Chapter 293: Pingqiao Village
Ever since learning that the Pan-Asian Alliance was a marginal player, Su Huan lost interest in learning more.
He simply handed it over to Director Xu for some dangerous human experiments.
If there was any intelligence, Shu Wei would notify him.
The next day was another day of the same old routine.
The Train Conductor went to each laboratory one by one to hear the trial progress from the person in charge, occasionally stopping by the Armed Corps.
Because of how the Old Wu incident was handled, the soldiers clearly showed him even more awe, even surpassing He Jie, with whom they spent every day.
The Corps had just finished its reform and was still in the integration and adjustment phase.
Some standout recruits were assigned to the NCO Squad, while the rest were uniformly placed under Old Er for routine training.
Physical fitness, tactical movements, weapon training, evolution information…
At the current stage, firearms remained the main means of war, especially before evolutionary abilities grew strong, so firearm training could not stop; on top of that, training in operating equipment like cannons and drones was added.
Cold weapon training was minimal, only “Defenders” who chose that direction would receive specialized training.
The NCO Squad mainly trained ability coordination.
Although they started out a bit like a ragtag bunch, with a veteran rascal like He Jie around, Su Huan was not worried about their combat capability.
Officer squad training needed targets; ordinary training lacked an environment for them to unleash their abilities.
To test their ability limits, enemies at least Tier 2 or above were needed.
Unfortunately, the ruins around Xiaohe City had been cleaned too thoroughly by the Black Kite Faction; in two days, not a single Tier 2 creature had been encountered.
“Rumble…”
The Armored Train stopped in the ruins of a village.
Dodging an excessively fierce storm.
Although the all Tier 1 Armor train could resist damage, overly harsh environments would further reduce the train’s travel speed and increase energy consumption.
Inside the front of the train, staff discussed in low voices, compiling various information.
Finally, Glasses reported it to the Train Conductor sitting at the highest command platform.
“Affected by the storm, the train’s travel route has deviated somewhat; currently stopped at Pingqiao Village in Fengxi County, northeast of Xiaohe City, straight-line distance to the target Zhijin City is 210 kilometers, via national highway it’s 230 kilometers; three clusters of General Energy Fluctuation within 10 kilometers, all Tier 1, no Tier 2 General Energy.”
“Train body undamaged, sealed stable, power system normal, braking system normal.”
“Air filtration system needs consumables replaced, one drone damaged, one mechanical arm damaged, six tracks faulty on the train body; Logistics Group notified for replacement.”
Su Huan looked at the route map on the screen and asked puzzledly, “Only traveled over 100 kilometers in several days?”
Glasses said awkwardly, “Cultivation Pod travel speed is too slow, mainly towed by the train; in storm conditions, the canopy wind resistance is greater, causing speed to drop further…”
“Can’t it go faster once charged?”
Seeing the Train Conductor’s chilling gaze, Glasses decisively shut his mouth.
For the Armored Train to maintain its current stability, two things were indispensable: the massive water resources stored in the Flood Zone, and the Train Conductor’s near-perpetual-motion energy supply.
But it was said the Train Conductor hated being a Power Bank.
“General Energy Fluctuation appeared near the train.” Shu Wei timely pointed at the screen.
Su Huan glanced over; a small red dot streaked past the front of the train position at extreme speed, energy level around Tier 1. “Have Old San go handle it.”
Shu Wei swiped her finger on the tablet and added, “A batch of new equipment needs testing; Yu Jing’s exoskeleton hit a snag and needs combat testing.”
“How is a combat exoskeleton not ready yet.”
“The ones obtained at the Logistics Center were civilian exoskeletons; combat exoskeletons must be manufactured from scratch, many difficulties, only resolved weapon system design after Tan Yunxi joined…”
“Progress is still too slow.”
Su Huan frowned.
Shu Wei lowered her gaze. “Too few machinery-related talents on the train; only the Factory Director’s side has some.”
“I remember she installed the vehicle pretty smoothly; seems way more complex than exoskeletons.”
“Motorcycles are her hobby.”
Su Huan rubbed his chin, eyes scanning the map. “Where can we catch a batch of wild researchers?”
Shu Wei said calmly, “If you don’t want to fight the Black Kite or other major forces to mutual destruction, I suggest you drop that dangerous idea.”
