Chapter 13: Meat Distribution |
That Frost Wolf actually didn't eat the Snow Mane.
It didn't even bother dragging away its own prey.
Xia Hong quickly realized the reason must be the torch.
Clearly, in the Frost Wolf's eyes, the torch was far more important than the Snow Mane.
The wolf had hurried off with the torch because it feared other Frost Beasts might come to steal it.
Xia Hong naturally understood this too, so once the wolf had been gone awhile, he swiftly climbed out of the snow pit, rushed forward to hoist the 400-pound Snow Mane carcass onto his back, then sprinted eastward toward the ridge without looking back.
The prolonged battle between the Frost Wolf and Snow Mane might have attracted other Frost Beasts. Plus, with all the blood spilled, the area reeked intensely. Any delay could lead to disaster.
Moreover, dawn was approaching after all this time.
He had to return immediately.
Soon, Xia Hong spotted the camp's cave.
Approaching the entrance, he didn't barge in recklessly but first called out:
"Storms may rage from all directions, but none compare to Redwood Ridge's rain."
"When Dragon Gate Mountain rains, the Snowfield Tiger descends."
Xia Chuan's delighted voice answered from within, followed by rustling as branches were pushed aside from inside.
Both Xia Chuan and Yuan Cheng emerged to greet him.
When they saw the massive Snow Mane carcass on Xia Hong's back, their jaws dropped in stunned silence.
"Got lucky," Xia Hong chuckled. "Let's get inside and seal the entrance first."
Before they'd even finished securing the cave, exclamations erupted:
"What's this?"
"Leader, did you go hunting?"
"Hiss... The leader hunted this?"
"I've never seen a Frost Beast this big! How strong is our leader?"
"Even the lumberjack team never brought back prey this large..."
Instantly, everyone's gaze toward Xia Hong transformed - filled with reverence, admiration, dependence, and renewed hope.
Respect for strength was universal law, especially in this deadly world where survival was never guaranteed.
As someone said, even the lumberjack team at their peak never returned with such bounty.
And this was Xia Hong's very first expedition.
"I didn't hunt it. Just luck."
His explanation fell on disbelieving ears. After a moment's thought, he let the misconception stand. These desperate times needed hope, however false.
But when he saw the fanatical gleam in Xia Chuan and Yuan Cheng's eyes, he couldn't resist flicking their foreheads.
"Stop fantasizing. I'm not that capable. Frost Beasts are far deadlier than you imagine. This Snow Mane alive could've devoured our entire camp."
Others could afford naivety, but not these two.
As the camp's most promising talents after himself, soon to reach Lumberjack Realm and join his expeditions, such delusions could get them killed.
After explaining the truth, their admiration only grew. Though they hadn't witnessed it, they could imagine the danger Xia Hong had faced retrieving the carcass.
"That Boulder Camp has gone too far!" Yuan Cheng suddenly erupted, latching onto a key detail. "When they needed hunters before, our camp always helped - Ding-shu and my father personally led teams! Now they dare poach our territory?"
Xia Chuan similarly fumed. Poaching another camp's hunting grounds was among Redwood Ridge's gravest offenses.
The reason was simple: while Redwood Ridge teemed with trees, Frost Beasts, and undiscovered resources, human camps were too weak to venture deep. All clung to narrow peripheral zones. Early territorial divisions left each camp minuscule domains aside from the mid-sized Rogue Camp. Poaching directly impacted others' survival.
Boulder Camp's familiarity with the crystal fruit tree suggested multiple prior violations - likely having harvested several crops already.
"Times are hard," Xia Hong sighed. "We can't afford territorial disputes now. Survival comes first. Once we're stronger, they'll stop trespassing."
He understood their anger, but their ravaged camp couldn't spare energy for such conflicts. Territory mattered, but living took precedence.
"Tell me honestly - with unlimited Frost Beast meat, how long until you break through to Lumberjack Realm?"
Both youths' breathing grew heavy as they eyed the Snow Mane.
"Brother," Xia Chuan said, "with full supply, maybe just over a month."
Xia Hong knew his brother's capabilities. When teaching Xia Chuan the Long Fist technique, he'd already possessed over 2,000 jin strength. Only scarce meat rations limited his growth.
Yuan Cheng added, "I'm at 3,000 jin. Under a month - maybe twenty days if you teach me that Long Fist technique."
Xia Hong brightened - Yuan Cheng was stronger than expected.
"Everyone will learn it," he declared, then turned to calculate the meat distribution.
Assuming both youths could process three jin daily and needing a month to breakthrough, that's 180 jin total. Leaving over 200 jin surplus.
He summoned the camp's other twenty-two youths (total population: 154 - 53 middle-aged, 76 under twelve).
"Let's skip formalities," Xia Hong addressed them. "This Snow Mane wasn't my kill - just heaven granting our camp a reprieve. We must seize this chance to grow stronger."
"I'm claiming 100 jin for bringing it back.
Yuan Cheng and Xia Chuan get 90 jin each for imminent breakthroughs.
With our remaining 170+ jin reserves...
Each of you twenty-two gets one jin tomorrow, then we'll test raw strength - top five earners get 30 jin each."
The youths buzzed with excitement, stunned by Xia Hong's generosity with personally retrieved game.
"The outside world is deadly. I can't protect this whole camp alone.
Xia Chuan, Yuan Cheng - break through fast.
Same for the rest. Next meat distribution prioritizes the fastest progress-makers."
As the group nodded solemnly, Xia Chuan and Yuan Cheng clenched fists with fierce determination.
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