22: Chapter 22 Zhao Ji's Counterattack

The night was deep.

After a day of travel and scavenging, the Black Iron, that steel behemoth, finally slowed its pace and entered low-speed cruise mode.

The wilderness outside the window was pitch black, with only the occasional bolt of lightning illuminating those twisted, dead trees.

Inside the train, most of the girls had already fallen into a deep sleep.

The newly joined girls from the Dance Department were exhausted from the day's labor and were currently lying sprawled across the bunk beds in the dormitory carriage, emitting soft snores.

For the veteran members, such peaceful sleep was an even rarer luxury.

But in the cleaning room of carriage No. 15, there was one person who had not yet slept.

Zhao Ji.

This once arrogant and overbearing young lady was currently wearing an ill-fitting gray work uniform, holding a moldy-smelling rag, and scrubbing the stains on the rim of the toilet bowl fiercely.

"Damn it... Damn it! Damn it!"

She cursed under her breath while scrubbing.

Every forceful movement seemed to be an outlet for the resentment in her heart.

Thinking of herself, Zhao Ji, whose family assets were over a hundred million, who wasn't treating her like the center of attention back at school? A loser like Lin Xiao wasn't even worthy of carrying her shoes back then!

But what about now?

That loser had become the high and mighty "King," that bitch Su Qingqian who pretended to be noble had become the "Queen," and even that tomboy Zhao Xiaotang had become some bullshit captain of the guard!

And her?

She could only wash toilets here! Just to exchange for that pitiful 10 contribution points to eat a meal that wasn't spoiled!

"I refuse to accept this... Why..."

Zhao Ji looked at her haggard reflection in the mirror, her hands covered in chilblains, the fire of jealousy burning fiercely in her eyes.

Just then, the sound of light footsteps came from outside the door.

Zhao Ji immediately stopped speaking, alert, and pretended to be working diligently.

The door opened, and in walked Liu Ruyan.

This former leader of the Dance Department, although stripped of real power now, still possessed an outstanding temperament. She wore a clean tracksuit and held a bottle of water, appearing to have just returned from patrolling the greenhouse carriage in front.

"Not asleep yet?" Liu Ruyan asked indifferently, glancing at Zhao Ji, who was kneeling on the floor.

Although the two were not close before, in this environment, as former "goddess-level" figures who were now both somewhat down on their luck, it was inevitable that a sense of shared misery would arise.

Zhao Ji's eyes darted, and she suddenly stopped her work, stood up, wiped her face with her soapy hands, and revealed a miserable smile.

"Can't sleep, school beauty Liu. Aren't you also still awake?"

She stepped closer and lowered her voice, saying: "How is it? How does it feel to be a 'team leader' for someone? Do you still have to watch the face of that guy surnamed Lin?"

Liu Ruyan frowned, instinctively wanting to retreat, but upon hearing this, her footsteps halted.

"This is for survival, there's no other way."

"Survival?" Zhao Ji sneered, "This is called slavery! Look at the people in the front carriages, what are Su Qingqian and the others eating? Self-heating hot pot! Drinking cola! What are we eating? Compressed biscuit mush!"

"Liu Ruyan, you were the proudest swan in our school. Are you really willing to be a foot-washing maid for that nouveau riche?"

Liu Ruyan was silent.

She looked at Zhao Ji, her eyes flickering: "What can I do if I'm not willing? He has guns, a vehicle, and Su Qingqian and that super-strong woman Zhao Xiaotang."

Seeing Liu Ruyan waver, Zhao Ji was overjoyed.

She looked left and right to confirm no one was around, then grabbed Liu Ruyan's hand, her voice becoming rapid and sinister:

"Guns? Whoever holds that thing, it belongs to them!"

"No matter how strong Zhao Xiaotang is, she's just a meat shield, and Su Qingqian is nothing but a vase!"

"Ruyan, think about it, you have over sixty people on your side! There are quite a few people on our side who have long been displeased with Lin Xiao!"

"As long as we act in the middle of the night... I have a few sisters who have already hidden fruit knives. As long as we seize the cockpit and force Lin Xiao to hand over authority, this train... will be ours!"

Zhao Ji's eyes flashed with a crazed light.

"When that time comes, you will still be the queen, and we will split this train! Those men... I can kill whoever I want and keep whoever I want!"

Liu Ruyan looked at the nearly insane woman in front of her, a wave of emotion rising in her heart.

Seizing power?

This was indeed a tempting proposal.

If it succeeded, she wouldn't have to watch anyone's face, wouldn't have to go massage that man, and wouldn't have to worry about being marginalized.

