Chapter Summaries

Su Wei shot and wounded a dangerous poacher who had threatened him and Black, then learned why the poacher’s crimes endangered Kodiak Official Hunting Area No. 1’s rating. The poacher was taken into custody, and Charlie recognized Su Wei’s skill as a hunter.

• Su Wei picked up his spent casing while Black searched the wounded poacher and applied a tourniquet.
• Charlie and another Fish and Game enforcement officer arrived by helicopter and took charge of the suspect.
• Black revealed that Su Wei had made the precise shot, surprising Charlie, who praised Su Wei and agreed it was self-defense.
• The officers carried the poacher to the helicopter, and Su Wei learned that poaching could reduce the hunting area’s star rating by harming its signature Roosevelt elk population.

Charlie’s team discovered that the poacher Su Wei helped capture was wanted murderer Garrett Hawk, but the incident had badly damaged the Roosevelt elk population and could lower the hunting area’s rating. Su Wei left the contaminated stag for wildlife to feed on and was allowed to keep its antlers.

• Tom identified the captured poacher as Garrett Hawk, a former Marine sniper wanted for murder and armed robbery.
• Charlie pieced together how Garrett’s fear of arrest had led him to flee through the hunting area and shoot the elk, while the damage threatened the area’s rating and funding.
• Black said the enforcement team could take Garrett and headed back to the tracked vehicle.
• Su Wei inspected the dead Roosevelt elk and learned its meat was contaminated and its hide damaged.
• Su Wei said the stag should be left for the wildlife, and Charlie told him he could keep its antlers.

After the Fish and Game officers took Garrett away, Black helped Su Wei claim the dead Roosevelt elk’s antlers as his trophy. Black estimated the exceptional 7x7 rack was worth $80,000, leaving Su Wei stunned.

• Charlie invited Su Wei to join the Fish and Game Department, but Black shut the helicopter door and told Su Wei to collect his own trophy.
• After the helicopter departed, Black and Su Wei inspected the dead elk and found its meat ruined.
• Black explained that Charlie had left the antlers for Su Wei because Su Wei had brought Garrett down and hunters’ rules gave him the right to decide the trophy’s fate.
• Su Wei counted seven points on each side of the elk’s crown-class rack.
• Black said a slightly smaller rack had sold for $80,000 at the New York Autumn Hunting Exhibition, and Su Wei reacted in disbelief.

Su Wei harvested the Roosevelt elk’s valuable skull and antlers after Black helped him survive the hunt. Black refused his offer to share the trophy, urging him to keep it as a reminder of his first milestone as a professional hunter, and they drove back through the storm.

• Black told Su Wei that an elk skull had once sold for eighty thousand dollars, and Su Wei’s system identified the Roosevelt elk skull as a perfect-grade collector’s item.
• Su Wei used Black’s bone saw to remove the skull without damaging its antlers or eye sockets.
• Su Wei offered the antlers to Black in gratitude, but Black refused and told him to keep the trophy as a memento of the hunt.
• Su Wei secured the antlers to the tracked vehicle and climbed aboard, asking Black to make roasted elk heart when they returned.
• Black drove the tracked vehicle deeper into the storm with Su Wei and the trophy aboard.

Su Wei returned to Kodiak Town after Black agreed to take him to the Fish and Game Department so he could reach his snowmobile and make his appointment the next morning. With compensation, valuable elk antlers, and hunter points ahead of him, he began considering how to shape his future and stopped outside an old apartment building.

• Su Wei told Black he could not return to the remote cabin because his snowmobile was at the Fish and Game Department and his pickup could not manage the deep snow.
• Black agreed to take Su Wei to the Fish and Game Department and told him to call after his business the next day so they could claim Hunters' Guild points for their operation.
• Black gave Su Wei his phone number and said he would keep the Roosevelt elk antlers and bring them over the next day.
• Black dropped Su Wei off at the Fish and Game Department, then drove away with the antlers.
• Su Wei retrieved his snowmobile and rode through Kodiak Town, reflecting on his new prospects before stopping outside an old apartment building.

After returning from the wilderness, Su Wei reassured Emily that the poachers had been caught and took over cooking when her soup burned. They shared his beef and vegetable congee, and Su Wei fed some beef to Cotton Candy.

• Emily opened the door to Su Wei and admitted she had been about to call the Fish and Game Department.
• Su Wei put away his Browning rifle and told Emily the poachers had been caught and handed over to the enforcement team.
• Emily rushed to save her burning soup, but Su Wei took over the cooking and made beef and vegetable congee.
• Emily ate the congee with Su Wei and praised his cooking.
• Su Wei picked out beef from his bowl and fed it to Cotton Candy under the table.

Su Wei reassured Emily that the shipwreck compensation would clear his debts and promised he would avoid dangerous adventures for a while. The next morning, he headed to the Fisheries Union to sign the agreement, leaving his future plans unresolved.

