Chapter 357

Soon, the rescue headquarters also launched helicopters directly into the air.

Wang Ming watched as Liu Captain and the others departed, unable to help muttering to himself.

“Group Leader Kong, do you think Liu Captain and the team will bring back the members of Shen Captain’s rescue unit today?”

Upon hearing this, Group Leader Kong glanced at Liu Captain and the others as they left, then confidently said:

“They will. I have a feeling—this time, we’ll definitely rescue those guys. My instincts are always right.”

“I hope so! Let’s hope they bring good news. Let’s head back too!”

Seeing Group Leader Kong say this, Wang Ming spoke up as well.

Today was already the third day of the rescue operation; time for the rescue team was running out, and Wang Ming was truly under immense pressure.

Especially since Xiao Yi had a live stream—millions of people were watching this event simultaneously!

Watching Wang Ming walk away, Group Leader Kong said nothing further—he could understand the pressure Wang Ming felt.

…

…

“Anji, are you really certain about redirecting all our personnel and resources to Sector Seven Spruce Forest?”

Officer Ryan frowned as he asked. Though he agreed the odds of finding survivors were highest in Sector Seven Spruce Forest, Anji’s move still seemed reckless.

“Ryan, I’m determined to challenge Xiao Yi. I need to strip away his facade—Maple Country doesn’t need a Chinese hero.”

Hearing this, Ryan fell silent again. He held no malice toward Xiao Yi, nor was he an admirer.

He simply thought Anji was acting impulsively, ignoring the bigger picture—after all, Sector Seven Spruce Forest offered the best chance of finding survivors.

But that didn’t mean the missing people were definitely there.

If they were actually in the other two spruce forests, their current decision might cost those people their best chance of rescue.

Anji wanting to challenge Xiao Yi didn’t bother him—he just remembered they were a rescue team, and the primary mission was to save lives as safely as possible.

“I support Anji’s decision. After all, we already found a snowmobile belonging to the missing persons in that forest.”

“Right. I believe even if we withdraw from the other two forests, the production crew’s rescue team will still search there.”

“If this is the place with the highest chance of finding survivors, why not pour all our efforts into it first?”

“I also support Anji. I agree with one thing he said: Maple Country doesn’t need a Chinese hero. I support Anji in tearing down Xiao’s mysterious veil.”

“Ryan, this is our collective decision. You can feel it—please don’t stand in Anji’s way this time.”

…

…

Before Ryan could speak again, members of the Maple Country Police Rescue Team nearby began voicing their opinions.

Clearly, everyone’s stance was the same—they all supported Anji’s order.

Even some Maple Country Police Rescue Team members who had previously liked Xiao Yi now backed Anji.

After all, Sector Seven Spruce Forest was undeniably the most promising location to find survivors.

That alone was enough for them to support Anji—they wouldn’t think as comprehensively as Ryan did.

Besides, they wanted to see Anji’s battle with Xiao Yi, to find out if Xiao Yi was truly as strong as shown in the videos.

After all, they admired Xiao Yi more for his strength; weakness deserved neither respect nor support.

Seeing this scene, Ryan and a few staunch Xiao Yi supporters exchanged glances, then said nothing.

The tide had turned—most people supported Anji now; even if they objected, it would be useless.

Seeing Ryan fall silent, Anji spoke again:

“Since no one objects, notify the teams in the other two spruce forests to pull out and converge with us at Sector Seven. Let’s all depart now!”

After speaking, Anji said no more, glanced at Ryan, and boarded the helicopter first.

Ryan, meanwhile, was the last to board—even muttering under his breath before stepping in.

“I hope your judgment is right this time, Anji!”

…

…

“Chiu! Chiu!”

“Chiu! Chiu!”

The sky was gradually brightening, and Xiao Yi had already traveled for an hour and a half.

Then Xiao Yi heard the call of a rough-legged hawk, and the hawk resting quietly beside him began calling too.

Hearing this, Xiao Yi smiled, then stopped the snowmobile.

He opened the door and let the hawk out.

He muttered, “This little thing’s punctual—every morning at dawn, it always shows up.”

Clearly, its ability to find him was due to the hawk inside his vehicle.

Xiao Yi then ignored the two hawks and took a sip of water.

He drove slowly, carefully scanning the snowy surroundings.

After all, he’d found a snowmobile in this snowfield—there was a real chance someone was nearby.

Unfortunately, his hopes were unfulfilled—no sign of any person was found here.

“Wu! Wu!”

Seeing the hawks fly off, the young lynx yawned and let out two soft calls.

As a single dog… no, a single lynx, especially an immature one, it had zero interest in the birds’ antics.

It only grumbled because their affectionate noises disturbed its sleep.

Xiao Yi glanced at the little creature and couldn’t help thinking—it had grown even lazier these past two days.

It slept in the tent, slept in the snowmobile after leaving the tent, and slept even more soundly.

“Chiu! Chiu!”

But Xiao Yi had no time to pay attention to the little thing now.

Outside, the hawk that had flown off returned, repeatedly tapping on the snowmobile’s window.

Seeing this, Xiao Yi understood the little creature’s intent and muttered:

“Alright, alright! If you smash my window, I’ll pluck your feathers and eat you for dinner!”

He reached into the back seat, pulled out a piece of reindeer meat, and tossed it out the window.

He’d prepared this in advance—he’d promised the hawks, and they’d truly earned it.

After all, they were the ones who found the snowmobile.

