Forest Ranger of the Qinling Mountains

He walked into the main hall.

Chen Yuan poured tea for Zhou Xu and Song Guohao. The driver, Xiao Liu, stood outside, while Chen Weiyi was in the kitchen preparing spiritual fish, planning to treat the distinguished guests to a lavish all-fish feast.

"Officer Zhou?"

Seeing Chen Yuan carefully weigh his form of address, Zhou Xu smiled faintly. "There isn't much of an age gap between us. Just call me Brother Zhou."

"Brother Zhou, are you a Beast Tamer too?" Chen Yuan immediately took the opening.

Zhou Xu nodded. "Half of one, I suppose. I only know basic Beast Taming Knowledge, and I've contracted a pet beast with no combat ability. I know nothing at all about battling or nurturing."

"Brother Zhou is too modest," Chen Yuan said.

As an officer of the Beast Tamer Association, he surely had something exceptional about him.

Besides, his earlier casual assessment of Spark and Cola might have carried a hint of flattery, but he clearly knew something about this field.

After chatting for a while, Zhou Xu finally got to the point. "Chen Yuan, you know the Beast Tamer Association has only just been established and is facing many problems. One of the most urgent is a shortage of manpower."

Chen Yuan sat up straight, his gaze fixed ahead.

"Your performance this time was outstanding. It drew attention and praise for our Association from the higher-ups. The president was very pleased and originally intended to coordinate with Station Chief Song to transfer your organizational affiliation so you could work in the city." Zhou Xu spoke gently, neither hurried nor slow.

Song Guohao nodded slightly, while Chen Yuan remained silent.

Zhou Xu's voice continued to echo through the hall. "After learning of your inconveniences and difficulties, the president was very understanding, so he decided on another approach."

Chen Yuan straightened further.

"Come be a consultant for our Association." Zhou Xu looked at Chen Yuan. His originally gentle gaze was now somewhat blazing, like a treasure hunter spotting treasure, like Cola catching sight of cola.

"A consultant?" Chen Yuan looked puzzled.

"That's right." Zhou Xu nodded, withdrawing that heated look as he patiently explained, "Simply put, your organizational affiliation will be placed under the Association, but you'll remain in Xuanhe Village."

At those words, Chen Yuan was instantly intrigued.

Noticing the subtle change in Chen Yuan's expression, Zhou Xu smiled faintly. "Your work will be very simple as well. You only need to keep watch over this mountain range."

As he said this, Zhou Xu gazed at the rolling green mountains beyond the window, his tone profound.

"This mountain range?" Chen Yuan was taken aback.

Zhou Xu nodded. "Yes, the Qinling Mountains, stretching for thousands of kilometers from east to west."

Chen Yuan fell silent for a moment.

"The Qinling Mountains are more important than you imagine. Baokun City borders the Qinling Mountains, and we must guard them at all costs." Zhou Xu's voice was gentle yet firm, a faint gleam reflecting beneath his glasses.

"This is the most important directive the higher-ups have given the Baokun City Beast Tamer Association. In the future, we will mobilize every resource to ensure this mission is completed successfully."

"What exactly am I supposed to do?" Chen Yuan was somewhat tempted and hurriedly asked.

"You know what a Forest Ranger is, right?" Zhou Xu asked.

Chen Yuan nodded.

"In this brand-new era, the old Forest Rangers can no longer meet the needs of the times. We need new Forest Rangers to help the nation protect the Qinling Mountains."

"This duty may seem dispensable, but it is actually of vital importance."

"You must understand that this treasure vault known as the Qinling Mountains contains far, far too many rare resources."

Chen Yuan nodded silently. This was precisely the fundamental reason he had chosen to remain in the Qinling Mountains.

"If you discover any unusual activity in the Qinling Mountains, you must report it to the Association immediately."

"Do I need to do anything else?" After pondering for a moment, Chen Yuan continued asking.

Zhou Xu replied without hesitation, "Basically, no. At most, you'll lend a hand when the Association issues an emergency mission."

Chen Yuan nodded and asked no more.

Song Guohao could not help asking, "Secretary Zhou, if that's the case, wouldn't some of the responsibilities of our wildlife rescue station overlap with Chen Yuan's?"

Zhou Xu smiled and shook his head. "It's different. You'll continue patrolling the forests and rescuing animals as usual. If you encounter something you can't handle, then ask Chen Yuan for help."

Hearing this, Song Guohao clicked his tongue inwardly.

"Well? Do you want to be this consultant?" Zhou Xu turned to Chen Yuan.

Chen Yuan no longer hesitated. He stood up solemnly and said, "Thank you to the president and the Association for thinking so highly of me. I believe I can handle this position."

"Good, good, good." A broad smile spread across Zhou Xu's face. He stood and shook Chen Yuan's hand. "Once I return, I'll arrange the transfer of your organizational affiliation."

"Then congratulations, Consultant Chen."

The two discussed the consultant's duties and rights in depth. When Chen Weiyi brought over the dishes, they stopped talking.

"We won't be staying for this meal." Zhou Xu stood up, smiling brightly.

"How can that be? This was specially made for you." Chen Weiyi frowned.

Zhou Xu smiled faintly. "To be honest, I really want to eat it too, but the circumstances are truly exceptional."

After a brief pause, he sighed. "The Association has only recently been established. All kinds of matters need coordinating, and all kinds of troubles need handling. I truly can't get away."

"Even this time, coming all the way to Xuanhe Village—if Chen Yuan weren't so outstanding, I wouldn't have left the office at all."

"We'll have to save it for the next time I'm free."

"Xiao Liu, let's go."

After some back-and-forth, Zhou Xu added Chen Yuan's contact information before getting into the car and leaving.

"Brother Song, since Brother Zhou has left, let's eat."

The three sat down. No longer standing on ceremony, they began eating at once.

"Secretary Zhou thinks very highly of you," Song Guohao suddenly said.

Chen Yuan abruptly raised his head, but said nothing.

Song Guohao continued, "The higher-ups place great importance on Xuanhe Village. Coupled with your outstanding performance now, having you remain in Xuanhe Village became the best choice."

Chen Yuan nodded thoughtfully and smiled. "Brother Song's position might rise along with the tide too."

Song Guohao sighed first, then shook his head. "I'm no longer hoping for that. I only hope Xuanhe Village has fewer troubles and the Qinling Mountains see fewer disturbances."

"By the way, although you're no longer at the wildlife rescue station, I have a small request." Song Guohao pursed his lips, his tone hesitant.

Chen Yuan replied without thinking, "Brother Song, just say it. As long as I can help, I definitely will."

Song Guohao no longer hesitated and said with a smile, "I'd like you to guide the youngsters at our rescue station a little. Teach them how to nurture and train pet beasts."

"Our rescue station will inevitably have to deal with wild pet beasts in the future. We must find a way to improve our strength."

Chen Yuan nodded decisively. "It's part of my duty. Leave it to me."

After eating and drinking their fill, Song Guohao said goodbye and left.

As Chen Yuan cleared the dishes, he pondered a question while washing them. "Why didn't Brother Zhou ask how I knew the advancement requirements?"

"Isn't that the most important question?"

Unable to make heads or tails of it, Chen Yuan shook his head and simply stopped thinking about it.

He looked out the window—the old man was pondering where to hang the plaque, Cola was lying on the ground basking in the sun, and Spark was soaring through the air.

It was another ordinary day.