Chapter 241: A Trade of Secrets and Protective Suits

Standing next to the Alpha Wolf with her gun in hand, Xia Qing looked downright menacing. “Your actions have seriously threatened me. According to the Lord’s Law, I could just kill you right here.”

“Put the gun down!” Tang Huai nudged the legs of the two people in front, then explained to Xia Qing, “I was just waiting outside. I never stepped onto your territory.”

Xia Qing only lowered her guard after she saw their weapons put away. “But you still threw rocks and attacked my territory just now.”

I…

Tang Huai forced himself to keep calm. “Sorry, I needed to talk to you about something urgent. It wasn’t something I could discuss over the walkie-talkie, and I don’t have any way to contact you, so I had to make a bit of noise.”

Before Xia Qing could get another word in, Tang Huai went straight to the point. “I want to visit Third Brother over at Territory Seven. Can you help me contact him and see when he’s available?”

Xia Qing raised an eyebrow.

Usually, Zhang San never bothered with other people’s business. Yet earlier he’d suddenly stopped a trade between Tang Huai and Li Si. Something was definitely off. Xia Qing figured the Tang Family would go looking for Zhang San, but she hadn’t expected Tang Huai to skip Captain Tan or Luo Ge and instead come to her to act as the go-between.

What were they plotting anyway?

Tang Huai pushed aside his two bodyguards and stood in front of Xia Qing, cutting right to the chase. “I’ve got a good buddy in the Safe Zone who can get the very best military dog protective suits. The wolf can wear them, complete with masks and boots. How’s that sound? Wolf paws get cut up pretty easily out here. With those boots on, your Speed Evolver Wolf will only get faster.”

Xia Qing looked down at the Alpha Wolf’s huge paws and felt a flicker of excitement. “I can help you ask, but no matter if Third Brother agrees to see you or not, you owe me three sets of those suits. My Evolved Sheep needs one too. Oh, and you have to keep this all confidential—not a word about seeing this wolf to anyone.”

One set for the wolf by her side, one for the Sick Wolf Sufeng Squad saw spying on her land, and one for Boss Sheep.

Tang Huai gritted his teeth. “I’ll keep it quiet, but three sets is too much!”

Xia Qing’s expression didn’t twitch. “You’re on the blacklist with Territory Seven. If you’re willing to come all the way here and ask me for help, then you must get the risk I’m taking to reach out to Third Brother.”

To be honest, there was no risk at all. Idol Zhang San was way too sharp, he’d probably already decided what to ask from the Tang Family in return anyway.

No one knew how petty Zhang San could be better than Tang Huai, who’d been rejected in business for over half a year now. He backed off. “Fine. Three suits. One doesn’t need boots—sheep don’t have paw pads, so it doesn’t need shoes.”

Xia Qing didn’t budge. “All three need boots.”

“Deal! Now call Third Brother. And don’t tell me you don’t have a phone—I’ve heard you use one plenty of times!”

With three suits locked in, Xia Qing didn’t bother fussing about him eavesdropping. She pulled out her phone and called Ji Li. “Brother Ji, Tang Huai from Territory Two wants to visit Third Brother. Can you check when he’s free?”

“Give me a moment.”

Since Ji Li didn’t immediately shut him down, Tang Huai figured he had a shot. Relaxing a little, he started sizing up the wolf beside Xia Qing. “Where’d you get this one? It’s way better than the sick one! By the way, how do you feed the two of them? Do you catch their food or do they hunt themselves?”

The Alpha Wolf had enough. With a leap, it disappeared into the trees. Tang Huai watched enviously, practically drooling. “So fast! Xia Qing, you’re incredible. This your fourth tamed beast? Have you evolved an ability to communicate with animals or what?”

“Ever seen someone with that kind of power?” Xia Qing shot back coldly. “Did you evolve an ability to talk to bugs?”

Before Tang Huai could answer, Zhang San’s number flashed on her phone. His voice drawled lazily. “Xia Qing, since when did you get so cozy with Tang Huai?”

Even though his grumpiness was clearly an act, Xia Qing played along. “Don’t be mad. Tang Huai offered me three sets of military dog protective suits to make this call. If you want to see him, great. If not, then forget it.”

Tang Huai…

Damn it!

Zhang San snorted. “Just three protective suits and you’re bought off?”

Xia Qing chuckled. “What’s on the menu tonight, Third Brother? I still have a Greenlight frozen rabbit, want me to bring it over?”

Zhang San’s tone finally softened. “I’ll have Ji Li come pick it up.”

“Got it, Third Brother. I’ll fetch it now.”

Hanging up, Xia Qing started heading back. Tang Huai panicked. “Xia Qing, what about me? What am I supposed to do? Is Third Brother going to see me or not?”

“Wait.”

That’s all Xia Qing tossed back as she headed downhill. Tang Huai was about to curse when he saw that same wolf reappear, crouched exactly where it was before, glaring at him with a murderous stare. He immediately shut up.

On the way to grab the frozen rabbit, Xia Qing passed the vegetable shed and picked a handful of spinach leaves, two cucumbers, and some tomatoes before hurrying to the North Barrier.

Ji Li arrived quickly. Xia Qing handed him the basket. “Sorry to make you run out so late, Brother Ji. The rabbit and spinach are for Third Brother. Feel free to keep the cucumbers and tomatoes for yourself.”

“Thank you.” Ji Li took the basket, then finally turned to the anxiously waiting Tang Huai. “Our Lord says, if you want to cultivate edible mushrooms, we can consider working together.”

“No need to consider! Cooperating with Third Brother is an honor for us!” Tang Huai eagerly offered up a box of Greenlight Evolver Smoke. “Thanks for coming out, Brother Ji. In a few days I’ll bring over a set of cat-sized protective gear. I don’t have anything better, but I hope Third Brother won’t mind.”

Ji Li accepted the Evolver Smoke. “Make that two sets.”

“Of course!” Tang Huai agreed so quickly he didn’t even stutter at the price from Territory Seven.

Once Ji Li was out of sight, Tang Huai took off his protective mask and, putting on his most sincere face, pleaded with Xia Qing. “Our family’s had it rough these past years. Now that we finally have a chance to work with someone big, I hope you’ll keep this confidential—please, don’t tell a soul.”

Xia Qing pretended not to notice the paper slip Ji Li had slipped her while he was handing over the smoke. She nodded, agreeing to keep Tang Huai’s secret. “Alright.”

Relieved by her quick agreement, Tang Huai wasted no time taking advantage. “Now that we share a secret, how about we swap contact info? Once the suits arrive, I’ll need a way to reach you. Three suits—that means the sick wolf is still alive, right? Has it put on any weight?”

“This is plenty for staying in touch. Your Majesty, let’s head home.” Xia Qing called to the Alpha Wolf and turned to go cook dinner. She had chestnut gathering plans tomorrow and plenty to prepare.

Just like the weather report said, the next three days would be mostly sunny. Tomorrow was good for heading into the Evolver Forest.

As Xia Qing prepped her gear, she listened to Kuang Qingwei and the others grumbling about cellar flooding and trouble getting rid of damp air. When Zhao Ze asked her directly, Xia Qing just replied simply, “Yeah, the damp is a real problem. Hard to fix, honestly.”

Xia Qing had a lot of secrets as a three-system (maybe now four-system) Evolver. She decided she’d be extra careful from here on out. After all, Tang Huai’s mistakes were the perfect cautionary tale.