Chapter 977: Edge of the Hunt

The helicopter carrying nineteen evolved fighters lifted off from the helipad atop the First Peak of Hill Forty-Nine, heading for the Northern Evolved Forest. Not a single territory lord batted an eye.

After all, this chopper’s job was to patrol the Northern Evolved Forest. If it ever stopped flying, that’s when the lords would start to worry.

As the helicopter climbed, the world sprawled out below. Xia Qing glanced down, surveying her own territory.

Everything looked good. Her animal companions had already scattered and hidden as soon as they heard the helicopter’s engines. Even with her ninth-rank vision evolution, Xia Qing couldn’t spot Old Goat or Number Four, though she had a good sense of where they might be hiding.

Crippled Wolf, though? The king of the curled wolves didn’t even bother. He lounged inside with the air conditioning on, watching videos without a care.

Watching Xia Qing’s wistful gaze toward her territory, Tang Huai—cradling his sniper rifle—mulled over what he might give her to repay the favor of taking part in this mission.

Once Xia Qing finally tore her eyes away from her land, Du Zuohang—the team’s leader and Tang Zhengbo’s personal bodyguard, also a seventh-rank speed evolver—finally spoke up. “Everyone, the helicopter will fly at top speed for two and a half hours before we arrive at the target location. Please start tuning your walkie-talkies.”

After everyone adjusted their walkie-talkies, Du Zuohang asked the rescue team to report their combat strength one by one.

When all fourteen members of the Tang Family finished reporting in seat order, Xia Qing, who sat at the front of the territory side, spoke up: “Section Three, Xia Qing. Sixth-rank strength evolver, senior sniper. Effective night range, 1,900 meters.”

In reality, Xia Qing’s current effective range had already broken through 2,000 meters—she was a true top-tier sniper. But since her official identity was senior sniper, she only reported a range a hundred meters higher than the typical standard.

Snipers were the one thing this rescue mission desperately needed. Normally, after Xia Qing introduced herself, it would’ve been Tang Huai’s turn.

The helicopter pilot, Huo Zhun, paused for a few moments. When Tang Huai didn’t speak up, he introduced himself: “Territory Eleven, Huo Zhun. Seventh-rank strength, fifth-rank evolved elasticity. Served five years with Hui One’s Jiaolong Special Forces.”

Huo Zhun would of course take part in the rescue, so he reported his true combat abilities directly.

At the words ‘Jiaolong Special Forces,’ the Tang Family’s rescue squad glanced at the back of Huo Zhun’s head with open admiration and respect.

Zhang Hongda spoke next: “Territory Fifteen, Zhang Hongda. Fifth-rank speed evolver, veteran of Hui Three main assault team.”

Even though Zhang Hongda was actually a three-element evolver, he always publicly listed himself as a speed specialist. Mentioning his main assault team background was just to highlight his wealth of experience in Evolved Forest operations.

Shi Du was the last: “Territory Ten, Shi Du. Fifth-and-a-half rank strength evolver. Usually handles logistics but often joins hunting and foraging missions in the Evolved Forest.”

Finally, Tang Huai spoke: “Territory Twelve, Tang Huai. Fifth-and-a-half rank auditory evolver. Mid-level sniper. Nighttime range, 1,480 meters.”

Ever since joining the territory, Tang Huai had climbed half a level in his auditory evolution, and added eighty meters to his effective range since May. Clearly, all his time on the firing range with the Azure Dragon Squad wasn’t just for show—he was grinding hard.

Noting that Tang Huai chose to present himself as a territory member, the ever-perceptive Du Zuohang played along: “Thank you to the five of you for joining the mission. Let me first explain the situation with Zheng Jialin’s group before we assign roles.”

According to Zheng Jialin, there were fifteen people in his party—including Ye Yang’s niece—with ten evolved fighters among them. But from what Du Zuohang knew of Zheng Jialin’s cautious nature, there had to be at least another ten hidden in the shadows, biding their time.

“Our task is to wipe out the opportunistic marauders targeting Zheng Jialin’s team and rescue all fifteen people—including Ye Yang’s niece—and their supplies. But if we look weak or get worn down fighting those marauders, the ones lurking in the dark could turn on us, pretending to be part of the robbers. On the other hand, if we crush the marauders, those hidden allies will only show up to join us once victory is in hand, as if they just arrived—and then tag along back to Hui Three.”

Nothing about this surprised Xia Qing. Double-crosses, wolves in sheep’s clothing—and the constant battles between so-called gentlemen and the coldhearted—these happened daily in the Evolved Forest.

That’s exactly why trust between people had all but vanished, and why rescue missions fetched such high prices.

After breaking down Zheng Jialin’s team’s style and today’s standoff, Du Zuohang began outlining the plan: “I’ve already confirmed with Zheng Jialin. He says everyone except for the fifteen inside the cave—those surrounding and lying in ambush outside are all enemies. Numbers outside are unclear but likely over thirty. Once we’re two kilometers from the cave, Sister Qing takes out the enemy snipers and artillery…”

“Copy that.” With the plan laid out, Xia Qing knew her main objective: use her sniper skills to shake enemy morale and keep both the foes and Zheng Jialin’s camp in check.

Deng Xiaoqiong, a mid-level sniper from the Tang Family’s guard team, stared at Xia Qing with burning eyes. She’d been wanting to meet Luo Pei’s rarely-seen personal disciple for a long time.

Once everyone had their assignments, Du Zuohang spoke calmly: “We’re still ten kilometers from the target. Start prepping.”

“Roger that.” After responding over the walkie-talkie, Xia Qing quickly sent a message to Zhang Shi—wherever she was hiding—telling her to lay low and not risk getting mistaken for an enemy and shot by the rescue team.

“Five kilometers to target. Radar is clear. I’ve located the best landing spot ahead,” Huo Zhun reported, having found the optimal drop zone using the helicopter’s radar.

Before Xia Qing could say a word, the Tang Family’s eighth-rank vision evolver on lookout called out: “Twelve o’clock, a thousand meters out—second tallest tree on the ridge, enemy sniper spotted.”

The radar hadn’t picked him up, but sharp eyes could. Which meant the enemy’s gear had radar stealth tech.

Tang Huai was just scanning for threats with his scope when two nearly simultaneous shouts burst out behind him:

“Incoming!” That was the lookout’s voice.

“Bang. Bang!”—that was the sound of a sniper rifle.

Just as the lookout spotted the enemy artilleryman aiming at the chopper, Xia Qing’s gun rang out. Through his scope, Tang Huai saw a body drop from the big tree at twelve o’clock, and at ten o’clock farther up the mountain another hidden figure was hit too!

He whipped back, staring at Xia Qing by the helicopter’s sniper window. How had she spotted them so fast?

“Bang!” Another shot. Xia Qing reported calmly over the comms: “Killed enemy sniper at twelve o’clock, artillery at ten o’clock, artillery at two o’clock.”

While the Tang Family guards reeled from Xia Qing’s deadly display, pilot Huo Zhun added coolly: “The enemy’s got gear using new smart skin for radar stealth, plus night vision goggles. This isn’t your average band of thugs.”

Translation? The rescue team had to deal with these well-equipped enemies before sunset, or they’d be on the back foot fast.