Chapter 71

Chen Shaoting lowered her guard a bit and leaned over for a look. "How strange. Is it because you were the first person to call its name that it recognizes you as its master?"

Jiang Shu scratched his head. "I don't know either."

Yan Liang wasn't interested in any of that; he silently walked over to the prey and prepared to process it.

These are all food items, and it's best to process them outside the camp, otherwise they could easily cause a small animal tide.

Wu Bing also joined in; he possessed metal-based superpowers, and the daggers came to life under his control.

The knife flashed across the fat. Before the bone even cracked, the meat slicing apart along the muscle fibers.

In about ten minutes, the two men finished processing the still-warm mutated beasts.

Seeing Jiang Zhi staring intently, Wu Bing even raised an eyebrow at her. "How about it, Jiang girl, isn't my technique pretty good?"

Jiang Zhi: ...With this skill, it's a pity she's not a butcher.

After breaking down the meat, Yan Liang took out a deodorizing agent and a blood-dissolving agent to clean up the mess on the ground.

Wu Bing gave his car a thorough cleaning.

The two men worked enthusiastically, while the others gathered around the golden retriever to check on its condition.

Although Jiang Shu was there to keep everyone on their guard, no one completely let their guard down.

Seeing the golden retriever obediently squatting on the ground for everyone to see, Chen Shaoting said, "It looks completely different from what we saw this morning. If I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, I definitely wouldn't believe it."

Looking at the golden retriever, which was just as well-behaved as before the Great Cataclysm, Hu Yang felt a pang of longing.

"Big Tree, can I touch it?"

Jiang Shu was in a dilemma.

He, the fake owner, doesn't even know if Er Shun will let him touch her.

Luo Yonghui then said, "Yangzi, give it a try."

Hu Yang nodded, both nervous and excited.

However, as soon as he reached out his hand, the golden retriever immediately looked over warily.

Hu Yang was startled and instinctively withdrew his hand.

Luo Yonghui laughed and cursed, "What's there to be cowardly about?"

Everyone could see that the golden retriever only got close to Jiang Shu, and anyone else who tried to approach it would be met with hostility.

That cute expression immediately turned into a fierce and menacing look.

They'll probably show no mercy when they attack.

Jiang Zhi thought for a moment, then tried calling out, "Er Shun?"

The golden retriever's eyes lit up, and it circled Jiangzhi several times before excitedly barking at her, "Woof woof woof woof!!"

Jiang Shu said happily, "Azhi, it likes you!"

Jiangzhi was also very happy.

For some reason, she could sense the joy in the mutated dog's heart.

She couldn't resist reaching out and touching its head.

The golden retriever immediately looked like it was enjoying itself.

Luo Yonghui and the others: ...

Could it be because they didn't call its name?

Luo Yonghui stroked his chin and called out, "Er Shun?"

This time, although the golden retriever wasn't as enthusiastic towards Jiangzhi as before, it still responded with a "Woof woof!"

Hu Yang exclaimed excitedly, "Boss, calling my name works!"

Hu Yang, being the youngest, was overjoyed to see a mutant dog that was friendly to humans for the first time.

He shouted a series of "Two-smooth, two-smooth, two-smooth!"

Who knew that the golden retriever would just glance at him indifferently and then turn its head to lick its fur.

Wu Bing, who was dealing with the mutated beasts, watched with amusement: "It seems that calling the name has some effect, but it also depends on the person."

Hu Yang was very frustrated: "Did I offend it somehow?"

Chen Shaoting smiled and comforted him, "It's probably because Jiang Zhi smells a lot like her brother, which is why this golden retriever likes to be close to her."

Hu Yang: "What about the eldest brother? Why does Er Shun pay attention to him too?"

Jiang Zhi smiled and said, "Uncle Luo is the strongest in our area, so of course we have to give him some face."

Hu Yang thought that made sense.

"It's a pity we didn't have our phones to keep this as a memento, otherwise we would have posted it on WeChat Moments."

After Wu Bing and Yan Liang used their spatial devices to collect the meat from the mutated beasts, they walked over together.

Yan Liang: "I guess this dog's previous owner treated it very well, otherwise it wouldn't still be willing to be close to humans now."

Chen Shaoting nodded: "It seems to have more wounds than this morning. The gas station we saw was still intact, probably because this mutated dog has been guarding it. These wounds probably indicate that it has fought with many mutated creatures, and they look quite old."

Jiang Shu was taken aback.

Thinking of the illusion that trapped them this morning.

This superpower probably arose after the Great Cataclysm, when the world changed, and this silly dog ​​was still fantasizing about going back to the days when its owner was still around.

How silly...

Are we just going to stay there indefinitely?

Jiang Zhi took out some water mixed with tooth powder and wiped Er Shun's head, then patted it.

