https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-877-The-Gathering-Desire-and-the-Startling-Demon/13041321/
Chapter 876: Unveiling the Trail
Chapter 876: Unveiling the Trail
The mere presence of this armed convoy, parked across the street, was enough to put the hotel's security on high alert. Chen Chuan approached them with a calm and composed demeanor, his presence seemingly unnoticed.
Ironically, it was his approach that made the convoy's occupants feel uneasy. The once jovial atmosphere turned stiff, faces hardening, and fingers unconsciously tightened around their weapons, some even pointing their guns forward.
This wasn't a conscious realization on their part, but rather a heightened sense of danger honed from years of teetering on the edge of life and death.
Chen Chuan's aura, while not outwardly projecting, carried a natural and relaxed vibe as he walked. Yet, this very aura created a sense of oppression, making them feel distinctly uncomfortable.
Bao Mi, sensing this, quickly raised his hand, signaling the group to calm down. "Relax, guys. This is our boss. Today, we're escorting him, so let's make sure we do it right." The group exchanged glances, their expressions slightly easing.
Bao Mi turned to Jasmine, who approached with a draped garment. "Sir, we've prepared this for you. Rest assured, it's been cleaned, and it's spotless."
Chen Chuan thanked him and took the garment, covering himself to blend in with the locals, no longer standing out.
Even so, just standing there, he still felt distinct from those around him.
Bao Mi called out, inviting Chen Chuan to take a seat in his vehicle. He then leaned out, shouting instructions to the front, and the lead vehicle started, followed by the rest of the convoy.
Bao Mi retracted, offering an apologetic smile. "Sir, our squad is a bunch of brutes. We never think things through. Please don't mind what just happened."
"I understand, Team Leader Bao Mi," Chen Chuan replied. These men, constantly facing life-and-death situations, prioritized self-preservation above all else, and it wasn't something they could control.
"You're too kind, sir," Bao Mi said. "You're so understanding."
Chen Chuan glanced at the rearview mirror, noticing the team members in the back maintaining a disciplined silence, without any whispering. Their professionalism was evident. "Are all these people part of your team?"
"Our squad has about twenty direct members, and we've recruited another thirty or so. They're divided into two teams, sir. Rest assured, they're all people we frequently work with, and they're absolutely trustworthy."
"It seems like a large group," Chen Chuan remarked, "but it's less secure outside the city. Those fusion creatures are one thing, but we need to be most cautious of our fellow mercenaries, especially during this season. Who knows, there might be another mercenary team out there looking to take us down."
"You mentioned taking a job to that place," Chen Chuan said. "What's that about?"
Bao Mi turned to look at the rear vehicle, a transport truck. "People."
He paused, explaining, "Near that village, there are vast farms and bio-farms that require a lot of labor. We're responsible for delivering a batch of workers."
"Don't worry, sir. These aren't our Da Shun people but prisoners from the former imperial army. They're the most sought-after captives, as they live long, adapt to environments, and don't need to worry about activation."
Chen Chuan didn't comment further, knowing that some things allowed outside might be commonplace here. Moreover, the former imperial soldiers were almost a different species compared to them, and most were used as labor at the army's forefront.
The convoy steadily left the city, and once outside, it was evident that the fusion creatures had been mostly cleared, with barely any vegetation in sight. Only dark red soil lined the roads.
Along the roadside, figures in face-covering cloaks and carrying black baskets with claw-like tools wandered, occasionally unearthing multi-legged fat insects from the soil and placing them in their baskets.
Periodically, the vehicles in the convoy switched positions, and Chen Chuan observed their disciplined movements and well-equipped nature. Most had vehicle-mounted radios, and someone was tasked with monitoring activation indices.
Perhaps due to their long-term exposure to this environment and the presence of special implants, these individuals exhibited strong anti-activation capabilities. Their activation indices were not only low but also showed minimal fluctuations.
Indeed, they encountered other armed groups on the road, but possibly due to the mercenary team's reputation or their vigilant demeanor, no attacks were launched.
As they traveled further, the buildings on both sides gradually thinned out, and the vegetation, initially sparse, became lush. Fusion creatures increased in number, some even following the convoy. The team members occasionally fired shots outward, seemingly to deter these creatures.
"Sir," Bao Mi said, "if we don't encounter any issues on the road, it'll take about half a day to reach our destination. We definitely won't make it back today and will have to spend the night there." He added in a low voice, "If you need us to do anything, just give the word."
