Chapter 94.2

The male soldier immediately raised his rifle. Before he could aim, a massive bear paw swung through the air…

“Smack!”

A giant chicken, expanded at least twentyfold with mismatched colored wings, was slapped directly onto the dining table. With a loud “clang,” it tumbled to the floor, completely disoriented.

“Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!”

The soldier fired several shots in rapid succession.

The chicken never rose again, lying motionless in a pool of blood.

The soldier exhaled in relief. Approaching to inspect, he confirmed it was indeed a high level infected mutant chicken.

“Moonlight, you’re amazing!” he couldn’t help but turn to the white bear with a thumbs-up. That paw strike was truly impressive.

The cautious white bear didn’t relax, however. It continued sniffing and looking around vigilantly before turning and running outside again.

This time it headed to the stairwell. As soon as it pushed open the stairwell door, a group of blood-covered chicks, their beaks stained red, began charging out.

“Moonlight, watch out!” the soldier shouted. Other soldiers arrived, and they all opened fire at the ground simultaneously.

The white bear stepped back slightly, then with a well-placed foot, crushed three chicks like bursting blisters.

Once all the chicks were dead, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. The male soldier stared at the fallen chicks and said, “Those sheep in the kitchen—they must have been eaten by these beasts.”

The other soldiers, arriving a few minutes late and not having seen the sheep, asked, “What sheep?”

The soldier explained the situation, adding, “There’s also a severely infected giant chicken in the restaurant. It probably led these chicks to eat the sheep.”

No wonder the infection spread so rapidly—chickens consuming raw meat.

The soldiers hurried to inspect the restaurant and kitchen. When they returned, they saw Moonlight and its temporary partner had already descended the stairs, and everyone quickly followed.

“Are they just leaving like this?” Mr. Kenny frowned and asked. “What about all these mutant beast corpses?”

Xiang Bie glanced at the old man and replied, “The logistics team will handle it. They’re just the reconnaissance unit.”

Mr. Kenny nodded in understanding. So there’s a dedicated clean up crew.

Xiang Bie then took a closer look at the old gentleman. After a moment, he seemed to recall something and nudged Mu Ling.

Mu Ling was still watching Moonlight, which had returned to the first floor of the restaurant. It appeared to be waiting for the others but kept glancing at the nearby seafood tank.

Just as Mu Ling wondered if the fish had mutated too, she felt Brother Xiang touching her.

She turned to him, puzzled.

Leaning slightly toward her, Xiang Bie deliberately lowered his voice, “Go pour a glass of water for the old gentleman.”

Mu Ling was taken aback, surprised by the request. She looked at Brother Xiang, then at the old man.

Brother Xiang was usually very proactive. If it were just about pouring water, he would have done it himself. Yet he specifically asked her…

Though uncertain why, Mu Ling promptly rose, went to the water dispenser, filled a glass, and brought it to the old man. “Sir, here’s some water for you.”

Mr. Kenny paused for a moment but, ever the gentleman, smiled and accepted it. “Thank you.”

Mu Ling replied, “You’re welcome,” then returned to her seat. Leaning toward Brother Xiang, she whispered, “Do you know him?”

Xiang Bie leaned closer to her ear, “Cyril Kenny, the richest man on White Spring Star. He owns a company that produces animal feed, freeze-dried food, pet toys, vaccines, and more. It’s good to get acquainted—we might get discounts for the zoo’s supplies in the future.”

Mu Ling’s eyes lit up instantly. Their monthly expenses on animal feed, snacks, and canned food amounted to tens of thousands. She immediately flattered, “Wow, Piano is so mighty!”

Mr. Kenny, still watching Moonlight, suddenly heard his pet’s name. He turned his gaze to the zebra below. At that moment, a breeze seemed to pick up. The black-and-white zebra grinned, revealing two rows of large teeth, flared its nostrils, lifted its head into the wind, and then… “Achoo!” it let out a massive sneeze.

Mr. Kenny: “…”

Xiang Bie: “…”

Mu Ling: “…”

Trying to ease the awkwardness, Mu Ling said, “That was quite a powerful sneeze…”

Mr. Kenny: “…”

Mr. Kenny smiled softly and said kindly, “Thank you. I also think Piano is quite mighty.”

Indeed, complimenting someone’s pet is always the right approach!

Mu Ling herself loved hearing others praise her own pets!

If you praise my baby too, we’re practically family!

Feeling she’d made a good impression but afraid of overdoing it, Mu Ling refrained from further conversation. She turned her attention back to Moonlight and saw that in just this short time, it already had a fish in its mouth.

Mu Ling hadn’t seen what happened earlier and wished she could rewind!

Xiang Bie explained, “It was circling the seafood tank, looking like it wanted to eat. Its partner requested a fish on its behalf.”

After all, items from the restaurant couldn’t be taken arbitrarily. If needed, one had to request it, and the military would pay for it later.

Mu Ling recalled that Moonlight indeed loved eating fish. It used to eat fish every day before, but…

“Why isn’t it eating? Just holding it in its mouth?”

Xiang Bie shook his head, unsure.

