Chapter 958: The Return of the Little Monkey

Zhang Song quickly realized he should mark Xia Qing as a key observation subject. But Third Brother probably wouldn’t approve, and Xia Qing definitely wouldn’t cooperate.

Xia Qing wasn’t just an ordinary person. She had a fierce sense of self-preservation, was an advanced dual-type evolutionary, the prized disciple of top sniper Luo Pei, and ranked just under Zhang San as the most influential leader in this territory.

Zhang San would do anything to protect her. He’d already gone so far as to burn all bridges with Hui One and Fire Phoenix for her sake. If Zhang Song dared mark Xia Qing as a subject, he’d get kicked out of Territory Seven without hesitation.

Getting kicked out by the Senior Expert would spell the end of Zhang Song’s research career. He’d be shut out from even a single official research credit. If he wanted to keep working, his only option would be private labs.

Not everyone is as lucky as Li Si, who managed to turn his life around after going down the wrong path.

Even if he couldn’t observe Xia Qing up close, Zhang Song felt more determined than ever to stay in Zhang San’s lab. It was the closest he’d ever get to her.

Xia Qing, a level nine-and-a-half Vision Evolutionary, had already noticed Zhang Song’s gaze becoming more and more intense.

After coming down the hillside, Xia Qing saw her guests off with a calm face. “I caught three Green Lantern Fish today. Brother Song, take two back and have dinner with Third Brother tonight, try and see how the fish I’ve raised taste.”

Since Zhang Song was a researcher from Territory Seven, Xia Qing couldn’t trade with him privately. That fish was actually an exchange for Zhang San, not for Zhang Song himself.

“Alright, thank you, Sister Qing. Sorry for intruding today.”

Zhang Song was quick on the uptake. He immediately got up, patched the hole he’d cut in the insect net for his recording, and called the Territory Seven guards to pick him up. With two fish in hand, he left Section Three through the South Gate.

Next, Zhang Song waited for five days, growing more and more restless—only to receive bad news: the observation subject, the White-faced Snub-nosed Monkey, had made a full recovery early and Xia Qing had released it back into the Evolved Forest!

Azure Dragon Squad’s helicopter lifted off from the helipad atop Hill Forty-Nine, heading out for the usual patrol over the Northern Evolved Forest. But the crew was different this time.

Pilot Huo Zhun was thrilled, since right behind him sat two Evolved Wolves and that little monkey he hadn’t seen in ages—the one with the same deadpan look as Xia Qing.

If he wasn’t worried Xia Qing would beat him up for making a scene, Huo Zhun would’ve snapped a photo to remember this extraordinary flight.

Inside the cabin, Xia Qing was busy comforting Goofball as it clung to her, while keeping an eye on the two wolves flanking her.

The Alpha was truly king of the pack. Even on its first helicopter ride, it stayed calm, just tensing up and pressing close to Xia Qing but otherwise keeping itself in check.

On Xia Qing’s other side, the Crippled Wolf—its front left leg still in a brace—was much more agitated than the Alpha. It kept glancing between Huo Zhun in the pilot’s seat, the passing Evolved Forest beyond the window, and Xia Qing herself, deep in thought.

Xia Qing seemed to get what the Crippled Wolf wanted. “Huo, no rush. Let’s fly as low and slow as possible.”

“Roger that.” Huo Zhun eased the chopper lower and slowed his speed.

Sure enough, with the helicopter flying lower, both the Alpha and the Crippled Wolf finally relaxed.

The whole reason for this helicopter trip to drop off Goofball was the Crippled Wolf’s request.

This brain-evolved wolf with a limp and a taste for novelty had learned that the last helicopter it rode in was Xia Qing’s. So it studied the helicopter’s intro video at home several times, pestered Xia Qing with all its questions, then insisted she take it for another ride.

Xia Qing wanted to visit Hill Sixty anyway to check on the hickory nuts, so she agreed.

As they flew above Hill Fifty-Eight, Huo Zhun pointed out, “Sister Qing, that looks like the Handsome Huge Wolf up ahead, and the Giant Bear from Hill Sixty-One is watching too.”

