"Brother Zhu, if this grenade trap goes off..."
"Just the iron nails it shoots would be enough to wipe out the bandits."
Er Gouzi stared at the thin string tied to the grenade, sucking in a cold breath.
"Stop blabbing, let's hurry and set up the next one."
"Whether we can get through safely later depends on these traps."
The two moved to a spot about ten meters away and set up another grenade trap using the same method.
After setting up two grenade traps, Liu Tiezhu backed up another three meters, then climbed a big tree. He hammered a few iron clips into it and mounted a prepared crossbow.
These crossbows were loaded with six bamboo arrows, modified to fire in rapid succession.
One end of the crossbow's trigger was tied to a cowhide rope. Liu Tiezhu tossed it down for Er Gouzi to catch, then pulled it horizontally to a spot where it bound a tree branch.
If anyone tripped the cowhide rope, the crossbow would instantly unleash all the bamboo arrows.
But one compound crossbow trap wasn't enough.
To take out a large number of bandits, they'd need to set up several more.
The two worked until nightfall before dragging their tired bodies back.
Besides the crossbow traps set in the trees, Liu Tiezhu also buried wooden boards studded with iron nails on the ground.
He aimed to blanket the area outside the stone cave with traps, ensuring any horse thieves or bandits who charged in would never make it out.
After dinner, Uncle told Liu Tiezhu to cut the white-headed eagle's eyelid threads and formally claim it as his own.
Under everyone's expectant gazes, Liu Tiezhu entered Uncle's room and snipped the threads.
The moment the threads were cut, the white-headed eagle's golden pupils locked onto Liu Tiezhu.
Man and beast stared at each other for dozens of seconds. Then the eagle lowered its head, like a little kid, and nuzzled against Liu Tiezhu's shoulder.
That move made Liu Tiezhu breathe a sigh of relief.
The eagle's voluntary show of goodwill meant the bonding was successful.
Liu Tiezhu picked up a bamboo whistle and gave a soft blow. The eagle immediately spread its wings and followed his steps.
Watching the pair walk out of the stone cave, everyone smiled with satisfaction.
After three whole months, they'd finally tamed this big creature.
Outside the cave, Liu Tiezhu blew the bamboo whistle again.
The white-headed eagle flapped its wings and soared into the sky, its massive silhouette mysterious and majestic against the pitch-black night.
But being able to fly wasn't enough—it also had to follow commands.
After the eagle circled once overhead, Liu Tiezhu blew an attack signal, targeting the horse tied up in the thicket.
Hearing the whistle, the eagle accelerated, legs straight, diving straight at the horse.
The eagle was incredibly fast—in just a few breaths, it went from hundreds of meters up to right in front of the horse.
Under its overwhelming killing intent, the horse's eyes instantly showed panic. It reared up on its hind legs, letting out a terrified whinny.
Seeing this, Liu Tiezhu quickly blew a stop signal.
The eagle, hearing the whistle, swept its wings horizontally and shot back into the sky.
Next, Liu Tiezhu used the bamboo whistle to give other commands.
These included patrolling, diving, landing on a designated giant tree, and so on...
The clever white-headed eagle completed every single one without fail.
By the time this training session ended, it was already midnight.
Liu Tiezhu gave the eagle a sentry command before returning to the cave.
From this series of commands, he judged the eagle's intelligence to be on par with a seven- or eight-year-old child.
Uncle and the others, watching from the sidelines, were stunned.
They never expected the eagle to be this smart.
Gouzi stepped forward and said, "Brother Zhu, with the white-headed eagle on watch, we won't have to worry about food anymore."
Liu Tiezhu replied, "It's too early to say that."
"Even if the eagle can execute commands perfectly, that doesn't mean it can hunt down fierce beasts."
"To turn it into a qualified hunter, it needs plenty of real combat."
Back then, the hunting dogs were the same.
From initially following orders to eventually launching coordinated attacks on their own, it took many hunts to train them.
"Then let's head deep into the mountains tomorrow to sharpen the eagle's hunting instincts."
"These dogs haven't hunted in a while either—time to take them out for a run," Er Gouzi said.
Liu Tiezhu nodded in agreement.
Right now, their daily meat consumption was staggering.
The grain he'd brought back last time was nearly gone after a few days. It was time to venture deep into the mountains and try their luck.
...
The next day, Liu Tiezhu and Er Gouzi got up early.
As soon as Liu Tiezhu stepped out of the cave, a massive figure dove down from above.
The white-headed eagle landed in front of him, holding a squirrel in its beak.
It dropped the squirrel at Liu Tiezhu's feet and even nudged it with its talons, as if offering it to him for food.
"Damn, this thing's turned into a spirit—it knows how to suck up?"
Gouzi's eyes bulged, his face full of disbelief.
"Eat it yourself."
Liu Tiezhu patted the eagle's head and said calmly.
The eagle seemed to understand, picked up the squirrel, flew to a big rock, and started eating on its own.
After breakfast, Yang Yulan prepared dried meat for Liu Tiezhu and Er Gouzi.
The two geared up, mounted their horses, and pushed through the dense forest, heading south from the cave.
The white-headed eagle circled in the sky, occasionally letting out a cry to guide them.
On either side of the horses, over a dozen hunting dogs followed closely.
The thick forest was choked with vines and weeds, making it impossible to ride through.
Liu Tiezhu had to change tactics. He handed his horse to Er Gouzi to lead while he took a machete and cleared the way ahead.
An hour later, the two broke through the dense woods and reached a plain.
Staring at the dark green grass before them, both men looked stunned.
"There's a plain like this in the middle of the mountains, not a single tree—how weird is that?"
Er Gouzi was speechless for a long time before finally snapping out of it.
Liu Tiezhu was equally baffled, but nature's wonders defied explanation.
Seeing the grass nearly as tall as a person, Liu Tiezhu warned Er Gouzi to be careful, then picked up his machete to clear the path again.
Another hour passed, and they reached the middle of the plain.
Liu Tiezhu frowned and ordered the dogs to stay put.
After walking for over two hours, they hadn't encountered a single animal.
"Brother Zhu, could that stream water have poisoned all the mountain animals?" Er Gouzi asked.
Liu Tiezhu waved his hand and said, "Impossible. The mountains have more than one water source."
"We're upstream of the stream here, with plenty of water—they wouldn't need to go down to the cave area to drink."
"Then what's going on?" Er Gouzi pressed.
"I don't know either."
"Let's keep going deeper. If we don't see any animals, we'll switch routes."
As he spoke, Liu Tiezhu was about to call the circling eagle down to rest.
But the moment he stood up, he heard the eagle let out a sharp, piercing cry, then dive straight toward the western edge of the plain.
All the hunting dogs rose at once, barking wildly toward the west.
Liu Tiezhu mounted his horse and looked west, spotting a massive beast with brownish-yellow fur charging straight at them.
The moment he recognized the beast, Liu Tiezhu's scalp went numb.
"Holy crap, it's a tiger."
"Er Gouzi, ride for it—now!"
Er Gouzi's face went pale instantly. He jumped on his horse and galloped after Liu Tiezhu, both of them fleeing for their lives.