Wilderness Survival with Druid System

Hunting marmots and avoiding the risk of plague infection.

Chen Wen plans to approach this from four aspects.

First, before hunting, observe the marmots and target those that appear to have no risk of plague infection.

Second, during the hunt, attempt to kill from a distance, and after the hunt, wait a while before handling the corpse.

Third, be cautious when handling marmots, and pay attention during cooking.

Fourth, disinfect thoroughly after the hunt.

If Chen Wen can accomplish these four tasks, he feels the risk of catching the plague from marmots will drastically decrease.

With this thought in mind, Chen Wen quickly began his preparations.

When night fell completely.

Chen Wen had already prepared enough wood ash—the product of burning cow dung, which counts as wood ash.

Wood ash is Chen Wen’s main weapon; it has excellent germ-killing and disinfecting effects.

Especially in the wilderness, where there’s virtually no means of disinfection.

Additionally, Chen Wen fashioned something akin to a mask from yak skin.

Plague mainly spreads through three channels: flea bites, direct contact, and droplet transmission.

Wearing a mask can at least guard against droplet transmission.

Let’s not discuss its effectiveness for now, but it can at least provide some psychological comfort.

...

Off-camera.

Seeing Chen Wen intend to hunt marmots, Qu Yong frowned.

Marmots are only hunted when there’s no other option, and survivalists take risks only if there are no other food options around. Otherwise, in typical extreme mountain survival challenges, participants avoid marmots.

Chen Wen is so stable right now; hunting marmots seems unwise!

Of course, if you ask Liu Yu, he’d say it’s suicidal.

”Can’t this guy survive peacefully?”

Qu Yong sighed, sipping his hot tea.

Then he searched through the association’s database.

In previous extreme mountain challenges, some survivors attempted to hunt marmots, but the number is not high.

However, two people contracted the plague after hunting marmots.

The most recent survivor was from the last challenge, a contestant from Sweden. He lacked knowledge about marmots and immediately attacked a clueless one on the ground upon landing.

Predictably,

this guy contracted the plague and was tightly wrapped and helicoptered to an internationally renowned hospital specializing in plague treatment.

He managed to survive.

The earlier survivor didn’t make it due to limited medical conditions.

The plague took his life.

A fifty percent fatality rate!

Qu Yong anxiously scratched his head, feeling that Chen Wen’s decision was too risky.

...

The next day, Chen Wen woke up early and summoned the Golden Eagle.

Man and eagle, along with supplies, quietly left the cave.

”Should I call Xiong Ma too?”

Xiong Ma is the name Chen Wen gave to the River Curve Horse leader, that special River Curve Horse.

Besides describing its gender,

it also depicts that guy’s personality.

It exhibits typical stallion behavior, temperamental and easily angered, also referring to its physique.

Chen Wen pondered and said, ”I’ll go ask. If it wants to join, it’ll save me some walking.”

Xiong Ma permits Chen Wen to ride it.

In its eyes, this is a necessary step in exchanging for food.

The Golden Eagle seemed pleased.

It enjoys moving with other special animals.

By the lake, Xiong Ma rested with its sprawling family.

Before Chen Wen got close to Xiong Ma, it noticed Chen Wen: ”Hey? What brings you here so early? Got something to do?”

Chen Wen nodded, ”I plan to go hunting. Want to join?”

Hunting?

Xiong Ma was a bit puzzled but quickly realized: ”Going out to find food, huh? Sure! I want to see how you find food.”

Saying this, a hint of glee appeared on Xiong Ma’s face.

Didn’t expect Chen Wen to teach it real stuff so soon!

It was curious before about where such delicious food came from; now it knows hunting is how it’s done. This time it must learn well!

Seeing Xiong Ma’s rich expressions, Chen Wen scratched his head.

Feels like this guy is thinking about something ridiculous...

Xiong Ma decided to tag along; its harem was temporarily settled by the lake.

No River Curve Horses here, just Tibetan horses.

Xiong Ma wasn’t worried about troubles in its harem.

After settling its harem, Chen Wen mounted Xiong Ma, released the Golden Eagle, and began galloping on the grassland.

Momentarily, Chen Wen felt like he was transported back in time.

Isn’t this what riding with an eagle is like?

...

Up in the sky.

The Golden Eagle soared, its sharp eyes sweeping the ground.

Soon, it spotted pikas.

But the target today wasn’t pikas, but marmots, those silly creatures.

The Golden Eagle reluctantly turned its head, but remembered the pikas’ location.

It planned to hunt pikas after marmots in a few days!

The Golden Eagle thought, continuing to search for marmots.

Meanwhile, on the ground, Chen Wen atop Xiong Ma made a discovery too.

”Are those Tibetan antelopes? The rump isn’t that white; is it such a large group?”

Chen Wen couldn’t resist saying.

In his sight, nearly two hundred Tibetan antelopes were leisurely walking.

In today’s Qiangtang, a herd of two hundred Tibetan antelopes is considered rare.

Their group was slowly moving north.

Reflecting on the information he had, Chen Wen seemed to realize something.

”Now...it’s the migration season for antelopes, right.”

Chen Wen murmured.

The documents he’d seen mentioned that from late April to early May, pregnant female antelopes migrate from their wintering grounds, the southeastern Qiangtang Region, to the northern birthing area.

Taking a month, they’d reach the southern slopes of Kunlun Mountain, Zaqia Zangbo, Gai Ze County area from late May to early June.

It’s migration time now.

Chen Wen watched a while but didn’t disturb the antelope migration.

For the antelopes, this migration concerns their major reproduction affair.

Even roads and railways sometimes impose temporary traffic control to ensure they migrate safely.

Chen Wen observed this group of antelopes, silently sending them blessings.

After the antelope herd disappeared from Chen Wen’s view, the Golden Eagle flapped its wings and returned.

”Did you find marmots?”

Xiong Ma spoke for Chen Wen.

The Golden Eagle landed nearby, saying, ”Found them, yes, but they’re a bit far.”

”No need for another day’s travel, right?”

Chen Wen couldn’t help asking.

The Golden Eagle shook its head: ”Not that far, but with your previous speed, it would take a whole morning. But now...”

Xiong Ma caught on, raising a hoof: ”We’ll be there soon!”