"Brother, don't you think it looks like our old yellow dog that we had when we were kids?"

Jiang Shu laughed and said, "You think so too?"

The group chatted around the golden retriever for a while.

The golden retriever looked at this and that, appearing incredibly well-behaved.

With the agreed time fast approaching, Luo Yonghui said, "Alright, let's go back first."

Upon hearing this, everyone couldn't help but look at Jiang Shu.

If they go back, they definitely won't let Ershun come with them.

The reason they were able to accept Er Shun was largely due to Jiang Shu.

Others may not be able to accept it.

So now we face a problem: what to do with this big, clingy dog ​​covered in wounds?

Luo Yonghui said seriously:

"Young Jiang, although the base is currently researching the breeding of mutated animals, it still does not allow mutated creatures to enter the base, as you know, right? Moreover, not everyone can accept a situation like his. Let alone the base, even if he is brought back to the base, his fate will not be good."

Looking into the trusting eyes of the golden retriever, Jiang Shu remained silent for a moment before speaking with difficulty: "...I know."

Luo Yonghui nodded: "I'll give you five minutes to explain it to them. We'll set off in five minutes."

After saying that, Luo Yonghui got into the car.

Wu Bing walked over, patted him on the shoulder, and left with the others.

Once everyone was on the bus.

Jiang Shu patted the golden retriever's head. "Dude, I'm leaving. Don't follow me, okay? Otherwise, you'll be in danger if someone sees you!"

Whether the golden retriever understood or not, its wet eyes remained fixed on him.

Jiang Shu scratched his head in frustration and said to Jiang Zhi:

"Forget it, let's just leave. Why make such a fuss, as if I'm abandoning it."

Jiang Zhi looked at her brother, feeling a pang of pity: "Brother..."

Jiang Shu pushed her forward: "Go, go, go, ignore it, just don't look back."

As soon as the two left, the golden retriever followed right behind them.

After several attempts, the golden retriever still followed the two of them like a little shadow.

Jiang Shu had no choice but to squat down and say in a gentle voice, "Ershun, it will be dangerous for you to stay with me. Let's part ways here."

The golden retriever tilted its head and rubbed against his palm as if it hadn't heard anything.

Even if they are pushed away, they will come closer again in the next second.

With five minutes running out, Jiang Shu was getting increasingly anxious: "Brother Gou! Master Gou! Please stop following us, something bad will happen if we keep going!"

Perhaps it was because Jiang Shu's tone was too harsh, but the golden retriever's ears drooped, its big, dark eyes looked like glass beads filled with water, and tears welled up in its eyes, as if they could roll down at any moment.

Jiang Zhi disagreed, saying, "Brother, look at you, you scared Er Shun."

She patted the golden retriever's head. "Er Shun, don't cry. My brother didn't mean it. He was just worried about you."

Jiang Zhi touched the scab on the golden retriever's chest and found that the wound, which had been bleeding just moments before, had now scabbed over.

A thought suddenly crossed my mind.

The golden retriever sobbed a few times in a human-like manner, burying its head in Jiang Zhi's arms, its eyes occasionally glancing furtively at Jiang Shu.

He looked like he was being bullied.

Jiang Shu scratched his face guiltily, "Azhi, what should we do now?"

Jiang Zhi stroked the fur on the golden retriever's head. "Brother, have you ever thought about having Er Shun as your partner? I think it likes you quite a bit."

"A companion?" Jiang Shu was taken aback. "We can't take it back."

Jiang Zhi laughed and said, "Even if you want to take Er Shun back, it won't be used to it."

"So what you mean is?"

Jiang Zhi smiled and said, "Brother, Dad told us today that after we cross Nanshi, we will head towards Wuyu Mountain."

Jiang Shu's eyes widened: "Wuyu Mountain!? Doesn't that pass by the place we used to live?"

Wuyu Mountain is a nationally renowned tourist destination.

They drove there themselves back then.

After the cataclysm, they first fled to a nearby resort, where they formed a small survival group with some other tourists.

Later, due to an attack by mutated creatures, they were forced to flee to a small town near Wuyu Mountain.

Many people died there at the time, and the family of four cleaned up an uninhabited house and hid inside.

Coincidentally, that family dug a very deep basement to use as a wine storage room.

For countless days and nights afterward, they lived in that small basement of about 100 square meters, escaping countless terrifying mutated creatures.

Jiang Zhi smiled and said, "That's it."

Although he had many difficult experiences there, Jiang Shu was still excited to hear that he could go back and take a look.

"I wonder how things are over there now—wait, what does this have to do with Ershun?"

Jiang Zhi: "Brother, have you forgotten? Winter is coming soon. If Er Shun is still at that gas station by then, it might not be safe."

