Chapter 227: Infiltration!
“Are you Miss Zhang’s people?”
Qi Zhenbang asked.
“Miss Zhang?”
Su Huan was stunned for a moment, his eyes widening slightly.
“Looks like not. Though I don’t know who you are, Iron Mountain Shelter doesn’t refuse survivors, provided you don’t think about causing trouble here!”
Qi Zhenbang warned, then began opening the isolation door.
But there were many mechanisms on the door, and after a clanging half-day, it still wasn’t fully open.
The other party’s frankness surprised even Su Huan.
“Iron Mountain… wasn’t it called some park? And aren’t you afraid I’m a bad guy?”
Qi Zhenbang paused his actions, “Looks like you know about our shelter?”
“Yeah, we ran into a group earlier, led by someone called Brother Lei.”
“Chen Lei, where are they?” Qi Zhenbang’s complexion turned serious.
“Eh, the reason is complicated, can only say bad luck, eaten by fish. And it was precisely because of Brother Lei and the others that we thought of coming to Iron Mountain Shelter for shelter. Only here is there trust between people…”
Su Huan said with a pained expression, his voice still carrying lingering fear.
Two kilometers away on the armored train, Old San, who had been watching the train conductor’s movements, thoughtfully touched his chin.
He subconsciously turned to look at the five people squatting by the wall.
The group led by the thin man also lifted their heads at that moment.
The two sides’ gazes collided.
The atmosphere fell into a subtle stalemate.
Old San’s mouth corners couldn’t help but curl up, revealing pink gums, “Since you’re all looking at me…”
“Bang bang bang…”
Five consecutive gunshots stunned the nearby combat group members.
“Boss, if the train conductor comes back… how do we explain?”
Old San put the gun back in the gun holster, calmly took out a cigarette and lit it, slowly educating, “Didn’t the train conductor just say? Feed the fish. No initiative at all, and you still want to rise up? Use your brain more!”
The few exchanged glances, all seeing the confusion in each other’s eyes.
Is that what the train conductor meant?
……
“Creak…”
The metal fence door emitted a harsh sound.
Su Huan finally saw the situation behind the door: a dozen men holding guns, glaring at them menacingly.
But the fierce gazes quickly turned to amazement and greed.
Whether Shu Wei or Yu Yue, their appearances weren’t one in ten thousand, but they were beauties rarely seen in life.
Unlike those on the network with full beauty filters, these were the real deal.
Moreover, both were around thirty, at the age where a woman’s charm and allure were at their peak, plus evolver body recovery, their lethality instantly crushed the disheveled women in the shelter.
Qi Zhenbang carefully discerned the auras on the few people.
Among them, the strongest were the three men in the back: two fully armed, with cold expressions, like they had military training.
The other had a scholarly look, wearing glasses, more like a scholar.
Instead, the one man and two women in front, though elegantly dressed and outstanding in appearance, were ordinary people.
What a strange combination, like a young master with two beauties and bodyguard butler.
It was just a bit strange, strength average at best. Even without big brother making a move, he and the gate-guarding brothers could wipe them out.
Without strength, no identity or background matters.
Qi Zhenbang’s cold gaze fixed on White Deer and Giraffe in the back, “You can enter Iron Mountain Shelter, but no guns.”
White Deer and Giraffe didn’t answer, instead casting their gazes toward the train conductor in front.
What they carried wasn’t just their own weapons, but also Yu Yue’s sniper rifle, and Shu Wei’s various firearms and ammunition.
But to avoid attention, it wasn’t the City Breaker, but a tuned Black Lion.
Su Huan spread his hands helplessly, “Why look at me? Listen to this big brother. He won’t harm us, right? Hurry and pack up the stuff so we can get in and rest. Drifting on water so long, I’m exhausted.”
Su Huan’s acting was very natural. Giraffe and the other had training in this area, so they naturally played along. Though finding it amusing inwardly, they quickly disassembled the equipment.
Shu Wei even thought Su Huan had been swapped for a moment, but luckily she kept a cold face, not giving herself away.
Yu Yue was already used to it, just lowering her eyes, trying to restrain her emotions.
But this scene in Qi Zhenbang and others’ eyes only confirmed Su Huan’s young master identity, adding a bit of contempt in their hearts.
Someone’s gaze flickered already, thinking how to scrape some meat off these fat sheep.
