573: Chapter 568 The Bet is on One Person

The "Sand Lizard" passed through the perilous "Black Wind Pass" from yesterday.

Kade's driving skills were excellent, but he still drove with his heart pounding in his chest.

As for Shen Yan, not even his eyelids fluttered.

It was as if the violent gale outside the window, capable of tearing steel apart, was merely a gentle breeze brushing his face.

This composure made Batu's brow furrow slightly.

After driving for about three more hours,

the outline of a city appeared on the horizon.

It was a steel city surrounded by a colossal sand-prevention wall, resembling a massive beast crouching against the backdrop of the yellow sand.

Gray Sand City.

The largest and most chaotic lawless place in this region.

After a rough inspection at the city gate, the "Sand Lizard" drove into the city.

The scene inside the city was completely different from the tribe.

Narrow streets, visible pipes and wires everywhere, and pedestrians dressed in various clothing with vigilant eyes.

The air was filled with a strange odor mixing engine oil, low-grade alcohol, and roasted meat.

"Mr. Shen, where are we going?" Kade asked cautiously.

"Find a place to park."

Shen Yan opened his eyes.

"Then, you two wait for me here."

"No!" Batu immediately spoke up, his voice dull and resolute.

"The Elder's order is that I must follow you at all times."

Shen Yan glanced at him without arguing.

"As you wish."

He pushed open the car door and stepped out.

Batu immediately followed, like a shadow, staying half a step behind Shen Yan.

His tall physique and tribal attire attracted many inquisitive glances.

Shen Yan paid no attention to those looks.

He walked straight into an alley that appeared even more chaotic.

At the end of the alley was a shop with a sign that read "Gears and Gold."

The shopfront was small, with only a single rusted metal door.

Sitting at the entrance was a one-eyed cyborg, polishing his mechanical arm.

Seeing Shen Yan, the one-eyed cyborg raised his eyelids but did not stop him.

Shen Yan pushed the door open and entered.

Batu followed closely behind.

The inside of the shop was dimly lit, with only one counter.

Behind the counter sat a fat man wearing gold-rimmed glasses, looking refined and scholarly.

"Doing business?" the fat man asked without looking up.

"Withdrawal."

Shen Yan took out a seemingly ordinary black metal coin from his pocket and placed it on the counter.

When the fat man saw the metal coin, the laziness on his face instantly vanished.

He sat up straight abruptly, picked up the metal coin, and placed it on an instrument for careful inspection.

The instrument emitted a light 'beep'.

A fine layer of sweat broke out on the fat man's forehead.

He stood up respectfully.

"Esteemed Black Card Client, how much... how much do you wish to withdraw?"

"Five hundred million first," Shen Yan said as if he were talking about five dollars.

The fat man's legs went weak for a moment.

He leaned on the counter to keep from sliding down.

"Five... Five hundred million in cash, we... we don't have that much here..."

"Transfer it to this account."

Shen Yan handed over a data card.

"I need to see the confirmation within three minutes."

"Yes! Yes!"

The fat man frantically operated the ancient-looking terminal in front of him.

Batu stood behind Shen Yan, completely unable to understand what they were saying.

What 'hundred million,' what 'account'—these words were beyond his comprehension.

But he could understand the expression on the fat shopkeeper's face.

That expression was one he had only seen on the faces of minor tribal leaders when facing the Elder Wu He of their tribe.

It was awe; it was fear.

In less than three minutes,

a miniature terminal on Shen Yan's wrist vibrated lightly.

He glanced at it.

"Very good."

He put away the metal coin and the data card and turned to leave.

He hadn't said an extra word from beginning to end.

Stepping out of the shop, the sunlight outside was somewhat harsh.

Batu felt as if he had just experienced a dream.

He didn't know what had just happened, but he vaguely sensed that this man named Shen Yan had mobilized a fortune sufficient to buy ten Gray Sand Cities in a way he could not comprehend.

Shen Yan did not stop walking.

He led Batu into another alley.

Here there was an even less conspicuous shop, with a sign reading "Wind Whisperer" hanging at the entrance.

Inside, there was only a gaunt old man dozing off.

Shen Yan tapped the counter.

The old man opened his eyes.

"I need to use the 'Deep Space Channel' at the highest encryption level."

The old man glanced at him and pointed toward the back room.

"One minute, one hundred thousand."

"Book it for half an hour."

Shen Yan walked into the back room.

It was a soundproof metal room with only a communication device in the center.

Batu was locked outside the door.

He could only press against the door, faintly hearing some intermittent words inside that he couldn't understand at all.

"Coordinates... Sand Viper Tribe... Yes, that exact location..."

"'Pioneer' engineering team, full set of equipment, on-site within three days."

"Geological survey team, priority."

"'Heaven Shield' Security Company, one reinforced platoon of troops, maximum firepower configuration; I want to see them tomorrow."

"Charter three 'Kunpeng'-class heavy transport aircraft; apply for routes immediately."

"The funds are in place. I don't care what method you use."

"I want to see results."

Batu listened, his heart pounding with fear.

Although he didn't understand those terms, he understood Shen Yan's tone.

It was not a discussion, not a request.

It was an order.

An unquestionable command.

It was as if the people on the other end of the line were not partners, but his subordinates, his soldiers.

Half an hour later, Shen Yan walked out.

His expression was as calm as when he went in.

As if the person who had just mobilized countless manpower and resources was not him.

He tossed an anonymous credit chip to the old man.

The old man took it, glanced at the number on it, and his pupils suddenly contracted. He bowed deeply to Shen Yan's retreating back.

Leaving the communication shop, Shen Yan took Batu to the largest supply market in the city.

He bought many things.

Highly compressed nutrient paste, enough for five hundred people for a month.

The latest field medical kits, a full ten large boxes.

And some solar charging panels, high-power searchlights, and some precision tools that Batu couldn't even name.

Everything was delivered directly by the seller to where Kade had parked.

When Kade saw the heavy truck almost filled with supplies following the "Sand Lizard," he was completely stunned.

"Mr... Mr. Shen... these..."

"A deposit," Shen Yan said lightly.

"Back to the tribe."

On the way back, the atmosphere in the car was even more bizarre.

Kade's hands were shaking while driving.

As for Batu, he had completely given up on monitoring.

He lowered his head, looking at the curved saber in his arms.

This saber was his honor as a warrior.

But today, he had witnessed a brand-new kind of power.

That power was intangible and formless.

It required no blade, no muscle.

It only needed a few words, a few commands, to mobilize a force like a thunderclap.

The man sat in the passenger seat, his eyes closed again.

But in Batu's eyes, he was no longer an unarmed outsider who needed to be monitored.

He was a giant beast resting with closed eyes.

Its claws and fangs were hidden in the unseen world.

Once it opened its eyes, it could overturn heaven and earth.

Batu suddenly understood Elder Wu He's words.

What they were betting on was not some vague, ethereal promise.

They were betting on a person who could turn that promise into reality.