Chapter 1167: Re-Entering Mountain No. 19

The helicopter landed within the territory of Mountain No. 19, the cabin door opened, and one wolf after another leapt out, scrambling to be first. Xia Qing stood up and gave instructions, "Captain Hu, Er Yong, you two head back to Northern Zone One first, and come over again tomorrow morning."

Hu Zifeng nodded. "Alright, stay safe."

After Xia Qing led six wolves, big and small, into the Evolution Forest and disappeared into the distance, Er Yong, piloting the helicopter as it took off again, couldn't help sighing, "Sister Qing's wolf pack keeps getting bigger, and their gear keeps getting better. Boss, is that black half-grown wolf next to Wolf Lao Er the pup of that black wolf that often goes on missions with the alpha?"

After Xia Qing followed the wolf pack to Mountain No. 59 to hunt giant eagles, she called Er Yong and Huo Zhun to fly the helicopter to pick her up, bringing the injured Broken-Waist Wolf and a little black wolf back to the territory.

But that had been two months ago, and Er Yong couldn't be sure whether that fierce, valiant-looking half-grown black wolf just now was the same little black wolf that had been at death's door back then.

"Probably is." Hu Zifeng reminded Er Yong, "Just the two of us need to know this. Don't spread it around."

"Understood." Silenced by his captain, Er Yong couldn't help sighing again, "Sister Qing might be the most insanely evolved human on Blue Star. Blue Star probably really can't go back to the way it was before the Catastrophe."

Hu Zifeng gazed down at the pitch-black Evolution Forest below, not knowing what was happening or how many kinds of evolved animals were hiding within, and murmured in reply, "It definitely can't go back. But if the animals hadn't all evolved, Blue Star might be even worse off."

"Yeah, no matter how big the animal threat is, it's still not as crazy as the evolved microorganisms that are everywhere."

"Sister Qing?"

Didn't she say only three wolves were coming? Why did she bring six?

Yang Jin's questioning voice came through the walkie-talkie into Xia Qing's ears, and also traveled far enough to be heard by the wolf pack.

The five wolves—including Little Wolf Sister and Little Four-Eyes—immediately formed up in battle array. The handsome giant wolf in the center at the front bared its snow-white fangs and issued a warning to the humans ahead. The Broken-Waist Wolf standing beside Xia Qing did not step forward, nor did it organize the pack's actions.

Xia Qing did not answer Yang Jin's question in front of the Broken-Waist Wolf, only reminded him to mind the distance. "Wolves are extremely sensitive to human heat-based weapons. Please have Captain Yang keep track of our position at all times and move your squad members out of the way in advance. Try not to stand upwind, or unnecessary conflicts might break out—you're standing upwind right now."

"Understood." Yang Jin's mission tonight was to hold the perimeter and prevent other humans and beasts from entering the area and disturbing Xia Qing and the wolf pack as they searched for supplies. He had thought keeping his squad 500 meters from the pack would be enough, but at this distance, the pack still couldn't accept it.

It seemed that among humans, the Northern Wolf Pack still trusted only Xia Qing.

This was a good thing—for the pack, and for Xia Qing.

After Yang Jin led his team farther away, the handsome giant wolf sheathed its fangs and shook its body in displeasure. It didn't like wearing a layer of snakeskin over its fur. Running like that wasn't satisfying at all!

The Big Guy, also wearing protective gear, stood behind the Broken-Waist Wolf. This wasn't their territory—strange scents were everywhere—and this giant wolf was on high alert, ready for battle at any moment. Little Wolf Sister and Little Four-Eyes were in the same state as the Big Guy.

Xia Qing raised a hand and scratched Lao Er's neck, discussing in a low voice, "Can Lao Er call Lao Si over?"

The reason Xia Qing had called Lao Er over was precisely because it had the best relationship with Lao Si; bringing it along could achieve twice the result with half the effort.

Before Lao Er could speak, the Broken-Waist Wolf beside them raised its head and let out a long howl, and Lao Er immediately joined in howling.

