Chapter 402: The Emerald Python
Found it? Qiao Sang froze.
Could it really be found based on that vague description? And so quickly?!
She sat up abruptly, quickly opening the chat app, just about to reply-
Two new messages appeared.
Uncle Pei: Picture
Uncle Pei: Show it to Ice Qiya and see if this is the place.
Qiao Sang tapped the picture to take a look.
It was a wooden, stand-alone house. The leaves on the trees in front were half-yellow, half-green. Except for the absence of that green beast, everything else looked the same.
"Lubao." Qiao Sang turned and held her phone up, showing the enlarged picture to Lubao, who was resting with her eyes closed by the window.
"Come and see if this is the place you're looking for."
Lubao opened her eyes.
Despite the distance, she could clearly see the photo.
The moment Lubao saw it, she froze, then her eyes lit up. She immediately ran over in just a few steps, staring intently at the photo. After three seconds, her expression became serious and faintly excited as she nodded firmly.
"Lu!"
This is the place!
Qiao Sang was stunned. It really was the place?!
They already found it? How?
She quickly replied: [Lubao says this is the place. Uncle Pei, how did you find it?]
Pei Shipan didn't type a reply. Instead, he initiated a voice call.
"Uncle Pei." Qiao Sang picked up immediately.
"I have a friend whose beast can also read memories. The difference is, her beast can recognize written characters and note down addresses." Pei Shipan got straight to the point and explained rapidly.
"I asked her for help the day we returned. But at that time, we didn't have a specific location, so I didn't tell you."
So that's how it was... Qiao Sang suddenly felt the urge to teach her beasts something similar.
She glanced at Lubao and Yabao before her eyes settled on Little Treasure.
If any of her three beasts were best suited for studying, it would definitely be Little Treasure...
"Xun~"
Little Treasure was happily using his spatial shift to move ants around, completely unaware of his beastmaster's wild plans.
"Where is this place?" Qiao Sang refocused and asked.
"It's on an island near Fangcheng. Fangcheng is about five hours by boat from Haicheng. You're busy with matches these days, so you won't have time to go. I'll take you there after your matches are over." Pei Shipan said.
"Alright." Qiao Sang agreed. With such a long trip, she indeed didn't have the energy to make it right now.
"By the way."
Pei Shipan's tone suddenly lowered, "If Ice Qiya is going there to see the Emerald Python, I suggest you don't bring it along."
Qiao Sang paused.
"That green beast you mentioned?"
Pei Shipan hummed an acknowledgment.
"Why not?" Qiao Sang asked, confused.
"It's not there anymore." Pei Shipan said.
"I looked into it. Six months ago, someone reported it for helping wild beasts sneak onto a plane. It's still in the Beast Reform Facility."
Six months ago... helping wild beasts smuggle themselves?
Qiao Sang glanced at Lubao, and then something clicked. Her expression turned serious.
"What about its beastmaster?"
"The beastmaster worked at the airport. Because of this incident, they lost their job." Pei Shipan said somberly.
Qiao Sang was silent for a few seconds before asking, "Uncle Pei, is there a way to get the Emerald Python out of the Reform Facility early?"
There was silence on the other end. After a few moments, Pei Shipan sighed.
"If I'm not mistaken, the wild beast it helped sneak onto the plane was Ice Qiya, right?"
It wasn't hard to figure out.
Why would an endangered beast from Guwu District appear in Yuhua District? Why would Ice Qiya want to visit this place? And why would Qiao Sang want to get the Emerald Python out of the facility?
A bit of thought was enough to uncover the truth.
Ice Qiya was the wild beast that snuck onto the plane. She wanted to visit this place to see the Emerald Python, which had once helped her.
Qiao Sang fell silent again. After a few moments, she said, "I didn't ask Lubao, but this does line up with the time she appeared in Yuhua District."
"Lu..."
Hearing her name, Lubao perked her ears up and leaned toward the phone.
Qiao Sang instinctively leaned back against the headboard.
Lubao: ...
Pei Shipan's voice lowered: "If it were just a regular wild beast, it wouldn't matter. But if people find out the Emerald Python helped Ice Qiya, this could get serious."
"This isn't something you can handle. I'll take care of it."
Some matters sound serious but can be easily resolved as long as you find the right person. For those in high positions, it's just a matter of saying a word.
Qiao Sang thanked him. She understood this was a big favor to owe.
Evening.
Fangcheng.
Beast Reform Facility.
"Feifei!"
"Susu!"
"Lili!"
Three beasts were gathered, playing cards.
Suddenly, one of them, a predominantly green beast with four limbs, excitedly slapped down the last of its cards.
"Feifei!"
A straight! It won!
"Susu..."
"Lili..."
The other two beasts wilted, dejectedly grabbing energy pellets from their plates and dropping them into the green beast's pile.
"Feifei!"
The green beast happily shuffled the cards, signaling for another round.
"Susu!"
"Lili!"
The two losers called out seriously, ready to win back their pride.
At that moment, a uniformed staff member approached and said, "Emerald Python, you can go now."
"Feifei." The Emerald Python flicked its tail dismissively, not stopping its shuffling. It called back half-heartedly.
Let me finish this round first.
The staff member sighed.
"Your beastmaster came to pick you up."
"Feifei!"
Hearing this, the Emerald Python's eyes lit up. The cards dropped from its paws, and it rushed toward the exit.
After a few steps, it stopped and turned back.
"Susu!"
"Lili!"
The two beasts looked at it with reluctant expressions.
"Feifei!"
The Emerald Python cheerfully called out its farewell, then scooped up the plate full of energy pellets with its tail and left without looking back.
"Susu..."
"Lili..."
That night, Qiao Sang received news that the Emerald Python had been released.
That was fast... Qiao Sang was pleasantly surprised. A weight lifted from her shoulders.
She glanced at Lubao, who was sleeping soundly beside her. Her lips were curved into a rare smile, so unlike her usual aloof demeanor.
"Luu..."
In her dream, Lubao stood under a tree with a wary expression.
She was still in her earlier form as Water Luriana.
"Feifei!" The Emerald Python pushed a plate of energy pellets toward it.
"Lu..." Lubao looked conflicted. She didn't want to eat, but she was so hungry.
"Gurgle..."
Her stomach growled. Her face turned red.
"Feifei!"
The Emerald Python pushed the plate forward again.
Unable to resist her hunger, Lubao reached out for a pellet and, before she knew it, began wolfing them down.
When she finished, she noticed the Emerald Python was staring up at the sky.
"Lu?"
Lubao tilted her head, puzzled.
"Feifei!"
The Emerald Python excitedly explained that its beastmaster worked up there in the sky.
"Lu."
Lubao's wary expression returned.
She had no trust in humans.
"Feifei!"
The Emerald Python looked serious.
Not all humans are bad. One day, you'll meet a human you're willing to bond with.