Chapter Ninety-Nine: Letters and Entering the Mountains (Another Chapter to Follow)

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Han Li saw that the initial rules had been established, possibly aided by some basic beast-taming skills, and the effect was even better than he had imagined. He smiled and gave the order.

“You may eat now.”

In these times, it was not easy for people to eat, let alone dogs.

Usually, these dogs had to forage for their own food, eating anything from insects and fish to plants—there was nothing they wouldn’t eat.

If they happened upon warm droppings, that was already an improvement in their lives.

If their owner could feed them some bran, cook some potatoes or sweet potatoes, it was like a celebration for the dogs.

This situation only began to improve in the early 1990s, when villagers started feeding dogs cornmeal scalded with hot water.

If there were no leftovers at home, a little salt would be added to the cornmeal.

Under such conditions, the first meal Han Li gave them was probably the finest they had ever had.

Moreover, dog training wasn’t about beating them every now and then; it was about establishing rules at the right time.

The wolf hybrids had a strong wild nature inside them, so people had to use such tough methods to tame them.

The method for training these wolf hybrids was rough, but the effect today was quite good.

For example, when eating, Han Li ate first to let them understand who was the boss, to make it clear who was the true wolf king.

But this was just the beginning; such conditions had to be maintained for a long time.

According to the old man’s words, once they fully acknowledged his position as the wolf king, these wolf hybrids would have to choose a lead dog and a second-in-command themselves, and Han Li would treat these two dogs differently.

Because the lead and second-in-command could lead the other dogs to form hunting and guarding teams on their own, without needing Han Li to give every order.

But things were not so simple, just as not every dog could become a hunting dog.

These five little ones were wolf hybrids, but only a bit better than other dogs; they just had some natural instincts.

They would instinctively hunt animals like wild rabbits, pheasants, and wild ducks.

The braver ones might chase foolish muntjacs, but you couldn’t expect them to seek out wild boars, wolves, or bears as soon as they entered the forest.

Because the scent of these wild beasts was intimidating to them; they wouldn’t approach unless they were starving.

The old man told Han Li a trick for this: using bait, or luring.

Let the wolf hybrids recognize the scent of these wild beasts and understand for themselves the benefits of killing them.

First, let them smell the scent of these beasts, then let them taste their meat.

Only by knowing these beasts were edible would the wolf hybrids include them in their diet.

But now, feeding them such food was not easy; Han Li had to go out and find the meat himself.

Additionally, the first time feeding them parts of wild beasts had to be done carefully; take wild boars, for example.

Wild boars attack mainly with two moves: charging with their bodies and swinging their tusks.

Hunting dogs bite wild boars only in a few dangerous spots: the face, the snout, or the legs.

At this time, old hunters had two choices: feed the dogs the wild boar’s ears or the vulnerable parts of its hindquarters.

This helps hunting dogs form a first impression so that when they encounter a wild boar, they attack those spots first.

If a dog bites the wild boar’s ear initially, the boar is restrained.

This is known locally as “clamping the pincers.”

If two dogs have this habit, they bite the boar’s ears on either side.

The other two dogs press their bodies against the boar, biting the ears tightly.

The boar can neither run away nor use its tusks effectively, leaving it at the hunter’s mercy, and minimizing danger to the dogs.

Another vulnerable spot is the wild boar’s hindquarters, like the one Han Li once killed.

Regardless of whether the boar is male or female, this spot is its greatest weakness and hardest to defend.

That spot is the most painful on any animal; the male’s is obvious, while the female’s is even worse.

If a female meets these hunting dogs, her intestines might be pulled out.

Thus, hunting dogs that specialize in targeting these spots are considered top-notch.

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If lucky and strong enough, a single dog can easily take down a large wild boar.

One bite is often a death sentence for either male or female boars.

So after feeding them this meal, these wolf hybrids would endure some hardship until Han Li could find the wild game parts he wanted.

While pondering this, Hao Hongmin, Yang Xiuying, He Mi, and the Yun sisters heard the sounds and came over.

Girls usually couldn’t resist furry creatures; their first reaction upon seeing the wolf hybrids was to hug them.

However, Han Li stopped them, and Yang Xiuying said angrily,

“Han Li, didn’t you say you wanted us to have a dog? Now you have five here, why don’t you even let us touch them?”

Han Li was a little amused; after all, he was still borrowing their names.

“It’s not that I don’t want you to touch them; these are all first-generation wolf hybrids, their wildness is still strong. What if they hurt you? But I’m working hard to train them. Once their wildness is mostly gone, I promise you can touch them all you want.”

Yun Yingying, a city girl from Beijing, didn’t hear the rest; her eyes lit up at “first-generation wolf hybrids.”

“Han Li, give me one so I can help train their wildness.”

Han Li shook his head, “No, I still plan to select the lead dog among them; it’s not good to separate them.”

He Mi was surprised, “Lead dog? Are you planning to go hunting in the mountains after the autumn harvest?”

He Mi had the most knowledge; hearing “lead dog,” she guessed what Han Li intended.

Han Li said, “I definitely plan to hunt in the mountains, but whether I can bring these wolf hybrids depends on their condition then.”

The girls chatted a bit about hunting but saw Han Li was distracted and one by one excused themselves.

Han Li’s mind was indeed elsewhere; he was hesitating.

Some days ago, while chatting with villagers, he heard of a place full of tall fir, Korean pine, Siberian pine, larch, oak, basswood, and ash trees.

