OBS Chapter 244 Skills Improve
Chapter 244 Skills Improve
If Xiaohu can figure out how to cross the river to find its target on its own, then it will not only be an obedient hunting dog, but also a good partner who can think independently.
If it can't do that, there's no way to teach it, so in the future it can only develop in the direction of strict obedience.
Li Xiangyang certainly didn't want Xiaohu to just follow orders, but everything depended on its own judgment.
After hesitating for a moment, Xiao Hu lowered his head and sniffed the soil by the stream. He then ran quickly along the stream, stopping from time to time to check the scent.
After running about twenty meters, it stopped in front of a shallow beach.
The water flows slowly here, and the riverbed is flat, making it the most suitable place to cross the river.
The little tiger first tested the water temperature with its paws, then carefully stepped into the stream.
As it swam across the river, climbed onto the other side, and continued searching by scent, Li Xiangyang, who was following behind, realized that his palms were covered in sweat.
It quickly slipped into a patch of grass in the bushes on the opposite bank, and soon returned happily with the hidden fur in its mouth.
Seeing Xiaohu calmly wade across the water again, Li Xiangyang finally smiled.
He crouched down and gently stroked the tiger cub's wet fur with his palm.
This hunting dog, which inherited its mother Nightshade's excellent bloodline, certainly did not disappoint him.
“Well done,” he praised gently.
Little Tiger wagged its tail excitedly and gently placed its fur at Li Xiangyang's feet.
Its bright, piercing eyes were fixed intently on its owner, awaiting the next command.
"You did a good job with the tracking. Come on, let's find the real prey."
As Li Xiangyang spoke, he got up and took Xiao Hu into the mountains to search for prey.
Sunlight filters through the branches and leaves of the forest, casting dappled shadows on the ground.
Li Xiangyang led Xiao Hu slowly along a trail formed by wild animals over the years.
As he walked, Li Xiangyang noticed several fresh hoof prints on the ground.
He crouched down to examine them closely. The marks were fresh, and the moisture had not yet fully seeped into the soil, indicating that they had been left not long ago.
"Little Tiger, come here, smell it, help me find it."
As Li Xiangyang spoke, he gave Xiaohu instructions.
The little tiger lowered its head and sniffed the hoof prints on the ground, then looked up towards the northwest, its tail slightly raised, indicating that it had caught the scent of its target.
Li Xiangyang gently patted Xiaohu's head, signaling it to lead the way.
Little Tiger understood, lowered his body, and moved forward silently.
They walked for about an hour, during which the footprints disappeared several times, but Xiao Hu always managed to accurately lead Li Xiangyang back to the traces.
Li Xiangyang was very satisfied with this. Ten minutes later, Xiao Hu suddenly stopped and looked ahead warily.
In an instant, Xiao Hu's gaze fell upon Li Xiangyang, who saw a roe deer nibbling on tender branches at the edge of a poplar grove about sixty meters ahead.
At such a distance, Li Xiangyang would have almost no chance of missing if he wanted to shoot, but this time his purpose was more to test Xiao Hu's abilities.
Roe deer are just the right prey.
People say "silly roe deer," but that's only in relation to humans.
In fact, roe deer are very alert when they encounter even the slightest disturbance, and they will run away instantly.
Of course, its running distance is limited, but that's still relative to a person.
The distance it can escape is definitely enough compared to that of a typical predator.
"It's up to you now. Go ahead, let me see what you're capable of."
Li Xiangyang gently patted Xiaohu's head and said in a low voice.
Upon hearing Li Xiangyang's words, Xiao Hu's eyes immediately lit up.
It first cautiously confirmed the wind direction, then stayed close to the ground and, using the bushes for cover, slowly approached the roe deer.
It would stop to observe the prey's movements every time it moved forward a short distance.
At this moment, the roe deer occasionally looked up and around, but did not notice the approaching danger.
Little Tiger had already quietly crept to a distance of about thirty meters, its muscles taut, ready to launch a sprint at any moment.
Just as the roe deer lowered its head to continue grazing, the tiger cub suddenly darted out.
Its speed was astonishing; it closed the distance to the roe deer in just a few leaps.
Sensing danger, the roe deer immediately turned and fled.
But the tiger had already anticipated the direction the roe deer might escape in, and it flanked it diagonally, forcing the roe deer to change its route.
In the instant the roe deer turned, the tiger seized the opportunity and pounced, biting its hind leg.
The roe deer struggled desperately, but the tiger cub held on tightly.
Soon, the roe deer's struggles weakened, and it eventually stopped moving.
Only then did Xiao Hu release its grip, cautiously observing its surroundings. After confirming there were no other dangers, it ran towards Li Xiangyang with the roe deer in its mouth.
This entire sequence of actions, from tracking and concealment to the final pursuit and capture, showcased Xiao Hu's exceptional hunting talent.
"Excellent!" Li Xiangyang couldn't help but clap his hands and cheer.
The little tiger gently placed the roe deer at Li Xiangyang's feet, looked up at its master, and wagged its tail happily.
Li Xiangyang quickly cut a piece of tender meat from the roe deer and handed it to Xiao Hu.
This is a reward for its excellent performance.
Little Tiger first sniffed it with his nose, then carefully took it, found a comfortable position, and slowly began to enjoy it.
"Let's go home."
After it finished eating, Li Xiangyang carried the roe deer on his shoulder and walked towards home.
As soon as they entered the courtyard, they saw the black cat perched on the roof, staring coldly at them with its amber eyes.
Seeing Li Xiangyang and Xiaohu return with their bounty, it flicked its tail and turned away, clearly sulking.
"Alright, little princess, don't be angry." Li Xiangyang put the roe deer down and walked to the eaves. "I didn't take you today because I wanted to see Xiaohu's current abilities. Next time, next time I'll definitely take you."
The black cat maintained its haughty posture, but its ears twitched slightly, clearly having taken Li Xiangyang's words to heart.
"Okay, don't be angry. Do you want some heart? If you don't like it raw, I'll cook it for you."
After calming the black cat down as if soothing a child, Li Xiangyang began to deal with the roe deer.
Years of experience made his movements exceptionally skillful. In no time, he had skinned and gutted the roe deer, chopping and cutting it as needed, and sorting it into different categories.
He put some fresh meat chunks into the pot, added mushrooms, and then a few slices of angelica root, and started stewing.
The flames in the stove danced brightly, and an enticing aroma gradually wafted from the pot.
Li Xiangyang sat on the threshold, watching the harmonious scene of the black cat and the tiger in the yard, and a warm sense of satisfaction welled up in his heart.
As the sun began to set, Li Xiaoyun returned.
As soon as she reached the courtyard gate, she smelled the fragrance wafting in the air.
"Did you catch any prey today?" she asked with a smile, though her face still showed signs of fatigue.
"Yes, that's right. Little Tiger has grown up and become more capable. It caught it itself; I didn't even have to help." Li Xiangyang took her bag. "Go wash your face quickly; it'll be ready to eat soon."