But...

"What if it fails?" Liu Ruyan asked softly.

"It can't fail!" Zhao Ji gripped her hand tightly, "That lecher Lin Xiao, I can tell by the way he looks at you that it's not right. You just need to pretend to offer yourself, and when he lets his guard down..."

She made a throat-slitting gesture.

"As soon as he dies, the others will be like loose sand!"

Liu Ruyan lowered her head, seemingly engaged in a fierce internal struggle.

A long time passed.

She raised her head, her eyes becoming firm.

"Fine. Three o'clock tonight, meet at the cockpit door."

Zhao Ji was ecstatic: "Great! I knew you had guts! Tonight, we sisters will turn the tables and become the masters!"

...

Meanwhile.

Carriage No. 1, the cockpit.

On the giant holographic screen, the real-time surveillance footage of the cleaning room in carriage No. 15 was playing.

The image quality was clear, and even the ferocious expression on Zhao Ji's face could be seen clearly.

The audio, processed through Luo Yao's upgraded [Electronic Ghost] talent with noise reduction, echoed clearly in the room.

"Tsk, tsk, tsk..."

Lin Xiao leaned back in the leather chair, swirling a glass of red wine in his hand, a look of watching a show on his face.

"This Zhao Ji, it's a pity she isn't acting in a palace drama. This line delivery, this ability to incite—if she were in ancient times, she would at least be a seductress who brings disaster to the country and its people."

Luo Yao, sitting in the co-pilot seat, was so angry her little face turned red, and the lollipop in her mouth was bitten to pieces.

"Squad Leader! This Zhao Ji is too evil! She actually wants to kill you! And she wants to steal our train!"

"I'm going to hack the oxygen system of that carriage right now and suffocate her!"

"Don't be so impatient."

Lin Xiao smiled and held down Luo Yao's little hand.

"Life is so boring, it's not easy to find a show for entertainment, how can we cut it off so quickly?"

Standing to the side, Su Qingqian was as cold as frost, her Tang sword "water cutter" already unsheathed by half an inch, the chilling blade aura causing the surrounding temperature to drop by several degrees.

"Lin Xiao, such a hidden danger cannot be left. I will go kill her right now. And that Liu Ruyan... she actually dared to agree, she's not a good thing either."

"Qing Qian, you are still too straightforward."

Lin Xiao shook his head, put down the wine glass, and a glimmer of wisdom flashed in his eyes.

"Zhao Ji must definitely be dealt with. But this chicken must be killed in a way that has value."

"As for Liu Ruyan..."

Lin Xiao rubbed his chin, a playful smile curling at the corner of his mouth.

"Don't you think this is the best test for a 'pledge of allegiance'?"

"What do you mean?" Zhao Xiaotang crossed her arms, looking confused. Her brain currently only contained muscles and Lin Xiao; she couldn't understand these roundabout tactics.

"Liu Ruyan is a smart person," Lin Xiao said indifferently. "Smart people know how to maximize their benefits."

"If she is truly stupid enough to rebel with Zhao Ji, then we will kill them both."

"But if she turns around and sells out Zhao Ji... then from now on, she will be the most obedient dog on this train."

Lin Xiao checked the time.

02:30 AM.

"The good show is about to start. Xiao Tang, go guard the door. Qing Qian, turn off the lights and set the mood."

"Let's prepare a surprise for these 'rebels'."

...

03:00 AM.

This was the time of day when people slept the deepest.

The interior of the Black Iron was deathly silent, with only the faint sound of wind coming from the ventilation ducts.

Three stealthy figures avoided the patrols in the corridor (actually, it was the authority Luo Yao had deliberately opened) and crept up to the heavy isolation door of carriage No. 1.

The leader was none other than Zhao Ji.

Following behind her were two girls from the "socialite clique" who were usually closest to her, both tightly gripping small knives usually used for peeling fruit, trembling with nervousness.

"Don't tremble! You losers!" Zhao Ji cursed under her breath, although her own palms were also full of sweat.

She was waiting.

Waiting for Liu Ruyan's signal.

According to the plan, Liu Ruyan would trick the door open under the guise of reporting work, and then they would rush in and hack Lin Xiao to death.

Just then, at the other end of the corridor, a slender figure walked over silently.

It was Liu Ruyan.

She had changed into a black tight-fitting suit, wrapping her graceful figure in a way that accentuated her curves. Her face looked somewhat pale under the dim light, but her eyes were exceptionally calm.

"How is it? Any movement inside?" Zhao Ji asked, eagerly walking up to her.

