With fire, I became much braver. At least I didn't have to worry about wild animals attacking me after dark.
For tens of thousands of years, wild animals have been inherently afraid of fire, something unnatural, just as I am naturally afraid of it.
I skewered all the fish on branches and arranged them around the fire, slowly drying them using the smoke and heat. This slow-drying method allows the fish to be stored for a longer time and can be eaten directly when no other food is available.
As for the biggest fish, I still made a rack for it, and I personally operated the rotating grill to cook this for tonight's dinner.
Soon, a fishy aroma wafted over. The unique flavor of wild onions did not mask the fish's fragrance; on the contrary, the combination created a harmonious blend of the caramelized fish and the delicate mountain flavor, making one's mouth water.
I couldn't wait any longer. I grabbed the grilled catfish, not caring that it was hot, and tore off a big piece of the golden-brown, tender, and fragrant fish meat and stuffed it into my mouth.
A breath of hot air escaped, and the fish, roasted over the fire, melted in my mouth. The aroma of scallions and fish exploded in my mouth, bringing an indescribable sense of satisfaction.
Just two words: one is "fresh," and the other is...
Cool!
What could be more exhilarating than arriving in the wilderness, starving for almost two days, and then sitting around a campfire enjoying a satisfying meal of grilled fish, or even a meal that's filling? Nothing special.
This fish has very few bones, so I didn't have to worry about getting a bone stuck in my throat at all. Maybe it was because I was too hungry, but I quickly finished off a fish that weighed over three pounds.
After finishing the fish, I ate some wild berries and firethorns before finally sitting down by the fire to rest, completely satisfied.
Today was my first full meal here. Although there were no seasonings, I felt like I had returned to the carefree days of my childhood. Back then, we never had anything decent to eat.
I found a branch and, in the flickering firelight, carved two deep marks into it with a stone. This was my second day here, and also the second day after my girlfriend and I broke up.
I remember the day we broke up was May 20th. Thinking about it, I shook my head helplessly. It really is an ironic day.
The bonfire continued to burn, and the fish stuck in the ground beside it were like silent spectators.
I sat facing the fire, silent. Only the occasional piece of dry wood thrown in caused the fire to crackle faintly, like an old friend looking at me with a soft sigh.
Night had fallen, and the entire primeval forest had transformed once more into a vast black ocean. My campfire was now the only lone boat adrift in this black sea.
Perhaps it was the first time the wild animals in the primeval forest had smelled the aroma of roasted meat, and they began to stir restlessly again, with roars from the forest echoing from time to time.
Seeing that the fish on the ground were almost cooked, I peeled all the dried fish off the sticks. I wrapped them in three layers of water chestnut leaves, then tied them diagonally with vines like medicine pouches and carried them on my back.
I still plan to spend the night in that tree, because I haven't found a suitable cave nearby for me to stay in.
Although I had a fire, I couldn't guarantee it wouldn't go out while I was asleep. Leaving myself directly exposed in this wilderness, who knows, a bear or tiger might come and attack me in the middle of the night.
"Hey bro, move over a bit, let's squeeze in together."
I wouldn't even dare to imagine such a bizarre thing. Those damned beasts on the ground could crush me, and I wouldn't be able to fight back.
Furthermore, it's impossible for me to put my food on the ground. Maybe the next morning, these little cuties will come over and praise me, saying, "Your cooking skills are really good, sir!"
The safest way is for me to bring a fire to the base of the tree and make a fire circle about a meter away from it. Once someone climbs up, the smoke will not only repel mosquitoes but also irritate their own backside.
A little choking is unavoidable, but compared to those ferocious wild beasts, this punishment is practically the most worthwhile deal in the world. Also, the fire has some heat-retaining ability at night.
Before climbing the tree, I didn't forget to restore those bird's nest-shaped warning devices.
I used the same long stick again, but this time, with the help of the fire, I sharpened it using the method Native Americans use to sharpen wooden javelins, making it extremely sharp while it was burning.
I dare say that if that leopard had encountered this, it would have had several more bloody holes in its body, and climbing the tree a second time would have been a pipe dream.
Tonight I have a fire to scare away a lot of wild animals, and I also have a leopard-skin blanket to use as a quilt, so at least I won't wake up from the cold in the middle of the night. Lying on the tree bed, I felt much more at ease.
The fire below was a bit smoky, but it was warm and cozy. It felt a bit like lighting a newspaper beforehand to warm up the pit when you're squatting in a dry toilet in winter.
Soon, I fell into a deep sleep. The fire burned faithfully beneath me, dispelling the darkness and wild beasts. This time I slept very well, and no wild animal disturbed my sweet dreams until dawn.
The morning sun pierced through the thin mist as expected, illuminating the earth. The birds, as usual, went out to work early; this time, however, I didn't have to.
I sat in the tree admiring the sunrise until I had finished all the wild fruit in my hand, and then I climbed down from the tree.
I stretched contentedly; I'd already eaten some breakfast. But wild berries alone weren't enough for a day's energy, so I opened the package of grilled fish from yesterday and took out some to eat.
It didn't taste as good as when it was heated up, but it was still pretty good for me. I'm too lazy to start a fire right now, so I'll just grab a quick bite and keep going.
Yesterday, I spent almost the entire day here making that fire-starting mirror. I still need to keep heading north to find a high point to see what kind of place this is and whether there's any sign of human habitation nearby.
With a long stick in my hand, I continued northward along the stream.
As I had anticipated, the further north we went, the steeper the terrain became, with tall grass almost completely blocking the road.
To get through, one had to pass through these thickets of grass, but luckily I had made myself a grass skirt and a protective cloak beforehand.
All I had to do with that cloak was tuck my hands inside and pull the sides tight, using the sides of my body to clear a path, which would effectively prevent those sharp, serrated leaves of the thatch from leaving a mark of true masculinity on me.
After a long journey, I arrived at a new landscape. It was no longer a stream, but a slightly wider river.
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