12: Chapter 12 Night Raid, Poisoning, Backstabbing Plot

Night had completely enveloped the wilderness, without even a sliver of starlight shining through. It was chillingly dark.

Those from the opposing convoy, who had been lying in wait for a long time, finally made their move in the darkness.

The physician crouched down and stealthily crept over to Zhang Xiuqi's vehicle, his gaze terrifyingly sinister.

Raising his hand, he sprinkled a fine layer of silvery-white powder into the crevices of the vehicle.

This was an extremely sinister and toxic substance from the post-apocalyptic world. Ordinary people would die instantly upon contact, and even a Transcendent would be instantly immobilized.

Inside the carriage, Zhang Xiuqi was resting with his eyes closed when a cold, fishy scent suddenly wafted into his nose.

Within moments, his entire body went numb, his limbs grew stiff, and he struggled to even raise his hand.

"Oh no! I've been poisoned!"

His heart skipped a beat, and a cold sweat instantly broke out. He dared not delay for a single second.

He immediately reached into his robes for his Talismans, fiercely throwing several of them out of the vehicle toward the physician hiding in the dark, while slapping the remaining ones onto himself.

Runic power instantly surged through him, finally dulling the numbing pain. However, he knew all too well that the Talismans could only suppress the poison; they couldn't cure it at all.

Zhang Xiuqi was scared out of his wits. Stripped of any pride as a Transcendent, he hurriedly begged for mercy from the person outside.

"Friend, spare my life! I'm willing to join you, just please give me a way out! If you push me too far, we'll drag each other down, and no one will have a good time!"

Outside, the physician was entangled by the flying Talismans and couldn't escape at all.

He knew that since he hadn't managed to kill the old man with this sneak attack, things would get difficult. If he pushed Zhang Xiuqi to madness and the old geezer detonated his runes to fight to the death, he would also suffer.

He immediately replied in a low voice, "Fine. Recall your Talismans, and I'll detoxify you right away."

"Do you think I'm stupid?" Zhang Xiuqi didn't believe him at all. "I'll recall two first. Once you detoxify me, I'll withdraw the rest!"

The physician immediately refused with a cold face, "No, you must recall all of them!"

Zhang Xiuqi grew completely desperate and roared in anger, "Fine! Then let's die together! At worst, we'll perish together!"

The physician instantly panicked. He didn't want to risk his life against this old geezer.

Gritting his teeth, he could only compromise:

"Fine! Recall two first, and I'll detoxify you. Once that's done, you must recall all the Talismans and join us! Our convoy's strength utterly crushes yours. If you don't follow us, you'll die sooner or later anyway!"

Zhang Xiuqi knew in his heart that this was the truth.

He figured that by now, Captain Wu Jue and Luo Xi had probably already met with disaster, leaving him with no way out.

Daring not to play any more tricks, he repeatedly pleaded, "I agree! Quick, detoxify me!"

The physician snorted coldly and threw a handful of red powder into the air.

The red powder drifted with the wind and seeped into the crevices of the carriage. The numbness in Zhang Xiuqi's body rapidly receded, and he let out a sigh of relief.

He didn't dare to overthink it and obediently recalled all the remaining Talismans.

Then, he pushed open the car door, stepped out, and looked at the physician with a grim expression. "Let's go. Take me to see my old companions."

He knew very well that the others had probably failed to escape.

Looking at his back, a sinister smile flashed in the physician's eyes.

He hadn't completely cured the poison at all; he had merely suppressed it temporarily so the symptoms wouldn't show. This poison was slow-acting. Once the others were dealt with, it would be this old geezer's time to die!

...

On the other side,

Luo Xi had just settled Ruan Xiaoxiao in the vehicle when she was ambushed the very next second!

The burly man of the Boxer Sequence played by no rules. His fist, wrapped in brute force, smashed straight through the car door and slammed heavily into Luo Xi's shoulder.

Luo Xi's body shuddered from the impact. She took the punch head-on, her teeth clenched tight in pain.

She had only one thought in her mind: she couldn't fight inside the car!

