Chapter 471: Chapter 236: The Corpse Transformation Talisman Is Finally Put to Use

Upon learning the old South China Tiger’s approximate location, Yang Qi’s first impulse was to set off at once.

But he quickly suppressed the impulse as soon as it arose.

Finding a tiger—especially an old, wild one that was deliberately hiding and constantly on the move—was not a task that could be completed in a day or two, or even a week or two.

He’d have to venture deep into the vast mountains of an unfamiliar province, then there was the searching, tracking, confirming, making contact, and all the follow-up arrangements...

The whole process would be impossible without at least a couple of weeks, if not longer.

And right now, he was an employee of the Donghua Zoo—he was paid to do a job.

Taking a day or two off was one thing, but there was no way Jiang Kai would approve such a long leave of absence, especially for "personal reasons."

Even if Jiang Kai reluctantly approved it on account of Yang Qi’s contributions, being away from his post for so long would invite all sorts of gossip and speculation.

Besides, the end of the year was approaching, and things were busy at the Zoo.

He could only wait. He’d have to wait for the end-of-year holidays, or maybe even after the New Year, before heading to Hanxi Province.

At this thought, Yang Qi calmed himself and looked at the mother tiger on the rock, speaking with sincerity.

"Thank you for telling me this."

GROWL~

The mother tiger let out a low growl in response.

’Two-legged Beast, will you go look for him?’

"I will."

Yang Qi nodded. "But not right now. I need time to prepare."

The mother tiger fell silent, seemingly trying to comprehend the complex rules of the Two-legged Beasts’ world.

After a moment, she let out another low growl.

’You’d better find him quickly.’

’I’m afraid he doesn’t have much time left.’

Yang Qi naturally understood what the mother tiger meant.

The law of the wild is cruel. An old, weakened animal would have a hard time surviving a winter with scarce food.

Hanxi Province was farther north than Donghua, and its winters were colder.

"I can only do my best."

Yang Qi sighed and shook his head helplessly. "I just hope he’s tough enough to hold on until I can get to him."

Even if he could drop everything and leave right away, searching for a tiger that was deliberately hiding its tracks across hundreds of kilometers of unfamiliar mountain forests would be no easy feat. It would require time and a good deal of luck.

The mother tiger seemed to understand this as well. She said nothing more and simply lay back down.

Yang Qi didn’t press the matter. He played with the two endearingly clumsy cubs for a little longer before getting up to take his leave.

With Xiaojiu in tow, he left the territory belonging to the family of South China Tigers.

On the way back, Yang Qi’s feelings were mixed.

He was thrilled to have a new lead but also worried about the old tiger he had yet to meet.

Upon returning to the mountain area behind the Zoo, he mentally called for Bai Wan, Hu Zi, and Leopard to join him.

「Soon.」

Three agile figures shot out from the woods from different directions. They excitedly gathered around Yang Qi, whining softly with their tails wagging furiously.

"WOOF WOOF~"

’Master, I caught two rabbits, but I let them go.’

"WOOF!"

’Master, I caught two chickens and let them go, too.’

...

Bai Wan and Leopard yapped, seeking praise.

Hu Zi didn’t bark, just stood steadily on the ground.

"Good work. You’re all good boys."

Yang Qi praised them, ruffling the fur on each of their heads before continuing toward the Zoo with his Guardian Beasts.

They crested a low hill and passed through a grove of maple and oak trees.

Not long after entering the woods, Yang Qi suddenly stopped in his tracks.

His gaze fell upon a shadowy patch about twenty meters ahead to his right, where the maple trees and bushes grew thick.

"Come on out," Yang Qi said calmly.

"WOOF!"

"WOOF WOOF!"

"AARROOO~"

The instant Yang Qi spoke, Bai Wan, Hu Zi, and Leopard also sensed that something was wrong. They stopped, crouched low with their fur bristling slightly, and let out deep, threatening barks in the direction Yang Qi was looking.

Xiaojiu also leaped lightly from Yang Qi’s shoulder to stand in front of him. Its emerald eyes were locked on the shadows, a threatening GRRRRR rumbling in its throat.

CLAP... CLAP...

The sound of light clapping emerged from the shadows.

Immediately after, three figures emerged unhurriedly from behind a few stout maple trees and a thicket of holly.

All three wore dark jackets, hiking boots, and ordinary trekking backpacks. They were dressed just like any other hikers out for a weekend adventure in the mountains.

But their expressions and posture were entirely different from those of real tourists.

The leader looked to be about thirty-five or thirty-six. He was tall and slender, with sharp features, a high-bridged nose, and slightly deep-set eyes that gave him a distinctly mixed-race appearance.

A playful smile touched his lips, and his sharp gaze sized up Yang Qi and his Guardian Beasts with great interest.

Two younger men, around thirty years old, followed him. Their faces were stern, their eyes emotionless, like a pair of unfeeling statues flanking the mixed-race man to his left and right.

They appeared to be standing casually, but Yang Qi could sense that their positions cut off his best escape routes.

"Advisor Yang, what impressive skills."

The mixed-race man who led them lowered his hands and looked at Yang Qi with a smile. His voice had a strange, magnetic accent. "We thought we were hidden quite well. I never expected Advisor Yang to spot us so easily. I’m impressed."

He paused before introducing himself, "My name is Wu Kemin. These two are my associates. We’ve been looking for you for a long time, Advisor Yang, but we never found the right opportunity for a private chat. Meeting you here, deep in the mountains behind the zoo, is quite fortunate, Advi—"

"You’re from ’Jiulian Mountain’?"

Yang Qi cut through his pleasantries, his eyes sweeping over the three men. At the same time, he mentally commanded Bai Wan, Hu Zi, Leopard, and Xiaojiu—who were all poised to attack—to stop barking but remain on high alert.

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