Chapter 1857 - 996: Fear

The place is somewhat cramped, but compared to being surrounded by zombies in a building during a storm, they still feel it’s pretty good now.

Besides, there’s absolute safety here.

They’re looking forward to tomorrow. Once tomorrow arrives, they can go to the construction site in the Fourth Outer City to work, and by then they can do missions to earn food.

Just thinking about it makes them a bit excited.

......

Inner City.

"Dapao, tomorrow you and Tiezi will take a trip to Oil City." Li Yu found Dapao and said.

"Huh? Why? In this hot weather?" Dapao asked.

Li Tie also asked, "Brother, is something happening over there?"

Li Yu then told them about today’s events over in Oil City.

Dapao puzzled asked, "Why do you want me to go over there? Aren’t they already handling it?"

Li Yu sighed and said, "I trust you more."

"Why?" Dapao asked.

"You’re somewhat twisted."

"......"

Li Yu continued, "Tomorrow, Xiao Jun will also go with you. Besides you, I’ll send some others to protect you."

"Aside from interrogation tasks, is there anything else?" Li Tie asked, puzzled.

Li Yu said, "Are you interested in going to see Mr. Hu from Southern Paradise?"

Silence.

Ten seconds later.

Li Tie said, "Alright, I’ll go with Xiao Jun to have a look."

Dapao nodded, "Together, together."

Li Yu thought about whether there would be any danger in them going over.

But after thinking for a while, he felt it should be relatively safe.

On one hand, there’s military deterrence.

On the other hand, after collaborating several times, there’s a foundation of trust.

Thirdly, Li Yu’s understanding of Southern Paradise from his previous life.

Upon hearing that the two of them had no issues, he said, "Alright, rest early today, pack tomorrow, and set out at one in the afternoon."

"Okay."

"Okay."

......

Meanwhile.

Oil City.

In the small room on the far west, the lights were bright.

Dong Tai looked at the boy who refused to speak, feeling a bit frustrated.

He threw down the whip in his hand.

Looking at this boy’s stubborn eyes and thin body, with ribs protruding.

This is from starvation.

He felt inexplicably uncomfortable.

He knew the boy was merely a pawn, perhaps with unspeakable difficulties.

But from different sides, he had to consider the people of Oil City.

Moreover, he had promised Ju Tianrui to complete the task.

"You damn well, are you going to speak or not?" Dong Tai suddenly grabbed his gun, pressing it against the boy’s head.

Xiao Yuan’s breath stopped for an instant, almost unable to hold back from speaking.

Yet inexplicably, he remembered the warning from the exploration team Meng Ge and the others before coming here.

If he betrayed and spoke, they would report to Diao Ye, and eventually his sister would also suffer.

For his sister, he absolutely couldn’t speak.

So he shut his eyes.

Seeing him like this, Dong Tai, furious and frustrated, said:

"If you don’t talk, I’ll blow your brains out!"

Just then, Zuo Ruxue walked in.

She stopped Dong Tai.

And pushed Dong Tai out.

Then she came over with food and a towel.

She wiped Xiao Yuan’s wounds and gently said:

"I used to have a younger brother like you....."

Zuo Ruxue treated him like her own brother, gently cleaning his wounds.

Feeding him water and food, even started sharing her life’s story with him.

Xiao Yuan looked at Zuo Ruxue, recalling his own sister.

Inexplicably, he felt a good impression of this older sister.

Adding Zuo Ruxue’s gentle care of his wounds and feeding him, he said, "Thank you."

Zuo Ruxue was moved and asked:

"Alas, honestly, I feel for you. Coming alone, you must be forced, holding on like this surely means you’re scared of something, perhaps it’s for the one most important to your heart....."

When Zuo Ruxue said she felt for him, Xiao Yuan wept.

Tears streamed down from the corners of his eyes.

Leaving the Northern Territory Federation, he had vowed to become strong.

But now, he found he wasn’t strong at all.

The various plans he had devised before, as an undercover spy.

But who’d have thought he was brought in as a captive!

Before he could do anything, people here had already deemed him a spy.

He felt utterly speechless.

This was like delivering himself on a platter.

Even under Dong Tai’s forced interrogations, he remained silent.

But under Zuo Ruxue’s gentle approach, the tightly wound string seemed to unfurl.

"Sister, you’re a good person, but I really can’t say; otherwise, my family will be doomed!" Xiao Yuan told Zuo Ruxue, feeling guilty.

Zuo Ruxue felt a jolt in her heart, there it was!

Indeed!

With these words, it’s clear this young boy was sent by someone to infiltrate.

Zuo Ruxue seriously said, "I know, I know, I only hope you don’t overthink it. If you trust me.

If you just tell me, I can assure you; we’ll protect you and your family’s safety."

Xiao Yuan shook his head painfully and said:

"No, though you’re strong, you don’t know how strong they are; even if I say it, you can’t handle them."

This insight was crucial.

Zuo Ruxue’s heart skipped a few beats, but she remained calm.

She continued, seemingly unintentionally: "How powerful are they, really?"

Xiao Yuan had heard that the one behind this mission was the second young master, Sima Xi.

How powerful was Sima Xi’s force?

"They, their people....." Xiao Yuan trailed off, suddenly stopping.

He shut his mouth!

He realized he was tricked into speaking.

He looked at Zuo Ruxue, his gaze turning cold.

So everything she had done for him was to extract information from him!

Heh!

Women!

Indeed the prettier the woman, the more deceptive she is.

From now on, I’ll never trust any woman!

Zuo Ruxue saw him suddenly turn cold towards her.

She knew in her heart that the boy had begun to guard himself against her.

So she comforted him a bit more, but the boy continued to watch her coldly.

Helplessly, she left the small room.

Outside.

Dong Tai rubbed his hands together, eagerly approaching to ask:

"How is it? Did he speak?"

Zuo Ruxue frowned and replied:

"We can confirm two things:

1. The boy’s story about fleeing here is false; someone behind him sent him as a spy, and he was forced, threatened.

His family might be in those people’s hands, so the boy is afraid to talk.

2. The power that sent him over is very powerful.

The boy’s exact words were, ’You’re strong, but they’re stronger!’

Dong Tai, hearing this, furrowed his brow.

He said, "I need to report these findings to the Camp Commander immediately!"

Zuo Ruxue’s expression was also somewhat grim, she nodded, "I’ll go with you."

Indeed.

The boy said the force that sent him is quite strong.

Being targeted by such a power, with us in the dark, not knowing the enemy.

Their intentions, their numbers, their capabilities, all unknown.

Such a feeling is nerve-wracking.

Fear!