With such good conditions, the forest’s byproducts were rich.

In summer, the clearings and dead wood were covered with various mushrooms; the quantity of lion’s mane and hazel mushrooms was astonishing.

Seeds from all kinds of trees fell to the ground, giving rise to new life, an endless cycle.

Because the vegetation was abundant, so were the wild animals.

There were Siberian tigers, leopards, black bears, wild boars, wolves, lynxes, foxes, badgers, sable, elk, sika deer, muntjacs, wild rabbits, otters, flying squirrels, wild chickens, hazel grouse, and capercaillie.

If one was lucky, they might even find ancient, massive wooden clubs centuries old.

According to the old man, that mountain was a rare paradise for flora and fauna.

Han Li calculated the time needed to get there.

If he could make a round trip in one night, he wouldn’t mind going.

He had spiritual power for navigation, so his impact at night would be minimal.

He didn’t expect to find ancient clubs; at least he hoped to bring back some prime meat for the wolf hybrids.

But after careful comparison, he reluctantly gave up on that choice.

Earlier, his mind was occupied with training the wolf hybrids, and he first thought of that place.

But then he realized, at his daytime pace through the mountains, it would take about two and a half days just to reach that mountain, and even longer at night.

Making a round trip in one night was impossible unless he grew wings.

Han Li checked his watch; it was only 3:30 pm, still early; he couldn’t get back from work yet.

He couldn’t go so far, but he had to visit somewhere closer.

Even if it meant wasting a whole night, he didn’t mind; he couldn’t sleep well with those wolf hybrids on his mind.

Besides, he now had a crossbow; he might as well go hunting.

Without hesitation, Han Li tied up the wolf hybrids, changed into work clothes, put on his trusty rubber boots, slung the crossbow on his back basket, locked the door, and headed deep into the mountains.

After Han Li left, Yun Yingying, who had been watching closely, pouted.

“That lazy Han Li must have gone to the mountain. Sis, I really want a wolf hybrid too. If we can train it well, it can hunt in the mountains, catch thieves at home, and no one would dare mess with us on the road. Just thinking about it makes me so happy.”

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Yun Jingjing glanced at her sister and said, “Then go find Han Li, doesn’t he have five of them?”

“I don’t think he’ll give me one; didn’t you see his precious look just now? He’d never share.”

“Heh, then there’s nothing I can do. Given our situation, unless someone gives us one, it’s better not to cause trouble.”

At that moment, the postman’s voice came from outside.

“Han Li, Hao Hongmin, Yang Xiuying, Yun Yingying, come out to collect your letters and package slips.”

“I’m Hao Hongmin. Han Li isn’t here; I’ll take his letters for him.”

Yun Jingjing had just stepped outside and saw Hao Hongmin helping Han Li receive mail. She snorted silently.

“Hao Hongmin, you have a letter and a package slip; Yang Xiuying has the same; Yun Jingjing has one letter; Han Li has seven letters. Please sign for your own.”

Yun Jingjing was surprised. “Han Li has seven letters? How many relatives and friends does he have?”

Yang Xiuying said, “I know. Besides family, many classmates often write to him.”

Yun Jingjing didn’t dare tell anyone her whereabouts here, so no one wrote to her.

He Mi also came out. Although she had no mail, she joined the chat.

“I really envy Han Li for having so many classmates thinking of him and writing him often.”

Yang Xiuying replied, “Oh, those writing to Han Li are all female classmates. We saw them on the train; each one was a lovesick fool, clearly wanting to set Han Li up.”

Yun Jingjing hurriedly asked, “Did Han Li agree? Why haven’t we heard him mention it?”

Her reaction was odd, prompting Hao Hongmin and He Mi to glance at her deeply.

Yang Xiuying didn’t notice and shared what she knew.

“No way. They were just one-sided loves. Han Li treats them as ordinary classmates. Maybe they’re a bit persistent, so they write often.”

Yang Xiuying’s words made Yun Jingjing and He Mi quietly breathe a sigh of relief but also feel a little anxious.

Hao Hongmin also knew Han Li had gone to the mountain. But now it was dark; would he not return tonight?

All of them silently worried about Han Li but showed no sign of it.

Meanwhile, Han Li, led by the sparrow, was hurrying along, ignoring mushrooms and wild fruits on the way.

He didn’t know he had just received many letters, nor that danger awaited ahead.

Han Li pressed onward; darkness was falling.

Without spiritual navigation, he would be unable to move.

The sparrow flew back, chattering excitedly.

Han Li listened carefully and learned the sparrow could no longer see, unable to scout further.

They had spotted a group of wild boars ahead—at least twenty in number.

Twenty wild boars? Han Li was quite surprised.

A large group of wild boars was bad news; a charge from them could easily spell his end.

But giving up was out of the question.

Han Li let the sparrow find a resting spot, then focused fully and cautiously moved forward.

Now the forest was nearly pitch black.

Slowly, he felt the presence of the wild boars with his spiritual sense.

Fortunately, he was downwind; otherwise, the boars’ noses would have detected him.

Over twenty wild boars were in the bushes ahead, constantly twisting and turning.

They seemed to be settling down to sleep, giving Han Li some room to maneuver.

He surveyed the surroundings; he dared not approach from the windward side, or the boars would detect him.

He wouldn’t want to face a charging wild boar herd—that would be certain death.

(End of chapter)