Chapter 424 - 224: Demon Cultivator Invasion, the Wolf Pack Howls at the Sun
Chapter 424: Chapter 224: Demon Cultivator Invasion, the Wolf Pack Howls at the Sun
"It’s being handled discreetly. Nothing obvious has turned up yet. But we can’t guarantee some haven’t slipped through the cracks, or that some temp workers haven’t been bought off."
Deng Lei rubbed the bridge of his nose. "The other party is very cautious; they haven’t made any rash moves. We need to turn up the heat and force their hand."
"How do we do that?"
A sharp glint flashed in Deng Lei’s eyes. "Tomorrow, the Zoo will ’coincidentally’ be holding a small-scale media day. The theme is ’Caring for Wild Animals, Focusing on Rescue Stories’."
"We’ll invite a few influential local media outlets to film and interview some of the animals we’ve recently rescued, including ’Stone’."
"Of course, the reports will be published a few days later, but the news will spread through media channels within a small circle."
"For the ’previous owners,’ this means the chances of the ’goods’ being exposed to the public will increase. They’ll get more anxious."
Yang Qi understood.
This was a move to escalate the news about ’Stone’ being at the Zoo from a ’vague industry rumor’ to a ’semi-public news report,’ putting more pressure on the poaching organization.
"What do you need me to do?" Yang Qi asked.
"Advisor Yang, just act as you normally do."
Deng Lei smiled. "During the media day tomorrow, we’ll have designated personnel appear on camera to briefly explain the rescue process and the cub’s current condition. We’ll also have plainclothes officers mixed in with the media and staff, monitoring everything closely. If the other party wants to make contact, tomorrow is one of their best chances."
"...Alright." Yang Qi didn’t press the issue.
...
The next morning, the young animal observation area was much livelier than usual.
Reporters from several local TV stations and newspapers, armed with all sorts of professional camera gear, were guided by the Zoo’s publicity department into the designated filming area on the outskirts of the observation zone.
The cameras were aimed mainly at ’Stone’, who was playing in the indoor activity area, and at Yang Qi, who was by his side.
’Stone’ was a little nervous with so many strangers and cameras around. He hid behind Yang Qi’s leg, peeking out with only half his head, his large, amber eyes looking around warily.
A staff member from the forestry department stood before the cameras, speaking into a microphone in a plain, professional tone.
"...About a week ago, we received a call from a concerned citizen who had found this weak cub on the side of the highway. We immediately dispatched a vehicle to bring it back."
"Upon examination, we found it to be a male Asiatic lion cub, approximately three months old. It had minor external injuries and was suffering from malnutrition, but had no serious illnesses."
"With our dedicated care, it is now recovering well and adapting to its new environment..."
The staff member’s tone was calm, without any excessive dramatization. He only emphasized the Zoo’s professional rescue efforts and the cub’s good condition.
When pressed by reporters about the cub’s origin, he stuck to the official line, stating that they were "cooperating with the relevant departments in an ongoing investigation, and there are no clear conclusions at this time."
The filming and interviews lasted for about half an hour.
During that time, Yang Qi could feel several particular gazes from the crowd, not just from the reporters. They lingered on ’Stone’ for an exceptionally long time, filled with scrutiny and probing.
’The targets really did show up!’
After the interviews ended, the media gradually departed.
Yang Qi stayed with ’Stone’ a while longer before leaving during the zookeeper shift change.
He didn’t go back to his dorm, instead heading directly to the raccoon enclosure to start his cleaning duties.
...
Meanwhile, at the wolf enclosure on the other side of the Zoo.
Happy was lying listlessly at the entrance of the inner den, basking in the mottled sunlight filtering through the chain-link fence.
He let out a huge yawn, revealing sharp fangs, then shook his head and turned his gaze toward the heavy iron door of the staff passage.
Normally, that door was only opened by the good-smelling Two-legged Beast who brought food and clean water in the morning, and a few other Two-legged Beasts who came to clean occasionally.
Happy remembered clearly that the good-smelling Two-legged Beast always warned them not to go near that door, and especially not to go out.
’It’s dangerous outside. There are other bad Two-legged Beasts, and ’iron boxes’ run all over the place. You can get hurt.’
They could only go out for a walk if a Two-legged Beast took them.
Although Happy was mischievous, he was very obedient to the good-smelling Two-legged Beast.
It wasn’t just because the man sometimes took him out for walks, or because the good-smelling Two-legged Beast brought delicious food. It was also because he had a scent that was very comforting and reassuring to a wolf. And he could understand what wolves were saying!
Although Ao Tian, the pack leader, said it might just be their imagination, Happy felt it was real.
Just as Happy was wondering if there would be extra food for lunch, the iron door to the staff passage suddenly made a soft CLICK.
It wasn’t the familiar sound of a key turning, but rather a faint, scraping noise, like metal being pried.
Happy’s ears instantly perked up, his amber wolf eyes staring sharply at the iron door.
He watched as the iron door was pushed open from the outside, creating a gap just wide enough for a wolf to squeeze through sideways.
The figure of a man—wearing the same blue work clothes as the regular zookeepers and a baseball cap with its brim pulled down low—flashed past the gap, then quickly turned and left, his footsteps rapidly fading into the distance.
The door was left ajar.
"Whine?"
Two young Gray Wolves nearby also noticed. They stood up curiously, peering toward the gap in the door. A low whimper rumbled in their throats as if they were hesitating about whether to go check out what was outside.
"GROWL!"
Happy let out a low growl, shooting a warning glance at the other two wolves.
’Don’t move. Don’t go near it.’
’The Two-legged Beast said we’re not allowed to go out.’
Then, he trotted over to the iron door himself. He pressed his head and shoulder against the cold metal and pushed back with all his might.
SCREECH—