Chapter 323: Aksai! (Requesting Early-Month Guaranteed Monthly Tickets!)

Two vehicles traveled along the desert plateau beside the railway toward Aksai, their wheels crushing gravel and yellow sand, the engine's vibrations making the sand, stones, and withered grass along the way tremble.

At this point, the two vehicles turned up a slope and pulled to a stop beneath a massive wind-eroded rock; everyone got out and walked to the edge of a sand dune cliff, where, in the distance, a town appeared in the vast open wilderness, solitary and nestled in the center of the desert. Aksai had a national highway and a northern rail line passing through it—slightly larger than the previous Luo Bu Town—and the entire settlement was covered in windblown sand, blending into the desert's hue.

No high-rises; most buildings were old, low structures from the western frontier. Even the more modern roads and streets were now desolate, swallowed by yellow sand.

Several people pulled out electronic binoculars and gazed toward Aksai. The town looked barren, yet numerous convoys were stationed within it. Lin Xian adjusted his binoculars to observe outside Aksai and gradually spotted many refugee convoys clustered near an abandoned gas station. Upon observation, this differed from what he'd heard on the radio.

"Wasn't it said that other convoys and armed personnel are banned from entering?" Xiang Ningjing raised her binoculars and spoke sharply. "Looks like no one's obeying."

"A Bai?"

A Bai shook his head, indicating no discoveries.

Qian Dele said: "These convoys are probably ordinary ones, but their concentration here might have something to do with the Sand Bandit Alliance."

"You mean they're afraid?" Mo Nika spoke up.

Qian Dele replied calmly: "Not necessarily fear—some might just find it troublesome. Zombies are everywhere, the Soul-Drain value is high, and strange entities will definitely emerge at night. Beyond Aksai lies thousands of kilometers of uninhabited wasteland. It's best to move quickly during daylight. For us, less trouble is better—and the sand bandits know this mindset well."

Mo Nika lowered her binoculars and said coolly: "With so many large convoys gathered here, they don't seem to take the sand bandits seriously at all."

Lin Xian looked at Kiki, who was operating her mobile terminal, and asked: "How's it going?"

"Hehe, you guessed right—this Tie Meng Order works just like the Phoenix Order, receiving nearby data packets. Many similar signal signatures have appeared around Aksai." Kiki tapped lightly, continuing: "But there are none inside Aksai itself. Looks like they dare not attack directly."

Lin Xian nodded: "Sand bandits. They can harass and bully small convoys, sure. But here, dozens of convoys, at least a thousand to two thousand people stationed. Unless they've lost their minds, they won't attack."

Xiang Ningjing frowned: "Then how dare the Fu Lu Shou convoy collect tolls here?"

"Seeing is believing; hearsay is unreliable." Lin Xian fixed his gaze on the distant town and, with a flick of his hand, summoned a signal antenna several meters tall behind him: "But since they're bold enough to make such claims in front of so many convoys, there must be a reason."

He pressed his communicator and tuned into the Combined Train's signal.

"Test, Chen Laoshi, can you hear me?"

"Static… Lin Xian, I hear you."

"Shi Daoge."

"Ah, Lin Xianwei, go ahead."

After establishing communication with the Combined Train via the signal columns he'd set up along the way, Lin Xian gave direct orders: "Shi Daoge, Chen Laoshi, the Combined Train can advance another hundred li, then organize ten strike teams as planned. I'll send you the coordinates—split up and move."

"Got it!"

Lin Xian immediately stood and addressed the group: "Our people are coming. Let's go. Let's meet that old friend inside the city."

"I heard there's actually a bar in this wasteland—how interesting." Qian Dele perked up. "Much freer than enduring the Eternal Night."

Mo Nika walked to the vehicle, about to get in, then suddenly said to Lin Xian: "Wait a moment."

She activated her powered armor, stepped out, removed her inner suit, and changed into a desert sun-protection windbreaker, donned sunglasses, and wrapped a sand-proof scarf around her neck. Lin Xian stared, dumbfounded—this woman kept casual clothes inside her powered armor…

The two off-road vehicles started again, racing through the sandstorm toward Aksai. Waves of heat rolled across the wilderness, and scattered zombies kept lunging at the vehicles.

