Chapter 183: Final Preparations

Lin Chen had just finished replying to Xia Nuan's message when he heard a commotion outside headquarters.

He walked quickly out of the dormitory and saw several Starfire Mercenary Group members arguing with Iron Hand Group people,

both sides with swords drawn and bows bent, holding weapons in their hands. "What's going on?" Lin Chen stepped forward quickly and asked, separating the crowd.

The Starfire members were furious: "They detained our vehicle transporting supplies for no reason!

Saying our vehicle approached their patrol route and was suspected of spying!"

The Iron Hand Group people were not to be outdone: "Your vehicle clearly crossed the line. According to the previous agreement, both sides must maintain a distance of 500 meters in their spheres of influence.

You are deliberately provoking!"

Lin Chen frowned and took out the map he had drawn earlier: "According to the route map,

our transport route is within the safe range and did not cross the line.

It's possible your patrol personnel remembered the location wrong, there's no need to make it so stiff." The Iron Hand Group's minor leader didn't believe it and pushed the map away: "Don't try to fool us with this crappy map! Today, either you leave half of the supplies, or this matter isn't over!"

Quite a few people quickly gathered around, including Starfire members, Iron Hand Group people,

and passing survivors, all watching both sides nervously,

and the atmosphere in the safe zone instantly became solemn. "Don't go too far!"

Li Wei rushed over, holding a machine gun, "We have already agreed to a truce to deal with the Shadow Group together.

You are coming to cause trouble again now, do you want to go back on your word?"

The Iron Hand Group minor leader's face flushed, but he still refused to back down: "It's not us causing trouble,

it's you who crossed the line first! You must give us an explanation today!" Just then,

a gunshot rang out in the distance, and everyone subconsciously crouched down, looking around vigilantly. "What's going on? Where did the gunshot come from?" someone shouted nervously.

Lin Chen immediately took out the communicator and contacted the members responsible for perimeter security: "What happened on the perimeter?

Is it the Shadow Group people?" A hurried voice came from the communicator: "It's not the Shadow Group, it's a group of unidentified people,

attacking our supply point. They have rocket launchers, and we can't hold them off much longer!"

Everyone's expression changed, and Li Wei shouted: "Stop arguing first! Let's go support the supply point together!

If the supplies are robbed, none of us will have a good life!" The Iron Hand Group minor leader hesitated for a moment,

and finally waved his hand: "Go! Let's go support first!" Both sides temporarily put aside their dispute and ran toward the supply point together.

When they arrived at the supply point, the scene was chaotic, several transport vehicles had been blown up,

flames were soaring into the sky, several guards were lying on the ground, and the unidentified people were still attacking continuously.

"Fire!" Lin Chen shouted, rushing up first, his ice blade slashing at an enemy. Li Wei and the Iron Hand Group people also opened fire one after another, and the two sides joined forces to quickly suppress the enemy's attack.

Seeing that the situation was not good, the unidentified people retreated one after another, leaving behind several corpses and the blown-up vehicles.

Lin Chen squatted down to check the enemy's corpses—they were wearing ordinary clothes,

but the weapons in their hands were models commonly used by the Shadow Group. "It's the Shadow Group people! They deliberately provoked the conflict between us and the Iron Hand Group, then took the opportunity to attack the supply point!" Lin Chen said.

The Iron Hand Group minor leader's face was ugly, and he walked to Lin Chen, saying somewhat awkwardly: "It was our misunderstanding just now, we shouldn't have argued with you without distinguishing right from wrong."

Li Wei waved his hand: "Now is not the time to talk about this. The Shadow Group is so cunning,

they will definitely have a next step. We must strengthen our guard and not let them take advantage again."

Everyone nodded and began to clean up the ruins of the supply point and treat the injured guards.

Passing survivors saw this scene and also stepped forward to help one after another, some handing over water,

some helping to move supplies. Lin Chen looked at the busy crowd, knowing in his heart—although there were still gaps between the two major forces, in the face of a common enemy, everyone could still unite.

Returning to headquarters, Commander Zhang and the Iron Hand Group leader held an emergency meeting,

deciding to temporarily put aside all conflicts and deal with the Shadow Group with all their might, and also formulated a stricter patrol system, with both sides taking turns to be responsible for the perimeter security of the safe zone to avoid further misunderstandings. After the meeting ended, Lin Chen walked out of headquarters and saw that on the streets of the safe zone, although the Starfire and Iron Hand Group members were not communicating, there was less hostility in their eyes, and more vigilance and tacit understanding.

Xia Nuan sent a message saying that the survivors in the safe zone were all discussing today's events, everyone was worried about being attacked again, and quite a few people had already started packing their things, ready to transfer at any time. Lin Chen replied to her: "Don't worry, we have reached an agreement with the Iron Hand Group and will strengthen our guard, so we won't let anything happen to everyone." He stood at the entrance of headquarters, looking at the pitch-black night sky in the distance, knowing clearly—the storm hadn't passed yet, and the days ahead would only be more difficult. ===== CHAPTER 184 =====

Xia Nuan sent a message saying that the survivors in the safe zone were all discussing today's events; everyone was very worried about being attacked again, and many people had already started packing their things, preparing to relocate at any time. Lin Chen replied to her: "Rest assured, we have already reached an agreement with the Iron Hand Group; we will strengthen security and will not let anything happen to everyone." He stood at the entrance of the headquarters, looking at the pitch-black night sky in the distance, knowing clearly in his heart—the storm had not yet passed, and the days ahead would only be more difficult.