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Chapter335
"Captain, we should strip these alligators of their armored scales. They're high-quality materials."
Shao Qi immediately countered, "We don't have time, and we're running out of vehicles to carry extra loot. Let's move!"
While many felt it was a wasted opportunity, they understood the urgency and reluctantly moved on. Their black armor was valuable, and if they didn't have to turn it in after the mission, it'd be a boon.
"Is it raining?" someone asked, feeling drops on their face. Looking up, it wasn't rain but snowflakes gently falling.
"We need to make haste." The night was long, and by dawn, snow could blanket the ground. Armored vehicles weren't built for snow; navigating the snowy terrain would be treacherous.
Throughout that night, apart from those injured, the rest took turns driving. Some, less skilled, only dared to drive short stretches, allowing their companions to grab moments of rest. The value of the nutrient solution became evident; despite its bitter taste, it was filling, provided energy, and was compact.
"Lieutenant Zhou, would you like some nutrient solution? What flavor do you prefer?" A teammate offered a pouch of the liquid to Zhou You.
Zhou You wasn't fond of any flavor. Merely smelling others consume it was enough to turn his stomach. He wanted to refuse but hesitated, pulling out a random pouch and placing it to his lips.
The man, noticing Zhou's choice, chuckled awkwardly, "I never thought Lieutenant Zhou would prefer the mango flavor. It's the oddest one for me. If you like it, I have more; would you like them?"
Without even breaking the seal, Zhou You declined, "No need, I have my own. Keep them."
In the lead vehicle, Shao Qi was intensely focused on navigating the route. The driver followed his lead, and while others could rotate rest shifts, Shao Qi couldn't afford a moment's lapse. One wrong turn, and they could be trapped in the marshland.
Long Gan was also in the first vehicle, seated behind Sang Liwu. As it passed midnight, he whispered to Shao Qi, "Captain Shao, would you like to rest a bit?"
"No need. I can rest sitting down. If all goes well, we should be out of the marshes by sunrise."
But would the journey remain smooth? It seemed improbable. Even without the threat of mutated beasts, the treacherous muddy terrain alone was a challenge.
Fortunately, the snowfall wasn't too heavy. Other than the challenging terrain, they hadn't encountered significant mishaps.
As dawn approached, the pitch-black surroundings turned stark white, intensifying the crew's anxiety. Many wondered, could they really safely navigate out of this place?
Someone curiously asked, "How will we know when we've crossed the Death Abyss?"
"They say the border of the Death Abyss is a grassland. I don't know if the snow will cover the grass, but the marshland is barren, unlike the grasslands." Old Chen explained. Despite not being a top warrior, his age and vast knowledge always shone through.
"Old Chen, with no one tending to the grasslands all these years, won't they have turned into forests by now?"
"I'm not sure. I've never taken this route before; only heard stories from years ago. I don’t know its current state."
"It's so cold. Has the temperature dropped by over ten degrees tonight?"
The vehicle had a thermometer, showing almost minus ten degrees Celsius inside. They avoided using the heater, conserving the vehicle's energy. Thankfully, everyone was accustomed to the cold, and their armors had insulating properties to keep them warm.
As the convoy moved, the driver of one vehicle nearly collided with the one in front. Startled, he called out, "What's happening ahead? Why didn’t you signal when braking?"
Shao Qi, noticing the commotion in the rear, ordered a slowdown and communicated through the headset, "What's going on with the second vehicle?"
"Captain, it's nothing serious. The driver dozed off unexpectedly. We'll catch up." After a brief pause, the convoy resumed. Shao Qi frowned in confusion. With so many rotating shifts, fatigue shouldn't be an issue.
"Captain, there's fog up ahead. We'll have to reduce our speed," Long Gan reported as he drove.
Shao Qi was about to acknowledge when he noticed the peculiar mist. Suddenly alert, he instructed, "Seal all vehicle doors and windows. Put on your masks and take an antidote pill. The mist ahead might be miasma. If anyone's unconscious, wake them up. First, take your medicine."
"Miasma? No wonder I felt so drowsy. I assumed it was just the stress from staying awake," remarked one. Typically, a warrior's physique should withstand sleep deprivation for days.
Everyone woke their sleeping comrades, administering the medicine if needed. The convoy's pace slowed, everyone realizing they weren't exiting this area anytime soon.
"Connect all vehicles. Make sure everyone's headsets are on. If anyone feels unwell, inform your squad leader immediately."
The convoy ventured into a dense white fog, where visibility was limited to less than ten meters. Each vehicle was tethered together with ropes to prevent them from getting lost in the mist. In such conditions, it didn't take long for people to become disoriented and tense, with some even closing their eyes to ward off the oppressive atmosphere.
"How much longer until we're clear of this miasma? I feel sick to my stomach."
"Me too, I'm dizzy, and my heart rate's up. This place is eerie."
"Has Captain Shao ever traveled this route before? Could this be his first time? Is he leading us all to our deaths?" Some began to voice their growing anxiety with complaints.
"Whether he's traveled this route or not is beside the point. Even if he had, would he have the experience for this? The environment here is ever-changing. This mission is undoubtedly perilous."
"I just want to go home. I have aging parents, a wife, and children. I thought this journey would secure a better future for my child. If something happens to me, what will become of my family?"