapped a few times, a long-absent smile spreading across his face. "Okay, one last question, one that all interviewees are asked: Why did you want to participate in this program?"

"For the money," Ma Jie answered without hesitation. The three interviewers exchanged strange glances.

"Could you be more specific?" Carson couldn't help but ask.

"Does 'to improve our lives' sound more comforting?" Ma Jie's eyes crinkled with a slight smile. "Of course I know the standard answer. If I say it's for my family, for my wife, for my baby, I can pass the test without any risk. But I'm doing this for the prize money, to no longer be homeless because of poverty, to strive to become a better person, and if I have to be sentimental, for my future love and my dog. Is that okay?"

Upon hearing his answer, a glint flashed in Carson's eyes. He saw an indomitable spirit in this Asian man.

This is precisely what America's mainstream values ​​endorse: not relying on inherent privileges and status, but starting from scratch through personal effort, and even transcending class.

Of course, just take this with a grain of salt; anyone who takes it seriously is an idiot.

The interviewers exchanged glances, and Carson, the executive producer, spoke again: "Mr. Maja, before announcing the results, I feel obligated to remind you that this season of 'Solo Survival in the Wild' will be the most challenging in the show's history. In addition to top-notch survival skills, contestants will also be required to possess extraordinary courage and unwavering perseverance. You will encounter the most extreme weather, the most ferocious wild animals, the longest nights and winters, hunger, isolation, illness, and utter despair. If you are ready, please tell me, and I will give you ten seconds to consider."

"I accept the challenge in less than ten seconds!"

Ma Jieke's voice was neither too loud nor too soft, yet it subtly gave people an inspiring power.

"Great, congratulations on passing this interview. I look forward to seeing you again."

As Carson spoke, he opened a black hardcover invitation and wrote his name in the name field with a pen.

Grace added with a smile, "Congratulations, Jack. You've become the last contestant to join the Wilderness Training Camp. You have five days to prepare. In five days, you and 29 other contestants will head to Whittier, Alaska, for a week of professional testing and assessment. Remember, only ten people will ultimately be qualified to compete for the championship title. Good luck."

"The detailed itinerary will be sent to you via email. Please check your inbox. Round-trip airfare and accommodation will be covered by the production team. Remember to take precautions to keep warm, as that place is not like California where it is spring all year round."

"Okay, thank you for the reminder, Miss Interviewer." Ma Jie stood up, walked to the table, shook hands with each of the interviewees, and accepted the heavy invitation.

I wasn't exactly excited, but rather a little nervous. The contrast between sunny California and icy Alaska was quite stark, and it was a significant challenge for me, since I hadn't developed any ice resistance and could only rely on my physical strength to tough it out.

Back home, Ma Jie didn't waste any time; he first checked his email.

This email from the official Wilderness Solitary was very long, detailing the specific time, location, flight, and various tedious precautions.

By searching for the exact location on Google, Majer discovered that Whittyll is located on the southern frontier of Alaska and is known as the loneliest town in the world.

The town has fewer than 150 permanent residents, all of whom live in a 14-story mixed-use building called the Begichi Tower.

The building houses a school, post office, police station, church, clinic, supermarket, bar, gym, and mayor's office. The top two floors are used to receive tourists and are the town's most important source of income.

After checking the historical background, I learned that this place was originally a military base established by the US military during World War II.

Completed in 1957, the Begitch Tower could accommodate 700 people and became a U.S. military outpost in the Arctic during the Cold War.

After the 1964 Alaska earthquake, all the buildings in the town were destroyed except for the Bedge Tower, where all the residents moved in.

Adults work in the buildings, children go to school through the underground passage, and there is only one 4-kilometer-long one-way tunnel in and out of the town, which can only accommodate one car at a time.

The reason is that the temperature in this area remains below zero degrees Celsius all year round, it is surrounded by glaciers and snow-capped mountains, and there are also a large number of black bears.

It is said that in the coldest winter, the snow can be up to 6 meters deep, which is comparable to the end of the world.

The production team setting up the training camp in this godforsaken place can only be described as insane. Ma Jieke could already foresee himself being frozen into a silly, dumbfounded state.

To prepare for the approaching cold, he didn't heed Max's advice to spend money on expensive brand-name thermal underwear. Instead, he went to Chinatown and got a military overcoat—the real lifesaver for keeping warm. He also bought gloves while he was there.

Scarves and earmuffs, etc.

During this period, I had no mind to do anything else. I sat in front of the computer every day, collecting and understanding the local ecosystem, studying survival skills in extreme cold conditions, and reviewing the skills I had learned in my mind to ensure that I was absolutely sure of everything. After all, I had already invested so much energy. If I was going to do something, I would do it with all my might.

Five days later, at Los Santos International Airport.

