Chapter 278: 278, Depreciating Qing currency

The rear of the 313 stronghold lies desolate, so after Ren Xiaosu commandeers a vehicle, he speeds southward toward the 108 Wall without encountering the slightest obstruction.

When they had entered earlier, merely verifying their identities had consumed half an hour. Now, all soldiers have been dispatched to the front lines, save for the guards tasked with protecting ammunition and supplies, who remain to prevent spies from exploiting the void.

Yet Qing Shi’s foremost spy chief is about to depart, leaving no time even to bid Tang Zhou farewell.

Inside the truck, silence reigns; Ren Xiaosu floors the accelerator, while Chen Wudi and Wang Yuchi sit in mute stillness.

On the return journey to the 108 Wall, as they pass through checkpoints, Ren Xiaosu sweats, fearing they might be halted.

He flashes his Special Reconnaissance Unit credentials, only to find no one dares obstruct him once his identification is revealed.

The manhunt for Ren Xiaosu remains shrouded in secrecy—he realizes this, for otherwise Li Dingding’s clandestine maneuvers would be unnecessary.

His priority now is to return to the stronghold before Li’s forces launch a full-scale pursuit, then find a chance to flee with Yan Liuyuan and the others!

As for where they might go, that must wait until later.

To the north, the road to Yang’s 88th Wall is equally ablaze with war; Yang’s armored brigade has just torn a rift from Qing Sheng Mountain, but before stabilizing the front, a mysterious squad of nano warriors ambushed them from behind, leaving the battle deadlocked.

Thus, Ren Xiaosu’s plan to head north—whether to Qing or Yang—seems fraught with peril.

But if all else fails, he’ll lead the group into the wilderness, despite its venomous beasts and serpents. With his thorny vines in hand, perhaps he can trade for more seeds later, easing their survival in the wilds.

Ren Xiaosu reaches the base of the stronghold’s walls in four hours, though the treacherous mountain roads slow him further.

At the stronghold’s gate, he presents his credentials, scrutinizing the guards’ expressions for any sign of irregularity.

Yet the sentries remain silent, courteously granting passage with no hint of suspicion.

Only then does Ren Xiaosu exhale slightly—Li could never imagine their quarry would dare return to the stronghold now.

But vigilance is paramount; should Li detect any irregularity, their escape routes would vanish entirely.

Inside the stronghold, Ren Xiaosu halts the vehicle: “Change into your own clothes. Let’s rest. I need to think of a way to find Liuyuan and the others.”

Chen Wudi steps out, his face serene: “Ugh!”

“What’s wrong, Wudi?” Ren Xiaosu asks, puzzled.

“Master, I’m fine—ugh!” Chen Wudi, who prides himself on being the reincarnation of the Monkey King, fears neither heaven nor earth, yet dreads his master’s driving.

Bullets are mere physical assaults, but his master’s driving is sorcery, a force beyond mortal ken.

Ren Xiaosu replies calmly: “Wudi, this won’t do—you’re carsick already? Look, the others are fine.”

Turning, he notices a student retching uncontrollably, barely conscious. Now Ren Xiaosu falls silent, querying the Palace: “What’s my current driving skill level?”

The Palace responds: “No driving skill detected.”

Ren Xiaosu: “…Fine.”

Their plan is to locate Yan Liuyuan, but after pondering, Ren Xiaosu finds no leads—the stronghold is vast, and their hasty departure from the front lines left no contact details. Only Hu Shuo can resolve this, and he’s the most reliable.

But how to find Hu Shuo…?

Asking around the streets, Ren Xiaosu inquires about the Special Reconnaissance Unit’s whereabouts, only to learn no one knows its location—it’s as if the unit is a phantom.

At this moment, Chen Wudi speaks: “Master, though we’ve removed the bullets from Wang Yuchi and the others, we lack the means to mend their bones. If we delay further, they may never walk normally again.”

Ren Xiaosu frowns—Wang Yuchi and the others bear gunshot wounds. Though Chen Wudi has extracted the bullets and applied the black serum en route, hospitals would expose their injuries.

That would only invite more trouble from the 108 Wall’s guards!

After a pause, Ren Xiaosu decides: if they cannot find Hu Shuo, let Hu Shuo find them.

Suddenly, he hears a commotion from a nearby grocery store: “We don’t accept Qing or Yang’s currency! Their money’s as worthless as paper—unless you have Li’s banknotes, don’t bother buying anything!”

A woman kneels inside, weeping: “My family hasn’t eaten in two days. Please, sell me some rice. This was my investment—it’ll rise in value once the war ends!”

Ren Xiaosu watches in silence, saying nothing.

Since the war began, all food has been prioritized for the military, leaving the frontline 108 Wall plagued by shortages.

It dawns on him—even the stronghold’s people suffer in this war.

Suddenly, the Palace speaks: “Mission: Aid ten war-torn stronghold residents.”

Hmph. Ren Xiaosu ignores the mission—he’s fleeing for his life; why help others?

But he hesitates, then turns to Chen Wudi: “Come on, I’ve got an idea.”

Climbing into the truck, he floors the accelerator, cruising through the stronghold until stopping at a pawnshop. Entering, he asks: “Do you deal in gold?”

The owner’s eyes gleam: “How much gold would you like to exchange?”

In these times of war, gold is the most precious commodity, its value soaring. Once sold for a few hundred per gram in the stronghold, it now nears a thousand.

“Never mind how much I’m exchanging,” Ren Xiaosu says, “Do you have Yang’s currency?”

“Ah?” The owner’s heart leaps—stronghold pawnshops often serve financial roles, swapping currencies between factions for lower fees than Li’s bank.

But now, with war raging, Qing and Yang’s currencies are worthless, reduced to paper.

Yet this youth seeks to trade Yang’s currency at this critical juncture—surely he’s lost his mind?

Ren Xiaosu frowns: “Will you exchange it or not?”

“Yes! Of course! Why wouldn’t I?” The owner’s stock of Yang’s currency has been stuck for ages; now someone wants it, he’d be a fool not to.

He cares not if Ren Xiaosu bankrupts himself—how many have the war spared? One more won’t matter!