The situation has developed somewhat unexpectedly. The Grand Commander didn't make any other requests, nor did he do anything to Wang Shenghua. Instead, he sat honestly in the back seat of the vehicle. Sitting together with the company's elite, he exhibited a kind of peculiar discord.
However, with an extra person in the car, the atmosphere of the entire vehicle changed.
Wang Shenghua was terrified of the Grand Commander's ability to possess, which was just intolerable. Plus, she was somewhat worried. With the team composition becoming increasingly complex, she wasn't sure if unexpected situations would arise during the journey.
Too many variables made her feel unsafe.
Baiyu focused on sitting in the passenger seat, recording the surrounding scenery. He was wondering if, after the Grand Commander possessed Wang Shenghua, he might have learned things he shouldn't have known, hence his quiet cooperation.
Anyway.
Once the Pure White Commune is found, this person cannot be kept. The other party might not really know about the Pure White Commune, but may have learned its name from Wang Shenghua's memory, so he mentioned it to temporarily save his life.
As for Cangying, he was sizing up the Grand Commander with surprise and an inability to comprehend his resurrection.
With four people in the car, each with their own thoughts, apart from the engine's roar, there was no other sound in the car, making the silence terrifying.
Their previous iron jeep was turned into scrap metal by the indiscriminate bombing of the Wildfire Resistance Army; now they're in a combat armored vehicle modified by Wildfire, boasting high defense, with the windows even welded with iron bars to ensure ordinary bullets can't penetrate.
Its power is also extremely strong, whether on muddy or mountainous terrain, it travels smoothly without obstruction.
"Hold on, let me look at the map."
The vehicle reached a crossroad, and the Grand Commander stopped Wang Shenghua, who was hesitating which road to take, and he pulled out a folded map from his chest, slowly unfolding it on his knee. There were many markings on it, evidently intelligence collected by the Resistance Army over the years.
"Go straight along this road, about two hundred kilometers ahead, there's a town called Black Blade Bay, with several thousand permanent residents. It's the largest gathering place and underground black market within several hundred miles. Treasure Hunters, Wanderers, and Scavengers on the wasteland all like to gather there.
Once we get there, we can replenish supplies, and then continue north."
The Grand Commander pointed to the map.
Baiyu took the map and indeed saw Black Blade Bay, but he did not find the words "Pure White Commune" on it. He put away the map and stared at the Grand Commander: "Pure White Commune is in the north?"
"Yes." The Grand Commander nodded.
"You better pray we find it in the north, or no matter in what state you are, I'll make sure you disappear completely." Baiyu said plainly, without any sense of threat.
The Grand Commander nodded firmly, "The boss of Black Water Bay attended a meeting of the Pure White Commune once; if he doesn't know, then I'm uncertain where the Pure White Commune is."
"I see..." Baiyu nodded thoughtfully.
But the Grand Commander quickly added, "The boss of Black Water Bay is my business partner. Without me, you won't be able to meet him. And with several thousand residents in Black Water Bay, forcing your way in might not be worth the loss."
Baiyu laughed, "Why say all this? I'm not a Demon; why would I do something to you. Alright, drive."
After confirming the destination, the armored vehicle accelerated towards Black Water Bay.
Over two hundred kilometers isn't exactly near, nor far, but at full speed, it only took four hours for them to enter Black Water Bay's territory. Large powers like this have defined territories, not just towns, but surrounding areas are also incorporated into their domain.
In normal times, the boundaries of these areas are guarded by Black Water Bay personnel.
But upon Baiyu's arrival, the guard post beside the roadblock was empty, causing the Grand Commander some confusion.
As the vehicle continued forward, the Grand Commander's confusion deepened.
This Black Water Town was eerily quiet, unlike the bustling scene he had previously encountered. Instead, a heavy oppressive atmosphere lingered, akin to the impending storm where lightning threatens to strike.
"Are you sure this is a major convergence point?" Baiyu turned to ask.
The Grand Commander nodded with certainty: "This is indeed Black Water Bay; it used to be the largest trade market within several hundred miles. Even the company wouldn't dare provoke them easily. Given the current situation, I don't know why."
It seems the Grand Commander hasn't lied.
Baiyu pondered for a while, deciding to go in for a look after all—here lies clues to the Pure White Commune, and giving up wasn't an option.
The four drove onward, soon encountering a large cluster of buildings in their view. The dim lighting of kerosene lamps and various peculiar lighting devices hung beside the road, providing minimal brightness to the structure cluster.
However, unlike the Grand Commander's previous experiences here. When he was last at Black Water Bay, every house was illuminated; inside were either casinos or establishments engaged in flesh trade, thriving then—now presenting an entirely opposite, desolate appearance.
"Be careful. I'm also unsure what's happening; it wasn't like this before," the Grand Commander said somberly.
The four had barely walked a short distance when a man holding a lamp discovered them.
The man was followed by a group carrying firearms, evidently Black Water Bay's patrol team.
"Where are you from! Stop, don't move, all freeze on the spot, or we'll open fire!"
The man shouted loudly.
Baiyu and the others halted, and the Grand Commander stepped out from the group, "Bastard, Limp Leg Three, don't you recognize me?"
Upon hearing the voice.
The man with the lamp approached.
His shoulders were uneven, leaning slightly due to an evident limp in his right leg. Apart from this, there wasn't anything particularly memorable about him.
Limp Leg Three recognized the Grand Commander, his eyes easing from wariness: "Oh, it's Wildfire's Resistance Army head. What now, come to buy weapons from our boss? Let me tell you, lately we're not doing business, and the boss probably doesn't have time to attend to you."
Wildfire, among resistance organizations, is quite a notable figure, yet here doesn't even receive basic respect, illustrating the significant power difference between Black Water Bay and Wildfire.