Chapter 430: Chapter 241: Mastering Forging at Last
Lin Yu’an used the loader’s bucket to steadily lift several cages, ensuring a smooth journey.
After bidding farewell to Stan, Lin Yu’an drove the loader, carrying his precious Chanticleer Chickens, and set off on the return trip.
Back at Wood Forest Land, he settled the chickens into the spacious chicken coop that had long been prepared, and turned on all the necessary equipment to ensure the coop’s lighting and water supply.
Watching these cold-resistant creatures curiously explore their new home, flapping their wings and clucking, he felt a special sense of satisfaction once again.
This vibrant life energy brought a warmth of "homestead" to this desolate land.
At the same time, he did not forget Stan’s teachings, those seemingly rough yet deadly defense strategies were repeatedly calculated in his mind at this moment.
He knew an invisible war had quietly begun.
He walked into the warm wooden house, and Aliya and Emily immediately came up to greet him.
"Everything settled?" Aliya handed him a cup of warm water.
"Yes, they are very lively." Lin Yu’an took a sip of water and said with a smile, "Uncle Stan took great care of them."
"That’s great! We’ll soon have a stable supply of fresh eggs!" Emily said as she naturally took Lin Yu’an’s heavy coat off and hung it on the coat rack by the door.
Seeing their happy expressions, the heaviness brought by the threat of the wolf pack in Lin Yu’an’s heart slightly lessened. But he had to tell them about this; any concealment of danger here would be irresponsible to the family.
He didn’t speak immediately but first walked to the fireplace, watching the two children playing on the carpet for a while, then turned to say to Aliya and Emily who were busy in the kitchen, "Aliya, Emily, there’s something I need to talk to you about."
His tone was calm, but the two women immediately sensed an unusual seriousness from that calmness. They stopped what they were doing, exchanged a glance, and then both walked up to him.
"What’s the matter, dear?" Aliya asked with concern.
Lin Yu’an recounted in full what he had seen at the hunting scene on the road and his entire conversation with Stan just now, without any concealment or exaggeration, he objectively stated the facts.
After hearing his words, the smiles on Aliya and Emily’s faces disappeared, replaced by a somber expression.
"You mean the wolf pack... might attack our coop?" Aliya’s voice was a bit tense. She was not afraid of wolves, but she had to remain vigilant at all times.
Lin Yu’an nodded, "Uncle Stan’s judgment is the same as mine; the wolf pack might indeed target here, even though our coop is very sturdy. But they will probe and observe first, which will undoubtedly pose a threat to us."
"So what should we do?" Emily responded more directly and calmly, immediately entering a problem-solving mode, "We have guns, but we can’t stand guard by the coop 24/7. We need a more proactive defense strategy."
"You’re right." Lin Yu’an was gratified they did not panic but immediately began thinking of countermeasures, "Stan taught me a few methods of scent deterrence, but that’s not enough."
He looked at his two wives, his gaze becoming determined: "These are just passive defenses, treating the symptoms but not the root cause. We need more reliable and proactive defense measures."
Lin Yu’an stated his decision, "I plan to visit Old George, to borrow or buy a few traps."
"We can’t put all our hopes in guns and a few bullets. We need to lay down a steel defense line around the coop that leaves them no return!"
"We support your plan." Emily was the first to express support, "It’s the most rational choice; we must establish the strongest deterrence before they cause any real harm."
"We need to let those beasts know this is not a place where they can run wild at will."
Lin Yu’an grasped their hands solemnly and said, "I’ll go get the equipment first; tonight we’ll study together how to arrange it most safely and effectively."
Seeing his family’s united and trusting stance, the uneasiness in Lin Yu’an’s heart completely disappeared, replaced by a stronger determination to protect it all.
"Alright, I’ll be back soon." He let go of their hands and turned to set off again.
"Stay safe!" Aliya and Emily advised behind him.
This time, he switched to the more agile Polaris snowmobile. The engine roared crisply, carrying him deeper into the snowy fields.
Old George’s home was more like a fortress of iron and fire.
It was a house made of a mix of stone and heavy logs, with a separate forge at the back from which rhythmic crisp metal hammering sounds emanated, and the chimney spewed out white steam mixed with coal smoke.
As Lin Yu’an approached, he saw Old George wielding a heavy hammer, pounding a glowing red piece of iron.
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Each strike was precise and powerful, sparks flying, resembling instant blooms of orange fireworks in the somewhat dim forge.
The shapeless piece of iron, under his hammer, was being gradually tamed and shaped, slowly revealing the form of an axe.
The air was filled with a hot and pleasant smell of charcoal. Old George’s face was full of concentration and sweat; Lin Yu’an did not interrupt him but quietly stood at the doorway, admiring this moment of creation beauty.
