Chapter 1156: Sparrows and Magpies: The Battle for the Swallow’s Nest

Hmm…

Leaving the territory in the hands of Hu Zifeng’s squad, Xia Qing tried to catch up on sleep at home. She barely managed two hours before the shrill, chattering calls of birds jolted her awake.

For someone with evolved hearing, those sharp, high-pitched cries were like needles to Xia Qing’s eardrums, stirring up instant irritation. Judging from the racket, she didn’t even need to look—it was clear some birds had noticed the swallows had left her house and were now fighting over the territory, the battle fierce right from the start.

Which clueless flock dared to invade her turf? Had they never heard how she’d once stolen egret eggs, or seen the wolves bringing birds as housewarming gifts, or watched her Er swoop down in perfect hunts?

Groaning, Xia Qing rolled out of bed, pulled on some clothes, and ignored the big red squirrel wagging its tail at her from the windowsill. She thudded downstairs and swiped open the heavy-duty front door styled like an operating room entrance.

The moment the door opened, the raucous squawking stopped. The flapping wings fell silent too, and two or three dozen feathers drifted to the ground from the air.

As soon as Xia Qing paused, Little Fei Mao sprinted from its deluxe wooden nest and burrowed into her pocket. Xia Qing gave her Employee No. 001 a gentle pat, then walked outside to stand in the yard. Looking up, she spotted over thirty round gray-brown heads peeking from the swallow’s nest under the eaves, all pairs of tiny eyes staring right at her.

Perched on the rooftop and in nearby trees, eight large magpies likewise fixed their gaze on her.

Nice. Not even a day after the swallows migrated, a flock of sparrows had already tried to claim the nest and were now at war with the magpies. The sparrows, being small, clearly wanted the swallow’s nest. But what were the magpies after?

Xia Qing took out her phone, snapped a few photos, sent them to her friends, then turned and headed back inside.

“Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!!!”

“Tweet! Tweet! Tweet!!!”

As soon as Xia Qing closed the door, the chaos outside erupted again.

Xin Yu video-called Xia Qing soon after. “Did your swallows migrate with the flock?” she asked.

“Yeah, they left yesterday evening,” Xia Qing replied, opening Crippled Wolf’s double-door fridge, grabbing a bottle of cold water, and taking a few sips.

Even though it was already September, the midday temperature still topped thirty degrees—scorching hot. Since she kept Yi Stones inside the fridge to block Devastation Element, Xia Qing was in the habit of storing all her food, water, and medicines there.

“Sparrows aren’t great at building nests. Usually, they cobble together loose homes in ready-made holes with bits of straw and feathers. They love to take over swallows’ nests, lining them with their own feathers to claim them. Magpies are bigger—they’re not interested in swallow nests once built, but while the swallows are still making them, magpies will steal the building materials for earthquake-proofing their own homes. So, seeing a whole flock of magpies in on the action is pretty unusual.”

After explaining the habits of both species, Xin Yu’s curiosity piqued. “So, what’s your plan?”

Xia Qing was clear. “They’re both omnivorous insect-eaters. I’m not getting involved. Winner gets the nest.”

Xin Yu warned her, “If the magpies win, your swallow nest might not survive.”

Xia Qing was unconcerned. “No big deal. If the swallows come back next year, they can always build a new nest. They work fast, anyway.”

Her friend had a consistent attitude towards all wildlife—hands-off. Xin Yu laughed, “Alright, if they come back next year to build, I’m coming over to watch. By the way, have you checked online yet? The internet is buzzing about you.”

Last night, after Xia Qing sniped a raptor from 2080 meters at Hui Three’s Hill Sixty, she defeated Hui Five’s top sniper, Phantom, atop Mount Twenty-Nine, wiping out the entire Phantom Squad. The news and videos had gone viral.

“Haven’t had a chance yet, but I figured as much,” Xia Qing said. She’d spent so long trying to keep a low profile that suddenly becoming the center of attention left her uneasy.

Still, she didn’t regret a thing.

Her legendary sniping ability only got exposed because she’d accepted the Tang Family’s mission, traveling to Lan Five Base as Section Three’s lord to rescue Little Shiyi, not as Qinglong Night Heron.

If she hadn’t saved Little Shiyi, her important partner and idol Zhang San wouldn’t have gotten more Recovery Factor to ease the harm from Devastation Element allergies.

Compared to keeping her talents secret, her idol always came first.

Xin Yu knew Xia Qing hated the spotlight and understood her concerns. “Black Panther Squad lost their whole Phantom Squad, so there’s no way they can keep Hui Five’s Combat Team in first place. Don’t worry, the Base Director is sure to assign more squads to protect you. Black Panther won’t dare risk revenge. You’re not just a top sniper—you’re Third Brother’s right hand and Qinglong Squad’s captain’s girlfriend. Anyone with half a brain would think twice about messing with you. Are you good on grenades?”

All Xia Qing’s grenades were Xin Yu’s special creations.

“Whenever you have time, make me another fifty. Once the migratory season ends, I’ve got another major mission on deck.” After placing her order, Xia Qing checked in with Hu Zifeng, confirmed she was off the hook from guarding Section Three, and decided to drive out to Ninth Center for an inspection—and to pick up her idol.

This morning, from nine to eleven, Zhang San was giving lectures at Ninth Center School. He’d be finishing up soon.

Stepping into Ninth Center, Xia Qing noticed all the staff eyed her with admiration. Security Chief Guo Chongjun snapped to attention and gave her a crisp military salute, eyes red with emotion.

Equally moved, Yue Haiying explained, “Three of Guo Chongjun’s squadmates were killed by Phantom Squad. With no evidence, they could never bring him to justice.”

Order had collapsed during the Calamity Years—even Xia Qing had several identities, let alone experts like Phantom with countless aliases. Xia Qing just nodded to Guo Chongjun and kept following Yue Haiying on her inspection, making sure the air defenses, wall repairs, and new dorm expansion at Ninth Center were all progressing smoothly. After dealing with paperwork in the office, she made it to the school gate right on time to wait for her idol.

Even the school’s entry sign gleamed spotlessly clean in the morning sun. Xia Qing gave a small nod of approval. Principal Yang Runian certainly had his own sincere—and understated—way of rolling out the red carpet for the senior expert.

The senior expert was punctual as ever. At exactly eleven, Xia Qing heard thunderous applause and kids cheering from inside the school. Soon after, the senior expert emerged from the classroom—wearing a basic protective suit, curly hair slightly messy, glasses in place. Zheng Chen and Zhang Jingwu, both carrying suitcases, flanked him protectively as he boarded the car.

The car rolled just past the school gate and stopped. As the door opened, Xia Qing slipped inside and took her seat next to her idol. She grinned. “What did Third Brother show the kids today? They sounded ready to howl with excitement.”

Wolves? Howling, really? Zhang San shot Xia Qing a lazy sidelong glance. “Just a couple of basic chemistry tricks—that’s all it took to wow them. By the way, there’s a kid in the beginner class named Wang Shunkang. See if you can find out which territory he’s from.”