In the end, Li Long did not shoot the red fox.
The Type 56 rifle's bullets were too powerful. A hit would blow it to pieces; a miss would waste a bullet. Of course, another reason was that the fox "floated" along too quickly. The hard crust on the snow supported its weight, allowing the little creature to move fast. Before Li Long was fully ready, it had already darted into the woods.
He felt some regret, but not much.
Li Long carried his rifle back to the Wooden Cabin. The meat broth had boiled down to less than half a pot, its aroma was very rich, and steam filled the room.
Li Long opened the door to let the steam and smell disperse, then added half a pot of water and continued simmering it.
Running around in the snow that day had exhausted him, so Li Long went to bed early. Wolf howls sounded outside during the night, but he did not get up. He was simply too sleepy.
Having slept soundly that night, he woke early. The next morning, Li Long got up early, feeling refreshed, made himself breakfast, then went to the Hot Spring again after eating.
Unfortunately, there was still no game-he had arrived too late. There were animal tracks around the Hot Spring, both wild boar tracks and five-toed plum-blossom prints, but no signs of a fight.
Li Long felt a little regretful. Had he arrived earlier, he might have caught something today.
Leaving the Hot Spring valley, Li Long simply headed east. He had hunted game in the valleys over there before, and wondered whether he might encounter any now.
Unfortunately, there was no game there either.
And so another day slipped by.
On the third day, Li Long did not go out. After