This page looks best with JavaScript enabled
Chapter148
When they left the mountain, the other two teams also descended without apparent mishap. However, some in Miao Miu's team had swollen faces resembling a pig's. They were bitten by insects.
"What kind of insect? We saw a tree with beautiful red flowers. The bugs that bite were hiding inside."
With a whip in hand, Miao Miu sneered, "If these were hard-to-detect bugs, fine. But these folks failed to see the massive cluster of eggs, thinking they'd found something valuable. The liquid splashed on their faces when some eggs broke. They need allergy treatment ASAP."
One of the 'swollen-faced' members retorted, "How were we supposed to know those tiny eggs were poisonous?"
Miao Miu lashed out with her whip, leaving a mark on the snow. Angrily she remarked, "I've warned you that everything in the mountains can be dangerous. If you're this careless at the start, how many will survive the deeper challenges?"
What upset Miao Miu was their careless attitude. Encountering no danger today made them overconfident, a trait that could cost them their lives in the future.
As the aircraft landed, Ding Xuesong rushed to regroup his team. Since he was responsible for bringing them out, he should lead them back. He had to prepare remarks to honor the fallen pilots and answer the media.
Zhou You approached Shao Qi's aircraft cockpit and, glancing back at Lieutenant Ding, whispered, "Can I take this jet?"
Shao Qi, stepping back inside, looked down and inquired, "What are you planning?"
Zhou You jumped in, accessed the control panel, and pulled up a local map, saying, "I want to scout nearby, ensuring no threats remain."
With crossed arms, Shao Qi skeptically responded, "Those stray mutants aren't that dangerous. Are you after those who harmed Chen Xi's team?"
Zhou You sheepishly admitted, "You caught me. I want to check if they're still around. They probably sheltered from the snowstorm nearby and would be active today. Why delay avenging a grudge if it can be settled immediately?"
Judging by their tactics, this wasn't their first crime. God knows how many innocents suffered.
"But they are Li Yunxi's adversaries. She's eager to avenge them personally."
"As you know, Li Yunxi's martial arts talent isn't that high. Even with a decade, she might only reach the level of Lieutenant Miao. Where will she find her enemies then? If we don't encounter them today, fine. But if we do, we should act. We don't know what further harm they might cause."
"Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Shao Qi took the pilot's seat, and the jet roared to life, taking off. Those left behind watched in surprise.
Miao Miu smirked, suspecting the duo was sneaking off for a date. Facing Ding Xuesong's questioning look, she awkwardly joked, "They must've had urgent matters. I'll take care of any paperwork for the borrowed jet later."
"It's no big deal. We don't need any formalities for just one jet. Shao Qi brought our Jiangnan base the latest weaponry. An old jet as a gift to him is the least we can do." After all, who would dare confront the prominent arms dealer over a mere aircraft?
Chapter 082: Pursuit
Although the skies had cleared, the high-altitude winds remained strong. Zhou You could distinctly feel the chilling gusts resisting the jet. While the jet wasn't traveling at top speed, it was still far faster than any vehicle on the ground.
An hour into the flight, Shao Qi pointed below and commented, "That used to be a supply station. Despite being covered in snow, remnants of buildings can still be seen, but any leads are surely lost."
"We just need to follow the road leading to Yang City. If they didn't take this path, then they've had a stroke of luck." Zhou You looked down, noticing a mutated beast emerging from the station. It seemed the station had become a haven for these creatures.
"When spring arrives, the military will send a cleanup crew. This happens every winter; the external supply stations almost always fall."
"A decade ago, cities across our nation were interconnected. Aircraft wouldn't just fly for hours but could pass a town within minutes. Yet now, all I see below is a vast, desolate wilderness."
"We have less than one-tenth of our original population left. Still, we're fortunate. Compared to nations that couldn't withstand the catastrophe or those whose governments were overthrown, we've never surrendered, and no one dares to provoke us now."
"I wonder about other countries. While our people practice martial arts, what about theirs? Ancient martial arts are the treasures left by our ancestors. It's not that foreigners can't learn, but they may find it hard to grasp the concept of internal energy."
"Every nation knows that the current environment has greatly enhanced human physique. They're all striving to become stronger. Just in terms of physical fitness, they might be superior, with better strength and speed. If one day their technology allows them to cross oceans and forests, they might covet what we have."
"Resources become more precious when scarce. But let's not describe ourselves as 'fatty meat.' We're more like a gem."
"Then, we must ensure our gem shines ever brighter, making it unattainable for those who covet it."
Staring at the same scene can be tiring. Shao Qi removed his glasses and rubbed his eyes. While the glasses were beneficial, they couldn't shield from the blinding snow.
Zhou You handed him a piece of fruit. The cold made Shao Qi shiver. After taking a bite, he asked in surprise, "You have fruits with you?"