"It's very quiet. They should all be asleep," Liu Ruyan said in a low voice. "Lin Xiao didn't lock the door either; he probably forgot."

"Heaven helps me!" A fierce light appeared in Zhao Ji's eyes. "That idiot, he really is just a nouveau riche, he has absolutely no vigilance!"

"Liu Ruyan, you go in first and distract him. If he's awake, just say you're bringing him a late-night snack. We'll be right behind you!"

Liu Ruyan looked at Zhao Ji's face, twisted by greed, and a flicker of pity crossed her heart.

Who was the stupid one, really?

Zhao Ji had no idea how terrifying the surveillance system of this vehicle was.

Nor did she know what kind of power that seemingly lazy man held in his hands.

"Alright."

Liu Ruyan nodded and turned to walk toward the heavy alloy door.

She raised her hand and placed it on the fingerprint scanner.

In truth, she had no authorization at all.

But the moment her finger touched it—

"Beep—"

The access control, which should have flashed a red alarm light, actually turned green.

The sound of the air pressure valve releasing air echoed.

That door, which seemed to lead to either hell or heaven, slowly slid open.

Zhao Ji was ecstatic; she gripped the fruit knife in her hand and signaled to the two followers behind her.

"Charge!"

She let out a low growl and rushed in first!

"Lin Xiao! Die! This vehicle is mine now!"

However.

There was no darkness as she had expected.

Nor was there a sleeping man as she had expected.

"Snap!"

A crisp sound of a finger snap.

The lights inside the cockpit instantly turned on!

The blinding white light instantly blinded the three of them, who had grown accustomed to the darkness, and they instinctively covered their eyes and screamed.

"Ah! My eyes!"

When they finally managed to open their eyes and see the scene before them, a chill shot straight from the soles of their feet to their scalps.

In the spacious and luxurious cockpit,

Lin Xiao was sitting upright in that leather command chair, which symbolized power, holding a glass of red wine, a playful smile on his lips.

And beside him,

On the left was Su Qingqian, holding a Tang dao, her face full of murderous intent.

On the right was Luo Yao, holding a laptop with a mocking expression.

And directly in front...

A muscular valkyrie like an iron tower—Zhao Xiaotang—was wearing a tank top stretched tight by her muscles, carrying a thick alloy steel pipe, grinning hideously at them.

"Good evening, classmate Zhao Ji."

Lin Xiao swirled his wine glass, his voice as soft as if he were greeting an old friend.

"Not sleeping in the middle of the night, bringing a knife to my room... were you planning to peel an apple for me?"

"This... this..."

The knife in Zhao Ji's hand clattered to the floor.

It was over.

It was all over.

This was a trap!

She suddenly turned to look at Liu Ruyan behind her.

"Liu Ruyan! It's you! You betrayed me?!"

She screamed hysterically, like a madwoman backed into a corner.

Liu Ruyan no longer had the nervousness she had moments ago.

She expressionlessly walked past Zhao Ji and went straight to Lin Xiao.

Then, in Zhao Ji's disbelieving gaze,

this once-proud beauty of the Dance Department slowly knelt on one knee and lowered her noble head.

"Conductor. The rebel Zhao Ji and her accomplices have been brought here."

"As you ordered, I have finished playing this part."

Liu Ruyan's voice was calm and submissive.

From the very beginning, the moment Zhao Ji approached her,

she had been weighing her options.

On one side were a few crazy women with fruit knives who only knew how to be jealous.

On the other side was a true hegemon who possessed firearms, genetically modified warriors, and infinite supplies.

Was there even a choice?

Liu Ruyan hadn't reached the position of department beauty just by relying on her face and legs, but also her brains!

Therefore, the moment she agreed to Zhao Ji, she found an opportunity to confess everything to Lin Xiao through the intercom in the carriage.

This was why the access control opened for her tonight.

"You... you bitch! Traitor!"

Zhao Ji went mad; she picked up the knife from the floor and wanted to rush at Liu Ruyan.

"You're courting death."

Zhao Xiaotang, who hadn't spoken until now, moved.

Having injected the genetic modification serum and awakened [Copper Skin and Iron Bones] along with triple strength, her movements were as fast as lightning.

She didn't even use a weapon.

She simply reached out a hand and, as if grabbing a chick, clamped onto Zhao Ji's neck.

"Urgh... cough..."

Zhao Ji's feet left the ground, and she was lifted into mid-air.

She struggled desperately, and the knife in her hand slashed across Zhao Xiaotang's arm.

"Screech—"

The clothes tore.

But on the exposed wheat-colored skin, not even a white mark was left!

