Chapter 545: Countdown, Twelve Hours
“Is it?” Meng Chao fell into deep thought.
At that moment, a set of disorderly but heavy footsteps came from Leprosy Village.
It was Strong Arm Zhang Tie, Wild Wolves’ commando leader. When he heard the crossfire from the river of trash, he was worried that the villagers would suffer losses, so he quickly led a large group of Wild Wolves over.
These Wild Wolves were trained elite fighters who had gained supernatural powers through genetic mutation. They were another form of superhumans.
Now, they were equipped with motorized armor that was specially made for their bodies, and they looked like steel demons with multiple heads and arms.
The runic symbols shone with a dangerous light, and their chainsaws let out loud cracks that caused chills to climb down people’s backs. The exhaust pipes were directed skyward, and they released hot spirit gas. Their heavy machine guns also had barrels that were thicker than their thighs. Each person had around five of them.
Their appearance was no different from adding oil to the battlefield that was about to explode at any moment.
The river of trash was not wide, and the armed gang members behind the blindage across the river could clearly see the movements of the villagers.
When they saw that Wild Wolves had brought out motorized armor, they became worked up as well, and as gears turned and metal moved against tracks, heavy weapons like dual mount anti-aircraft guns were pushed to the firing points.
“Wild Wolf, these guys are really not going to friggin’ let us have any means of survival!”
Zhang Tie saw the villagers who had fled back pathetically. They were now lying on the ground while moaning, and his eyes immediately filled with fury.
He punched the air, and explosive sounds came from his steel-like arms that were thicker than gun barrels. He roared, “Give the order! We’ll charge forward!”
“Wild Wolf, things haven’t progressed to the point where there’s no turning back! Let me try to stop this!”
Meng Chao quickly stood up and strode to the top of the highest point of the bank. He shouted to the other side, “I’m Meng Chao, and I represent the abnormal beast research department and the secret police in the mission in the lair! You should have someone who knows me! Let me cross the river and talk to your leader!”
The other side was silent for a while before someone from behind the blindage shouted, “We don’t know whether you’re Meng Chao or something else! In any case, the government has already given orders! Leprosy Village is completely locked down! No one is allowed to enter or leave!
“If you really came from the world outside to carry out a mission, then help us maintain order in Leprosy Village! Defend your positions and fight to the bitter end!”
Meng Chao yelled back. “We definitely don’t want to give up on Leprosy Village, but where are the reinforcements?!
“You should have seen the fierce flames in Leprosy Village and heard the deafening explosions! The explosion and flames have caused many casualties and many villagers are now homeless! Even their food and water supply is almost completely depleted!
“We need food, water, doctors, a place for the homeless to stay, and manpower and resources to help us put out the fire so that the flames won’t spread to other places!
“Open your eyes wide and look! The flames are getting fiercer. If we don’t stop them, they’ll spread outside Leprosy Village at any moment! At that time, Golden Tooth Lair and your homes will all go up in flames too!”
The other side was silent for a long time before they said, “I’m sorry! The orders we received are to lock down Leprosy Village and not let anyone enter or leave! No one can leave their positions to help you!”
“Who gave the orders?!” Meng Chao shouted.
“The Survival Committee!” the other side replied.
“That’s impossible! Let me talk to your leader! I want to see Saber Jin Wanhao!”
“I’ll send your message to the leader! If Mr. Jin is willing to see you, he’ll naturally summon you! But before that, Mr. Jin has said that not even a single fly is allowed to fly out of Leprosy Village!”
Meng Chao cursed in his heart. He gritted his teeth in exasperation. “Then how long do we have to wait?! Does Saber Jin Wanhao want to watch Leprosy Village’s flames burn for three days and three nights?!”
The other side was silent. They no longer wanted to speak to him.
All he heard was the sound of people moving heavy weapons, locking them in place, and loading them with ammunition.
Meng Chao could only retreat.
Zhang Tie growled, “Did you hear that, Wild Wolf? Those people have no sincerity at all!
“We can’t just wait around like idiots for them to show mercy! We have to charge out with our own abilities!”
“Wait, Wild Wolf, I feel that there’s something off about this,” Meng Chao said. “Based on logical reasoning, if the gangs really wanted you to stay obediently in Leprosy Village, Saber Jin Wanhao should have showed up. After all, he was once someone equal in rank with Battle G.o.d Lei Zongchao. Even if he’s old and frail now and has fallen from Deity Realm, he’s still stronger than most of us. No matter what, he’s the strongest person in Golden Tooth Lair.
“As long as Saber Jin Wanhao appears among us with his might of a peerless elite, he will be able to suppress Leprosy Village, and you will be obedient for some time, since you’d be afraid of his might.
“This is something simple. So why didn’t Saber Jin Wanhao do it? Why is he letting us fight here?
“Besides, bullets are blind, and so is the fire. The fire will not care whether you’re from Leprosy Village, the lair, or Dragon City. If you just ignore it, it’s going to affect the lair sooner or later. Even if Saber Jin Wanhao doesn’t care about your lives, he should still put out the fire!”
