Chapter 95.1

They noticed that Moonlight kept nudging the fish.

Mu Ling and General Milo assumed it was a reminder from Moonlight, prompting them to take their portions.

Each picked up their half of the fish, smiling as they said, “Thank you, Moonlight. The fish head looks delicious.”

“Thanks, Moonlight! Big sister loves fish tails the most!”

As they spoke, both reached out to pet the white bear.

Moonlight squinted contentedly under their touch, then leaned in closer, sitting beside them.

Mu Ling then took out some medicine to feed both Moonlight and Pimi.

General Milo watched as Mu Ling directly placed large pills into the beasts’ mouths, then offered them water from a basin. He was somewhat surprised. “I thought you’d hide the medicine in treats.”

“We used to do that, fearing they’d notice. But now they’re accustomed to it and take their medicine obediently,” Mu Ling explained, reaching out to Brother Xiang.

Brother Xiang handed over two medicine bottles with modified lids.

Originally, the bottles had standard caps, but now they were fitted with nipple-like tops. Mu Ling held one in each hand, simultaneously feeding both beasts.

The medicine tasted bitter, but both the lion and the white bear drank it all without fuss. Afterward, they looked up at Mu Ling in unison.

Mu Ling magically produced two handfuls of freeze-dried treats from her pocket—beef-flavored for Pimi and honey-flavored for Moonlight.

Once they finished their treats, the two beasts, understanding the routine, sprawled on the ground, ready for a nap.

Pimi, the brooding prince, coolly moved aside to sleep alone, while the clingy Moonlight nestled close to its master and sister.

General Milo watched Moonlight’s relaxed demeanor, feeling increasingly conflicted.

“If only Clear Sky had received such care back then…”

Clear Sky?

Mu Ling looked at General Milo.

The general, his hair already graying, gave a bitter smile. His lean, weathered face was filled with deep longing. “Clear Sky was Moonlight’s grandmother.”

Mu Ling recalled reading in the records that General Milo’s first war beast was Moonlight’s grandmother.

So her name was Clear Sky.

What a beautiful name…

General Milo took a deep breath, perhaps realizing it wasn’t the right time to delve into this topic. He smiled at Mu Ling, saying, “Anyway, I must thank you again.”

He then turned to Brother Xiang behind him, nodding slightly.

Brother Xiang returned the nod.

Just as General Milo was considering using this opportunity to get closer to Teacher Xiang, hoping he’d take more photos of Moonlight, a sharp eagle cry pierced the air.

Everyone in the safe zone looked up to see an armored eagle circling in the sky before diving straight toward Mu Ling.

Upon seeing Tayun, Mu Ling immediately smiled and raised her arm.

The eagle landed precisely on her arm, its small iron head nuzzling against her face.

“You’re back! I thought I’d have to wait a bit longer. Have you eaten? Let’s eat first, then take your medicine.”

Mu Ling looked toward the soldiers guarding the fence. “Could you please…”

The soldiers had already prepared the food, bringing over a large cup of bird feed.

Mu Ling offered the feed, and Tayun began pecking at it eagerly.

After a while, a logistics vehicle stopped outside the safe zone. The door opened, and Yin Lingyun’s entire team jumped out.

Seeing that Tayun had indeed returned, the subordinates were shocked. “Colonel, how did you know Tayun would come back here?”

Earlier, they had been traveling by car when Tayun suddenly flew off, alarming them. But the colonel had calmly stated, “It’s returning to the safe zone.”

They had doubted it, thinking Tayun had no attachment to this place and wouldn’t leave its master to return here alone.

But now, seeing it was true, they were dumbfounded. Who was this woman, and why was Tayun perched on a stranger’s arm?

The subordinates stood stunned, while Yin Lingyun had already started walking toward them.

Having monitored the surveillance all morning, Mu Ling naturally recognized Colonel Yin. She smiled and greeted him, “Hello, Colonel Yin.”

Yin Lingyun looked at Mu Ling, his expression still stern, but then he solemnly bowed to her.

Startled, Mu Ling quickly said, “Please, don’t…”

Holding Tayun, she couldn’t assist him, feeling quite awkward.

The subordinates who had followed their colonel were now even more shocked. What was going on?

Straightening up, Yin Lingyun earnestly said to Mu Ling, “Seeing Tayun again, I realize how well you’ve cared for it. I’ve always wanted to visit you personally but never had the chance. Meeting you today, I’m deeply grateful.”

First General Milo, now Colonel Yin—Mu Ling felt genuinely embarrassed by their formal gratitude.

She hesitated, saying, “It’s my duty. They were entrusted to my zoo; they’re like my children. I’m responsible for their care and recovery. To be bold, even though you’re their owners, I’m their Big Sister. We’re all family!”

General Milo smiled, “Yes, we’re all family.”

One big, loving zoo family.

Colonel Yin wasn’t adept at conversing with women, but seeing Director Mu so straightforward, he relaxed. He felt fortunate that Tayun had been entrusted to the Bi Ke Zoo, leading a healthy retirement without prolonged suffering.

While Mu Ling discussed the two war beasts with their respective owners, the 2G network subordinates were puzzled. Listening to the colonel and this unfamiliar woman, they gradually understood: she was the director of the zoo where Tayun resided… she had taken excellent care of Tayun… and had even cured its illness…

Subordinates: “?”

Subordinates: “?????”

Wait, what?

A zoo… treating illnesses…

Hold on, they needed to process this!

