Chapter 206: 206, No village ahead, no inn behind

The transport truck rumbled onward into the wilderness, slowly ascending into a mountainous region where the peaks were not particularly lofty.

Inside the cargo hold, an entire combat squad sat in silence, and Ren Xiaoshu quietly noted their position—likely dozens of kilometers from the 108 Stronghold.

Along the way, they passed several factories, and Li Qingzheng introduced them: "This is the Li Clan's oil refinery, and our outpost lies just ahead. Our daily task is to watch for enemy incursions. If they come, we report immediately via satellite phone."

Ren Xiaoshu clenched his teeth: "And then what?"

This question left Li Qingzheng stumped—the higher-ups had never explained what to do after reporting. Should they hold their ground until reinforcements arrived, or retreat?

It seemed their mission was merely reconnaissance, a warning role.

Yet to Ren Xiaoshu, this was nothing short of sending lives to scout.

They wore no military uniforms, carried no weapons—only eleven assault rifles and over twenty magazines among the thirty-man squad.

What were they if not cannon fodder?

But Li Qingzheng wasn't worried: "Think about it—regular forces from the 109 side have already moved in. If there's danger, they'll handle it. What's there to fear?"

"What if another faction starts a war?" Ren Xiaoshu asked.

"That's impossible," Li Qingzheng waved dismissively: "This is the modern age—we haven't seen real war in ages!"

Ren Xiaoshu fell silent. Even refugees had grown accustomed to peace; everyone assumed war was distant, and he had too.

Yet something nagged at him. What if the Li Clan attacked others? What if their frontline troops had never faced real combat?

If war loomed, the Li Clan wouldn't mobilize so extensively. Each faction had spies in rival strongholds—when one prepared, others would tense.

They were like strings tied together; when one tightened, the others followed. When the rope snapped, war would erupt.

"Here we are!" Li Qingzheng shouted excitedly: "This is our outpost from now on!"

Ren Xiaoshu stepped down and gaped. Before them, a row of small cabins stood on a hillside, backed by mountains, with no villages ahead or towns behind...

The outpost was empty. Their Iron Second Battalion, Eighth Combat Squad had been assigned to garrison it alone—no wonder Li Qingzheng claimed authority over the entire post.

Li Qingzheng stood on the flat ground and pointed to the mountaintop: "Five men rotate daily to the lookout post up there, monitoring enemy movements. Any sign, and we report immediately."

"Is there anything else to do?" Ren Xiaoshu asked.

"No, nothing else," Li Qingzheng smiled: "Supplies will be delivered regularly. We don't need to worry about anything else—just keep watch on this direction."

"What kind of people might come from that direction?" Ren Xiaoshu inquired.

"How would I know?" Li Qingzheng laughed: "No one's been into those mountains. Who would come from there? We can rest easy—no one will attack us."

Ren Xiaoshu estimated their position as one of the northernmost outposts under Li Clan control. Which faction lay to the north—the Qing Clan or the Yang Clan?

He asked, "Do you know where the 88 Stronghold is?"

Li Qingzheng paused: "No idea."

Well, he'd have to find another chance to ask someone else.

If only he'd asked Yang Xiaojin earlier...

The group unloaded supplies from the truck. Ren Xiaoshu guessed the rations would last thirty men seven days. He wondered if follow-up supplies would arrive on time.

With the Li Clan busy everywhere, this outpost might be forgotten.

Li Qingzheng noticed Ren Xiaoshu's expression and chuckled: "Brother, I know you want to leave, but with things as they are, even if you escaped back to the settlement, you might not get people out. The place is swarming with military camps, and your group is too large—how would you leave without being detained and questioned?"

Ren Xiaoshu realized Li Qingzheng, though rough in appearance, understood his thoughts perfectly.

Li Qingzheng continued: "I suggest you stay here. When the chance comes, I'll help you transfer to the settlement. Then you can reunite with family and friends."

Ren Xiaoshu knew Li Qingzheng wanted money, but he thanked him anyway: "Alright, I'll leave it to you, Squad Leader Li."

"Haha, don't be so formal," Li Qingzheng laughed: "Stay here at the outpost. If enemies come, I'll beat them off with my fists—you have nothing to fear."

Li Qingzheng had also learned that Ren Xiaoshu's group were students from the 109 Stronghold, with Ren Xiaoshu as their class leader.

In his view, it was natural for students to be afraid. As the elder brother, he had to reassure them.

The other students said nothing, just worked on unloading. They didn't know how to react to Li Qingzheng's words.

At that moment, Li Qingzheng said: "You don't need to do this—let the stronghold people handle it. Didn't you used to look down on us refugees? Now let them experience our lives."

The students glanced at Ren Xiaoshu, who smiled at Li Qingzheng: "Let's all do it together."

Though he despised the stronghold people, he wouldn't push those seven refugees to death.

Li Qingzheng laughed: "You students are kind-hearted. Pity you didn't pass the synchronization test. They say those who do become elite warriors, capable of defeating a hundred alone."

Ren Xiaoshu doubted the claim. Honestly, he had his own path to walk and envied no one who passed the test.

Only now, facing Chen Wudi's pitying gaze, did he feel slightly uneasy...

Suddenly, Ren Xiaoshu looked up and saw the majestic wolf king standing atop a distant peak, silently gazing toward him. He realized the wolf pack still lingered nearby.

The wolf king didn't flinch when spotted, vanishing into the mountains after a pause. Li Qingzheng followed his gaze but saw nothing: "What are you looking at?"

Ren Xiaoshu smiled: "Just admiring the scenery."

A wolf howl echoed suddenly, startling everyone. Li Qingzheng panicked: "There are wolves in these mountains?!"

This time, Ren Xiaoshu felt no fear at all.