Chapter 51: Purpose

The sky just began to lighten faintly.

The morning wind over the wasteland always carries a biting chill, sweeping over every young, resolute face on Xuanwu City's battlements.

Han Ya stood at the front of the team; behind her were the twenty elite members who had passed Lin Yue's assessment, fully armed and assembled, awaiting orders.

They wore uniform tactical vests, Kevlar helmets, gripped gleaming 95-type automatic rifles, and had grenades and first-aid packs hanging from their waists.

Such gear, even among wanderers, let alone compared to the regular forces of some large settlements, is second to none.

And this is the result of Lin Yue's all-night friendly negotiation with Zhang Zhen'guo yesterday.

The reason is simple: our Xuanwu City sent people to help you clear the beast dens; you can't possibly let my people fight monsters with fire sticks, can you?

Zhang Zhen'guo remained silent on the other end of the phone for a full minute, finally agreeing almost through gritted teeth.

Even if he had cursed Lin Yue a hundred times in his heart as a shameless opportunist profiting from the chaos, he could only hold his nose and accept.

Thus, overnight they mobilized enough equipment to arm a standard platoon and sent it over.

"One last check, inspect weapons and ammunition!"

Han Ya's cold, clear voice rang out especially sharply in the quiet morning.

She held her ever-present military sword in a reverse grip, her gaze sweeping over the team members she herself had selected.

These people, just a few days ago, could only struggle to survive in the ruins.

Yet now they wear gear that rivals even the regular forces; this transformation fills Han Ya with a surge of excitement while also weighing on her with a heavy responsibility.

She lifted her gaze to the watchtower on the nearby two-story building.

At that moment, Lin Yue and Wang Gongtou stood there, leaning on the railing and looking into the distance.

"Lin kid, you… you really are that at ease?"

Wang Gongtou was wrapped in a thick old coat, holding a cup of steaming tea, his face full of worry.

"These are twenty lives! Yes, they passed your test and were equipped by the Shelter, but they've only handled guns for a few days—sending them to take on a granary monster… isn't that just sending them to die?"

"Old Wang, you can't grow towering trees in a greenhouse."

Lin Yue took a sip of hot tea, his tone calm, his eyes fixed on the fledgling unit below, deep and profound.

"For Xuanwu City to stand firm, we cannot rely solely on the Black Tortoise. We must have our own arms. Blood and fire are the best whetstones; they must pass this trial."

Just then, on the distant horizon, two piercing headlights cut through the dawn as two heavily modified military off-road vehicles sped toward Xuanwu City, one after the other.

"They're here."

Lin Yue said lightly.

Moments later, the two off-road vehicles came to a steady stop about a hundred meters from the Black Tortoise.

The doors opened, and more than a dozen agile figures in black exoskeletal armor filed out, their movements uniform, exuding a suffocating aura of lethal intent.

Leading them was the captain of the Night Blade Special Warfare Team, Gui Ying.

Behind him was the captain of the Black Feather Squad, Wu Ya.

Lin Yue stood on the wall, the corner of his mouth curling into a playful arc.

He indeed hadn't expected that Zhang Zhen'guo would not, over the Li Wei incident, take out his anger on the Black Feather Squad.

But upon reflection, it actually makes sense.

After all, the Black Feather Squad is the Shelter's strongest special warfare team aside from the Night Blade, each member a Soldier King forged with countless resources.

Because of one Li Wei, they would have utterly destroyed this top-tier combat force—a loss the Shelter could ill afford.

Moreover, the Black Feather Squad originally answered to Li Wei; their being able to come now shows that Zhang Zhen'guo has completely brought them under his control.

That old fox, his calculations are sharper than anyone's.

This time, whether Night Blade or Black Feather, nominally they are here to "cooperate" with Lin Yue's operation, while also bringing detailed intel on the large granary west of the city.

"Mr. Lin."

Gui Ying stepped forward alone, head tilted up to look at Lin Yue on the wall.

He raised a sealed dossier high and spoke in a low voice:

"This is what you requested—full intelligence on the western granary."

An invisible earth-stone staircase extended down from the wall; Lin Yue descended unhurriedly and took the dossier.

He casually tore it open and quickly skimmed through.

The western granary, a seven-story reinforced concrete building, has long been overrun by a mutant creature called the Iron-toothed Giant Rat, vast in number, led by a far larger Rat King.

As the Shelter's intelligence said, compared to the labyrinthine underground of the rotting corpse spider nest, the granary's internal structure is relatively simple and clear at a glance.

It is indeed an excellent training ground.

Lin Yue closed the dossier and handed it to Han Ya beside him.

"Take a look—this will be your first proving ground."

Han Ya took the dossier, her fingers whitening slightly from the force.

She could feel Lin Yue's trust in her and her squad.

Gui Ying watched this scene, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes.

He had thought Lin Yue would, as before, directly command the Black Tortoise to level the granary with overwhelming force.

But he hadn't expected Lin Yue to instead… send his men, who've only just handled guns for a few days, these "new recruits," to take the lead?

What on earth is he planning?

Gui Ying suddenly realized he was finding it increasingly hard to read this young man before him.

"This time I won't let the Black Tortoise act."

Lin Yue ignored his surprise and spoke calmly.

"Mr. Lin, what do you mean by this?"

Gui Ying's face instantly darkened; he stepped forward, his tone carrying a hint of incredulous questioning.

According to the intel, the iron-toothed giant rats are huge in number; without Black Tortoise's absolute suppressive force, just us forty-plus charging in is no different from sending ourselves to death—I won't joke with my brothers' lives.

Even the perpetually silent Wu Ya behind him furrowed his brow, his dark gaze locked on Lin Yue as if trying to see through him.

Don't misunderstand, Captain Gui Ying.

Seeing everyone's misunderstanding, Lin Yue hurriedly explained:

When I said it wouldn't act, I meant it wouldn't just steamroll through like last time against the rotting corpse spider nest.

This operation, my primary goal isn't to sweep the grain depot but to drill the troops. I want to see how far my soldiers can go when facing these mutant beasts. So I'll have to trouble Captain Gui Ying to give them plenty of guidance.

Of course, if you encounter a lethal threat, Black Tortoise will intervene!

I understand, Mr. Lin.

Upon learning that Black Tortoise would act at the critical moment, Gui Ying relaxed,

"We will… give them proper 'guidance'."

He emphasized the word 'guidance' heavily, its implication obvious.

Lin Yue nodded satisfied, turned to face his unit.

Han Ya.

Present!

Take your people and study well with the two captains. I have only one request.

Lin Yue's gaze fell on her and the face of each member behind her,

Come back alive.

Yes!

PS: New book, please urge updates and collect!