Chapter 426: Chairman Li, Why Are You Late?

"Hehe, everyone says the boss of Tianqi Team is a coward, and his underlings are even more cowardly. Cowards love these grand-sounding names, thinking they can scare others just by having them—so ridiculous!"

Wu Baokang naturally knew the skinny tall man's situation and mocked him without mercy.

Wu Daqiang and the others sighed and closed their eyes; using a grand title was fine, but at least it should have some connection, right?

"You don't need to spout so much nonsense. No matter what, Tianqi Team would never do something as despicable as Liao Youzhi—betraying everyone!"

Fan Dahai was utterly dismissive.

"If you're not betraying anyone, then you're helping Tianma Yu? What a joke…"

"That's sophistry!"

Fan Dahai was cornered; his already pale face flushed red with anger.

"Enough with the chatter! All of you—every last one—will be needed when the time comes. Just follow orders and cooperate. Anyone who dares to act out, I've got over a dozen ways to make you wish you were dead!"

Ten thousand ways sounded exaggerated; over a dozen sounded real. The noisy crowd instantly fell silent.

Zhang Su had no intention of letting Tianqi Team actually fight; much of what he'd heard came only from Wu Baokang's side, and the truth still needed verification.

As he spoke, he studied Fan Dahai closely, then suddenly addressed the group: "Look at this guy—he slouches a little, and if he wore more layers, wouldn't his build be about the same as mine?"

"Huh? Uh…?" Zhao De zhu rubbed his chin, looked, then nodded: "Height's about the same. With a down jacket and thick cotton pants, he'd look burly. What's up, big brother? You really gonna dress him up as a Knight of Light?"

Zhang Su smirked. "Get him a coat and pants just like mine, and pile on extra layers!"

"Hey, big brother, you want him to play you?" Zhao De zhu asked curiously.

Zhang Su rubbed his forehead, exasperated: "Why would he play me? I'm the one playing him!"

Some didn't understand what Zhang Su was up to; others, quicker-witted, suddenly looked enlightened.

In no time, Fan Dahai was redressed. Zhang Su didn't explain what he planned, so Fan Dahai did his best to cooperate.

"Boss Zhang, what do we do now? Just charge straight in?"

Lu Yu bo couldn't sit still anymore; being manipulated time and again was infuriating.

"Of course not!"

Zhang Su checked the time: forty minutes had passed since Liao Youzhi notified Li Zongkai to assemble. If those Jijia reacted quickly, they'd just finished gathering; if they were slow, they'd still be waiting.

He pointed to the parking lot. "We head to Beidong Town first. Lao Hu, you stay behind. Everything at Weixing Village and the reserve force stays unchanged."

"Big Brother Zhang, the reserve force isn't top-tier, but they've got some skill—they won't flinch in a crunch. The enemy's numerous. Shouldn't we call them all?"

Deputy Commander Pan Guoliang asked.

Zhang Su shook his head: "Fighting people is different from fighting zombies. The Yanluo Army doesn't use its own as cannon fodder. Let's go!"

Everyone rose and moved in unison, faces grim yet resolute.

This was the classic case of the tree wanting stillness but the wind refusing. Tianma Yu had been developing peacefully on the outskirts, never clashed with anyone—yet was harassed again and again. Even if this time some blame lay with them, even without luring zombies, they'd already been targeted in the enemy's calculations.

This situation was more dire than any before. The outcome would decide Tianma Yu's future—and reshape the entire power structure of Qincheng!

All members of the Yanluo Army boarded their vehicles; leading the way was the Jiujiu Heavy Tank!

Zhang Su and Pan Guoliang drove the steel beast together. Since conflict was unavoidable and the enemy was unprecedentedly powerful, they had to spare no effort. Not only was the tank deployed, but Lingling 03 was also in the formation. Wu Lue carried the drone storage case, its payload of explosives ready. Even Koji Hao Yun had a specific mission. Not all might be used—but every arrangement had to be in place.

