Fang Zhao went to the kennels first.
The base provided unprocessed audio. Sounds from all directions, whether heard or not by normal people, formed a holographic sound field in Fang Zhao's mind.
Every person and every dog's route of activity formed a clear line in his brain.
The sniper's hiding spot and angle had been meticulously planned. He had probably been observing for many days.
The first shot had been taken when the dogs in the kennels had finished their meal and were looking for a place to rest.
Curly Hair's vigilance was very high. He had dodged the first shot before the killer had fired. Then, he had given chase and dodged the second shot.
Fang Zhao walked out of the kennels until he reached a large tree. He looked at the tracks under his feet.
This was the third shot. The surveillance camera had been blocked by the rapidly growing branches. The bullet had struck Curly Hair's back, but Curly Hair had only paused for a moment before continuing his chase.
The base soldiers who had rushed over hadn't found any traces of the bullet, so they hadn't been able to determine the killer's exact location.
Further ahead was where Curly Hair had been stopped by the soldiers piloting the flying transport.
The sounds in the audio and the tracks on the ground showed that Curly Hair was very irritable. Curly Hair had been barking ever since he had been stopped and brought back to the base. Huo Yi and the others had felt that Curly Hair was agitated, but now it seemed like...
Curly Hair was probably cursing.
After all, he had almost caught that killer. Unfortunately, he had been stopped by the base soldiers. It would be strange if he wasn't irritable.
Huo Yi had sent people to follow Fang Zhao from the kennels all the way here, but not long after, Fang Zhao had ditched them. That was the extent of what the lieutenant colonel knew.
Back at the base, Huo Yi listened to the lieutenant colonel's report in amazement.
"The path he is walking on is the same path Curly Hair ran on." Although he had been mentally prepared, Huo Yi was still amazed. "That fellow Fang Zhao's ears are even better than a dog's!"
"That's why he's called the Divine Ears," the adjutant beside him exclaimed.
"Really, like owner, like dog. Curly Hair can find completely sealed contraband, Fang Zhao can hear sounds that others can't. Curly Hair's nose and Fang Zhao's ears, I want to keep both of them." Huo Yi didn't hide his thoughts. If it had been anyone else, they would have done the same.
"Actually, if you really want to keep the dog here, you can give it a try. My grandfather once said that things that can be loaned out are not that important, and things that are truly important will not be loaned out. Since Fang Zhao was willing to lend us the dog previously, as long as we can show enough sincerity and offer sufficient conditions, Fang Zhao will surely lend us the dog again. If Commander can give him some other benefits, perhaps he will even sell the dog to us! "the adjutant said.
Huo Yi let out a long sigh and shook his head.
If it had been anyone else, Huo Yi might have thought of a way to negotiate, but Fang Zhao was too difficult to deal with. Fang Zhao did not lack money and was not obsessed with power. If he had really wanted to advance in the military, he would have stayed on planet Baiji long ago. Baiji military district treated Fang Zhao like a mascot, a treasure of the district. Wouldn't staying on planet Baiji be better than staying on planet Wai?
At that moment, the internal communicator rang.
"Southeast Garrison District?" Huo Yi was surprised.
"Commander, Fang Zhao has requested to transfer the original audio and surveillance system of Garrison District 3, southeast of the base," the other side inquired.
Has he already gone over there? So fast? Huo Yi was surprised.
"Give it to him!" Huo Yi said. As long as Fang Zhao could find the target, it would be fine to make things easier for him. Today, there were no drills or operations in the southeast of the base, so there was no need to keep it a secret.
Five minutes later.
"Commander! Based on the clues provided by Fang Zhao, we have found a suspicious target. We cannot see his face and he is wearing the uniform of a soldier from our base. We have already confirmed that the other party stole it. He is probably not from our base … The other party entered the primeval forest in front of the southeast garrison district 20 minutes ago. According to the relevant regulations on ecological development, other than the sentry towers, we do not have any other surveillance equipment installed. It will be very difficult to track the target. "
The person in charge of reporting actually wanted to say that they were poor and had limited funds. The equipment installed in the restricted zone was some old equipment. Perhaps there were still problems with the machines and no one had maintained them for a long time, so they would not be of much use. However, for the sake of face, they could not say it so bluntly. It was fine as long as the commander understood.
