48: illusion

The bloody gathering finally dispersed.

Xing Zhan was very satisfied with his "masterpiece." As he watched the crowd scatter like a frightened flock of sheep, a look of enjoyment appeared on his face.

"Commander, what's next?" The Adjutant stepped forward to ask for instructions.

"Move the main force of the Scavengers to the periphery of the mining area, focusing on the entrance to Sector B," Xing Zhan said nonchalantly. "Let's call it 'defensive exploration'; I like that term. As for the interior... humph, a pack of spineless dogs. There's no need to waste our energy on them anymore."

He glanced into the distance at Reno's back as he walked away, carrying the corpse.

"Hand the daily patrols inside back to the Guard Team." Xing Zhan's voice was filled with disdain. "Let that trash named Reno do it. He should know how to discipline his own kind by now. Just have his men report to you periodically."

"Yes, Commander," the Adjutant replied and left to carry out the order.

At that moment, a pale Bachm scrambled over, forcing a smile that looked more painful than crying.

"Lord Xing Zhan, you truly... truly have a thunderous touch. I'm impressed, truly impressed! Regarding Sector B..."

Xing Zhan didn't even bother to look at him, simply telling the guards beside him indifferently, "I don't want to see this fat face again. If this fat man comes within ten meters of me again, hang him in the square on the grounds of obstructing military duties. Let him keep that piece of trash company."

"Yes!" the guard responded coldly.

Bachm's smile instantly froze, and beads of sweat rolled down his face. He shuddered in fear and practically scrambled away on all fours, his obese body looking exceptionally comical in the empty square.

Inside the Guard Team's barracks, the atmosphere was as oppressive as a tomb.

Reno returned with his brothers. They did not bury A Yong's body, for this cursed land was not worthy.

They held the simplest of farewell ceremonies for A Yong.

In a rusted iron box, they placed A Yong's belongings—a worn-out Guard Team badge.

Reno lit it himself.

The flames rose, and thick black smoke drifted out of the barracks window, floating toward the direction of their hometown.

No one spoke throughout the process. Grief and hatred condensed and fermented in the murky air, so heavy it was suffocating.

After the ceremony, Reno returned to his dormitory alone.

He closed the door, shutting out the rest of the world.

His suppressed emotions finally erupted. But he didn't smash things or roar. Like a dying beast, he curled up silently in a corner of the room, leaning against the cold wall, his body trembling violently and uncontrollably from extreme pain and rage.

He buried his face deep in his arms, his shoulders heaving violently.

There was no sound, only suppressed breaths that felt as if they would tear his lungs apart.

In his mind, he repeatedly recalled the sensation of the marks A Yong had traced on his palm.

A circle, three vertical lines.

Pump Station No. 3.

It wasn't just a location; it was A Yong's life, a brother's final request, and the starting point for revenge.

Meanwhile, at Chen Feng's hiding place.

"Brother Feng, the news is confirmed." Ma Liu brought back the latest intelligence, his voice carrying a hint of excitement. "That bastard Xing Zhan really gave the internal patrol rights back to Captain Reno! Their main force has all been moved to the periphery of the mining area!"

"As expected." Chen Feng looked at the map of the mining area before him, his eyes terrifyingly calm. Lao Mo also approached.

"He's a typical military elite, an arrogant butcher." Chen Feng tapped the map with his fingertip. "In his world, there are only two things: threatening 'hard targets' and non-threatening 'soft environments.' With one massacre, he believes he has turned us all into the latter."

"He doesn't care about these Mine Slaves or the disarmed Guard Team at all." Chen Feng sneered. "And that is exactly why he will die here."

In the mining area's cafeteria at dusk, the atmosphere was eerie.

Under the new rules, the Guard Team members and the Mine Slaves sat in separate areas, divided by an invisible chasm, filled with wariness.

A Scavenger member was spitting as he bragged to his companion about the morning's "show."

"...You guys didn't see it, that kid screamed like a girl! No, he didn't even dare to scream! So damn boring! But the Commander's axe was fast enough!"

Several Guard Team members at the neighboring table clenched their fists in anger, their knuckles turning white from the force.

Just as one of them was about to explode, Reno, sitting among them, raised his eyelids and cast a cold look.

"Eat."

Just one word, yet it was like a bucket of ice water, extinguishing all the anger. The members lowered their heads unwillingly, fiercely stuffing the Low-quality nutrient paste into their mouths as if chewing on the flesh and blood of their enemies.

In the evening, Reno went to report to Xing Zhan's Adjutant.

"Captain Reno." The Adjutant sat with his legs crossed, not even looking at him. "The Commander said to make your men more 'diligent' during patrols tomorrow; don't act like you haven't eaten. If those slaves don't listen, you know what to do."

"Yes, sir." Reno lowered his head deeply, his voice numb and devoid of emotion. "I understand."

He paused and added in an even more humble tone, "I... I will also take the initiative to strengthen the ideological education of the Mine Slaves, to make them... make them fully understand who the master is here."

The Adjutant gave a contemptuous laugh, very satisfied with this "subservient" attitude, and waved him away. "Get out."

Reno turned in silence and left the room.

The moment he turned around, a wolf-like cold light flashed in his eyes on that face filled with numbness and submission.

Late at night, everything was silent.

Using a gap in the patrols, Reno came to the vicinity of Pump Station No. 3 alone.

This place had long been abandoned. Weeds over a person's height swayed in the night wind, making rustling sounds like countless ghosts whispering.

After cautiously confirming no one was around, he walked quickly to a large, rusted pipe valve.

He took a small piece of white chalk from his pocket and left a very inconspicuous mark on the valve's mottled paint—one that only he and Chen Feng could understand.

He had completed the first step.

Now, he needed to wait.

Wait for that man's response and think about how to create an opportunity—an opportunity for them to meet safely in this slaughterhouse.