Du Jianshan crouched down, put his hand on Tie Niu's shoulder, and whispered, "Don't move. It's just the wind blowing frost-covered leaves. The leaf you stepped on just now was a thick one, so it's easy to make a sound. Take your time."
Tie Niu grinned: "It feels like I'm walking on snow, and you call that slow?"
Du Jianshan ignored him, squatted down and gestured on the ground with his hands: "Look, the direction of these hoofprints is more curved than you think. I told you not to go in a straight line. Follow me and don't do things on your own."
Tie Niu snorted in dissatisfaction: "Straight-line chasing is simple and straightforward. Isn't going around in circles tiring?"
“The prey doesn’t follow our logic.” Du Jianshan looked up and glanced ahead. “Remember when you chased that wild boar straight ahead and almost fell into the ditch?”
Tie Niu rolled his eyes: "I remember, I remember, but didn't I catch it that time too?"
Du Jianshan sneered: "It's lucky we caught you. We might not be so lucky next time."
The two continued onward, deeper into the woods, the crunching sound of their footsteps on the frosty leaves growing clearer. Suddenly, Tie Niu stopped and pointed ahead: "Hey, look over there, it looks like someone."
Du Jianshan looked in the direction Tie Niu was pointing, and indeed there was a dark figure moving in the woods under the cover of night.
"Don't rush to fire," Du Jianshan said in a low voice. "Listen to the sound first, and make sure you can make out the details."
Tie Niu frowned: "Distinguish? What a joke! If it's a wild boar, we need to act quickly."
Du Jianshan slowly crouched down, his sharp eyes scanning the surroundings: "Look at the tracks, the hoof shape is wrong, the fur color is wrong too. Wild boars have heavy steps, but ours are light and nimble... There's someone here."
Tie Niu was taken aback, then burst into laughter: "Ha, Lao Du, how did you know? You're not some kind of reincarnated deity, are you?"
Du Jianshan didn't laugh: "Stop talking nonsense and stick close to me."
The two quietly bypassed the shadowy figure and approached step by step. The shadowy figure stopped beside an old pine tree, seemingly searching for something.
Tie Niu asked in a low voice, "Should we shout?"
Du Jianshan shook his head: "Observe first, don't alert them. We're here to roam the mountains, not to kill people."
Tie Niu nodded, but his eyes remained fixed on the figure, his fingers trembling slightly as he rested on the gun.
The dark figure suddenly turned around, and Tie Niu let out a muffled groan in fright: "It's a person!"
Du Jianshan said in a deep voice, "It's alright, let's see what he's holding first."
The two took a few steps closer, and Tie Niu complained in a low voice, "Old Du, there are too many shadows in the trees, I can't see anything."
Du Jianshan reached out and patted Tie Niu on the shoulder: "No matter how sharp your eyes are, they can't compare to careful observation. Look at the footprints under your feet. They're of varying depths. Were you walking quickly or slowly? Come on, turn over the leaves under your feet."
Tie Niu casually brushed aside the dead leaves, revealing a row of clear human shoe prints, smaller than their boots and not as deep as hoof prints.
Tie Niu opened his mouth wide: "It really is a human, not a wild boar!"
Du Jianshan nodded: "The arrival of people doesn't necessarily mean they are enemies; they could also be fellow hunters. Don't panic, keep your distance, and observe their movements."
The shadowy figure seemed to sense something and suddenly looked up in their direction. Du Jianshan held his breath and whispered to Tie Niu, "Back off slowly, don't let him spot us."
Tie Niu complained in a low voice, "Old Du, this is too slow. My hands are frozen."
Du Jianshan ignored him and continued to stare at the shadowy figure's movements. The shadowy figure lowered its head, seemingly fiddling with something.
Tie Niu's curiosity was piqued: "Do you think he might also be hunting in the mountains?"
Du Jianshan narrowed his eyes: "Possibly. There are many people chasing the mountain, but we have to be careful. The prey won't wait for you to chat."
The two continued their stealth, circling around to the side of the shadowy figure. They saw the person crouching on the ground, picking up a deer leg bone and cleaning away the frost-covered bits of flesh.
Tie Niu muttered to himself, "This guy's a hunter too? He's got some skills."
Du Jianshan lowered his voice: "Judging from his movements, his hunting method is different from ours. He's a loner and doesn't mingle with groups. Don't let him notice us, walk slowly."
Tie Niu nodded vigorously: "I understand, I understand, I'll be careful."
Suddenly, the dark figure stood up and threw the bone into the bushes. Tie Niu was startled: "What's going on?"
Du Jianshan said coldly, "Scouting the way. When we hunt in the mountains, we don't just track the prey; we also need to observe the surrounding environment. Do you understand from his actions?"
Tie Niu seemed to understand: "Oh, I see. Old Du, you're really amazing."
Du Jianshan curled his lip: "Impressive? It's all about experience. Hunting in the mountains relies on eyesight and brains, not just strength."
The two crouched down again and continued to sneak along the hoofprints ahead. The forest grew denser, and occasionally the sound of a dry branch breaking could be heard, startling Tie Niu each time.
Du Jianshan sighed: "It's no use being nervous. The prey won't slow down just because you're nervous."
Tie Niu couldn't help but mutter, "Old Du, can't you speak a little more gently?"
Du Jianshan sneered: "Gentleness won't catch prey. Remember, when hunting in the mountains, you need to be observant, attentive, and grounded."
Suddenly, a deep, guttural cry of a wild beast echoed from afar, reverberating through the forest.
Tie Niu was taken aback: "Old Du, that sound... could it be a wild boar?"
Du Jianshan squatted down and pointed to the ground: "Judging from the sound, the footsteps are light and the tone is short, like they are on guard, not attacking. The wild boar's call is deep, you can tell."
Tie Niu opened his mouth wide: "Are you a god with those ears?"
Du Jianshan shook his head: "No, it's experience. When hunting in the mountains, experience is more important than hearing."
The two moved slowly forward, stepping on the frosty leaves. The dark figure had already disappeared from sight, with only the footprints left under their feet reminding them that there was still prey.
Tie Niu lowered his voice: "Old Du, should we speed things up?"
Du Jianshan waved his hand: "Don't rush, you won't catch your prey if you're in a hurry. Follow my pace, stay on the same old tracks, and don't alert the enemy."
Tie Niu gritted his teeth: "Hmph, this is as slow as a snail."
Du Jianshan chuckled softly: "Even snails have endurance; let's see who can run the longest."
The forest deepened, the mist rose, and the chill intensified. Their breaths condensed into white in the mist. The footprints under their feet grew increasingly blurred, but Du Jianshan's eyes remained resolute: "Don't be afraid, we can catch up. The prey won't get far."
Tie Niu sighed, "Old Du, you truly impress me..."
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