King of the Wilderness

Chapter 397: Chapter 230: The Frozen Throne Championship Decision

”Is it worth it?” Lin Yu’an simply answered with two words, but the weight was significant.

”Do you miss home?” Mark looked at Lin Yu’an, who was undergoing a check-up, and asked a more direct question.

”I do.” Lin Yu’an’s answer came without hesitation.

”More than ever. Since December left, I’ve been counting the days to return home every night.”

Mark nodded, seemingly having expected this answer. ”We didn’t inform your family to share this victory moment with you because... we weren’t sure of the final outcome. You know.”

He finally brought up the crucial issue of the day.

”What about the others?” Lin Yu’an asked calmly.

”They’re still hanging in there.” Mark’s expression became slightly nuanced.

”The other two contestants, Kelly and Vonia, they too have persisted until the fiftieth day.”

He paused, seemingly organizing his words: ”Now, here is the situation. Kelly, the woman from Montana who is like a cougar, has agreed to split the prize money. She said she has learned everything she wanted from this land, and just enduring to the end is the greatest victory.”

”However, Vonia...” Mark furrowed his brows, showing a trace of helplessness.

”The woman who makes traditional leather goods, she’s practically a witch. Her condition is astonishingly good, she always manages to get a supplement just when she’s about to run out, and her spiritual will is like the toughest piece of leather.”

”She has made it clear that she doesn’t agree to split, she demands an overtime match, she said her only goal in coming here is to be the sole champion.”

Mark looked into Lin Yu’an’s eyes and said word by word, ”So, now, the decision is yours. According to the rules, as long as a majority of contestants agree, the decision can be enacted.”

”It’s now one vote in favor, one against. Your choice will determine the final outcome. Either all three share the five hundred thousand US dollars, each becoming champions, creating a happy ending for all. Or enter a ’battle of will’ with no end.”

The camera silently zoomed in at this moment, focusing on Lin Yu’an’s face, trying to capture any changes in his expression.

Lin Yu’an remained silent.

A few seconds later, he looked up, a relieved and incredibly relaxed smile appearing on his face.

He slowly said, ”Mark, if you had asked me this question twenty days ago, before I met December, I probably would have chosen overtime without hesitation.”

”I would have told Vonia, let’s see whose willpower is truly at its limit. Because back then, my purpose for coming here was for the challenge, to prove the strength of my defending champion title.”

”But now...” His gaze turned incomparably gentle and steadfast.

”Now I have something a million times more important than that hollow title of ’defending champion’ to attend to. I need to quickly go see December and return to accompany my family.”

He looked at the camera and said in an unquestionable tone, ”So I choose to split the prize money; I accept the option of three champions. Let Kelly return home with victory, and let Vonia receive what she deserves. They are both the most respectable opponents.”

”Now, I am going home.”

Hearing his final decision, Mark let out a long breath, a relieved smile appearing on his face. He stepped forward, once again firmly patting Lin Yu’an on the shoulder.

”I knew you would make this choice. To be honest, our crew also hoped not to see you and Vonia go through such a brutal overtime. You three all deserve the title of ’champion.’

He pulled out a sealed waterproof document bag from his pocket and handed it to Lin Yu’an.

”Inside are the last few documents you need to sign.” Mark’s voice turned formal, but with a hint of ease.

”According to the split among the three, the pre-tax prize is one hundred sixty-six thousand six hundred sixty-seven US dollars. I’ve expedited the process with the finance side, and the money is expected to be transferred to your designated bank account within a week.”

He added with a touch of American humor: ”Don’t forget, dear champion, Uncle Sam has an eye on this money. Remember to include it in your taxes next year, or the IRS is harder to deal with than a polar bear.”

Lin Yu’an took the document bag, nodding with a smile: ”Rest assured, Mark, I’ve dealt with the IRS for many years, know their ways.”

”There’s one more thing, the most important thing actually.” Mark’s expression became serious again; he pointed to the camera on Lin Yu’an’s chest and those around still working.

”Confidentiality agreement. Lin, I must emphasize once more, before the official broadcast of the show, all details about this challenge, including December’s story, what you hunted, and the final result, are of the highest commercial confidentiality.”

”This ’Frozen Throne’ series, its post-production will be very complex, as we’ve added so much new material. According to Discovery Channel’s schedule, it won’t air until October next year at the earliest. This means you have almost ten months of ’silent period.’”

Lin Yu’an solemnly nodded, ”I understand, I will strictly adhere to the confidentiality clauses in the contract. Before the broadcast, I won’t reveal anything related to this challenge on any social media.”

”My personal channel will only update previously backlog content unrelated to this challenge. Even if I share with friends around me, I will only share with those I trust.”

”That’s good.” Mark completely relaxed.

He took one last look at his watch, then extended his hand, shaking tightly with Lin Yu’an.

”Alright, An, it’s time to go. The plane is ready; we need to get to Gusby before dark. From there, you can catch the flight home.”

”Go back and rest well, put on some weight. Also, wish you and your family a Merry Christmas. I believe you’ll make it back to them before Santa’s sleigh.”

The flight from Labrador to Alaska, like a massive ruler, measures the vast expanse of the North American Continent.

He took off from the edge of the Atlantic Ocean, leaving the Great Lakes Region, Central Plains, and the magnificent Rocky Mountains behind in succession.

Each dramatic change in landscape marked the passing of another time zone; the five-hour time difference was compressed into this long journey home.