Chapter 673: New Faces, Old Ties

“Baa—”

Under the Toon Tree, Old Goat, who was waiting for food, bleated impatiently when Xia Qing stood still.

Xia Qing walked over, snapped off a branch, and picked a few toon sprouts for him. She gave his head a quick rub before heading down the slope.

Since Blue Star’s evolution, when teams head out for missions, they always consider each member’s unique abilities to boost the group’s overall strength.

Evolved fighters who can’t run fast don’t worry about being dragged or carried if danger strikes—they just fear being left behind.

Like that day at Hill Fifty-Five, when a mysterious black python jumped from the water, the first thing top speed evolver Yang Jin did was grab Xia Qing and bolt. Xia Qing, quick on the uptake, held onto him just as tight.

Running with someone slung under one arm slows you down. If the black snake started chasing, Xia Qing would hop onto Yang Jin’s back, freeing his arms so he could run faster. She’d scan their rear for danger and, if she got the chance, try to slow the beast down.

In moments like that, Yang Jin became the legs and Xia Qing became his extra hands and eyes.

Teaming up with different types of evolved fighters for field missions, that kind of coordination had become second nature.

There’s another approach, too—like Yan Long and Zhang Song. To move faster, the quick one would carry the slower teammate.

Normally, piggybacking makes the most sense, but Yan Long was already weighed down by supplies, so he could only haul Zhang Song over his shoulder.

Getting carried like that isn’t exactly fun. For brain evolvers, whose bodies aren’t all that tough, it can be too much to handle.

Once Huo Lei arrived, Xia Qing planned to ask him to make a custom harness for Idol, using wild boar skin and based on Idol’s height and weight. If Idol ever had to go out on a mission, that harness should make being carried around a lot less miserable.

Sometimes, things just work out perfectly.

No sooner had Xia Qing thought about Huo Lei than his booming voice came through the lord communicator.

“Hello fellow lords, this is Huo Lei, Eleven’s new lord. I’m counting on your support.”

Before Xia Qing could press the walkie-talkie to welcome him, Tang Huai cut in:

“I brought Huo in here. He hasn’t farmed before, but we’ve got plenty of experienced folks in this channel. If he runs into trouble, he can ask around. Also, any territory with broken iron farm tools, look to Huo—he’s a master blacksmith.”

Huo Lei responded right away. “Thanks for pulling me in, Brother Huai. Anyone needing ironwork repaired or reforged, come find me.”

Then Lord Wen Nengjie from Seventeen chimed in. “Huo, it’s Wen Nengjie. Long time no see. You made it out too?”

Huo Lei’s voice came back, deep as ever, but less formal. “That voice sounds familiar… You’re—Renjie?”

Everyone in the channel was silent for a beat.

Wen Nengjie wasted no time apologizing. “Huo, your memory is as good as your smithing. It’s me. I took Territory Seventeen and have been here over half a year now. How many came with you? Spring planting is almost over. You better get your greenhouse and fields in order or you’ll miss your window. If you want, I’ll come help for free. Back then, I didn’t know any better—just let me say sorry right now.”

Tang Huai was quick to pounce. “Wen Nengjie, what’d you do to wrong Huo in the past?”

Wen Nengjie gave an awkward laugh. “Had to, man. My family was starving thanks to those disasters. I took some bad paths, but I’ve changed for good—never doing that stuff again.”

He didn’t spell it out, but everyone caught on: he’d stolen food from Huo Lei.

Huo Lei was new here and not about to dwell on old grudges. “I came alone, so things are a little hectic. Brother Jie, if you can spare time, how about helping me out for three days? Then we’ll call the past even.”

“Deal! You’re generous as always, Huo. We’ll come right away. Tools and food are covered—we’ll bring our own. Promise we’ll help you get the fields planted right.”

Wen Nengjie put down the walkie-talkie and barked out orders: “Zhang, get ten guys. Bring shovels, machetes, and sickles—we’re heading to Territory Eleven to lend a hand.”

Wu Zhang scratched his head. “Big bro, Huo Lei’s just a blacksmith. Why are we so worried?”

“What, got nothing but crap in your head?”

Wen Nengjie hated bowing his head but sometimes the situation leaves no choice. “You think someone who wrestled Eleven away from a dozen big names in the Safe Zone is just any old blacksmith? Now hurry up and get moving!”

Peng Qiu, standing nearby, asked, “Brother Jie, should we bring the broken farm tools too?”

Wen Nengjie shook his head. “Let’s get the lay of the land first. Tool repairs can wait a few days.”

Meanwhile, everyone in the lords’ group was busy greeting Huo Lei and welcoming him.

Xia Qing chimed in too. “Uncle Huo, it’s Xia Qing from Section Three. If you ever need anything, just say the word.”

Tang Huai sounded surprised. “Xia Qing, you two know each other already?”

“I used to apprentice at Uncle Huo’s workshop,” Xia Qing replied.

Once he heard Xia Qing call Huo Lei “Uncle,” Zhao Ze quickly spoke up: “Uncle Huo, I’m Zhao Ze from Section Four. We’ll be needing your help too.”

Shi Du echoed him. “Uncle Huo, I’m Shi Du from Territory Ten. We’ll be bothering you as well. Our shovels have broken handles everywhere.”

Noting the new arrival’s connection to Xia Qing, Zhou Zhaoping joined in: “This is Zhou Zhaoping, acting lord of Territory Eight. Welcome to Eleven, Huo.”

“Thanks, everyone. Once my fields are planted, I’ll fix all the tools you need,” Huo Lei promised from within Territory Eleven, chuckling to himself.

Farming didn’t mean Huo Lei would stop practicing his craft. His shop back in the Safe Zone was now watched by his own apprentice—simple jobs were left to the apprentice, the big ones brought to Huo. Now, he’d be forging and farming in tandem, racking up credits.

Suddenly, a calm, serious voice from Tan Junjie filled the lords’ channel:

“Attention, lords and agents of Territories One through Ten: The x-2 High-Evolution Spinach Seeds, rice seedlings cultivated by the Management Department, and rice seedlings you ordered will be distributed starting in fifteen minutes from Territory One. Watch for notifications and be at the signpost three minutes ahead of time.”

Excitement hit a fever pitch—the long-awaited High-Evolution Spinach Seeds had finally arrived. Only Huo Lei, who came alongside the seeds, seemed calm in the middle of all the celebration.

Thanks to this precious load of x-2 seeds, he got to ride over in a bulletproof army vehicle, escorted by armed guards. What’s more, as Eleven’s new lord, he’d soon receive a full hundred seeds himself!

Huo Lei grinned from ear to ear, absolutely delighted.