Chapter 695 - 331: Military-Civilian Cooperation to Pursue Poachers!

Chapter 695: Chapter 331: Military-Civilian Cooperation to Pursue Poachers!

The voice of the team didn’t carry the tension of discovering an enemy, but a heavier emotion.

Yang Zhen’s face changed instantly, "Stay alert, we are arriving soon!"

He immediately made a gesture, and the team surrounded the direction of the black bear’s corpse in combat formation swiftly.

This time, Yang Zhen didn’t stop Lin Yu’an, but allowed him to follow closely by default.

When they returned to that forest clearing filled with the scent of blood, the two young soldiers were half-squatting by a crushed shrub.

"What’s going on?" Yang Zhen asked sharply, raising his gun to guard the surroundings at the same time.

The soldier didn’t speak but silently stood up, using his hand to push aside a large fern.

Behind the fern, hidden under a giant rock to the side of the mother bear’s corpse, was a nest half-covered by dry branches and fallen leaves.

This was supposed to be a carefully chosen spot by the mother bear, a place well-protected from wind and rain while being relatively concealed for nurturing her young.

But now, it had become a hellscape that made everyone’s blood freeze instantly.

Three tiny, furry corpses, resembling black fur balls, lay scattered in a pool of blood.

They were the children of that mother bear, three black bear cubs that looked only two or three months old.

Lin Yu’an’s heart sank abruptly, instantly realizing why he hadn’t discovered this place during his wide-ranging reconnaissance earlier.

The depression under the rock was also in a visual blind spot, and the wind perfectly covered the scent of the cubs under the stronger bloody odor of the mother bear.

But now, he wished he hadn’t discovered it.

The scene before him was a hundred times more brutal than the death of the mother bear.

The bodies of these three cubs were not like the mother bear’s, professionally dissected. Their deaths seemed more like they were toyed with until death.

Their fur was torn chaotically, and their bodies were covered with small tooth marks and claw scratches.

One had its throat bitten off, another had its abdomen ripped open with a huge gash. The most severely injured one’s tiny skull was even half-crushed.

It wasn’t to take any parts. Their bear paws were intact, and though their abdomen was torn open, no one had bothered to take the pitifully small gallbladder.

Combined with the dead hunting dog beside them... Lin Yu’an’s mind instantly reconstructed a gruesome scene.

Looking at those appalling corpses, every word he spoke seemed to squeeze out from between his teeth.

"For sure, when they took the parts from the mother bear, they let the hunting dog rush into this semi-open den."

"Then they treated these three cubs, who had no ability to resist, as toys, tearing them apart, torturing them to death..."

"This was purely a sadistic slaughter for entertainment!"

Bang!

A muffled thud echoed as Yang Zhen punched the trunk of a large tree nearby with force!

His face, as dark as black iron, was filled with bulging veins, his eyes blood-red, radiating the utmost suppressed killing intent!

"Damn it, they’re a bunch of beasts...!!!"

A roar, suppressed to the extreme, erupted from his throat, causing the leaves in the forest to quiver.

All the soldiers present were silent. They had seen the most vicious criminals and faced the most dangerous situations.

But this scene, this cruel slaughter of innocent cubs, ignited the most primal fury in their hearts.

This was no longer poaching; it was desecration of life itself! A trampling of the law!

Lin Yu’an silently raised his camera, capturing this scene of ignominy to both man and god.

He stepped forward, meeting Yang Zhen’s gaze, and said steadily, "Letting such scum stay in this forest a minute longer insults this land."

"These people might be ruthless butcherers, but they are definitely not top hunters. Their every habit, every choice, leaves flaws in the forest."

"And what I’m best at is finding its position from the prey’s flaws. Let me join! Cooperation between the military and civilians won’t violate discipline."

At this moment, the air seemed to solidify, and all the soldiers looked at their captain, awaiting his decision.

Yang Zhen’s bloodshot eyes stared intensely at Lin Yu’an, the fire of anger warring furiously with the commander’s calm rationality in his gaze.

He knew Lin Yu’an’s request involved significant risk and responsibility. But he also knew that Yu’an’s analysis hit every crucial point.

He lifted his wrist to look at his tactical watch, then raised his head to look at the slowly gathering clouds in the sky.

"Indeed, we can’t wait any longer. It’s past three now, and it will get dark soon." Yang Zhen’s voice was hoarse and resolute, like two stones grinding together, "The forest rangers will need at least two more hours."

"And by then, who knows if it’ll rain. Once it rains, all traces will be washed away. This two-hour window is our only chance!"

He made his first decision: no more waiting, pursue immediately!

But when his gaze fell back on Lin Yu’an, it was exceptionally sharp and full of scrutiny.

Yang Zhen spoke in a deep voice, "I acknowledge your determination and anger, just like ours."

"But I won’t risk taking a civilian just because of fervor. Every decision I make must be responsible to everyone here."

He stepped forward, nearly face-to-face with Lin Yu’an, the strong military presence pressing on like a tangible force.