Chapter 1019: Return, Reunion, and the Coming Storm

Originally planning to run to Hill Fifty-Five, Xia Qing switched to taking the helicopter instead.

Huo Zhun was once again piloting, while the passengers were two people and a monkey.

Zhang Song sat across from Xia Qing and the Monkey, fighting back his excitement and conflicting feelings as he seriously observed this oddly calm pair.

As the helicopter soared above the Hill Fifty-Five mountain range, Huo Zhun radioed over, “Sister Qing, are we landing on the same peak as last time?”

“That’s right.” As an ally of the Wolf Pack, Xia Qing’s helicopter could only land in their territory. Touching down inside the Bear Pack’s domain might spark a conflict, and with Devastation Rain almost here, Xia Qing really didn’t want trouble at such a crucial time.

Once the helicopter came to a stable landing, the roar of the rotors finally faded.

Xia Qing didn’t rush to open the cabin door. She glanced down and spoke to the little monkey pressed close against her, clutching its backpack. “Goofball, which one in your bag is for itching?”

Goofball immediately unzipped its little backpack, pawed out a tiny pill bottle, twisted the cap, scooped out a bit of the powder, then brushed aside the fur on its arm to rub it right onto its skin.

Zhang Song stared in wide-eyed shock at Goofball’s whole routine.

“Good job. Remember, you can’t eat this powder—if you do, it’ll upset your stomach.” Xia Qing straightened Goofball’s little hat and jacket, then led it out of the helicopter.

Zhang Song, knowing his place, didn’t follow. He sat quietly by the cabin door, watching longingly.

Xia Qing took Goofball over to a big boulder nearby and gave slow, careful instructions. “If you want to come back to my territory, the moment you spot the helicopter, you stand right here with your bag. Or you can wait for me up there on Hill Sixty’s peak. I’ll come pick you up. Make sure it’s our helicopter, don’t let any other humans catch you. Remember to gather herbs and look for rocks…”

When she’d finished, Xia Qing helped Goofball put its backpack on properly. “Go on, head back to your territory. It’s dangerous during Devastation Rain, don’t run around.”

According to the forecast, the third wave of Devastation Rain this year was coming in two days. At such a risky moment, of course Goofball wanted to stay with its family.

Once Goofball disappeared from sight, Xia Qing told Zhang Song and Huo Zhun to wait a moment. Then she stepped onto her personal flight gear and soared straight toward Hill Sixty.

Halfway up Hill Sixty-One, a Giant Bear was watching the annoying human land on Hill Sixty. Then it turned to keep an eye on a monkey and a bear running toward the border between Hill Fifty-Nine and Sixty-One.

“Broken Leg, long time no see.” As soon as Xia Qing landed, she greeted the approaching Lame Wolf and handed it a pack of roasted jerky. “Is Er over here?”

Just as Lame Wolf was about to dig into the jerky, it tilted its head and howled. “Awooo—awooo—”

“Awoo—wooo—”

Hearing Er respond, Xia Qing grinned and joined in with a howl of her own. “Awoo—wooo—”

Her cry left Lame Wolf and some nearby Evolved Wolves stunned. The other wolves bared their fangs, while Lame Wolf stared at Xia Qing, as if trying to figure out what she was up to.

Xia Qing pulled out another handful of jerky and passed it around. “I’m just happy, wanted to let it out.”

The wolves immediately stopped baring their teeth. They each grabbed some jerky and wandered off to eat. Just then, Er came bounding up with a bright, happy smile. Xia Qing hugged Er’s neck. “Er! I brought Goofball back to its territory and thought I’d stop by to check on you and Lame Wolf. How’ve you been lately?”

Er nudged Xia Qing, grinning just as happily as ever.

Seeing Er hadn’t lost weight and looked bright-eyed, Xia Qing felt reassured. She took out a leather necklace strung with Yi Stone granules and fastened it around Er’s neck, hiding it in the thick fur. She handed over a big pack of freeze-dried meat and spoke seriously. “The Devastation Rain is coming, Er. Fill your belly, don’t go out in the rain. Just rest up in your den.”

