Shao Qi closed his eyes, reflecting on Zhou You's every move. He was certain that Zhou You wasn't as weak as he appeared. An ordinary person couldn’t survive amidst a swarm of venomous scorpions, let alone save many. This wasn't something achieved by mere courage alone.

Only after fleeing for miles did the convoy slow down. Their previous rest was brief, just enough to eat. The vehicles hadn't had a chance to refuel or undergo repairs. Now, many were nearly out of fuel.

As dawn approached, Li Hongxi ordered a halt for repairs. Non-essential personnel were forbidden to disembark. Meanwhile, they tallied the number of civilian casualties.

"Boss, vehicles 2631 and 2578 both have significant malfunctions. They can't be fixed quickly, especially since we lack spare parts," reported Lin Jinsong, who was in charge of vehicle maintenance.

"227 casualties," Wu Yong proposed, "Let's regroup and abandon these two vehicles. We can't waste time repairing them."

Li Hongxi nodded. Every major casualty was heartbreaking, but they had to keep moving forward.

Wang Kunyu suffered a burn on his arm while using a grenade launcher. Although a simple ointment would heal the wound, a scar was inevitable. Frustrated, he yelled, "Why should warriors prioritize protecting civilians? Are our lives not more valuable? Even if everyone is equal, their deaths are due to their incompetence. Why should we sacrifice for these burdens?"

"If it weren't for them, we'd have reached Yang City by now. How did so many of our brothers die? Why should we be responsible for strangers? Escorting them from the island was already generous. What's the point of taking them all the way to Yang City? If this continues, our own men will perish, leaving no Dawn Exploration Team."

Many in the team harbored such doubts. Not all had families to consider, and they valued their own lives. But they couldn't disrupt the team's discipline.

Wu Yong sneered, "Finally showing your true colors? When the team was formed, the Boss clearly said that our mission was to save people. If you're afraid of dying, don't join. Remember, we all set these rules together. Last night, even Yunxi joined the fight. What's the point of your complaints now?"

Li Hongxi glanced around, declaring solemnly, "I know the journey's been tough. It's normal to have grievances. But we made a promise, and no matter how difficult, we shouldn't easily give up. Victory is just around the corner."

"Easier said than done. Our heavy weaponry is exhausted, leaving only handguns and submachine guns with limited firepower. We're struggling to protect ourselves, let alone thousands of civilians. Can we really get out of these mountains?" Wang Kunyu thought bitterly. He regretted his position; he might have secured a spot in the military and would now be resting comfortably.

Li Hongxi couldn't bear to listen any longer. Grabbing Wang Kunyu by the collar, he snapped, "We've been brothers for over a decade. We've faced hardships before. Are you suggesting we abandon the civilians? We warriors rely on our skills, not weapons. Without ammunition, can't you face the mutated beasts?"

Someone immediately voiced support, "The Captain's right. We don't have a choice. Whether we take them or not, challenges await. Regrets are too late. Besides, I still want the government's reward."

By now, regret wasn't an option for anyone unless they wanted to traverse the remaining journey alone.

To be frank, having civilians as a buffer increased their chances of survival. After all, wild animals killed to fill their stomachs.

Zhou You carried Old Bridge for a long distance before stopping. Old Bridge, feeling sick from the jostling, had vomited out his dinner. Leaning against a tree, he chuckled, "Who would've thought? Everyone misjudged you. You're the real master."

Zhou You's sprinting speed was astonishing. Old Bridge couldn't find words to describe it, noting even Captain Li never demonstrated such speed.

Zhou You didn't hide his abilities while escaping. It wasn't a time to do so. He nodded, "I have some martial arts training. Trust me; we'll make it back alive."

"Of course I trust you. But why are you burdened with me? At my age, it's not worth your risk," Old Bridge stated, caring little for life or death. But naturally, living was preferable.

Zhou You advised resting against a tree. "It's still dark. We'd be lost if we kept running. Let's wait for daylight."

"Alright. Take a rest. I'll keep watch."

Zhou You meditated to preserve his energy. Dawn was approaching, but danger still lurked.

A distant wolf howl pierced the air. Zhou You abruptly opened his eyes. Although dawn was breaking, the dense forest canopy shielded the light.

Zhou You listened intently. The wolf's howl was far off, but he detected rustling nearby.

As Old Bridge began to speak, Zhou You hushed him with a gesture and pointed upwards, signaling him to climb the tree. He then intently watched the rustling bushes.

Without any equipment from their escape, Zhou You picked up a sturdy branch as a makeshift weapon.

A small furry creature emerged from the bushes — a tiny white tiger with an undeveloped royal mark on its forehead. The size of a kitten, it appeared to be just a few days old.

Despite its cuteness, Zhou You wasn't pleased. Its presence implied a mature tigress nearby, which would be a formidable opponent.

The small creature tilted its head, studying Zhou You, as if trying to gauge whether this being was a threat.

Zhou You tapped the ground with a branch and shouted at it in an attempt to scare it away. Unexpectedly, the creature got excited upon seeing the branch, running in circles and trying to catch it with its teeth and claws.