The helicopter was flying so low and slow that it disturbed all the evolved animals in the mountains below.

Xia Qing glanced at the top of Hill Fifty-Eight and caught sight of the imposing silver-grey wolf. So the Handsome Huge Wolf had been assigned to guard Hill Sixty by the Alpha. No wonder it hadn’t come to Section Three demanding a medicinal bath lately.

North of here was Hill Sixty. It would be rude to fly straight over the Handsome Huge Wolf, so Xia Qing told Huo Zhun to land.

As the helicopter descended, the Handsome Huge Wolf quickly ducked behind a rock and led its pack to prepare for battle.

But to their surprise, when the helicopter landed, the Alpha was the first one out, leaping onto the rotor housing before throwing back its head with a commanding howl.

Next, the limping Crippled Wolf hopped down and joined the Alpha in a long, echoing howl at the helicopter’s side. The entire wolf pack on Hill Sixty, Handsome Huge Wolf included, erupted in frenzied howls of their own.

Huo Zhun almost wanted to join in, but since Xia Qing gave no signal, he held back. “Sister Qing, what are the wolves howling about?”

“They’re showing off their strength to the Bear Pack on Hill Sixty-One.” When the Crippled Wolf had asked Xia Qing to fly them over, she’d already guessed this would happen.

After the Northern Wolf Pack reclaimed Hill Fifty-Five, Hill Sixty’s defenses had suffered. If the Bear Pack took this opportunity to strike, their odds of success would be high.

That’s why the wolves needed to display their might, warning the bears off any plans of attack. Xia Qing was happy to back them up.

Once the wolves’ chorus died down, the Bear Pack on Hill Sixty-One responded with resounding roars.

When the bears finished roaring and the two sides started trying to outdo each others’ momentum, Xia Qing unzipped a tiny backpack sewn by Xin Yu for Goofball, packing it with provisions as the little monkey vibrated between excitement and nerves.

“Goofball, here’s your outfit and hat, plus some insect repellent powder. Use it once a day. If bugs ever mess with you or you run out, come back to Section Three for more.”

She’d already taught this clever little monkey how to count and drilled it on finding Red Vein Stone, but she gave him one last rundown before departure.

“Here’s a photo of Red Vein Stone. You still owe me for medical care—three stones will cover your debt. If you find one, bring it to Section Three.”

The Green Lantern honeysuckle, Wild Ba Zi, and Bidens Pilosa that Yang Jin traded for Red Vein Stone had all taken root in Section Three by now. If Xia Qing failed to deliver the stones, the Crippled Wolf’s big brother would seize the chance to wring a heap of resources out of her.

Xia Qing pulled out a picture of a delicious dish—honey drizzled over breadworms—for the hungry Goofball. “Find and bring me Red Vein Stone and I’ll treat you to this. These roasted breadworms and freeze-dried snacks are for emergencies.”

“And if you get too hungry out there, you can always come back for help. You work for me, I’ll feed you.”

With her warnings finished, Xia Qing zipped up the tiny pack, slipped it onto Goofball—who still wore a blank, silly face even after healing—and nudged him gently forward. “Go on, go find your bear friend, head back to your territory.”

Goofball looked back at Xia Qing, opened his mouth and chirped, “Eh——”

The little monkey could make sounds, but since Xia Qing never corrected its pronunciation, each noise it made came out totally random.

Yet that single word—’auntie’—sent a wave of longing through Xia Qing, and even made Huo Zhun’s blood run hot in the cockpit.

Xia Qing, looking just as dopey as Goofball, gave his back a little shove. “Go on, back to your territory. Go be with your bear friend.”

This time, Goofball hesitated no more. He bolted out of the helicopter, scampering up a tall tree and leaping from branch to branch with astonishing speed.

With humans, wolves, and bears all watching, this little monkey—who’d spent the past two months recovering in human territory—finally reunited with his unlucky cub friend in the Evolved Forest where Hill Fifty-Eight met Hill Sixty.