King of the Wilderness

Chapter 399: Chapter 231: Homeward Bound Beneath the Polar Night

”The situation is indeed... quite complex.” Lin Yu’an leaned back in his chair, looking at the familiar scenery outside the window, feeling his entire body relax.

”What exactly happened? I guess it must be complicated.” Hank asked curiously, ”In the end, you chose to leave, did you win, or...”

Lin Yu’an smiled and simply recounted the story of December, and his decision to give up the overtime. He didn’t delve into too many emotional details, only used the plainest language to describe the unexpected encounter and final farewell.

After listening, Hank was silent for a long time, and his face showed a look of solemn respect, his blue eyes full of admiration: ”You did something remarkable, Lin. Truly remarkable. I dare say there are few people in Alaska with your courage and sense of responsibility.”

”What about you? Has there been anything new in town these past two months?” Lin Yu’an changed the subject.

”New things? Plenty!”

Hank became spirited, ”Last month, a big guy came to our area, a particularly large grizzly bear, roaming around our region, several outdoor smokehouses were torn down by it. Several sled dogs were... well.”

”Also, quite a few smokehouses were destroyed, the smoked fish and venison stored all winter were completely ruined. You know, in a place like this, it’s no different from robbing a bank, and there’s no place to reason with it, the insurance company wouldn’t cover this.”

”That guy is too bold, completely unafraid of people, posing a threat to the entire community. So, we immediately reported the situation to the Fish and Game Department in Fairbanks.”

”Two days later, state wildlife officers came in a helicopter.”

”After assessing the situation, they determined it was a ’problem bear’ that needed to be dealt with. As we are the most familiar with this area, a few of our town’s skilled people were authorized by officials to assist the officer in tracking the bear.”

”We tracked it for two days before the officer legally shot it at the foothills of the Brooks Range. The bear skin, as per regulations, belonged to the state government.”

”Also, the Dalton Highway was closed due to a snowstorm a few days ago, a supply truck was stranded for a day, and finally, a few of us went on snowmobiles to rescue the driver, who almost froze to death in the cab.”

”Oh, by the way, your two big dogs are practically the little overlords of the town now, last time a fox tried to raid your chicken coop, they successfully intercepted it.”

Listening to these real and rough news filled with the smell of life, Lin Yu’an’s face maintained a smile, this is life, this is the human world he had longed for.

He looked at the aurora outside the plane, piercing through the endless wilderness like a green curtain, and after a long silence, suddenly asked: ”Hank, is it difficult to get a private pilot license in Alaska?”

Hank was stunned for a moment, then laughed heartily: ”What? Are you jealous seeing me fly? Want to go up yourself?”

”Not jealousy.” Lin Yu’an said sincerely, his eyes unusually serious, ”There’s a place I must be able to go freely anytime.”

He paused, his voice becoming low and gentle: ”December, the little bear, was sent to the Arctic Biological Research Center in Anchorage. Driving there from Wiseman takes a big detour, it’s not safe on the road in winter, and a round trip takes at least two days.”

”I want to fly to visit her myself. I want to be by her side at every critical stage of her rewilding training. This is... my promise to her.”

Hank’s smile slowly faded, replaced by a deep understanding and emotion.

Lin Yu’an continued: ”Of course, having a plane here allows me to do more things. Whether it’s hunting in more remote places or, as you said, helping others in emergencies, everything would be different.”

”You’re right.” Hank’s expression turned serious.

”In Alaska, a plane is not a luxury, it’s a necessity, it’s a life-saving tool. Learning to fly for a promise, this reason, is the coolest I’ve ever heard. As for whether it’s difficult...”

He thought for a moment and answered: ”For the average person, it’s very hard. Theoretical knowledge, flight hours, and high costs are all barriers.”

Glancing at Lin Yu’an, with a hint of admiration in his eyes, ”But for you, I don’t think it’s difficult.”

”Why?”

”Because you have a natural calmness and focus. Flying a plane, especially in the gnarly weather of Alaska, the most important thing is not the technique, but the mindset.”

”It’s about whether you can keep a clear head and make the right judgment in an emergency. In this respect, I think you surpass many rookies who’ve flown hundreds of hours.”

Hank grinned, showing a mouthful of white teeth: ”How about it? If you’re interested, when your body heals, I’ll personally teach you. My pilot’s license has instructor qualification, how about that? Hahaha!”

”It’s a deal.” Lin Yu’an looked at this generous friend, a warm current rising in his heart.

A new exciting goal was added to his future blueprint.

When those familiar sparse lights nestled between the forests and mountains appeared on the horizon, Lin Yu’an’s heart began to beat uncontrollably.