Part 1
While Han Yue and her team waited for the military from City H to arrive, the rescued villagers began eating and drinking water from the supplies provided. Some looked weak and malnourished, while others simply sat silently, still processing the relief of being saved.
Meanwhile, Shadow 8, feeling a little bored, lifted his smartwatch and took a selfie—with the thug leader still duct-taped to the podium in the background. He grinned and sent it to the Shadow Guards Leaders group chat with the caption:"Visiting a mountain village while on vacation 😎📸."
Han Yue turned to Guard Lei and said casually, "Go bring the car over here."
A few minutes later, their black armored vehicle rolled up in front of the village hall. Chen Ruxue and Xiao Bao stepped out to take a look around. Seeing the injured villagers, Ruxue quickly offered, "I can do some basic first aid."
Han Yue nodded and pointed toward the room opposite the leader's room. "There are supplies in there—bandages, food, and other things. Tian, help her bring them out."
With Guard Tian's help, they carried out bandages, gauze, and splints. Ruxue worked diligently, wrapping wounds and cleaning cuts. Some villagers had broken arms or legs, others had bruises and shallow injuries, but she treated each one patiently.
As the scene settled, Han Yue received a message from Assistant Chen:
"They'll arrive in 10 minutes."
She replied:
"Okay."
Then looked up and informed the others, "They'll be here in ten minutes."
Exactly on time, two military trucks and two jeeps rolled into the village, tires crunching over the dirt path. Soldiers jumped down swiftly and approached the hall.
They instantly spotted Han Yue's black off-road vehicle and already knew who had handled the situation—Secretary Su had filled them in beforehand.
Stepping inside the village hall, the soldiers were greeted by a surreal sight:
Villagers sitting quietly, some bandaged and recovering.
Dozens of thugs tied up with layers of duct tape, unconscious or groaning.
The thug leader strapped to the podium with a turtle doodled on his face.
And Han Yue, seated calmly in the center like nothing out of the ordinary.
The squad leader stepped forward and saluted. "Thank you for your hard work."
Han Yue returned the salute and stood up. She handed him the logbooks and client records. "There are records of human trafficking linked to a research lab again. You'll want to review these."
She gestured toward the thug leader's room. "That room is full of gold, weapons, bullets, and other contraband. Be sure to search it properly."
Guard Lei stepped forward with four sacks full of weapons, bullets, and knives they had confiscated earlier. "We've already secured the other houses too—more thugs are tied up inside."
The squad leader turned to his team. "Sweep the entire village. Secure all remaining targets."
Han Yue gestured to the podium. "That one's their boss."
The squad leader looked at the thug leader and paused when he saw the turtle doodled on his face. His lips twitched slightly before he nodded. "Understood. We'll take it from here. Your team's reward will be issued at a later date."
Han Yue gave a small nod and turned to her group. "Let's go. We've spent enough time here—we still have a long road ahead."
Before leaving, Guard Tian tossed something toward one of the soldiers.
"Here—this was on the road earlier," he said. It was the spike strip.
With that, they got in their vehicle and drove off.
The moment they hit the road again, it was as if nothing had happened. Snacks were passed around like usual. Shadow 8 munched on jerky and laughed. "What an exciting vacation, hehe."
Guard Lei kept his eyes on the road, thinking to himself, This trip's been crazier than most of our actual missions… ambushes, assassins, kidnapping attempts, human traffickers in mountain villages...
He sighed and focused back on the road.
Han Yue smiled from the passenger seat and said, "Only an idiot would still call this a vacation."
Everyone laughed.
Instead of taking the main highway, they continued through the mountain route. It took nearly two hours to descend, but eventually, they reached the outskirts of City I.
They decided to stop at an abandoned building to rest and have lunch.
Han Yue opened the back of the vehicle and took out a cooler. Inside was a pot of warm chicken curry, kept fresh by her spatial amulet. Guard Lei and Tian set up a portable gas stove and started heating the curry, while also chopping vegetables to add in. Han Yue also brought out a pot of freshly steamed rice to complete the meal.
Shadow 8 and Ruxue unfolded tables, chairs, and arranged the plates.
While they were working, Han Yue scrolled through her phone. A message came in from Uncle Long:
"No worries. You've told me about the regrets and losses of the soldiers before. I already raised the issue in the joint military meeting before the extreme heatwave began. I also issued another reminder today after the rainstorm forecast. Come back home soon."
Han Yue smiled. Hmm, sounds like Uncle misses me.
She replied:
😊 Okay, Uncle.
Soon, the curry and rice were ready.
Everyone sat down and started digging in. With bottles of ice-cold water to accompany their meal, the mood was light.
