Chapter 236: However Long It’s Been, Do It That Long
Tier 3 to Tier 4 is a major threshold.
In his previous life, He Jie and the deceased Zhong Cheng were both stuck at this stage.
At that time, he was somewhat puzzled; with the Steel Council’s resources, even piling them up should have pushed He Jie and others to Tier 4.
Now thinking about it, it should be the limitation of vitality and basic attributes.
Especially vitality, with its upper limit there, unable to rise further with no countermeasures at all.
However, these are not problems for Su Huan.
What he needs to do now is balance the promotion speed and vitality consumption speed, avoiding promoting too quickly and overdrawing vitality prematurely before the Crown Pear Tree is cultivated.
This is also the worry of geniuses, right.
Thinking of this, Su Huan subconsciously looked up at Lin Jin across from him.
This guy awakening every skill so accurately was one thing, but his vitality was also so abundant.
Could it be that these evolvers with potential to promote to Tier 5 have vitality equivalent to a Crown Pear Tree?
Just wondering how much effect directly consuming them would achieve compared to a Crown Pear…
Lin Jin, who was eating, suddenly felt his fine hair stand on end, sensing the Train Conductor’s gaze toward him was somewhat eerie, especially that crunching chewing sound, making him feel uneasy inside.
A series of steadily rhythmic footsteps came from the metal corridor outside.
Hu Shuo, wearing a vertical-striped knitwear, walked in and stood about one meter to the right of Su Huan, ensuring he could be caught in the Train Conductor’s peripheral vision, before starting his report.
“The Crab Tide has completely receded. We obtained a total of over 50,000 units of evolution material, over a hundred Tier 1, two Tier 2. Currently, the research group and manufacturing group are advancing the ‘Floating Giant Wood’ plan at the power plant, so only the logistics group can be organized for General Energy Crystal collection, but the efficiency is low and it might waste a lot.”
Su Huan frowned and spat out a Crab Shell.
“Wasting is not a good habit. Doesn’t the shelter downstairs have over 5,000 people?”
Hu Shuo said in a low voice, “The survivors in the shelter are very dissatisfied with us and are currently making trouble for the Qi Family.”
“Dissatisfied with the Qi Family?”
Su Huan was somewhat surprised.
Wasn’t the shelter quite supportive of the Qi Family? So quickly dissatisfied?
Hu Shuo paused, meaningfully glancing at Old San across from him who was eating heartily with a face swollen like a pig’s head. The latter rolled his eyes, pretending not to see him, but the speed of stuffing rice into his mouth didn’t slow down at all.
People weren’t dissatisfied with the Qi Family, but hated and were angry at the Armored Train for the large-scale killing. But since they couldn’t reach the Armored Train, they could only direct their spearhead at the shelter’s actual controller, the Qi Family.
But Old Hu was a perceptive person who valued propriety in actions, so naturally he wouldn’t push the problem onto a colleague in front of the Train Conductor.
So he simply recounted the matter of Qi Zhiyuan angrily berating Qi Jianguo.
“Qi Jianguo is a Colonel?”
“No, just a Lieutenant Colonel, who retired later due to some matters.”
“Which year?”
“Heard it was a year ago.”
“A Lieutenant Colonel from a year ago surely had qualifications to access it…”
While thinking, Su Huan crushed the hard crab claw in his hand with creaking sounds.
The Giraffe hesitated before saying.
“This level is a bit middling. Some special units have more officers than soldiers; only after getting a star on the shoulder do they enter that level. This kind retired just like that—it’s quite useful outside, but don’t expect him to know anything.”
Goat, Qu Hang, and a few others nodded.
“We only handle preparations, but what specifically happened, what to do, why do it—we know nothing about it.”
“Not being on site, you’ll never know the situation.”
Seeing Su Huan trending toward deep contemplation, Hu Shuo quickly asked, “What about the Qi Family then?”
“Dissatisfaction with the Qi Family, what does it have to do with me? As a majestic Tier 2 Evolver, busy all night sheltering their entire shelter through a disaster, shouldn’t I charge an appearance fee?”
“No need to talk so much nonsense with them, just find Old Man Tie—he’s a reasonable person. By the way, remind him to hurry up with the things he promised me before.”
“What if they don’t cooperate?”
Hu Shuo asked.
Su Huan naturally understood the implication in Hu Shuo’s words; he was asking about the limits.
But now his patience had been worn out by those crabs, with no mind for educating others. He’d been out for two days and didn’t know if things were going smoothly for the Factory Director and Yu Jing’s side.
Get the things early and return early.
“Then have Old San cooperate.”
“Understood.”
Hu Shuo continued, “The cannons transported onto the train have been inspected. Total of six, four mortars, two howitzers, with ranges from seven kilometers up to twenty-four kilometers, mainly relying on the fully automatic fire control system, though manual mechanical aiming is retained, just slower.”
