"They’ve got some serious nerve!"
A veteran police officer couldn’t help but swear.
"They value money more than their own lives," the officer next to him agreed.
"Move them all out carefully. Ensure the animals’ safety," Deng Lei ordered.
Several officers worked together, carefully lifting the three iron cages from the van one by one. They placed them on the padded ground, ready for further processing and transport.
Yang Qi checked each cage and relaxed when he confirmed all three animals were in stable condition.
Then, he sent a mental command high into the sky through his bond.
’Qi Zai, you can go back to the mountains now.’
"SCREE—"
A cry echoed from high above. The Beaked Eagle beat its wings, circled once, then flew swiftly toward Cangshan, quickly vanishing over the city skyline.
Next, Yang Qi contacted Jiang Kai.
"Director, the poachers have been captured and Caiyun is safe. But we also have two other Class-I protected animals, a Chinese Merganser and a Chinese Pangolin, and both need treatment. You can send the Zoo’s transport truck and Veterinarians over. We’re at the intersection of Linjiang Road and Ping’an Street in Lantian District."
On the other end of the line, Jiang Kai was clearly stunned by this "unexpected bonus," but he reacted quickly.
"Okay, I’ll have them set out right away."
While they waited for the Zoo’s truck, Captain Deng and all the other officers involved in the operation looked at Yang Qi with respect, even awe.
"Advisor Yang, we really owe you for this one."
Captain Deng sighed. "If you hadn’t had the Beaked Eagle lock on and guide us from the air, those guys would have ducked into the winding alleys. It would’ve been much harder to corner them this fast."
"That’s right, Advisor Yang."
A young traffic cop said excitedly, "We all saw it, that eagle was incredible! It flew right above the target vehicle the whole time, just like a GPS! A drone couldn’t necessarily do that—drones have limitations with battery life and control, and someone has to keep staring at a screen. But this eagle... it just followed on its own!"
"I’ve never seen anything like it. Truly eye-opening!"
Another veteran detective laughed. "Been a cop for over twenty years, and this is the first time I’ve used an ’air force’ to catch crooks."
"It was just a coincidence."
Yang Qi smiled humbly. "It’s mainly because Qi Zai is smart, and as a bird of prey, he has good eyesight and a talent for tracking moving targets. Plus, all you officers acted swiftly and coordinated perfectly, which is why we could take down the target so quickly."
The statement was half-truth, half-lie. It flattered the police while also offering a partial explanation for the Beaked Eagle’s "abnormal" performance.
"We were just doing standard procedure. Without the Beaked Eagle’s help, it wouldn’t have been over so fast."
"Speaking of which, this Beaked Eagle is qualified to be a ’police bird,’ right?"
"It’s definitely more than qualified!"
...
As they spoke, the Zoo’s large, professional animal transport truck, emblazoned with the park’s emblem, drove onto the scene guided by a police car.
Jiang Kai personally led the team, accompanied by three of the Zoo’s Veterinarians and the necessary medical equipment.
Everyone worked together, lifting the three iron cages onto the transport truck one by one and securing them firmly.
The Veterinarian immediately performed a preliminary examination on Caiyun in the truck, injecting her with an anesthetic reversal agent. They also did a basic assessment and provided initial care for the other two animals.
"Xiao Yang, are you coming back to the Zoo with the truck?" Jiang Kai asked.
"Yes."
Yang Qi nodded, then turned to Deng Lei. "Captain Deng, about the follow-up..."
"Don’t you worry, these three scumbags aren’t getting away. We caught them red-handed, and the evidence is irrefutable. We’ll dig deep, see if they have any accomplices, and find their distribution channels!"
Deng Lei’s tone was grim. "Once the animals are settled, we might need you or an expert from the Zoo to provide some testimony and an assessment."
"No problem," Yang Qi nodded.
They exchanged a few more words.
Returning to his Wrangler, he soothed the anxious Guardian Beasts in the car, then got in and started the engine.
The transport truck led the way with the Wrangler following behind. Escorted by a police car, the two vehicles left the scene, heading toward Donghua Wildlife Park.
Though today’s sudden chase was dangerous, the outcome was a success.
Not only was Caiyun rescued, but two other endangered animals were also unexpectedly saved.
The journey was smooth.
Just as the SUV followed the transport truck and slowly drove through the gates of Donghua Wildlife Park—
[Detected host has brought back the untamed "Lightning Leopard," strengthening the sect’s foundation. Contribution Points +899]
[Detected host has brought back the untamed "Evergreen Spirit Duck," strengthening the sect’s foundation. Contribution Points +895]
[Detected host has brought back the untamed "Earth Soul Thunder Beast," strengthening the sect’s foundation. Contribution Points +894]
A huge windfall!
Combined with the handful of points left over from the morning’s lottery, Yang Qi’s contribution points now stood at an impressive 2,705.
He could make twenty-seven whole draws!
This was the first time since getting the system that Yang Qi had held such a "fortune," enough to go on a luxurious drawing spree.
Joy filled him, and the corners of his mouth turned up in an unconscious smile.
The few Guardian Beasts connected to his mind immediately sensed their master’s emotions.
"WOOF~"
Leopard’s tail wagged happily.
’Master is very happy.’
"MEOW~"
Xiaojiu licked its paws, relief showing in its amber eyes.
’Ta Xue’s mother has been rescued. Of course he’s happy.’
Ta Xue raised its small head. Its eyes were still a little moist, but most of the fear had dissipated as it let out a soft call.
’Thank you, Master.’
"You’re welcome."
While driving, Yang Qi reached out, took out a Strengthening Pill, and held it to Ta Xue’s mouth.
Ta Xue’s tongue rolled out and swallowed the pill.
A warm current immediately spread through its body. The pain from its injuries quickly subsided, and its healing began to accelerate.
Back at the Zoo, Yang Qi first took Hu Zi, Leopard, Bai Wan, and Xiaojiu back to the mountainside dormitory to settle them in, then took Ta Xue to the animal medical area.
Ta Xue followed closely at Yang Qi’s heels. Arriving outside the treatment room, it looked through the thick observation glass and saw its mother, Caiyun, lying in an incubator, connected to monitoring equipment.