Chapter 63: Storm at the Breeding Center

Worried Boss Sheep might choke, Xia Qing poured half a basin of spring water for it and tossed in a few slices of dried yellow-light bamboo shoot to soak.

Boss Sheep took a few sips then started gnawing at the bamboo shoots in the water. Only once Xia Qing was sure it had calmed down did she untie its rope, massaging its back while mulling over the wolf pack’s attack on the Breeding Center.

The wolves had run to the edge of the Evolver Forest, leaped into the fenced iron enclosure managed by humans, and hunted the wild boars—not for food, Xia Qing thought, but for revenge.

Wolves hold grudges. Otherwise, after wiping out the Fengyun Unit, the evolver wolves wouldn’t have destroyed their weapons—or marked the corpses of those who killed them.

If they really are here for payback, that’s big trouble. Xia Qing switched on her walkie-talkie, wanting to hear what the other lords had to say.

The Breeding Center sits north of Plot Four and Plot Five. The lords of Plots Four, Five, Six, and Three had all heard the panicked squeals of the boars and the wolves’ howls. Maybe afraid of being overheard by the wolves, everyone’s voices over the radio were lower than usual.

Zhao Ze sounded anxious. “Two of my people want to run back to the Safe Zone—they’re scared we’ll be too late and get taken by the wolves.”

Kuang Qingwei spat, “Same here. If they want to go, let them. The Safe Zone’s over 200 miles away. Without a car, I bet they won’t dare leave the territory.”

Zhao Ze chimed in, “That’s what I said too. Heading out now is suicide.”

Kuang Qingwei cursed, “Those three? I’m kicking them all out! Hell, they eat my food and drink my water, but as soon as there’s danger, they leave me to protect the territory alone and just think about running. Why would I keep people like that around?!”

Qi Fu tried to calm everyone down. “Captain Tan said he’s already sent out an advanced evolver squad to hunt the wolves. As long as we stay put in our territories, we’ll be safe.”

Zhao Ze still wasn’t convinced. “Advanced evolvers might not be a match for evolver wolves. Didn’t a squad with six advanced evolvers get wiped out by wolves just last year?”

Tang Huai from Plot Two finally spoke up, his tone lazy. “The one chasing after the evolver wolves is Yang Jin, leader of the Azure Dragon Unit.”

At the mention of Yang Jin, Zhao Ze instantly relaxed. “Oh, that changes everything. We’re good then.”

Kuang Qingwei’s voice shot up. “Captain Yang’s here? Now that’s some luck!”

“Haven’t you heard?” Tang Huai drawled. “The Azure Dragon Unit bought all of Mountain 49 up north from you guys. They’re turning it into a training base.”

Once the lords of Plots Four, Five, Six, and Three confirmed Tang Huai wasn’t joking about the Azure Dragon Unit buying the mountain, everyone erupted with excitement.

“That’s great news! With the Azure Dragon Unit stationed on the northern mountain, we don’t have to worry anymore.”

“Yeah, this place is just going to get better and better. We really picked the right spot!”

“…”

Tang Huai snorted coldly. “Know why Yang Jin’s so eager to hunt wolves? Because once he bought Mountain 49, guarding it became his job—he can’t let big predators cross it into your territories. Just wait, the Breeding Center’s staff won’t let the Azure Dragon Unit off easy. If the edible boars are killed, the Azure Dragon Unit has to take responsibility. From now on, if any big beast comes through Mountain 49 into your territory, contact me immediately. I’ll deal with the Unit and make sure you get at least triple compensation.”

Triple compensation sounded tempting, but not one of the lords of Plots Four, Five, or Six dared speak. They were just ordinary people, powerless against the Tang Family or the Azure Dragon Unit. That kind of money was too hot to touch.

Just as Xia Qing—the true owner of Mountain 49—was about to snap back at Tang Huai, Hu Zifeng from Plot One interrupted. “Hey Tang, you working with the wolves or something? How else would you know they came down from Mountain 49?”

Mountain 49 runs due north of Plots One through Ten, stretching twelve miles. To the east lies Mountain 50. The Breeding Center sits north of Plots Four and Five, so it’s just as likely the wolves came from Mountain 50, four miles away.

But Tang Huai was adamant. “Use your head. Mountain 49’s tall and thick with forest—of course there are wolves there. Just send in a scent-tracking evolver, all will be revealed. The Azure Dragon Unit can’t worm their way out of this one.”

Hu Zifeng sneered. “The Azure Dragon Unit isn’t like Su Feng. They’ve never dodged a debt. Aren’t you guys still overdue on the points you owe our squad?”

“Come on now, that’s a whole separate issue.”

“…”

The wolf discussion spiraled into a heated argument between the two, so fierce that no one else could get a word in. The other lords just had to sit and listen.

At some point, Zhang San logged on and impatiently cut off Hu Zifeng and Tang Huai. “Zifeng, once Mountain 49 belongs to the Azure Dragon Unit, can outsiders still hunt or gather in there?”

Hu Zifeng answered right away, “Yes. But you’ll need to pay to enter. You also have to pay a fee to take any hunted or gathered goods out with you. If you need something from the mountain, don’t ask outsiders—just let me know. When we’re up there for training, I’ll dig it up and send it right to you.”

Zhang San’s mood smoothed out at that. “Perfect. Next time you’re there, check if the green-glow bamboo shoots have grown back. However much there is, I’ll take it all.”

Green-glow bamboo shoots?!

The lords of Plots Four, Five, Six, and Three perked up at that. Qi Fu was first to ask, “I’m Qi Fu from Plot Five. Zifeng, could you bring me back a piece of bamboo root? I’ll trade green-glow chives and scallion for it, or buy it with points.”

Zhao Ze and Kuang Qingwei quickly added their own offers. They all wanted the bamboo root too. If you can grow bamboo, you’ll never run out of bamboo shoots—even if the green light fades to yellow.

Their ideas sounded great, but reality had other plans.

Hu Zifeng explained, “Greenlight Bamboo is a high-risk attack plant. Its leaves can fire like nails—just as hard. Not suitable for planting in a territory.”

That shut the three ordinary lords right up. Bamboo is useful and its shoots delicious, but only if you’re alive to use and eat them. Kuang Qingwei sighed, “All the green-glow trees are dangerous. It’s crazy how easily they could kill someone.”

Zhao Ze chimed in with a sigh. “The weak ones were picked clean ages ago. The only plants left are the scary ones—only powerful evolvers can handle them now.”

Well, not always.

Xia Qing thought of her green-glow Chinese Toon Tree up on the highland, once again marveling at Boss Sheep’s luck. Even a stubborn ram could somehow end up owning land with pristine spring water, green-glow grass, and a green-glow tree.

No wonder Boss Sheep was willing to risk it all to defend its territory from the wolves.

Still lost in thought, Xia Qing heard Qi Fu change the subject. “Xia Qing, your spinach seed blocks must be nearly ready, right? Keep a close watch—don’t let birds or bugs eat up all the seeds.”

Xia Qing pressed the button. “Don’t worry, Qi—I’ve already covered the garden with an insect net.”