Finally, the moose that had accompanied Hua Yun on this long journey got what it wished for.
And according to Nanuha, it joined the strongest male moose on his farm.
Chen Wen got the money from selling the moose.
"Just to clarify, this moose is wild, and I can only guarantee its obedience when I'm around."
Chen Wen reminded Nanuha, "If I leave, it might leave too."
Nanuha waved his hand, "Don't worry, almost all the moose on my farm are wild. I'm quite good at making these big guys feel at home on the farm."
That was good to hear.
Chen Wen nodded.
He recalled the words he had said when coaxing the moose.
Let it eat well and find itself a suitable mate.
So far, it seems the eating part is well taken care of.
The farm's moose are fed refined feed, far better than what they eat in the wild.
As for the suitable mate, the moose seems quite content.
The male moose is quite strong and very healthy.
"At the end of this mating season, they will mate and then produce a healthy fawn."
Nanuha said.
He had already examined the female moose.
The female moose was also quite healthy, needing only some simple care after Chen Wen leaves.
Chen Wen nodded, speaking in Chinese to the moose that had followed him so far, "Is this considered an animal's twilight romance? In any case, I wish you well."
The value of the moose isn't in killing it for meat.
The moose that Nanuha raises are provided to hikers.
Every hiking season, he would lead a group of moose to serve hiking groups, letting the moose carry their supplies.
In the winter, some special guests prefer moose over dog sleds.
At such times, moose become quite useful.
"Let's go, I'll take you back to the town."
With a whistle from Nanuha, the group of Alaskan dogs rushed over.
Nanuha skillfully harnessed them to a sled, taking Chen Wen back to the town.
Things went smoothly afterwards.
With money in hand, they started trading for supplies.
Chen Wen bought staple foods—corn cobs, potatoes, and some bread that was harder than bricks.
As for vegetables, a big pile of green vegetables unknown to Chen Wen were sold cheaply by the locals.
There were even fruits like apples and oranges.
If Hua Yun hadn't stopped him, Chen Wen almost spent a fortune on an entire durian.
They bought several pounds of salt, enough for Chen Wen and Hua Yun to last until the end of their survival.
The food supply was quite ample.
In addition, Chen Wen and Hua Yun bought a whole set of new cold weather gear, especially for Hua Yun.
Renia's outdoor equipment was almost entirely bought by Hua Yun.
She also gifted them some emergency medicines.
They even spent money on two pairs of second-hand ice skates, allowing them to walk leisurely on the river.
As for fuel, Chen Wen exchanged for a barrel of gasoline, the perfect use for it.
They didn't get a winter tent, but managed to buy a sleeping bag.
In short, Chen Wen managed to buy all the needed supplies within a day.
And they were all quite cost-effective.
Finally, Chen Wen's last stop in the town was the weapon store.
Bokan, whose brother had died at the jaws of a grizzly bear.
Upon seeing Chen Wen, Bokan was quite excited.
He quickly said, "Can I see the skin of that beast?"
Chen Wen nodded, took out the preserved grizzly bear skin, and spread it on the table.
Bokan closed his eyes, his bark-like hands trembling as he gently traced from the grizzly's back along the spine.
Soon, his hand paused.
Bokan suddenly opened his eyes, tears glistening in them.
He parted the fur on a piece of the bear's skin, revealing an old scar, barely visible now.
"This is it! This is it! My brother shot it in the chest with an arrow ten years ago, but the bow wasn't strong enough, and the grizzly didn't fall, it lunged."
Bokan said with some regret, "I tried to shoot with a gun, but I didn't dare, afraid of hitting my brother. I saw the grizzly grabbing my brother, about to drag him into the river. I chased after it and fired a shot, hit it, but it wasn't a fatal wound."
"The grizzly roared, even more enraged, and because of it, my brother's arm was bitten off."
"Finally, the grizzly escaped, disappearing into the forest, and I took my brother back to the town."
"But back then, doctors weren't as responsible as Renia. He couldn't withstand Yukon's harsh winter, and eventually, my brother fell on the way to the hospital."
Bokan, with tears in his eyes, returned the bear skin to Chen Wen.
Chen Wen touched the old scar, different from the trauma caused by an arrow, this must be where Bokan's bullet hit.
Bokan sighed and said, "For ten years, I wanted to leave the town, go to the valley, and kill this demon, but I lost my courage. I've dreamed of my brother many times, of him cursing my cowardice, blaming my weakness."
"For ten years, I've lived in fear and regret, but now, young man, thank you for slaying this demon, my heart may find peace now."
With that, Bokan pointed to the weapons shop, "You can take anything you want, on the house."
Chen Wen placed a hand on Bokan's shoulder, "Sir, maybe your brother never blamed you, because you were brothers."
He recalled his own story with the black bear brothers.
Though enemies, the black bears showed a brotherly bond unheard of among bears during their encounters with Chen Wen.
He recounted the black bears' story, albeit in a revised and embellished version.
"Even animals, in the name of brotherhood, would use themselves as bait to let their brother escape. How could he blame you?"
Bokan smiled, albeit a forced one, "You tell great stories, but they are just stories."
"Rest assured, I'm not that fragile. I will cherish this chance at rebirth, and live well, providing the best weapons for hunters, ensuring no sign of bears around the town!"
Hearing this, Chen Wen couldn't help but click his tongue.
The old Yukon's mindset is indeed quite ruthless, seeking elimination to the last one.
Bokan insisted Chen Wen take something with him, and after some thought, Chen Wen decided to let Hua Yun choose.
He's most skilled with an axe for now.
Hua Yun hesitated for a moment, but eventually chose the bow she had long been eyeing.
Bokan looked at the bow, nostalgia written in his eyes.
Yet he still handed the bow to Hua Yun with a ceremonious air, "May you use it to hunt!"
Hua Yun took the bow and arrows, nodding seriously, "I will."
As Chen Wen and Hua Yun left, Chen Wen noticed Bokan sitting on a chair, sighing deeply.
A posture of being unable to let go.
He hesitated for a moment, then whispered a few words to Hua Yun.
Hua Yun was stunned for a moment but nodded, "Alright, let's give it to him."
Taking down the grizzly skin, Chen Wen returned to the weapon shop and handed it to Bokan.
Bokan was taken aback.
Chen Wen explained, "In ancient times in Hua Country, we used parts of an enemy's body to make offerings to those killed by that enemy, so they could find solace in the afterlife. I'm not sure if there's a similar custom here in Yukon, but I'm giving this bear skin to you in the hope that it brings peace to your heart."
Bokan was incredibly moved.
When Chen Wen was about to leave, Bokan stopped him, "I'll keep the bear skin, and next year, on my brother's memorial day, I'll do just that. But you must take these things!"
Bokan took Chen Wen to a back room.
Among various odds and ends, he found a finely crafted sled.
Bokan gazed at the sled with deep emotion, "This sled was used by my brother and me for hunting. It's capable of carrying heavy loads. I noticed your sled is handmade, although it's good, its lifespan might be short. I hope this sled will aid you."
Finishing that, Bokan took down a piece of animal hide from the top of a shelf.
"This is the leather of another grizzly bear. Although it might not be as large as this grizzly's skin, it's more complete and well-treated. You must take it!"
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