Of course, Huo Yi understood what the other party meant and asked, "Where is Fang Zhao?"
"Fang Zhao … Fang Zhao said he wanted to enter the primeval forest to look for someone."
Huo Yi jolted. "Let him in! You all follow him! Follow him closely! "
"Yes!"
Two minutes later.
"Reporting, Commander … We lost him."
Huo Yi sat in front of his office desk. His face was as dark as when his request for funding had been rejected.
The lieutenant colonel standing beside him heaved a sigh of relief. Good, good. I am not the only one who lost him. If we are to be crippled, we will all be crippled together. Brothers from the southeast garrison district, comrades who have gone through thick and thin together!
The person in charge of reporting from the southeast garrison district asked cautiously, "Commander, what do we do now?"
Huo Yi really wanted to wave his hands and shout, "Search this daddy!" But he knew rationally that now was not the time to send people in. The primeval forest was the primeval forest on planet Wai. Although there were no ferocious beasts like on planet Baiji, there were still dangers. It was already late, and the number of people that the southeast garrison district could deploy was limited. There was no point in going in. If they could follow Fang Zhao, it would be fine. At least they would have a target route, but if they could not keep up, then forget it.
Huo Yi gritted his teeth and said, "Stand by!"
— — —
In the primeval forest southeast of the base, a dark silhouette shuttled back and forth.
Bang!
A snake shot out from the underbrush. The snake's head exploded, and snake blood sprayed the underbrush and tree trunks.
The sound of the gunshot was not loud, and it was quickly drowned out by the sound of the snake's head exploding and the splattering of blood.
In the gradually darkening forest, these sounds were clear but not abrupt.
As night fell, the silhouette finally stopped.
This was a person who did not have any distinguishing features. He might have been wearing a mask. Now, even if his appearance was captured by surveillance cameras, it would be very difficult to remember him.
After this person stopped, he leaned against the trunk of a tree. His eyelids were slightly closed, and his breathing maintained a specific rhythm. He was so quiet that he seemed to blend in with the surrounding forest. He did not move for a long time, as if he was already fast asleep.
"Pfft!"
The person who seemed to be fast asleep suddenly sneered and raised his eyelids to look in the direction of the Wai base with a disdainful expression.
He had thought that the Wai garrison was more formidable than the military districts on Earth, but now it seemed like it was nothing much!
That was right. Before Wai base had become famous, it had been a small and run-down place. Species were common and there was not much danger. In the long run, the quality of the military might not even be comparable to the military districts of the other continents.
His taut nerves relaxed. He fished out a communications device the size of his palm and installed an auxiliary device. This would disguise the signal and prevent the military's sentry tower in the primeval forest from capturing his signal.
He was contacting someone waiting at the entertainment district of the film entertainment complex.
The other party's voice was raspy and not real. "Success?"
"Failed. That little guy is rather difficult to deal with. You have to pay more. Triple the price you offered before. I won't let him get on. Otherwise, you can go find someone else. "
As he spoke in a low voice, he looked around vigilantly.
The person on the other end of the communications device seemed to have heard something inconceivable. His raspy voice became sharp and ear-piercing. "What did you say? Failed? Aren't you, Dog Butcher, the number one dog butcher? You actually failed with such a high reward? We are very doubtful of your current business capabilities. "
When the person nicknamed Dog Butcher heard this, anger flashed across his face, but he quickly calmed down. "Since you don't believe me, then you can go find someone else. But I advise you to be quick. That dog will probably be taken away by Fang Zhao very soon. It won't stay on Wai base forever."
