Animal Detective

Fengning, much like Wugai Banner, was also home to one of China’s famous grasslands.

But after spending several days on the grasslands, he was getting a little tired of the view.

Shen Xin didn’t plan on stopping in Fengning.

Zhang Hancheng hadn’t set a deadline, leaving Shen Xin to his own devices.

Shen Xin considered taking a short detour on his way back to relax—perhaps by visiting Taishan to watch the sunrise.

He’d never been before, and it felt like a shame to pass by without visiting.

He put a leash on Tian Kui and got out of the car to let him stretch his legs.

Once Tian Kui had taken care of business, it would be Teddy’s turn.

As he walked Tian Kui back, he saw someone nearby flying a drone. From this rest area, you could see the vast, endless grassland.

The guy was clearly a dog lover. Seeing how majestic Tian Kui looked, he asked a few curious questions.

Then he got an Akita from his car, wanting to introduce it to Tian Kui.

Tian Kui’s ambition was to become the Dog King, and he was proud to his very core.

He wouldn’t even submit to Tiger Stripes, let alone any other dog.

The moment the Akita drew near, Tian Kui let out a fierce bark. The Akita jumped in fright, scrambling to hide behind its owner.

It didn’t even dare to make a sound.

’Weakling.’

Shen Xin heard Tian Kui’s thought and gave him an annoyed little swat.

The guy didn’t mind. He just gave Tian Kui a thumbs-up, calling him impressive.

Just as he finished his compliment, someone walking past recognized Tian Kui.

If Tianxiong could be considered an influencer dog, then Tian Kui was a nationwide celebrity.

He’d even been on the seven o’clock news. They weren’t in the same league at all.

The man was stunned. Only then did he realize his mistake—and that Shen Xin was a police officer. He exclaimed, "No wonder he’s so damn impressive. He’s a decorated service dog!"

Once they were recognized, a crowd inevitably started to form.

Shen Xin let them take photos with Tian Kui while he quickly opened the car door to get Teddy.

The falcon was already getting restless.

Shen Xin was worried he might damage his new car.

"Don’t wander off,"

Shen Xin cautioned. With a lift of his arm, Teddy shot impatiently into the sky.

Instantly, the travelers who had been gathered around Tian Kui all stared, dumbfounded.

The Akita’s owner, in particular, was staring with his eyes wide open.

He was flying a drone, and here was Shen Xin, releasing an actual bird of prey.

Many people had already aimed their phones at the sky.

He had to admit, Teddy’s white plumage was both beautiful and striking.

Shen Xin felt he would have liked him just the same even if he were wearing a hood.

But this time, Teddy just kept flying higher and farther, until he became a mere speck on the horizon.

"Officer, your bird flew away!" the Akita’s owner finally exclaimed, snapping out of his daze.

The others all nodded.

Someone even asked if he had come here specifically to release it.

"It’s okay, he’ll come back," Shen Xin said, unconcerned.

’If only it were that easy to get rid of Teddy,’ he thought.

However...

To Shen Xin’s surprise, half an hour passed, and there was still no sign of Teddy.

The Akita’s owner and a number of other travelers were still waiting around, eager to see Teddy return.

When he still hadn’t come back after so long, they started to shoot Shen Xin strange looks.

It was starting to make Shen Xin nervous.

He wasn’t afraid Teddy would fly off for good; he was afraid he’d had an accident.

But a Hunting Falcon was a bird of prey, at the top of the food chain. It didn’t really have any natural predators.

Just as Shen Xin was starting to get anxious, Teddy finally appeared.

He came swooping down, and amidst the crowd’s gasps of surprise, landed gracefully in front of Shen Xin.

He held a sparrow in his beak, which he dropped in front of Shen Xin.

’Where did you bring me?’

Teddy tilted his head, looking at Shen Xin with confusion in his eyes.

He’d had to fly all over the place, for a very long time, before he finally found any prey.