Chapter 450 - 382: Ran Out of Bullets
Eight dogs... that was a lot to feed.
After they finished dividing the entrails, they set aside over thirty pounds of wild boar meat for them.
As he fed the dogs, Zhao Jun asked Zhang Lifu what he planned to do with the boar. With eight dogs in tow, he wouldn’t be able to help carry the meat.
Zhang Lifu said he would skin the boar right then and there. He’d carry half the meat back in his wicker basket, and the other half he’d stuff into a gunnysack, drag it to the river, and submerge it in the water to keep it cool.
After all, the weather was getting warmer. If the meat was left out for too long, it would spoil.
Zhao Jun helped Zhang Lifu skin the boar. Afterward, the two of them sat down under a Pine Tree to rest. It was nearly noon, so Zhao Jun offered Zhang Lifu three of the steamed buns he had brought with him.
He had originally prepared them for Lin Xiangshun, but now, who knew where the man had run off to.
But as Zhao Jun handed him the buns, Zhang Lifu insisted he’d eaten his fill that morning and only needed one.
Zhao Jun didn’t believe him for a second and stuffed all three buns into his arms anyway.
But Zhang Lifu ate very slowly. By the time Zhao Jun had finished his own three buns, Zhang Lifu had only eaten one. He carefully pocketed the other two.
He was a drifter and didn’t receive any food rations. His wife did, but their family saved every bit of white flour she received to trade it for cornmeal. They likely wouldn’t get to eat anything made from white flour all year, not even for the New Year’s celebration.
’He must be taking those two buns back to share with his kids.’
"Alright, Uncle Zhang," Zhao Jun said, getting to his feet. "I’ll leave you to it. I have to get going."
The plan was for Zhang Lifu to first carry half the boar meat to the mountain stream to soak it, then return for the other half to take home.
Zhao Jun couldn’t wait for him.
"Alright, Jun, you take care now!"
After bidding Zhang Lifu farewell, Zhao Jun led his eight dogs toward home. He was very pleased with the day’s hunt. Big Fatty and the others had eaten the cannon eggs, and the two packs of dogs were finally getting along. Compared to that, getting a share of the boar meat was unimportant.
The eight dogs, their bellies full, ambled along lazily by Zhao Jun’s side. It wasn’t just them; Zhao Jun was feeling a bit drowsy after his meal, too.
The afternoon sun made him break out in a sweat, and his legs felt heavy.
Zhao Jun found a large bluestone and lay down on it, figuring he’d rest a bit before moving on.
The moment he lay down, the eight dogs circled around him and flopped down to the ground.
Then, Zhao Jun and the eight dogs all fell asleep.
Zhao Jun was sleeping soundly and didn’t wake until Little Bear started licking his face.
"Whoa! How’d I fall asleep?" Zhao Jun sat up and looked around. Seeing him awake, the dogs got to their feet and converged on him.
"Sheesh!" Zhao Jun rubbed his face, stood, and stretched. After straightening his clothes and shouldering his gun, he hurried off toward home with the eight dogs in tow.
He’d slept longer than he’d intended. It was already past three o’clock; it would be dark by the time he got home.
Now that the dogs were awake, the heavy, full feeling from their meal had subsided. They easily kept pace as Zhao Jun picked up his speed.
Some trotted ahead of Zhao Jun and some trailed behind, but none strayed far. Even the dogs knew that after a full meal, it was time to head home.
But then, something unexpected happened. Little Bear suddenly froze in its tracks. After a pause of less than two seconds, it bolted forward.
It was barking as it ran!
At its call, the other seven dogs charged down the mountainside!
Zhao Jun froze. ’What a coincidence,’ he thought. ’There must be prey just up ahead. The dogs have no choice but to give chase.’
He had no idea what the prey was, but when the dogs run, the Hunter has to follow.
Besides, the sun was about to set. This had to be over quickly!
So, Zhao Jun sprinted forward, gun on his back.
