Revealing the existence of the Crowned Eagle to Deng Guang's family was a decision Qin Ziwen had carefully considered multiple times.
After all, such a large eagle flying in and out of the window every day carried a high risk of exposure, and it would definitely be discovered over time.
Rather than having it passively leaked, it was better to proactively reveal it.
This also provided an opportunity to test the Deng family's reaction using the Crowned Eagle.
Moreover, sewing such close-fitting items couldn't be done just by hand measurements - the results would easily become loose. Only through close-range adjustments and personal fitting could the most fitting small backpack be made to prevent the phone from falling off.
Qin Ziwu was somewhat excited: "Brother! Now the Crowned Eagle has become our scout! With this chest-mounted camera recording, it can see further than we can ourselves."
"Yes, it can carry a phone on its chest for recording. Many places inconvenient for us to reach can be remotely recorded by it. The only issue is my phone doesn't have much battery left and needs charging." Qin Ziwen pondered, quickly thinking of a clever charging solution.
There were so many cars parked in the garage, and these were all excellent charging resources. Many car systems had USB ports, and while the charging speed wasn't fast, they were reliable.
For now, he could use the power bank from home. Taking out the power bank with 23% charge remaining from the drawer, he charged the phone to 57%.
After securing the phone to the Crowned Eagle's chest, he carried it to the rooftop and activated recording mode.
"After taking off, fly around the residential complex once. Don't fly too high. If you encounter other birds in the sky, don't engage in combat, retreat promptly. Understand?"
"Ao~" the Crowned Eagle called out.
Qin Ziwen released his grip, watching as the Crowned Eagle flew into the sky, its figure growing smaller and smaller.
He felt some concern - in the dangerous wilderness, the Crowned Eagle might encounter risks. But he understood even more clearly that they couldn't give up eating for fear of choking.
The Crowned Eagle circled through the sky, with Qin Ziwen's gaze following it.
Suddenly, from further in the sky, a black dot was approaching the Crowned Eagle.
The Crowned Eagle began to flee, with the black dot continuously pursuing. The two circled through the sky.
The Crowned Eagle gradually accelerated its speed, diving downward, continuously increasing the distance from the pursuing black dot behind it.
"Flap flap flap."
The Crowned Eagle's wings beat as it dove and landed on the rooftop.
The black dot above, after approaching to a certain distance, didn't continue closing in but instead circled once before flying away.
After landing, the Crowned Eagle continuously rubbed its head against Qin Ziwen's shoulder.
Qin Ziwen patted its head, comforting it: "It's alright, it's alright. I know you got scared."
Unexpectedly, upon hearing this, the Crowned Eagle became agitated instead, "Ao ao ao~"
It even extended its claws to swipe at the air, showing an unyielding expression.
After calming it for a while, Qin Ziwen retrieved the hot phone and stopped the recording, then brought the Crowned Eagle downstairs back home.
He checked the phone's content.
The footage during takeoff was very shaky, only becoming gradually clearer when it stabilized during gliding later.
From the high-altitude view, the residential complex below appeared square-shaped, with many ant-like people moving in and out around it.
The surroundings were densely forested, with a river running east-west through the south side of the complex. From above, the blue-green river surface looked like a jade belt embedded in the forest.
To the north were vast, continuous mountain ranges, and further south of the river were also mountains. The residential complex happened to be located in the buffer zone between two mountain ranges.
The western terrain area was relatively flat, with a large expanse of emerald green grassland, surrounded on all sides by darker-colored trees.
Downstream from the complex, the mountains on both sides gradually opened up, with the extending end being an open plain.
Overall, the residential complex was situated in a "mountain valley basin" sandwiched between two mountain ranges, belonging to a composite terrain type with mountainous surroundings, flat middle area, and open downstream.
Plus, with the presence of animals like crocodiles and pythons, along with this humid, hot air, it should probably be tropical? Subtropical?