The tip of the knife felt like it had stabbed into a steel plate, even sliding off!

"Is that all?"

Zhao Xiaotang curled her lip in disdain and applied a little force with her arm.

The terrifying sensation of suffocation made Zhao Ji roll her eyes, and her tongue lolled out.

"Alright, Xiao Tang, don't kill her."

Lin Xiao spoke indifferently.

"If the carpet gets dirty, Shen Man has to wash it, which is quite troublesome."

Hearing this, Zhao Xiaotang casually flung her away.

"Bang!"

Zhao Ji was flung away like a ragdoll, hitting the wall heavily, then sliding down, clutching her neck and coughing violently, tears and snot streaming down.

The other two followers were already scared witless and were kneeling on the ground, kowtowing frantically.

"Squad Leader, spare us! It was all Zhao Ji forcing us! We don't want to die!"

Lin Xiao stood up and walked to Zhao Ji.

He didn't look at this disheveled woman but instead looked at Liu Ruyan, who was kneeling on the floor.

He reached out and gently stroked Liu Ruyan's smooth long hair.

"Well done, Ruyan."

"You made the right choice."

"From today on, you are an official member. Double rations of vegetable salad for this week."

Feeling the temperature of that large hand on her head, Liu Ruyan's body trembled slightly.

That was the temperature of power.

She knew she had bet correctly.

"Tha... Thank you, Conductor."

She lowered her head even more respectfully.

Lin Xiao then turned his head to look at Zhao Ji, who was cowering in the corner.

His gaze was ice-cold, devoid of any warmth.

"Zhao Ji, I gave you a chance."

"I had you clean the toilets to temper your temperament. I didn't expect that not only did you not change, you actually got worse."

"Since you don't like the rules on this vehicle..."

Lin Xiao walked to the console and pressed the button for the vehicle-wide broadcast.

"Static—"

"Attention everyone. I am the Conductor, Lin Xiao."

"I am now announcing a disciplinary decision."

"Former art student Zhao Ji and her two accomplices are guilty of attempted rebellion and attempted murder of the Conductor, with conclusive evidence."

Lin Xiao paused, his voice turning icy.

"The death penalty is too easy on them."

"In this apocalypse, the greatest punishment is not death, but the loss of hope."

He looked at Zhao Ji and revealed a demonic smile.

"Since you yearn for freedom so much and dislike being 'enslaved' by me."

"Then I will grant your wish."

"Sentence: Exile."

"No! No, Squad Leader!"

Zhao Ji completely broke down upon hearing the word "exile."

On this wasteland, with no vehicle, no food, no weapons.

Exile meant—being torn apart alive by zombies, or caught by other thugs... that fate was ten thousand times more terrifying than death!

She crawled over, wanting to hug Lin Xiao's leg.

"I was wrong! I was really wrong! I'll do anything! Even be a dog! Please don't kick me off the vehicle!"

"It's too late."

Lin Xiao kicked her away.

"Xiao Tang, throw them off."

"Stop at that abandoned town full of zombies up ahead."

"Yes!"

Zhao Xiaotang flashed a cruel smile, grabbing one in each hand and dragging them out like trash.

Su Qingqian also stepped forward to help, dragging away the other one.

"No—!!!"

The shrill screams echoed in the corridor, gradually fading away.

Liu Ruyan remained kneeling on the ground, listening to the screams, her whole body cold.

She knew this was killing the chicken to scare the monkey.

The chicken was Zhao Ji.

And the monkey... was her, and everyone who had newly joined.

Lin Xiao walked back to her, bent down, and reached out to lift her chin.

Looking at this stunning face, tear-stained yet forcing a calm composure.

"Are you afraid?"

"Afraid..." Liu Ruyan answered truthfully.

"It's good that you're afraid."

Lin Xiao smiled, his fingers gently brushing her cheek.

"Remember this fear. It will keep you clear-headed at all times, and it will also make you... more loyal."

"Alright, get up."

Lin Xiao withdrew his hand, his tone returning to laziness.

"You're tired tonight too. Go take a shower and put on some clean clothes."

"Then... come back."

"My shoulders are feeling a bit sore again."

Liu Ruyan was stunned, and then her cheeks flushed red.

She understood the meaning of those words.

This time, it wasn't just a simple massage.

This was a reward, and also complete acceptance.

"Yes... Conductor."

She stood up; although her legs were still a bit weak, there was something called "ambition" in her eyes.

Since she had already boarded this pirate ship, since there was no turning back.

Then she would strive to climb to the highest position.

The position just below that man.