Stirring Things Up in the Wasteland 172

Chapter 172

Song Xun wasn’t a bad navigator, but how to put it? Now, with the snow blocking the roads, several dozen meters high—not to mention the extreme cold—the landmarks from the extreme heat were once again completely buried in the snow.

She only knew the general direction, but without any road signs or markers, it was inevitable that she would get lost.

Other than that, there were no other major setbacks. Just an occasional, clueless flying mutated animal coming to cause trouble. But these were all minor problems. In the end, they were just delivering crystal cores to her.

As for survivors, she hadn’t seen any.

But that was also to be expected. Now, although the temperature of the snow disaster couldn’t compare to the extreme cold, it was still quite cold. And besides, after the extreme heat, most of the warm clothes that had been a necessity in the extreme cold had not been preserved well.

Who would come out wandering around looking for death in this cold weather? Of course, unless you had a lot of supplies.

But even with a lot of supplies, you couldn’t just come out at will. After all, there were no roads in this heavy snow.

Eating and drinking were all done on the mutated black eagle. Song Xun lowered her altitude, carefully scouting the path, searching and searching, and finally found the direction of the First Base.

Counting the days, but even if she was anxious, there was nothing she could do if she couldn’t find the place.

It took her a little over half a month to finally see the outline of the First Base. Song Xun breathed a sigh of relief.

As she got closer, she discovered that the location of the First Base was actually quite obvious. After all, in a vast expanse of white snow, only here did there exist a few other colors.

Song Xun quickly pulled on the chain, controlling the mutated black eagle’s head to dive towards the First Base. She was wearing a hat, gloves, and a down jacket. Her face was exposed, and she wasn’t wearing a mask. Her breath came out in a cloud of steam, and her face was red from the cold, but she couldn’t be bothered.

Chirp—

After flying all this way, for so long, and with its throat of destiny constricted, the mutated black eagle, which had been only half-tamed, was now completely tamed by Song Xun, its body numb from the electricity.

Even if it was tired from flying, it couldn’t stop. Otherwise, she would really electrocute it.

Now, finally, there was hope. When they arrived, the mutated black eagle also flew with extra vigor.

With a “whoosh,” it dived down. And as it approached the First Base, it even let out a few excited cries.

The mutated black eagle was so big, especially conspicuous, and it was also crying out in excitement. How could this not attract the base’s attention?

Before it had even landed, the patrolling soldiers in the base had all gathered around, their knives and guns out, all on high alert.

Song Xun stood on the mutated black eagle’s back and looked down. It wasn’t until she poked her head out that everyone realized that there was actually someone on this mutated animal.

Was this mutated animal tamed?

Everyone was quite surprised.

“To actually come riding a mutated black eagle. Is she some kind of beast-language ability user?”

“Probably. I’ve never heard of anyone who isn’t a beast-language or manipulation-type ability user being able to control a mutated animal.”

“…”

They didn’t know Song Xun. They were wary and speculating. But while they didn’t know her, someone did.

Li Qianjin, wearing a patched military greatcoat, came rushing over with a few armed soldiers. He happened to meet Song Xun’s gaze as she poked her head out.

“Song Xun?”

“Li Qianjin.”

Yo! An acquaintance.

Song Xun’s eyes lit up. Although they hadn’t seen each other in a long time, and their previous relationship wasn’t necessarily that good, compared to the others, this was a real acquaintance.

Since it was an acquaintance, it was much easier to talk. It was better than those strangers below.

Song Xun waved her hand and, with a pull of the chain in her hand, she controlled the mutated black eagle to descend. Sensing her intention, Li Qianjin gestured, and the surrounding soldiers all dispersed to make room for her.

The mutated black eagle had just landed on the ground, and before it could even fold its wings, Song Xun had already jumped off.

Li Qianjin looked at her. “The snow is blocking the road. You’re not staying on Ning Mountain? How did you come to the First Base? What’s with this mutated black eagle? Did you subdue it?”

He was also really curious. He had long heard that Ning Mountain had a secret method to tame mutated animals. Unfortunately, he had never been to Ning Mountain, nor had he seen it.

“Isn’t it because there’s an emergency?”