Wild Wolf thought about it and said, “So? What are you suspecting?”
“I don’t know either. I just think that if Leprosy Village and the gangs really fight, it won’t be good for Saber Jin Wanhao’s interests.
“I’m still going to say the same thing. I don’t understand Saber Jin Wanhao’s character, but since he became the Underground Emperor, even if he was just a puppet of the mega corporations, he couldn’t be a stupid puppet. Would he really give such a crude and simple order like not letting a single fly out of Leprosy Village? That’s basically the same as forcing you to revolt!
“In any case, I must go out and personally meet Saber Jin Wanhao. I’ll tell him everything that happened in Leprosy Village face to face and demand his stance. Perhaps we’ll still be able to change things!”
Wild Wolf stared at his face and fell into deep contemplation.
“Even if worst comes to worse and you really want to charge out, you can’t just run around like headless flies. You have to mobilize your forces, set up a plan, and do it properly,” Meng Chao said. “Give me twenty-four hours. I believe that the food and water supply in Leprosy Village should be able to last you for at least one day, right?
“During that one day, you can mobilize all villagers and arm everyone to the teeth. After one day, even if just one second over it has pa.s.sed and I still haven’t delivered any good news, you can let loose and do whatever you want!”
“Uncle Wolf, let me go with Meng Chao and persuade Saber Jin Wanhao,” Su Mulian piped in.
Wild Wolf and Meng Chao were both stunned. “What?”
“Since we’re telling him about the current situation in the village, stating our stance, and requesting reinforcements from the outside world, it would only be appropriate if I show up. Besides, Grandpa had a deep relationship with Saber Jin Wanhao in the past.
“If I meet him, perhaps Mr. Jin would show some respect to the deceased village chief,” Su Mulian said. “Besides, if we run into any danger on the way, I can heal Meng Chao and ensure that he can still fight.”
Su Mulian had a firm stance.
Wild Wolf clearly agreed with her, but he was hesitant. He did not want Su Mulian to take any risks.
Su Mulian smiled wanly. “Uncle Wolf, I know that you want to ensure my safety, but please, think about it. If I don’t go with Meng Chao and he isn’t able to persuade Saber Jin Wanhao, I’m still going to have to face the bullets from the gangs and rush out with you. My life will be in danger either way.”
“Then, I’ll go,” Wild Wolf said gravely. “I’ll go with Meng Chao to meet Saber Jin Wanhao.”
“No, Uncle Wolf, you must stay in Leprosy Village to handle the situation,” Su Mulian refuted him. “We don’t know whether there are more monsters’ puppets in the village, but with how cunning the abnormal beast is, there must be more of them around, right? If I stay here, I won’t be their opponent, and I might be in even more danger.”
Her words convinced Wild Wolf.
“Zhang Tie, send the Wild Wolves to drag back all the villagers who are near the river of trash. Tell them to not engage the gangs across the river for the time being. Then, have people put out the fires. Even if you can’t get rid of the huge flames, demolish the buildings near them and create an anti-fire wall. Do your best to control the fire,” Wild Wolf ordered grimly.
“And finally, tell the Wild Wolves and all villagers that the world hasn’t given up on us yet. The reinforcements and resources will arrive within twenty-four hours. We only need to defend the place for twenty-four hours, then we’ll be free!”
Zhang Tie gritted his teeth. It didn’t look like he was unwilling to obey the orders.
The burning village was reflected in Wild Wolf’s eyes. “Zhang Tie, look behind you. The village we have built with blood, sweat, and tears for decades might be dilapidated, old, messy, and dirty, but it’s our only home.
“Tell me that you’re the same as I am. Even if there is only a shred of hope, you don’t want to give up on this place.”
Zhang Tie was slightly stunned. He then took a deep breath and nodded. “Got it, Wild Wolf. I’ll get our members to do the work.”
Meng Chao was delighted. “Thank you, Wild Wolf!” he said excitedly. “I won’t let you down! I’ll definitely bring good news within twenty-four hours!”
“No. You don’t have twenty-four hours.” Wild Wolf’s gaze was as sharp as lightning. He said clearly, “You have twelve hours, and that’s the maximum amount of time I will give you. The situation might change in an instant, so if you don’t bring any concrete news to me within twelve hours, I can’t guarantee you anything.”
Su Mulian wanted to say something, but Wild Wolf had already extended a hand to her, effectively stopping her from speaking. “Don’t say anything, Ms. Mulian. This is my bottom line.”
Meng Chao extended his hand as well and said firmly, “That’s a promise, Wild Wolf! I will definitely bring good news within twelve hours. Until then, I hope that you will persevere in Leprosy Village!”
Slap!
They smacked their palms together and made their promise.
A’Ji seemed to be deeply touched and very excited. He jumped up and swung his fragile fists as he said, “Big Brother Chao, let me go with you! I want to do something for Leprosy Village too!”