Zeng! Zeng!

Two silver blades shot out, spinning like a storm along the horizon, humming as they sliced through every zombie attacking the convoy's flanks in an instant.

Kiki, seated in the passenger seat, her eyes glowing with psychic energy, smirked slightly: "Very useful."

Lin Xian frowned at her: "Where did you hide them? I didn't notice."

"On the roof." Kiki pointed upward. "Just brought two to test."

Lin Xian smiled: "This technique is great—perfect for clearing zombie hordes."

"I wonder if it can cut through strange entities. We'll find out soon." Kiki replied.

Mo Nika sat in the backseat, listening to their conversation, smiling: "Lin Dui, how come everyone with you is so strong? How do you recruit your team?"

"Recruit?" Hearing the word, Lin Xian recalled when he'd posted ads in Jiang City seeking members for the Infinite Train Project—no one responded. Chen Sixuan and Kiki were, in a way, outside the plan.

He drove and replied: "No recruitment. I met them along the way."

Ahead, a dazzling glow appeared. As the two off-road vehicles neared the city, many binoculars turned toward them. Everywhere outside Aksai lay dried, dead zombies. Some convoys had set up camps at gas stations or motels; others had driven straight into the city, parking along its narrow streets.

The cars rolled over gravel onto the cracked town roads. Guards armed with rifles lined both sides of the streets and rooftops, watching them with wary eyes. These convoys came from different places, each operating independently, with little interaction—yet as travelers, they could judge a convoy's nature just by its vehicles. Lin Xian's two off-road vehicles were clearly not their main transport for fleeing east—they were reconnaissance units.

This wasn't unusual. Many cautious convoys scouted first before entering. Places like Aksai were now chaotic mixtures of travelers seeking temporary rest or information—no grand scenes here.

Lin Xian followed Xiang Ningjing's vehicle, turning through alleys until they found the Black Rose Bar beside an old market. Vehicles lined the street. Had the bar's faded sign not been buried in sand, and had the surroundings not been ruined, and had the cars not been heavily modified for the apocalypse, one might have mistaken it for a bustling pre-apocalypse street.

Armed survivors stood beside the parked vehicles—members of various convoys. As Lin Xian's group stepped out, many eyes turned toward them. They were too young, their appearances and makeup far too pristine for people who'd been fleeing for months. Suspicious glances followed them.

"Is this really a bar, or just a front? I feel kinda off…" Qian Dele stared at the constant flow of people entering and leaving the bar, looking puzzled.

Mo Nika lifted her face, her eyes behind the sunglasses scanning the surroundings: "It's strange. I wonder how they handle nights here."

"We'll find out once we go in." Xiang Ningjing said.

Lin Xian and the others approached. Two large men in powered armor stood at the bar's entrance, blocking their path. One pointed at Xiao Qing in the group.

"Sorry, weapons aren't allowed inside."

Everyone was a psychic, but only Xiao Qing carried a gun-blade, so she was stopped.

Xiao Qing glanced at Xiang Ningjing and said directly: "I'll guard the vehicle."

She turned and walked back to the car.

"Fine." Xiang Ningjing nodded. The two men immediately let them pass.

Inside the Black Rose Bar, the scene suddenly opened up. Unlike the dusty, dilapidated entrance, the interior—once abandoned—had been cleaned and restored. The smell of alcohol mixed with desert sand hit them immediately. Dim yellow lights glowed inside; every booth and the bar counter was filled with patrons. Two men in sunglasses worked as bartenders; several beautiful women served.

But their attire clearly marked them as temporary actors. Everyone inside had a purpose, quietly drinking the bar's limited selection of drinks.

Just as Lin Xian wondered at Hu Lushou's baffling operation, a female server with tattoos approached, her expression clearly saying killing zombies would be easier than this job. She spoke impatiently to them:

"Gentlemen, this way, please."

She led Lin Xian's group deeper inside.