Xiao Bao beamed as he took a bite. "Wow! This curry is amazing!"
Guard Tian smiled. "Good. Eat more."
After the meal, they packed up, cleaned the area, and got back on the road—heading toward City J without any more delays or distractions.
For now, at least... the road ahead was finally quiet.
Part 2
While they were on the road driving toward City J, Guard Lei suddenly reported, "There's a group of people blocking the road up ahead."
Han Yue calmly closed her eyes and released her spiritual sense to scan the area. "It's just a bunch of beggars pretending to ask for help," she said. Her eyes opened coldly. "Ignore them."
Without hesitation, Guard Lei stepped harder on the gas.
Up ahead, the group of beggars—faces smug and dirty—were already whispering among themselves.
"Another fat sheep has come."
"Good. Once they stop, we break the windows and loot everything."
"Hahaha! Don't forget to grab the woman."
But just as they were fantasizing about their 'harvest,' they noticed something odd.
"…Why aren't they slowing down?"
"Hey—umm—aren't they supposed to stop?"
The car was speeding straight at them. One of the beggars started sweating and shouted, "They're not stopping!!"
Panic spread like wildfire. Some began scrambling out of the way. Others froze in fear.
One stubborn man gritted his teeth. "They won't dare hit us!!"
But the car zoomed forward without hesitation—just missing him by inches. The man jumped aside at the last second, tumbling into the dirt. The speeding vehicle roared past, leaving only dust and stunned faces behind.
"Murderers!!" the beggars screamed in frustration.
Inside the car, Shadow 8 was laughing so hard he nearly choked. He'd recorded the entire encounter on his smartwatch and said gleefully, "Hahaha! These idiots! I'm totally uploading this later."
Ruxue, sitting in the back with Xiao Bao, looked a little worried. "Is that okay? What if they report us?"
Guard Lei answered calmly, "Don't worry. Those people are criminals. It's a trick—they wave you down pretending to need help, then swarm your vehicle to rob you… or worse."
Han Yue added coolly, "There were six more people waiting in ambush nearby. Don't forget—in the apocalypse, the most valuable things are supplies… and women."
Ruxue's heart sank. She's right. This world is already lawless.
Xiao Bao noticed his mother's expression and puffed up his little chest. "Don't worry, Mom! I'll protect you!"
Shadow 8, overhearing, chuckled and reached over to ruffle Xiao Bao's hair. "Good! That's what it means to be a man—protect the people you love."
Xiao Bao nodded seriously. "Mm! I'll work hard!"
Their serious moment faded into light conversation again as they munched on snacks and chatted during the ride.
By 6 AM, they finally reached Dragon Peak Military Base.
Han Yue looked out the window and said, "Let's enter here. They've probably finished connecting the train tracks to our base."
Guard Lei nodded, pulled up to the checkpoint, and showed a black government-issued ID card with an official emblem.
The soldier at the gate saluted and waved them in without question.
They drove straight to the Admin Hall, where Secretary Liang Meiyu was working.
As soon as they walked in, Shadow 8 grinned and waved exaggeratedly. "HEY! MEI MEI~!"
Liang Meiyu looked up and blinked in surprise. She quickly stood and walked over with a smile. "Welcome back! I heard you were… on vacation?" she said, a little skeptical. "Come sit down for a while."
She gestured to her assistant, who brought out a tray of refreshments and snacks.
Everyone settled into the lounge chairs while Shadow 8 started recounting their "vacation" with dramatic flair—getting ambushed, almost kidnapped, nearly turned into lab specimens...
Secretary Liang twitched her mouth and muttered under her breath, "Sounds more like torture than a vacation..."
While chatting, Han Yue asked, "Is the train station ready yet?"
Secretary Liang nodded. "Yes. The connection between our base and The top of Hidden Dragon Peak is now fully operational. As for the southern extension to the underground freight area, I heard it'll take another two days."
She stood up. "I'll guide you there now. Only registered personnel with verified badges can board the train. Yours will work."
Everyone nodded in agreement.
Before heading out, Han Yue briefly stepped outside to collect their car, then followed Secretary Liang through a side hall within the Admin building.
As they walked, Secretary Liang added, "We're also working on expanding this route for armored trucks and larger convoys. Once finished, you'll be able to drive supplies through directly."
Eventually, they reached the heavily guarded underground entrance. At the checkpoint, each person scanned their ID badge to pass through.
Once onboard the train, Shadow 8 leaned out the doorway and waved enthusiastically. "Goodbye, Mei Mei! Let's chat again next time!"
Secretary Liang chuckled and waved back before turning to return to her desk.
The train doors closed.
Their journey back to base… finally resumed.