Chapter 312: Wolves in the Night: The Encroaching Threat

“Captain Xie?”

Getting a call this late from the Azure Dragon Squad’s second-in-command, Xia Qing’s first thought was that something had happened on Luo Pei’s end.

Xie Yu spoke to Xia Qing, “Xia Qing, there are over twenty Evolved Wolves gathering along the northern marshes of Hill Forty-Nine. We don’t know why. Can you bring your Evolved Wolf over to the control room in Territory One?”

For the past six months, the only wolves seen around Hill Forty-Nine belonged to the Queen and her followers. Luo Pei was still receiving treatment inside Territory One and even Xie Yu had come over—signs that things were heating up. If the wolves broke into Hill Forty-Nine, there’d be a real chance of a clash with the Azure Dragon Squad.

Xia Qing immediately stood up. “I’ll reach the Northern Barrier in ten minutes.”

Xie Yu signaled to Hu Zifeng’s squad beside him. “Alright. Hu Zifeng will come pick you up and send someone to guard Section Three.”

After hanging up, Xia Qing quickly put on her Protective Suit, slung her Sniper Rifle over her back, loaded up with enough Ammunition, grabbed Er Gou’s Protective Mask, and headed downstairs. On her way out, she stopped at the Tatami to tell Old Goat, “Boss, I’m taking Er out on a mission. Keep an eye on the house. The rest of the territory will be guarded by Hu Zifeng’s squad.”

Old Goat glanced first at the darkened window, then turned back to look at Xia Qing.

“Yeah, it’s a night mission. Emergency situation.” Xia Qing handed it a Compressed Ration, then put Night Vision Goggles on it. Gently, she said, “Boss, you’re the big shot of our territory—the sturdiest line of defense we have. Once Er and I leave, the home’s in your care.”

Just as Xia Qing finished, Old Goat clattered upstairs to check the locked Fridge, then scampered off to the tool shed to peek at the fish sleeping at the bottom of the water tank. Satisfied, it kicked open the door and settled in a pile of hay beside the Chicken Yard, chewing cud and dozing off.

The camera in the southeast corner of the yard caught Old Goat’s outline, recognized it right away, and didn’t trigger any alarms.

After linking up with Xia Qing and Er Gou, Hu Zifeng motioned for them to stay silent. Escorting Er Gou, he led them swiftly through the isolation zone, into Section Three of Hill Forty-Nine, and stopped at the entrance’s surveillance room.

Xia Qing had passed by this surveillance room plenty of times, but never actually gone inside. Er Gou made it very clear he wasn’t eager to enter, either.

Xia Qing turned to Hu Zifeng. “Captain Hu, are there many people inside?”

Hu Zifeng caught her meaning. “Wait here a sec.”

He stepped inside. Soon after, four people filed out, including Xie Yu. Xie Yu gave Xia Qing a nod. “You and Hu Zifeng take the wolf in. I’ll wait out here.”

Once Xie Yu and the others had walked a good distance from the surveillance room, Xia Qing whispered to Er Gou, “Er, the place is empty. Want to take a look? We’ll be quick and head straight back afterward.”

This time, Er Gou didn’t put up a fight and padded after Xia Qing inside.

“That wolf must be some kind of Brain Evolution mutant, right? Incredible,” someone muttered to Xie Yu.

As an advanced Brain Evolution esper, Xie Yu replied, “Not the sharpest among the evolved, but its intelligence is nothing to scoff at. It understands our words and gestures, and its sense of smell is top-notch. So… who didn’t properly clean their Protective Suit?”

A squad member hung his head in shame. Xie Yu shot him a look. “Tomorrow, you’re cleaning every restroom in the territory.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Recently, the Su Feng Squad and the folks from Territory Two have been making moves nonstop. This afternoon, Qian Lin led his team north—the same way they went last time—and only came back at dusk. Fifteen minutes ago, Qian Lin’s squad left again, this time aiming for the valley between Hill Forty-Nine and Hill Fifty. Captain Xie suspects the wolves’ gathering is tied to Qian Lin’s squad, which is why you’re here.”

He pulled up the drone footage, zooming in. “These wolves are wary as hell. The drone couldn’t get close, so this is the clearest shot we have. What do you think—is that the Queen’s group?”

Even through the monitor, Xia Qing could feel the tension as so many Evolved Wolves huddled beneath the trees. She studied the scene closely, then shook her head.

The Queen wasn’t in sight, nor were Crippled Wolf, Lame Wolf, or the Black and Gray Wolves Xia Qing recognized.

Xia Qing scratched Er Gou’s chin and softly asked, “Er, are these wolves your friends?”

Squatting at her side, Er Gou opened his mouth and let his tongue loll out with a low pant.

Xia Qing understood. “So these are the Queen’s and Er’s pack…”

Before she could finish, Xie Yu’s voice crackled through the walkie-talkie to Hu Zifeng. “Hu Zifeng, tell Xia Qing the wolf pack is crossing the marsh—they’ll be entering Hill Forty-Nine soon. Check Camera Six.”

“Got it. Xia Qing’s Evolved Wolf has confirmed the pack are its companions.” Hu Zifeng pointed at the surveillance wall’s Camera Six so Xia Qing could see. “The wolves are following the same path Qian Lin’s crew took this afternoon.”

Even before the wolves showed up on screen, Xia Qing’s face hardened. She suspected Qian Lin was carrying enticement powder from Jiang Xiong’s Squad—the same kind they used to lure wolves.

Hu Zifeng relayed another message from Xie Yu. “Xia Qing, can Er try to push the wolves away? We’d rather avoid a fight.”

“I’ll give it a shot.” Xia Qing bent to speak to Er Gou. “Er, someone’s trying to lure your pack with plans to capture them—can you get your friends to retreat to safety?”

Two wolves had already appeared on the monitor. Xia Qing pointed at the screen, repeating her words seriously to Er Gou.

Er Gou stopped panting, turned, and walked out of the surveillance room. Lifting his head, he let out a long, echoing howl.

“Awoo—wooooo—”

“Awoo—wooooo—”

Er Gou’s strength had returned; his howl was louder than ever. Xia Qing could hear the warning in his call.

After the third howl, Hu Zifeng stepped out of the room. “The wolf pack’s pulling back.”

Xia Qing patted Er Gou’s neck and stuffed a piece of jerky into the pocket of his Protective Suit. “Er, go on home. I’ve got things to finish up. Watch over our chickens, okay?”

Er Gou nudged her leg before slipping away into the night.

Hu Zifeng gave Xia Qing a big thumbs-up. Impressive—this wolf listened to Xia Qing even better than before migration season. It was no longer just a wild wolf from the Evolved Forest. Now it was Xia Qing’s loyal beast.

Xia Qing turned to Hu Zifeng, “Captain Hu, get Kuan and the others to keep an eye on our territory for a while. I’m going to deal with Qian Lin’s squad.”

Before Hu Zifeng could answer, Xie Yu approached with his team. “Qing, go rest. They’re not making it through the night.”

Hearing Xie Yu call her “Qing,” Xia Qing sighed but didn’t correct him in front of the others. She just replied, “Before you strike, Captain, ask about the wolf howls over the loudspeaker, and find out what they’re using to attract the pack.”

Xie Yu nodded. “Don’t worry. If Qian Lin won’t spill, he might as well skip meeting the King of Hell. By the way, have you ever thought of getting your Evolved Wolf an official ID?”