Previously, Tran Mac had always cut the wild boar into several pieces, transporting them home under the cover of darkness.
But this time, Tran Mac directly shouldered the Black Bear, entered through the village gate, and passed through the village.
However, by the time Tran Mac carried the Black Bear into the village, the Black Bear had just breathed its last.
Although the weather was cold, there were still villagers strolling outside, visiting each other's homes.
Tran Mac, one person carrying a Black Bear like a small hill, immediately attracted the attention of the villagers.
It was hard not to notice. This was a Black Bear! Usually, one only heard of which village hunted roe deer, wild boars, or hares, but rarely heard of anyone being able to hunt a Black Bear, and alone at that.
Entertainment activities in the countryside were already few, so the villagers would absolutely not miss any opportunity to watch a commotion, crowding around one after another.
"Hiss! Bro Mac actually hunted and killed a Black Bear!"
"What a big Black Bear!"
"My heavens! What am I seeing?"
"Bro Mac is amazing! He can even kill a bear!"
"This Black Bear must weigh around three hundred jin, right?"
"How is this only three hundred jin? At least four hundred jin, maybe even close to five hundred!"
"Quick, look at that Black Bear's head! Wasn't it beaten to death by Bro Mac's fists?"
"Hiss! Bro Mac has divine strength..."
...
The surrounding villagers all swallowed their saliva, their Adam's apples bobbing.
The so-called "never seen pork, but surely seen a pig run."
How terrifying a Black Bear was, even if they hadn't seen one, they had always heard others talk about it. This was something even a tiger wouldn't dare provoke.
A tree as thick as a thigh, a Black Bear could break it with one paw swipe.
If yesterday Tran Mac's beating of Vuong Ma Tu and his gang of ruffians only earned the villagers' respect and awe.
Now, in their eyes, there was a trace of fear.
A person who can kill a Black Bear, what kind of ruthless character is this?
However, it was also because of Tran Mac's intimidation yesterday.
In the villagers' eyes towards Tran Mac, there was reverence, envy, but uniquely no heat or greed.
Who dares to covet? Do you think you can fight a Black Bear?
Tran Mac carried the Black Bear all the way back to his own small courtyard.
He didn't know that by the time he returned, the villagers, upon returning home, had already started spreading exaggerated rumors.
From Tran Mac initially killing the Black Bear bare-handed, to kicking the Black Bear to death with one foot, to stabbing it to death with one knife.
It turned into killing it with one punch.
Even, it was said the Black Bear had become a spirit, capable of spewing black flames, while Tran Mac had a golden light protecting his body, and could shatter stones with one palm.
Some people were even thinking of following Tran Mac.
...
It was now the Hour of Shen (3-5 PM).
Han An Nuong, seeing the snow had lessened, took a wooden shovel and was shoveling snow in the courtyard. Seeing Tran Mac return carrying the Black Bear, she first愣 (lèng - was stunned), then startled. The shovel in her hand even fell to the ground with a clatter. She said in fright, "My uncle..."
She then quickly ran to welcome him, wanting to help.
Tran Mac placed the Black Bear's corpse in the backyard.
Han An Nuong, seeing she really couldn't help much, took out a towel, wiped sweat for Tran Mac, while asking about Tran Mac's bear hunting process. Who wouldn't be curious about this kind of thing?
Tran Mac panted, spoke, then said, "Sister-in-law, do you know who in the village knows how to skin animals?"
This kind of wild beast fur was very valuable. Tran Mac, an outsider to this trade, wouldn't act recklessly, lest the fur not be intact, damaging its original value.
"Uncle Tong. He's a butcher, specializing in slaughtering pigs and butchering goats for others to earn money," Han An Nuong said.
"Sister-in-law, go invite him over," Tran Mac said.
...
Uncle Tong's name was Tong Dien. He was over fifty. Since young, he had been an apprentice to a butcher in the county town, learning the skill of slaughtering pigs and butchering goats. Therefore, his family was originally the best-off in the entire village.
However, according to village talk, his wife's belly was not "energetic" enough, successively giving him four daughters, but just couldn't produce a son.
Later, he took in an outsider Han man to be his live-in son-in-law. But his eldest daughter gave birth to two children, still girls. Thus, Tong Dien lost his spirit, unable to rise again.
Later, when he got older and the times also began to turn chaotic, no one invited him to slaughter pigs or butcher goats anymore. Adding that his eldest son-in-law was an incapable idler, Tong Dien alone supported this whole family, his days going from bad to worse.
Following him was his eldest son-in-law, Luu Thu.
Before entering the courtyard, he was still instructing Luu Thu: "Later, watch carefully and learn well. As long as you can learn this skill of mine, in the future when I'm dead, at least Van Nuong and the others won't starve to death."
"Yes, Father."
"Talk less, watch more. Don't offend Bro Mac. At that time, I might not be able to protect you."
...
Tong Dien walked into the small courtyard with his hands behind his back. He had followed his master around slaughtering pigs and butchering goats before, and had also ventured out on his own; he had seen the world. Seeing Tran Mac, he first cupped his hands towards Tran Mac: "Bro Mac."
Tran Mac felt it was novel. However, if others respected him, he would also respect them. He similarly cupped his hands, pointed at the Black Bear on the ground, and said in a gentle voice, "Uncle Tong, the weather is cold. Let's hurry. Hot water is already prepared."
Looking at the small hill-like Black Bear on the ground, Tong Dien sucked in a cold breath: "Bro Mac is mighty! To be able to kill such a large Black Bear!"
As a butcher, Tong Dien could tell at a glance where the Black Bear's fatal wound was. Looking at that wound again, he glanced at Tran Mac's hands, clear in his heart.
He squatted down halfway, patted the Black Bear: "According to the rules of our trade, the head belongs to me. But this is a bear, Bro Mac. I won't take advantage of you. Ten... no, five jin of meat, and give me some bear blood."
"Deal."
Tran Mac nodded: "But this fur cannot be damaged."
"Understood. If damaged, I won't take a single copper," Tong Dien said very confidently.
He waved his hand. Luu Thu behind him immediately handed the leather bag he carried to Tong Dien; inside was a set of butchering tools.
"Bro Mac, bring a basin to collect the blood," Tong Dien said, taking out a sharp knife from the leather bag.
Without needing Tran Mac to speak, Han An Nuong quickly ran into the house to get a basin.
According to Tong Dien, bear blood was good stuff; not a single drop could be wasted.
Han An Nuong directly emptied the water vat and collected nearly half a vat of bear blood.
Observing an experienced butcher dismember a bear was a visual enjoyment.
Tran Mac and Han An Nuong watched with relish.
Only when the sky darkened did Han An Nuong react and quickly go to cook.
Tong Dien indeed had skill. The sharp knife in his hand flew up and down. In a moment, a complete bearskin was peeled off.
However, he indeed was old. Couldn't turn over the Black Bear's body; still needed Tran Mac's help.
The sharp blade parted the belly, opened the chest and abdomen. Internal organs and intestines immediately spilled out, falling into the wooden basin below.
Tong Dien picked out the bear gallbladder, showed it to Tran Mac, saying, "Bro Mac, this bear gallbladder is good stuff. You must keep it well. As the saying goes, one gram of bear gallbladder, one gram of gold; but a thousand gold can hardly buy real bear gallbladder."
When he said this, Tran Mac clearly noticed Luu Thu's eyes flicker.
Tran Mac frowned. After receiving the bear gallbladder, he directly swallowed it into his stomach.
[Nourishing meat consumption +1, Nourishing Blood Technique experience +1.]
Tran Mac: "???"
Tong Dien: "..."
Luu Thu: "..."