Ten hostages were crammed into the cargo box of a van. Hearing the tank's rumble, they were paralyzed. This was no bluff—they feared their own camp might be flattened by tanks, and dread filled their hearts.

The convoy moved slowly, the armored behemoth trailing behind as it rolled out of the camp, its thunder echoing across Tianma Yu.

The stars in the sky had not yet faded; under the night, headlights lit the road ahead. No passionate send-off—those left behind stood at the Shanmen gate, watching the group depart, their hearts heavy.

"Uncle Ma, I'm so nervous. They'll be fine, right?"

Yi Xiao ling clenched her gloved fists, staring at the light reflected from the vehicles climbing the hillside. She'd only been at Tianma Yu for a little over twenty days, but the harmonious life and daily companionship had made her love this place—and the people here.

Ma Changshou frowned, sighing inwardly at how hard it was to just live quietly. Outwardly, he reassured Yi Xiao ling: "Don't worry. Boss Zhang is a deep strategist. This little scene won't faze him!"

A little scene?

Not at all…

Ma Changshou knew clearly: a war between the northern Qincheng forces and the largest power in Qingxian would directly reshape Qincheng's balance of power. How could this be a little scene? Since the day he led villagers from several hamlets to defend Xidaying Village, he'd known this day would come—Qincheng's factions would inevitably collide, slowly merge, and everyone, willing or not, would be drawn together. He'd hoped to be among those who walked to the end.

"We must have faith in Boss Zhang. Everyone, eat first, then return to your posts. First, do your own jobs!"

Zhong Xiaoshan stayed behind at camp; with Zhang Su and Yu Wen both gone, she took full responsibility for organizing everyone.

"That's right. Mr. Zhang and the others will return victorious. Come on, Dr. Xie, let's get to work on what we can."

"Let's go!"

Xie Yan shan said nothing more. Duan Wu hu followed the group out. He naturally pushed Fu Wei jun's wheelchair toward Cui Leng xuan—the two still had many research projects awaiting them.

The convoy had just descended the hill, not yet traveled three hundred meters, when Zhang Su heard Pan Guoliang shout. He slammed the brakes, pushed open the tank's hatch, and peered forward—a figure dashed from the field path onto the road. It was none other than Guo Dachao, exiled to Village #2 as a laborer and spy.

"Boss Zhang, you didn't even tell me about such a big operation!"

Guo Dachao was neatly dressed, rifle slung over his shoulder, face full of resentment and blame. If he hadn't kept his radio always on, he'd never known Tianma Yu had launched such a major move.

"Who told you to eavesdrop with your radio?"

Zhang Su feigned anger, waved his hand, then added: "Your wife's on guard duty and didn't come. Go find a vehicle with space in the back. Hurry!"

"Got it!"

Guo Dachao beamed and ran toward the rear of the convoy. As he passed the tank, he excitedly punched the track.

At the same moment Tianma Yu's Yanluo Army set out, over thirty vehicles gathered outside the Le Gou Mall in northern Qincheng. Crowds surged; in the darkness, countless cigarette ends glowed red, wisps of white smoke drifting above many heads. No murmuring—everyone was silent.

"Chairman Li, you're always punctual. Why are you late today? Back in the day, you'd have gotten chewed out by your superiors!"

On the first floor of Le Gou Mall, Liu Yao smoked a cigarette, wearing a camouflage cotton coat he'd somehow acquired, and even mimicked Rambo by looping two belts of ammo over his shoulder. They weren't real, but at a glance, he looked both imposing and hilariously crude.

"Sorry, really sorry, everyone. The notice came too suddenly. I'm getting old—felt a bit off this morning, delayed a bit."

Li Zongkai had prepared his excuse.

"Is Chairman Li here?"

A voice came from the emergency stairwell. Liao Youzhi and Gong Chengming arrived with over twenty fully armed fighters, entering the first-floor lobby.

(End of Chapter)