Su Huan withdrew his gaze from the Black Kite Faction’s sphere of influence.
“Alright, test the weapons first.”
……
“Whoosh—”
Car Door slid open.
Sandstorm drilled into the vehicle like it was possessed, all blocked by an invisible wind; in moments, several centimeters of sand piled up on the ground.
Su Huan led Old San and others out.
The light sandstorm landing on the train stung the skin like needles; though Su Huan’s thick skin fully resisted the damage, it was still uncomfortable; after a brief test of the intensity, he isolated it with an energy barrier.
This test had five from the Combat Group; Qu Hang’s squad from the Armed Corps, plus Yu Jing and Tan Yunxi in brand-new exoskeletons.
Including Su Huan, Shu Wei, Old San, White Deer, Giraffe, total of seventeen people.
Once off the train, Qu Hang manipulated a wind to enclose everyone.
Sandstorm within a 10-meter radius instantly calmed; even sand on clothes rustled to the ground, while beyond 10 meters it was still a sky of yellow sand.
Like a pane of transparent glass separating everyone from the outside world.
Su Huan expanded “General Energy Perception,” instantly covering this small modernized village.
Skipping those below Tier 1, he quickly locked onto a presence in a nearby two-story bungalow, raised his handgun, and pointed in that direction.
Everyone immediately understood and followed the Train Conductor toward the bungalow.
This test’s equipment mainly three types: two guns, one bulletproof vest.
What Su Huan held was Old Da’s newly made handgun, silver matte finish, at first glance like a Desert Eagle but with sleeker, cleaner lines; named in the same system as Black Lion: Bright Lion.
Taking its bright-sounding meaning.
Used special handgun bullets, power comparable to rifle.
The other called War Lion, an assault rifle modeled after Iron Curtain.
Other parameters unchanged, just altered bullet caliber to increase shooting power.
For the Armored Train’s current war intensity, ordinary assault rifles couldn’t keep up; handguns were completely ornamental; before General Energy Weapons fully proliferated, modifying high-power firearms was essential.
Bulletproof vest made from previous Sand Armor Skin, today for war live test.
Bringing Combat Group and Armed Corps also to see this equipment’s impact on different combat styles.
The isolation zone soon enveloped the two-story building ahead.
Pre-Apocalypse, the building’s residents were well-off; outer walls fully tiled, unpeeled even after so long battered by sandstorm, but first-floor windows all shattered, only the front double security door intact.
Su Huan walked straight to the security door.
Old San and Qu Hang exchanged a glance, led Combat Group past the Train Conductor, tossed a few grenades through the windows first, then kicked open the security door amid the explosion and rushed in.
Indoor immediately erupted with violent gunshots and terrifying howls.
Qu Hang raised his sniper rifle, calmly issuing orders.
“Target injured; Mongoose, take Driver and Physician around back to block escape route; Xiao Ba, frontal assault.”
“Yes!”
Almost instantly, Mongoose shot out, not going around the side but jumping to the second-floor balcony, flipping over the roof; the other two went left and right around.
Xiao Ba this time not in wheelchair, charged straight at the bungalow’s front door.
Even more chilling wails came from the room.
When the gunshots ended, Su Huan stepped onto the steps outside the door.
Excluding the non-participating Train Conductor and entourage, Combat Group plus Armed Corps totaled six Tier 1; not just killing one Tier 1, they could even handle a Tier 1 Zombie Horde.
Just about to enter, Su Huan paused, looking toward the roiling sandstorm on the side; a Tier 1 General Energy Fluctuation had just streaked past, feeling very much like the one that passed the front of the train.
Body size and energy intensity greater than human, probably some Mutated Beast.
Aura weak, injured.
Su Huan shifted his slightly curious gaze back indoors.
So who was the unlucky one inside?
……
Outside Pingqiao Village, a small convoy burst out of the sandstorm.
Convoy scale much worse than Li Xinlong’s, only two off-road vehicles, covered in dust, original paint color hard to discern up close.
The Driver, drenched in sweat, said, “Boss, storm too big, I was driving blind with eyes closed; can’t go on like this or we’ll flip!”
“Shut up!” The burly man in the passenger seat raised his handgun, face grim as he stared at Pingqiao Village ahead. “Big Goose, see where we’ve arrived?”