Song Xun didn’t have time to talk much with him. She threw the chain in her hand to him. “I’m going to find my teacher. If you’re curious, you can hold it.”

After speaking, she rushed out of the crowd.

Seeing that the two knew each other, and that it probably wasn’t an enemy attack, the soldiers’ hearts also relaxed. Although they didn’t know Song Xun’s identity, no one stopped her as she ran.

A group of them just looked at the chain in Li Qianjin’s hand, and then at the majestic and imposing mutated black eagle, and they all gathered around curiously.

But how could a mutated black eagle be a good-tempered creature, to let people just gather around and look?

Although it had been tamed, it only listened to Song Xun. How could it tolerate being gawked at by this group of people like a circus animal? It let out a cry, and with a flap of its two wings, it took off and flew away.

It flew too suddenly, and the arc of its wings was too large, and with a strong, unavoidable wind, it immediately sent the few soldiers who had gathered around flying. Although Li Qianjin had sensed its intention beforehand, with just the chain in his hand, he couldn’t control this mutated black eagle at all.

He could only helplessly let go and watch it speed away, disappearing into the sky.

Sigh! He hadn’t even had a chance to get a good look.

Song Xun ran fast, but the mutated black eagle’s cry was too sharp. How could she not have heard it? But she didn’t turn her head. Her heart was clear about what had happened.

Other than the people from Ning Mountain, no one else could control mutated animals yet.

Of course, with the exception of manipulation-type, beast-language-type, and other special-type ability users.

On the way, Song Xun also ran into Zhan Qing, who had been alerted by the commotion and had come with his men. But she didn’t pay him any attention and ran past him with flying feet.

The way the First Base dealt with the snow disaster was basically the same as the Ning Mountain Base. They all cleared a few necessary roads and then piled the remaining snow up as snow walls.

After all, to clear all the snow in the base was a huge project. Not to mention Ning Mountain couldn’t do it, even the people at the First Base couldn’t do it.

Song Xun just glanced at it and didn’t care. She soon arrived at the dormitory building where the Guan family was. She just happened to run into Guan He and Guan Ling, who were coming downstairs.

The two sisters were both wearing slightly worn military greatcoats with a few patches on them. But this was already very good. In this day and age, to be able to wear warm clothes was already very impressive.

Seeing Song Xun, Guan He was very surprised. “Why are you here?”

“Are the teachers upstairs?”

“Yes, my mom and the others are resting today. What’s wrong? Did something happen?”

Startled by Song Xun’s frantic look, Guan He also couldn’t help but become a little anxious. But Song Xun didn’t pay her any attention. After getting her answer, she pushed her aside and rushed up the stairs.

“What’s wrong? Can’t you just say it clearly? What’s so urgent?”

Guan He was puzzled, and without hesitation, she turned and went up the stairs. Guan Ling also followed behind. There was no other way; she was also curious.

By the time the two of them had rushed upstairs and reached their own door, the room door was already open, wide open. Song Xun was inside, talking to Guan Yang and Zhang Jinhe.

As soon as she opened her mouth, she said, “Teachers, you two have to come with me. We’re going to Ning Mountain. Something big has happened.”

The married couple were also stunned. “What’s so urgent? What happened?”

“My wife is about to give birth.”

Song Xun gestured with her hands. “In Ning Mountain, she’s the only reliable doctor. I’m so scared. Her belly is so big, I don’t know if it’s twins. No one knows how to deliver a baby. What if something happens?”

The Guan family: “…”

What?

Ji Tang is pregnant?

And she’s about to give birth?!

Not to mention the married couple were startled, even Guan He and Guan Ling, who had just come in, stared with wide eyes.

But it was Zhang Jinhe who reacted first and immediately became anxious. Giving birth was like walking through the gates of hell. It was fine before, but now it was the apocalypse. This was not a small matter.

It would have been fine if there were other doctors, but Song Xun had said there were no other doctors on Ning Mountain. Even if Ji Tang had taken in a few assistants in the medical department, the newly hired assistants were not medical graduates. What good would they be?

Song Xun was not at ease at all. No one was at ease.

“We’ll pack our things right away…”

Guan Yang also reacted. Zhang Jinhe pulled her. “What are you packing? It’s a matter of life and death. Let’s go.”

