Chapter 790: Toxic Grass and Dangerous Deals

Wen Nengjie spoke politely, his words just as courteous, but Xia Qing still caught the sharp undertone. Someone who could secure a corner of the city for corpse hauling and burning duties in a Safe Zone of millions was definitely no pushover.

The once lively Lords’ channel fell silent in an instant. Xia Qing pressed down the walkie-talkie button. “I really did ask Jie to send someone to clear the devastation grass on the southern half of my territory. Yu Shou, if Territory Fifteen isn’t too busy, could you guys swing by in two days to help me deal with the northern half? I’m short on hands here. Sorry to trouble everyone—same price as last time, is that okay?”

“No problem.” Yu Shou wanted to repay the favor, but he also knew Xia Qing would never agree to a freebie, so he agreed without hesitation.

Wen Nengjie quickly chimed in, “Of course, that’s fine. So, should I head there with Yu Shou’s team at seven in the morning, two days from now?”

“Sounds good.”

With that settled, the Lords’ channel relaxed again, with everyone grumbling about the losses their territories suffered in the devastation rain. As soon as Tang Huai finished telling his tale of unfortunate casualties, Zhang San logged on.

“Tan Junjie, you there?”

A senior expert joined the chat—and was looking for the Inspection Team. You could tell something big was up; everyone perked up to listen.

Tan Junjie replied calmly, “I’m here.”

Zhang San reported, “A new species of devastation grass was found in Territory Seven. Its roots, stems, and leaves are all toxic. It’s been named Huanggan-39. Burning this grass produces a thick smoke that is also highly poisonous. For humans and most animals, inhalation can lead to diarrhea, neurological damage, or even death. Due to these risks, Huanggan-39 should be classified as a hazardous evolved species. According to national regulations, this devastation grass must be collected and handled by the base’s Harmful Plant Management Department.”

Devastation grass isn’t just a single plant—it’s a catch-all for any herbaceous plants that underwent devastation evolution after their devastation element levels spiked, propagating across generations to become fast-growing, rain-resistant weeds. According to Xia Qing’s data, there are over 200 varieties in Huaguo alone.

Outside of devastation rain periods, most devastation grass causes two main problems—crowding out regular plants and creating perfect conditions for toxic bugs and harmful evolved microorganisms.

Toxic devastation grass isn’t exactly rare, but the kind that is lethally poisonous and needs special disposal? Only about a dozen have ever been documented, including those that contain evolved glycoside toxins.

The idol dubbed this one Huanggan-39—breaking it down, the plant found in Section One of Hui Three’s northern territory is a glycoside type. Its leaves and stems are yellowish, making it the thirty-ninth of its kind discovered by humans, and the first in Section One to require special handling.

Sitting in her rotary tiller, Xia Qing scanned the area and quickly spotted an unfamiliar tuft of pale yellow devastation grass. Her brow creased.

If this really was it, she was in trouble—her territory had no shortage of these.

“Roger that. I’ll go collect a sample under the southern signpost in Territory Seven and notify the other territories to arrange disposal as prescribed.” Tan Junjie responded to Zhang San, then broadcast an update: “Lords of Territories One through Ten, please collect your sample from the station signs beside your territory passage in fifteen minutes. Begin clearing Huanggan-39 in your territories according to protocol. Confirm receipt.”

Keeping to the order, Xia Qing hit the button. “Section Three, received.”

Once Shizhong replied, Qi Fu piped up, “Third Brother, is Huanggan-39 only toxic when burned, or is it dangerous even without burning?”

“It’s dangerous even unburned—don’t let your mouth, eyes, or open wounds touch it. The toxin is volatile, so wear protective masks when clearing.”

Volatile toxins? Seriously?!

While Wen Nengjie logged in to express endless gratitude and admiration to the senior, Xia Qing let out two sharp whistles to summon Er.

Old Goat and Wolfdog Number Two hadn’t bothered with protective masks. Old Goat spent his time either eating in Shed Fifteen under Yi Stone’s protection or inside the rotary tiller. Er, meanwhile, had been running through devastation grass hunting insects for a good while!

Tan Qi, nervously worrying over her chicks, asked, “Third Brother, is there an antidote if an evolved chicken gets poisoned by Huanggan-39?”

Zhang San sighed wearily. “They’re working on the antidote, but it’ll take a couple more hours. Even with the cure, livestock that get poisoned will have weakened resistance afterward.”

Imitating everyone’s tone, Tan Qi thanked the northern senior expert, “Got it. Thanks, Third Brother. You’re working so hard.”

Xia Qing carefully checked over Wolfdog Er, who bounded over on hearing the whistle and hopped up into the truck. After confirming that, like Old Goat, his eyes weren’t red, and his breathing and pulse were normal—no signs of poisoning—she finally relaxed. Then she turned serious and addressed her two companions.

“Old Goat, Er. There’s a kind of grass here that’s extremely poisonous. Touch it with your eyes, nose, or mouth, and you’ll get sick or have stomach trouble. Stick with me in the truck now, no running around.”

Er, still haunted by last year’s illness, quickly pulled in his tongue and fixed Xia Qing with a serious gaze. Old Goat, who liked munching grass, showed little expression and kept chewing from his place.

Xia Qing gave Er a comforting rub, said a few reassuring words, then started up the rotary tiller and headed for her territory’s southern edge. Hearing movement outside, she left the wild grass wall and opened the iron mesh gate.

“Xia Qing, do you know which grass it is?”

Xia Qing shook her head.

Tang Huai was clearly frustrated. “I haven’t seen it either—this is going to be a real pain!”

It really was a pain. With this new species of devastation grass, clearing thousands of acres across all the territories would take even more time.

Once Su Ming hopped off the patrol truck, Yuan Rui continued on to spread the word to Territory One and Territory Eight.

Xia Qing accepted a clear sealable bag filled with toxic devastation grass from Su Ming. Inside, the pale yellow stalk was about 1.5 meters tall when fully stretched. She gave up hope.

Her guess was right—damn it!

“Damn!” Tang Huai pointed at a pale yellow stalk of devastation grass that hadn’t been cleared from the passage. “Isn’t this the stuff? My territory’s crawling with it! What the hell did this evolve from?!”

“No idea. The folks in Territory Seven didn’t mention anything about its origins,” Su Ming replied, relaying orders. “Devastation grass on passages and barriers will be handled by the Inspection Team. Anything inside your territory, that’s on you. Remember, Huanggan-39 must be pulled up completely—roots and all—then bundled for the Inspection Team. Get it done by noon tomorrow, because the wild grass seeds will mature and start dropping by afternoon. Sister Qing, Brother Huai, you two okay on your end?”

Tang Huai shook his head. “No problem.”

Xia Qing asked, “I made a few paths with the rotary tiller during the devastation rain. Some of the devastation grass I cleared was Huanggan-26. Do we need to pull up and recover Huanggan-39 stubble too?”

Su Ming replied, “If there’s not much left, don’t bother. But when you burn devastation grass, keep well clear of houses, livestock, and poultry.”

“Got it.” Xia Qing took the grass sample and headed back to her territory.

Time was tight and the job was overwhelming. Old Goat’s hooves and Er’s paws were useless for this task. She’d have to hire workers from other territories.

Hu Zifeng’s squad?

Their rates were too steep—not worth it.