"Chen Chuan said, 'Bao Mi, you're a responsible leader. I'll let you know before I do anything.'"
"Hehe, then thank you, sir."
They set off at 8 a.m., and as noon approached, they saw the town from a distance, located on a highland with numerous checkpoints surrounding it.
At this moment, Chen Chuan noticed some creatures crawling in the grass, resembling winged beetles with dark, glossy carapaces. As the convoy passed by, their long antennae swayed in the wind.
Bao Mi said, "These black beetles are bred by the locals. Their carapaces are thick, and ordinary firearms can't penetrate them. They're fast and numerous, and it's because of these creatures that they can survive here."
Chen Chuan hummed in agreement. Without these beetles, the town would have likely been raided by the old imperial assault squad, and the village wouldn't have lasted until now. Besides these creatures, there must be a Third Limit Fighter present here.
After a bumpy ride, the convoy reached the main entrance to the town, where roadblocks and barbed wire lined the sides, and a trench filled with spikes had been dug out around it.
As the armed personnel at the checkpoint waved flags, the well-prepared mercenary team gradually stopped the vehicles. Immediately, fully armed personnel emerged from the checkpoint, demanding everyone in the vehicles to disembark for inspection.
Bao Mi, prepared in advance, signaled with a glance to Jasmine, who stepped out of the vehicle, swaying her hips as she approached the checkpoint officer for negotiation, slipping something to the officer.
The checkpoint officer's expression visibly relaxed after receiving the item, and he no longer forcefully demanded everyone to disembark. He then ran to the back to inspect the "cargo" they had transported.
He led his men to each vehicle, individually verifying each person and asking for their names.
Bao Mi furrowed his brows. It hadn't been this strict before. Although they could continue bribing, they couldn't offer too much, or the other party might suspect them. Fortunately, as a mature team, he had prepared for this.
The checkpoint officer approached their vehicle, recognizing Bao Mi. He glanced at the masked Chen Chuan and asked cautiously, "Who's this?"
Bao Mi smiled, "Our team's employer. We're here to try something new." He then gave the officer a knowing look.
The checkpoint officer wasn't easily fooled. He asked suspiciously, "What employer? Tell me their name and identity."
In a 6-9-1-bar-1-look-without-a-mistake version!
Bao Mi made a phone gesture with his hand, "I can't say, but you can ask 'Old Boss Seven.' I've already discussed it with him."
The officer looked at him, signaling his men to keep watch while he ran back to make a call. After a while, he hung up and waved for his armed personnel to let the people pass.
Bao Mi breathed a sigh of relief and said, "It's settled."
Chen Chuan nodded slightly.
The convoy smoothly passed through the checkpoint and drove up the sloping road to the highland. Once they reached the top, Chen Chuan looked outward, surprised to see that the town wasn't as backward as he had imagined. Instead, a bustling small town appeared before his eyes.
The first thing that caught his attention was a tall field domain screen standing in the square, currently displaying a combat competition. The unique twist was that the combatants were a martial artist and a fusion land creature. Soon, they witnessed the martial artist stumble, then get pinned down by the fusion land creature, its head being devoured in an instant.
As this scene unfolded, the surrounding crowd erupted in cheers and jeers. Some threw the items in their hands, smashing them.
Bao Mi, standing nearby, said, "These places are under the influence of Deep Valley City, but only their trusted clients are taken there. We can only stay in the designated areas. Sir, why don't we find a place to stay, then contact the informant and confirm the situation?"
At this moment, Chen Chuan looked in a particular direction and said, "There's no need to find the informant. You guys move further away and get ready for combat."
"Hmm?"
Bao Mi's expression tightened. He didn't ask Chen Chuan what he was planning but nodded in agreement, "Understood!"
Chen Chuan got out of the car and walked in a specific direction.
After arriving, Hong Fu conveyed a message to him. The true form tree was indeed located here, but not on the ground—it was beneath this highland!
Hong Fu's judgment was likely correct. The last time Assistant Ling opened the fusion land, Hong Fu had recorded the tree's field, so they discovered it upon approaching.
Since it was like this, the upcoming action wouldn't violate the agreement, and he didn't need to hide anymore.
Following Hong Fu's guidance, he ignored the checkpoint tower personnel, stopping at a specific location. He focused on the ground, then raised his fist, which began to glow faintly.
...
...
(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
Report
