Chapter Twenty-Seven: I’m a Professional

The car and the giant wolf collided head-on, and the massive beast was sent flying by the impact. Likewise, the car’s body was thrown into the air, tumbling several times before crashing down to the ground and continuing to roll a few more times. Shattered glass from the windows littered the earth, and the vehicle itself was a wreck, barely recognizable.

Lin Jian glanced at the giant wolf and saw that it seemed stunned, possibly unconscious. He hurried over to the mangled car. The door was so badly deformed that it took all his strength to pry open a narrow gap—just enough to poke his head inside.

“Qin Tian, are you alright? Qin Tian?” Lin Jian called out anxiously.

At that moment, Qin Tian felt as though his head were filled with a loud buzzing; all the sounds in the world had merged into one, the relentless hum of bees. He sensed someone pushing him, looked toward Lin Jian, and could see his lips forming his name—but he couldn’t hear a thing. The overwhelming buzz drowned out Lin Jian’s calls.

“Don’t move, the rescue team is almost here! They have professional equipment, they’ll definitely get you out!” Lin Jian pressed his hand against the car, voice tense.

The interior was twisted beyond recognition, and Lin Jian had no idea how badly Qin Tian was hurt. If anything dire happened—like a femoral artery being pierced by a piece of the wreckage—it could be fatal. Lin Jian’s heart swelled with gratitude; Qin Tian had risked everything to save him. He swore that once this ordeal was over, he would become sworn brothers with Qin Tian, a bond that would last a lifetime.

But suddenly, Lin Jian noticed Qin Tian’s eyes widen, his mouth opening and closing silently. Lin Jian tried to read his lips—“Back...?”

Suddenly, Lin Jian heard heavy breathing, tinged with a guttural growl. His hair stood on end as he stiffly turned his head, only to find a massive wolf’s head inches from his face, cold eyes staring straight at him.

Two streams of white vapor hissed from the giant wolf’s nostrils, blowing Lin Jian’s disheveled hair even more wildly. The wolf bared its teeth, saliva pouring from its mouth like water, streaming between its fangs.

Lin Jian was utterly at a loss; his mind a blank, his heart hollow. He was one step away from death.

The giant wolf took a step forward, its nose nearly touching Lin Jian’s face. He could feel the hot breath pulsing from its nostrils.

With a sudden howl, the wolf opened its bloody maw and roared at Lin Jian. He jumped back in terror, collapsing onto the ground.

Lin Jian thought desperately, “It’s over, I’m done for!”

The wolf howled again, then lunged at Lin Jian with savage intent. Instinctively, Lin Jian raised his hands to shield his face, unable to confront what was about to happen.

But just then, a large stone crashed into the wolf’s head. Its attack stopped abruptly as it raised its head, scanning for the source of the ambush.

“Hey! What are you looking at? I’m over here!” Qin Tian waved his hand at the beast.

“Qin Tian!” Lin Jian exclaimed in shock, uncertain how Qin Tian had escaped the wreckage, or what method he had used.

“Qin Tian, get away! It’s too dangerous!” Lin Jian cried.

“No! If I leave, you’ll surely die!” Qin Tian shook his head decisively.

“You’ll die if you stay!” Lin Jian protested urgently.

“It’s fine, I’m a professional!” Qin Tian replied.

When it came to understanding animals, few could rival Qin Tian—perhaps only the venerable Master Kong. This was just a larger wolf, nothing he couldn’t handle.

Once the giant wolf identified the source of its attack, it bared its teeth at Qin Tian, slowly stalking toward him. As it brushed past the ruined car, it gave the vehicle a mighty shove, sending it skidding far across the ground. Its strength was terrifying.

Qin Tian frowned slightly; this wolf was unlike any he’d encountered, likely a mutant. In the animal kingdom, some creatures mutate for various reasons. Considering that those bitten by the giant wolf contracted an unknown virus, Qin Tian suspected it had ingested toxic chemicals—not only surviving, but transforming by some strange twist of fate. If that was true, the wolf was a victim itself, and the true culprit was humanity.

The wolf’s footsteps grew quicker, then broke into a run, each stride booming like war drums, crushing dry branches and splintered wood beneath its paws.

The wolf leapt straight at Qin Tian. He dropped low, dodging the beast’s attack.

The wolf scraped its forepaws against the ground, halting abruptly, then spun to face Qin Tian again.

“Come on,” Qin Tian beckoned with his hand.

The wolf howled, then pounced once more. Qin Tian sidestepped, rolled along the ground, and sprang up, avoiding the attack yet again.

“Is that all you’ve got?” Qin Tian grinned.

The wolf seemed enraged; more saliva dripped from its mouth, its eyes blood-red and terrifying. Its enormous tail lashed behind it, body lowered, ready to strike again.

Qin Tian glanced at the ground and spotted a wooden stick. He hooked it with his foot, scooping it up into his hand.

“Come on, keep coming!” He tapped the stick against his palm, taunting the wolf.

At seven years old, Qin Tian had dared to pull a tiger’s whiskers; now, facing a wolf—even one this size—he felt no fear at all.

The wolf dug its forepaws into the ground, preparing what might be its deadliest attack yet.

“Ah! A wolf!” Suddenly, two villagers appeared from nowhere, looking like an elderly couple.

Their arrival distracted the wolf, and it shifted its attention toward them.

“Hey! Look over here!” Qin Tian banged the stick loudly against a stone. If the wolf targeted the old couple, they would surely die.

The noise drew the wolf’s focus back to Qin Tian.

With a furious howl, the beast charged at him. Its paws tore up the earth, sending clumps of dirt flying.

Qin Tian narrowed his eyes. This time, he didn’t dodge, facing the incoming wolf head-on.

“Qin Tian! Get out of the way!” Lin Jian shouted in alarm, fearing Qin Tian had lost his nerve, his legs frozen.

“Ha!” Qin Tian suddenly dropped to the ground. As the wolf soared over him, he jabbed the stick hard into its belly.

He rolled over, lay prone, and glanced toward Lin Jian, grinning. “Don’t worry, I’m a professional.”