Chapter 8: The Recruitment Begins
When the remaining officers reached the hillside, what they saw was a heap of traffickers lying sprawled across the ground.
Captain Shang Fuyan of the Criminal Investigation Division stood beside a young man.
And that young man was carefully wiping the crows’ claws with a piece of cloth.
Wait—that wasn’t just cloth. That was a shirt!
The officers, puzzled, stepped closer—and collectively sucked in a breath.
Four traffickers had their wrists pierced by bullets. Their calves were twisted at unnatural angles from fractures. Their faces were covered in bloody scratch marks. The other two had deep bruising around their necks, clearly knocked unconscious by heavy blows.
The unconscious pair looked fine compared to the other four. The latter were a pitiful sight.
Judging from the wounds on their faces, they had clearly been scratched by fierce birds.
Birds?
Everyone’s gaze shifted to the obedient crows lining up to have their claws cleaned. It was hard to reconcile these well-behaved birds with the idea of them swarming traffickers moments earlier.
On the way here, they had heard that the Criminal Investigation team had been led by crows. They’d assumed it was a joke.
It wasn’t.
These crows could lead the way and attack enemies.
They weren’t bad omens—they were auspicious signs!
The Narcotics Division soon arrived. Seeing the traffickers sprawled on the ground, they felt a rush of grim satisfaction.
Serves them right.
Crows have sharp talons. They don’t think about disfigurement or disability. They grab wherever they can.
During inspection, Shang Fuyan discovered that one trafficker’s eye had been clawed blind.
Blind? Fine.
He might not live long anyway.
The Narcotics officers took the traffickers away. Their captain, Lin Huian, approached Shang Fuyan and clapped him on the shoulder.
“Thanks to your team. Dinner’s on me once this case wraps up.”
It should have been their operation. But they had been a step late—and the part about crows leading the way sounded so bizarre that only Shang Fuyan had believed it.
Lin Huian glanced at the line of crows beside Lin Jiangye and leaned close.
“They really led you here?”
Shang Fuyan pressed his lips together, eyes still fixed on Lin Jiangye.
He nodded.
Lin Huian gaped at the crows.
Were they really that intelligent?
But then—how did they know those men were traffickers? And how did they know the police were searching for them?
“He says he understands them. He was the one who arranged for them to protect the former undercover officer.”
Unfortunately, six armed traffickers had shown up.
Thankfully, without the crows, by the time they found the victims, there would likely have been four corpses.
“And the officer who was killed?”
Lin Huian sighed.
“His body was found behind the food street, hidden in the bushes. In the crow’s nest, we found a mocking note.”
Did they hate the perpetrators?
Of course.
They hated the animals who carried it out.
They hated the force behind them.
And they hated the one who leaked the undercover information.
“The leak was traced to someone from Gaoshi…” Lin Huian’s anger carried a thread of cold sorrow.
The informant hadn’t even known who he was selling to.
For thirty thousand yuan, he had nearly cost a hero his life.
Meanwhile, Lin Jiangye finished cleaning each crow’s claws, patting their heads one by one before bringing up his earlier promise.
“I said if you helped protect someone or came to inform me of something, you’d get better and prettier shinies. Pick two to come with me to buy gems. Tonight, come to my house for a feast—I’ll distribute them.”
At the mention of shinies, the crows’ little black eyes gleamed. Wings flapped excitedly.
And there was dinner too.
This human’s cooking was exceptionally fragrant.
Crow liked it very much.
[Human! Crow likes you!]
Lin Jiangye finally smiled.
“I like you too. Thank you all. I told you—crows are the smartest.”
Of course they were.
They puffed out their round chests proudly.
The Criminal Investigation officers arrived just in time to witness the adorable scene.
They remembered the dense swarm of crows in the sky—guiding them, preventing the traffickers from delivering killing blows, helping subdue six men.
Was it possible everything he said was true?
Did he truly understand crows?
If not, how had he commanded so many?
Even police dogs require long training to follow commands. These crows clearly weren’t trained.
The officers exchanged complicated looks.
“Let’s go buy shinies.”
Lin Jiangye ignored their stares.
The matter was resolved. Why care what they thought?
As he led the crows away, officers instinctively parted to make a path.
Only Shang Fuyan remained in front of him.
Lin Jiangye raised a brow.
Shang Fuyan pulled out his phone.
“Let’s exchange contact info. I’ll notify you when your bravery award is approved.”
Not an excuse—but a real award?
Shang Fuyan nodded.
Even if the district chief were present, he’d have to acknowledge this as legitimate heroism.
Of course, beyond the award, Shang Fuyan was curious.
Understanding animal speech. Directing animals with shinies as incentive.
Foreign universities taught this?
Strange.
But his earlier suspicion had turned into admiration.
If Lin Jiangye could assist again…
Lin Jiangye, unaware of those thoughts, would have scoffed.
He returned to live leisurely—not to help police.
This time, he acted only because of the undercover officer.
After exchanging contacts, Shang Fuyan added,
“I’ll apply for the highest tier. Eight thousand yuan.”
Lin Jiangye stared at him in shock.
“Only eight thousand? One fire opal costs over a thousand!”
Silence.
Eight thousand wasn’t enough?
Why buy real gemstones?
When they thought “shiny,” they imagined glass beads—not genuine gems.
Shang Fuyan adjusted smoothly.
“Then use it for a feast.”
This time, Lin Jiangye didn’t object.
Everyone: ???
Yan Zhou suddenly asked, “You used real gems to recruit the crows?”
Lin Jiangye nodded, pointing at over a dozen birds.
“These were assigned to protection. One fire opal each. Extra rewards for locating or driving off threats. Plus winter food.”
Food. Shelter. Precious gemstones.
Even Yan Zhou felt envy.
But three lives had been saved.
Worth it.
In the sunlight, the crows’ feathers shimmered in iridescent colors.
They deserved the brightest gems.
Lin Huian suddenly understood.
Appeal to their preferences.
Simple in theory—but how did he ensure they wouldn’t take the gems and leave?
Shang Fuyan studied the young man thoughtfully.
If he wanted Lin Jiangye’s help again, he’d need to appeal to his preferences too.
But what did he like?
He was wealthy.
The only two apparent interests: animals and food.
Food? With his fortune, he could eat nearly anything.
Animals?
“You’re going to buy gems, right? I know a place with every kind. Want a ride?”
The sudden offer startled everyone.
This famously aloof captain—being this… accommodating?
Lin Jiangye studied him.
After a moment, glancing at the remote surroundings, he agreed.
As the two left with several crows, Lin Huian turned to the Criminal Investigation officers.
“Since when does your captain try to curry favor?”
Yan Zhou shook his head seriously.
“Hypothetically—if Mr. Lin truly understands animals, then in cases with no cameras or witnesses, we might find animal witnesses.”
That was one point.
Second, animals’ senses exceed humans’. They might detect clues we cannot.
“Third, if he can direct crows, he might direct other animals.”
The only downside? The cost.
But that was fine.
Their captain had money too.
—
Author’s Note:
Now:
Lin: Help the police? Dream on.
Future:
Various fluffy creatures: Human! Help me QAQ
Lin: Fine… I’ll help… ?