• Su Wei told Emily he would collect the shipwreck compensation at the Fisheries Union and that it would cover his debts.
• Emily asked whether Su Wei would return to dangerous places, and he said he would not go anywhere like that for a while.
• Su Wei woke on the sofa, made coffee and breakfast with Emily, and confirmed the compensation was more than enough to repay his debts.
• Su Wei left for the Fisheries Union after promising Emily he would return for beef brisket stewed with potatoes.
• Su Wei arrived at the Fisheries Union in Kodiak Town and went upstairs to the insurance claims office.

Su Wei reviewed and signed the settlement agreement for his parents’ deaths, securing $3,257,400 after fees and taxes. With the payment due within three business days, he left the fishing union and saw that his $160,000 debt no longer seemed insurmountable.

• Jennifer explained that the fishing company had agreed to pay punitive damages because the black box showed management sent the fleet into a storm under threat of withholding bonuses.
• Jennifer calculated Su Wei’s final compensation as $3,257,400 after deductions for legal fees, taxes, and other costs.
• Su Wei carefully reviewed the agreement and signed his name without hesitation.
• Jennifer told Su Wei the funds would be transferred to his bank account within three business days and gave him a copy of the agreement.
• Su Wei left the fishing union, checked his banking app, and realized his $160,000 debt now seemed small beside the settlement.

After securing a $3,257,400 compensation agreement, Su Wei received a reminder about his $30,000 loan payment and realized his debt no longer threatened him. At the Fish and Game Department, Aruk invited him to join a bear hunt, but Su Wei hesitated over whether he still needed to risk his life for money.

• Su Wei read Wells Fargo’s reminder that his $30,000 loan payment was due and reflected that he was now legally a millionaire after signing a compensation agreement.
• Su Wei called Black, who told him to wait at the Fish and Game Department.
• Aruk enthusiastically told Su Wei that he and his father had killed a level-five black-tailed buck and earned six points.
• Aruk invited Su Wei to join him and his father on a Kodiak bear hunt, praising Su Wei’s tracking skills and promising to split the money equally.
• Su Wei considered the danger of bear hunting and wondered whether he still needed to take such risks now that his debt was gone.

Su Wei accompanied Black to the Fish and Game Department to register the points he earned for helping capture wanted criminal Garrett Hawk. Sarah confirmed the operation report and awarded him ten hunter points, while Aruk learned that his friend had played a key role in the capture.

• Su Wei declined Aruk's invitation to meet the King of the Island until he had time to consider it.
• Black arrived and summoned Su Wei to the Fish and Game Department, and Aruk followed them inside.
• Black told Sarah that Su Wei had assisted in capturing wanted criminal Garrett Hawk.
• Sarah checked Captain Charlie's operation report and confirmed Su Wei's contribution.
• Sarah awarded Su Wei ten hunter points for his major role in the operation.

Su Wei earned ten professional hunter points and was revealed to be Black’s apprentice after helping capture a wanted criminal. Black told him to rest before beginning real training in a week, while Aruk pressed him for answers and made plans to hunt bears together later.

• Sarah recorded Su Wei’s ten points and called him Black’s apprentice, stunning Aruk.
• Black told Su Wei to rest at home for a few days and said they would begin real training in a week.
• Black warned Su Wei not to let Aruk fool him and asked him to contact him about the antlers before driving away.
• Aruk shook Su Wei and demanded to know how he had become Black’s apprentice, caught the wanted criminal, and earned ten points.
• Su Wei said he had been lucky and agreed to go bear hunting with Aruk after taking care of things at home.

After securing money and a formal apprenticeship, Su Wei enjoyed a quiet break and went shopping for a beef stew to share with Emily. He returned to the apartment and began cooking, leaving the stew simmering with potatoes and carrots added.

• Su Wei reflected on his new financial security and decided to take time to consider his future.
• Su Wei bought beef, potatoes, carrots, and seasonings at the supermarket without worrying about the cost.
• Su Wei returned to Emily's apartment with groceries, and Emily eagerly anticipated the meal.
• Su Wei prepared and simmered the beef stew, then added chopped potatoes and carrots after forty minutes.

Su Wei cooked a hearty meal for Emily and Cotton Candy, then told Emily he would not ride the damaged snowmobile and planned to leave now that the road to Pillar Mountain was clear. The chapter ended with Emily quietly reacting to his departure while he began cleaning up.

• Su Wei served Emily beef brisket stewed with potatoes, and she ate eagerly while his cooking triggered a focus-boosting effect.
• Su Wei prepared raw beef for Cotton Candy, who ate happily as he petted her.
• After the meal, Su Wei explained that the snowmobile's improvised connecting rod repair would not last and asked Emily to have Jamie tow it away for repairs.
• Su Wei told Emily he had another way to return and needed to check his home after several days away.
• Emily asked if he was leaving so soon, and Su Wei said the snow had stopped and the road to Pillar Mountain had been cleared.