A hint of delight surged in Su Huan’s eyebrows. Previously always shelled by others’ cannons, now he had his own—finally, the wife became the wife.
“How’s the condition? Usable?”
Qu Hang across suddenly asked.
“Not brand new, but well-maintained. Just that the manufacturing group isn’t here now, can’t install them.”
Goat stood up. “Why need the manufacturing group for this? For playing with guns and cannons, they might not be as professional as us.”
Hu Shuo was slightly surprised. “If installing on the train, a full inspection is needed; it’s not just about being usable.”
“Then this matter is yours, Deputy Qu Hang.”
Su Huan directly named and appointed.
These elite soldiers were all hexagonal warriors.
Like Goat, though his combat power was average, being selected by the Steel Council meant he definitely had some unconventional skills.
Goat and the other two set down their bowl and chopsticks and went downstairs to carry out the task.
“Anything else?”
Su Huan asked.
“Zhang Qiang in the medical carriage has woken up. Do you want to see him?”
“Zhang Qiang… the one from the Same Boat Society?”
“Yes.”
Su Huan tossed the cleanly gnawed Crab Leg onto the table and took the hot towel handed by Yu Yue to wipe his hands.
“See him. Then have the Iron Mountain Shelter side speed up progress; I want to see results tomorrow.”
……
The disaster receded, but the sky still drizzled lightly.
The flood submerged up to the sixth floor, with seventh-floor windows all opened up, steel plates bridged between the reinforced concrete and the Armored Train’s deck.
To keep the connection stable, the Armored Train used the old method, directly encircling the entire building.
Armed soldiers in dark green raincoats, rifles ready, stood at high points on both sides, watching the survivors below transporting supplies.
Box after box of ammunition was carried out from the building and lifted onto the Armored Train.
At first, survivors were somewhat dissatisfied, but upon seeing the sea fortress of over a hundred train cars, everyone shut their mouths.
Under the soldiers’ guidance, Qi Zhendong placed the ammunition box at the designated spot on the deck, then saw a mechanical arm descend, directly clamping up the ammunition box and sending it into the train.
Taking advantage of the free time, he glanced around before turning to whisper to Qi Zhenbang, “The train is new, but the craftsmanship is very refined, not like rushed work.”
Someone passed by carrying supplies, and Qi Zhendong immediately fell silent.
Although relying on the Qi Family’s past reputation to suppress the noise in the shelter, the Qi Family’s rule over the shelter had already become precarious.
Without the muzzles of the armed soldiers’ suppression, the shelter would have already rioted.
The two returned upstairs, where Old Man Tie was talking with Qi Jianguo, and Xiao Dong stood by.
This was specially requested by the old man.
“Back? What did you see?”
Old Man Tie asked.
Qi Zhenbang sighed. “Very strong, far surpassing our shelter in every aspect. I even suspect they haven’t suffered any disasters.”
Qi Zhendong added, “And many experts. What took us down last night wasn’t all of them; half stayed on the train.”
“Did you see the device Xiao Yuan mentioned?”
Old Man Tie asked.
The two shook their heads.
“That’s probably the Armored Train’s core secret; how could they let us see it.”
“Uncle Zhenbang, could it be Brother Su’s ability?”
Xiao Dong said softly from the side.
Qi Zhendong frowned first. “Unlikely. The more I think about last night, the more off it feels. In the entire shelter, I should have the most energy, but even I can’t sustain manipulating light for invisibility for a few hours, let alone him manipulating lightning over such a large range.”
“You heard those last few strikes yesterday. If he really had that strength, why negotiate? Just storm into our shelter, right?”
Qi Zhenbang agreed. “Though their train is advanced, we didn’t see any heavy firepower. Perhaps they’re not as powerful as they appear.”
“But the stronger Brother Su and them are, the more people they can protect, right?”
Xiao Dong asked puzzledly.
Qi Zhendong’s complexion was odd. “Do you know they killed over a hundred people from the shelter last night?”
“Ah?”
Xiao Dong’s face paled, stammering, “Should… no… maybe Brother Su doesn’t know?”
Qi Zhendong looked at Xiao Dong coldly without speaking.
Xiao Dong’s head gradually drooped, the light in his eyes dimming.
Qi Zhenbang rubbed his head, unsure how to explain to Xiao Dong, just firmly saying, “Iron Mountain Shelter can only remain in Guan Chong’s hands.”
“But Brother Su saved us last night.”
Xiao Dong said weakly.
The two brothers turned their heads away, no longer arguing with Xiao Dong.
Su Huan protecting the shelter was just out of a rich man’s mindset to protect his property, a slave owner’s to protect slaves.
At Xiao Dong’s age, he could barely touch the world beyond black and white.
But fundamentally unable to understand such complex things.
The two speculated back and forth in words.
Xiao Dong opened his mouth, unable to interject from the side.
