Chapter 565 - 255: Frenzied Purple-Winged Celestial Tiger

Chapter 565: Chapter 255: Frenzied Purple-Winged Celestial Tiger

"Director Chen has a point."

Another voice, slightly older, spoke with the calm composure of a scholar.

"The scientific value of this tiger is immense. A living specimen of a Wild South China Tiger hasn’t been seen in years. Its genes, behavior, and physiological data are immeasurably significant for understanding the final state of this population and for formulating conservation strategies."

"Leaving it here, in a newly established private zoo... can they keep up with the scientific requirements and long-term support? If something goes wrong, who can bear that responsibility?"

A third voice, younger and tinged with urgency, chimed in.

"Professor Wang, I completely understand your concerns. That’s why I’m saying we need to find a way to work the angle in the assessment report and the subsequent relocation plan."

"We can emphasize the tiger’s wild nature and the high demand for scientific research. We can then recommend that a national-level wildlife rescue center or a top-tier research institution take the lead on relocating it for in-depth study."

"Xianlai can be credited as the place of discovery and a temporary rescue point, earning them some honor and certain opportunities for cooperation. But the main research and long-term care should be handed over to a more professional, more qualified institution."

"For instance, our center, or Professor Wang’s team, or that partner facility up north—their conditions are all far better than what they have here."

Director Chen, the one with the southern accent, immediately agreed. "Yes! That’s a great approach! Perfectly justifiable! We’re talking about protecting a national treasure, so of course, it should be entrusted to the most reliable place. We can co-sign the expert opinion and put forward this recommendation."

"Over at the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, not everyone is happy to see the tiger remain in the hands of a private owner. As long as our reasoning is sound and our data is detailed, it’s not like we don’t have a chance."

Professor Wang mulled it over for a moment. "Hmm, the justification is ready-made. The tiger is old and weak; it needs top-tier medical treatment and care. Although that Director Yang of Xianlai has some miraculous skills, their hardware, team, and experience are all still in the developmental stages."

"From the perspective of caution and maximizing scientific value, relocating it to a national-level institution with more complete facilities and stronger research capabilities is indeed more appropriate."

"We can draft a formal written opinion, approaching it from the dual angles of the tiger’s welfare and research needs..."

The three men lowered their voices further, discussing specific wording and how to contact other like-minded experts.

Outside the pavilion, from the shadows around the corner, Yang Qi’s gaze turned cold.

’So it begins.’

’They’re using the banner of "what’s best for a national treasure" and "responsibility to science" to cover up their real intentions: fighting for benefits and reaping the rewards of someone else’s labor.’

’They want to take Lian Po from Xianlai and move him to their own territory.’

’Relocation?’

’A national-level center?’

’More professional?’

’It all sounds so grand and irrefutable.’

If they really did unite a group of experts to propose this in the official assessment for the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, adding concerns like "a private zoo’s qualifications may be insufficient," it would indeed create significant resistance to Lian Po staying at Xianlai.

After all, from a purely bureaucratic and risk-averse perspective, placing such a precious national treasure in a national-level institution was undoubtedly the safer option.

’In your dreams.’

Yang Qi scoffed inwardly.

He didn’t reveal himself to interrupt them, nor did he storm out in a rage.

He slowly retracted his Divine Sense and the Earth Listening Technique. His expression returned to calm, as if he hadn’t heard a thing, and he turned to walk toward his office.

His steps were steady, but his mind was racing.

’It seems that heavenly fate and favorable terrain aren’t enough. I also need the irreplaceable support of the people.’

And that "support" was him!

Yang Qi needed to make everyone clearly understand one fact.

The reason this Wild South China Tiger could so calmly accept inspections and arrangements at Xianlai wasn’t because the enclosures were sturdy or the grounds were spacious. It was because the tiger acknowledged and accepted Yang Qi.

If the environment changed, if the people changed, would this elderly, wild Tiger King cooperate?

Would he become stressed?

Would he refuse to eat, or would there even be an accident?

Forcibly taking Lian Po away wasn’t protection, it was harm!

This was a truth he had to make everyone understand.

He returned to his office and closed the door.

Instead of immediately dealing with his paperwork, Yang Qi used his contractual bond to give some instructions to Lian Po, who was dozing in a cave in the rockery on Tiger Mountain.

...

Perhaps it was truly fate.

For the joint inspection that afternoon, the original plan was for Yang Qi to accompany the group—which included leaders from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration and experts from other provinces—and give them a detailed introduction to Lian Po’s preliminary condition and Xianlai’s plans for his reception and care.

However.

Just as the inspection team was about to set off for Tiger Mountain, Yang Qi received an urgent call from the animal management department.

A transport truck carrying herbivores, scheduled to arrive that afternoon, had been in a minor fender bender with an out-of-control three-wheeled farm vehicle on the national highway, less than five kilometers from the Zoo.

Although the damage to both vehicles was minor and no one was hurt, two sika deer fawns in the truck had been frightened by the sudden braking and collision. They were now ramming themselves against the sides of the transport compartment in a stress response, risking injury.

The driver and the accompanying staff were at a loss and urgently needed Yang Qi, the Animal Expert, to go and handle the situation, to calm the animals down.

The incident occurred outside the park and involved the safety of newly acquired rare animals. For both professional and personal reasons, Yang Qi had to go at once.

He briefly explained the situation to Director Sun, the leader from the National Forestry and Grassland Administration, as well as to the provincial officials Wei Zongting and Song Chunfang, and told them he would handle it and return as quickly as possible.

"Director Yang, the animals’ safety is what’s important. You go and take care of it. As for inspecting the tiger, we have plenty of experts here, plus Professor Song and Director Wei will be accompanying us. Don’t you worry."