Chapter 949: Rescue in the Evolved Forest

Crippled Wolf, face covered in scratches, understood and lifted its left leg. It tried its best to splay its massive paw for Xia Qing to treat.

Unlike cats, wolves’ paws barely retract and their claws aren’t sharp enough for serious tree climbing. Although Crippled Wolf could get up a tree thanks to its powerful legs, gripping branches to steady itself was tough. Just moments ago, it darted up and down the giant tree so fast, its paws were bound to get damaged.

After grabbing the Little Wolf, Crippled Wolf plunged almost forty meters straight down from sixty-plus meters in the air. It tossed the pup and landed on a branch of the slanted tree Xia Qing had shot down earlier. That broken branch cushioned some of the impact, but the recoil still injured its leg.

That’s why it was limping now.

“Oww…”

When Xia Qing took hold of Crippled Wolf’s leg it shivered and let out a grunt. Xia Qing quickly loosened her grip. “Sorry, I was too rough. The leg might be bruised or fractured, but don’t worry, you’ll be okay.”

Xia Qing picked Crippled Wolf up and gently laid it down. She rinsed its paw with pure spring water, searching for the exact spot where it was bleeding.

After a careful check, she found more than broken, bleeding claws. There were also splinters of wood wedged between its toes. Even though Crippled Wolf wore its snake skin protective suit to shield its paw pads, the claws remained exposed—wolves need them as weapons.

Survival in the Evolved Forest was fierce and unforgiving.

If Xia Qing didn’t tend to the wound, just that bit of wood alone could lead to an infection. The curious, brain-evolved wolf would grow weaker, lose its place in the pack, wind up eating last… and eventually, death would come. The still-bleeding Little Wolf nearby didn’t have it any better.

“Hang in there. I’ll get the splinters out first, then I’ll disinfect and apply some medicine.”

Nearly an hour later, a helicopter appeared above the battlefield.

Inside were Er Yong at the controls, Huo Zhun manning the machine gun, medic Zhang Song and his assistant Zhang Sun. They gazed down at the headless giant tree, scattered bird nests, torn eagle remains and feathers, two injured evolved wolves, and the glaring fresh blood on a pale boulder. They didn’t need to ask—something brutal had just happened.

The helicopter landed in a clearing Xia Qing had prepared. Once the cabin door opened, Xia Qing carried the sedated black wolf cub inside. “Brother Song, help this cub first. It was slashed by the raptor’s talons—there are four wounds on its belly.”

“Got it. Place it on the CT unit.” After hearing Xia Qing describe the injuries, Zhang San signaled the medical team to set up the portable CT machine.

Assistant Zhang Sun spread a sterile sheet over the scanner bed and helped Xia Qing place the wolf cub—dozens of pounds worth—on it, then started the CT scan to check its organs and bones.

Standing guard at the cabin door, Huo Zhun asked, “Sister Qing, are those two evolved wolves in the trees its parents?”

Xia Qing glanced at Black Wolf and Lame Wolf in hiding. “Yeah. Huo, stay here and keep watch. I’ll bring in the other wounded one.”

After hearing the helicopter, Alpha handed both injured wolves over to Xia Qing and led a few others into the thick of the woods. Xia Qing hopped out, then picked up Crippled Wolf, alone and sedated, from the boulder.

Only after sedating Crippled Wolf would Xia Qing let the unarmed Zhang Song attend to its injury.

“Awooo!” The anxious Little Wolf stood up in the brush, snarling at Xia Qing.

Carrying Crippled Wolf, Xia Qing turned and spoke gently, “Don’t worry, Queen, Little Wolf, Black Wolf, Lame Wolf—they’re in good hands and will get the very best care.”

As for medical bills, Alpha would settle up on the territory—no need for Xia Qing to mention it.

Huo Zhun blinked in confusion. How did the few-month-old wolf cub suddenly become Sister Qing’s brother? Was it just because it was Alpha’s pup?

“Howl—”

Noticing Huo’s eyes on the cub, Alpha gave a low, menacing growl, baring its fangs. The little one ducked into the grass. Both the large and small evolved wolves glared at Huo Zhun with their golden eyes, ready to pounce at a moment’s notice.

Huo Zhun grinned and told Xia Qing, “Little Wolf’s sharp—he’ll make one mighty evolved wolf leader someday.”

Er Yong asked, “Sister Qing, should I shut the cabin door?”

“Leave it open.” If the evolved wolves waiting outside got shut out, they’d get even more restless.

“The cub’s got four intestinal perforations and a ruptured liver. We can operate and suture here, or take it back for less invasive surgery. The adult’s left foreleg—fractured tibia, needs to be set.” After examining the injuries, Zhang Song laid out the options for Xia Qing.

Open surgery was rough on the little cub. Xia Qing jumped out of the helicopter. “I’ll go ask them.”

She ran to Alpha in the woods, using hand signals and gestures to communicate. A moment later, she returned. “Take both back. Er Yong, back to the territory.”

“Copy that.”

Seeing the helicopter lift off, Black Wolf, Lame Wolf, and Little Wolf howled in distress. Alpha watched Xia Qing waving from inside, then threw its head back and let out a mournful howl.

In the helicopter, Zhang Song tended to the black wolf cub and had assistant Zhang Sun patch up Crippled Wolf, whose injuries were milder.

While treating the wounds on Crippled Wolf’s paw and head, Zhang Sun asked the apparent ‘family’ member, “Sister Qing, should I use calcium sulfate or polyester polymer for the splint?”

Xia Qing replied, “What do you think, Sun?”

“Polyester polymer’s stronger, lighter, thinner, plus it’s breathable and waterproof. It’s pricier, though.”

“Let’s go with that one.” Crippled Wolf was practically a VIP, so cost was no concern.

“Alright.” With the decision made, Zhang Sun expertly shaved the leg, disinfected the injury, bandaged and splinted it.

Xia Qing snapped a picture of Crippled Wolf’s now bare front left leg with her phone, then looked out the window. “Huo, which mountains are we over?”

Huo Zhun replied, “Northern part of Hill Fifty-Nine, just over a hundred li from our territory as the crow flies. Sister Qing, how did you even get here?”

Er Yong, piloting the helicopter, remarked, You’d be shocked—I’m not kidding, she rode a wolf all the way here!

Xia Qing ignored the question and pointed at a mountain peak nearby. “Huo, scan the summit at four o’clock—that looks like a bear over there.”

“Copy!”

Using the helicopter’s laser-scanning equipment, Huo Zhun checked where Xia Qing indicated. “No way—that’s a Giant Bear! It looks just like the one that fought you and the wolf pack!”

Xia Qing guessed, “Hill Sixty’s northwest side is bear territory. They probably came over when they heard the commotion.”

“That raptor wasn’t dumb—picked the border between wolf and bear territory to build its nest.” Huo Zhun asked, “Sister Qing, raptor meat’s edible. What are you planning to do with those massive talons?”