Chapter 92.2

The Desert Stallion quickly turned and kicked at the mutated cat, but just then, something suddenly looped around its neck!

The reins tightened, restraining it. It struggled fiercely, but the more it fought, the tighter they pulled.

“Whose war beast is this? Where’s its owner?” Colonel Yin Lingyun gripped his long sniper rifle, pointing furiously at the unfamiliar war beast that had no business being in this search zone. His face darkened with anger. “Who does this beast belong to?”

A nearby soldier stepped forward and said, “Colonel, that’s not one of our military’s beasts. I think it’s the retired war beast from the U33 starship?”

Yin Lingyun froze. “What’s a retired war beast doing here?”

Another soldier explained, “Its owner was injured. It was supposed to be confined in the safety zone… we’re not sure how it escaped.”

Yin Lingyun frowned deeply. “Get it back immediately!”

The two soldiers holding the reins tried to drag the Desert Stallion away, but it began to go berserk, kicking at the humans around it with deadly precision while shrieking continuously.

“Ahhh!” Just then, a man’s terrified scream rang out from a nearby residential building.

Due to the sudden mutant beast invasion on Nurhar Star, the government had urgently called for all civilians to stay indoors and lock their doors and windows. But clearly, some creatures had managed to slip inside!

Yin Lingyun immediately charged into the building with two beast tamers. Their squad—seven people and two beasts in total—was responsible for searching six streets in this area.

Five people and two beasts rushed upstairs, while the remaining two soldiers stayed below with the Desert Stallion, keeping watch.

Soon after, the wail of an ambulance could be heard in the distance. The five who had gone upstairs came back down—with one soldier carrying an injured middle-aged man on his back. When the ambulance pulled up, he quickly placed the man inside.

After the ambulance departed, Yin Lingyun looked wearily at the Desert Stallion and told the two soldiers restraining it, “I don’t care what method you use—just get it back.”

The two soldiers strained to control the continuously struggling beast.

A subordinate beside Yin Lingyun glanced at their squad’s war dog and war leopard, then couldn’t hold back a complaint. “Colonel, is there really no way we can request a war bird? We’re used to working with them!”

The owners of the war dog and leopard nodded emphatically. When they had followed the Colonel before, a war bird always scouted ahead with the main force following behind.

During the extermination campaign on Planet 917, which the Colonel personally led, they had a war bird. But while fighting well on the 917 frontline, they were suddenly transferred to Nurhar Star, and due to the emergency, war beasts had been distributed unevenly, leaving their team at a severe disadvantage.

The war dog’s owner added, “Without a war bird for reconnaissance and vanguard duties, the risk of our dog and leopard getting ambushed and injured is extremely high. Colonel, please apply again.”

Yin Lingyun’s expression remained cold. “Nurhar is massive. To contain the initial spread of the beast tide, we need numerous war beasts dispersed for searches. War beasts are in critically short supply—many teams don’t even have a single one. Stop being picky.”

They all understood the reasoning, but who wouldn’t worry about their own war beasts? Their war dog and war leopard were only B-class—not particularly powerful. If they got surrounded by mutant beasts later, they could easily be injured. Just look at that mutated cat from earlier—it was moderately infected. If their B-class beasts took even two bites from such creatures, once the toxins penetrated, they could suffer permanent neurological damage!

“Could we at least apply for an S-class or A-class beast then?”

Yin Lingyun continued searching ahead while checking his military light brain. After a moment, he replied, “S-class? A-class? I’ve checked—there are 193 squads that don’t have even a single war beast yet. One of yours might even be reassigned soon.”

The group was stunned. What? Even with their limited resources, someone might get reassigned?

One subordinate muttered, “We should have kept that Desert Stallion earlier…”

Yin Lingyun’s face darkened. “That was a retired war beast!”

The subordinate remembered that the Colonel’s own war bird, Tayun, had also retired. He immediately fell silent and resumed the search.

*

Meanwhile, at Nurhar Star’s Operations Headquarters.

The commanding general of Nurhar’s military district was already at his wit’s end. Looking at the map where less than one percent of the entire planet had been searched, his expression was extremely grim.

“What did Director Chai from the Security Bureau say? When are they evacuating the President? It’s been a full day already!”

