She didn’t hide in the clean bed in the bedroom but chose a corner in the stinky living room, curled up behind the sofa.

Only now did she have time to check the things in her backpack.

The backpack was a sixty-kilogram marching pack standard for the Armed Corps, but hers was extra heavy, probably reaching eighty kilograms.

Attached to the large pack were three smaller bags: a tools bag, a medical kit, and a tactical gear package.

Opening the large backpack, the first thing she saw was a note.

It was densely covered in writing.

"I know you’re excited, but don’t get too excited; you’ll be alone on the way back, so be careful. I asked Old Liu to fill your gas tank, and there are two small bottles in the trunk—enough for emergencies. Ah, I envy you for reuniting with your family soon. I traded for two pears, so share them with your brother-in-law and nephew when you get back." — Miao Qi

"Sister Rong, left in such a hurry, wanted to treat you to a meal, don’t know if there’ll be a chance in the future." — Lu Xiao

"Packed some fresh vegetables for you; be sure to eat them within seven days." — Huang Sea

"I made some Chinese pastries, they’ll last a long time! (￣︶￣)." — Yu Yue

"Hand-crafted multi-tool pliers, didn’t get to include two functions, put them in your bag." — Xiaoba

"The walkie-talkie has been modified; you can contact the car once." — Yu Jing

"Safe travels." — Liang Kuan.

"Damn it, these bastards didn’t leave me space, flip over!"

Seeing this made Jiang Rong’s lips curl subconsciously.

Flipping to the back, it was still densely covered in writing, this time He Jie wrote in large characters.

"I swapped your bulletproof vest for the latest sand armored one, got you four batches of rifle rounds and one batch of pistol rounds; didn’t get you a new gun, feel like that boss’s stuff isn’t reliable. Also packed ten grenades for you, three were made by me personally, if you encounter some moron, hit him hard for me, and if you can’t win, don’t say you’re my soldier!"

In the gaps were Mongoose’s graceful handwriting and young comrades she had patched up, along with fellow fighters like Mountain Goat.

Space was really tight in the back; some people didn’t say anything, just signed their names.

Names were layered all around the edges of the paper.

Suddenly, warm liquid slid down, smudging the names.

They were obviously all blessings.

Obviously, she was over forty.

Obviously, she long had little hope for this world.

Intense emotions surged from an already numb heart; she realized the one she knew least was herself.

"These are blessings, you need to smile."

Jiang Rong forcibly lifted her lips, sitting in the dark corner of the room shedding silent tears.

At this moment, she seemed to understand the conductor.

Smile in joy, not letting those who love you down.

She suddenly remembered something, instinctively reaching for the pocket at her chest, where the Tier Two Pan-energy Crystal was supposed to be but somehow had been used; only a tiny bit remained.

Holding onto the habit of not wasting, Jiang Rong absorbed all the remaining energy.

Her main skill leveled up during the promotion, reaching Level 5.

But her palms felt empty, as if nothing had ever been there.

Thinking of tomorrow’s journey, Jiang Rong wiped her face, used a small bag as a pillow, and hugged the rifle as she fell into a deep sleep.

...

The wind and sand early in the morning were much smaller; a large convoy was driving along the abandoned national highway.

The vehicle models were diverse, each painted with a black star using black oil paint. Around them were motorcycles of all sizes, patrolling like cavalry alongside the convoy; one of the motorcycles turned back ahead, closing in on the most central SUV.

"Master Rong, it looks like there’s someone in that house by the roadside."

Li Xinlong glanced at a detached bungalow by the roadside, with heavy dust at the entrance, overgrown weeds, and dark and broken windows, looking nothing like it had any inhabitants.

"Could be a solitary scavenger. Don’t bother, just go ahead. It’s pitch black, pay more attention."

Li Xinlong ordered with a frown.

He closed the car window; inside, there was only the muffled sound of the engine.

The house quickly passed by outside the car window.

For some reason, he felt a sense of unease tonight.

Like something was about to happen.

He’d traveled this road many times; it was less than a hundred kilometers from Zhijin City. Once he took all five thousand people there, they could exchange for Black Kite’s supplies; the Black Star Convoy wouldn’t have to squeeze outside the Xiaohe Ruins anymore.

Then, five hundred guns, over three hundred Evolvers, plus more than a thousand people would be enough to take on the train inside.

Suddenly, his ears felt warm, a soft, enticing female voice whispered beside him.

"You seem a bit tense."

Li Xinlong turned his head away from the woman, his gaze deep, "Are you sure once people get to Black Kite, they’ll give us those supplies?"

The woman who looked sixteen or seventeen leaned back, shrugged, "How would I know? I’m with Black Star Convoy, not their Black Kite people. Besides, you’ve confirmed the information yourself. Oh, are you planning on blaming me if things go wrong?"

"And then pretending with a line like ’The temptress ruined me!’"

"I, Li Xinlong, am not so base."

"Bah, men!"

Her mouth spoke flippantly, but her eyes carried indifference.

Li Xinlong took a deep breath, "You know how important this batch of supplies is to Black Star. With these munitions, we can consolidate the Three Counties and break into Xiaohe City Center, or even retreat and develop at Zhijin."

Hearing this, the woman’s eyes flashed with several traces of fear, even her posture straightened.