As for the ordinary wolf meat, internal organs, and bones... Matthew's gaze swept over them.
There were still at least seventy to eighty pounds of wolf meat, and if the internal organs were properly prepared, they could also be eaten.
The bones could be used to make broth, and the marrow also contained a trace of energy.
“Even if I gorge myself, with this much meat and the dried meat I bought earlier, I should be able to get through this harsh winter quite comfortably.”
Feeling deeply reassured, he wrapped the heart meat separately in oilcloth and stuffed it into the leather pouch at his waist.
The remaining parts were carved into large chunks according to their cuts and piled onto one side of the leather felt.
The snow fell thicker and thicker, landing on his shoulders and the tips of his hair, only to be shaken off with his movements.
The distant village remained quiet, with only the occasional muffled sound of early-rising villagers chopping firewood filtering through, as if muffled by a thick layer of cotton.
Matthew stood up, stretched his numb legs, and wiped the blood-stained dagger clean in the snow.
Next, he still needed to tan the wolf pelt and extract the sharp claws and fangs...
All of these could be exchanged for resources, especially that intact Shadow Wolf pelt, which could fetch a good price in town.
One step at a time. He let out a long breath, a plume of white mist spreading before him.
The reflection of the snow illuminated his serene face, his eyes devoid of any impatience.
Such was the path of cultivation, and such was the matter of survival. Only by building a solid foundation and moving steadily without haste could one go far.
After a moment.
Aidan walked over from the village path, spotting Matthew's busy figure in the snow from afar.
He quickened his pace, squatting down without a word to skillfully help organize the carved chunks of wolf meat, while placing the scattered internal organs into the wooden tub.
Matthew looked up to see him approaching and offered a warm smile, though his hands did not stop working:
“Here so early?”
Aidan replied, exhaling white mist:
“Uncle Delank had me go to Instructor Calm's first thing this morning to express our gratitude. He also told me to learn more skills from you and practice hard.”
Matthew smiled.
Aidan then added:
“Oh, right, Brother Matthew. Instructor Calm asked me to pass a message to you. Dawson and his three companions set off back to Oak Village before dawn. Before leaving, he made sure to bid the instructor goodbye and left a message: ‘I, Dawson, will keep Brother Matthew's kindness in my heart. If there is ever anything you need in the future, you can come find me in Oak Village anytime.’”
Matthew's movements paused slightly, and then he nodded, understanding.
As he continued to work on the wolf claws, he replied calmly, “Understood.”
Seeing that Matthew did not say much, Aidan also buried his head and continued to help.
The snow continued to fall silently. Amidst the morning light and the curtain of snow, the two worked in tacit harmony to process the valuable resources left behind by the Shadow Wolf.
Suddenly, Matthew asked:
“Aidan, yesterday in the forest was so dangerous. Were you afraid? Are you still willing to go into the woods with me?”
Aidan stopped his movements, looking up at Matthew with an earnest and firm gaze:
“Brother Matthew, it would be a lie to say I wasn't afraid. But fear is one thing! I know even better that only by following you can I learn real skills and protect the village like you do in the future.”
Sensing the determination in his eyes, Matthew made a clean slice through the joint of the wolf's leg with his dagger and said:
“Since you are willing, once I finish dealing with these chores, I will start teaching you the White Snake Breathing Technique.”
Before Aidan could even get excited over this sudden good news, Matthew immediately added:
“You will eat your three meals a day here with me. Practicing this breathing technique takes a heavy toll on the body. Your meager rations probably won't cut it. Only when you're full will you have the strength to train.”
Aidan was stunned for a moment before an immense joy flooded his heart. He nodded vigorously, his voice thick with excitement and gratitude:
“Yes! Brother Matthew! I... I will definitely practice hard! I won't let your teachings go to waste!”
The snow continued to drift down silently, but the fighting spirit ignited in the young boy's eyes seemed to dispel the chill of the morning.
Matthew nodded, picking up his tools again to focus on harvesting the Shadow Wolf's claws.
As for why he was teaching Aidan, first of all, it was to cultivate him into an assistant. Deep in the forest in the future, having Aidan would provide an extra layer of security. At the very least, there would be another pair of eyes to watch the surroundings and another pair of hands to share the load.
Whether it was hauling large prey like the Shadow Wolf or gathering herbs, minerals, and other resources in the woods, efficiency would be greatly improved.
Moreover, Aidan was quite sharp, so he would not be a burden.
Besides, Matthew had an abundant reserve of magical beast meat. Supporting a novice like Aidan with food was well within his means.
Using these resources to gain a loyal and clever helper was undoubtedly a worthwhile trade.
Secondly, Matthew had longer-term considerations in mind.
He knew that he would eventually leave Stone Mill Village one day to venture into a wider world.
Aidan was a native of the village with a pure and honest character. If Matthew could build him up before leaving, even if the boy didn't reach the Black Iron Rank, he would still be a source of strength for the village.
There was also the most important point: this instruction would hardly cost him much time or energy.
As for the White Snake Breathing Technique, Matthew had already mastered it to a profound degree. He knew that when it came to breathing techniques, one only needed to explain and demonstrate the basic essentials. The rest relied entirely on Aidan's own daily hard work and comprehension.
“How much he can learn and how far he can go will ultimately depend on himself,” Matthew thought.
Time flowed slowly. The snow gradually thinned, leaving only tiny ice crystals dancing lightly in the wind.
Working together, they quickly peeled off the wolf pelt completely and removed all of its sharp claws and fangs.
Matthew carefully stored these materials in a separate cloth bag, preparing to deal with them later.
Remaining ordinary wolf meat and internal organs were placed on the snow pile outside. He was in no hurry; after all, the weather was freezing, making the outdoors comparable to a refrigerator from his previous life, giving him plenty of time to process them.
“Let's have some breakfast first. We'll stew a pot of meat broth.”
Looking at the piled organs and meat chunks, Matthew said to Aidan, then gestured for him to head inside.
As for why they were making broth, it was because it could warm their bodies and fill their stomachs, and the fats and nutrients in the soup were easily absorbed without any waste.
Hearing this, Aidan hurried inside, calling out, “I'll go light the fire first!”
Matthew walked slowly behind him, nodding in satisfaction at the sight.
By the time he returned inside, Aidan had already started the hearth fire. The flames danced upon the firewood, dispelling the chill in the cabin.
After pouring fresh water into a large iron pot, Matthew cut several processed chunks of ordinary Shadow Wolf meat and a few internal organs into bite-sized pieces, tossed them into the pot, and sprinkled in some dried herbs and salt.
The aroma of meat soon spread through the air along with the steam.
Matthew sat down by the hearth and gestured for him to sit opposite him.
Looking at Aidan's eager yet slightly nervous expression, he began to explain the mental technique: “The most important thing in a breathing technique is a calm mind. First, close your eyes...”
He explained while demonstrating the rhythm of the breathing, his chest rising and falling slowly with each breath.
Teaching by example—perhaps this was exactly what it meant.
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