Chapter 278: Battle of the Migratory Birds: Defending the Territory

At the same time, Xie Yu—who was in charge of hunting activities in Territory One—sent out a broadcast: “Attention, all Lords, over a thousand Evolved Sand Gulls are flying toward us at an altitude of five hundred meters. Please launch your Kite equipped with Evolved Sea Eagles or Evolved Hawks to an altitude of four hundred meters.”

“Copy that. Thank you, Xie Yu.”

One after another, the Lords released their noise-making kites to guard the farmland in their territory.

With her sharp eyes, Xia Qing noticed that the ‘Evolved Sea Eagle’ soaring above Territory Eight wasn’t just a kite—it was the real deal!

Twenty-five minutes later, Xie Yu made another announcement: “Everyone, the Sand Gull flock has landed north of Hill Forty-Nine. The hunt begins now!”

Not even a minute after Xie Yu’s words, a barrage of gunfire erupted from the northern side of Hill Forty-Nine. That meant the flock would no longer threaten the people’s territories. The Lords finally relaxed and started reeling in their kite lines.

Xia Qing issued her own order: “Heads up, some Sand Gulls will be flying across your territory soon. If you want to shoot them, go ahead.”

Most of the flock had been intercepted at Hill Forty-Nine, but a few were bound to fly past. Xia Qing lifted her gun, aiming into the sky, hoping to snag a straggler. If she brought one down that was edible, she could enjoy roast bird tonight.

But to her surprise, not a single one from the flock of a thousand managed to slip through—the Azure Dragon Squad had claimed every last one!

With the Evolved Sand Gulls wiped out, there was no need for kites anymore. As everyone retrieved their kites, the Sea Eagle over Territory Eight circled twice before landing.

Xia Qing, still watching Territory Eight, made sure she hadn’t heard any whistle or commands. That meant this Sea Eagle either carried some electronics or the people there signaled it back some other way.

Either way, it proved that Territory Eight had successfully tamed their Evolved Sea Eagle!

Xia Qing glanced at the Crippled Wolf squatting confidently by her side and noticed he was also eyeing the spot where the Sea Eagle landed. “See that? That’s Territory Eight’s sea eagle. It’s my first time seeing one up close. If it comes over here and tries to steal one of our chickens, I want you to catch it—don’t kill it, though. We’re going to work out some compensation with Territory Eight if that happens.”

The Crippled Wolf just gave her that look again—the one that said he completely understood—but who knew what he was actually thinking.

“Attention, Lords! Another Evolved Seagull flock is headed this way, at least three hundred strong. Judging by the wind, they’ll be flying right over our territories. Be prepared.” Tan Junjie broadcast the warning.

Xie Yu chimed in, “We’re still cleaning up the hunt on Hill Forty-Nine, but I’ve already alerted the squad on Hill Fifty—they’ll redirect the flock.”

“Copy that. Thanks again, Xie Yu.” Xia Qing replied in the Lords’ channel, then told Jing Kuan to release the kite once more.

Soon enough, the cleverly crafted kites from every territory took to the skies again.

This migratory bird season, Xia Qing really saw just how capable Xie Yu—the Azure Dragon Squad’s deputy—was.

This third-in-command at the squad base was rarely seen. Before, Xia Qing only knew him as the respected bald-headed Brain Domain Evolver. The squad members admired him a great deal.

Now, Xia Qing finally understood why.

During the first ten days of migratory bird season, only a third of the birds flew over their territories compared to those flying above the Evolved Forest in the east.

That missing two-thirds? All intercepted and hunted down by Xie Yu and the Azure Dragon Squad. To pull this off speaks volumes about Xie Yu’s command skills. The squad’s haul from this operation—maybe not a million, but at least several hundred thousand.

Because of their work, the territories from Section One to Section Twenty-Eight at the southern foot of Hill Forty-Nine got through the first ten days of bird season in peace.

On the eleventh day, Xie Yu was called back to the Safe Zone to stand guard. With the Azure Dragon Squad no longer actively luring birds, the Lords’ real bird season was about to begin.

A little after six in the morning, Xia Qing watched a massive flock of birds disappear into the distance and ordered, “The birds have passed, reel in the kites.”

Jing Kuan and Er Yong quickly recovered the kites in Section Three, but Section Four was behind. Their Evolved Hawk kite was shredded by an Evolved Hawk with a wingspan of over four meters that trailed the migratory flock.

Not satisfied after tearing up the kite, the Evolved Hawk let out a fierce cry and dove straight for Section Four. Terrified, Zhao Ze shouted into his walkie-talkie: “Xia Qing, help!”

Before Zhao Ze had even finished, Xia Qing pulled the trigger and snapped the diving hawk’s neck with a single shot. The bird spiraled down, bleeding as it fell.

Xia Qing, using a silencer on her sniper rifle, couldn’t help but smirk. After the last raptor incident, Luo Pei had designed a training plan to help Xia Qing improve her accuracy hunting flying raptors. When she’d helped out the Balding Weasel before, she’d aimed at a raptor’s neck but only managed to hit its wing.

This time she finally got it. Next time she saw Luo, she wouldn’t get lectured.

Xia Qing’s shot sent a jolt of excitement through Zhao Ze and the workers fleeing in Section Four.

Xia Qing was incredible. With a neighbor like her, they all felt so much safer.

Xia Qing pressed the comm button to remind them, “Zhao, as soon as you see the birds aren’t planning to land, reel in your kite right away. Otherwise, the raptors chasing the flock will definitely attack.”

Zhao Ze was beyond grateful. “Yes, of course—thank you! I’ll send the Evolved Hawk you took down over to you, I’ll seal it up tight.”

That hawk fell to Xia Qing’s shot, so it rightfully belonged to her.

After Zhao Ze’s people delivered it, Xia Qing checked and saw it was a red light. She had Guan Tong take it to Territory One for points. She’d sent over a hundred like this in the past few days.

“Nice shot, Xia Qing. You’re getting deadlier by the day.” Tang Huai popped up online. “There’s a raptor over Section Two—think you can help take it down?”

“No can do. Out of range.”

Xia Qing declined without hesitation. She monitored Section Four because Tan Junjie, knowing she was stationed on the high ground in Section Three, had asked her directly for help.

As Lord of Section Three, helping snipe raptors in a neighboring territory earned Xia Qing points and special Lord benefits. Other territories had the Inspection Team for emergencies—no need for her to waste precious ammo.

Each bullet cost Xia Qing valuable points.

On day fifteen—the final day—every Lord was counting down to the end of migratory bird season.

Day in and day out, their nerves had been stretched thin. They’d worn out more than a dozen kites, even using recordings of bear roars. But finally, they’d pulled through and could start planning farm work for after the season.

A little after seven, Tan Junjie gave a solemn warning: “Heads up, there are two flocks of over five hundred Evolved Wild Geese each flying toward Hill Forty-Nine. They’ve already started descending in altitude. Lords, get ready.”

Each Evolved Wild Goose weighed over thirty catties. Even after evolving, they still fed mainly on small fish, shrimp, and leafy plants or fruit, but their combat ability was fierce. When migrating they formed the classic ‘goose formation’ for better defense. Without at least two evolved raptors leading the way, ordinary ones didn’t even dare mess with the geese.