The skin on Lao Sanâs face was taut, his expression a bit strange. The conductor had spoken so fluently, so vividly, that for a moment, he felt as if he were standing at He Jieâs doorstep, not surrounding He Jie with a gun, but a mournful woman with two children...
The sound of a door unlocking interrupted Lao Sanâs fantasy.
A man walked out empty-handed.
He was about 1.8 meters tall, with somewhat dark skin. He had taken off his bulletproof vest to reveal a dark green short-sleeved shirt. There were bandages on his lower abdomen, right shoulder, and right arm.
Much like the Iron Rain 14.5, cold and rough, but exuding an explosive sense of power.
His pupils were like obsidian scorched by fire, gleaming with a cold light, scanning the faces of the people before settling on Su Huan.
Hoarsely, he said, "No one can touch my wife."
Lao Sanâs hair stood on end, and anger made him take a step forward, fiercely saying, "Youâve got some nerve, huh?"
He Jie glanced at him. This was a guy who wasnât even an Evolver. If it werenât for the overwhelming firepower on their side, he wouldnât even bother with him.
He didnât respond, just kept staring at Su Huan.
Su Huan placed a hand on Lao Sanâs shoulder, the other hand opened in a smile, saying, "Itâs just an example. No one can touch your wife, after all, you are still alive, arenât you?"
After speaking, he signaled to Liang Kuan beside him.
Liang Kuan lowered his gun and stepped forward to frisk him.
Among them, Liang Kuan had the highest level of evolution. Even if He Jie had other intentions, he couldnât possibly take Liang Kuan down in front of him. It wouldnât be the same if Lao San and the others went up for the search.
He Jie understood Su Huanâs veiled threat, and stood still as this man, twice as strong, used his fan-like hands to pat him down.
"Only a pistol, nothing else," Liang Kuan stepped back two steps and said.
Su Huan calmly looked at He Jie, "I adhere to the principle of not doubting the person employed. No measures will be arranged for you, but I hope Captain Heâs mind remains clear. According to the Steel Councilâs standards, when the entire team is wiped out, and you cannot provide any effective evidence, itâs already considered defection."
"Of course, I believe you can find ways to compensate, but even if you take me and those weapons back, it wonât restore the boardâs trust in you, will it?"
He Jie looked deeply at Su Huan.
This person truly understood the companyâs situation.
Because he said "the board" instead of "the director".
Currently, the board of Cyan Steel Industry is divided into three factions, vying for power and influence, and they certainly wouldnât miss this opportunity to strike against opposition factions.
"I only have one request, ensure the safety of my wife and kids."
"You have no right to negotiate terms with me now. I will try to save your family, but I canât guarantee success."
Su Huan bluntly refused.
They all wanted to negotiate terms with him. If he agreed, how could he lead this team?
Moreover, thereâs no guaranteeing success in rescue missions.
After hesitating for a moment, He Jie nodded.
As the group exited, a dense barrage of gunfire echoed outside.
Lu Xiaoâs subordinates suffered heavy losses, with only five remaining, including him, as they fought off the approaching zombie horde.
Jiang Rongâs squad had only one man left.
The sharp-witted woman had been shot by a sniper while driving.
Clearly, the driverâs cabin restricted her tactical movements.
With Yu Yueâs long-range support, they managed to hold their ground, with two Tier One Zombie corpses lying on the ground.
Lu Xiaoâs condition was worse than before; it didnât look like he was treated, more like he underwent torture.
The two groups fought from morning till afternoon, reaching a stalemate, and eventually, they united.
Aside from the dead who might have complaints, everyone else was quite pleased.
Su Huan gained the future "Master of Firearms," and military training instructor, He Jie.
The Steel Council had unwittingly lost an arm.
He Jie gained new allies.
...
After dragging the last corpse back, Xiaoba closed the door and tried to restore the dent to its original shape.
With a clatter, a floating "metal raincoat" overhead also fell down.
Dragging the corpse back to car 3, Wan Xing was sitting at her designated workstation, a persistent fatigue on her face. She looked at Xiaoba with forced cheer, "Is it resolved?"
Xiaoba wiped the rainwater from the tips of his hair, "Itâs settled, but it was quite tricky."
With a wave, four or five firearms and various weapons and ammunition fell onto the table beside him.
Wan Xing was stunned, "You also brought them back?"
"Su needs these things very much."
...
At 3:20, the convoy returned to the train with an entire arsenal worth of ammunition.
However, the train looked rather battered.
Especially the front section, riddled with dense bullet wounds, with blast marks near the door, and twisted, deformed metal.
Following Su Huan into the carriage, He Jie knew that White Dog and his team had failed.
The Dog Squad had been completely wiped out today...
Itâs just as well; heâd long disliked that damned nickname.
But it wasnât his decision; it was the cursed instructorâs cruel humor during training.
At least Gray Dog, White Dog, could be tolerated, but he was damn well called Old Dog!
His subordinates usually avoided using that nickname, knowing he disliked it, opting for "Chief" instead.
But the other captains didnât cater to him; it was always Old Dog, Old Dog they called him.
Of course, those damn nicknames werenât much better; a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
Upon entering Car 3, He Jieâs brow twitched suddenly as his eyes were drawn to a corner of the carriage, to a boy in a wheelchair?
He Jie froze for a moment, closely examining Qi Xiaobai, despite the bloodstains on his face, he seemed only about ten years old.
Indeed it was a boy, but what was with this instinctive threat?
"Are you hurt?"
Su Huanâs eyebrows knit together.
Qi Xiaobai touched the dried blood on his face, his gaze clear and calm, "Itâs not my blood. One personâs ability was much like yours, Su. He exploded at the end."
He Jie, behind them, drew a sharp breath. Forcing a Tier One "Charging Expert" to self-destruct, what kind of monster was this boy?
He knew Su Huan might have left precautions on the train, but he never expected such a formidable one.
His gaze shifted to the woman beside him. Although she seemed to be an Evolver too, she was the exact opposite of the boyâalmost nonexistent, with a thin face and sharp chin, seemingly ready to blend into the shadows.
White Dog and his teamâs corpses lay neatly at her feet.
The positions of their wounds were extremely tricky, underarms, throats, headsâlike they encountered close-quarter combat with cold weapons.
What exactly did White Dogâs group encounter?
Were their guns just fire pokers?
A deep bewilderment flashed in He Jieâs eyes.