King of the Wilderness

"At that time, the contrast between light and dark on this open ground will disappear, and our movement will be harder to detect."

"Moreover, when the clouds cover the sun, it usually signals a temporary change in wind strength. We might even wait for a brief window of headwind stealth."

This precise analysis based on meteorology and hunting psychology made all the veteran hunters present show approving expressions.

They were no longer anxious but lay quietly in the snow like the most patient snipers, waiting for that fleeting opportunity created by nature.

Time passed, second by second.

Just as Lin Yu’an predicted, half an hour later, a thick cloud, like a velvet curtain, slowly covered the sun.

The lighting of the world instantly changed from blindingly bright to soft and dim.

"Now!" Lin Yu’an whispered into the earpiece.

"Kley, Bo, Sean, stay here and continue to observe. Report the target’s position to us at any time," Robert instructed.

"Wyatt, Garrett, Lin, the four of us will encircle from the left flank."

The four of them moved like ghosts out of the shadows of the spruce Forest, keeping their center of gravity as low as possible, almost gliding across the snow.

They used every rock, every bush, and even the slightest terrain undulation to shield their bodies.

Three hundred meters, two hundred and fifty meters, two hundred meters...

The distance gradually shortened.

When they finally reached a naturally formed pile of rocks, they were less than 150 yards from the sleeping King!

It was a perfect distance, enough for a lethal strike!

The four of them, in a formation resembling the character 品, silently set up their rifles.

Robert and Lin Yu’an, beside him, took the most advantageous central position, while Wyatt and Garrett occupied the left and right wings, forming an impregnable crossfire web.

Four powerful hunting rifles, representing the essence of American hunting culture, silently locked onto the same target from four different angles.

Wyatt’s rifle, which had accompanied him for years, was a Remington 700 BDL, classic .30-06 caliber, steady and reliable like his personality.

Garrett favored more modern equipment and was using a Savage 110 Storm with a stainless steel barrel. The .308 short cartridge made it faster to shoot.

Lin Yu’an’s weapon was the most elegant, still the custom Winchester Model 70 Rifle with a stock made of top-grade walnut.

The powerful .300 Winchester Magnum caliber was an artwork of long-range precision hunting.

And Robert held a rifle of more regal bearing—the Ruger M77 African Rifle.

Its retro aesthetic contained a .375 H&H Magnum caliber, enough to fell a buffalo on the African plains!

Through the scope, Robert watched the still-sleeping giant beast.

He could clearly see its majestic antlers like a crown and its broad back, gently rising and falling with each breath.

His breathing grew somewhat rapid. The wish to break the Montana record had never been so close.

He took a deep breath, setting the crosshair steadily on the moose’s neck and shoulder joint, the most lethal spot.

However, he didn’t immediately pull the trigger.

He slowly turned his head, looked at Lin Yu’an beside him, and whispered, "Lin, this is your ranch, your prey. The first shot should be yours."

Eldest brother Wyatt and second brother Garrett both nodded at the same time, their eyes full of undeniable courtesy.

This was the highest respect among hunters. They could share the glory, but the right to the first shot must belong to the landowner.

Lin Yu’an looked at them, shook his head, and whispered back, "No, Dad. I promised you I would fulfill a wish for you. Today, it’s right before us."

He looked at Robert with an incredibly sincere gaze, "For the McKinley family honor wall, for your dream, take the shot."

Robert looked at him, then at his two sons.

He knew he couldn’t refuse this gift laden with respect, filial piety, and family support.

He no longer hesitated and returned his gaze to the scope.

His hands, which had trembled slightly from excitement, became steady as a rock at this moment.

The entire world seemed to disappear, leaving only him, the crosshair, and the sleeping target.

Time stretched infinitely at this moment.

Through the scope, the giant beast’s gentle rise and fall with each breath silently overlapped with a memory deep in his mind.

That was more than twenty years ago, back when he was not the imposing patriarch but a young, vigorous farmer.

Beside him were not sons and sons-in-law, but his third wife, Martha—a young woman equally filled with wildness and vitality.

Together, they tracked a massive moose in the deepest forests of Montana.

He remembered when they finally cornered the giant beast in a valley, Martha showed no trace of fear.

Instead, she excitedly drew her longbow, her light green eyes shining brighter than the morning dew in the forest.

He remembered after that thrilling hunt ended, that night, in that simple tent illuminated by campfire and covered with thick bear hides.