Armed Train in the Apocalypse

Chapter 469: Chapter 297: Is Anybody There? (2)

12.7mm caliber up against 9mm caliber.

A complete crush of the thick over the thin!

Two streams of smoke dragon emerged from He Jie’s nostrils, his grin fierce, ”Looks like you’re not very friendly.”

Cold sweat instantly slid down everyone’s heads in the car.

”This time, the Xinma Convoy admits defeat. Whatever you decide, we’re listening.”

A rough voice came from the rear driver seat, sounding like someone who’s drunk too much white liquor, ruining their throat.

He Jie turned his head to look, a man with dragon and tiger tattoos sat in the rear of the driver’s seat, with a high brow bone and a cold look in his eyes.

Upon hearing this sentence, He Jie instantly recognized him.

”From Xinma County?”

”Yes.”

If Su Huan were here, he’d probably be clueless, but He Jie had long memorized the map along the train’s journey.

There are three counties along the Xiaohe River, arranged in a circular pattern, and south of Zhijin, apart from Changxing to the southeast, directly to the south is Xinma County.

”Ahead is Zhijin, right?”

”We’ve already entered Xinma County. If you follow this road, our Xinma County Station is up ahead, and further along is Zhijin City. Considering we’re all Donghuang People, how about giving us a way out, big brother?”

The man spoke clearly, his slightly somber eyes fixed on He Jie.

He was a tough man, but he had seen tougher people.

Right in front of him was He Jie.

Perhaps after finishing the talk, the grenade clenched in his hand would explode in his car.

He Jie gave him a surprised look, ”What’s your name, what did you do before?”

”Was reckless in my youth, tattooed a tiger on my face. People on the street call me Wen Biao. I only got out since the apocalypse began, don’t have much insight. If the old brother doesn’t mind, I’ll follow you.”

He Jie frowned in disgust, casually throwing the grenade out, and two cars roared forward; soon, a loud explosion was heard behind.

Wen Biao’s face twitched, his heart racing.

Lucky his eyes were sharp; he almost offended a great master.

”Today we wasted a grenade. If you can’t satisfy the train conductor, you’ll have to pay back its worth yourself.”

He Jie gave him a cold glance.

”Got it, bro.”

”Stop the car.”

...

Once he got off the car, Wen Biao noticed the few thugs he sent out to provoke had already been hung dead by peculiar mechanical arms next to the train, with two having worn their legs down.

The crimson trails of blood extended far.

Wen Biao looked back at his SUV, the gigantic handprint on the car door was horrifying.

Wen Biao’s few remaining thoughts instantly dissipated, obediently following He Jie into the car.

The train revealed only the tip of its iceberg of power, enough to control the entire convoy; there was no point in causing a ruckus.

In a compartment decorated like a pre-apocalyptic residence, Wen Biao met the terrifying train conductor, reminiscent of a dangerous lion; this was Wen Biao’s first impression.

Even a blind person could instinctively feel fear in Su Huan’s presence.

”Got the directions clear; we’ve arrived at Xinma County. Follow the main road for fifteen kilometers to enter Zhijin City. Afraid of any potential misunderstanding, I invited him back.”

He Jie sat on the side sofa, downing the coffee on the table.

Seeing Su Huan’s gaze, Wen Biao nodded hurriedly, not daring to sit or even take a step forward.

Steamed buns in the basket, a warmly and luxuriously decorated dining car, clean clothes... the horror of strength and resources represented by every detail.

Not to mention he commanded Xinma Gang and could be domineering in Xinma County.

But he had to hold back from consuming too much water every day; the last time he bathed was back in pre-apocalyptic prison, although his clothes seemed clean, that was because clothes on the street could be taken freely, yet he still smelled rancid.

”I’ll ask, you answer, no nonsense.”

Su Huan said calmly.

Wen Biao’s heart tightened, nodding quickly.

”What’s been happening in Zhijin lately, which forces are involved, and which people to watch out for?”

Wen Biao pondered for a moment before carefully responding, ”The biggest thing in Zhijin recently is establishing a base city, led by four forces: Black Kite, Jinfeng Chamber of Commerce, Tiejian City, and Fuyuan Convoy.”

Su Huan’s heart reacted slightly, ”Give me more details.”

