CHAPTER 436: CHAPTER 406: THE STRANGE MOUNTAIN

The appearance of the injured changed the atmosphere of what had been a very pleasant dinner, making it exceptionally somber.

The conflict evolved from setting animal traps to deploying shotgun traps...

Shotgun traps are actually a very simple measure often used by hunters around the world, especially those near the Arctic Circle.

A simple trigger mechanism, a shotgun shell, and either a tripwire or being buried in the ground can create a non-lethal trap or an early warning device.

However, compared to the previous animal traps, shotgun traps are more incendiary and deadly!

Some people find it hard to empathize with the plight these Indians are facing...

Because that is legally purchased land, it seems like it’s my right to forbid you from crossing my land to hunt in the mountains or elsewhere.

But in reality, that’s not valid, because once you do that, the basic survival of the natives will be challenged.

Alaskan winters can truly starve people to death!

When the state government sold this land, it didn’t take into account the survival needs of the natives, nor did it try to establish an effective dialogue mechanism after disputes occurred...

Capitalist companies like Dimension Card Company simply don’t regard natives as humans. Especially in remote areas lacking legal control, their behavior can be extremely extreme and greedy.

They would not want to negotiate with a bunch of natives – in their eyes, these are just troublemakers extorting them, just wild cattle and horses. Killing them or mercifully driving them away is simpler.

So, conflict occurred!

In places like Alaska, where the average person owns two guns, death is unavoidable!

The only thing making Mountain Eagle feel uncertain was whether this matter truly involved Black Fox.

Because, judging from the actions of the Dimension Card Company, they have always had the upper hand and are still using all sorts of dirty tricks to drive the natives away...

They wanted to force the natives to move by increasing the number of casualties to raise living costs and difficulties.

It doesn’t seem like a situation that requires hiring someone like Black Fox to handle.

Towards the end of the dinner, some of the older Indians began singing mournful songs, and then some of the younger hunters approached Old Ruby, indicating a desire to borrow some hunting gun bullets.

Old Ruby clearly knew what they wanted to do, but this old fellow didn’t show the slightest intent to stop them, he even proactively consulted with Mountain Eagle, the new boss, expressing that if he disagreed, they could pay to buy some bullets from Mountain Eagle.

Regardless of whether Mountain Eagle felt what these people wanted to do was useful or not, he couldn’t be biased in choosing sides.

Mountain Eagle generously told Old Ruby to see to it himself, and then he pulled Wayne aside...

"Is there something in those mountains? Why else would they want to stop you guys from going in?"

Wayne was stunned for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I don’t know...

There used to be a few Gold Rivers there, but the gold yield wasn’t high. Two years ago, some Gold Diggers would still go in and try their luck, but ever since Dimension Card Company appeared, there have been no reports of gold production from there."

Mountain Eagle frowned in thought and said, "Think carefully, some of you must have gone in...

Is there anything in those mountains that you found strange or out of place?"

Wayne thought hard for a long time, then said, "At the foot of the mountain, there used to be many streams, but over the last year or so, those streams have gradually disappeared.

Our people have had encounters on the mountain with strangers who suddenly appeared, and conflicts ensued...

Those people appeared like ghosts out of the blue..."

Mountain Eagle listened, frowned, and pulled out an Alaskan map, found the camp’s nearby location, pointed at it on the map, and said, "Where is the mountain where you encountered those ghosts?"

Wayne looked at the map, pondered, and then pointed about 50 kilometers directly north of the camp, saying gravely, "Right here, over this mountain is a valley, which is wind-sheltered so big herds of Reindeer are active there even during winter.

For decades, we used to hunt Reindeer there to survive the winter.

But this winter we found the number of Reindeer herds had noticeably decreased..."

Mountain Eagle made a note at the spot indicated by Wayne, then looked at this Indian Hunter with heavy hatred in his eyes, hesitated for a moment, and said, "I’m not in a position to advise you to endure, nor do I intend to exacerbate your conflict with Dimension Card Company...

All I want to say is, think everything through before you do it.

They have a very clear military background, and right now, it’s not yet a life-or-death stage for you. If you give them a reason, things can turn very unfavorable for you."

Wayne clenched his jaw and said, "This is the land where our ancestors have lived generation after generation; no one can drive and humiliate us on our land.

Perhaps they have not yet seen our determination, but I believe it won’t be long before they realize they’re wrong!"

Mountain Eagle didn’t blindly discourage Wayne from seeking revenge; he nodded slightly and said, "Then all I can do is wish you good luck...

However, I must remind you that the defensive forces in Russian Mission are strong; attacking there is suicide.

But you’re Hunters, capturing those setting the traps shouldn’t be hard for you.

You are all good hunters, and you should have that patience, right?"

Wayne looked at Mountain Eagle, who had proactively offered his opinion, and after a moment of silence, he solemnly nodded and said, "Mountain, you are a friend..."

Mountain Eagle didn’t know if the guy had taken his advice to heart, but at this moment, he knew he shouldn’t try to interfere with Wayne’s thoughts and actions any longer...