"If it is taken away, then there is no need for us to spend a large sum of money to kill it. Without it, many goods will not be detected. "The voice on the other end sounded very calm.
"Ha!" Dog Butcher laughed mockingly. "Really not in a hurry? Your boss is a big businessman. He always likes to nip potential threats in the bud. Since he has his eyes on planet Wai's development, what's wrong with spending a bit more to clear the way? "
"You know who my boss is?" The other party revealed a rare look of panic.
Dog Butcher grinned, his eyes filled with greed. "I more or less guessed it. Seven years ago, when you asked me to kill the so-called king of spaceports, 'Divine Dog' Toby, I already guessed it. But don't worry, I don't only do business with you. I never reveal who my employer is."
"Then you better pray that you don't get caught by the military. Nowadays, interrogation methods are endless."
"Ha, catch me? Are you talking about that bunch of trash? That bunch of trash can't even catch my tail! "
Dog Butcher's confident tone calmed the other side. Thinking about it, it did seem to be true. The people over at Muzhou hated Dog Butcher to the core. How many years had it been? Even now, they had not been able to catch him.
Dog Butcher had the capital to be confident. Even if he failed a mission, it was extremely rare for people to find traces of him. The only time he had failed was about 30 years ago, when he had gone up against Muzhou's king of dogs. Although he had ultimately killed that king of dogs, he had been bitten by that king of dogs. The scar on his arm had not faded, and his DNA was still on file with the police. He had not gone through surgery to remove the scar on his arm. Instead, he had kept it as a souvenir.
"Add more money, and I will find an opportunity to make a move. If you don't, I will withdraw now. It's not safe here. People from the base are looking for me. That little thing runs too fast and is rather vigilant. This kind of speed and vigilance that exceeds expectations might not be any worse than the king of dogs over at Muzhou. The price cannot be calculated according to the previous price. "
At this point, Dog Butcher was bewildered. He had fired three shots. The first two shots had missed because of an error in his estimation, but he had already adjusted the third shot. He could not understand why. Logically speaking, he should have hit that shot, but seeing that the dog was still full of energy and chasing after him, and considering the dog's running speed, it seemed like that shot had also been missed.
Had his marksmanship deteriorated?
Dog Butcher was very dissatisfied.
He had clearly used sufficient time to adapt to the geography and climate here. Today's mission had failed. Perhaps it was because he had not completely adapted to planet Wai's climate and conditions, and that dog's unexpected reaction had caused him to make an error in judgment.
The next time, the next time he fired, he definitely would not miss it again.
Thinking this way, Dog Butcher's tone turned cold. "What's the decision? I will only wait 10 seconds! "
He did not wait for a reply and started counting down. "Ten! Nine! Eight … "
When the countdown reached two seconds, the other side finally agreed.
"You said it. Don't let that dog board the plane and leave!" the other side exhorted.
"Don't worry. You have to believe in my professional ability. When it comes to butchering dogs, I am a professional. I have even killed a king of dogs in Muzhou." Dog Butcher smiled in satisfaction. In a short period of time, planet Wai base could not be consolidated into an iron plate. During this period, he could still find opportunities.
After negotiating the price, Dog Butcher told the other side to wait for good news.
After ending the call, Dog Butcher's lips had just curled up when he thought about the huge reward he was about to receive. Suddenly, his lips froze, and his body shivered.
Having walked the line between life and death for many years and dealing with the police and the military, Dog Butcher had long developed a keen sixth sense. In that instant, it was as if he had been locked onto by an ice-cold gun muzzle filled with killing intent. This sudden and enormous pressure made Dog Butcher's body tremble.
Who's there!
When did it come?
A person?
Or a wild beast?
…
Wai base.
Huo Yi, who had just closed his eyes and was about to sleep, received an urgent call from the southeast garrison district.
"Reporting, Commander! Fang Zhao dragged someone out from the primeval forest! "
Huo Yi's eyebrows rose.
