Chapter 496: Skateboard in the Sky

When Yang Jin finally pulled the much-anticipated personal flight equipment out of the massive backpack, Xia Qing was amazed—this thing looked almost exactly like a hoverboard.

The difference was, regular hoverboards from before the disaster ran on electricity; this one burned fuel.

Even though the flyer didn’t match what Xia Qing imagined, the more she looked at it, the more she liked it.

It was all thanks to its compact size and portability—and it could let her fly! Soaring through the skies is every human’s dream, but even after evolving, no one’s managed to grow wings and become a birdman.

“Its full name is Portable Single-Person Jetboard. It’s powered by five micro turbojet engines. Even if one fails, it keeps flying. I got my hands on the full operating guide, it’s all on the laptop. You can check it out right now.”

After speaking, Yang Jin put the laptop and printer on the table too, letting Xia Qing inspect everything.

These two pieces of gear were what Xia Qing had bartered from Yang Jin using Python Meat.

When Xia Qing opened the laptop and watched someone in the tutorial zipping and turning through the air on the flyer, her entire face brightened up.

Seeing her raring to go, Yang Jin reminded her, “This flyer runs on fuel, so it’s loud, that’s its first weakness. Second, if the fuel tank gets hit, it’ll blow up. So it’s not much use in combat right now. It’s mostly used for exploring the Evolved Forest. If you want to test fly it, try Hill Fifty.”

This thing was captured gear and couldn’t be seen by anyone from Fire Phoenix or Su Feng’s squads, so until it’s officially registered, no using it inside the territory.

Still, Xia Qing already had a plan for clearing it for official use: have Da Ya give it a new paint job, then pretend she’d traded it from Third Brother.

Once it was legal, she could fly it over to patrol Hill Fifty, or pay a visit to the Queen at Hill Sixty-One.

Just picturing Alpha and Crippled Wolf’s faces when she zoomed by made Xia Qing excited.

Stowing away the three precious devices, Xia Qing turned to Yang Jin about the firebreak construction. “Territories Four, Five, Six, Ten and Fifteen can send fifty people total—18 evolved, 32 regular, all sturdy workers. They’ll bring basic tools but don’t have advanced weapons, so the daily trip to and from Hill Fifty needs an escort. To make things easier…”

She pulled out the map of Hill Fifty, spread it across the table, and pointed to the valley between Hill Forty-Nine and Hill Fifty while discussing with Yang Jin.

“If we widen these three spots along the valley here, then move some big rocks out of the way, the path becomes driveable. That’ll cut travel time a lot.”

“Great minds think alike—I wanted to talk about this too.” Yang Jin pointed at the westernmost edge of the firebreak, circled in pencil. “Given the terrain, the easiest way to the firebreak from the valley is right here…”

Twenty minutes later, they had hammered out every detail of the firebreak job, then sat down to share some fine tea brewed with pure spring water.

Yang Jin grinned. “I noticed you’ve been working closely with territories for the firebreak. Did you reach some kind of agreement? Can Territory One join too?”

Since Yang Jin had asked, Xia Qing didn’t hide it, half-joking, “We started a Lords’ Alliance. If you’re okay with Luo stepping down from Azure Dragon Squad, then all alliance members will line up to welcome Territory One’s lord. But even if Luo doesn’t join, we’re allies with Azure Dragon Squad, not enemies.”

A rare warmth softened Yang Jin’s usually sharp features, as if he was gently lit by the evening sun. “Alright. I’ll ask Luo when he’s back.”

Luo Pei is the third-in-command for Azure Dragon—there’s no way he’d quit. Xia Qing didn’t take Yang Jin’s words too seriously, instead fishing out some hickory nuts from her pocket and placing them on the table. “Three hickory nuts, please keep them safe.”

Yang Jin stared at Xia Qing’s slightly swollen knuckles for a couple seconds before asking, “Aren’t these nuts a bit small?”

“Yeah.”

Xia Qing sipped her tea and skipped right to the next negotiation. “On November thirtieth, you deployed four main Azure Dragon teams and two recon squads to block people from Territory Nine for me, right?”

Yang Jin corrected her, “It was from the evening of November 30th to 8am December 1st, about eight hours total. So count it as a day and a half.”

Xia Qing…

“And I personally led the team.”

Xia Qing…

Old Goat, quit munching grass in the greenhouse and come haul this Iron Rooster out of our territory for me!

Half an hour later, with a smile, Yang Jin accepted 20 pounds of Python Meat from Xia Qing and started the next topic. “On March 15th next year, Hu Zifeng’s squad will finish their assignment protecting Section Three. Are you satisfied with their work? Will you hire them again next year?”

Having bargained the Python Meat payment down from 200 pounds to twenty, Xia Qing had definitely learned the art of negotiation. She smiled, “Captain Hu and his squad earned perfect marks for both skill and attitude. Thanks for sending such a great team to keep my place safe. As for renewing their contract next year—I’m still thinking about it.”

“Hu Zifeng’s squad isn’t the strongest in Azure Dragon, but they always follow the squad rules. If you’re not rehiring a guardianship team, they’re your best pick anywhere in Hui Three’s area.” With that, Yang Jin stood and made to leave.

Xia Qing agreed and stood to escort Yang Jin out. While passing through the Lower Slope Greenhouse, she whispered, “The Devastationweed’s about to bloom.”

Yang Jin was delighted. “Both plants?”

“Just the intact one.” The two walked over to the Pure Spring cavern. Before Xia Qing could do anything, Yang Jin easily moved the blocking stone and shone his flashlight at the Devastationweed. He studied it intently, then turned to Xia Qing in surprise. “That new little sprout—is it a flower bud?”

When Xia Qing nodded, Yang Jin sighed, “I thought Devastationweed only reproduced by dividing roots. Didn’t expect it to bloom and seed. If the seeds germinate and grow up, we’ll be rolling in it.”

Xia Qing assured him, “Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of both Devastationweeds in the territory.”

Yang Jin understood instantly what Xia Qing meant. He smiled and nodded. “Since we’re splitting the Devastationweed harvest fifty-fifty, you’re responsible for growing it, I’ll handle security. How about this: if you renew Hu Zifeng’s team’s contract next year, you get a 20% discount.”

Twenty percent off? Xia Qing kept her face calm. “You’re too gracious. Don’t worry, I’ll give it serious thought.”

After Yang Jin left, Xia Qing called Old Goat out of the greenhouse and had it carry the flyer, laptop and printer back home with her.

Once everything was stashed, Xia Qing packed a few Yellow Lantern peanuts and a small bottle of Pure Spring Water in a thermal bag and hurried to Section Three on Hill Forty-Nine to visit her good neighbor, Red Squirrel.