The overpowering aroma of meat, mingled with the unique fragrance of scallion oil, instantly exploded in the chilly wooden cabin in the early morning.
No complicated seasonings are needed, just freshly ground black pepper and sea salt.
Twenty minutes later.
Four bowls of scallion oil noodles, topped with venison and fried eggs, were placed on the table.
The noodles are chewy and glossy, the venison is fragrant and crispy, and the semi-runny fried egg releases golden yolk with just a gentle poke.
That's not enough.
Su Wei then took out a whole long baguette, split it horizontally, spread a thick layer of fermented butter and Dijon mustard on it, stuffed it full of fried venison and lettuce, pressed it down firmly, cut it into four pieces, and wrapped it in parchment paper.
This is our packed lunch after entering the mountains.
[Successfully produced high-quality "Venom Scallion Oil Noodles" and "Venom Sandwiches"]
[ Life Module Experience +15, Cooking Experience +8.]
[Gain temporary buff: Energy Overflow. For two hours after consumption, body heat generation increases by 10%, stamina recovery speed increases by 20%, and concentration is slightly improved.]
Just as I finished packing, I heard the roar of an engine outside the window.
It wasn't the roar of a sports car, but the deep, muffled growl unique to a large-displacement diesel engine, like a beast just awakened, carrying far through the silent snowy night.
Two blinding beams of headlights swept across the window.
Black has arrived.
Su Wei opened the door.
A cold wind, carrying snowflakes that cut like knives, swept against my face.
The mud-covered pickup truck was still running, its exhaust pipe sputtering out thick white smoke.
Black jumped out of the car, still carrying the canvas roll wrapped in oilcloth, followed by four dark figures.
Those were four large hunting dogs.
The lead black-backed male dog, " Caesar," is nearly 70 centimeters tall, with clearly defined muscles.
Instead of barking excitedly like a normal dog, it silently walked up to Su Wei, its nostrils flaring as it carefully sniffed the scent on his trouser leg.
Su Wei squatted down and extended the back of his hand.
Caesar stared intently at Su Wei for two seconds, his amber eyes devoid of the fawning of a pet dog, revealing only scrutiny.
Then, it lowered its head and touched Su Wei's hand with its wet, cool nose, its tail swaying slightly and reservedly.
"It recognizes you."
Black's voice rang out from above, carrying a hint of barely perceptible approval.
"That beast has a great memory and is a snob. If you show even the slightest bit of fear, it won't even bother to look at you."
Did they eat it?
Su Wei stood up and clapped his hands.
"Feed them until they're half full. If they're too full, they won't run; if they're too hungry, they won't obey."
Black sniffed and looked toward the open door.
"You made noodles?"
"Not only do we have noodles, but we also have half a pound of venison."
Black didn't say anything more, and walked straight into the house without any politeness.
The four hunting dogs did not follow into the house. Instead, they lay down under the eaves by the door with remarkable discipline, back to back, watching the darkness outside the yard warily.
Less than ten minutes later, the roar of another pickup truck broke the silence.
Aruk's Ford Raptor, covered in flashy stickers, crashed into the yard.
"Hey! Good heavens! This smells amazing!"
Before the car door was even fully closed, Aruk's loud voice rang out.
"I could smell it from two kilometers away! Su Wei, if you opened a restaurant in town, all those self-important Michelin chefs would be out of a job and begging for food!"
This guy was wrapped in a thick, bear-skin-like windproof suit, making him look a size bigger, like a rolling ball.
Old Kash, following behind him, was dressed much more smartly, in a faded hunting camouflage outfit, carrying a well-maintained old Remington, his eyes sharp.
Upon entering the house and seeing Black sitting at the table, heartily devouring noodles, the previously boisterous Aruk immediately fell silent, like a chicken with its neck choked, and obediently greeted him, "Uncle Black."
Old Kash also took off his hat, nodded to Black, and looked respectful.
Black simply grunted through his nose, without even lifting his head, and picked up a piece of venison weighing about half an ounce with his chopsticks and put it in his mouth.
Su Wei brought out the other two bowls of noodles.
"Eat quickly. We'll leave in fifteen minutes."
No one said another word.
All that could be heard were the slurping sounds of people eating noodles and swallowing.
"Oh..."
After finishing the last bite, Aruk suddenly felt a strange Warm Current rising in his stomach, the warmth traveling up his spine and straight to his head.
"Damn it, Su Wei, what did you put in the noodles? Why do I feel so hot all over? I feel like I could kill a cow with my bare hands!"
Even the usually silent Old Kash looked at his hands in surprise. His joints, which had been stiff due to rheumatism, were now warm and full of strength.
Although Black didn't speak, his tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly, and his previously pale face regained some color.
4:50.
Everyone put down their chopsticks.
Black pulled out a tissue to wipe his mouth, then took out a folded contour map from his pocket and spread it out on the table, which still had oil stains.
"Let's double-check."
His rough, strong fingers pressed heavily on a contour line on the north slope of Pillar Mountain.
"This is the parking spot. The wind changed direction last night, and the snow depth over there will be over a meter; cars definitely can't get up there. We need to hike two kilometers to cut into the downwind side of Eagle Beak Cliff."
" Aruk, you and your father are in charge of the left wing. I don't expect you to kill it; your task is to block its escape route to the south. Remember, if it runs towards you, even if you have to fire into the air, force it back!"
Old Kash nodded steadily, a glint of ruthlessness flashing in his eyes. "Understood. As long as I have bullets, it won't cross the river."
" Su Wei."
Black turned his head, his grey-blue eyes piercingly sharp.
"Follow me to the middle. This is the main attack direction, but also the most dangerous. Once the dog bites it, you'll have about five seconds to find a firing window."
Five seconds?
Su Wei frowned.
"It might be shorter. It's an injured, crazed male bear, not a zoo toy waiting to be fed apples. It's extremely cunning, and if it gets injured again, it will prioritize attacking the nearest threat—that is, a dog, or you."
Black tucked the map away and put it in his pocket.
"No matter what happens, don't run around. If you turn your back to the bear, you're already dead."
After saying that, he grabbed the double-barreled shotgun leaning against the table and strode toward the door.
"Set off."
At five in the morning, Kodiak Island was still asleep.
The black Raptor F-150 from the Su Wei has become the troop carrier we see today.
Black's pickup truck is too old; the heating system is basically useless.
Although Aruk's vehicle is also Raptor, it hasn't been modified specifically for snow, and its ground clearance is insufficient.
Four people and four dogs were all crammed into this behemoth.
The four hunting dogs were placed in the back of the truck.
Black sat in the passenger seat, Old Kash and Aruk sat in the back by the window.
"Boom!!"
The engine emitted a deep roar, as if responding to its master's fighting spirit.
Su Wei engaged low-speed four-wheel drive mode, locked the differential, and the wide off-road tires slammed into the snow in the yard, making a teeth-grinding squeaking sound, before steadily driving onto the forest path.
The car headlights, like two sharp swords, cleaved through the darkness and flying snow ahead.
As the altitude increases, the road conditions become increasingly worse.
The original dirt road was covered by a thick layer of snow, making it impossible to see the roadbed.
"This car has been modified quite well."
Old Kash, feeling the car's posture, couldn't help but offer a word of praise.
"In this snow condition, my old Chevrolet would have been grounded long ago. The suspension is very stiff, providing excellent support, but the grip is very stable, like it's being gripped by claws."