Wen Biao knew he had struck at the crux, immediately elaborated, ”We don’t know much about Black Kite, this force is strong, rarely interacts with us, only appears periodically during the scavenger market, always bringing rare goods, but only deals in bulk transactions, never collaborating with small convoys.”

”The remaining three are local forces. Jinfeng Chamber of Commerce was formed by wealthy merchants, established the earliest, gained the first town, but is now quiet after being subdued by Black Kite once. Tiejian City is a neighborhood on the outskirts of Zhijin, united with two particularly strong evolvers, Fuyuan Convoy was recently integrated by Fuyuan County...”

When speaking about Fuyuan Convoy, Wen Biao’s mouth showed apparent disdain.

”The Fuyuan Convoy’s people would individually pale in comparison to Xinma Gang, though together, they just overshadow us.”

”Around Zhijin, the most renowned forces are these four. The rest, similar to Xinma Gang, include a Black Star Convoy by Xiaohe, originally from Changxing County, haven’t interacted for a while, unaware of their situation. Further down are small-time groups, not wasting your time.”

Su Huan felt a bit surprised.

Initially assumed he was only a brawling hooligan; turns out his reflexes are quick, speech well articulated.

Even though it was a simple questioning session.

But brain, reflexes, and pressure resistance are indispensable.

However, it makes sense; surviving half a year post-apocalypse, even a hooligan is beyond ordinary.

”Do you know this person?”

Su Huan suddenly asked without any preamble.

Wen Biao subtly glanced back, noticing a young man with a long neck standing behind, observing him; when he saw this, the tattoo on his head prompted him to nod.

”Brother Biao of Xinma Gang, our leader interacted with him before.”

He Jie glared, ”I’m asking you if what he said is true!”

Big Goose panicked, ”I don’t know much about Zhijin, but from what I know, it seems that way. We Dragon Riders are aware of the base city plan, but our leader thinks it’s too risky, we small fry would just get devoured, so haven’t learned much.”

Su Huan’s eyes showed impatience; if it weren’t for Lin Xi recuperating with Director Xu, he wouldn’t have used him.

Watching a video won’t help, temporarily have to rely on this.

”Keep talking about the base city.”

Wen Biao looked uneasily at Big Goose, surprised someone in the train recognized him.

Glad he didn’t invent lies.

”The plan is to clear out the Weinan District in Zhijin City, gather idle population from surrounding counties and towns, and establish a large base city of over 200,000 people. Specific cleaning plans will gradually unfold in a month, currently at the stage of gathering people.”

Upon hearing the month-long timeline, Su Huan felt relieved.

With such a long period, if something truly happened, the train would’ve already moved, likely not a trap aimed at the train.

Though Black Kite’s 1st unit’s unpredictability isn’t ruled out.

He Jie immediately raised a doubt, ”200,000? How to solve food and drink? Safety concerns? When the zombies in the city smell humans, they’ll come out.”

”Black Kite provided special mutated plants, only needing zombie flesh to produce water; Zhijin City lacks nothing, just lots of zombies, solutions for food are in place. Safety-wise, gathering these people is to tackle the zombies.”

”Even 200,000 isn’t small; gathered convoys around Zhijin total just 30,000-50,000 people, relying on scavenging solitary scavengers from surrounding areas, then arming them to gradually clear zombies, even if initially just 10,000 or tens of thousands, over months, Zhijin City will be cleaned.”

”Nonsense!”

He Jie snorted.

”Aren’t there more being cleared the further they go?”

Su Huan glanced at him, making He Jie reluctantly quiet.

This group clearly aims to drain scavengers surrounding the city in a bit-by-bit exchange for clearing zombies in Zhijin City.

If only this ordinary force was involved, it would be ridiculous.

But with Black Kite included, it’s not impossible.

In a previous life, even Steel Council withstood a million-level zombie tide in the Acid Rain Zone’s high-temperature region, although that’d take over a year, the five million zombies in Zhijin are a predetermined piece of meat amidst premeditated organized humans.

Black Kite lost a significant sum to him, eager to make up for it, understandable mindset.

”What does the Scavenger Market trade in?”

Wen Biao wiped the sweat on his forehead, ”Plenty, food, weapons, vehicles, information... whatever you want can be found.”

”... Is there anyone?”