Chapter 134: The Spectator Squad

Chapter 134: Chapter 134: The Spectator Squad

Xiaqing wasn’t highly educated and didn’t know the specific substances classified as dangerous chemicals, but she knew for a fact that Li Si’s excuse didn’t hold up.

After the Great Evolution of life on Blue Star, the synthetic chemical pesticides commonly used before the Natural Disasters were found to disrupt the internal balance of plants and animals, increasing the probability of Qiang Evolution. That’s why current agricultural agents, like insecticides and insect repellents, were all biological formulas based on the principle of natural predators.

While these biological agents had some level of toxicity, they weren’t the kind of deadly poison that could "silence anything that breathes."

So, the "Level 1 dangerous chemical" Li Si was storing in his territory definitely wasn’t for agricultural research. It was likely for self-defense or some other ulterior motive.

’Was No. 9 Territory’s sudden admission of possessing contraband accidental or intentional? If it was on purpose, what was Li Si trying to achieve with this move?’

The more Xiaqing mulled over this juicy gossip, the more confused she became.

Zhang San spoke, his voice as devoid of emotion as it had been when he operated on the Brain Domain Evolution Wolf. "Territory Land No. 7 has no contraband."

If anyone else had said it, Xiaqing wouldn’t have believed them. But since it was Zhang San, she did. The other Lords believed him too. Even Li Si fell silent.

Zhang San pressed his offensive. "Captain Tan, a leak of a Level 1 dangerous chemical would threaten all life within at least a twenty-kilometer radius. It could also provoke a violent reaction from Qiang-evolved animals, triggering a Beast Tide. Therefore, a professional team must be dispatched immediately to neutralize, secure, and confiscate it. As a qualified professional, I, Zhang San, request to join the Danger Investigation Team for this operation."

Tan Junjie replied, "Agreed. The situation is urgent. Lord No.7, please arrive at the No. 9 Territory marker within fifteen minutes. The situation has been reported, and the base has authorized the Danger Investigation Team to search No. 9 Territory. The Danger Investigation Team is now making its second request to No. 9 Territory. Lord No.9, please grant the Danger Investigation Team entry to search for the hazardous materials."

Li Si was furious. "Brother San, do you really have to take it this far? Don’t you know why I’m here? Have you considered the consequences of offending the Fiery Fire Team?"

Zhang San didn’t reply. He had obviously already left to prepare for the neutralization of the Level 1 dangerous chemical in No. 9 Territory.

At this point, Xiaqing couldn’t care less about the finer details of the situation; she just wanted a front-row seat for the drama. She sprinted home, threw on her Protective Suit and Protective Mask, and bolted outside, startling the two honored guests recovering in the sheep pen.

The Sheep Leader thought something was wrong and ran out after her. Xiaqing stopped, handed the Sheep Leader a pack of compressed rations, and soothed it gently, "Nothing dangerous is happening. You hold down the fort, Leader. I’m just stepping out for a bit and I’ll be back soon."

After receiving the rations, the Sheep Leader followed her for a little longer, only stopping once it saw Xiaqing had left the Third Territory. Thanks to Xiaqing’s training, the Sheep Leader understood that it was dangerous outside the territory and wouldn’t leave its boundaries lightly.

Xiaqing passed through the Wild Grass Wall at the southern edge of the Third Territory and stopped by the marker post, peering eastward.

Watching the drama was important, but safety was more important. Her vision and hearing were excellent, so watching from here was good enough. Running over for a closer look was too dangerous and would only make her a target.

"Sister Qing!" Da Jiang, the Auditory Evolver, ran over from No.1 Territory. "We can’t see anything from this far away! Let’s get a closer look, what do you say?"

Going alone was dangerous, but two people were a different story. Xiaqing didn’t hesitate for a second and headed east with Da Jiang.

The duo of drama-seekers had only taken a few steps when the two Tang Family brothers also ran out from the Second Territory. "Da Jiang, wait up!"

"Hurry up! If you’re too slow, you’ll miss Brother San and Captain Tan leading the charge into No. 9 Territory." When there was good drama to watch, even members of the Green Dragon Team and the Su Feng Team could coexist peacefully.

Logically, the Second Territory bordered No. 9 Territory. As an Auditory Evolver, Tang Huai could have gathered more information by simply staying inside his territory and eavesdropping. The fact that he still chose to come out and join the crowd revealed that his surveillance mission was primarily focused on the No.1 and Third Territories, not No. 9.

