Sun Ruixing sighed helplessly, watching the old man below continue his increasingly bizarre statements, even questioning whether Sun Ruixing himself was a reactionary. A group of middle-aged women, who had never experienced the cruelty of the post-apocalyptic world, were also blindly chiming in.
"Enough! Listen to me," Sun Ruixing shouted.
"Tomorrow, I will lead everyone out. As for myself, I can only do my best to guarantee your safety." When his attempts at persuasion failed, Sun Ruixing had no choice but to compromise.
Grandpa Sun, seeing he had gotten the outcome he wanted, smiled gleefully and announced to those around him, "Alright, Little Sun, don’t worry! We won’t cause you any trouble. Everyone, let’s eat!"
Looking at Sun Ruixing’s utterly dejected expression, Wen Yu immediately understood. This man would sooner or later be doomed by this burdensome group.
After heartily finishing his meal, Wen Yu greeted Sun Ruixing and then headed to his room. He still hadn’t had enough rest.
Night deepened. In the mountainous areas surrounding Hualin Town, a plump rat quietly poked its head out.
Its elongated snout kept sniffing the air, trying to find something edible, because this Level 1 mutant rat hadn’t eaten all day.
It wasn’t due to a lack of food, but because the animal’s keen instinct warned it of a terrifying presence nearby, like a giant slowly awakening from a deep slumber.
The rat moved forward cautiously, then stopped in a deserted patch of farmland.
An alluring aroma, the smell of food, wafted up from the ground.
Its front paws rapidly pawed at the loose soil. Its mutated claws were exceptionally sharp, and in no time, the large rat found its meal.
It was a plant’s root, about five centimeters in diameter, elongated, with even finer root hairs squirming on it.
The large rat didn’t bother to identify the plant species. Hunger had already driven it beyond reason. It opened its large mouth and viciously bit down on the root before it.
But it couldn’t bite through.
The fat rat was puzzled. What could possibly resist its sharp teeth?
As if on cue, the plant root on the ground began to writhe violently. Before the large rat could react, the slender root, like a snake, coiled around its body.
The rat struggled frantically, but the plant’s grip only tightened, dragging the struggling rat directly underground.
The rat’s squeals gradually faded, leaving only a large pit in the ground. After a short while, the ground began to stir. Upon closer inspection, countless slender root hairs were incessantly smoothing out the marks on the ground. Then, the farmland returned to its previous calm. 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
In Sun Ruixing’s settlement, not far from the main house.
Within a small, independent courtyard, the low murmur of conversation could be heard.
"How are the preparations?" an unfamiliar voice asked.
"Everything’s ready. Tomorrow, I’ll fight tooth and nail to ensure that reactionary Sun Ruixing’s scheme doesn’t succeed." This was Grandpa Sun’s voice.
"Good. Grandpa Sun, you truly live up to your reputation as an old revolutionary—a man of principle! The country won’t forget your contributions. That Sun Ruixing, daring to carve out his own territory and ignore the nation’s laws! This is a betrayal of the people, and the nation will certainly not let him off." The stranger first flattered Grandpa Sun for a few sentences, then began to list Sun Ruixing’s faults.
"Take this, Grandpa Sun. Tomorrow, as soon as you and the others get on the vehicle with Sun Ruixing, light this incense. After that, you won’t have to worry about a thing. The nation’s power will ensure Sun Ruixing is severely punished." As his voice fell, a rustling sound was heard as the stranger fumbled for something, then handed an item to Grandpa Sun.
Grandpa Sun took the incense, yawned, and walked back towards the house. After all, an old man’s energy is limited, and Grandpa Sun was already feeling drowsy.
As soon as Grandpa Sun entered the house, the voice in the courtyard spoke again, "Mayor Li, can we trust this old man?"
"What’s not to trust? These old folks are loyal to the state. Besides, with my status, as long as I invoke the nation’s banner, these old folks will definitely listen to me. That Sun Ruixing is truly pitiful. The very people he painstakingly rescued, whom he treated like honored guests, sold him out in the blink of an eye. Tsk, tsk. But then again, this patriotic fervor and sense of national belonging truly declines with each generation, doesn’t it?" Mayor Li said with a sigh.
Another voice chuckled awkwardly before speaking directly to Mayor Li, "I’ll be on watch tomorrow, and I’ve already bought over most of the patrol team. When you arrive with your men, Mayor Li, you can directly take over this small camp. But once it’s done, the benefits you promised, Mayor Li...?"
"Rest assured, Lin Hu. Women, power, strength—you won’t miss out on any of it."
"That’s good, that’s good," Lin Hu, also known as Tiger Kid, said with satisfaction.
"By the way, Mayor Li, what was that incense you gave him? Make sure it kills Sun Ruixing. If he comes back alive, things could get complicated." Tiger Kid felt a twinge of guilt towards Sun Ruixing. After all, he owed his survival entirely to Sun Ruixing. Tiger Kid didn’t want Sun Ruixing to find out about his betrayal, so the best solution was to ensure Sun Ruixing never returned.
"Heh. Rest assured. This is a little trinket I found in the treasure land. It will absolutely ensure Sun Ruixing never returns," Mayor Li said confidently.
"Treasure land?" Tiger Kid asked, puzzled.
"Heh. When you join us, you’ll know everything. You’ve seen what a screwed-up world this is, Brother Lin Hu. Following me is much better than sticking with Sun Ruixing. I, your big brother, won’t treat you unfairly. Then, we can be the local emperors in this little Hualin Town. Wouldn’t that be great?" 𝘧𝘳𝘦ℯ𝓌𝘦𝒷𝘯𝑜𝑣𝘦𝓁.𝒸𝘰𝓂
Seeing Lin Hu nod thoughtfully, Mayor Li sneered inwardly. With Lin Hu’s strength and methods, he’s only fit to be a patrol captain. He wants to share wealth and glory with me? He should take a good look in the mirror at his own pathetic self!
"Now that everything is arranged, I’ll take my leave. I’ll bring my men over tomorrow at noon," Mayor Li nodded to Tiger Kid. Then, his figure blurred, and he vanished on the spot.
Lin Hu watched the spot where Mayor Li had disappeared, his expression flickering indeterminately for a moment before a look of utter ruthlessness took over.
Isn’t the purpose of life to seek wealth and prosperity? Big brother Sun, since you can’t offer them to me, I’ll take them myself.