Lin Xian followed the server, scanning the room. He sensed many eyes on them. Then he noticed an unusual gaze—he turned his head and saw a young man, wrapped in a sand-proof mask, sitting alone in a corner, motionless, staring at him. His narrow eyes glinted like lightning, cold and piercing.

Lin Xian paid special attention to the youth. He wore the attire of a desert traveler, with a satchel beside him—nothing else.

He also sensed several hostile glances, but when he looked, they quickly withdrew.

The server led them to a secluded booth and dropped a card on the table, listing three drinks.

Whiskey, Rum, Brandy.

"We're not here to drink." Lin Xian said bluntly. "I'm here to see your boss."

The server scanned the entire bar and replied: "None of them are here to drink."

"Then what's this card for?" Kiki asked.

"If I'm not mistaken," Mo Nika picked up the card calmly, "these three drinks represent three different things—supplies, information, or toll?"

The server glanced at her: "Yes."

Xiang Ningjing looked baffled: "You really collect tolls?"

"Doesn't matter. Pay or not, it's your choice." The server spoke plainly. "If you're strong enough, you don't need to worry."

Qian Dele chuckled, glancing at the group: "So the radio was just scaremongering."

Lin Xian understood. He pointed directly at whiskey.

Pah.

The server dropped a pen, signaling him to write his request.

Lin Xian thought for a moment, then wrote his demand on the card. The server picked it up, frowned, and stared at him with an utterly strange expression: "You're sure?"

"I'm sure."

"Alright… fine."

The server had never seen such a bizarre supply request. Her eyes darted over the group, then walked to the bar to speak briefly before disappearing through a small door.

Soon after, another server brought six chilled whiskeys. Mo Nika picked one up, smiling: "Not bad. Looks authentic."

Kiki took a sip: "Hmm, decent. Looks like this guy got plenty of supplies—even this many kinds of liquor."

Xiang Ningjing looked around: "There are quite a few people here…"

"Everyone here knows something about the sand bandits. Beyond Aksai lies a vast uninhabited wasteland. Even if our train doesn't stop, it'll take at least a full day and night to reach Quancheng. So everyone here is cautious—gathering intel, forming groups. Better than blindly entering the uninhabited wasteland." Qian Dele crossed his arms, speaking calmly.

"A Bai." Lin Xian looked at the silent A Bai: "Dark Mark. Do you sense it?"

A Bai set down his glass and nodded at Lin Xian: "Yes. Many."

Xiang Ningjing said: "Now that we have a way to detect Dark Marks, forming groups isn't easy. Everyone checks if your convoy carries them—otherwise, you're inviting trouble."

Qian Dele nodded: "Without a large convoy's protection, carrying a Dark Mark means you're on your own."

"Not every convoy is worth joining."

Lin Xian glanced at Mo Nika, who was sipping her drink. Everyone else had barely touched theirs—she'd already finished hers.

"Mo Nika, can you keep an eye on a few people for me?"

"Oh~" Mo Nika looked at him with interest. "Go ahead. Let's see if it matches what I guessed."

Lin Xian lowered his voice and told her. Mo Nika's eyes lit up: "Bingo!"

"Lin Dui, what did you notice?" Xiang Ningjing asked.

Lin Xian looked at her and spoke softly:

"Sand bandits."

Xiang Ningjing immediately frowned.

…

In a secret basement of the bar, lights blazed. Thick carpets covered the floor. Piles of supplies lined the corners. An old fan whirred loudly. Hu Lushou, in shorts and a shirt, was solemnly placing Strange Blood Essences into a metal box.

"98, 99, 100…"

"Damn."

Hu Lushou grinned, showing his gold teeth, spat in disgust, then closed the metal box. Despite the hundred Level-One Blood Essences, he looked troubled, not pleased.

And in the basement, several other such metal boxes sat side by side.

Hu Lushou paced anxiously back and forth, occasionally glancing at a special communicator on a low table, its light flashing red without pause.

Clang—the heavy alloy door swung open. This basement had originally been a small nuclear blast shelter; after all, Akses was once a nuclear test town, and many secret atomic weapon testing sites lay scattered somewhere here.