After handing over the firearms, under Qi Zhenbang and others’ escort, they went up three more floors, passed three iron doors, before seeing the corridor packed full of people.
“Uncle Zhenbang, new people again?”
A slightly crisp male voice immediately drew everyone’s attention in the corridor.
All looked toward Su Huan and the others.
But their gazes couldn’t be pulled back.
Men looked at the two differently styled beauties beside Su Huan, women stared at Su Huan walking in the middle.
The man fixing the table, the woman washing clothes, the row of children in the corridor corner, all sizing them up.
Su Huan inwardly sighed.
No matter the time, looks were always the most direct resource.
In his previous life, he had gotten some small opportunities because of this face, but his strength was too poor to seize them.
Of course, those gazes weren’t all friendly. With his experience, he couldn’t even tell how much malice was mixed in them.
The reason they didn’t pounce was probably scruple toward Qi Zhenbang beside him.
It seemed the Qi Family’s control was much stronger than imagined.
Su Huan finally had a chance to closely observe this third son of the Qi Family walking ahead.
Sturdy and powerful build, broad shoulders and back, square-faced type, matching the information from the thin man.
From the pupil change when activating ability at the door, probably a perception-type “collector”.
As for strength…
Su Huan subconsciously extended a bit of “general energy perception” toward the person ahead.
Qi Zhenbang suddenly halted, abruptly turning his head.
What he saw was Su Huan’s startled face, the uncontrolled muscles quickly returning to normal—no faking that.
“What’s wrong?” Su Huan asked.
Qi Zhenbang suspiciously scanned the few people’s faces, then looked up at the corridor ceiling and residents on both sides.
He brushed it off, “Nothing. Normally, new shelter entrants are isolated to avoid carrying zombie virus, but I saw you’re all pretty clean, so skipping that. You’ll stay in this room for now. Stuff is basic; buy what’s missing at the food misc store. No room fee first day, rent every day after.”
Su Huan followed his stopping spot to look inside: the stairwell’s original wall chiseled through, exposed red bricks on both sides.
Several steel beams extended underfoot, topped with a layer of tin wooden board, stretching to another building dozens of meters away.
The tin house clanged under the outside storm, like drilling into a playing drum set.
Many people lived directly on this narrow corridor.
Su Huan looked at the rainwater seeping in from outside on the corridor, his mouth twitching, “Hiss… no better room?”
This wasn’t acted disgust; he really was disgusted.
Though he wouldn’t really stay in Iron Mountain Shelter, he didn’t want to make things hard for himself.
Qi Zhenbang had long guessed the result. Seeing this young master’s stiff complexion, his contempt grew.
At this time, still can’t let go of pretensions, spending money on the blade—see what you do then.
But after all in his forties, his face remained normal, “Of course, but extra charge.”
Su Huan nodded quickly, “No problem with extra, but what’s the shelter’s ‘money’?”
“Most common is food, naturally.”
“But we fled in a hurry, didn’t bring much food in the chaos…”
Su Huan said helplessly.
A flash of disappointment in Qi Zhenbang’s eyes, he listed, “Other supplies too: bullets, firearms, monster drop materials, crystals from collection. If not, do shelter tasks, can exchange for money…”
Overall similar to the armored train, but Iron Mountain Shelter lacked cognition of apocalypse and evolvers.
No info acquisition, only barter.
Su Huan mentally calculated, then sincerely said, “Then exchange with the ammunition we left with you. Anyway, safe in the shelter, we won’t need it.”
‘What a real young master…’
Qi Zhenbang inwardly sighed speechless.
Thought he could pry some other high-value supplies, but this works too—ammo value high.
He wouldn’t fake prices anyway; once in Iron Mountain Shelter, these supplies would be spent here sooner or later.
Leading Su Huan and others up a few more floors to the eighteenth, found a somewhat proper room: master bedroom split from a house, with window, but outside the window already pitch black.
Two secondary bedrooms, kitchen, living room total housed four households.
Crowding refreshed Su Huan’s cognition again.
“The rear carriages are like this.”
Door closed, Yu Yue muttered lowly.
Su Huan sat on the bay window, looking at the faint light coming in from outside, his cold profile highlighted, most expression hidden in shadow.
From this moment, back to the ruthless train conductor.
“About Iron Mountain Shelter, any thoughts?”
