Chapter 665 - 11: Firelight
The dismembered carcass of the Saw-toothed Tiger was left by Chen Zhou beside the brook.
The strong stench of blood and the odor of organs attracted many flies and insects, which soon swarmed over the entire piece of flesh.
The scent of the predator’s death intimidated medium-sized predators; only carrion birds dared to hover above the corpse, coveting the fresh meat.
...
The Saw-toothed Tiger killed by Chen Zhou hadn’t accumulated much fat, and there was almost no grease on the ribs. Even when smeared with a blood-oil mixture, it didn’t produce much aroma and was barely edible.
The three little Serrated Tiger Cubs initially sniffed the scent of fresh meat and even poked their heads out from the shelter, attempting to beg for food. But when Chen Zhou offered them the cooked meat of their kind, they recoiled as though electrocuted, preferring to go hungry rather than eat.
Paul insisted on raising the Serrated Tiger Cubs, a decision Chen Zhou neither supported nor wanted to interfere with much.
While tearing off some slightly overcooked rib meat and stuffing it into his mouth, Chen Zhou gazed down the mountain.
It had been nearly four hours since Paul set out.
Most animals during this season were active below the mountain waist, especially in the grasslands.
Estimating based on Paul’s pace, it would take him over an hour to walk down the mountain, another hour or so to hunt and find prey, and at least another hour and a half to return uphill while carrying it.
Based on this calculation, Paul should have been back by now, but Chen Zhou hadn’t yet heard any human footsteps in the forest below.
After tearing off the last piece of meat attached to the ribs, Chen Zhou placed the rib directly in his mouth and began to chew heartily.
His jaw strength rivaled that of common wild beasts. The ribs contained a mix of cartilage and hard bone, which could supplement him with calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and other minerals and trace elements.
In an environment where obtaining nutrition was difficult, directly supplementing minerals through diet was most convenient. Happily, he had this ability, so he resorted to gnawing on the bones.
As the ribs broke in his mouth bit by bit, Chen Zhou’s cheeks bulged, and a crunching sound echoed.
The three little Serrated Tiger Cubs curled up together, their eyes reflecting the flickering firelight, stared in fear at the creature who had effortlessly killed the female Saw-toothed Tiger and was now indulging in a feast.
The heat of the fire and the shadow Chen Zhou cast in the night left a deep impression on them, instinctively instilling awe.
...
To prevent Paul from being unable to find the shelter in the darkness, Chen Zhou deliberately added more firewood to the bonfire.
Since the fire was lit at a high point, adding firewood made the flame bright enough to be seen from far away, especially from the plain below the mountain. The bonfire’s location was discernible even from twenty or thirty kilometers away.
Having consumed half of the Saw-toothed Tiger’s ribs, Chen Zhou put a large branch into the fire and was about to go find Paul when he heard footsteps coming from below the mountain.
The footsteps were approximately 200 meters from the bonfire and had a rhythmic quality, with each step spaced almost equally. This indicated someone who had undergone military training and hadn’t left the military for long, as the regimented steps taken during training had formed muscle memory. Even without commands, they would instinctively maintain this walking rhythm.
Chen Zhou’s memory was astute and recognized it as Paul’s footsteps. However, upon a closer listen, he noticed Paul’s steps weren’t heavy, suggesting he wasn’t carrying a load.
Additionally, there was no sound of dragging heavy objects accompanying Paul’s footsteps, suggesting he likely returned empty-handed and the hunt was unsuccessful.
Still, Chen Zhou believed that with Paul’s personality, he wouldn’t return empty-handed if he hadn’t procured food for the tiger cubs.
Now that Paul had returned, either because the prey was too large to carry—
After all, the knife for dismembering prey was left on the mountain, and Paul didn’t have Chen Zhou’s strength. If he killed an animal weighing over two hundred pounds, it would be difficult to drag it back up the mountain with his own strength. He could only hide the trophy first and then return to the mountain to seek Chen Zhou’s help.
Or perhaps Paul encountered another urgent matter, one far more important than finding food for the Serrated Tiger Cubs, prompting his return.
Feeling there must be another reason for Paul’s return, Chen Zhou moved to meet Paul on the way up the mountain.
...
The sparse trees expanded the view, and Paul saw Chen Zhou from afar.
He was holding only a long spear, with some blood and dust on his body, but was uninjured, and his spirit seemed exceptionally high.
Seeing Chen Zhou appear from higher ground, Paul quickly waved the long spear in his hand and gestured.
"Chen Zhou!"
He shouted, pointing the spear towards the northeast corner mid-mountain.
"I saw firelight down there, like other challengers.
No!
It must be other challengers!"
Paul exclaimed.
Hearing this, Chen Zhou’s emotions also became unsettled, and he quickly dashed to Paul’s side, gazing in the direction Paul had indicated with the spear.
However, the area seemed too high, and looking down, a patch of trees obstructed the view, making it impossible to see the firelight Paul mentioned.
"Let’s go back. I’ve memorized the location of the firelight, and I’ll draw it for you."
Surprised at having found another group of challengers just two days into the challenge, Paul appeared even more excited than Chen Zhou as he stowed his spear and headed straight up the mountain.
Seeing Chen Zhou following him, Paul slightly nervously and softly inquired.
"How are the Serrated Tiger Cubs?"
Perhaps fearing a misunderstanding from Chen Zhou, he added.
"I killed a fawn and saw the firelight by chance while bringing it up the mountain, but don’t worry, I won’t use your spoils to feed them."