The person who walked in was none other than his deputy, Sun Chang.

Sun Chang's mechanical arms appeared to have undergone systematic upgrades; her entire body had been replaced with red armored components, giving her a significant boost in power.

"Boss."

"Don't bother me—I'm already annoyed," Hu Lushou plopped down onto a messy sofa, his face scowling.

"Someone familiar has come calling," Sun Chang said, walking over with a cold expression and handing Hu Lushou a card via her mechanical arm.

Hu Lushou frowned, puzzled. He glanced at the card, paused, then snatched it up and held it close to his eyes.

"Ordering one thousand Starfire-26 fully automatic tactical rifles? Who the hell—"

The word "idiot" hadn't left his lips when Hu Lushou's gaze sharpened. He looked from the card to Sun Chang.

"Who gave you this?!"

"They're outside—three men, four women. Their Soul-Dissolving values are extremely high. Not at peak levels, but… just these seven could easily flip our bar upside down," Sun Chang said calmly.

Hu Lushou's expression shifted rapidly. He shouted to Sun Chang: "Quick, quick—bring them in!"

Sun Chang glanced at him, said nothing, and turned to leave.

Hu Lushou immediately began pacing frantically around the room. He considered hiding the boxes containing Blood Essence, but then changed his mind. Instead, he straightened his clothes, cleared the messy sofa, pulled a fine bottle of liquor from his private bar, and quickly fetched several glass cups.

Soon, footsteps echoed down the stairs. Hu Lushou turned and saw Sun Chang leading Lin Xian and the others into the basement.

"Whoa, this place is huge!" Kiki said, looking around curiously as she entered.

Hearing the voice, Hu Lushou immediately recognized their identity: "Captain Lin?"

Lin Xian removed his windproof mask, looking at Hu Lushou's shorts and shirt, and couldn't help saying: "Boss Hu, no wonder you're you—your business even reaches the sand bandits' heads."

Ziiii—hss!

The alloy blast door slowly closed. In the spacious basement, Lin Xian, Kiki, Qian Dele, Mo Nika, Xiang Ningjing, and Bai Bai were seated in the reception area. Hu Lushou hurriedly poured wine for them all, beaming: "Captain Lin, oh my, this is wonderful—what brings you here?"

"We were going to ask you the same," Kiki blurted out, slapping the table. "Spill it—what's this about collecting tolls from the sand bandits?"

At once, all eyes turned to Hu Lushou.

Sun Chang stood to the side, still expressionless.

Hu Lushou paused mid-pour, forcing a sheepish smile: "We're all familiar—I won't hide anything from you. Here's the truth…"

He cleared his throat, sat down on a nearby sofa, and said: "This region is overrun with sand bandits. Recently, they formed some kind of alliance—infamous, corrupt, spreading evil everywhere. Countless convoys have been robbed, murdered, raped—nothing's beyond them. So I, upholding justice, stepped forward decisively, vowing to…"

"Tell the truth."

Sun Chang suddenly interrupted coldly, giving her boss not an ounce of face.

Lin Xian smiled at Hu Lushou, glanced at his watch, and said: "Nightfall's coming. Don't waste time. I only want to know the truth about this toll—and if possible, some intel on the bandits' movements."

Hu Lushou's eyes flickered slightly: "It's simple. When I first arrived, I ran into bandits. But I negotiated—I offered to collect tolls for them. Any convoy that pays gets a special signal device. When they reach Quancheng, the bandits along the way will turn a blind eye. That's the gist."

"So you teamed up with the bandits just to save your own skin?" Xiang Ningjing said coldly.

"That's not true!"

Hu Lushou jumped up to protest: "You don't understand—since I made this deal with the Sand Scorpion Alliance, attacks across the Western Desert have dropped by at least seventy percent. Seventy percent, folks! I don't ask for a shrine in the Imperial Temple, but at least show some gratitude!"

Lin Xian chuckled softly, then stood: "I don't know about the Imperial Temple, but the bandits around Akses probably built you a special iron shrine to rest in."

With that, he turned as if to leave.