"The place we lived in before was quite nice. If Ershun insists on coming with you, you can take it there. It's not too far from the base, and now that we're stronger, it'll be easier for us to go there. We can also visit it from time to time."

Although it took the family of four a day and a night to drive to the base, that was because finding the road and clearing obstacles took up half the time.

At that time, I not only felt the journey was long, but also that it was fraught with danger.

Looking back now, I realize that the dangers and the journey were within acceptable limits.

After all, if it were really that dangerous, they wouldn't have been able to get to the base so smoothly in the first place.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shu's eyes lit up. "Great idea, Azhi! I just don't know if Ershun will be willing to come with us."

Jiang Zhi smiled and said, "Give it a try. If you don't want to, that's fine too. We can come and see Er Shun again when we have the chance in the future."

These words struck a chord with Jiang Shu. Looking at Er Shun's pleading eyes, Jiang Shu gritted his teeth:

"Okay! It's settled then!"

Jiang Shu explained their plan to Er Shun, using both hands and feet.

Then, I saw Ershun with the same clear eyes as college students.

"Woof woof?"

Ginger Tree: ...

He took a deep breath. "I mean—this and that, gibberish..."

Jiang Shu was sweating profusely and his mouth was dry as he spoke. In the end, he had to demonstrate the points several times before Er Shun could barely understand the key points such as "you can follow them, but you have to keep a certain distance" and "don't show up in front of others unless necessary".

Jiang Shu patted its head one last time: "Don't worry, even though we're this far apart, I can still see you!"

Ershun barked at the ginger tree a few times, clearly indicating his reluctance to part with it.

It lowered its head and rubbed its furry ears against Jiang Shu's hand.

Jiang Zhi couldn't help but laugh: "Er Shun, do you want my brother to call you if he needs something?"

"Woof woof!"

"Woof woof woof!"

Er Shun wagged his tail, his eyes shining brightly.

Its hearing was greatly enhanced after the mutation, and it could hear clearly even from a great distance.

Jiang Shu looked at his sister in shock: "A-Zhi! Unbelievable! How did you know that Er Shun meant that?"

Jiang Zhi smiled and said, "It's probably because Er Shun also has psychic abilities."

When she first met Lin Yuan, she had an irresistible urge to get closer to him.

She knew very well that she wasn't interested in him.

Jiang Zhi initially thought she was attracted by the special golden item on Lin Yuan's body, but now, looking back, she realizes it was due to the resonance of her mental energy.

After Er Shun realized that Jiang Shu wouldn't abandon it, it rubbed against the hands of the brother and sister one last time before reluctantly running away, turning back every few steps.

Jiang Shu complained, "Why didn't you translate for me earlier? I was exhausted!"

Jiang Zhi rolled her eyes at him, too lazy to pay him any attention.

The brother and sister returned to the car.

Hu Yang and the others subconsciously looked out the window and breathed a sigh of relief when they saw that the golden retriever hadn't followed.

Chen Shaoting: "Jiang Shu, what method did you use to stop it from following you?"

Jiang Shu glanced away guiltily, "I didn't use any special method, I just chased it away."

Chen Shaoting raised an eyebrow: "Aren't you afraid it will pop up again at any time, just like before?"

Jiang Shu scratched his head: "Well... I'm actually a little scared."

Everyone laughed upon hearing this.

Yan Liang pushed the spatial device in his hand in front of the brother and sister.

Jiang Shu was confused: "Brother Yan Liang, why are you giving me this spatial device?"

"The meat inside is what that mutated dog gave us. You can borrow the space device temporarily, but remember to return it when you get back to base."

This was the first time the brother and sister had ever heard Yan Liang speak so many words.

Jiang Shu and Jiang Zhi exchanged a glance and then laughed, "Brother Yan Liang? You can understand animal language?"

Yan Liang: "I don't understand."

Jiang Shu: "Then how do you know that Er Shun gave me all of those?"

Yan Liang was silent for a moment, then said, "I don't know."

Jiang Shu laughed and said, "That's right. Er Shun threw these mutated beasts into our car for all of us, right, Azhi?"

Jiang Zhi smiled and replied, "Yes."

She looked at Luo Yonghui sitting in the passenger seat: "Uncle Luo, let's divide things the way we usually do now."

Yan Liang was at a loss for words.

He turned his head away, somewhat awkwardly saying, "Whatever."

Chen Shaoting chuckled.

"You two siblings are really something, always eager to share good things with others."

Wu Bing whistled, "So, Jiang girl and Jiang boy, how about officially joining our team?"

Jiang Shugan laughed: "We'll see."

The brother and sister shared the same idea.

Now that they've temporarily joined the exploration team, they're teammates and should abide by the team's rules.

