Chapter 21: The Mutant Wolf Pack

"Captain Long, I truly have to thank you all this time!"

Having successfully apprehended Bie Jingye, Cheng Anfu let out a deep sigh of relief. He hadn't expected that, at the very last moment, he would benefit from someone else's efforts.

"Police and military are family; there's no need for formalities between us," Long Fei replied with a gentle smile.

At that moment, he felt invigorated, as if even the fragrance of flowers in the air seemed more vivid.

"If there's another chance, I'll treat you all to drinks. You must honor me with your presence then," Cheng Anfu said with a smile.

"Absolutely. The suspect is yours now. If there's nothing further, we'll head back. My men are still waiting for me," Long Fei responded.

"Very well. Duty calls, so I'll spare you the pleasantries. Take care on the road," Cheng Anfu said.

"Farewell!"

After shaking hands, Long Fei left with Gu Jianfeng.

"Captain, are those two even human?" A member of the special police force asked once Long Fei and Gu Jianfeng had gone.

"From now on, we're forbidden from judging people through the crack of a door. We really underestimated them this time," Cheng Anfu admitted sheepishly.

"I feel like I'm in a movie now," remarked another.

"Exactly. The two of them took down over fifty criminals, each shot fatal and delivered on the move."

"And they came out unscathed!"

"I don't even think they used their full strength. This crowd was hardly enough for them to warm up."

"Since joining the special police, I always thought I was impressive. Today, I've learned what it means to be outmatched," the team members murmured among themselves.

Becoming a member of the special police was no small feat—they had every reason to be proud. But today would be a day these officers would never forget.

"Captain, how many did you take down?" Gu Jianfeng asked as they walked.

"Twenty-eight. How about you?" Long Fei glanced back.

"Twenty-seven, one less than you," Gu Jianfeng replied with a slight smile.

"With Bie Jingye included, that's twenty-eight. We're tied this time," Long Fei said.

Gu Jianfeng laughed, "I can't take all the credit. The honors go to Tianjiang and my rifle!"

"Woof!"

Leading the way, Tianjiang seemed to understand Gu Jianfeng's words, turning back with a bark, tail wagging excitedly.

"Handler and dog are one; you can't separate the two," Long Fei mused. The joy on his face faded, replaced by a hint of melancholy.

"Are you thinking of Canghai?" Gu Jianfeng asked uncertainly.

"Yes. Canghai has reached retirement age. I don't know what fate awaits him. I'm afraid he'll end up like Zhui Feng and the others," Long Fei said, worry in his voice.

Over the past months, Gu Jianfeng had tried using his soul power to restore Canghai's body, but failed. Canghai was simply too old—every physical function was in decline, and Gu Jianfeng had neither the ability nor the means to help.

"Don't think too much, Captain. I believe Canghai will be fine," Gu Jianfeng reassured him.

"Why do you say that? Canghai was once glorious, but these years, I feel I've held him back," Long Fei sighed.

"Because, in Canghai's heart, you're more important than anything. These years, hasn't he been semi-retired already?"

"He spends every day with you, from sunrise to sunset. His true nature has long been buried deep inside," Gu Jianfeng said. He'd liked Canghai from the first moment he met the military dog, and had even considered recruiting him, though that attempt had failed.

"Canghai has been with me since he was a pup. We've never changed handlers, and we've become inseparable," Long Fei continued. "If not for Canghai, I would have died on the battlefield long ago. He's saved my life twice. It all feels as recent as yesterday."

He had only ever spoken these words to Wang Ping, but today, he couldn't help sharing them with Gu Jianfeng.

"Something's wrong," Gu Jianfeng suddenly frowned.

"What is it?" Long Fei asked, puzzled.

"It's just a feeling," Gu Jianfeng said, quickening his pace toward where Xue Meng and the others were.

"Woof, woof, woof..."

As they neared the rendezvous point, Tianjiang and the rifle dog bristled, barking fiercely at a spot nearby. Angry roars could be heard from that direction.

"This is bad, something's happened!" Long Fei exclaimed, running ahead.

When he reached the scene, he finally saw what was happening.

Three wolves were circling Xue Meng and his group; two already lay motionless on the ground, signaling the gravity of the situation.

Gu Jianfeng raised his rifle and fired three rapid shots, each finding its mark and dropping a wolf instantly.

The wolves never even realized what had happened before collapsing.

"Phew!" Xue Meng and Xiong Xiong, finally understanding what had transpired, slumped to the ground, gasping heavily.

"Is everyone all right?" Long Fei hurried over.

"We're fine. Xue Meng and Xie Yidao have some injuries," Xiong Xiong replied.

Seeing everyone safe, Long Fei finally relaxed. Bringing people back only to lose some would have been a grave mistake.

"Captain, these wolves are not normal," Xue Meng said after tending to his wounds and catching his breath.

"Damn it, these wolves are unnaturally vicious. Nearly cost me my life," Xie Yidao said, still shaken.

"What happened?" Long Fei pressed.

"These wolves are nothing like the usual forest wolves. They're bloodthirsty and incredibly strong," Xue Meng explained. "They're also much larger than typical wolves. I feel like they've mutated."

Xue Meng had encountered many wolves before, but this pack was by far the most terrifying.

Gu Jianfeng stepped forward to examine them. Their powerful, developed limbs reminded him of creatures from his previous life, mutated by nuclear radiation.

It was a strange, sinister mutation, caused by a particular type of nuclear contamination. Whether human or animal, infection was usually fatal.

But for the rare survivor, whether human or beast, immense strength and a bloodthirsty nature followed, as if possessed by a demon.

Gu Jianfeng was perplexed. Such abnormal nuclear energy should not exist here.

In his memory, it was precisely this developed nuclear energy that had turned his world into a wasteland—a true source of all evil.

"This isn't a place to linger. Let's get back to the company—Xue Meng and Xie Yidao need further treatment," Gu Jianfeng said, keeping his suspicions to himself, as the truth was simply too bizarre.