The word "dragged" was very subtle.
"Alive or dead?" Huo Yi asked. If the person died, Fang Zhao might be in trouble.
"The target still has a single breath."
"That's good. Don't let him die. Personally escort him back! Now! "
"Yes!"
After the call ended, Huo Yi received a picture and image of the killer from the other end.
Ah, one look and you can tell that he was dragged out of the forest with a lot of rocks and soil, like a ragged sack. His body was covered with bruises, and his face was stained with blood.
When he saw Fang Zhao enter the base with the garrison district soldiers, Huo Yi jokingly asked Fang Zhao, "Impressive! Godly Ears lives up to its reputation! However, I never expected that you would bring him out alive. "
Fang Zhao raised his eyebrows. "I am a law-abiding citizen."
Huo Yi: "… Hehe."
Fang Zhao did not care whether Huo Yi believed him or not. He continued, "This person is called Dog Butcher. He's an old hand. I reckon he has business relations with people over at the film studio complex. I suggest handing him over to Muzhou. This person was involved in the murder of two or more Muzhou service dogs. "
Handing him over to Muzhou people was more reassuring than handing him over to Wai base.
Huo Yi scratched his stubbled chin and gave Dog Butcher an admiring look. He nodded and said, "All right, that's what I was thinking too."
Going through normal procedures, Dog Butcher might not necessarily die. Perhaps he might have been transferred somewhere during the process of being escorted, or he might have been silenced.
But if he was handed over to Muzhou, he reckoned that would be — first, a fate worse than death, and then, a tragic death.
To Huo Yi, he could use this opportunity to sell a favor to Muzhou and get another batch of dogs. It was a very worthwhile transaction. And Dog Butcher's fate would surely satisfy Fang Zhao. All three sides would benefit!
Having obtained Huo Yi's promise, Fang Zhao did not stay any longer. He left Huo Yi's office and returned to check on Curly Hair's condition.
Only he and his adjutant were left in Huo Yi's office.
"Commander, this person Fang Zhao looks like a literary person, but I always feel that he is rather dangerous. I have a guess. If … and I'm saying if, the person captured was not Dog Butcher, would Fang Zhao have dragged him out alive? "The adjutant voiced his suspicions. In any case, he did not believe Fang Zhao was a "law-abiding citizen."
Huo Yi said meaningfully, "There are some things that need to be stopped at a certain point. Don't think too much. Thinking too much makes you old. Look at my old face. I'm just thinking too much! "
How could Huo Yi not understand what the adjutant was saying?
Thinking about it carefully, since Fang Zhao had such terrifying tracking abilities and the ability to capture Dog Butcher, who had been wanted in Muzhou for so many years, why had he not chased after him right from the start? Perhaps he was worried about the dogs, but from another angle, could Fang Zhao have … purposefully given that killer time to leave the base? In the vicinity, the best place to evade the military's internal investigations was the primeval forest.
In the primeval forest, life and death were not restricted. Even if Fang Zhao had tracked down his target and even killed Dog Butcher in the primeval forest, as long as he denied it, who would know what he had done?
Making a person disappear in the primeval forest on planet Wai was really too simple.
Having understood Fang Zhao's military service records on planet Baiji and seen some classified files, Huo Yi was the same as the adjutant. He did not believe Fang Zhao's bullshit about being a "law-abiding citizen"!
Literary person?
Ha!
What f * cking literary person!
What literary person kills monsters like they're chopping vegetables?
What literary person runs into a completely unfamiliar primeval forest at night and drags out a suspect like a gunny sack?
Do you think that just because you're wearing the skin of a literary person, I don't know how dangerous you are?
However, when it was time to be muddle-headed, it was still better to be muddle-headed. In any case, the current situation was not bad.
The corners of Huo Yi's mouth curled up and he indicated for the adjutant to leave. He stretched his back and loosened his somewhat stiff bones before picking up his communications device to contact an old friend from Muzhou's police dog academy.
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