Given the preciousness of the lunch break, after greeting Mu Ling, Colonel Yin proceeded to report for duty.

General Milo wished to nap with Moonlight, but an officer reminded him that the president was waiting.

Reluctantly, General Milo returned to the military ship.

Later, after spending some time with the war beasts, Mu Ling also left. It was nearly one o’clock, and they hadn’t eaten yet.

Half an hour later, when Mu Ling, Brother Xiang, and Mr. Kenny returned to the monitoring room, they found lunch already laid out. Additionally, there were three unfamiliar individuals in the room.

The trio was eating but stood up upon seeing Mu Ling and the others. “Hello.”

Mu Ling glanced at the monitoring wall and noticed three new surveillance windows.

She quickly greeted them, “Hello, hello, please, have a seat.”

After they sat down, they seemed a bit reserved.

Eventually, once Mu Ling and her companions began eating, everyone started chatting.

“Our baby is named ‘Runner,’ the startled deer.”

“Our child is ‘Celestial,’ the white crane.”

“Ours is ‘Black Wind,’ the black-tailed wolf.”

Mu Ling introduced, “This gentleman’s war beast is the zebra named Piano. As for me…”

“We know,” they said, somewhat embarrassed. “We recognize you, Director Mu. We saw the surveillance footage of Qilin and Lightning and knew you must be here.”

Mu Ling smiled, “Yes, I arrived this morning, not much earlier than you.”

The newcomers—two men and one woman—were all in their thirties.

Since the war beasts were resting in the safe zone, they didn’t need constant supervision and began discussing their respective beasts.

“Black Wind originally belonged to my sister. After she passed away, our family applied for a long time before we could adopt Black Wind,” said the black-tailed wolf’s owner with a bitter smile.

Mentioning their deceased relatives, the room’s atmosphere turned somber.

The white crane’s owner added, “Actually, I’m in a similar situation. Celestial was originally my father’s war beast.”

She didn’t elaborate, but everyone understood.

The startled deer’s owner said, “Runner belonged to my buddy. We enrolled in the Beast Taming Military Academy together, but I performed poorly and was reassigned to the police academy before I could choose a war beast.”

The white crane’s owner was surprised, “Can military academy students be reassigned to the police academy? Aren’t they separate systems?”

The startled deer’s owner: “…”

Wearing a pained expression, he confessed, “Alright, I’ll be honest. I was advised to withdraw and then applied to the police academy on my own…”

“Pfft.”

Someone chuckled, lightening the mood.

They had all grieved the loss of their loved ones, but time heals. Now, while they still mourned, they had come to terms with reality.

If they hadn’t, they wouldn’t have had the courage to adopt the war beasts left behind by their relatives and friends.

Nor would they be willing to bring these beasts back to the battlefield where they were needed.

Being young and amiable, the group’s conversation flowed effortlessly.

Mr. Kenny spoke little, but Mu Ling ensured he wasn’t left out by occasionally mentioning Piano. As expected, whenever Piano was discussed, Mr. Kenny became more talkative.

Though he appeared gentlemanly and reserved, he was quite endearing.

The room was filled with warmth and camaraderie.

Meanwhile, in another room, a gentle middle-aged man personally poured a cup of tea for General Milo.

General Milo held the cup with both hands, took a sip, then shook his head, “This isn’t tea from Ancient Blue Star.”

The man chuckled, “Given our circumstances, you still expect Ancient Blue Star tea? Be glad there’s any tea at all.”

General Milo set the cup down and asked, “Aren’t you afraid that by calling me here, you’re alerting the enemy?”

The man’s expression remained calm, “If you didn’t come, they wouldn’t make their move.”

General Milo’s face changed, “Don’t tell me you knew this was a trap and still walked into it?”

The man looked at his former teacher, smiling gently, “It’s too obvious. From the disappearance of the U33 starship to the subsequent public opinion, everything was calculated precisely to lure me to Nurha Star.”

“And you still came?” General Milo frowned deeply.

“If I didn’t, would they release the Mutant Beasts?”

General Milo was taken aback.

The man leaned forward, his gaze deep, “If I didn’t come, Nurha Star would be doomed.”

General Milo pressed his lips together. Though angry, he knew the president was right.

With the president personally overseeing operations, no one would dare delay aid to Nurha Star. If he weren’t here, today’s Nurha Star might end up like Xuangu Star a year ago, with all support and rescue efforts obstructed.

Thinking of the events from a year ago, General Milo’s expression darkened further.

He asked, “So this time, you have a plan?”

The man’s typically gentle and warm eyes slowly flashed with fury as he replied methodically, “At the very least, we’ll strip off one layer of their skin.”

Looking at the President’s cold expression, General Milo knew he intended far more than just stripping off one layer.

He pressed his lips together, finally nodding, “Whatever you plan to do, I’ll support you fully.”

The man smiled again, his coldness receding as he returned to being the refined, gentle President. He gestured “please” to General Milo, indicating him to continue drinking tea, and said, “You don’t need to do anything. Just act as if I’m so scared that I even called you here to protect me. Oh, right—when you’re free, go see your Moonlight, since it happens to be here too.”

Bringing up Moonlight meant he didn’t intend to discuss more plan details. General Milo took the hint and casually replied, “I’ve already seen him. He even gave me half a fish. Our Moonlight still remembers I like fish head soup.”

The man was startled. “Don’t you dislike fish?”

“I like it now. What’s wrong with that? Do I need your approval?”

President: “…”

Why so defensive.