Chapter 229: Instructor Liu Xiaotian, Not Trusted

At this moment, Liu Xiaotian was very nervous.

One could even say he was afraid.

It wasn't cowardice; rather, the moment he arrived here, he saw the images of several more lionesses on the thermal display.

Their distance from this place, the farthest being no more than one kilometer.

Who knows how lions without communication equipment stay in touch; anyway, once this injured male lion can contact other members of its pride, given a lion's running speed, even the lioness a kilometer away could definitely appear here within two minutes.

Liu Xiaotian knew clearly that if surrounded, the AK-103 in his hand that had just resolved the immediate crisis would be at most sturdier than a stick.

The rest was basically useless.

The bullet's power is strong, but are these lions stupid enough to stand in a line waiting for you to "string candied haws"?

Without it, it would be unrealistic for him and La Li Ai to leave safely.

In one, one look `no, one wrong version%!'

It is probably because the mountaintop position receives sunlight for a slightly longer time each day; for these big cats that should originally live on tropical grasslands and enjoy a daily "sunbath," being able to enjoy more warmth from sunlight might be even more important than having enough food.

And the lionesses truly responsible for hunting only appear at this time, targeting the one or two stragglers in the prey herd.

Generally speaking, the lionesses responsible for providing for the family do not hunt alone; they cooperate in groups of at least two, with one responsible for driving and threatening to force the prey to start running.

This was La Li Ai's explanation to Liu Xiaotian.

But looking at his demeanor, it seems pretty much what I guessed—it's for that compensation money.

"I just want to have an outstanding training record, preferably graduating in the top ten."

Liu Xiaotian noticed that, at the moment he finished speaking, a flash of hope flickered in La Li Ai's eyes, but it immediately dimmed.

What does "surrounded" mean? It must be encircled! Liu Xiaotian only has this one gun—can he fire in two directions at once? And as a top‑tier predator, lions are renowned for their swift, coordinated hunting style.

"I know you don't trust me now, and I won't say more, but I can promise you that if you have any financial need, you can tell me—I think I should be able to help you."

However, he also realized that even if he kept asking, La Li Ai would certainly not tell him the truth.

I don't know if this male lion counts as one of the smarter lions, but I suspect this guy also knows that if he acts rashly now, it won't just be a matter of a foreleg.

As a former bona fide rich second‑generation, even though after transmigrating he hasn't yet dealt with money‑related matters, in Liu Xiaotian's eyes this thing is still something easily obtained.

As for that, Liu Xiaotian naturally would not believe it.

"La Li Ai, I won't tell anyone about what happened today; if someone asks, I'll do my best to cover for you."

So he only said sorry, but didn't give the reason.

That, for his current situation, is undoubtedly adding insult to injury.

People say that once such a ferocious animal is injured, it becomes several times more ferocious than usual, but actually it depends on the specific circumstances.

If things go badly, not only might his life end today, but his newlywed wife could also be taken by another lion. Otherwise, who would be willing to trade their life for such a paltry sum of money? La Li Ai merely said sorry, but did not explain why he did this.

Most of the animals on this mountain are not natives but outsiders; we don't know how they originally divided their territory, whether according to the "pyramid principle." Anyway, based on the biological forms Liu Xiaotian observed on the thermal imager, the territories of all the lions are almost all near the mountaintop.

From this, he also became more confident in his judgment.

Actually, Liu Xiaotian had already thought it through on his way here: if La Li Ai really was short of money, he could help.

But now La Li Ai obviously distrusts him, so he can only temporarily set this matter aside.

Moreover, after returning to his home country, he will also be expelled from the military and won't even get the money he is owed.

Therefore he naturally cannot understand how, for an ordinary person like La Li Ai, obtaining this treatment fee—which to a rich person is merely the cost of a meal—could be so difficult.

In other words, if they are surrounded by the lion pride, neither Liu Xiaotian nor La Li Ai will be able to escape today.

After confirming the surroundings were safe, Liu Xiaotian slowly brought the vehicle to a halt, then shut down the communication equipment, turned solemnly toward La Li Ai and asked, "Why are you doing this?"

Although his current subsidy is much less than La Li Ai's, he can apply for it! Since he absorbed part of the knowledge originally possessed by this body, besides giving the two materials to Zhou Tianzuo, he has also regularly submitted a few times to the research institute; wanting to earn some money should still be no problem.

It's not that he doesn't want to speak; it's that he doesn't trust Liu Xiaotian. To him, Liu Xiaotian is nothing more than the new instructor and a stranger.

So it merely followed cautiously, looking for an opportunity while waiting for "support."

Faced with Liu Xiaotian's slightly angry questioning, La Li Ai felt a bit guilty, didn't dare meet his gaze, lowered his head slightly and said, "Sorry, I……"

It must be said, Liu Xiaotian's jeep today really came in handy.

After getting in the vehicle, Liu Xiaotian hesitated not at all, slammed the accelerator, and headed straight for the mountainside position.

If he told Liu Xiaotian the reason for doing this, what if he ended up telling the principal? If the principal found out, his fate would be expulsion from the Warrior School, and as an eliminated candidate.

Especially when it comes to herds of prey, once they panic and start running, there will definitely be stragglers.

Under the deterrent of the AK-103 in Liu Xiaotian's hand, that male lion, injured and furious, did not immediately attack the two; instead, it curled its still‑bleeding forepaw and followed them step by step, but always kept a certain distance.

Liu Xiaotian naturally knew that La Li Ai must have his own difficulties.

La Li Ai did this just for the money!

At the same time he also believed that before long, La Li Ai would surely come to him proactively asking for help.

Because, from La Li Ai's eyes, he saw anxiety and helplessness.

A person plunged into helplessness will not only distrust others; even if he knows help is impossible, he will still give it a try.

But he never expected that, when he heard the truth from La Li Ai's mouth and then asked him for help, it would already be half a month later, and under those circumstances……

(End of chapter)