Just then, at eight-thirty, there was another knock at the door. After Mu Ling called out “Come in,” a soldier brought in three breakfasts.

The food—bread, eggs, and milk—were specially prepared for them. The soldiers themselves ate ready-to-eat military rations.

After expressing her thanks, Mu Ling respectfully placed Mr. Kenny’s portion before him.

The old gentleman politely thanked her.

Mu Ling returned to her seat, peeled an egg, and took a bite.

Xiang Bie inserted a straw into the cup and handed the milk to Mu Ling.

Having just eaten the egg yolk and feeling parched, Mu Ling took a big gulp and looked back at the monitor.

Mr. Kenny observed their interaction from the side, glancing between Mu Ling and Xiang Bie. After a while, a knowing expression appeared on his face.

Soon, the war beasts on the monitors began eating breakfast too.

They all ate animal feed by the roadside, consuming it quickly. After finishing, Moonlight picked up the dead fish again, holding it in its mouth without eating.

“Maybe it’s used to carrying toys? I should have let it bring its little teddy bear.”

Mu Ling muttered, but then noticed something happening in the Qingjiao area and quickly shifted her attention there…

In the temporary monitoring room, the three of them rarely spoke, focusing intently on the monitors.

Unbeknownst to them, someone in another room was also watching them.

Standing respectfully behind a sofa, Chai Yunyue observed as a gentle, handsome middle-aged man watched the monitors silently, a smile playing at the corner of his lips.

After a while, the man asked, “Is that the young beast expert?”

Chai Yunyue replied softly, “Yes, she’s the director of Bi Ke Zoo, surname Mu.”

The man responded with a simple, “Mmm.”

“Your Aunt Rou has watched her videos.”

This “Aunt Rou” referred to the First Lady. Since childhood, Chai Yunyue had grown up with Brother Xiang. Back then, Xiang Bie called the First Lady “Auntie,” so Chai Yunyue followed suit with “Aunt Rou.”

However, given their current positions, he refrained from using such personal terms in professional settings.

The man then asked, “Who’s the one beside her?”

Chai Yunyue glanced and said, “A keeper from Bi Ke Zoo.”

The very culprit who ruined his reputation!

Someone had spread rumors, and now even key officials in the Capital Star believed that he, Chai Yunyue, was a lecherous, shameless womanizer! But he really wasn’t!

While Chai Yunyue fumed internally, the man continued to watch the young man sitting beside Director Mu. After a long while, he sighed softly and said no more.

Though he remained silent, Chai Yunyue had something to say. “Nurha Star is currently very unsafe. You should evacuate soon. The Security Department has two evacuation plans. The first…”

“No rush,” the man interrupted calmly, his tone cool. “Those behind this aren’t in a hurry. Why should we be? Whoever loses patience first, loses.”

Chai Yunyue: “…”

You might not be in a hurry, but the Security Department is under immense pressure—so much that he was starting to lose hair!

The man then asked, “Has General Milo arrived?”

Chai Yunyue respectfully replied, “General Milo will arrive by noon.”

Chai Yunyue didn’t know much about this General Milo, only that he had once been close to the President in their younger days. Ten years ago, the President intended to promote him to Commander of the Capital Star Military Region. Unfortunately, Milo lost his war beast at that time. In his grief, he used his merits to apply for a second war beast, resulting in his demotion from General to Major General, missing the opportunity to become Commander.

Even Chai Yunyue couldn’t guess why the President had specifically summoned him this time.

*

Throughout the entire morning, Mu Ling watched the surveillance with her heart in her throat. Each appearance of a mutant beast heightened her anxiety.

However, the war beasts remained unfazed. Deploying S-class war beasts to scout low and medium disaster zones was somewhat excessive. Many mutant beasts couldn’t withstand even a second against them. With their partners providing excellent protection, any beast that couldn’t be subdued in a second was swiftly dealt with by gunfire. Thus, the war beasts advanced unimpeded.

By noon, it was time for the war beasts to return to the safe zone for rest. Active-duty war beasts worked eight-hour shifts, but since Qilin and the others were retired, they required rest after five hours. Additionally, they needed to take their medication at noon, and Mu Ling had to administer it.

Mr. Kenny also wanted to see his Piano, so Mu Ling, Xiang Bie, and the old gentleman boarded the military ship together, heading to another search area.

Soon, they arrived at the first search zone, where Mu Ling met Lingren, Lightning, Qingjiao, and Lieyan.

Upon seeing Mu Ling, Lieyan ran over, using both hands and feet to climb onto her.

Mu Ling held it with one arm, gently stroking its furry head. “Did you miss your sister?”

Lieyan pressed its head against Mu Ling’s neck, wrapping its two slender arms around her arm, snuggling against her.

Mu Ling’s heart melted. She kissed it and said softly, “Alright now, be good. Sister understands. Our Scarlet Flame is the most powerful. I saw you save someone today—there was a mutant cat attacking citizens out buying food, and it was you who stopped it. Our Scarlet Flame is truly amazing.”

Just then, Mu Ling felt something brushing against her calf.

