Everyone turned to see an excessively youthful face beneath a white fur hatâstill practically a teenager.
Old Man's squad was stunned because Old Man's real name was Wang Zhiling!
But soon, their shock turned to joy.
Because apart from them, no one in Stink Nest knew that nameâexcept for Black Dragon Cityâs contact!
Back then, Old Man had given his real name to them.
This stranger calling out "Wang Zhiling" could only be from Black Dragon City.
Recalling Old Manâs earlier words about Black Dragon City needing guides, these four must be the ones.
Yet, after the initial excitement, the squad couldnât hide their panic and frustration.
They were willing to work for Black Dragon Cityâthey were all countrymen, bound by blood and heritage, even in the apocalypse.
Even after five or ten years here, they hadnât forgotten who they were or where they came from.
But that didnât mean they wanted their connection to Black Dragon City exposed.
They still had to survive here. If these foreigners learned they were "collaborating with the enemy," their lives wouldnât just get harderâtheyâd be over.
Theyâd be driven out of Stink Nestâno, killed.
Sure enough, Tarokov and the Roaring Ice Bears erupted before Old Man could answer.
"Who are these people? From the East?"
"Never seen them before. Whereâd they come from?"
"Damn yellow monkeys! Are they their allies? What are they plotting? We should tell Ivanâkill them all!"
"Spies! They must be spies!"
Tarokov sneered, pointing at Old Man. "Now youâll all be exiled. Your property confiscated. Youâll be thrown out of Stink Nest with nothing!"
This wasnât mercy. On the icy plains, without gear, Old Manâs squad wouldnât survive, let alone naked. It was a death sentence.
Even evolved couldnât endure these temperatures unprotected.
Old Man and the others paled. There was no explanationâfour countrymen stood there, undeniable proof.
Teams from hundreds of meters away began closing in as the commotion grew. The squadâs faces turned ghostly white.
They could already see their fate.
"What are they saying? Do you know Wang Zhiling or not? Is this Stink Nest?"
The young man whoâd spoken firstâXiao Xuan, sent by Ye Zhongming to find the guide Old An recommendedâfrowned. He could tell these foreigners werenât being friendly.
After contributing little in the recent level-nine battle, the Youth Army had been itching to prove themselves.
They knew that fight was beyond them, but as passionate youths, they burned to advance, to stand beside the man whoâd given them power and purpose.
While all of Cloud Peak admired Ye Zhongming, none idolized him more than the young.
Like starstruck fans in peaceful times, these teens needed a hero, and the top evolved in the nation fit perfectly.
Now, their idol had entrusted them with a mission. Xiao Xuan and his three comrades were determined to succeedânot for rewards, but for his approval.
Seeing obstacles arise, the boys bristled with aggression.
"IâIâm Wang Zhiling. Sigh. Youâre from Black Dragon City, right? You⊠sighâŠ"
Old Man looked at these boys, young enough to be his sons, and didnât know what to say. Kids these days had no tact. Who just showed up in broad daylight like this?
"Oh, itâs you. Hello." Xiao Xuan remained polite. "Since youâre Wang Zhiling, come with us. Our boss is waiting for you to guide him."
The icy plains were endless, monotonous, and easy to get lost in. Though Ye Zhongming had icebirds and Yangos to scout from above, they were too conspicuous in unfamiliar territory, risking unwanted attention. What if they attracted another level-nine?
Without his second life, Ye Zhongming was playing it safe.
Even with scouts, they needed directions. Guessing could lead them astray.
Talking Lady was very important such that he brought Cloud Peakâs strong forces to assist. But it didnât mean that he would give up on his safety and risk the lives of other Cloud Peak members.
If he found out something bad from the guide, he would choose to leave without any hesitation.
So heâd sent Xiao Xuan to fetch the guideâpreferably without drawing attention.
Ye Zhongming didnât think it was tough, so he didnât send the big squad.
Xiao Xuan was urgent. Old Manâs squad was bewildered. The Roaring Ice Bears and growing crowd grew hostile.
Tarokov wouldnât let these Easterners take charge. Though he didnât understand Xiao Xuanâs words, he guessed they meant to take Old Man awayâunacceptable.
Riling up the crowd, he leveraged their numbers and strength to pressure the squad.
In the apocalypse, everyone sensed danger instantly. The moment hostility flashed, Xiao Xuanâs group acted.