Chapter 175: A Wolf’s Plea and the Territory’s Bargain

“Yes.” The squad member at the door immediately relayed Xu Pin’s order through the walkie-talkie.

Chang Li carried a small medical kit and was escorted by two members of the Azure Dragon Unit into Territory Three, stopping at the village entrance. She opened her kit to grab the anesthesia but Xia Qing stopped her. “Li, come with me into the village. The Alpha Wolf isn’t here. It’s safe.”

Following Xia Qing back home, Chang Li noticed an extra sick wolf in the sheep shed. “Was this one sent by the wolf pack too?”

“Yeah.” Xia Qing replied while dropping medicine into the wolf’s basin. “It came by the night before last, and then came yesterday and never left. Can you tell what’s wrong with it, Li?”

Chang Li specialized in treating wounds but knew a bit about other illnesses too. “Looks like it has a parasite infection, and its eyes are inflamed. Maybe some evolved creature got into its eye. I have anti-parasite meds, but it might not work. After the Cataclysm, animals in the Evolver Forest all learned to find their own medicine. For this wolf to be so sick means regular herbs probably don’t work anymore.”

After the Cataclysm, all human medicines were distilled from herbs.

“Will there be side effects?” This sick wolf mattered to the Alpha Wolf, who’d even fought with Xia Qing over it last night. If the treatment went wrong, things would get ugly between her and the pack.

Chang Li answered, “It might get diarrhea, but nothing fatal. If we don’t treat it, though, it won’t survive more than a few days.”

Xia Qing used a bamboo pole to push the water basin toward the brain-evolved wolf, encouraging it to drink the medicine. The injured wolves in the shed had gotten used to taking medicine by now. But this time, the brain-evolved wolf nudged the weak sick wolf lying beside Boss Sheep to drink first.

The sick wolf slowly approached the brain-evolved wolf, fumbled around for the basin and took a few sips. The brain-evolved wolf then licked its patchy ear a few times before turning back to look at Xia Qing.

To her surprise, Xia Qing saw a plea shining in the wolf’s eyes.

Chang Li had rescued countless people in the ten years since the Cataclysm, but this was the first time she’d ever seen such helpless pleading on an animal’s face. She couldn’t help but feel moved.

“Even before the Cataclysm, wolves were known for caring for family and companions. After the disaster, their survival in the Evolver Forest depended on sticking together, making them even more united—maybe even warmer-hearted than people. Old and weak wolves get special care in the evolved packs.”

“This frail wolf is probably the elder of this wolf with the broken back. It survived growing up thanks to years of protection and care from its senior. Now, even badly injured, it’s still trying to ask humans to help its elder.”

“Xia Qing, can you save this sick wolf?”

Every territory had its own rules. This was Xia Qing’s territory, and the wolves came to her for help. Chang Li had the skills and medicine, but the decision to treat the wolf was Xia Qing’s.

If Xia Qing said no and Chang Li still wanted to help, she’d have to get Xia Qing’s consent to take the wolf back to Plot One for treatment.

Wolves were cautious, fierce animals, and they clearly trusted Xia Qing—a fellow evolved animal—far more than they’d trust leaving Territory Three for Plot One.

Watching Boss Sheep standing protectively next to the sick wolf, Xia Qing asked, “How many points?”

Chang Li answered right away, “Lab work and medicine—just 150 points total.”

One hundred fifty points might be a lot for others, but for Xia Qing, it was affordable. She nodded. “Alright, I’ll pay in Yellowlight Vegetables. How much time do we have?”

“Less than half an hour.” Chang Li moved quickly. “Once the anesthesia works, carry it out for me. I’ll need to take a blood sample to run tests back at home.”

Ten minutes after the wolves drank the anesthesia, their strength faded. Xia Qing carried out the sick wolf—it was so thin, it felt weightless.

Chang Li quickly drew its blood and checked it over. “No large parasites on its body, but it’s got a fungal infection and bad hair loss.”

Chang Li handed Xia Qing a bag of medicated powder. “Rub this all over it. I’ll check its eyes next.”

As Xia Qing and Chang Li busied themselves with the sick wolf, the wolf with the broken leg glared fiercely. The brain-evolved wolf, though, looked almost happy.

Just as Xia Qing finished spreading the powder, Hu Zifeng’s voice crackled across the walkie-talkie. “Xia Qing, how’s it going?”

“Already anesthetized.” Xia Qing responded.

“Most of the Sufeng Squad’s watchers have pulled out—only two left outside your territory. Jing Kuan, Er Yong and I are heading over. You and Chang Li go distract them at the west barrier—we’ll use this window to move the wolf pack.”

“Copy that. Moving out now.”

Xia Qing said to Chang Li, “Li, we’ve got to go to the west barrier right now. Give me the deworming meds.”

Chang Li handed over the meds. “There’s an evolved grass seed in its eye. We’ll have to operate as soon as possible.”

After the Great Evolution, some plants no longer needed soil to spread. Animal flesh became their new breeding ground. Corpses of people and beasts taken over by grass were everywhere.

“There’s no time. We’ll get through this first.” Xia Qing took the medicine, pried open the sick wolf’s mouth, shoved the pill in and poured a little water to help it swallow, rubbing its bony throat until the medicine went down.

Xia Qing stood up and noticed the brain-evolved wolf’s gaze tracking her every move, so she gave a brief explanation. “It’s dangerous here right now—I’ll send you all to the valley. I promise I’ll keep my end of the deal. When things settle down I’ll come medicate everyone in the valley. But whatever we agreed on for this sick wolf, you still owe me those supplies.”

That Greenlight sheep didn’t count—I’m keeping it.

Boss Sheep gently nudged the frail sick wolf, reluctant to say goodbye. Xia Qing quickly snapped a few photos of the wolf on her phone.

As Hu Zifeng arrived with two Speed Evolvers to load up the anesthetized wolves, Boss Sheep panicked, stamping its hooves like it wanted to launch them into the sky.

Xia Qing threw her arms around Boss Sheep’s neck. “Don’t make a scene, Boss. If we don’t let them go now, there’ll really be trouble. Once the danger’s over, we’ll bring everyone back.”

Boss Sheep trusted Xia Qing, but not Hu Zifeng’s crew. It struggled with all its strength, bleating and refusing to let them touch the wolves.

Running out of time, Xia Qing hoisted Boss Sheep over her shoulder, escorting Chang Li to the west barrier by the buffer forest. Boss Sheep’s angry bleats drew plenty of attention.

As they parted ways at the barrier, Xia Qing gave Chang Li a serious thank-you. “Thank you, Dr. Chang. Once Boss Sheep is better, I’ll head into the Evolver Forest to hunt and pay you back for your medicine and your time.”

With Boss Sheep’s angry cries in the background, Xia Qing’s gratitude sounded all the more sincere.

Chang Li knew exactly which patient Xia Qing meant and warned her, “My medicine might not be enough. If it doesn’t work, you’ll need to ask the Lord of Territory Seven for help as soon as you can.”

Xia Qing nodded, watching as Chang Li and company entered the buffer forest of Plot One before heading back with a furious Boss Sheep over her shoulder.

She hadn’t gone more than a dozen meters when she heard a surveillance agent in camouflage lying atop the barrier, whisper into their walkie-talkie, “Dr. Chang from Azure Dragon Unit has returned to Plot One empty-handed except her medical kit. The evolved sheep in Territory Three got hit with an ultrasound weapon and went berserk.”

Xia Qing couldn’t help herself—