Chapter 484 - 238: Expanding the Territory, Sub-Sect Leader
Chapter 484: Chapter 238: Expanding the Territory, Sub-Sect Leader
Taking three animals would both ease Donghua’s caretaking burden and inject some new life into Xianlai’s predator section.
Moreover, raising them at Xianlai from a young age would make it easier for them to adapt to the semi-wild environment there.
"Director, I’ve made my decision."
Yang Qi looked up and said seriously, "I’ll take the Monkey King, Great Sage; the Gray Wolf, Happy, and its two companions; the raccoons, Huan University and Huan the Second; and of the seven cubs Big Flower had this year, we’ll choose three. Is that acceptable?"
Huang Zhongmu listened, pondered for a moment, and nodded. "Alright, no problem. You’re the only one who can handle Great Sage anyway. The wolf and raccoons are fine. As for the leopard cubs, I’ll have the keepers and a Veterinarian assess them and pick the three healthiest ones for you."
"However, the leopard cubs are still young, so you’ll have to be extremely careful with transportation and acclimation. You need to prepare professional nursery facilities and keepers at Xianlai ahead of time."
"Thank you, Director!" Yang Qi said gratefully.
"Then it’s settled. I’ll have Minister Jiang help you with the specific transfer and quarantine procedures. Once Xianlai is ready, you can come pick them up anytime," Huang Zhongmu said, making the final decision.
Yang Qi thanked him again.
...
Leaving Huang Zhongmu’s office, Yang Qi’s heart was filled with emotion, but he didn’t slow his pace.
There were still many things to arrange and hand over.
He turned and headed for the Animal Management Department to find Jiang Kai.
He knocked on the door of Jiang Kai’s office. Before Yang Qi could even state his purpose, Jiang Kai, sitting behind the desk, looked up, saw it was him, and asked directly.
"Did you sign it?"
Yang Qi was taken aback, but then he understood. "Minister, you too..."
"The director told me."
Jiang Kai nodded, stood up, and walked over to Yang Qi. He patted him on the shoulder, his tone a bit complex, but mostly filled with relief and well wishes. "Go on, Xiao Yang. Xianlai is a better place for you to spread your wings. Donghua will always be your home. Come back and visit when you have time."
"Thank you, Minister."
Yang Qi once again felt the warmth and support from his "home," his heart filled with nothing but gratitude.
"What’s there to thank me for? You’re still one of Donghua’s people. Your official position is still registered here."
Jiang Kai smiled, then his expression turned serious. "Regarding the handover of your duties, I’ll arrange for someone right away. Someone needs to take over the Gray Wolf, the raccoons, and the other tasks you assist with. It’ll be a tough couple of days for you, but I need you to train your replacement. Explain all the important points, the animals’ habits, and the feeding procedures clearly."
"Understood. Don’t worry, Minister, I’ll make sure the handover is done properly."
Yang Qi promised solemnly.
"Alright, you can go get started. I’ll send someone to find you now."
...
After leaving Jiang Kai’s office, Yang Qi didn’t go back to the enclosures immediately. Instead, he made a trip to Monkey Mountain.
Entering the inner enclosure area through the staff passage, Yang Qi found the Monkey King, Great Sage, on a man-made rock formation. He was squatting on a protruding stone, picking nits out of his fur out of sheer boredom.
Great Sage had clearly noticed Yang Qi’s arrival, and his intelligent eyes looked over curiously.
Yang Qi walked up, used the Basic Spirit Communication Technique, and got straight to the point. "I’m leaving this Zoo to go to a new place. It has bigger forests, more trees, more freedom to roam, and it can even make you stronger. Do you want to come with me?"
When Great Sage heard this, his eyes lit up instantly.
He shot up from the rock, scratching his ears and cheeks, looking extremely excited.
’Let’s go, let’s go! Are we leaving right now?’
Yang Qi quickly calmed him down. "Don’t be hasty. We have to wait two or three days. I need to get things ready over there, and then I’ll come back for you. Then you’ll follow me to your new home."
’Alright then...’
Although Great Sage was a little disappointed he couldn’t leave immediately, he still nodded, his eyes full of anticipation.
’You have to be quick, Two-legged Beast.’
...
After placating the impatient Great Sage, Yang Qi left Monkey Mountain and hurried over to the Leopard Hall without a moment’s rest.
He entered the enclosure for Big Flower and her seven cubs. The warm nursery was a scene of utter chaos.
Four fuzzy little cubs, already showing a leopard’s formidable air, were pouncing on and chasing each other, having the time of their lives.
The other three were huddled around their mother, Big Flower, nuzzling against her as she dozed.
Big Flower was lying there, her eyes holding a trace of motherly tenderness, but also a hint of weary resignation from being pestered by her little hellions.
Seeing Yang Qi enter, Big Flower merely lifted an eyelid and let out a low rumble from her throat as a greeting.
Yang Qi squatted down beside Big Flower, used his Spirit Communication Technique, and asked, "I’m going to a new Zoo. It’s much bigger than this place. I’d like to take three of your children to live there."
After listening, Big Flower didn’t respond right away. Instead, she tilted her head, her amber eyes studying Yang Qi for a long moment before she let out a low growl.
’Can I go with you?’
Huh?
Yang Qi was stunned for a second, then shook his head. "Sorry, you can’t."
Hearing this, Big Flower seemed a little disappointed, but she didn’t press the issue.
She lay back down, yawned, and then gently nudged the rambunctious cubs beside her with her head, letting out another low growl.
’Then you pick. Take your pick.’
’These cubs are so annoying. They give me a headache every day.’
’Take a few away, and I might get some peace and quiet.’
Yang Qi looked at Big Flower’s disdainful "take these little monsters away now" expression, then at the boundless energy of the cubs tearing around the nursery, and he instantly understood the mother’s pain.
A litter of seven, all so healthy and active, constantly pestering their mom... any mother would be fed up.