The lieutenant general beside him replied helplessly, “Director Chai believes this is clearly a trap targeting the President. If they evacuate rashly, they might fall right into it. Until they can be 100% certain evacuation poses no risk, they can only remain in place.”

The general felt a chill down his spine. If something happened to the President under his jurisdiction, the consequences would be catastrophic!

Gritting his teeth, he ordered, “Send two more squads to protect the President!”

The lieutenant general signaled to a subordinate, who left immediately. He then asked, “Everyone below is demanding to know—when will more beast tamers arrive? The search teams are desperately short on war beasts.”

“You think I don’t know they’re in short supply?” the general snapped. “Where am I supposed to get them from? I’ve already transferred Colonel Yin Lingyun’s entire regiment from the 917 front—he’s extremely experienced with this combat situation, but even his regiment doesn’t have many war beasts. We can’t touch the garrison forces on other planets, and while there are plenty of support troops available, there simply aren’t many beast tamers among them!”

The lieutenant general lowered his voice, “A year ago on Xuangu Planet, they suffered catastrophic losses precisely because they failed to contain the beast outbreak in time. We absolutely cannot repeat that mistake. We need sufficient war beasts—no matter what it takes.”

“Sufficient? What does ‘sufficient’ even mean? We’d need tens of thousands of war beasts!”

The lieutenant general suddenly had an idea. “There are several zoos in our area. I could have someone contact them about their retired war beasts…”

“Are you insane?” The general’s face immediately darkened. “Retired war beasts are already half-dead, and you want to use them? You’ll be facing a military tribunal!”

The lieutenant general was taken aback, then deflated. “You’re right… these aren’t like Bi Ke Zoo…”

“Bi Ke Zoo…” The general murmured, then looked up sharply at the lieutenant general. “What about Bi Ke Zoo’s beasts? Could we request them?”

The lieutenant general hesitated again. “Probably not. They’re retired war beasts after all… and there aren’t many—just a dozen or so S-class…”

Just a dozen S-class?

Before this crisis, their entire Nurhar Star had only one S-class war beast!

The general murmured, “S-class war beasts can detect mutant scents within 100 kilometers. A dozen would cover over 1,000 kilometers.”

He tapped the map decisively. “One squad with one S-class beast—ten S-class could match the work of a hundred squads right now!”

The lieutenant general asked, “So… should we ask them?”

The general pondered for a moment, then stood up and walked to the command center next door.

*

At three in the morning, Mu Ling was sleeping hazily when her light brain suddenly rang.

She frowned and checked it—Director Wang.

Mu Ling answered groggily, “Hello?”

Director Wang spoke rapidly, “Director Mu, I remember your zoo’s war beasts were once temporarily assigned to the military stationed on Shenwang Star, correct?”

Mu Ling pushed herself upright, unsure why he was suddenly asking about this. “Yes, they were. What’s this about?”

“The war beasts weren’t harmed during that mission, were they?”

“No, they weren’t.”

“Then given their current physical condition… Do you think they could be borrowed again?”

Mu Ling froze. “Borrowed by whom?”

Director Wang hesitated, then said, “Nurhar Star.”

Mu Ling’s breath caught.

He quickly added, “You can refuse. As I’ve always maintained—everything depends on the beasts’ health and your judgment as their Keeper.”

Mu Ling didn’t understand. “Why ask to borrow from me? Doesn’t the military have their own war beasts?”

“Not enough,” Director Wang explained. “Even for temporary assignments, we need to ensure other planets maintain their defenses, so not all war beasts can be redeployed. Each planet can only spare so many. The headquarters and support forces have already utilized all available units. Nurhar is a large planet—if we want to clear it quickly and thoroughly, we need many, many more war beasts.”

Mu Ling remained silent for a long moment, then finally said, “I can agree to lend them—but only if you guarantee my war beasts won’t be placed in danger.”

“Absolutely guaranteed. Your beasts will only perform reconnaissance—humans will handle the fighting! They won’t face mutant beasts directly.”

Mu Ling smiled bitterly. Major Chang had promised the same thing last time, yet Qilin, Lightning, and Qingjiao had still ended up fighting and killing two mutant tigers together.

