Chapter 196: Preparation (Double Request for Monthly Votes! Thanks to Master Hao Shu Shu!)

"What about the chemical plant?" Kiki asked.

"Same as before—you and me—but to handle emergencies, I'll bring Lü Chang, Miao Lu, and a few others to provide cover if needed."

"Huh?" Sha Sha's eyes widened. "What about me?"

"Xian Ge," Da Lou spoke up. "Let me go with you to the chemical plant tomorrow."

Lin Xian shook his head. "No. Tomorrow, I have an important mission for you two siblings."

"What mission?"

"Guard the train."

"Huh?" Da Lou looked confused. "Xian Ge, didn't you say it's dangerous over there?"

"This side is dangerous too," Lin Xian said, his expression meaningful as he kept crafting bullets. "Our target is their stronghold—but they might be thinking the same about us."

"So Sha Sha, Da Lou—you combine with the train's close-defense cannons to form our strongest firepower. If anyone tries to attack the train, blast them dead."

Da Lou froze. Beside him, Sha Sha clicked her tongue and elbowed her brother. "Dummy, Xian Ge means this side is dangerous too. Just follow his orders."

Da Lou nodded. "Got it, Xian Ge. Don't worry—I'll guard the train."

"And me?" Chen Sixuan, seeing everyone else assigned, looked at Lin Xian with a dim expression. "Am I still guarding the train?"

Lin Xian raised an eyebrow at her. "No, Chen Laoshi. You won't guard the train." He pointed toward a warehouse near the freight station under the night sky. "The roof of that warehouse is the highest point in this area. I need you to provide cover for all of us from there."

Chen Sixuan's eyes lit up. "Really? But…"

"Yay! Chen Jiejie's gonna be a sniper!" Kiki beamed. "This is your chance to shine!"

Chen Sixuan glanced at Lin Xian, then nodded firmly, took a deep breath, and said, "Alright, I understand."

For the first time, Lin Xian had assigned her a combat role. For some reason, Chen Sixuan felt a surge of excitement, completely forgetting the fears lurking in the dark.

…

At nightfall, the "Infinite" sealed all compartments. Except for the watch personnel, Lin Xian ordered everyone else to rest early.

Having spent one night here, he knew the platform wouldn't be invaded by outside weirdities, and the Jin Gang convoy wouldn't dare come out at night to die. The only real threat was the pseudo-humans—but from current observations, after that wave of attacks, they'd all retreated back to town with no signs of activity.

Compared to weirdities, these pseudo-humans' greatest threat came from infiltration, not direct combat. Their actual offensive power was even weaker than the Class-C weirdity, the Red Centipede, from Beiwan. The Infinite's current defenses could easily withstand them.

In Car 1, Lin Xian took a shower—hot water. Since leaving Jiang City, such opportunities had been rare. Though the Infinite had bathrooms, water was scarce, and constant escape left no time for bathing. After learning the night had contaminated the world's water systems, it became even rarer.

Now, with the heteromorphic cube and Lin Xian's special water purification system, water was no longer an issue. The girls on board could finally wash properly, rinsing away the blood and exhaustion from days of flight.

After showering, Lin Xian took a heavy object from the storage locker and placed it on the table. He then activated his Mechanical Heart and began manually drafting blueprints.

The object on the table was a mechanical arm segment taken from Guo Laowu's body when they entered Yubei City. Lin Xian had already scanned it. The blueprint was: 【Creation Industries HG55 Mechanical Prosthesis – Left】.

It wasn't a high-end device—designed for people with limb disabilities to perform ordinary industrial tasks. But as an industrial model, it had high torque and power, and its all-metal construction was durable. A regular person wearing it would gain significantly enhanced combat capability. Of course, compared to military-grade models, its flexibility, functionality, and combat performance were far inferior. But Guo Laowu had illegally modified it with weapon-grade upgrades on the black market, making it a serious threat.

Lin Xian directly opened a recessed slot on the wrist arm using his Mechanical Heart. Inside was a small metal bar—a miniature bomb. He'd analyzed it: it contained a high-energy compound explosive, likely an all-nitrogen anion salt.

At his level, manufacturing such a bomb wasn't difficult. But he needed to design a simple mounting and detonation mechanism, based on the metal mixing kettles in the chemical plant.

As for the mechanical arm, he planned to scan or absorb it for transport. Repairing it would waste too much time—he could instead mount it later onto the train for external operations.

"By the way, that guy's TRP-4th Gen specialized industrial powered exoskeleton suit—try to get it."

Lin Xian raised one hand. The fabrication center glowed, converting countless materials. Soon, a miniature bomb materialized in his palm.

!

"With the exoskeleton, I can expand weapons based on it. Then I won't have to rely solely on wind cannons and electric surges. I can upgrade my research center's blueprints around the exoskeleton—even equip Chen Laoshi and the others with their own sets."

Thinking of this, Lin Xian felt a flicker of heat. He'd originally regretted not scanning a military-grade exoskeleton—yet here, in this small town, he'd stumbled upon such an advanced piece. It delighted him.

After finishing preparations, Lin Xian went to Car 2 and checked the sentry system for the train's surroundings. Satisfied everything was secure, he exhaled and returned to Car 1. With Shu Qin and others on watch, he took four hours of rest, waking at just past 2 a. .

Chen Laoshi, Kiki, and the others were already asleep. Lin Xian prepared to wake Sha Sha, Da Lou, and the skilled personnel in the rear cars—Miao Lu and Lü Chang—to begin preparing ammunition and let Shu Qin rest.

But when he reached Car 3, he suddenly heard a woman's soft moans and panting. He scanned the area—Ding Jun wasn't visible. His gaze turned toward the rest room. The sound came from inside.

Suspicious, he walked over and was about to knock when Ding Junyi's voice came from within.

"Wait a moment."

Then came rustling sounds, like someone dressing. After a minute, the rest room door opened. Ding Junyi stood there, face flushed, looking at Lin Xian. "What is it?"

Lin Xian frowned, staring at her. "Your schedule—aren't you supposed to be asleep by now?"

(End of Chapter)