As the reindeer meat flew through the air, the incoming hawk snatched it mid-flight.

“Chiu! Chiu!”

The hawk called again, as if thanking Xiao Yi.

Xiao Yi then looked at the hawk perched on the window and muttered:

“Today, you two little things can roam freely. If you find anything else, I’ll reward you even more.”

Of course, Xiao Yi didn’t know if they understood—but he pretended they did.

Then, without lingering further, Xiao Yi restarted the snowmobile and headed toward Sector Seven Spruce Forest.

…

…

“The Maple Country Police Rescue Team seems to have reinforced this area!”

Captain Liu and Captain Yan’s main rescue force had just landed at the edge of Sector Seven Spruce Forest.

They were preparing to set up temporary tents for rest.

Before they finished, the rumble of helicopters echoed overhead.

Naturally, the production crew’s rescue team looked up.

Seeing the incoming helicopters, Captain Liu muttered first:

“Perfect! It proves our guess was right—the Maple Country Police Rescue Team also believes Shen’s team is here.”

Hearing this, Captain Yan chuckled beside him:

“Still annoying. Even without them, we could’ve rescued our own comrades.”

Clearly, Captain Liu knew Anji had repeatedly provoked them—and now he disliked the entire Maple Country Police Rescue Team.

Hearing this, Captain Yan shook his head and said:

“Liu, you can say this among us, but they came to help.”

Seeing Captain Yan’s response, Captain Liu said nothing further—he knew it hurt team unity.

Still, he added: “You’ve spoken to Officer Anji before—go greet him. I’ll check if our gear’s ready.”

Without waiting for Captain Yan’s reply, Captain Liu walked straight into the crowd.

Watching this, Captain Yan sighed and muttered:

“That old Liu—still as stubborn as ever!”

Soon after, the Maple Country Police Rescue Team’s helicopter landed beside them.

Anji stepped out first. Seeing the production crew’s main force already here, he was slightly surprised.

But he walked calmly toward Captain Yan and the others.

Seeing each other, members of both rescue teams began whispering among themselves.

“Weird! The Maple Country Police Rescue Team sent a lot of people—they must’ve thought the same as our captain.”

"Doesn't this count as great minds think alike? Let’s see who finds Xiao Qin and the others first."

"By the way, I heard Xiao Shen agreed to fight that pretty-boy cop? That guy’s got guts, challenging Xiao Shen."

"I heard about this last night too, from Ji Ge. Didn’t Xiao Shen set some conditions? Jiu’er, weren’t you with Captain Yan yesterday? What exactly happened?"

"Xiao Shen agreed, but only if they rescue Xiao Qin and the others today before the fight proceeds."

"Perfect! So there’s a condition. Today, no matter what, I’m backing that Canadian cop."

"Damn, I knew you were always scheming—but I’m backing this too, Old Lan. If anyone finds Xiao Qin and the others, we notify the Canadian guys first."

"Hah! You bunch of sneaky bastards!"

"77!"

"78!"

……

……

"Monkey, what are you counting over there?"

"Exactly a hundred! Didn’t the Canadian police rescue team send only a hundred? And now they’re all here."

"You didn’t miscount, did you?"

"Get lost. How many people is this? Do you think I can’t count? Looks like Officer Anji really wants to get beaten."

"There are too many of them. Everyone, give it your all today. We can give them info about Xiao Qin’s group—but we can’t let them find Xiao Qin first. Understood?"

"Heh, do you really have to say that? Do you think we’re not proud? Finding our own brothers first is the only way it should be."

……

……

At this moment, the rescue team members were saying all kinds of things, but many internally held strong convictions.

They’d help Officer Anji find Xiao Yi to get beaten—but only after they found Xiao Qin and the others first.

As for Captain Liu and the others in the crowd, upon hearing the chatter, they all nodded in quiet satisfaction.

They were all team leaders; even if they had thoughts, they couldn’t show them like the others.

Meanwhile, Captain Yan could only smile bitterly—these guys were truly devious.

He glanced at a few nearby fellows and glared at them to shut up.

After all, Anji was already walking toward them.

Captain Yan knew Anji’s Mandarin was excellent—if he overheard this chatter, it would hurt team unity.

"Hello, Officer Anji. I didn’t expect you’d all come to this coniferous forest today!"

Captain Yan stepped forward first, smiling politely and extending his right hand.

"Hello, Captain Yan! I hope we make some surprising discoveries today."

Seeing Captain Yan approach, Anji shook his hand in response.

He and Captain Yan were barely acquainted.

But Captain Yan couldn’t help being startled by the sea of Canadian police rescue members behind Anji.

He continued, "Officer Anji, are you certain our teammates are truly in this coniferous forest?"

"Aren’t you and your team thinking the same?"

"Hah! Of course. Then let’s wish each other success today."

"Absolutely!"

They didn’t dwell on it—daily daylight hours for rescue were always limited.

After exchanging a few words with Captain Yan, Anji’s group left and began setting up camp nearby.

Clearly, they intended to dig in at Coniferous Forest #7.

"Old Yan, how was the talk just now?"

After Anji left, Captain Liu returned and asked.

"Just empty words. How’s everything packed? Once ready, we head in immediately."

"Heh, if that guy hadn’t shown up, we’d have already entered the forest. Everyone’s been waiting!"

"Move out!"

Not long after, Captain Liu shouted loudly.

Then, the entire production crew’s rescue team gradually entered Coniferous Forest #7.