Ma Jieke stood in the waiting hall, looking at his family members who had come to see him off, and deliberately acted as if he didn't care: "Go back, everyone. It's just a long trip. Don't make it seem like a life-or-death separation. Even if it's not for the competition, I would like to go there and take a look, and relax a bit."

That statement makes sense. Alaska is both the largest state in the United States by area and the least populated, with only about 700,000 people, while the entire Los Angeles metropolitan area has a total population of over 13 million.

What's even more unusual is that it's not within the standard map, but located in the northwest corner of the entire "tofu block," separated by Canada.

After the outbreak of the Crimean War in 1853, the Tsarist Russian government, fearing that the Alaskan colony would be seized by Britain, proposed to sell the land to the United States.

Fourteen years later, the two sides reached a deal, with the United States buying nearly 1.7 million square kilometers of Alaska from Tsarist Russia for $7 million plus a $200,000 handling fee. The average price per acre of land was only two cents, making it the most cost-effective deal in human history.

For most Americans, the idea of ​​spending a few days in a remote frontier to admire the snow-covered landscape and the stunning aurora borealis would definitely be on their bucket list.

Everyone looked at each other, and finally Jimmy came up first, but he kept his head down and looked a little hesitant.

"What's wrong?" Ma Jieke smirked. "Are you planning to confront me and tell me you're actually a girl?"

"Get lost!" Jimmy punched him in the chest in response to his habitual teasing, and said nervously, "I just wanted to remind you not to pee in the wild when you get there, because I read online that pee freezes when you pee, I don't know if it's true or not."

"Get lost, get lost! If you have nothing to do, bite a lighter instead of disgusting me."

Ma Jieke laughed and pushed him away. Seriously, no one else can do this. You actually take a stand-up comedy routine seriously?

"Have a safe trip, sweetheart, I'll miss you."

In contrast, Sandy didn't have as many thought processes as him.

Fiona didn't say anything; the two embraced gently, everything understood without words.

Despite her tendency to argue with others, this girl took the initiative to ask her boss for leave after learning that Max was sick and took care of her in the hospital for more than a week.

"Hi Mommy, is there anything I need to tell you?"

When Max came up, MaJack had a smug look on his face.

"There's nothing much to tell you. Just make sure to keep warm and remember to change your clothes before you get off the plane. I've packed some cold medicine in your luggage, so I hope you won't need it."

"Brother Jack, will I really be able to see you on TV?"

Little Pudding looked up curiously beside him. Ma Jie patted her head and smiled confidently: "Of course, I will not only be on TV, but I will also be aiming for the championship. Remember to watch the show on time and don't miss the exciting show."

"Um."

Finally, Valentina brought Bruce over. The little guy was still recovering from his injuries and was a bit unsteady on his feet.

"Hey buddy, I really wanted to take you with me, but unfortunately you're still too weak."

Ma Jie knelt down and affectionately stroked its fur. If it hadn't jumped up to block that bullet, he wouldn't have been able to participate in "Living Alone in the Wilderness." He would probably be curled up in his bedroom, dejected and numbing himself with strong alcohol right now. After all, the most painful thing in the world is to see your beloved die tragically in front of you.

Valentina gently straightened his collar, her eyes filled with reluctance.

Then she threw herself into his arms and said in a very soft voice, "I believe you can do anything, but I don't care about the result of the game, I only care about your safety and health. Promise me that if you encounter a problem that you can't solve, choose to give up immediately. Giving up does not mean cowardice, but a kind of survival wisdom. There is no one to take care of you outside, you have to learn to take care of yourself. I will also help you take good care of Bruce until he is fully recovered."

As she spoke, she took out a pure white cashmere scarf from her bag. It wasn't one of those machine-made industrial products, but rather a hand-knitted one. It didn't look very neat and showed signs of being rushed out.

Valentina blushed and explained, "Last time you told me you wanted to participate in 'Living Alone in the Wilderness,' I started learning to knit scarves. But when I actually started learning, I found that it wasn't that simple, and I didn't have enough time, so they don't look very good."

"Who said that? I think it looks great."

Ma Jieke took the scarf and gently stroked the soft cashmere fabric.

This stuff is very expensive, second only to silk. It is made from a thin layer of fine down at the base of goat hair. It is a temporary barrier that grows out of the goat after winter when it is stimulated by cold air to protect it from the cold. It falls off automatically when the weather warms up in spring.

It takes an average of five goats to make one cashmere sweater, but its warmth is exceptional, and it probably emptied her wallet.

"Alright, it's getting late, I should board the plane."

Ma Jieke glanced at his watch, gently pulled the girl into his arms, and said his final goodbye.

The latter took the initiative to hug him, and the two passionately kissed.

"Don't let the little girl see this." Max quickly covered her daughter's eyes when she saw this.

Sandy and Fiona, on the other hand, were united in their desire to win someone back.