Qin Ziwen shook his head. After so many years, his geography knowledge had long been returned to his teachers. Besides, this wasn't Earth anyway - Earth knowledge could only serve as reference.
"Huh?" he exclaimed in surprise.
In the latter part of the video, the Crowned Eagle accelerated its speed, emitting fierce cries from its throat.
During one turn, the camera briefly captured a glimpse - in the footage was a gray-black feathered bird pursuing the Crowned Eagle.
From the camera's perspective, this bird wasn't the giant bird that had attacked their complex, but rather another type of bird, and its size wasn't as large as the giant bird's either.
Eventually, the Crowned Eagle dove to shake off its pursuer, landing on Building 8's rooftop.
Taking out paper and pen, Qin Ziwen frequently paused the video, drawing a map on the paper. Soon, a detailed map was completed on the paper.
Qin Ziwu stroked his chin, looking at the map with confusion: "Brother, what are you drawing here? It feels a bit abstract."
"A map."
"What's this?"
"Mountains."
"And this?"
"Grassland."
"What are these triangle symbols?"
"Elevation markers."
Qin Ziwu slowly nodded, "Your map clearly has built-in encryption protection - ordinary people can't understand it."
Qin Ziwen's expression darkened. He threw the pen and paper over, "You do it then."
Qin Ziwu chuckled and quickly waved his hands. He was just joking - if he were to draw it, the result would be complete scribbles that even he couldn't understand.
With a light hum, Qin Ziwen picked up the pen, "I've finished the overall map. Now I need to draw more detailed ones. The grassland to the west is known to have wolf packs recently, so we can't go there. The area across the river to the south is temporarily inaccessible. That means we either go north or east." Qin Ziwen took out his phone again, pausing back and forth, continuously zooming in.
"Look here - doesn't this look like a cave?"
Qin Ziwen pointed to a certain position on the northern mountainside.
"It seems so, but it's a bit far from our complex. Getting there from here might take half a day?"
"Probably more than that. The forests here haven't been developed, the paths aren't easy to walk, and we'd be going uphill."
"The river has a fork downstream - there's a tributary here." Qin Ziwen pointed to the downstream area.
Judging by the distance, it was at least seven or eight li away from them, and the plains further downstream were even farther - no less than twenty or thirty li away.
"Put on your gear, we're heading east. More people have explored the east side relatively, and currently there are no reports of large beasts there. Medium and small-sized wild animals we can handle."
Qin Ziwen started packing things, sending his brother upstairs to Deng Guang's house. This exploration was mainly to investigate more detailed terrain information to the east. To maintain team mobility, the three males plus the Crowned Eagle would follow the riverbank downstream, while simultaneously looking for more suitable positions to place the Fish Trap downstream.
The two families quickly gathered downstairs.
Xiao Meixue thoughtfully helped Deng Guang adjust his clothes and equipment.
Deng Wen said quietly: "Dad, be careful."
Deng Guang's eyes softened: "Don't worry, I'm with your Brother Qin and the others. There won't be any danger."
Waving goodbye, the three men crossed through the complex toward the east gate.
"Qin Ziwen?" A familiar yet unfamiliar voice came from the right.
Qin Ziwen turned to look - the speaker was precisely his former department supervisor Wang Juan.
But compared to the first day, Wang Juan now looked much worse, her eyes filled with exhaustion, lacking the arrogance she had displayed on that first day.
Wang Juan said in a low voice: "Can you lend me some food?"
Qin Ziwen found it utterly baffling: "Are we close?"
Qin Ziwu, holding a long stick, directly retorted: "No! Even if we had some, we wouldn't lend it. With hands and feet of your own, don't you know how to find food yourself! How can you be so thick-skinned? Who isn't short on food now, and you just open your mouth asking people for it."
Wang Juan's face turned pale as she gave a bitter smile: "My husband was bitten by a poisonous snake and passed away. I haven't eaten anything for a day now. Please, have some mercy."