Chapter 24: The Person from Site No. 2

Chapter 24: The People of Territory No. 2

"Once the solar panels and walkie-talkies are configured, someone will come to collect them. Although it's dangerous within the territories, there are plenty of benefits." Hu Zi carried a solar panel toward the isolation zone of Territory No. 1.

Just as Xia Qing was about to head back, she suddenly heard footsteps coming from about two hundred meters away in the direction of Territory No. 2. Judging by the sound, there were six people, while Hu Zi was alone.

Xia Qing stopped and hid behind a tree.

Soon, Hu Zi also heard the footsteps. He set the large wooden crate containing the solar panels on the ground.

Six employees of the Tang family living in Territory No. 2 scrambled up the hillside and rushed into the isolation zone, calling out loudly to Hu Zi, "You're here to install the solar panels, right? Come this way, we've cleared a path."

Hu Zi replied calmly, "Territory No. 2 lacks a buffer forest; it does not meet the installation requirements."

A slightly stout man jumped up in anger, "On what grounds? Are the lives of us ordinary people not lives? What is the military's intention here?"

Another person spoke up, arguing logically, "It's true Territory No. 2 has no buffer forest, but we are adjacent to Territories No. 1 and No. 3. If an evolved creature crosses the isolation zone and the buffer forest, it could enter Territory No. 2 in less than five minutes. The caterpillars from Territory No. 1 a few days ago would have reached Territory No. 2 very quickly if they hadn't been discovered."

Hu Zi nodded. "I will report the situation you've described to my superiors. The incident in Territory No. 1 happened because they underestimated the toxicity of the caterpillars and failed to wear protective suits. You all must follow outdoor operation standards and wear your protective gear properly."

Seeing that Hu Zi would not budge, the people from Territory No. 2 compromised. "Even if we can't install solar panels, surely you can at least give us walkie-talkies? That way we can report immediately if we encounter danger."

Hu Zi's face darkened. "Base headquarters issued an order this morning. Since you already know about it, it means you have instant communication devices in your hands; you don't need walkie-talkies."

"Even so..."

The people from Territory No. 2 intended to continue their unreasonable demands, but Hu Zi lost patience. He hoisted the crate and walked away.

The people from Territory No. 2 were nearly exploding with rage. "Captain, are we just going to let him go like that?"

The captain of Territory No. 2, who had remained silent until now, also spoke with an unpleasant tone, "He is armed. Even if he weren't, if we mess with him, the military would have us pinned to the ground and riddled with bullets within an hour."

Another person complained, "They are deliberately targeting our Tang family. This godforsaken place has nothing; I really don't want to stay here for another day!"

"Who doesn't want to stay? Then get lost!" The leader cursed and started walking back, and the rest immediately followed.

The angry voice from before rang out again, "Captain, we're all pent up. Can we go find those little ladies from Territory No. 3 to loosen up a bit? Heh..."

Loosen up? Fine by me. Xia Qing drew her machete and lightly blew on the sharp, reflective blade.

"If you want to die, go ahead," the leader's voice sounded even more impatient.

The person eyeing Xia Qing was undeterred. "That little lady is just a strength-type evolver; we can handle her."

The leader snorted coldly, "Even if she doesn't kill you, she'll report it back to the base later."

Another person spoke up, "Then should we just grab her and bring her back?"

The leader grew even angrier, "Get back and everyone copy the *Territory Law*! Do you think you can hide from the noses of high-level evolved military dogs? You brainless idiots, if you want to die, don't drag me down with you! Get back and pull weeds!"

"So annoying, I regret everything." The group's voices grew much quieter as they were angry, and Xia Qing could barely make them out.

"Haven't you heard how many people the Tang family lost this time? If we were still in the safe zone, we'd all be dead for sure. Come on, let's toss the seeds in the ground and head to the evolution forest to hunt. I haven't smelled meat in days."

Only after hearing them walk away did Xia Qing emerge from behind the tree and descend the mountain via the original path. After Xia Qing left, the Tang family squad leader in Territory No. 2 stopped and twitched his ears.

As Xia Qing checked the buffer forest for evolved caterpillars, she thought about the group from Territory No. 2.

Those few members were nothing to worry about; she could find an opportunity to deal with them openly. But that captain was a bit of a problem; he had a brain.

The Lord System, introduced to expand grain cultivation areas, was designed first and foremost to protect the safety of the lords who left the safe zone.

Therefore, the *Territory Law* not only stipulated the various rights enjoyed by a lord within their territory but also mandated severe punishment for any criminal act that violated the personal or property security of a lord.

Once someone harmed a lord, the base would immediately dispatch an enforcement team consisting of high-level evolvers and high-level evolved dogs.

Although surveillance equipment was no longer widespread, high-level enforcement teams were far more formidable than cold, lifeless cameras. As long as they caught the scent of a stranger within a territory, they could capture the culprit within two hours.

Unless the culprit turned to ash or escaped the base by plane.

Thus, anyone who didn't want to die would not easily provoke a lord. Xia Qing wasn't worried about her own safety; she was worried about Boss Sheep.

If the people from Territory No. 2 learned of Boss Sheep's existence, they wouldn't dare storm her territory to catch the sheep, but they would certainly find a way to lure Boss Sheep outside the territory to capture him.

Although Boss Sheep was strong and stubborn, the other party would only need to produce a piece of food to lure the glutton away.

The most thorough solution would be to fence in her own territory. However, the perimeter of her 7,500-acre territory exceeded 9,000 meters, and she currently lacked the capability and financial resources for such a task. Therefore, the best method for now was to ensure Boss Sheep stayed with her and did not leave the territory.

If only Boss Sheep were a bit smarter and could understand what she was saying.

Xia Qing returned home to gather her tools and headed toward the new territory with Boss Sheep. Although the new territory had already been inspected, Xia Qing did not dare underestimate potential dangers; she sprayed both herself and Boss Sheep several times with insecticide and repellent.

Upon arriving at the new territory, Boss Sheep's first stop was the Perilla.

Xia Qing had harvested a significant amount of evolved Perilla, and a new batch had evolved after the torrential rain, leaving only half of it remaining.

Xia Qing did not harvest the Perilla but continued walking up the high slope above the terraced fields.

Along the way, she continuously cleared away evolved organisms that obstructed her view. Animals were killed, and plants were pulled up and left to dry to be burned the next time she visited; otherwise, they would multiply uncontrollably.

The hilltop was only a few acres in size. Five households had originally lived there. Further north was the isolation zone; fifty meters of gentle slope separated it from the uncleaned evolution forest to the north, where the terrain became steeper and the forest denser.

Standing within the buffer forest, Xia Qing looked north. She wasn't worried about large evolved creatures threatening her in this stretch of forest, because the valley beyond this mountain was where Captain Tan and his team were stationed. Thus, while this area was nominally an evolution forest, they must have inspected it; otherwise, they wouldn't have dared to place the wild boar breeding center on the eastern side of her hillside.

Xia Qing stared longingly at the sturdy wire mesh of the breeding center for a moment before she began searching the hillside again for edible plants and usable supplies.

(End of Chapter)