Little Bear plunged straight into a gully and scrambled up the opposite ridge. The moment it crested the top, it caught up to a Black Bear!
It was an adult male Black Bear, weighing over three hundred pounds. It glanced back at Little Bear a couple of times before continuing on its way with heavy strides.
Little Bear ran up behind the Black Bear, stopping about three meters away. It threw its head back and began to bark furiously.
The Black Bear kept walking, glancing back at Little Bear as if it were nothing more than a nuisance.
The Black Bear walked, and Little Bear followed, maintaining a constant distance of three meters. The dog didn’t move in to bite, but it never strayed too far, either.
At this moment, White Dragon, Big Fatty, Flower Cat, and Hua Lang arrived. White Dragon shot past Little Bear, caught up to the Black Bear, and went in for a bite.
Seeing this, the Black Bear quickly lunged forward two steps, causing White Dragon’s attack to miss. The bear then wheeled to the side and charged at White Dragon.
Just then, Da Huang, San Pang, and Xiaohua arrived on the scene.
As the Black Bear closed in on White Dragon, the dog retreated to a safe distance. Little Bear and the others surrounded the bear, barking but not attacking. That’s when Da Huang charged the Black Bear from behind!
It had once served as the second to Yong’an’s top dog. What kind of fight hadn’t it seen? It wasn’t about to be intimidated by a simple Black Bear.
Da Huang sank its teeth into the Black Bear’s hind leg. The bear faltered and swiped behind itself with its left paw, but Da Huang had already backed away.
The Black Bear ignored Da Huang’s retreat and turned its attention back to White Dragon. Just then, Da Huang charged again, leaping up and biting the bear on its rear.
"GRUNT!" The Black Bear spun around in a rage and charged after Da Huang. Da Huang immediately turned tail, leading the bear on a chase.
While the Black Bear was occupied with Da Huang, both White Dragon and Little Bear attacked it from behind.
The Black Bear roared, spinning back toward the dogs that had ambushed it, but all three were seasoned fighters. They were masters of the hit-and-run.
And so, on a gentle stretch of the mountainside, five of the dogs stood by and barked encouragement while Little Bear, White Dragon, and Da Huang toyed with the Black Bear in the center of their circle.
The Black Bear spun in circles, but it was much slower than the dogs and couldn’t catch the trio. Frustrated by their constant nipping, it finally steeled itself. After taking two more steps toward Little Bear, it veered toward a nearby poplar tree, placed its front paws on the trunk, and started to climb.
"AOWOO!" White Dragon lunged, sinking its teeth into the Black Bear’s rear and pulling with all its might to drag it back down.
Da Huang and Little Bear were right behind it. Da Huang also bit the bear’s backside, while Little Bear latched onto its thigh.
Strangely, the five dogs that had been holding back suddenly rushed in all at once.
Some went for its rear, others for its legs.
They actually managed to drag the Black Bear right off the tree!
There’s strength in numbers!
The moment the Black Bear landed, all eight dogs scattered. The other five retreated to a distance again, ready to bark support, while Little Bear, White Dragon, and Da Huang resumed their circling skirmish with the bear.
At this moment, Zhao Jun arrived!
Meanwhile, dusk was rapidly falling over the mountains.
The sun was setting. And when the sun sets, the mountains are the first to grow dark.
The battle was taking place in the woods, where the canopy of branches blocked what little light remained, making it even darker.
Seeing the eight dogs cornering the bear, Zhao Jun quickly raised his gun and took aim at its heart.
Just then, the Black Bear charged after White Dragon. The three lead dogs scattered, giving Zhao Jun a clear shot. He pulled the trigger four times in quick succession.
"BANG!"
"BANG!"
"BANG!"
But only three shots rang out!
’Crap!’ Only then did Zhao Jun remember. He’d fired seven shots at the wild boar, but he never reloaded afterward!
"ROOOOAR..."
The bear’s roar echoed through the mountains. It broke through the circle of dogs and charged straight for Zhao Jun.