Song Xun nodded vigorously. “Right, right. You don’t have to bring anything. I have everything there.”

Guan He’s eyes widened. “I’ll go with you to help…”

But Zhang Jinhe didn’t pay her any attention and just rushed out. “You’re going too?”

“Can you go into the delivery room or what? Don’t be ridiculous. Just stay here and watch the house. By the way, remember to go and tell Base Leader Xia later.”

Guan He was speechless. “…”

By the time the three of them had rushed out the door, Guan Ling had patted her shoulder. “Don’t even think about going with them. Just stay here with me and watch the house.”

Guan He let out a long sigh, her face full of regret.

The three of them left the dormitory, but there was no one downstairs.

Guan Yang looked around. “The snow is blocking the road. How did you get here? How are we supposed to get to Ning Mountain?”

Zhang Jinhe also reacted. “That’s right, Song Xun. You said it was a matter of life and death. Can we make it to Ning Mountain in time?”

“The sooner the better.”

Song Xun also sighed. She took off the cotton glove on her hand, put two fingers in her mouth, and with a forceful blow, soon, in less than half a minute, a cry, as if in response, came from the sky.

It got louder and louder, and soon it was right in their ears.

And how had Song Xun gotten here? And how would the three of them go now? Guan Yang and Zhang Jinhe also completely understood.

A black shadow, just like that, dived down.

It wasn’t until they got closer that they realized this black shadow was a mutated black eagle. Looking at its huge body, sharp claws, and fierce eyes and presence, the married couple, who had never been in contact with any mutated animals in the base, were immediately startled.

Song Xun jumped onto the black eagle’s back first, controlling it to lower its body and reduce its altitude.

“Teachers, you guys get on first. We’re leaving now.”

This… is this reliable?

I’ve never heard of a mutated animal being able to carry people.

But looking at this mutated black eagle, which was quite docile and well-behaved in Song Xun’s hands, the married couple exchanged a look and didn’t say much more. They walked towards the mutated black eagle and were pulled up by Song Xun one by one, and with just a slight effort, they were on its back.

When the two of them were seated, Song Xun took out an electric blanket, a large quilt, and other warming items from her space and gave them to them.

Then she pulled the chain, and the mutated black eagle once again soared up.

With such a large mutated black eagle suddenly appearing in the base, how could Xia Jin not be alerted?

But by the time she rushed over, she was a step too late and could only watch as the black eagle flew away, quickly disappearing from sight.

In order to find the way, Song Xun had spent a lot of effort on the way here. But on the way back, it was much smoother.

Ten days of return travel.

And this was with Song Xun deliberately slowing down to take care of the fact that the married couple were ordinary people without abilities. Otherwise, if she were on her own, she would have wanted to fly back to see Ji Tang in two days.

When she had left, Ji Tang had been almost 7 months pregnant. Now it should be over eight months.

She didn’t know what the situation was.

The mutated black eagle clearly still remembered the way to Ning Mountain. Without Song Xun having to control it, it directly landed on the small square that had been cleared in the base.

This was also the first time the married couple had come to the Ning Mountain Base.

The guard department members who were in charge of patrolling had long since noticed the appearance of the mutated black eagle. By the time it landed, Shi Tou, Chang Fei, Ji Chao, and the others were already waiting here.

Song Xun casually threw the rope to Ji Chao and turned to ask, “How’s the situation?”

Ji Chao knew what she was asking. “What could happen? Don’t worry.”

Getting the answer, Song Xun finally breathed a small sigh of relief. The fatigue from nearly a month of continuous travel couldn’t stop her heart, which was always eager to see her wife.

So she ran, followed by Guan Yang and Zhang Jinhe.

In the cave, hearing that Song Xun had returned, Ji Tang was waiting at the door with a big belly. Chang Wan and Wang Qingyao were also following her every step.

After all, she was already more than 8 months pregnant, and the delivery was soon. How could they not be at ease leaving Ji Tang alone? If something happened, not to mention that they would be worried and guilty, just that jerk Song Xun would definitely go crazy.

As soon as the three of them entered the cave, Guan Yang and Zhang Jinhe didn’t even look at anything else. Their eyes immediately fell on Ji Tang, who was walking over with a big belly.