Hu Shuo and Shu Wei exchanged glances; the former gestured for the other to go first.
But Shu Wei was dazed looking at Su Huan’s profile.
Missed Hu Shuo’s gesture.
Hu Shuo could only say, “From the captive’s confession and Qi Zhenbang’s performance, Iron Mountain Shelter has order and willingness for external exchange. I suggest seeking the actual manager of the shelter, Qi Tieshan, for talks, have them cooperate in finding equipment.”
“Mm, anything else?”
“I saw some wearing Information Industry Park uniforms; perhaps they can not only help find equipment but assist in the ‘Floating Giant Wood’ plan.”
“Knock knock, knock—”
Sudden knock interrupted the room’s talk.
Yu Yue said softly, “A sixteen-year-old boy.”
Su Huan stood, “Two shorts one long, my favorite polite child.”
Walked over and opened the door. Outside the door a candle lit, stood a youth in beige half-sleeve, freshly buzzed head, clothes with some sweat stains but overall not as ragged as apocalypse adults.
Before Su Huan could ask, the youth hurriedly said, “I’m Xiao Dong, live next door. My family are old shelter residents. Shelter’s complicated; if you need a guide, tell me.”
“nonono…”
Su Huan wagged a finger.
Xiao Dong looked disappointed, “Got it.”
“You should say, you need a guide, no choice but me.” Su Huan smiled.
“Ah?”
Xiao Dong’s mouth gaped, somewhat nervously.
“Isn’t that exaggerating? I’m not that great…”
“Do you know where to find fun?” Su Huan patted his shoulder and asked.
Xiao Dong saw the novel gleam in his eyes, thoughtfully nodded.
“That’s enough. I’ll go out for a turn; arrange yourselves…”
Su Huan raised his hand shaking the bracelet above, then went out with Xiao Dong; Giraffe behind hurried to follow.
Leaving four in the room.
Hu Shuo looked at Yu Yue, with a requesting tone, “Then I’ll go check Iron Mountain Shelter’s situation.”
“Go ahead.”
Yu Yue smiled mildly.
Once Hu Shuo left, only White Deer, Shu Wei, Yu Yue remained in the room.
White Deer felt something off, looked at gentle Yu Yue, then icy-faced Shu Wei, brain suddenly flashed.
Hurriedly ran out, “Old Hu, wait for me…”
The room with only two women became even weirder.
……
Qi Zhenbang originally didn’t want to disturb father, but Su Huan and others’ looks and temperament special, hesitated then still went upstairs to wake Qi Tieshan.
Told him about Su Huan and others.
Hearing the start, Qi Tieshan sat up, expression grave.
“Bullshit young master, clearly a dragon crossing the river!”
Old Man Tie slapped the table, eyes sharp, tone forceful.
Years of military bearing fully shown.
Qi Zhenbang startled by dad’s reaction, lowered voice, “Not that exaggerated, right? That young master doesn’t seem bold…”
Old Man Tie snorted coldly, yanked the shotgun off the wall.
“Don’t over-rely on your ability. Learn from your big brother, use your brain more when needed. What time is it? Apocalypse!”
“Lives cheaper than grass, what use background and identity?”
“Even if brainless, three months to react. And those two you mentioned, clearly ex-soldiers. Not serving the country fine, but propping up a young master?”
Qi Zhenbang’s complexion changed drastically, realizing the severity, hurried to follow.
“I’ll bring people over now!”
Old Man Tie stopped, turned and pushed his youngest son.
“You go back. Since they didn’t tear face with you, handed guns openly, they’re confident, not fearing your two men.”
Qi Zhenbang, “Then I can’t just stay here?”
Old Man Tie narrowed eyes, threw on clothes, “You fetch your big brother, I’ll go down first.”
Qi Zhenbang immediately got it, hurried to big brother’s place.
Luckily brothers all flood-fearful, all lived in rooftop tin houses, easy to find.
When Qi Zhenbang rushed over, big brother and sister-in-law were eating.
Sister-in-law complaining something to big brother, brows furrowed, full of resentment.
Saw him and switched to a smile.
“Zhenbang, so late, why come in such rain…”
Qi Zhenbang apologetically said, “Sorry, sister-in-law, looking for my brother on something.”
Qi Jianguo saw his rain-wet clothes, knew there was something, didn’t ask, put on clothes and followed out.
