Reborn in 1963: I Hunted and Stockpiled Meat During a Famine

Qin Kang asked in confusion, "Just the two of us? Wouldn't that be even more dangerous?"

The others looked at Qin Qiming with gratitude; they genuinely wanted to go back.

Qin Qiming analyzed, "We have guns. If we encounter wild animals, the sound of gunfire will scare away most of them. Besides, it'll be easier for us to run away..."

Qin Kang thought for a moment, then nodded: "You're right, then the two of us will go. Everyone else, go back immediately. No one is allowed to enter the mountain without permission, understand?"

"understood!"

Everyone breathed a sigh of relief, finally able to leave this place.

After all, this place is very strange; even the animals have disappeared. It must be some kind of terrifying beast that scared them all away.

After everyone else had left, Qin Qiming led Qin Kang to continue deeper into the territory.

With fewer people around, we can move around more freely.

Qin Qiming and Qin Kang, who were already quite fast-paced, could now move at their own pace, whereas before they had to accommodate the speed of others.

The two quickly descended the mountain path and didn't reach the trail at the foot of the mountain until noon.

The path was dark and narrow, nestled between two mountains.

Qin Qiming bent down to examine the ground carefully.

There were a few footprints in the snow, most of which were fresh.

Qin Qiming scooped up some snow and soil, sniffed it, and looked into the depths of the forest: "They're in there."

"These children are actually heading towards the old forest? How foolish! There are no footprints on this path, and they dare to continue?"

Qin Qiming looked at the footprints extending deep into the forest and felt puzzled. He lowered his voice and said, "There are many of them, and they are not familiar with the path. They probably can't walk very fast. We should catch up with them quickly and not miss our chance!"

"Okay, I'll do as you say!"

Qin Qiming walked along the path for a long time and found obvious signs that the educated youth had rested.

"They haven't been gone long, and judging from the amount of food scraps, they must have finished all the rations they brought!"

Qin Kang was dumbfounded. "Qiming, you're really skilled! Not only can you track prey, but you're also so good at tracking people!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Qin Qiming suddenly froze, his eyes fixed on the trunk of a tree.

Seeing this, Qin Kang began to have doubts and also looked up.

I don't know if I don't see it, I'm startled when I see it.

Qin Qiming was staring at a series of scratch marks on the tree trunk!

Qin Qiming squinted and examined it carefully for a while. "Judging from when these scratches were formed, they're much earlier than the footprints on the ground... Brother Kang, look at the height of these scratches, what do you think left them?"

Qin Kang's eyes widened as well. "Such rough scratches are usually only left by bears. But the spacing between these scratches is obviously quite short, clearly indicating an upward clawing motion..."

"Could it be a leopard?" Qin Qiming frowned, then shook his head. "It doesn't seem like it. The thickness of these marks doesn't resemble those left by a leopard. A leopard's claw marks should be finer and wouldn't be this long. I think it's more like something sharpening its claws..."

Upon hearing this, Qin Kang's heart tightened.

Both he and Qin Qiming felt uneasy, and a terrifying name flashed through their minds: Da Hu.

As Murphy's Law suggests, what you fear most is what happens most often.

Now that they've encountered a tiger, their only option is to run away; they have no chance of fighting back, let alone rescuing anyone.

Big Tiger is beyond their current weaponry to deal with; going there would be tantamount to suicide.

Thinking of this, both of them broke out in a cold sweat.

These educated youths are truly ignorant and fearless, daring to trespass into such a place!

Qin Kang said nervously, "Qiming, we have to hurry and see if we can catch up!"

Qin Qiming: "Okay!"

Upon discovering the scratches, the two immediately sped up.

As you venture deeper into the old forest area, the unusual atmosphere around you becomes increasingly apparent.

Qin Qiming was now certain that the educated youth had entered Da Hu's territory.

The surroundings were cold and gloomy, filled with a heavy killing intent.

As Qin Kang walked forward, he kept muttering to himself.

"Some of those educated youth came from the south, and there were even a few girls among them. Don't you think they were just looking for trouble?"

Qin Qiming laughed and said, "Young people are energetic and love to explore and experience things."

After saying that, he suddenly raised his hand, his expression turning serious.

Qin Kang was taken aback. Qin Qiming coldly commanded, "Don't move, squat down!"

Qin Kang followed Qin Qiming's gaze and his expression became tense.

On the small hill in front of them, they saw something crouching on a rock.

Although I couldn't see it clearly, I had hunting experience and guessed it was a mountain eagle.

Zuo Shandiao is a vulture.

Vultures eat carrion, so their presence here means there is food.

Qin Qiming stared intently at Zuo Shandiao, a wave of tension washing over him.

This creature does indeed eat carrion, but it is also a fierce bird of prey that attacks livestock. Whether it has eaten its fill is unknown.

The fact that Zuo Shandiao lingered here almost certainly indicates the presence of a corpse nearby.

Otherwise, they wouldn't waste their time here for no reason.

Coupled with the unusual events that had occurred before, Qin Qiming sensed a crisis.

This eagle is exceptionally large. The wingspan of an ordinary eagle is about two meters, while its wingspan is at least three meters. When it squats there, it looks almost the same size as a human.

"Qiming, the appearance of this thing here is definitely not a good thing. It means there is a source of rotting flesh nearby!"

Qin Kang's heart tightened.

Qin Qiming took a deep breath and nodded: "I've been thinking about this problem. It's tricky. Let's not provoke it. Let's look around first and see if there are any animals nearby. It might not be waiting for a human corpse."

Qin Kang nodded and followed Qin Qiming carefully through the woods.

They were afraid of attracting unnecessary trouble.

Soon, Qin Qiming saw something and cautiously approached, discovering a dying deer.

The wounds on the deer's body were a gruesome sight.

After examining the wound, Qin Qiming and Qin Kang realized the seriousness of the problem.

This deer was attacked by a large predator; it has deep claw marks.

Neither wolves nor leopards would cause such damage.

Strangely, why do predators only harm their prey instead of eating it?

A sense of unease rose in Qin Qiming's heart.

Are they facing a ferocious beast that enjoys killing?

Does it matter whether I eat it or not?

If the inference is correct, they are indeed in trouble.

However, there is also good news: the attackers were not people, which means that those educated youth are still alive.

Qin Qiming took no further action, indicating to Qin Kang that the primary task at present was to save lives, and that everything else should be avoided to prevent trouble.

Qin Kang looked down at the deer on the ground. "What bit it?"

Qin Qiming thought for a moment, looked around, and said, "It's definitely a tiger. We need to be careful and hurry up!"

Qin Kang was taken aback. "A tiger? Are you sure?"

"It's almost certain, so we need to find those educated youth as soon as possible to confirm whether they are dead or alive. We can't delay."

Qin Kang knew that Qin Qiming was right.

After walking for a while, Qin Qiming stopped again.