“Perhaps Xiao Dong is right.”
Old Man Tie suddenly said.
Qi Zhendong didn’t retort, just looked questioningly at his father.
Old Man Tie said flatly, “You’re not young anymore, limited by past experience. Now people can spit fire and water, so what’s impossible about manipulating lightning?”
“Even if it’s true, do we just give up the shelter?”
Qi Zhenbang said unwillingly.
“At least they promised to let us eat our fill.”
“But we lose freedom.”
“Freedom is bullshit! Under your command now aren’t soldiers, but ordinary families, groups of elderly, weak, women, and children!”
Old Man Tie rarely lost his temper.
Qi Zhenbang shut his mouth.
“Looks like I came at a bad time.”
Hu Shuo’s voice came from the doorway.
Everyone in the room stood up, and Old Man Tie stepped forward, his tone softening. “Conductor Hu, what instructions?”
Hu Shuo waved his hands repeatedly. “You’re overpraising me. Just passing a few words from the Train Conductor.”
……
Moments later, gasps of cold air sounded in the room.
Old Man Tie’s eyes shone brightly. “Everyone can become an evolver?”
Hu Shuo corrected, “All who work for the Armored Train will have one chance to become an evolver. We provide this chance only once; regardless of success or failure, they must work for the Armored Train.”
Qi Zhendong said cautiously, “What about the time? Previously it was only said to salvage something, but no specific time.”
“How long there is, work that long.”
“What if the thing you’re building can’t be completed?”
Hu Shuo smiled slightly. “How long there is, work that long.”
“…”
“We’ll do it.”
Old Man Tie decided.
“By ten o’clock, I need everyone assembled on the deck. Your work efficiency determines how many can become evolvers.”
“Good.”
After Hu Shuo left, Old Man Tie turned to Qi Zhendong. “Tell Xiao Dong’s family; let him follow me for this period.”
Qi Zhendong had no further questions this time, agreed decisively, and turned to leave.
“Eh? Grandpa Tie Shan…”
Xiao Dong was stunned.
Old Man Tie rarely showed a smile, patted Xiao Dong’s head. “I’m old, sometimes muddled and forgetful. Stay by my side this period, repeat everything to me daily, remind me.”
Xiao Dong breathed a sigh of relief, nodding heavily. “I can do it well.”
Qi Zhenbang on the side watched the old and young thoughtfully.
Qi Jianguo hadn’t interjected the whole time.
This man, who hadn’t broken down even after being crushed by Liang Kuan, had now been harshly struck by his own son.
His entire demeanor had become much more dejected.
“Let’s go, get to work!”
Old Man Tie’s posture straightened considerably.
……
Su Huan arrived at the deputy 15 medical carriage.
There were dozens of hospital beds placed here, but most of the time only Zhang Qiang lived there alone.
Besides that, every day only Doctor Lin Xia and one nurse came to see him.
The daily care was also handled by the two of them.
Although doctors weren’t meant for this kind of work, the armored train didn’t have enough manpower to assign a dedicated caregiver.
Moreover, regarding Zhang Qiang’s condition, Lin Xia cared more than anyone.
He had to make more than a dozen trips a day, wishing he could move his bedding to live right next to Zhang Qiang.
Strictly speaking, this was the first person he had saved in his life.
And it was someone in a near-death state at that.
Naturally, it held extraordinary meaning.
Lu Xiao didn’t count; Lu Xiao hadn’t been sent away purely because of his strong physical fitness.
Although he hadn’t treated many patients, as soon as Su Huan stepped into the ward, he seemed to smell that peculiar hospital scent of new deaths mingling with the living.
The carriage’s decor followed the usual hospital style, stark white and somewhat gloomy.
Zhang Qiang lay on the hospital bed at the far edge; walking in, one could just see his lips moving faintly.
Stopping Lin Xia who wanted to get up and greet him, Su Huan quietly walked to the bedside.
He could vaguely hear Zhang Qiang saying something.
Zhang Qiang felt like he had been having a long nightmare.
In the dream, he had been exposed, lost all his current privileges, and been arrested as a traitor.
They tied him to an iron chair and tortured him with cruel methods.
They cut into his flesh knife by knife, forcing him to confess why he had done things to harm the train.
He wanted to confess, but couldn’t open his mouth.
Later, after an unknown amount of time, the President actually came to rescue him!
Zhang Qiang was so moved that tears welled up; he gripped his hand tightly, though what puzzled him was that the President in front of him had longer hair and broader shoulders.
Zhang Qiang felt a slight unease.
“President, let’s run quickly; if the train conductor finds us, we’re done for…”
The President didn’t budge; he wanted to pull, but found he couldn’t move him at all.
He felt a bit puzzled.
“President?”
“What would the train conductor do if he found you?”
A mild voice entered his ears.
Zhang Qiang saw a pair of narrow, blade-like eyes staring at him with a half-smile.
