Chapter 696: Chapter 38: Hunting Owl Organization

On the way where Chen Wen went to find Hook.

Hook was also hurriedly coming to the starting point, carrying a small object made from camel skin.

As soon as he saw Chen Wen, Hook excitedly waved his hand: "Good man, I’m glad I caught up!"

Hearing this, Chen Wen was taken aback and smiled, saying, "What a coincidence, I was just about to look for you."

The two found some shade under a tree and stood there, looking at each other.

Chen Wen took the lead and said, "You go first; my matter isn’t very urgent."

Hook nodded and handed the object in his hand to Chen Wen: "Take this."

Chen Wen took it and glanced at the small object.

Overall, it was made of tanned camel skin and looked like some kind of badge.

A symbol resembling a dog’s head was embroidered on it with light yellow thread.

But why does this emblem look a bit like a Chinese rural dog?

"What is this?"

Chen Wen asked curiously.

Hook smiled and said, "It represents our tribe’s token, and only people recognized by our tribe can get this token."

Chen Wen was stunned and then a bit moved.

Recognition!

Hook continued, "But don’t underestimate it. It’s not just a token. If you continue your journey, it has many uses!"

"Later on, you may encounter many tribes scattered around the oases in the desert. If you meet people from those tribes, you can show them this little thing. They also recognize this thing, especially those who still maintain hunting and nomadic customs."

"Once they see this thing, they will provide you some help, but not much. In the past, some explorers like you were recognized by other tribes, and you had an agreement that material support should not exceed the limits. But if there’s someone in your team who knows the local language, they can communicate with the tribespeople and get more information."

This immediately made Chen Wen understand the purpose of the small badge.

Very strong!

Information seems useless but is actually the key to survival!

Especially in the desert.

Natives in the desert can know a lot of situations in various places.

Where there’s water, where there’s food, where there’s danger...

Things that survivalists don’t know at all, the natives are adept in.

Being able to get information from them is already a huge advantage for survivalists.

Chen Wen solemnly put away the camel skin badge and said, "Thank you! I will take good care of this token!"

Seeing Chen Wen take it so seriously, Hook was also very pleased.

Hook said, "I wish you all the best in your survival journey. By the way, what did you want to see me about?"

Chen Wen thought for a moment and recounted the incident about the Hunting Owl.

Upon hearing it was about the Hunting Owl, Hook’s expression slightly changed.

This made Chen Wen a bit helpless; the notoriety of the Hunting Owl in Australia is probably as common as mosquitoes.

Hook was silent for a while as if he was recalling something.

After a moment, Hook said, "I can only speak for the people in our town. Currently, only I and one other family still maintain hunting habits, but our prey is solely the dromedary camels, those animals not protected by law."

"As for the Hunting Owl, although there is no special legal protection, we generally do not hunt them. These birds have a bad reputation. There’s no market for them as pets or tamed beasts, and their meat is particularly unappealing. No one wants to eat the meat of the Hunting Owl. In our town, it’s been several years since anyone hunted them."

Several years without hunting.

Chen Wen nodded and said, "In that case, I understand."

With that, Chen Wen was about to take his leave.

But Hook continued, "However, last month, I heard of something."

Chen Wen stopped and looked at Hook.

Hook went on, "I heard that deep in the desert, a tribe’s hunter led a stranger into the desert. They hunted wildly along the way, catching a lot of birds, including some protected ones, but it was only hearsay."

These words stunned Chen Wen.

He had a thought in his heart and asked, "Do you know how many of them there were?"

"Not many."

Hook said, "Encountered by a hunter from another tribe, they mentioned that this group only drove one dune buggy, so there should be four people, and only one was a stranger; the rest were locals."

Listening to Hook’s description, Chen Wen suddenly had a strong sense of déjà vu.

A hunting team of three or four, one outsider, the rest locals.

Damn it, isn’t this the usual organizational structure for the Hunting Owl?

Chen Wen suddenly recalled the poaching gang he encountered in Ailao Mountain.

They belonged to an organization called the Hunting Owl, and this organization even issued a kill order against him?

Previously, Chen Wen didn’t take this matter to heart.

But now, hearing about this familiar organizational structure, Chen Wen immediately took it seriously.

Regardless, the Hunting Owl Organization is a group of poachers who take risks for profit, and they carry firearms with them!

Although Chen Wen isn’t very afraid of them, no matter how skilled you are, you still fear a machete.

Firearms, as the pinnacle of human technology, could make Chen Wen a bit uneasy if the other side gains the upper hand.

Chen Wen etched this matter firmly in his mind.

After thanking Hook again, he left the area.

He didn’t plan to speak about the Hunting Owl.

This matter would be known to him only.

Additionally, Chen Wen planned to give Hua Yun a heads-up.

If they really encountered the Hunting Owl Organization, Chen Wen planned to leave the team and deal with these poachers on his own.

He didn’t want to involve Hua Yun and the others, who were unaware of the situation.

...

Back at the camp,

everyone was ready to set off.

Chen Wen gestured to Hua Yun to move ahead.

After everyone left slowly, Chen Wen approached the Hunting Owl.

The Hunting Owl looked a bit tense upon seeing Chen Wen’s serious expression.

Before it could speak, Chen Wen immediately said, "I have got news on the ones who killed your companions, but I need to confirm something—when were your companions hunted?"

The Hunting Owl quickly pondered and after a moment, it said, "A long time ago, I’m not sure, about ten times our meeting span till now."

Hearing this, Chen Wen did some calculations.

He and the Hunting Owl met nearly three days ago.

Ten times would be around thirty days.

Very close to what Hook said about a month ago!

Chen Wen took a deep breath and said, "It matches! It’s those guys!"

The Hunting Owl immediately showed strong emotional fluctuations: "Do you know who they are?"

"Yes!"

Chen Wen nodded seriously, "And I have a conflict with them! So, we have a basis for cooperation!"

"Now, I want to make a deal with you; I will help you take revenge, even allowing you to take revenge personally, but the cost is..."

Before Chen Wen could finish, the Hunting Owl immediately said, "I’ll do as you say!"

At the same time, the system finally responded!