Her face was full of joy, and she seemed to be a little fatter than they remembered. But at more than eight months, it was normal for the fetus to be in a period of rapid growth. Other than that, there didn’t seem to be any other symptoms.

In short, she looked radiant, which was not bad.

“Teachers, you’re here. Come, come and sit…”

Ji Tang greeted them warmly, completely ignoring Song Xun on the side.

But the married couple…

After nodding at Ji Tang, they immediately turned their heads with dark faces and glared at Song Xun.

Although Song Xun had been the one driving the mutated black eagle all this way, that didn’t mean the two of them would have a good time. After all, they were just ordinary people, not ability users, and their bodies were not that strong. Even with the warming blankets and other items Song Xun had given them, they were still blown by the fast, cold wind and were very haggard.

Alright, the two of them had no complaints before. After all, Song Xun had said it was so serious, as if there was really something wrong with Ji Tang. They were also worried, so they had rushed a little.

It was a little cold.

But now, seeing her, ha! Her belly was big, but she could still walk. It was clear that she was completely fine now, and not even close to her due date.

So what was the point of rushing like this?

The two of them looked at Song Xun with resentful eyes.

“I… I was just thinking the sooner the better, right? What if?”

Song Xun also knew she had been a little too anxious, which was why she had been so serious. Being glared at by the two of them, she couldn’t help but feel a little guilty.

Although she didn’t know what Song Xun had done, Ji Tang could more or less guess. She came to the two of them, held Zhang Jinhe with one hand, and beckoned Guan Yang to sit down with the other.

Song Xun could be glared at, but they couldn’t not give Ji Tang face.

After successfully getting the two of them to sit down on the chairs, Ji Tang turned to look at Song Xun. “What are you still standing there for? After such a long journey, you’re hungry, and so are the teachers. Go and prepare some food.”

Knowing that Ji Tang was trying to help her out, Song Xun giggled at Guan Yang and Zhang Jinhe and then quickly went to the small kitchen to prepare things.

Chang Wan also followed her in.

She didn’t know if there was any more ginger soup. If not, she would have to brew some more. Or maybe some other soup. It wouldn’t be good if the two of them caught a cold.

Watching Song Xun leave quickly, clearly fine, Ji Tang turned back. “Teachers, she was just too worried about me. Since you’re here this time, stay for a while longer. We’ll treat you well.”

In reality, the two of them were not angry. After all, Song Xun was so anxious about Ji Tang. As Ji Tang’s elder and teacher, they were happy. How could they really be angry?

There was freshly boiled hot tea on the table. It was inconvenient for Ji Tang, so it was Wang Qingyao who got a cup and poured the water.

It was steaming hot and full of the fragrance of tea. One sip, and it immediately relieved a lot of the chill from the cold wind.

Zhang Jinhe held the cup. “How many months?”

“Eight and a half.”

Then her due date was still more than a month away. Zhang Jinhe sighed. But since they were here, they might as well stay. After all, with the snow blocking the road, there was basically nothing to do at the First Base.

“Where are Little Ning and Little Yu’er? How come I don’t see them?”

“They’re at the training ground. They won’t be back until evening.”

Ji Tang asked, “By the way, teachers, how come you’re the only ones who came? Where’s Guan He? Why didn’t she come with you?”

“She still has to watch the house. How can the whole family come?”

The three of them chatted like this, one asking and one answering. Song Xun had Chang Wan’s help, and her cooking speed was not slow. She quickly brought out rice and a few dishes.

Spicy fried meat, Dutch beans with cured sausage, hot and sour shredded potatoes, and a small stir-fry of bean sprouts, and also a kelp, tofu, and cabbage soup.

It was enough for the three of them to eat.

“Teachers, eat first. After you eat, I’ll take you to rest. We’ll have a welcome dinner for you in the evening.”

It wasn’t very good, but at least it was hot and fast.

Of course, this was just Song Xun’s opinion. For Guan Yang and Zhang Jinhe, these dishes, and the rice, were already top-notch.

Guan Yang smiled bitterly. “No wonder Guan He is always muttering about how Ning Mountain is. Your food is really…”

It’s really good.