The space inside the vehicle was too cramped. The shockwaves of their struggle would definitely injure Ruan Xiaoxiao nearby. Ruan Xiaoxiao was her only family in this apocalyptic world, and nothing must happen to her.

Gripping her Short Halberd, Luo Xi endured her injuries, kicked open the car door, and rushed out to face the Pugilist from a distance.

Without a single word of nonsense, a life-and-death battle instantly erupted!

Stepping forward, Luo Xi held her Short Halberd and delivered a powerful, heavy sweep. The sound of tearing wind was ear-piercing as the strike went straight for the Pugilist's waist and abdomen.

Right after, her wrist flicked, and she used the momentum to thrust the Short Halberd upward, every move aimed to kill.

The Pugilist's eyes narrowed. He ducked sharply to dodge the sweep, then stomped his feet hard against the ground to leap into the air, throwing a punch straight at Luo Xi's face.

A cold smile curled at the corner of Luo Xi's mouth.

Fool, you've fallen for it!

This was the exact moment she had been waiting for. The Short Halberd at her waist was instantly unsheathed, pointing straight at the Pugilist's chest, intending to pierce his heart in one blow and turn the tables!

But at this critical juncture!

Bang!

A sharp gunshot pierced the night sky!

The opposing Guide hiding in the shadows had actually launched a sneak attack with a firearm. The bullet accurately pierced Luo Xi's abdomen, and blood instantly spurted out.

The agonizing pain pierced Luo Xi's heart, and her body instantly froze.

Seizing the opportunity, the Pugilist channeled his strength and slammed a heavy punch into her chest.

Under the double impact, Luo Xi was sent flying several meters like a ragdoll. She crashed heavily onto the ground, coughing up mouthfuls of blood.

The Pugilist was left with lingering fear, a cold sweat breaking out on his back.

That was close! He had almost been killed by this woman instead!

Luo Xi's combat power was simply terrifying. An opponent like her had to die!

He strode forward, intending to finish her off while she was down, giving her no room to breathe.

The Guide in the shadows also walked out slowly, aiming his gun at Luo Xi, ready to deliver a finishing blow at any moment.

Although this gun was useless against anomalies, it was quite effective against humans.

With the two surrounding her from front and back, Luo Xi was severely injured in both her abdomen and chest. Her strength drained rapidly, leaving her completely vulnerable and struggling to even stand up.

This was a dead end!

To anyone watching, she was doomed to die.

Lying on the ground, Luo Xi forced her head up. There was not a shred of fear in her eyes, only a resolute, fierce determination.

At worst, she would drag them down with her. Even if she died, she would take one of them to the grave!

...

On Zhou Che's side,

By the time Zhou Che returned to the vehicle, Lin Wan had already made the bed and was waiting for him.

Lin Wan sat on the bed wearing a thin nightgown. The dress was short, ending abruptly at her thighs.

It was just thin enough that when the vehicle's light shone on her, it revealed a tantalizing glimpse of her body's curves, looking like a layer of mist wrapping around a ball of fire.

The two points on her chest stood out prominently; the timing was just right.

Her hair was draped over her shoulders, freshly washed and still slightly damp. She curled up in the corner of the bed, her knees bent, revealing a section of her fair, smooth calves.

She didn't look at Zhou Che. With her head lowered, her fingers toyed with the hem of her dress, her blush spreading all the way down to her neck.

She was waiting for Zhou Che to favor her.

Seeing Lin Wan's lovely and pitiful appearance, Zhou Che had already pitched a tent.

The pilot was ready for takeoff at any moment.

Just then, a sudden wave of killing intent erupted!

The burly man of the Demon User Sequence stealthily approached the vehicle. Without a word, he clenched his fist, which was shrouded in black energy, and smashed it violently against the window.

The tempered glass shattered instantly, and the fist, carrying a brutal force, drove straight toward Zhou Che's face.

Zhou Che was greatly alarmed. With no time to think, he instantly activated his Lord of the Blood Moon Sequence and raised his arm to block.

Crimson energy enveloped his fist, but the opponent's sneak attack was too powerful. Zhou Che was still blown away by the massive force, crashing heavily outside the vehicle.