Xiaqing saw right through it but kept her thoughts to herself, jogging along with them to watch the show.

"You guys got here quick." Seeing that people from No.1, the Second, and the Third Territories had all come out, Zhao Ze limped out from under the marker for Territory No. 4.

Territory No. 4’s southern border was right next to No. 9 Territory. The marker post for Territory No. 4 was only about twenty meters away from No. 9’s, making it the front line for watching the drama. The people from the four territories stood under the No. 4 marker, staring eastward with anticipation.

Seeing them gathered in a group, Qi Fu and his wife from Territory No.5, Kuang Qingwei and his wife from No. 6 Territory, and the Shi family mother and son, who had all been peeking out from their own lands, came over to join them.

This was the first time Xiaqing had seen Kuang Qingwei’s wife, Zhu Li. She looked even younger than Xiaqing herself. Standing next to Kuang Qingwei, they looked less like a married couple and more like a father and daughter.

"Everyone who could make it is here, except for the person from No. 8 Territory," Zhu Li whispered to Xiaqing, clearly excited.

"Yeah," Xiaqing acknowledged. Everyone from Territories one through ten who could come was here, all huddled together, waiting to watch Territory No. 7 and No. 9 "go to war."

If they had to pick a side, everyone was naturally hoping Zhang San would win. After all, nobody wanted No. 9 Territory to keep harboring a dangerous substance that could "silence" them at any moment.

Shi Du also edged closer to Xiaqing and asked in a low voice, "Sister Qing, do you know what ’Level 1 dangerous chemical’ means?"

Xiaqing was speechless. ’Do I look like I know?’

Shi Du laughed and scratched his short hair. Suddenly, his eyes widened. "Sister Qing, your skin looks a bit better. Did you switch your medicine?"

Xiaqing’s public story was that her red skin was the result of being poisoned, and she was constantly using medicine to keep the toxins from spreading or getting worse.

Her skin was now a natural, even red, not because of any medicine, of course, but because she had switched to the dye Zhang San had given her.

Xiaqing lied with a straight face. "I didn’t change the medicine. It’s probably because I’m eating better now, so my immune system is stronger."

"That makes sense." Mother Shi, who was chatting with Yuan Yan and Zhu Li, kept one ear on the conversation between Xiaqing and her son. "Qing, dear, I think Brother San is very skilled. When he’s in a good mood, you should ask him to take a look at you. His medicines are all very effective; I’m sure he can cure your poison."

The nearby Lords had all traded for supplies with Territory Land No. 7, so they knew that anything from Zhang San was top-quality.

Not wanting to dismiss Mother Shi’s kind intentions, Xiaqing said, "Okay, I’ll mention it to Brother San if I get the chance."

"Look, they’re coming!" Zhu Li excitedly alerted her fellow spectators.

Everyone turned to look east. A large contingent of more than twenty people was approaching, composed of individuals in camouflage Protective Suits and others in pure-white, fully sealed, airtight protective suits.

It was easy to tell who was who. The sixteen people in armed, camouflage Protective Suits were soldiers. The five in pure-white, fully-enclosed, airtight protective suits carrying toolboxes were technicians.

Xiaqing recognized Tan Junjie’s squad at the front. Behind them was Zhang San, flanked by Yan Long and Ji Li. Following Zhang San were the two surgical assistants from Territory Land No. 7 whom Xiaqing had seen outside the operating room.

She didn’t recognize anyone else.

Kuang Qingwei was amazed. "Captain Tan only has six soldiers with him. Are all the rest of these people from Brother San’s territory? Holy cow!"

Qi Fu speculated, "They could also be other Danger Investigation Team squads."

Tang Huai grew excited. "Doesn’t matter where they’re from, look at the weapons they’re carrying! They even brought a light Grenade Launcher! That’s the new heavy-firepower weapon recently issued to the bases in Hui City. Looks like they’re ready to tear No. 9 Territory apart at the slightest provocation."

"With them all suited up like that, how are we supposed to know which one is Brother San?" Zhao Ze said, disappointed.

He had been in his territory for half a year and had met all the other Lords except for Zhang San and Lord No.8; he had no idea what either of them looked like.

Seeing the soldiers and technicians in full gear, Kuang Qingwei took the Protective Mask hanging from his waist. "They’re going in to clean up hazardous materials, so of course they have to be dressed like that. Brother Huai, maybe we should put on our masks too?"