Chapter 1016: Harvesting Bamboo Shoots and Unexpected Rewards

After finding twelve bamboo shoot tips Xia Qing pressed the button on the walkie-talkie. “Bamboo Whip Shoots found. Get ready to harvest. Everyone, suit up. Third Brother, Jing Kuan, Er Yong, and I will do the picking. On three, we pull at once.”

“Roger that!” Zhang San replied along with the others, excitement clear in his voice.

Huo Zhun and Hu Zifeng immediately opened their shields to protect Zhang San, and with the Iron Umbrella on his back, he was covered from every angle.

Xia Qing started counting. “One, two, three!”

Crouched under the Iron Umbrella, Zhang San yanked out the bamboo shoot at the command. Three seconds later, a storm of Bamboo-Leaf Darts clattered against the umbrella, forcing him to tumble and land right on Hu Zifeng’s foot. Huo Zhun reached out, steadying the tilted umbrella so Zhang San wouldn’t get hit.

Even though Zhang San’s protective suit was top grade and the darts couldn’t pierce it, getting slammed by them would still hurt—a lot, even for someone of Senior Expert’s caliber.

Overestimating his own strength and underestimating the bamboo’s force, Zhang San steadied himself. “Sorry, lost my balance.”

Hearing him apologize, Hu Zifeng got even more nervous. “It’s fine, it’s fine, as long as you’re not hurt.”

After seeing Zhang Song tumble on flat ground before, Xia Qing felt today’s display from her idol was already impressive.

Once the Green Lantern Bamboo stopped firing darts, Xia Qing turned to get her idol’s opinion. “The Devastation Rain season’s coming soon. Digging too many Green Lantern Shoots will weaken the bamboo’s resistance. Third Brother, how about we switch to a few Yellow Lantern shoots instead?”

They’d come out here to dig up shoots mainly as a cover for their real mission. Having enjoyed the thrill already, Zhang San decided to quit while ahead. “No need, these few are enough for a stir-fry. Let’s head to Hill Fifty.”

After Xia Qing carried Zhang San out of Hill Fifty-Two, the Wolf Pack’s job was done.

Without even a goodbye, the Alpha led the Wolf Pack away. The Balding Weasel hustled its kids off too, leaving only the Broken Back Wolf, who stared intently at Xia Qing.

Xia Qing knew exactly what this wolf wanted. She promised, “I’ll come over first thing tomorrow morning.”

Satisfied, the Broken Back Wolf flashed its little fangs in a smile, glanced once more at Zhang San, then melted away into the Evolved Forest.

This brain-evolved wolf was quirky, but its smile resembled Xia Qing’s. Zhang San asked curiously, “Did you teach that wolf to smile like you do?”

Xia Qing shook her head. “Nope, it figured that out on its own.”

“It’s smart. It’s imitating you. Even the way it smiles is just like you.”

If anyone else had said that, Xia Qing would’ve dropped them and counted their bones. But coming from her idol…

“I’ll take that as a compliment about my clever smile, then.”

Hill Fifty was guarded by the Azure Dragon Squad and the defenders from Territory Seven. It was a lot safer than the Evolved Forest.

After escorting him around safely, the mission team dropped him back at Territory Seven and handed him off to Zheng Chen and Zhang Jingwu before clocking out.

Huo Zhun, Hu Zifeng, and Peng Jian slumped into the seats of Xia Qing’s off-roader, worn out.

Peng Jian was still shaken. “There weren’t any attacks or killer plants, but I feel more beat than after an S-Class mission.”

Huo Zhun corrected him. “This was a triple S mission for us.”

“Huo’s right.” Hu Zifeng nodded in agreement.

Protecting a top-tier national scientist on a trip to the Evolved Forest to dig up bamboo shoots? That’s a 3S mission, no doubt. If this had been an official Safe Zone assignment, their squad wouldn’t have even made the cut.

Peng Jian let out a sigh. “Totally worth it though.”

Risk and reward go hand in hand. Xia Qing had already paid the team, but once Third Brother got down from Hill Fifty, he promised each of them three special coagulants too.

Who’d believe it if they said they just guarded the great Fu Tianfeng while he dug bamboo shoots in the Evolved Forest?

Driving, Xia Qing offered another bonus. “I cleared out the fish pond yesterday. You each get a Yellow Lantern Fish when we get back.”

“I’ll pass. Sister Qing gave me some fish yesterday, still haven’t finished those.” Huo Zhun laughed. “Her fish, especially steamed, are amazing.”

“Try making water-boiled fish next time—it’s even better.” Peng Jian started swapping fish recipes with Huo Zhun.

After dropping Hu Zifeng and Peng Jian at the northern gate of Territory One, Xia Qing drove Huo Zhun back to Territory Eleven.

Once the Azure Dragon Squad members were gone, Huo Zhun got serious. “Sister Qing, the only reason we made it back safe this time is no one expected Third Brother to leave his territory. Once the Devastation Rain is over, the evolved fighters in our territory need to start intensive training to up our teamwork. Also, we’re going to need more people. If you trust me, I’ll talk to Yan Long and pull a couple of retired soldiers over from the Jiao Dragon Special Forces. They’re orphans and my brothers for life.”

Now that Third Brother’s taken the first step, there’ll be a second and a third. Once word gets out about him leaving his base, people will plot to snatch him up.

No one would dare kill Zhang San—they need him too much. But they’d absolutely try to “invite” him to their bases or research centers, hoping he’ll keep making breakthroughs for them.

“If you and Sister Yan pick the people, of course I trust you,” Xia Qing said, then asked, “Should I save spots for them at the Ninth Planting Center?”

“No need. Territory Eleven is big enough. I’ll set aside land for each of them, let them farm as they like.” Once his brothers moved in, Huo Zhun could stop getting chewed out by his old man daily—and he’d finally have real help with the work. Win-win all around.

If the team knew they’d get to run guard with an Evolved Wolf Pack just for protecting Third Brother, they’d fight each other for the job.

“Xia Qing, there?”

After hustling around her territory till evening, Xia Qing heard her idol calling her on the Lords’ channel. She immediately pressed her walkie-talkie. “Here, Third Brother. What’s up?”

Zhang San’s voice sounded kindly. “Got any of that fresh Green Lantern kelp and dried shrimp you made? I’d like to trade for some.”

“I do. I’ll bring it over now.” Xia Qing agreed, then added a request of her own. “Third Brother, could I borrow your underwater robot for a bit? Devastation Rain is coming, and I want to check if Section Three’s underwater defense net is still solid.”

“Go ahead,” Zhang San answered cheerfully.

Carrying some specialties from Lan Five she traded with Yang Jin last month, Xia Qing quickly made her way to Territory Seven and handed the food to Da Ya.

Da Ya was in a great mood. “Hang out and chat with Third Brother for a while, Sister Qing. When Sister Ping’s finished cooking the Whip Shoot, Kelp and Pork Rib Soup, you can take some back for dinner.”

“Great!” The chef, Ge Ping, in Territory Seven was incredible in the kitchen, so Xia Qing accepted without hesitation.

As she followed the increasingly friendly Zheng Chen toward her idol’s lab, Xia Qing’s mind bounced between wanting to rough him up and dialing Yang Jin.

Luckily it wasn’t far. Once she stepped into her idol’s lab and closed the door, Xia Qing finally had some peace and quiet.

Zhang San handed her a report. “The test results on the Giant Wasp sample are back. Take a look.”

“Wow, Third Brother, you’re amazing—you cracked so much in barely two hours after getting back!” Xia Qing gave him genuine praise, then glanced at the report and froze. “Yi Element Content, 9.1!”