Animal Whisperer: Take Back My Life and Love Chapter 118: The Village On High Alert

Even though Nancy had started a fitness regimen under Barry’s relentless supervision, it had been far too short a time to see any real results.

The little water snake was currently coiled around Nancy’s wrist. "I'll protect you!"

Simon couldn't understand the snake's speech, but he could guess the gist of it from the little creature's proud demeanor. He tapped the snake’s cool head with a fingertip. "I’ll leave the directions to our little hero, then."

The little snake was so flustered by the praise from a police officer that it zipped into the sleeve of Nancy’s hoodie to hide. Its tiny heart was racing—this was official recognition for its sense of justice!

The night before, Nancy had confirmed with the Heron Strike Team that there were four core members of the tomb-robbing gang still at large, excluding the three already behind bars. Based on the herons' descriptions, Nancy had used her profiling skills to sketch portraits of the four men, and every member of the tactical team now had a copy.

Just then, the Tabby arrived with an elegant feline stride. Its appearance was somewhat disheveled; a tuft of fur on its forehead stood up defiantly, looking like it had been struck by lightning or suffered a severe case of static cling.

Nancy crouched down in concern. "Tabby! Did you get into a fight with a local cat?"

"It has always been this way. It's a fight between kings."

The Tabby licked its paw with indifference, its chin held high. "Hmph, but, letting a local cat learn its place is how a true ruler should act. But the strays here are much tougher than the strays in the city. I can't believe they'd be able to mess up my hair."

Nancy burst out laughing, her tension easing significantly. She checked him over and found not a single scratch; the "battle-worn rockstar" hairstyle was purely the result of his scuffle.

"Heavens, you really are a beast!" she said, smoothing his fur. "Taking on the toughest cats in the village and coming out without a scratch—just a ruined hairstyle!"

"Insolent fool!"

The Tabby tried to dodge her touch with a stubborn huff, "Do not touch my precious fur!" but its body leaned into her fingertips as it purred like a heavy tractor. While enjoying the massage, it lowered its voice to report. "I've asked around, aside from the man you're after, there are three other tomb raiders too!"

Nancy’s expression turned serious. This intel matched the herons' perfectly. She just didn't expect that all four of them were from the same village.

The Tabby let out a cold snort. "The cats in the vilage told me that the four of them spend the rest of the day sleeping, and only go out at night. And they'll only return when daylight approaches. They go through the same routine everyday. Oh and all of them return with a very heavy bag!"

Nancy wondered. "Are the villagers not curious about their business?"

The tabby cat shook its head and said, "I have no idea, but according to the local cats, the four of them are definitely related to the villagers, since the villagers have hosted them in their own homes."

After Nancy relayed the information, Simon’s brow furrowed. He picked up his radio and issued a command. "All units, maintain high alert regarding the civilians. The villagers are likely aware of the situation and may assist in an escape. Move decisively and quickly!"

With the precise coordinates provided by the Tabby, Simon quickly deployed his team. "Confirmed. Four targets located. Move out in four teams and commence the arrest!"

"Team One, copies!" "Team Two, copies!"

As the four responses came in, the net began to tighten. Simon gave the final order: "Move!"

Nancy and Simon entered the village on foot to act as a distraction. At the entrance, Master Crow was demonstrating his formidable diplomatic skills atop a utility pole. He was surrounded by a circle of fluffy sparrows, the scene looking like a high-level gang negotiation.

"Whoa!"

A sparrow bounced around excitedly. "Master Crow do you really know the huge eagle?"

Master Crow ruffled his shimmering black feathers with the air of a godfather in a satin cloak. "Obviously! None of you will be able to withstand the wind from a single flap of his wing!"

He leaned in mysteriously. "Help me send a message, and I'll make sure that you get the credit for serving our cause. And perhaps someday, I'll take you under my wing!"

The sparrows chirped in excitement, puffing up like little cotton balls. "Roger that!"

"We want to serve your cause too!"

"Does that mean, you'd protect us Master Crow, sir?"

Master Crow felt a huge sense of pride when they showered him with praise. He puffed up his chest and said, "I'll make sure none of you will go hungry, and are always protected if you follow me!"

The moment Simon and Nancy stepped into the village, an old man cooling off under a locust tree squinted at them. "You two. What are you doing here? Foreigners aren't welcome."

Nancy put on her most innocent, harmless smile. "Sir, we’re students from the nearby university. We heard there’s a stream behind the hill for hiking and fishing. Is this the right way?"

Before the old man could respond, a sharp whistle pierced the air from somewhere in the village! He immediately turned wary, glaring at Nancy and Simon. "I don't think you're here to ask for directions!"

A cold glint flashed in the old man's clouded eyes. Instead of giving directions, he pulled a whistle of his own from his pocket and blew a long, shrill blast.

Almost instantly, whistles and gongs erupted from four or five different directions across the village.

"The heat is here! Scatter!" "Wind's blowing! Split up!"

The peaceful village instantly turned into a chaotic hornets' nest. Four figures bolted like startled rabbits from different courtyards, tearing off in opposite directions toward the village outskirts. Their villager accomplices jumped into action, some trying to block the path of the officers, while others intentionally knocked over woodpiles and bamboo poles to create obstacles and slow down the pursuit.