"Captain Lin, save me!"

Before Lin Xian had even finished speaking, Hu Lushou's smug expression vanished. He dropped to his knees with a thud, face twisted in pleading: "Don't go, don't go—I'll tell you everything, I swear!"

"Whoa, you kneel fast," Kiki said, astonished.

The others were also taken aback.

Only Sun Chang, his deputy, wore a look of weary disdain—as if she'd seen this act far too many times before.

After Lin Xian sat back down, Hu Lushou rose quickly, his expression complex.

"I'm telling the truth, Captain Lin—you might not believe me—but I do this not just for profit or survival, but also to help small convoys find a way forward."

Lin Xian looked at him: "Do you even believe that yourself?"

"Those are sand bandits—do you think they keep their word?" Qian Dele sneered. "Even if they did, five people per Blood Essence—you're just profiting off their suffering."

Hu Lushou sighed: "I know the bandits are unreliable."

"Then why—"

Hu Lushou raised his hand, signaling him to finish.

He pushed aside the cup on the low table, revealing a map of Akses beneath. He pointed to it.

"Because of Star Abyss No. 5, Haiqu is no longer passable. So Akses is the critical transit route to Quancheng. I know five people per Blood Essence is expensive. I know even after paying, the bandits won't truly restrain themselves—only the major gangs here, who get their cut, behave a little better. But the others? I spit on their 'alliance'—a bunch of post-apocalyptic thugs with no morals."

"But the key is—when survivor convoys gather here, whether they pay the toll or just rest, so many vehicles in one place make the bandits hesitate to attack. After all…" He glanced at Lin Xian, then chuckled nervously: "…there are still plenty who've paid."

He immediately grew serious again: "So any convoy here—whether they pay or not—can do one thing."

"What's that?" Kiki asked.

"Form an alliance!" Hu Lushou slammed the table, his face earnest. "The bandits only target small and medium convoys. They dare not touch larger ones. If small convoys unite here, they'll be far safer."

"Oh~" Kiki studied him with interest. "So your real purpose is to provide a platform—pretending to collect tolls, but actually warning passing convoys: there are bandits here, so band together for survival?"

"Exactly!" Hu Lushou clapped his hands, as if moved that his noble intentions had finally been understood.

Lin Xian looked at him: "We've encountered these bandits before. They're kidnapping and robbing, armed with more than just ordinary weapons. There must be a major organization backing them. If so, why would they agree to cooperate with you?"

Hu Lushou smiled: "Bandits aren't stupid. Whether they work with you or someone else, it's always about profit. Kidnapping and robbery mean bloodshed and death. With me, they get benefits without firing a single shot. If I were them, I'd agree too."

"And," Hu Lushou leaned in suddenly, his face serious, "the people behind those big convoys don't even fear the bandits—because the real danger here isn't the bandits."

The people in those big caravans outside don't really fear the sand bandits at all, because the greatest danger here isn't the bandits.

Hu Lushou nodded: "The Western Desert has a major problem—sandstorms. Even during daylight, strange entities appear within them. The most common are sand ants—unstoppable. Even the Interstellar Army has to take cover. Any open terrain risks spawning strange entities; avoiding Dark Markers is nearly impossible. Some who barely escaped the uninhabited wasteland reported seeing a terrifying atmospheric creature that swallowed entire vehicles and people into the sky…"

He spoke with growing intensity, staring at Lin Xian: "And I know one more piece of intel—in the uninhabited wasteland, a Forbidden Object has appeared!"

He spoke louder and louder, seriously addressing Lin Xian: "Moreover, I have a piece of intelligence—a Forbidden Object has appeared in the uninhabited wasteland!"

At this, Lin Xian, Kiki, and the others all exclaimed in shock.

"Yes," Hu Lushou said in a hushed tone. "Because of this, the Federation's Angel Project sent people here. And another secretive organization dedicated to Forbidden Objects—something called Sacred Revelation—has also appeared in Akses. Their movements are elusive!"