He stood up and returned to his tent nearby, opened a gun case, took out a Remington 700 Hunting Gun, and handed it to Wayne along with two boxes of cartridges...

From purchasing the campsite to his resolution to establish himself here, not many days had passed.

Helping these natives was essentially an indirect way of protecting the campsite; without the natives, the already modest value of the campsite would decline even more.

Mountain Eagle had already invested nearly 600,000 US Dollars into the campsite and various supplies, and he couldn’t possibly give up before seeing the final outcome...

In comparison, the cost of investing in these Indians was too low!

Old Qiao, who had been drinking with Quida, watched as Wayne and the tribe borrowed enough fuel and ammunition, boarding a small boat and entering the river...

This old hunter, with a somewhat red nose, stood up and stretched his arms, saying to Quida, "I’m going to sleep. I have a premonition that our boss won’t just be fishing and hunting in all honesty."

Quida was also a native. He empathized with Wayne’s plight and, watching Old Qiao about to leave, said in a deep voice, "He is a good man. Do you think he will help Wayne and them?"

Old Qiao moved his waist, smiled, and said, "That depends on what he encounters in the mountains.

The vanished streams and herds of deer, as well as the ghost-like company security...

There’s something interesting there!"

Mountain Eagle left the mess of dinner to Old Ruby to deal with; a bit of money easily persuaded those delivering goods to help clear away the trash.

He himself returned to the set-up tent and started reviewing the material...

After about an hour or so, Butcher and Daria received a message from Mountain Eagle to meet in his tent...

The moment she entered the tent, Daria saw Mountain Eagle organizing his gear!

Camouflage hunting gear suitable for Alaskan summer, a lightweight tactical vest, a lightweight helmet, monocular night vision goggles, VSS, AK-105, UMP45, and a multitude of polymer magazines...

Sitting next to Mountain Eagle and looking at the nearly thirty polymer magazines, Daria said with distress, "Boss, we’re only going to scout; there’s no need to carry so many magazines..."

Mountain Eagle didn’t intend to refute and nodded, "I like to be prepared for any eventuality. You decide what you need.

But I must say, we’re up against no ordinary foe, being prepared is important!"

Butcher directly picked up the AK-105, checked it quickly, found his rhythm, then stored AK magazines into a magazine pouch and said, "Boss, have you discovered something?"

Mountain Eagle took out his phone and placed two photos on the small coffee table in front of him...

"I asked Zorn to check Google Maps and managed to get a few photos. Look at what’s different on them..."

Daria leaned closer, flipped through the three enlarged photos, and said, "Is this where we’re heading?

According to the satellite map, there have been significant changes in this region over the past three years.

The grassland in this valley has been diminishing abruptly, whereas the terrain further up the mountain hasn’t changed much. However, this area on the eastern side has clearly suffered a major collapse."

Mountain Eagle was pleased with Daria’s observational skills and nodded, "What do you think this means?"

Butcher said gravely, "Alaska doesn’t lack water, especially near the mountains where snowmelt flows freely and moistens the grasslands.

The grassland’s reduction is clearly due to a lack of water resources, meaning the snowmelt isn’t flowing massively into the valley."

As he spoke, Butcher glanced at Mountain Eagle, who nodded in agreement and said, "There’s a cavity inside the mountain, and the snowmelt is flowing into the belly of the mountain."

Mountain Eagle gave Butcher a thumbs up, smiling, "Exactly, that’s what I was thinking."

Then, spreading a map on the table, Mountain Eagle continued, "Initially, I wanted to start investigating from Russian Mission Town, but now I’ve changed my mind.

They’ve opened a hidden path from the northwest side of the town into the mountains. If that’s where the real action is, we don’t need to waste time in town.

Our current priority is to confirm whether this is indeed Black Fox’s destination..."

After hearing that, Butcher hesitated for a moment and said, "Boss, if this isn’t Black Fox’s destination, will you still care about those Indians?"

The image of Wayne’s son, Jesse, looking lively and confident, suddenly appeared in Mountain Eagle’s mind. Smiling, he nodded slightly and said, "Of course, I’ll care. The land purchased by the Dimension Card Company is the southern woodland of this mountain range, and anything they do to that mountain is illegal.

This might also be why they must prevent the natives from entering the mountains...

No matter what they are doing in the mountain, whether or not it’s Black Fox’s destination, as long as we get evidence on the spot, we’ll have a lot of options afterward."

Mountain Eagle looked at Daria and Butcher, smiled, and said, "You wouldn’t believe me if I told you, but I like this shabby campsite...

I want to come here and stay for a while every year. Compared to Kamui, this place seems to calm me down more easily."

Daria and Butcher, who grew up in Russia, found it hard to empathize with Mountain Eagle on this matter...

Still, Daria smiled and said, "You’re the boss. Whatever you say goes..."

Mountain Eagle saw that they weren’t too keen on Alaska and chuckled, "In the future if I don’t allow you to come here, you better not regret it!"