Chapter 236: 236, The beginning of divergence

There are 178 fortresses upon the wasteland, and 178 lies in the northwest corner, the westernmost point of the entire fortress map, where summers are unbearably scorching and winters freeze the earth three feet deep, covered in ice and snow.

Some have stood upon the battlements of 178 and gazed outward, their eyes filled with ravaged yellow earth, even the rivers flowing eastward in a murky yellow hue.

The Qing, Yang, and Li families are situated in the southwest of the fortress map; due to geographical ties, these three clans have long been the closest in the southwest, while other clans’ main territories, hindered by poor transportation, struggle to expand westward.

Among them, the Li family holds the southernmost position, beyond which lies an impenetrable rainforest, teeming with venomous insects, and none have ever passed through to continue southward.

Yet due to tectonic shifts, the climate in their region grows colder, and in recent years, the rainforest’s ecosystem has undergone drastic changes; the Li family once planned to incorporate the rainforest into their domain, constructing a new fortress.

The Qing family lies to the northeast of the Li, in a strategically defensible and difficult-to-assault location; the 111 fortress is even hailed as a mountain city, built along the slopes, serving as a vital water and land hub in the southwest.

The Yang family resides within a vast basin, its northern edge bordering the Longnan Zong clan and 178 fortress, though in recent years the Zong clan has coveted the northwestern territories controlled by 178, with little interaction with the Yang family.

Such geography foretells a tripartite struggle for dominance in the southwest, their resources not shared—Li’s possessions are Yang’s lacks, Yang’s are Qing’s lacks.

War has never lacked cause; resources are the purpose of war.

Yet some claim to have ventured to the Central Plains of the East in earlier years, where prosperity reigned, even beyond the fortresses, vast human settlements thrived.

But in the world after the catastrophe, it is no longer the world they once knew.

At the stroke of midnight on New Year’s Eve, Hu Shuo had likely returned within 108 fortress; the three war machines’ generals have amassed their forces at the crossroads of the three clans, waiting tens of miles away for the true war to come.

Yan Liuyuan and others were initially exhilarated, but as the hours grew late, they all retired to sleep, leaving Ren Xiaosu alone by the campfire, pondering plans for the future, how to ensure their survival in the flames of war.

According to Hu Shuo’s account, he could send Yan Liuyuan and the others into 108 fortress to dwell; even if experimental subjects attacked, they could not topple a fortress so well-fortified, and the war between the clans would not arrive so swiftly.

War is a game of wits; no wise man wagers all his stakes at once.

Snow began to fall again from the sky, and suddenly, a door of a hut swung open, Yan Liuyuan emerged wrapped in a cloak and sat beside Ren Xiaosu: “Brother, are you worried about this war?”

“Mm,” Ren Xiaosu replied.

“Why don’t we leave here?” Yan Liuyuan whispered: “We could live well even in the deep mountains and old forests.”

Ren Xiaosu glanced at him and said, “Would we sever all ties with the outside world?”

“I know you wish to go to 88 fortress to find Sister Yang Xiaojin, but why not let her come to you?” Yan Liuyuan said: “I’ve learned the location of 88 fortress, but I won’t say—it’s not as if reaching it would change anything. She is a key figure in the Yang clan, and we are but wanderers.”

Ren Xiaosu looked at Yan Liuyuan; they had often disagreed before, such as when Yan Liuyuan refused to attend school, preferring to hunt for him, which Ren Xiaosu had rejected, even sparking quarrels.

But this time, Ren Xiaosu sensed Yan Liuyuan’s genuine aversion to the word “fortress,” so much so that even those within the fortresses had grown detestable.

Yan Liuyuan said, “Brother, the fortress does not welcome us.”

Ren Xiaosu sighed, “When you studied at 109 fortress, you claimed to get along well with your classmates. It seems you lied.”

“Mm,” Yan Liuyuan nodded: “No one wanted to speak to me or Dalong, even avoided us. Their parents warned them endlessly, fearing they’d befriend us. In class, the teacher asked me questions, but I couldn’t keep up due to lack of study, and they’d say it’s normal for wanderers to be dull. Once, a classmate lost something, and everyone suspected me and Wang Dalong of stealing…”

Ren Xiaosu fell silent; this was the fortress people’s stereotype, ingrained over decades.

Yan Liuyuan continued, “They searched my and Dalong’s seats, finding nothing, but Sister Xiaoyu often slipped me pocket money, more than any other student. When the teacher saw it, they said I must’ve stolen it, for wanderers couldn’t have so much.”

“I tried to explain, but it was futile; Dalong even cried, but don’t worry, Brother—I didn’t weep. You once said this world never believes tears.”

“You should’ve told me,” Ren Xiaosu said.

“What would you do?” Yan Liuyuan looked at him.

“I’d kill all who wronged you,” Ren Xiaosu smiled: “We can’t go north now. Tomorrow, we’ll send you to 108 fortress first—you won’t attend school anymore. Let Teacher Jiang Wu instruct you; though she’s only a literature teacher, her education is comprehensive enough to teach you science and math.”

Yan Liuyuan’s eyes brightened at this: “I like Teacher Jiang Wu; she’s suited for you.”

“A child in an adult’s body,” Ren Xiaosu shot him a glance.

Yet at that moment, Yan Liuyuan suddenly looked toward a hillside, and Ren Xiaosu followed his gaze—only to see the Wolf King standing alone there, gazing at Yan Liuyuan from afar.

Ren Xiaosu was certain the Wolf King wasn’t looking at him; this scene had occurred before during their exodus, and now he wondered—hadn’t the Wolf King already led its pack into the deep mountains? Yet that night, upon Yan Liuyuan’s arrival at the outpost, it had risked coming to see.

Ren Xiaosu asked, “Have you had dealings with this Wolf King?”

“No,” Yan Liuyuan shook his head.

…

This is the only chapter today; consider it a brief respite. After nearly three months of serialization, a day’s rest is needed to organize the next plot and storyline. Forgive the inconvenience.