Chapter 356? Going to do business with a python? Ji Shuyun listened to Xia Zhining's animal language translation and said in a deep voice: "The big shot... is probably a key figure in charge of other regional distribution networks or in charge of money laundering channels."

"For a meeting of this caliber, their security measures would be at the highest level. And of all times, it's today—"

"It came at the crucial moment when we were there to provide backup!"

He looked toward the dark mountain hollow, where there were a few faint, moving spots of light that didn't belong to the stars or the moon—those were the patrol's flashlights.

"It seems that the original evacuation route has been blocked. The undercover comrade is likely trapped inside, or... has been exposed."

The worst is happening.

The critical juncture of the plan coincided with a major, unplanned event by the enemy, instantly pushing the already dangerous operation to the brink of disaster.

Time ticked by, second by second, amidst the tense atmosphere of vigilance in the drug lord's lair.

Xia Zhining made a quick decision: "Ya Ya, send the fastest bird to relay our situation and coordinates to the Shadow Squad!"

The Shadow Squad serves as the logistics team for Xia Zhining and her brother, maintaining a safe distance from them to provide timely support in case of any unforeseen circumstances.

It also serves as a liaison point between Xia Zhining and her siblings and the headquarters.

With a nod, Boss Crow tore through the night like an arrow and disappeared into the rainforest sky.

“Mist Fang,” Xia Zhining said rapidly, turning the small white snake on her wrist, “lead the snake swarm in through the most hidden gaps and find out if anyone in the mountains has been arrested, interrogated, or… executed today.”

"Especially inquiring about a person nicknamed 'Knife'!"

Fog Fang obeyed the order, hissed twice, and rode the serpent eagle into the air.

Time slipped away in anxious waiting. Every second seemed to stretch out.

Finally, Mist Fang returned first: [After inquiring around, he hadn't heard of anyone being captured or killed.]

[But the atmosphere inside was strange; all the two-legged creatures were tightly clenched, like birds startled by the mere twang of a bow!]

Almost simultaneously, the serpent eagle, which had been "requisitioned" by Fogfang as its mount, landed, flapping its wings and complaining: "I talked to the owls and bats at night, and they were all cursing!"

[They say there's a particularly annoying two-legged creature in the mountains that doesn't sleep at night and keeps waving a blinding white light around, seriously disturbing their hunting and rest! It's so annoying!]

Ji Shuyun's eyes narrowed, and he immediately grasped the key point: "A high-powered flashlight? Using a high-powered light illegally in the mountains at night? This doesn't seem like ordinary guard patrols... and it doesn't seem like the style of drug dealers, who are afraid of being exposed."

"If the undercover agent is not under control, it could be that he is actively creating unusual signals in an attempt to attract the animals' attention!"

yes!

The undercover comrade knew that the person coming to pick him up was Xia, an expert who could communicate with small animals.

Since they can't escape now, there's a high probability that they'll actively contact small animals to try and pass on information.

That's so clever!

Xia Zhining's heart pounded, and she hurriedly asked the serpent eagle, "What does that two-legged beast that uses bright light look like? What's so special about it?"

The serpent eagle tilted its head, recalling: [He was quite tall, a bit thin, and always had a furrowed brow... Oh, right!]

He always held a small, smoking white stick (cigarette) in his hand, and when he smoked it, each time he flicked off the ash, it looked like he was counting—

[Snap, snap, snap, it always bounces three times, very regularly, unlike the random bouncing of other two-legged creatures.]

"Flick three times... flick the ash three times..."