Having spent a long time with the wolf pack, Xia Qing could understand whether their different-toned calls were warnings, gathering members, locating, or passing messages. Although she could understand them, Xia Qing couldn't accurately produce such howls herself, because human and wolf vocal structures are different.

By the same logic, the Broken-Waist Wolf could generally understand human calls—that is, the meaning of human language—but it couldn't speak human words itself.

Mountain No. 19 belonged to the fringe territory of the surrounding large beasts. Strange wolves howling here quickly drew the beasts' attention. Soon, Xia Qing heard howls from leopards, hyenas, wolves, and even tigers.

It wasn't only Xia Qing who heard these sounds—Yang Jin heard them too. He immediately ordered his squad members to closely monitor the movements of nearby beasts, and to report immediately if any approached.

Besides Yang Jin, other humans also heard the beasts' howls.

Inside Mountain No. 29 of Hui One, one of four vagrants hiding in a cave, preparing to sneak into Mountain No. 39 of Hui to grab supplies, cursed under his breath, "Shit! Isn't the Northern Wolf Pack at Mountain No. 28?"

The hearing-evolved vagrant beside him lowered his voice, "Only two wolves. They probably spotted humans or some other large animal while hunting, so they're calling for pack members."

The third vagrant to speak cursed and swore, "What fucking bad luck!"

The fourth vagrant suggested, "Brother Qi, how about we use beast-lure powder?"

The second vagrant to speak disagreed, "No good. The Azure Dragon Squad's helicopter just came by. The top sniper who wiped out the Phantom Squad might be nearby. Even if we use beast-lure powder to make a big commotion, it won't help. Brother Qi, should we pull out?"

The vagrant leader called Brother Qi gritted his teeth, "Wait a bit longer. Let's see how things develop."

"Awoo—wuuuu—"

After Lao Er let out another long howl, Xia Qing finally heard a response from the southwest—this was Lao Si's call!

This close-range wolf howl startled the four vagrants hiding in the cave so badly that none of them dared make a sound.

A pair of green wolf eyes appeared in the Evolution Forest to the southwest, and Lao Er happily let out a few low howls and ran over. After quite a while, Lao Er finally brought Lao Si to Xia Qing.

Discovering that Lao Si hadn't brought the Scarred-Face Wolf along, the Broken-Waist Wolf gave Xia Qing a pat with its big paw.

"I know, I'll talk to Lao Si about the Scarred-Face Wolf." Xia Qing walked over and greeted Lao Si warmly, "Lao Si, I'm so happy to see you again!"

Lao Si looked at Xia Qing calmly, showing no reaction.

Xia Qing immediately dug an egg out of her backpack and held it out, "Is Lao Si hungry? Have an egg to tide you over?"

Lao Si sniffed it, took the egg in its mouth, tilted its head back, and with a crack! bit the shell to pieces and swallowed it down, then continued looking at Xia Qing.

Xia Qing gave it a nutrient solution stick as well, then took out her phone and pointed at a photo of the Scarred-Face Wolf, gesturing as she discussed with Lao Si, "Lao Si, this wolf that came with you last time, the Scarred-Face Wolf—its wound needs medicine, otherwise it'll get sick and worse and worse…"

Lao Si's gaze shifted back and forth between the photo and Xia Qing twice, its expression serious.

"…It needs treatment. Can Lao Si bring it today and ride the helicopter back with me…"

Seeing this old wolf show clear resistance, Xia Qing slowed her speech and communicated other options with this weathered, brain-domain-evolved old wolf, "Lao Si, are you going to bring it to my territory yourself?"

Lao Si bared its lips, flashing its somewhat yellowed fangs.

"Alright, I'll wait for you and Scarface at Territory No. 3." After confirming Lao Si understood her meaning, Xia Qing pulled up a photo of the vagrants and began discussing the next matter, "Lao Si, is there a cave with blue-skinned humans nearby?"

Lao Si opened its mouth and bared its fangs again. The Broken-Waist Wolf gazed at Lao Si, thoughtful.

Xia Qing was delighted. "Can Lao Si take me to their cave?"