Chapter 756: New Faces in the Hidden Valley

Zhang Shi tightened his grip on his daughter’s small hand, quietly urging her not to be nervous. “Miss Xia, this is my daughter, Shiyi. She’s traveled with me on different assignments, but she hasn’t seen much of the world and doesn’t talk much. Please excuse her.”

Shiyi—that’s quite the bold name for a girl!

Xia Qing bent down, offering Shiyi a warm smile. “Hello, Shiyi. I’m Xia Qing. It’s nice to meet you.”

Though this mother and daughter both looked thin, the skin visible behind their face masks was flawless, not a scar in sight. Living in the Evolved Forest and keeping their skin in such good condition spoke volumes about their survival skills, not to mention the incredible power of recovery evolution.

As Xia Qing bent down, even with over two meters of space between them, Zhang Shiyi instinctively retreated and huddled against her mother’s leg. The wary look in the girl’s eyes reminded Xia Qing of Lame Wolf, right after he was wounded and brought into Section Three last July.

Xia Qing suspected Shiyi was baring her teeth under that protective mask, silently growling a warning for her not to come any closer.

But soon enough, this little girl seemed to remember her mother’s teachings. The ferocity in her gaze faded a bit, though she was still on guard.

Knowing how anxious this pair was, Xia Qing avoided staring or acting intimidating. After introducing herself and showing some goodwill, she simply led them up the mountain.

Turning your back to someone is a sign of trust—and here, it was the biggest show of goodwill she could give.

Of course, Xia Qing hadn’t let her guard down either. Today she wore a snakeskin jacket under her protective suit, just in case. These two were strangers, after all, and she had to look out for herself.

“Third Brother told me you just wrapped up your last research project and you’re being transferred to the Third Peak for crop improvement studies. Because this valley is classified top secret, we need to avoid the other research teams and the Azure Dragon Squad’s patrols on Hill Forty-Nine—I’m afraid this is the only way up. Shi-jie, Shiyi, watch your step. Don’t slip.”

“Understood.”

Zhang Shi, who’d been tense the whole time, finally let out a breath and gave her daughter a reassuring squeeze once Xia Qing turned to lead the way.

Since getting in touch with Zhang San, Zhang Shi had been keeping an eye on Territory One in the north, so she knew Xia Qing was someone Fu Tianfeng trusted completely—an elite sniper with advanced strength evolution.

So, facing Xia Qing, she couldn’t help but feel nervous. She just wasn’t as strong in a fight.

Shiyi quickly wrapped her arms around her mother’s leg, quietly taking in every detail of their surroundings.

Even with both women wearing protective masks, the clear change in Zhang Shi’s breathing didn’t escape Xia Qing’s sharpened, level-seven hearing.

Xia Qing didn’t say another word, just set a steady pace as she led the way.

They circled around to the entrance on the east side of the Hidden Valley, right where the mountain’s fissure was. Xia Qing reached out to the guards stationed inside.

When the stone gate swung open, Xia Qing picked up on Zhang Shi’s unease again.

Someone who’d been hurt deeply by her own kind, fled the base while pregnant, and then came back into human society for the sake of her child… the road here had to be difficult.

Now, she was about to walk into a sealed-off valley with only one way in or out. That took real courage.

Xia Qing smiled as usual, acting like she hadn’t noticed a thing—just treating them as ordinary researchers from Territory Seven. “Shi-jie, Shiyi, this is Hu Ningsheng from Territory Fifteen.”

Hu Ningsheng, uncovered by any mask, didn’t look surprised to see two researchers with a child from Territory Seven. He just smiled and greeted them. “Shi-jie, Shiyi, come on in. Leaving the gate open is just asking for the bugs to get in and ruin the crops in here.”

Zhang Shi’s face was so tense her muscles almost locked up, but she held tightly to her daughter and led her into the valley where her family had once lived.

After the stone gate closed, Xia Qing took off her mask and waved them forward, explaining the valley a bit. “I’m not sure how much info Third Brother gave you, so I’ll keep it simple. The valley is kept secret to protect the hot spring here, which has great water. There’s another exit on the west side, leading to the office at the North Gate. But there are people inside, so try not to make too much noise in here…”

As they passed the houses built by the hot spring, Xia Qing noticed the doors were open and five wounded men from Territory Fifteen were neatly dressed, either sitting in their wheelchairs or propped up on beds.

She paused and introduced them, “They’re all recovering from Territory Fifteen too. This here is Ye Yang…”

After finishing introductions, Xia Qing led Zhang Shi and Shiyi further west until they reached her own acre and the two new wooden cabins that stood there.

“You’ll be staying here. I’ve already brought over the supplies you’ll need for life in Territory Seven. If anything’s missing, just reach out directly to the folks at Territory Seven, or let me know.” Xia Qing pushed the door open, gesturing for them to look inside. The kitchen in the outer room and the wooden beds and tables were all freshly made from high-quality dried wood. The place was dry, not musty, and still smelled of fresh timber.

Essential supplies like bedding and grain still sat neatly in their bags, unopened.

“No need for more—this is already more than enough.” Zhang Shi tried to keep her voice steady.

Xia Qing then brought them to the test plots. “This one-acre stretch of peanuts was planted by me. The bit next to it, I just cleared. It’s yours to use for now, Shi-jie.”

Back when Li Kai and Zhang Hongda were living here, they used to tidy up every stone and corner when they had spare time. Now, with the stones cleared off the western and northern sides of Xia Qing’s acre and new soil layered down, there was a new little corner plot—over 20 square meters—ready for use. It would be perfect for Zhang Shi.

Zhang Shi nodded calmly. “Thank you.”

Seeing that Zhang Shi didn’t have more questions, Xia Qing told them to start settling in. She herself walked over to the crevice by the rocks, calling out to the resident Yellow Weasel family like a monk chanting a mantra.

“Hey, plucked one, are you there? White Weasel, are you home? Plucked one, White Weasel—anyone there…?”

About two minutes later, a little round brown head cautiously poked out, its shiny black eyes peering at Xia Qing.

“Long time no see, Plucked One.” Xia Qing greeted the balding yellow weasel.

Hu Ningsheng, watching everything from a distance, could only mutter to himself: Didn’t they just see each other when she was building the cabins two days ago…

Xia Qing went on chatting with the weasel. “Plucked One, two more humans have moved into the valley.”

As she spoke, Xia Qing turned to point to the west. Just then, a tiny head flashed for a second at the stone house window and then disappeared.

“Over there. They won’t hurt your kits. Please look after them in the future, if you can.” After introducing everyone, Xia Qing placed a few pieces of freeze-dried meat at the crevice’s mouth, which Plucked One immediately grabbed and hurriedly dragged into the hole.

After finishing up with the valley’s furry guardian, Xia Qing dropped by to check in with the injured from Territory Fifteen. Then she returned to the cabins on the west side, made sure the mother and daughter had what they needed, and said her goodbyes.

The day was drawing to a close—time for her to head back home.

Zhang Shi stepped outside. “Miss Xia, would you mind exchanging contact info?”

“Of course.”

After swapping numbers, Xia Qing had only gotten a short distance when her phone buzzed. Looking at the screen, she saw a message from Zhang Shi. It contained just two words:

“Thank you.”