Chapter 50 Unexpected Gains

As I was swept downstream for several meters, I grabbed onto the aquatic plants along the opposite bank, steadied myself in the water, and cautiously poked my head out to look back. My jaw practically dropped, and my eyes widened in sheer disbelief, unable to process what I was seeing.

The ferocious black bear, which had looked so terrifying just moments ago, was now acting like an ant on a hot pan. Not only was it spinning in circles in the water, but it was also frantically leaping about and emitting low, desperate growls.

I watched as its furry arms flailed wildly around its front and back, completely powerless to fend off the coordinated, relentless assault of a swarm of wild bees.

In my mind, these wild bees possessed formidable offensive power. My own arm had been stung once, and I could still feel a numb, throbbing ache spreading from the site. But witnessing the black bear's plight—especially as it shrieked, growled, and struggled in vain—it seemed that no amount of physical thrashing could deter the swarm.

Even while submerged in the water for protection, watching this almost surreal scene unfold left me in utter disbelief. I saw the bear spinning in the water, stumbling in agonizing circles, its instincts apparently urging it to flee back the way it had come.

Yet this dense cluster of wild bees clung tightly to its surroundings, refusing to let go. Driven by a frenzied persistence, the bees locked entirely onto the bear. They hurled themselves at it like moths to a flame, completely ignoring my existence as if nothing else in the world mattered except this massive beast.

Naturally, watching this from the water made my scalp tingle. I could only stare helplessly as the bear wailed hoarsely in the river. Within a short span of time, its cries turned into helpless, mournful whimpers, as though it had resigned itself to its fate. Still, watching its struggle sent a cold shiver straight down my spine.

Under my astonished gaze, this colossal wild beast was finally brought down by the swarm of wild bees. It collapsed onto the shallows of the riverbank on the opposite side.

By a strange coincidence, it fell remarkably close to the very spot where it had first stopped to drink. While such an ending felt absurd, the undeniable reality forced one to believe it. Terrified, I didn't dare make a single sound or movement. Even submerged in the water, with only my eyes and nose exposed, my heart pounded wildly against my ribs.

Everything had happened so fast that it felt like a fever dream. Yet, moments later, the black bear lay sprawled across the shallows. At first, it twitched occasionally, but soon, amidst the gentle murmur of the flowing current, it completely stopped moving.

Sheltered by the riverside weeds and the cover of the flowing water, I kept only my nose above the surface. With weeds and leaves haphazardly plastered over my head as a crude camouflage, I watched the entire ordeal play out, overcome by a complex whirlwind of emotions.

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This time, I got a clear look at those frenzied, yellowish-brown wild bees. To put it without exaggeration, each one was the size of a knuckle. Seeing them flaunt their dominance up close not only made my scalp crawl but instilled a deep, creeping sense of dread.

Had they ever attacked our shelter, none of us would have stood the slightest chance of survival. Looking back now, the fact that we had managed to endure the past few days felt nothing short of a miracle. I wondered how the others would react if I told them about this.

Compared to their crude, overwhelming assault and the life-and-death struggle I had endured the previous night, I seemed to have stumbled into sheer, unadulterated luck. Thinking of the bird eggs tucked safely in the cloth pouch around my waist, even while crouching in the chilly water, I suddenly felt that my ancestors must have been watching over me.

Normally, getting stung by wild bees a few times would leave you half-dead. Looking back at those bees, which resembled miniature bombers, the mere thought of the consequences made my whole body tingle. It was as if the spot on my right arm where I had been stung earlier began to throb with phantom pain.

Even while cowering in the water, I could vividly imagine the excruciating agony the black bear had endured. If it could speak, it would undoubtedly have hurled curses and bellowed desperate pleas for help. Growing even more cautious, yet mingled with a strange sense of relief and lingering unease, I looked at the fallen bear ahead, feeling somewhat numb inside.

Eventually—perhaps realizing the danger had passed—the remaining few bees that had been hovering menacingly around the carcass began to disperse. Finding their target completely unresponsive, they swaggered away under my watchful gaze, gradually vanishing into the surrounding wilderness.

Naturally, seeing the bear lying motionless by the water's edge, I remained crouched in the river, too terrified to move a muscle. I had no idea how long I waited, but I was certain of one thing: the bear had not stirred once. Whether it was merely unconscious or had already perished, I couldn't tell.

Even immersed in the water, I could feel cold sweat breaking out all over my body. The sheer volatility of the situation was utterly terrifying. My eyes and ears remained on high alert, scanning the air for any sign of returning bees.

This wasn't just caution anymore; it was a matter of taking responsibility for my own life.

When I felt reasonably certain the danger had truly passed, I still didn't stand up immediately. Instead, I maintained a semi-submerged posture, slowly wading upstream against the current. The current here was gentle, so moving against it didn't require much physical effort. However, my progress was agonizingly slow, perhaps because my legs had gone completely numb from the cold.

Though the dead bear was barely a dozen meters away, it took me nearly ten full minutes to close the distance. My advance was a mix of caution, wariness, and an instinctive dread that the creature might suddenly spring back to life.

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If it had been stung to death by the bees, I wasn't entirely sure if its meat was still edible, but given our desperate shortage of food, I figured it was worth a shot. Still, I didn't dare approach recklessly, as I couldn't be certain whether it was truly dead or merely knocked unconscious by the venom.

Finally, after a flurry of hesitation and mental calculation, realizing I had no better alternatives, I mustered the courage to edge closer. I saw its head submerged sideways in the water, showing no reaction whatsoever. Its eyes were completely distorted, swollen shut from countless stings.

Its nostrils were submerged in the water with no discernible signs of breathing. After giving it a few tentative prods with a sharpened stick and confirming it remained completely motionless, a surge of excitement welled up inside me.

This black bear weighed well over two hundred pounds. Back when I had frequented the territory of the Jingpo people in Yunnan, I had the privilege of tasting this creature's meat. In particular, its paws had once been considered a delicacy at domestic banquets, so any psychological barrier I might have had quickly dissolved.

I attached the specialized meat-cutting blade stored in the hollow sleeve of my trekking pole, extending the reach to a foot and a half. This not only made the task easier to handle but also provided a much-needed layer of safety.

Reaching out to touch the bear's neck, I pressed the blade against its hide and drew it downward.

Even though a lingering sense of apprehension still gripped my heart, it was vastly outweighed by a surging wave of hope. I had no idea what tomorrow would bring, but for now, I desperately wanted to survive!