"Sacred Revelation? I've heard that name," Mo Nika said, arms crossed. "It split off from the Angel Project—part of the Descent Faction. But it's extremely secretive. I've only heard whispers."

"Divine Revelation? I've heard that name," Mo Nika crossed her arms. "It split off from the Angel Project, part of the Descent Faction, but the organization is secretive—I've only heard of it a few times."

Hu Lushou continued: "That's why I say the bandits aren't the biggest problem. Once night falls, no matter if you have a Dark Marker or not—you absolutely cannot move. Even the most notorious bandits must hide in their underground shelters."

Lin Xian glanced at Xiang Ningjing. Their eyes met. To them, this information was more critical than the bandits.

"It seems the uninhabited wasteland between Aksai and Quancheng is our real challenge," Xiang Ningjing said.

"Boss Hu, what exactly are these sand ants like?" Lin Xian asked.

"Boss Hu, what are the specific traits of this sand ant?" Lin Xian asked Hu Lushou.

"They eat people," Sun Chang suddenly spoke, silent until now. "When sand ants pass, they devour everything like a storm. You must stay inside your vehicle, fully sealed. Once they burrow in, nothing remains—not even bones."

"Yes, yes!" Hu Lushou nodded vigorously. "But that's not the worst. Deep in the uninhabited wasteland, there are strange entities you can't imagine—one hundred and twenty times more terrifying than what we faced at Hengshan Pass!!"

Lin Xian exhaled slowly, looking at Hu Lushou: "Thank you for the information, Boss Hu. Now—what do you want me to do for you?"

Seeing Lin Xian satisfied, Hu Lushou immediately put on a troubled expression: "Every day, I collect many Blood Essences. Every three days, the Sand Scorpion Gang and the Crimson Vulture Clan come to collect their share. If I leave, what happens to these small convoys?"

Lin Xian raised his hand to stop him: "Cut the sentiment. You're trying to save your own life."

Hu Lushou, mid-sob, forced a sheepish smile: "I just need one thing, Captain Lin—I'm trapped now. I only take two percent, but if I leave, the bandits won't let me live. They'll cut the rope and devour my whole crew. So I've contacted a few convoys—I want to…"

Hu Lushou, who had just tried to stir up emotion, chuckled awkwardly: "Nothing else, Lin Captain—I'm stuck now. I only took two-tenths of the cut, but if I leave, the sand bandits won't let me go—they'll definitely slaughter me and wipe out my whole team. So I've contacted a few caravans, hoping to…"

Hu Lushou nodded.

"Oh, unfortunate," Mo Nika said politely. "We've already confirmed your plan has been exposed. At least three bandit scout teams are watching this bar right now. Even if the whole city flees, they won't let you go."

"What did you expect?" Qian Dele glanced around at the room's rare goods and stacks of Blood Essence. "You're a genius—taking on a job this dangerous."

"Who made you so fat?" Qian Dele glanced around the room filled with rare goods and crates of Blood Essence, shaking his head. "You're a real talent—taking on a job like this at the edge of a blade."

Before anyone could react, Hu Lushou dropped to his knees again. Even Sun Chang looked away, closing her eyes and saying:

"Captain Lin's team wants information on the bandits."

Hu Lushou's tears cut off mid-sob. He looked up at Lin Xian: "Captain… Captain Lin, these bandit groups together number at least five or six hundred. They're heavily armed—you can't possibly defeat them."

Knowing Lin Xian as he did, Hu Lushou knew: one Infinite-class vehicle, even with heavy artillery and elite cultivators, was only thirty people total—how could they fight these bandits?

Knowing Lin Xian as he did, Hu Lushou wondered how a single Wuxian Hao—with its heavy artillery and powerhouse cultivators—could possibly match up against those sand bandits, when the entire crew numbered no more than thirty.

Lin Xian said seriously, "given your caution, you must have gathered intel on the bandit bases that come to collect tolls, right?"

"You… what are you planning? You're not afraid they'll unite—" Hu Lushou said, bewildered.

Lin Xian shook his head, looking at Hu Lushou with grave seriousness:

"I'm afraid they'll run."

(End of Chapter)

(End of chapter)