A camel led the way.
In the blink of an eye, evening had fallen, and darkness was creeping over the sky.
Under the watchful eyes of the Ark People behind them, Wu Xiaomi kept signaling silently.
[Someone’s hiding in the shadows.]
[Behind the wall, to the right.]
Bai Xiaozhi and Han Nuo exchanged a glance.
“It’s a Syndicate scout,” Han Nuo said. “If nothing’s changed, there’s at least one watcher every kilometer.”
“You seem to know a lot about the Syndicate.”
“Their assassins have come knocking on our door. If we don’t do some homework, we’re just waiting to die.”
“I thought this was insider Syndicate info.” Bai Xiaozhi looked ahead.
“Some intel channels only do business with regulars,” Han Nuo replied, eyes fixed on the quiet street. “The Other Shore hasn’t existed long enough yet.”
Bai Xiaozhi said nothing.
The street was deathly silent, not a soul in sight, only the faint dusk drifting by.
Rising from the ruins were embers and smoke, with charred humanoid shapes scattered about in disarray.
Crack, crack.
The occasional snapping of dry wood was the only sound besides the pounding of hooves— the wilderness otherwise completely silent.
A heavy pressure weighed down on them.
Since leaving Manggu District, this oppressive feeling had steadily grown stronger.
[Left side]
[Ambush, three, behind the wall.]
The Ark People’s expressions remained unchanged, but they quietly became more alert.
Fortunately, the enemy didn’t make a move.
“They’re probably survivors lying in wait to rob lone travelers.”
“But since we have numbers, they’re too scared to act.”
Han Nuo analyzed.
That seemed about right.
Wu Xiaomi nodded in agreement.
“Up ahead is the infamous Pit of a Hundred Thousand. Also a well-known gathering spot for desperate fugitives. Stay alert. Rest after you’ve passed it.”
…
“Next.”
By now, it had been over half a day since Wu Xiaomi and the others left.
The rocket launch was already thirty-six hours in the past.
Many had hurried to join the New Fire.
“Please register your name, gender, background, and skills,” Nurse An said, holding out a Registration Form to the man in front of her.
“I…” The man lowered his head nervously. “I… have killed before…”
“Shh, no need to tell me that,” Nurse An raised a finger and smiled. “Our Commander says—coming to New Fire is like being reborn.”
“Your life starts anew here. Whatever you did in your past life, after drinking this Meng Po Soup, just leave it behind.”
“Really?” The man looked up in disbelief. “But… if you accept anyone, aren’t you worried about troublemakers disrupting things?”
“Maybe, but that’s a problem for later. How can we know who’s a parasite without spending time together?” Nurse An handed him the form again. “Please fill it out and leave it on the File Desk over there. Thank you.”
“…”
The man wiped his eyes and took the form.
“Next.”
Nurse An glanced at the long line and pulled out another form.
A short man stepped forward.
He flashed Nurse An an earring—a unique one, with a distinctive little bird symbol painted on the earlobe.
Nurse An feigned indifference, eyes briefly scanning the New Fire Camp.
Seeing Kang Jie wasn’t looking their way, she handed out the form.
[Private Chat—Xie Luote: Move fast, don’t draw suspicion.]
“Please fill out this form.” Nurse An’s professional smile returned.
It was her strongest skill.
When she’d been a nurse, facing impatient patients’ families, she had perfected the art of a gracious smile.
No matter who she faced, she could always show that professional expression.
While the man filled out the form, Nurse An’s fingers flicked quickly, sending a private message.
[As agreed, 50,000 points. Pay up now, or I’ll expose your identity… let’s see if the Syndicate can save you.]
[Private Chat—Xie Luote: Can only give you 5,000 now. The rest after Kang Jie is dead.]
[50,000. All of it. Now.]
[Private Chat—Xie Luote: 25,000.]
[Looks like the Syndicate’s not cooperating.]
[Private Chat—Xie Luote: Seems you’re not the right partner.]
[Maybe when I become Commander of New Fire, you’ll understand.]
[Private Chat—Xie Luote: We want a loyal dog, not one that bites its master.]
[Enough talk. I’ll count to three. Transfer the points. No sincerity?]
3.
[Notification: Xie Luote has granted you 50,000 strategy points.]
A faint smile tugged at Nurse An’s lips as she watched the confirmation appear.
[Hurry and finish the form. Our boss said no one’s identity will be investigated—no one can find you here.]
[Private Chat—Xie Luote: Anyone who comes in deserves to die.]
…
Late at night.
Nurse An, exhausted, handed out another form.
“I’ll take over. You get some rest,” Huang Xiao said, replacing her.
“Thanks, I’ll just nap for a bit.”
Treading on the grass mat that already shimmered slightly, Nurse An headed to her tent.
To save points, New Fire’s shelters had always been tents—unchanged to this day.
Her tent was white, marked with a cross symbol.
The cross was just for identification, signaling medical aid was available inside.
She lifted the tent flap.
Lit a candle.
“Hiss—Who’s there?!”
Nurse An startled.
In the darkness, someone sat at the desk, candlelight illuminating them.
Their calm demeanor suggested they had been sitting there a long while.
“Kang Jie?” Nurse An couldn’t help but laugh through tears. “Why are you sneaking around like a ghost?”
“Shh.”
Kang Jie smiled and beckoned. “Come over, I have something to tell you.”
He always smiled like that.
“What is it?” Nurse An sat on the bed, close to the desk, leaning forward.
“Two things.”
“Hmm?”
“The first is, I’m planning to promote a Provisional Commander. So if anything happens to me, New Fire won’t fall into chaos.”
“Provisional Commander? What does that have to do with me?”
“Because the Provisional Commander is you,” Kang Jie said with a smile. “That guy Alei just wants to take risks; he’s not interested in joining New Fire. Huang Xiao’s busy as a propagandist. You’re the most reliable—you’re the most like me.”
“…”
Nurse An was stunned for a long moment.
“I… No, I can’t do it. We’re nothing alike,” Nurse An shook her head hard. “I can’t manage New Fire. You should give the provisional spot to Wu Xiaomi or Bai Xiaozhi. Definitely not me.”
“Bai Xiaozhi has her own Other Shore. She just wants to stay there with Wu Xiaomi, living comfortably. Wu Xiaomi… she’s been through too much. Even if she wants to take over New Fire, her health…”
Kang Jie shook his head.
Nurse An exhaled deeply.
“Put the provisional position on hold for now. You said there were two things. What’s the other?”
“This letter.” Kang Jie carefully took out an envelope.
Clean, smooth, without a single crease.
“If I die, give this letter to Wu Xiaomi.”