Once she was done talking to Er and hadn’t spotted any more familiar wolves, Xia Qing hopped back on her personal flight gear and returned to the peak of Hill Fifty-Eight where the helicopter was parked.

Huo Zhun gave an update on Goofball. “After it met up with a bear, the monkey was led into the dense forest.”

Zhang Song added, “That’s the same Brain-Evolved Bear that got hit with tranquilizers during the last poaching incident.”

Huo Zhun… how did you recognize that?

Xia Qing nodded. “Huo, let’s head to the third peak of Hill Fifty-Five.”

“Copy that.” Huo Zhun lifted the helicopter into the air and set course for their next destination.

Taking advantage of the flight, Zhang Song began his interview with Xia Qing. “Sister Qing, what’s in Goofball’s backpack?”

Xia Qing replied calmly, “Aside from a bottle of insect repellent and a printout, it’s all food—sweet potatoes, breadworms, freeze-dried meat, cucumbers, and tomatoes.”

There was also half a mantou steamed in Territory Seven. Goofball wanted to bring the whole thing, but Xia Qing couldn’t spare it and only gave it half.

After jotting down notes, Zhang Song asked again, “Did it pick all these supplies itself, or did you pack them?”

“The food was its choice. I added the repellent and the herbal printout.” Besides that, Xia Qing had also given Goofball a Yi Stone necklace, hidden away in its thick fur.

The Yi Stone necklaces Xia Qing made for her animal companions always used leather cords. If anything ever snagged the chain, a sharp tug would break the leather so her friends wouldn’t get hurt.

Watching Zhang Song busily scribbling notes, Xia Qing asked, “Brother Song, how many monkeys are in Goofball’s troop?”

Zhang Song replied, “White-faced Snub-nosed Monkeys have always kept a monogamous system, forming small family groups of 5-9 members. Our cameras on Hill Sixty-Two have spotted six troops in total. Goofball’s family group has nine members, the largest we’ve seen.”

Huo Zhun, flying the helicopter, was surprised. “Only a handful of monkeys in each group?”

That’s barely any fighting power.

“White-faced Snub-nosed Monkeys are small, omnivorous, live in the trees, don’t eat much, and aren’t aggressive. That’s why they don’t need huge territories.” After answering Huo Zhun, Zhang Song went back to explaining to Xia Qing. “Goofball was born last spring and already knows how to survive on its own. It’s in its prime exploring the Evolved Forest. Once it turns four and reaches maturity, it’ll look for a mate to form its own family—maybe create a new troop, or stick with its current one, depending on how much food there is in its territory.”

“Brother Song, if you spot Goofball in the future, could you send me a photo or a video clip?” Xia Qing really liked this reliable little helper.

“I’ll need to check with Third Brother. If he says it’s okay, I’ll send them.” As a member of Zhang San’s research team, Zhang Song had to get approval before sharing data.

As the helicopter entered the Hill Fifty-Five region, Huo Zhun notified Xia Qing, “Sister Qing, the Alpha is down below.”

Spotting the helicopter, the Alpha stood tall atop the second peak of Hill Fifty-Two, looking every bit the part.

Xia Qing wasn’t sure if it recognized her helicopter, but she didn’t change her plan. “Huo, just hover over the third peak for me. Once I rappel down, you and Brother Song can return—don’t worry about picking me up later.”

The second peak was the Wolf Pack’s main home, so landing on the third made more sense.

With the helicopter hovering, Xia Qing slung on her big pack and rappelled efficiently to the third peak. The moment she appeared, the Alpha’s killing intent melted away, and it let out a long howl.

All the Evolved Wolves nearby heard the command and stopped watching the helicopter, going back to their own business.

Once the helicopter left, the Crippled Wolf soon showed up in front of Xia Qing, regarding her thoughtfully.

“Goofball needed to head back to Hill Sixty-Two, so I had Huo fly it over.” Xia Qing explained, then shouldered her backpack and headed toward the pond she needed to check.