Du Jianshan looked at the young Zhao Xiaochun and smiled slightly: "Whether we can catch them or not depends not only on us, but also on luck. What we are doing today is to make the best preparations, and leave the rest to the old leopards in the mountains."

Everyone nodded silently, the air thick with a mixture of tension and anticipation. Moonlight streamed through the woods, illuminating the tense yet focused expressions on everyone's faces.

"Brother Du, what do you think we should do if it comes? Or should we wait for it to fall into the trap on its own?" Tie Niu couldn't help but ask again.

Du Jianshan slowly shook his head: "No, wait for it to take the bait itself. Don't try to lure it, don't use sounds or food. Leopards are very sensitive animals. Once they detect something unusual, they won't touch anything."

Old Wang nodded in agreement: "That's right. The leopards in the mountains back in the 70s and 80s were not just timid; they were smarter than we imagined. We have to hold our ground and wait for it to fall into the trap before we make our move."

Chen Dabao walked to the edge of the trap, squatted down and carefully inspected the mechanism: "The rope is just the right tightness, and the mechanism is sensitive. If there's a leopard tonight, it will most likely fall into the trap. Brother Du, Old Wang said that these traps you set are the most reliable in the mountains in the last ten years."

Du Jianshan smiled slightly: "Don't praise me, it's all thanks to the hard work of us brothers. Night hunting relies on experience and patience, we have to keep watch until dawn."

Tie Niu gripped his knife tightly, his heart pounding with increasing tension. He muttered to himself, "Oh no, what if the leopard suddenly jumps out from behind the tree...?"

Lin Ergou couldn't help but laugh: "Kid, you're scaring yourself. It's not easy for leopards to take the bait; they're much more formidable than us. Don't forget, every leopard we've caught in the mountains over the years is the result of Old Wang's experience and patience."

Old Wang patted Lin Ergou on the shoulder: "Ergou, you sure know how to talk. Tie Niu, just be quiet, don't scare yourself or others."

Zhao Xiaochun asked softly, "Brother Du, what if we wait until midnight and there's still no movement? Should we just call it a day?"

Du Jianshan shook his head, his eyes even more determined in the moonlight: "Nighttime is the best time to hunt. Some leopards don't come out to hunt until very late. We must wait until dawn, or at least until daybreak. We can't give up halfway."

The night grew deeper, and the wind rustled through the treetops, sounding like the forest whispering. Everyone held their breath, silently guarding the trap.

Suddenly, a fainter rustling sound came from not far away, as if something was moving. Tie Niu shuddered, his palms sweating profusely.

Du Jianshan bent down and gestured for everyone to be still: "Listen, it's over there in the ravine. I feel... movement."

Old Wang squatted down, his ears perked up: "Yes, I heard it too. Be careful, don't make a sound, wait for it to get closer."

Lin Ergou gripped his hunting rifle tightly and whispered, "This sound doesn't sound like the wind, nor does it sound like a goat. The footsteps are light and agile. It's most likely a leopard."

Tie Niu was so nervous he almost cried out. Zhao Xiaochun gripped the wooden stick, his hands trembling: "What if it suddenly jumps out?"

Du Jianshan gently patted Tie Niu's shoulder: "Don't be afraid. The knife in your hand is for emergencies. Don't move around recklessly. Every step we take is for safety and success."

Old Wang said in a low voice, "The leopard has taken the bait, so we need to act quickly and not give it a chance. Remember, safety first, then catch the prey."

Time passed slowly, and the night grew deeper. The wind rustled the leaves, and it seemed as if countless eyes were hidden in the forest, silently observing them.

Tie Niu nodded, his eyes shining: "Brother Du, you're amazing! I want to be as good as you in the future!"