But… could she really remain indifferent when she watched the news about Nurhar every day?

With a sigh, Mu Ling said, “Alright. But I still need to consult with their owners. If they’re unwilling—”

“Don’t worry about that,” Director Wang interrupted. “The military will handle those communications.”

Remembering that the war beasts’ owners were also military personnel, Mu Ling could only say, “Fine.”

*

An hour later, a military starship landed in Bi Ke Zoo’s service plaza. Major Chang personally led the team, with his soldiers unloading cages from the starship.

Seeing this, Mu Ling said firmly, “No need for cages.”

Standing at the glass enclosure door, she began calling her troops.

“Qilin, step forward!”

The Ripper Tiger, confused at first by the military command it hadn’t heard in ages, looked up at Mu Ling curiously, then yawned and walked over to sit beside her.

Mu Ling patted its head once, then called, “Lightning, step forward!”

The black panther swished its tail as it approached, then sat on Mu Ling’s other side, looking up at her attentively.

Mu Ling stroked it gently and continued, “Qingjiao, step forward!”

Qingjiao seemed to understand what was happening. She lowered her head to lick the little wolf cub’s fur, carefully dragged the sleeping cub over to Gus, and then walked toward Mu Ling herself.

“Moonlight, step forward!”

Moonlight got up with a teddy bear toy in its mouth.

“No toys allowed—we’re going to war! Drop it!”

With a soft “plop,” the teddy bear fell to the ground. Moonlight understood the “drop” command perfectly. It nudged the teddy bear with its pointed nose, then walked over to Mu Ling with a dejected air, pressing its head against her when it arrived.

Mu Ling wrapped an arm around it and called, “Pimi, step forward!”

Pimi rose with athletic grace. Now serving as the zoo’s physical education teacher, it moved with remarkable agility.

“Magic, step forward!”

“Ahrrrr!” Magic raised its long trunk and stomped over with thunderous steps.

“Tayun, step forward!”

With a piercing cry, the valiant eagle soared over and landed expertly on Mu Ling’s outstretched arm.

“Feifan, step forward!”

The Purple Lightning Baboon hooted excitedly and bounded toward Mu Ling.

“Lieyan, step forward!”

Lieyan chittered wildly and immediately scrambled up onto Mu Ling’s body.

With that, the roll call was complete.

Mu Ling turned to Major Chang and said, “There’s still one more—Lingren—at the veterinary station. Our keeper has gone to get it. The others can’t be brought along.”

The Hundred-Flower Ji Xiang wasn’t stable enough to deploy.

Loyalty was even less suitable, having barely recovered.

Snowflower was too old, with declining strength, smell, and eyesight.

Jingang still had an injured leg.

Dingtian was originally a defensive, logistical war beast, unsuitable for reconnaissance missions.

As for Snow Bear (Killer) and Nine-Spike Boar (Devourer), they’d only been here for just over two weeks and had barely recovered. Besides, they belonged to another zoo—she had no right to risk other facilities’ war beasts.

Major Chang studied Mu Ling and the assembled animals surrounding her. His gaze was deep and thoughtful as he nodded and gestured “please” toward the ship.

Mu Ling led the war beasts directly toward the starship. One by one, they boarded. Finally, she saw Brother Xiang bringing Lingren over.

Mu Ling waved to Lingren, who ran to her. She picked it up and carried it onto the ship.

Standing at the starship’s entrance, she looked back at Brother Xiang still waiting outside. After a moment of silence, she said, “Take care of everything back home. Many animals are leaving—I’ll post an announcement explaining the situation. When visitors arrive tomorrow morning, you must explain everything clearly before they enter. If they want refunds, give them refunds. If they want to change their tickets, let them.”

Xiang Bie remained silent, simply watching her from outside.

Mu Ling looked at him a moment longer, then turned and walked deeper into the ship.

But the next moment, she heard movement behind her. Looking back, she was startled to see Brother Xiang already standing inside the starship.

Behind them, the ship’s doors slowly closed.

Xiang Bie said quietly, “Wei Li will take care of things at home.”

Mu Ling stared at him, speechless.

Xiang Bie pressed his lips together, then added simply, “I don’t trust anyone else to protect you.”