Wasteland Rebirth

"Stop, stop, everyone get down!" came the voice from the front.

Chu Xiang, carrying Zhang Jingyao, drove past two vehicles, only to find a convoy stopped at a sharp bend ahead. The cars were a mix of luxury sedans, and several men were directing Song Jun to pull his Pajero over to the roadside. The bus behind was forced to shut off its engine.

Chu Xiang sensed a hostility from these people. Despite recognizing that they were human, they still held rifles, with some wielding the advanced Type 03 automatic rifles—an uncommon weapon for non-military groups.

"Got any food? Hand it over!" the leader, holding an Type 03 rifle, waved it threateningly.

Zhang Hongbing jumped down from the bus and called out, "Hey, what do you think you're doing? It's tough for all of us to survive, can't we talk this out? Unity and mutual help will get us through, understand?"

Bang! Bang! Bang! A burst of bullets riddled the bus Zhang Hongbing had been on, causing the tires to deflate instantly. Chu Xiang seethed with anger, but there were at least eight of them, and it was unclear if there were more people on the vehicle. Each of them carried weapons, while the only ones on Chu Xiang's side capable of fighting were him and Song Jun. He noticed that He Er was good in a fight, but always seemed to shrink back in critical moments. Zhang Hongbing was tough on the outside, but inwardly weak—when push came to shove, he was no match for real danger. They were also lacking weapons. Survival was paramount, so they had to endure.

Zhang Hongbing, already a timid person, withered at the sound of gunfire. The vehicle he had worked so hard to modify was ruined in an instant. He ground his teeth in frustration, wishing he had a machine gun to wipe them all out.

Soon, the group's sweet potatoes and bags of flour were found. One of the men used the bayonet of his rifle to tear open the flour bag, scattering it all over the ground. Song Jun's expression darkened, and he reached for his crossbow. Immediately, one of the men with slanted eyes raised his rifle and pointed it at him. "Don't move, or I'll shoot you!"

Chu Xiang shook his head at Song Jun. This was no time for heroics. Their strength was too mismatched, and survival was the priority. The men, after seizing the sweet potatoes, began shouting to start a fire for roasting them. Their methods were wasteful; the flour couldn't be consumed raw, so they discarded it. The sweet potatoes could be made into a hearty meal, but if roasted this way, they'd be wasted in one sitting.

At this moment, the leader of the group stepped forward and addressed everyone, "Don't complain. We've been starving for two days. I'm Gu Hai, the leader of this crew. Where are you guys headed?"

Chu Xiang replied, "We're heading to Tong City. It's fate that we've crossed paths, so please enjoy the sweet potatoes. We need to hurry, so we won't stay any longer."

Gu Hai said nothing and gestured for Chu Xiang, He Er, and Zhang Hongbing to get into Song Jun's Pajero. Without a spare tire, the bus was useless. Damn it, he thought. He had hoped to get a sturdy vehicle, but it was already out of commission after just a few miles.

"Hey, get out! Give us this car! Damn, these luxury sedans are useless, off-road vehicles are far more practical," a bearded man cursed as he slammed the butt of his rifle against the Pajero.

Zhang Hongbing grumbled, "Don't push your luck."

The bearded man swung a punch at Zhang Hongbing's face. "Shut up! I was going to trade you another vehicle, but now you'll just have to deal with it!"

Chu Xiang acted swiftly. As the bearded man's fist was about to land, he intercepted it, "Listen, we'll give you the car. We've met by chance, so let's not make a scene, okay?"

The bearded man, thinking himself strong, was stunned when Chu Xiang easily immobilized his wrist. However, Chu Xiang's words were courteous, and after blocking the punch, he promptly let go. The bearded man, realizing the situation, grudgingly agreed, "Alright, I'll give you face. Get out."

Chu Xiang opened the car door and motioned for Wang Bin and Su Yulian to get out. The moment Su Yulian appeared, trouble ensued. The men roasting sweet potatoes immediately started hollering, "Damn, a beauty! Come over here and have some fun with us!"

Su Yulian furrowed her brow at the scene. Though her arm was injured, her noble aura still carried a touch of vulnerability. Her attire, far superior to Zhang Jingyao's, enhanced her slender, sensual figure, which drew the lewd attention of the men.

Chu Xiang tried to shield Su Yulian with his body, but it was futile. Gu Hai, who had been crouching by the fire with a large sweet potato, suddenly stood up and smiled upon seeing Su Yulian. "Hey, don't rush off. If you're going, at least leave this lady with us. We've been suffering for months, we deserve some fun."

As Gu Hai spoke, two of his subordinates moved forward to grab Su Yulian. Su Yulian, though proud, wasn't foolish enough to confront them with guns aimed at her. When the two men lunged toward her, she screamed and tried to run, but Chu Xiang quickly pulled her behind him. The two subordinates pointed their guns at him, "Get out of the way, or we'll kill you."

Bang! Bang! In an instant, Chu Xiang struck. He knocked the two subordinates to the ground with two swift punches, while Song Jun aimed his crossbow at Gu Hai, who was still crouching by the fire. This was the strategy: capture the leader first. Chu Xiang grabbed the rifles from the fallen men, holding one in each hand, pointing them at the gang.

The sudden turn of events caught them off guard, though some still scrambled to grab their weapons. Fortunately, neither side fired, and the standoff held. Su Yulian was terrified, but Zhang Jingyao quietly took her hand and signaled for her to stay calm.

"What's going on? Don't be hasty. Everyone put down your weapons!" A man and woman emerged from a Mercedes-Benz parked by the roadside. The man was dressed in a suit, exuding a commanding presence, while the woman wore a luxurious cashmere coat and a mink fur scarf, which added a touch of elegance to her otherwise pure and youthful appearance.

Gu Hai laughed awkwardly. "Oh, looks like Mr. Zhao is awake. We'll have sweet potatoes in a bit. You and your beautiful girlfriend wait over there, don't worry about us. I've got these clowns under control."

Mr. Zhao's girlfriend, a tall and slender beauty with large, sparkling eyes, replied, "Captain Gu, why the hostility? We've been traveling for days, and it's a rare chance to meet another survival group. We should celebrate, not fight."

The bearded man grinned, "That's what I'm talking about, but we'll need to borrow one of their people. Not every night can your boyfriend, Zhao Yang, cuddle up with you."

The woman blushed, "Who's cuddling with me? Stop saying nonsense!"

Zhao Yang's gaze fell on Su Yulian, hidden behind Chu Xiang. He was taken aback by her beauty. Such a regal and stunning woman was a rarity. Su Yulian's beauty contrasted with his girlfriend's purity—each had their own allure. If he had to choose between them, he wasn't sure how to decide.

"Shan Shan," Zhao Yang said to his girlfriend, "How about we just forget about them and let them get us safely to Stone City?"

Gu Hai smiled, "Don't worry, Mr. Zhao. We've taken your money, so we'll do our job. But getting to Stone City isn't as simple as saying it. We need food, drink, and some entertainment, don't we? Alright, enjoy your sweet potatoes while we sort this out. This kid hurt two of my men, and I won't let it slide."