Chapter 450 - 230: What? You Say It’s Treasure?

Chapter 450: Chapter 230: What? You Say It’s Treasure?

If it had been Ivan, it would have taken at least thirty seconds—just finding the next target would have taken considerable effort.

Xiao Chen put down the AK-47. He then picked up the hunting rifle and shotgun, firing a few test shots with each. Only then did he nod at Su Chen in satisfaction.

"I’m really looking forward to the hunt," Xiao Chen said, a hint of excitement on his face. "I’m feeling really sharp right now. One shot, one kill!"

Su Chen pouted. He felt completely outclassed by Xiao Chen. He’d known for a while that the man’s marksmanship was good, but seeing it firsthand was a whole other experience.

After they had been practicing at the range for about an hour, someone came to tell them dinner was ready. Su Chen headed back to the ranch house, feeling a little disappointed.

He just hadn’t had his fill yet.

"Whoa, what a feast!" As Su Chen stepped into the villa, he saw a roasted whole lamb and a roasted ox head laid out on the dining table.

The Russian culinary scene might not be as diverse as China’s, but their barbecue was in a class of its own. The aroma alone made Su Chen and the others’ mouths water.

Not putting on any airs as the boss, Su Chen waved for everyone to sit. Besides Chen Fei and the four members of Tiandixuanhuang, Su Chen also had Ivan call over a few of the new hires to join them.

Since they had to deliver food to the mountain patrol later that night, Su Chen’s group didn’t drink. Ivan and his men, who typically enjoyed a drink with every meal and couldn’t imagine a feast without one, were tactful enough not to mention it.

The roasted lamb was incredibly delicious, with no hint of gaminess. It was nearly as good as the Wuzhumuqin mutton that Su Chen had always favored.

Furthermore, the Russian style of roasting lamb was different from back home. It wasn’t charred, but rather soft, tender, and juicy. Paired with a special dipping sauce, it had everyone eating with relish, their faces glistening.

After dinner, the sky began to darken. The provisions for the mountain patrol had also been packed and were ready to go.

The mountain patrol’s post was about five kilometers from the ranch. With night falling, the journey on foot would take at least forty to fifty minutes.

After checking their weapons, gear, and other necessities, the group of fifteen departed from the back door and headed into the mountains.

Chen Fei and the four members of Tiandixuanhuang, each armed with an AK-47 and wearing a headlamp, formed a protective circle around Su Chen and Xiao Chen.

Su Chen had been thinking they didn’t need to make such a fuss—a normal marching file would be fine. But he’d barely stepped into the forest when a long ’AWOOO’ from a wolf echoed through the trees, and he immediately swallowed the words he was about to say.

"Ugh, I never realized a night hike in the mountains would be this exhausting!" Su Chen leaned against a large tree and took two massive gulps from his water bottle. GLUG, GLUG.

"You really need to work on your fitness," Xiao Chen said, a hopeful glint in his eye. "How about this? After you get back home, you can spend a half-month at the training camp in the suburbs!"

At that, Su Chen gave Xiao Chen a friendly, internationally recognized gesture. ’If I actually went to that suburban training camp for half a month,’ he thought, ’I’d be lucky to escape with my skin intact.’

’Isn’t it better to just enjoy life at home? Why go looking for trouble?’

’Just look at this situation. If I’d known it would be this exhausting, I would’ve just stayed at the ranch. Wouldn’t soaking in the hot springs and playing on my phone have been a better use of my time?’

Thoughts were just thoughts; the journey had to continue. After a brief rest, the group set off once more.

After about forty minutes of walking—during which Su Chen lost track of how many hills he’d climbed and ridges he’d crossed—he finally spotted a light on a flat clearing in a gorge between two mountains.

The dozen or so beams of light from Su Chen’s group had already been noticed by the camp in the gorge. The campsite, which had started with only two bonfires, suddenly blazed to life with three more, illuminating the entire area.

By the firelight, Su Chen could make out the details of the camp. It was over a hundred square meters, with four or five small log cabins, and was enclosed by a wooden fence, much like the ranch.

"Captain... who are they?" The man in charge of the camp was a burly, bearded giant.

"Gallevi, this is the Boss!" Ivan said, then immediately turned to Su Chen. "Boss, this is Gallevi, the deputy captain of the patrol team."

Hearing this, Gallevi immediately greeted Su Chen with respect.

Su Chen nodded in acknowledgment and then gestured for his men to hand over the food to the people at the camp.

The camp instantly became a much livelier place.

Ivan approached Su Chen, who was sitting by the fire. "Boss," he asked quietly, "those two are here as well. Do you want to see them?"

Su Chen didn’t answer right away. Instead, he glanced at Xiao Chen, silently asking for his opinion.

Xiao Chen caught Su Chen’s look and deftly picked up the conversation. "Ivan, my friend, what’s the story with those two? Did you question them already?"

"We did," Ivan replied. "They were tight-lipped at first, but after some of our... ’warm hospitality,’ they confessed everything."

"They’re both ’Golden Hunters’ from the States, apparently quite famous in their circles. We checked the information they gave us online, and it all checked out."

"It’s just... they usually operate in the States or Maple Country. We never expected them to show up here." Ivan finished, a flicker of confusion on his face.

After hearing Ivan’s report, Su Chen and Xiao Chen exchanged a look. They both saw a pleasant surprise in the other’s eyes.

Although Ivan hadn’t provided a wealth of details, Su Chen and his friends had gleaned one very useful piece of information: these two Golden Hunters hadn’t come by accident. They were here for a reason.