The long-necked man in the back seat squeezed between the seats, looked for a long time without recognizing, had the Driver open the sunroof, poked out to look, yanked back head startled, “Pingqiao Village! How’d we end up here?”
Hearing the name, including Driver and the two in back, all changed complexion.
The burly man slammed the car door, cursing, “Fucking hell, this beast, injured and still runs like this; shoulda not skimped on those bullets, just blasted it and no trouble.”
Big Goose shook his head, sand cascading down.
Burly man backhanded a slap, “Don’t shake your damn dog head, all sand; you clean the vehicle tonight.”
Big Goose clutched his head, grunting muffled.
Driver asked, “This is Hu Tieche’s turf; we still going in?”
Burly man’s eyes flashed fierce light. “In, why not? That’s an injured Tier 1 Mutated Beast; kill it and we eat for a month; resources from it on Xiaohe Black Market can trade for plenty of gear; next time see that dog Li Xinlong, no need fear him.”
“Forget if Hu Tieche lives inside; even if it’s fucking Optimus Prime, I’m going in!”
Everyone understood Old Da was dead set, stopped persuading.
“Got it, fuck Hu Tieche’s mom; then Dragon Riders can claim we snatched food from Hu Tieche’s hands!”
“Boss is badass!”
“Fuck his mom!”
With engine roar, off-road vehicle rumbled into Pingqiao Village.
Due to different entry angle plus heavy sandstorm, everyone completely missed the Armored Train stretching over a kilometer on the other side.
……
First floor of the bungalow a mess, wall with a big hole sealed by a metal sheet.
Combat Group soldier in black watched warily out the window.
Room’s flooring trampled to bits; in the center lay a pitch-black Tier 1 Butcher, head tucked in chest cavity, hands with rope, giant hammer.
Precisely that unlucky one.
But this battle had another unlucky one sitting nearby.
Old San’s only unprotected arm injured; Physician from Qu Hang’s team treating his wound.
Physician originally from Combat Group, later transferred to Armed Corps and promoted to Tier 1.
Qu Hang disliked hassle, gave the two codenames as their combat roles.
Su Huan listened to Old San’s pained grunts, picked up the photo frame on the corner cabinet, the room’s only intact furniture.
Photo of a young couple, ordinary looks, taken by a small river.
Probably the river Xiaohe City was named after.
Not seen on arrival; now probably dry.
By Butcher’s obsession-chasing principle, one in the photo was it; backstory probably touching or ordinary story.
Unfortunately, Su Huan had no interest in learning.
Post-Apocalypse, such stories would be many.
Endless.
Placed the photo frame on the fallen Butcher, he said indifferently, “Extract the crystal then burn it.”
Nearby Physician paused, didn’t mention materials.
Everyone quickly withdrew.
Accompanied by a great fire, the unsealed story vanished in the flames.
Su Huan walked the village road; thanks to development, even Dong Huang’s rural roads were built extremely flat; sandstorm couldn’t settle on them, only piled at wall bases, squeezed out by resilient Mutated Plants.
Su Huan headed toward the General Energy Fluctuation position.
Qu Hang’s squad flanked, clearing potential threats.
But Pingqiao Village very clean, few even Ordinary Zombies, only some Unranked Mutated Beasts.
Su Huan pulled the gun bolt, casually squeezed the Trigger toward the side.
Bright flame bloomed from the muzzle, like a lion’s resounding roar.
A starved-mad wild dog’s head bloomed like a rose.
Behind, Qu Hang furrowed brows, stepped forward a few paces to cover the missed defense line.
Perhaps Bright Lion’s loud gunshot scared off other Mutated Beasts.
Next half day, no dangers encountered.
Frontmost Mongoose suddenly crouched on a rooftop, pair of clear golden eyes fixed on the village’s other end.
“Situation.”
Qu Hang jumped to high ground, aimed at wind disturbance node, decisively fired; bullet vanished into roiling sandstorm, no echo for a long time.
“Few small fries; if live humans, bring back; if other things, kill clean.”
Su Huan’s faint voice faded into a bungalow.
Mongoose’s gaze turned to Qu Hang.
Latter pressed palm forward.
Mongoose instantly vanished into the wind.
Xiao Ba followed tightly on the ground.
