Chapter 108: Gathering at the Territory: The Wolf’s Scent and the Lords’ Exchange

After inspecting the light brown fur and cucumber sealed in the vacuum bag, Chen Zheng confirmed, “This is wolf fur. The cucumber also carries its scent. It’s the same wolf that left its scent under the grapevine over half a month ago.”

Hu Zifeng’s expression turned grave. “This wolf is seriously cunning. Maybe we should report this to Luo Ge and have him send over a scent evolver or an evolved dog above level seven to track the wolf?”

Even though Chen Zheng was a level five scent evolver, he just couldn’t figure out where the wolf came from or where it had gone.

Xia Qing noticed something else—Hu Zifeng said to report to Luo Ge, not to Captain Yang Jin. Did that mean Yang Jin wasn’t at the third base right now?

She shook her head. “I think this wolf is a friend of Boss Sheep. It’s not here to cause trouble, so let’s not bother Luo Ge for now or bring in more people. I’m heading to the produce trade fair. Please help guard the territory. If the wolf shows up again, as long as it doesn’t attack, just let it be.”

“Huh?”

Hu Zifeng and Chen Zheng, who always prided themselves on being steady and mature, both stood there with mouths so wide open you could fit an egret egg inside.

“So Boss Sheep doesn’t just hang out with pigs—he’s even friends with a wolf now?”

“Wait, is he really an evolved sheep, or an evolved wolf just wearing a sheep’s coat?”

If Xia Qing could hear what they were thinking, she’d definitely tell them: Boss Sheep is obviously a sheep—one standing at the very top of Blue Star’s pyramid! He’s the trailblazer for all evolved sheep on Blue Star.

Xia Qing added another reminder. “I won’t be back tonight. Boss Sheep might throw a fit. If he acts up, just call me and put me on speaker for him.”

When it was time to head out, Xia Qing slung on her heavy backpack, strapped on her machete, and pinned on the regular evolver badge she hadn’t worn in five months. As for her handgun, she left it carefully hidden at home. She wasn’t a squad member, so bringing a gun into the Safe Zone was a no-go.

Before leaving, Xia Qing said goodbye to Boss Sheep. “Boss, I’m heading out. Guard the house for me, okay? I promise I’ll bring you something tasty when I get back tomorrow.”

“Baa!”

Ever since she got the private training ground, Xia Qing had often left the territory with the same excuse—going to get something delicious—so Boss Sheep happily accepted the explanation, his call full of excitement.

“Yep, I’ll bring yummy treats for you, promise. I’ll be away for longer this time, though—I won’t be back until tomorrow evening.” Xia Qing pointed to the sun to explain. “Look, when this bright ball moves from here to there, you go home and sleep, and when it comes back around, I’ll be home again.”

Boss Sheep squinted at her, but who knew if he really understood.

“Beep beep. Beep beep.”

A car horn sounded outside. Zhong Tao and Zheng Kui had arrived. Xia Qing hauled her pack to the Territory Three bus stop, only to find a military truck wrapped tight in green army canvas, instead of the light transport truck that usually picked up lords. Armored vehicles in front and behind escorted the convoy, ensuring the safety of the lords.

Tan Junjie and Zhong Tao, both fully geared up, jumped out of the car. Tan Junjie kept his usual stern face as he said, “Lord of Plot Three, Xia Qing, welcome to the Hui San Base Agricultural Products Trading Conference. Please board the truck.”

After saying that, Zhong Tao shot Xia Qing a wink and took the lead up to the cab.

Wearing her protective mask, Xia Qing followed Zhong Tao into the empty truck bed, picked a seat right at the center next to the cab, and hugged her heavy pack to her chest.

A moment later, Xia Qing heard Tan Junjie invite the representative from Plot One aboard in the same formal tone. To her surprise, it was Wei Chengdong. He made his way right over to Xia Qing and sat down. He explained quietly, “I haven’t been back to the Safe Zone in months. This is the perfect chance to visit.”

With Wei Chengdong by her side, Xia Qing relaxed a little more.

Right after that, the representative from Plot Two climbed aboard. The moment this upright-looking man opened his mouth, Xia Qing instantly recognized him.

“Wei Chengdong? How come you’re not with Luo Pei and ended up here?”

When it came to the Tang family, Wei Chengdong had no less of an attitude than Hu Zifeng. “Do I need your approval for where I show up?”

Tang Huai shot a glare at Wei Chengdong, then darted another look at the green badge Xia Qing wore. “Plot Three, Xia Qing?”

Xia Qing gave a slight nod.

“I’m Tang Huai.”

“Figured as much,” Xia Qing replied.

Seeing that Xia Qing was anything but warm, Tang Huai snorted and picked a spot on the fixed bench along the east side, then started organizing his gear. The truck rolled east for a while, then Zhao Ze, Qi Fu, Shi Du, Assistant Liu from Plot Nine, and Ji Li—the ‘courier’ from Territory Seven—all boarded one after another. Xia Qing recognized them all, and for the others, she figured it out soon as they spoke.

Among this group of vaguely familiar strangers, voices quickly bridged the distance. Xia Qing first asked after Qi Fu’s now-healed arm, then settled back into silence.

Just as Shi Du, who sat beside Xia Qing, was about to strike up a conversation, Assistant Liu, dressed in a spotless white protective suit across the aisle, suddenly spoke with that same gentle, unyielding tone that left no room for refusal. “Mr. Shi, may I swap seats with you? I’m a bit timid. Sitting next to Miss Xia would make me feel much safer.”

Assistant Liu looked bookish and pale, with thick black-framed glasses perched on his nose—the picture of a helpless research type. Shi Du had no choice but to give up his seat.

Qi Fu and Zhao Ze stifled their chuckles. Kuang Qingwei, his round face and narrow eyes, laughed as he patted the seat next to him. “Hey Shi, come over here. More folks will be piling in soon, so let’s stick together and watch our stuff—wouldn’t want anything to go missing.”

Tang Huai, who had no interest in Kuang Qingwei’s offer, just huffed and turned to chat up Ji Li from Plot Seven. “Hey buddy, want a greenlight crispy cicada? They’re amazing.”

Cicadas—specifically, those that have just shed their skins and haven’t yet hardened or darkened—are at their most tender and clean at that stage.

Ji Li kept both his expression and his tone stiff. “Plot Seven doesn’t trade with Plot Two.”

Xia Qing couldn’t help it…

Tang Huai didn’t drop his friendly smile. “It’s not a trade—it’s free.”

“Thanks.” With that, Ji Li picked up a cicada with a toothpick and popped it in his mouth the moment he heard it was free.

Strangers, eating food from strangers—well, no wonder he’s Zhang San’s best courier.

Seeing Ji Li take a bite, Tang Huai was thrilled and offered the box of fried cicadas to Assistant Liu with both hands. “Care for one, Assistant Liu?”

“Thank you.” Assistant Liu lifted his glasses, picked one up with a toothpick, took a close look, then gave it a sniff. “Brand new molted cicadas—protein content 58.58%, fat 10.23%. High in phosphorous, calcium, and zinc. A rare high protein, low fat delicacy. Fried using premium pure peanut oil, cooked at just the right temperature—crispy and perfect. The dried pepper, ginger, and garlic added after frying are all greenlight-grade. Mr. Tang, you really splurge on the ingredients, and your cooking’s top notch.”

“You’ve got quite the expert’s palate, Assistant Liu. You got it all right. We used to just chat in the Lord’s Channel, but this is the first time we’re all meeting face to face. Please, everyone, try out Plot Two’s specialty.” With that, Tang Huai offered the fried cicadas to Xia Qing. “Miss Xia?”