Su Wei arranged to return to his cabin by selling an antler to Old Jack, while Emily struggled with the thought of him leaving and insisted on paying for the snowmobile repairs. Su Wei explained that the snowmobile had helped save his life and refused to let Emily sacrifice her food money for the bill.

• Emily agreed to call Jamie to tow the snowmobile, while Su Wei considered expanding his farm and buying equipment with his new funds.
• Su Wei called Old Jack and arranged to sell him an antler in exchange for a ride back to the cabin.
• Emily thanked Su Wei for helping her, and he told her that friends did not need to keep close accounts.
• When Jamie arrived, Emily followed Su Wei to insist on paying for the repairs.
• Su Wei reminded Emily that the snowmobile had saved him and helped him earn money, then told her the repair cost would take away her food money.

Su Wei left Emily after joking about her meal, then met mechanic Jamie to have his damaged snowmobile inspected. Jamie discovered Su Wei’s improvised engine repair and gave him an estimate for replacing parts and servicing the machine.

• Su Wei told Emily to focus on healing and asked her to show him the moose herd once her leg recovered, then left her apartment.
• Su Wei led Jamie to the battered snowmobile behind the apartment building.
• Jamie found a modified connecting rod and brass shim inside the engine and asked who had installed them.
• Su Wei explained that he had filed down a Ford connecting rod by hand and fitted it by feel after the original broke in the mountains.
• Jamie admired Su Wei’s repair, inspected the snowmobile, and quoted $3,845 for parts and labor while waiving the towing fee.

Su Wei finished settling his favor to Emily, then met Old Jack, who agreed to take him and his elk antlers. Before leaving, Su Wei returned to Emily’s apartment to collect his rifle and Cotton Candy, then headed downstairs to go back to his cabin.

• Su Wei paid for the snowmobile repairs, and Jamie drove away with it.
• Old Jack arrived in his pickup, and Su Wei offered him a batch of well-preserved elk antlers.
• Su Wei went back to Emily’s apartment to collect his Browning rifle and Cotton Candy.
• Emily told Su Wei to be careful and keep in touch as he left.

Su Wei used his money to stock up on food, cooking supplies, and fuel in Kodiak Town before heading back toward his cabin. The chapter left him and Old Jack driving through the snowy night toward Pillar Mountain.

• Su Wei paid Old Jack to take him to the supermarket and buy diesel for two fuel cans.
• Su Wei filled two carts with ingredients, cooking equipment, and chocolate, then paid the bill by card.
• Su Wei asked Old Jack to stop at a gas station for fuel, a generator supply, and two fifty-gallon drums.
• Su Wei, Old Jack, and Cotton Candy left town in the pickup and headed toward Pillar Mountain on an icy road.

Su Wei returned to his remote Alaska cabin with Old Jack and revealed a valuable naturally shed Roosevelt elk antler, prompting Old Jack to offer $3,500 for it. Su Wei made the sale conditional on Old Jack’s service, and they began unloading the supplies into the cold, dusty cabin.

• Old Jack drove Su Wei through the snowy forest to his cabin, where Su Wei felt he had returned to his real home.
• Su Wei uncovered a large six-point Roosevelt elk antler, and Old Jack recognized it as a top-grade specimen.
• Old Jack offered Su Wei $3,500 for the antler, but Su Wei said the deal depended on whether Old Jack had served him well on the trip.
• Su Wei and Old Jack entered the cold cabin, and Old Jack began cleaning the antler while praising its size and quality.
• Su Wei reminded Old Jack to unload the remaining supplies, including the oil drums, before they discussed the deal.

Su Wei sold Old Jack a weathered Roosevelt elk antler for $5,500 and revealed that he had become a Level 1 professional hunter. Old Jack’s surprise turned to eager interest in working with him.

• Su Wei rejected Old Jack’s $3,500 offer and negotiated the antler’s price up to $5,500.
• Old Jack paid Su Wei and warned that the Fish and Game Department might confiscate the antler without proper paperwork.
• Su Wei showed Old Jack his Level 1 professional hunter license, which he had earned two days earlier.
• Old Jack reacted with shock at Su Wei’s achievement, then praised him and began eyeing the opportunities his professional hunting status could bring.

Su Wei returned to his cabin, found peace in being home, and began cleaning the aging house. After three hours of work, he had started making the place his own, though its need for repairs remained.

• Old Jack left after Su Wei agreed to sell him future finds at a fair price.
• Su Wei went inside, where the fire warmed the cabin and Cotton Candy settled onto the sofa.
• The Life Module activated and reported that the cabin's comfort increased his fatigue recovery speed by 15%.
• Su Wei put away his groceries, then began cleaning the cabin instead of cooking.
• While cleaning, Su Wei discovered drafts, damp window boards, peeling wallpaper, ceiling stains, and other signs that the cabin needed repairs.
• Su Wei spent three hours cleaning without stopping.