She looked down and saw Lightning squeezing over. The black panther was tilting its head up at her with innocent eyes.

Mu Ling quickly crouched down and kissed each of them—Lightning, Qingjiao, and Lingren—before giving them their medicine.

After spending about ten minutes with them, Mu Ling had to leave again. The war beasts needed to rest as well—at least two hours of sleep to replenish their strength. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be able to continue their reconnaissance later.

In the second search area, Mu Ling met Magic, Qilin, and Feifan.

Again, she kissed each of them, praising Magic for kicking away a mutant dog, Qilin for finding the biological laboratory, and Feifan for discovering the flock of mutant pigeons.

After giving them medicine, Mu Ling left again and headed to the third search area.

Meanwhile, within the safety enclosure of the third area—

After finishing its water, Pimi turned around and saw Moonlight guarding a dead fish behind it.

Pimi moved closer and sniffed the fish. Finding it already spoiled, it tilted its head in confusion.

Moonlight sat on the ground. After finishing its beast feed, it scratched the bottom of its paw and clawed at the dead fish.

Pimi rested beside Moonlight when suddenly, a military ship descended from the sky.

Both war beasts looked upward.

The ship quickly landed.

As the hatch opened, the previously indifferent Moonlight suddenly stood up with its rump raised.

Pimi didn’t understand, but Moonlight sniffed the air, took a few urgent steps forward, and stared intently at the ship’s exit.

After a long line of soldiers disembarked, General Milo followed—thin in build, straight-backed, dressed in a military uniform, with streaks of white hair.

“Roar!” Moonlight suddenly called out.

General Milo looked toward the enclosure. His eyes, already somewhat cloudy with age, now shone with unusual brightness.

He knew Moonlight was here. With quick steps, he walked to the fence, raising his trembling hand: “Moonlight…”

His voice was soft and hoarse, his eyes stinging with emotion.

The gentle white bear stretched its nose to sniff the man’s fingers. After confirming the scent, it actively placed its head into his palm and nuzzled against it.

“Moonlight!” General Milo embraced the giant white bear tightly through the railings. He repeatedly stroked its fur. “You recognize me? That’s wonderful. Do you still hurt? Are you still afraid?”

The silver snow bear affectionately sniffed at his face and ears, then turned around, went inside to fetch the smelly fish, and brought it back.

Just then, another military ship approached from above.

After landing and opening its hatch, Mr. Kenny emerged first, followed by Mu Ling and Xiang Bie.

Mr. Kenny immediately rushed toward Piano’s enclosure, while Mu Ling excitedly ran toward moonlight’s enclosure, calling out: “Moonlight! Pimi!”

When Mu Ling ran over, she didn’t notice General Milo, as she didn’t know him. She naturally opened the enclosure and went in, first energetically ruffling Pimi’s lion mane, then going to hug Moonlight’s massive body. “Did you miss your sister? I missed you so much!”

“Plop!” The smelly fish suddenly fell from Moonlight’s mouth onto the ground.

“Huh?” Mu Ling looked at the fish. From being carried around all morning, it was nearly falling apart, with edges mushy and broken.

Mu Ling was puzzled. “Come to think of it, you’ve been carrying this since early this morning…”

Moonlight sat down with a thump. The white bear suddenly seemed confused, looking at the fish, then at big sister on one side, then at its master on the other.

After thinking for a long time, the white bear lowered its head and carefully split the smelly fish into two halves with its teeth. Then it picked up the tail half and placed it in front of Mu Ling.

Mu Ling was stunned: “You… you… you were saving this for me? Moonlight, you’re such a good bear!”

Mu Ling was about to lunge forward and hug Moonlight when she saw it pick up the head half and place it on the other side.

“Eh?”

Mu Ling was confused. Following the bear’s direction, she looked toward the military officer outside the enclosure. Wasn’t he just one of the soldiers guarding the war beasts?

General Milo’s eyes were already red-rimmed. He nodded with a choked voice: “Thank you, Moonlight. Thank you.”

It was then that Mu Ling noticed the officer’s shoulder insignia—he was a major general.

Major general… Moonlight…

Could it be that he was!

Mu Ling abruptly stood up: “You… you’re…”

With a kind expression, General Milo looked at her and introduced himself, “Hello, Director Mu. I’m Moonlight’s owner. I’m very grateful to you for taking such good care of him. Thank you very much.”

As he spoke, he bowed deeply to Mu Ling.

How could Mu Ling accept this? She quickly helped him up, her face flushed with embarrassment as she hurriedly said, “It’s all Moonlight’s own effort, all his own merit, it has nothing to do with me!”

One insisted on expressing gratitude; the other couldn’t bear to accept it.

As the two were still talking, the white bear beside them thought that they were fighting over the fish. Anxiously, it quickly lowered its head and nudged both halves with its nose again—

Fish head for its master.

Fish tail for its sister.

Don’t fight, don’t fight!

Moonlight can work hard to earn fish. Moonlight can surely afford to feed two humans!

*

「Translator’s note」Will edit General Milo to Major General Milo later on.