Moreover, Luo Yonghui and his group took good care of the two of them along the way.

When it comes to food, drink, accommodation, and transportation, the best things are always given to the two of them. Whether it's seating arrangements on the bus or standing positions when getting off the bus, Chen Shaoting and her group try their best to keep them in safer locations.

Yan Liang and his companions didn't actually want a share of the spoils.

It was the actions of Jiang Zhi and her brother that pleased everyone – it showed they were treated like family.

After all, while meat with low levels of toxins is rare, it's not impossible to come across it.

Luo Yonghui laughed and said, "Okay, I'll 'divide the spoils' according to the team's rules."

"The two smaller mutant beasts return to the team, and you two siblings can keep the larger one safe."

As Luo Yonghui spoke, he tossed five Su Yuan cakes to each of the siblings.

"Here, this is your subsidy for today."

Jiang Zhi looked at the Su Yuan cake in her hand and felt touched.

It's obvious from this that Luo Yonghui doesn't want them to suffer losses and is making up for it in other ways.

"Thank you, Uncle Luo."

Luo Yonghui smiled.

This is an investment he made in advance.

Jiang Shu happily took a bite of the Suyuan cake.

He was exhausted today.

Using superpowers at night consumes far more energy than during the day.

The car quickly returned to the highway toll station.

From a distance, you can see scattered sparks of light.

It was clear that every soldier was extremely vigilant.

After getting off the car, the brother and sister immediately noticed Jiang Shan's slightly worried expression.

After greeting Luo Yonghui, the two eagerly went over to him, saying, "Dad, we're back."

Jiang Shan breathed a sigh of relief imperceptibly. "It's good that you're not injured."

Professor Ning, who was sitting next to Jiang Shan, glanced at them but didn't say anything.

Professor Yang smiled and asked, "So, what did you learn?"

Jiang Zhi thought for a moment and took out the piece of spiritual energy ore in her hand.

"We found several pieces of ore."

Upon seeing it, Professor Yang immediately stood up excitedly, exclaiming, "This...this is a spirit-type ore!"

Professor Shen was intrigued and leaned closer to look: "Where did you find it?"

"It's in a strawberry farm." Jiang Zhi had originally intended to consult a few professors, so she simply told them about the mutated strawberry Venus flytrap.

Professor Yang composed himself. "You mean, the ore was found inside the mouth of that mutated Venus flytrap?"

Jiang Zhi nodded.

Jiang Shu, who was standing nearby, couldn't help but ask, "Professor Yang, is there anything special about it?"

Professor Yang breathed a sigh of relief and laughed, "You guys are both lucky and strong. You managed to come back unscathed after encountering such a mutated creature."

Jiang Shan's heart tightened upon hearing this.

"Professor Yang, what does this mean?"

Professor Yang: "Although we haven't discovered the use of mental energy minerals yet, one thing is very clear: mental energy minerals only exist near mutated creatures with mental energy abilities. These creatures, like mental energy users, are rare, powerful, and difficult to deal with. Professor Shen should know this best."

Professor Shen smiled and said, "That's right."

Jiang Shu couldn't help but ask, "Since this spiritual energy ore hasn't been found to have any development value, isn't it useless?"

Professor Ning snorted, "That's because spiritual energy ore is too scarce, not enough for us to get good results from our experiments."

When Professor Ning, who had never been very fond of them, suddenly spoke up, the brother and sister exchanged a glance.

Jiang Zhi asked, "Professor Ning, may I ask what kind of experiments you have conducted?"

Professor Shen thought Jiang Zhi had asked a good question, but fearing that the old man might lose his temper and embarrass the young girl, he smiled and said, "Professor Ning is an expert in minerals. Little girl, you've come to the right person."

Professor Ning glanced at Professor Shen and said to Jiang Zhi, "It's no trouble telling you. We've tried everything from building materials and chemical raw materials to extracting supernatural energy."

Jiang Zhi seemed to be deep in thought.

Professor Yang returned the ore to Jiang Zhi, saying, "Although we haven't found a way to use it yet, this ore is still very rare, and I'm sure it's more precious than other types of ore. So, little girl, keep it safe. Maybe you can live a life of comfort with this stone in the future."

Jiang Zhi came to her senses and thanked the professors.

The mutants from the neighboring squads had been keeping an eye on this area.

Hearing Professor Yang's words, I was immediately filled with envy.

However, the quota for today's outing has already been used by Luo Yonghui's team, so there's no way for other teams to go.

I could only suppress my restless heart.

The professors were just ordinary people; they chatted for a while and then wanted to rest.

Jiang Shu and his sister then gave up the space and went to the side with Jiang Shan to have a private chat.

Lin Yuan was resting in the car when he saw that the father and his two sons had something to talk about, so he kindly gave up his seat.