119 Where is the Western Paradise? (1/2)

The escapees and the Qing Consortium's combat brigade eventually reached a standoff. The escapees had no intention of attacking the combat brigade; they just couldn't accept the situation.

Everyone initially ran over in enthusiasm to seek ”refuge” with the troops, but they backed off when the guns were pointed at them.

In reality, Ren Xiaosu felt there was nothing wrong with the actions the Qing Consortium took. If it were him, he would have done the same.

But the escapees felt that even though they could not get near the Qing Consortium, it would be good enough to follow them. So they decided to rest on the spot. When the Qing Consortium set off, they would quietly follow them.

At the very least, the Qing Consortium would know how to get to Stronghold 109, right?!

Besides, now that there was clearly no more space in the Qing Consortium's vehicles, the majority of those from the Qing Consortium had to travel on foot. As such, the escapees were not worried they would get shaken off by them.

”Xiaosu, will there be any danger if we stick so close to the Qing Consortium?” Wang Fugui asked in worry. After all, Ren Xiaosu had killed several of their people who were keeping watch at the school when the earthquake struck.

”It should be fine.” Ren Xiaosu stole a glance at the Qing Consortium.

Currently, the Qing Consortium and the escapees were separated by an open area. It seemed like the Qing Consortium's people did not intend to make any contact with them.

It was better this way since the Qing Consortium would not know Ren Xiaosu was here.

”Y'all can stay here without worries.” Ren Xiaosu cautiously reminded them, ”If the situation does not seem right, we'll escape into the wilderness. Based on the current situation, it's better to stay with everyone else for the time being. I'm a little worried the wolves will try to pick off vulnerable targets if we get separated from the group.”

The wolves did not dare to attack a group numbering several thousand people, but it would be hard to say what they'd do if Ren Xiaosu and company dropped out of the group.

Actually, Luo Lan was not thinking about capturing Ren Xiaosu at all costs.

When Qing Zhen was about to call him on the satellite phone and issue an arrest on Ren Xiaosu, the volcanic cloud happened to block out the signal. By the time Qing Zhen reached a spot where there was a signal, Stronghold 113 had already been destroyed. In his haste, Luo Lan did not take his satellite phone with him while making his escape. So they two of them couldn't contact each other.

”Sure, whatever you say.” Wang Fugui nodded.

Ren Xiaosu went to gather for firewood as usual to start a fire and even brought Chen Wudi along with him. It was not that he wanted to order Chen Wudi around, but that he wanted to guard against him in case he really had other motives for joining their group.

In their group, only Ren Xiaosu could keep Chen Wudi in check. So it was better to keep him by his side. It was definitely a little tiring to keep guarding against someone, but Ren Xiaosu felt there was nothing wrong with being extra cautious. As they still had a long journey ahead, Ren Xiaosu would accept Chen Wudi if he later proved to have no other motives.

On their way to gather firewood, Ren Xiaosu found that the escapees had wisened up. They knew it would be very difficult to get to Stronghold 109 if they did not have a campfire to keep themselves warm. As such, a lot of people went to gather firewood and even shamelessly borrowed other people's fire to start their own.

It was quite a spectacular sight seeing several thousand people gathering firewood together. Ren Xiaosu lamented he might have been too late in going out to collect the firewood. He mainly had not expected such a situation to occur. As he was late by a few minutes, Ren Xiaosu could not find any firewood even after walking around for a long time.

Beside him, Chen Wudi asked, ”Master, didn't you say that the Western Paradise was just ahead of us this morning? Why aren't we there yet even after walking for a day?”

Ren Xiaosu was speechless. He thought for a while and said, ”The Western Paradise… has shifted elsewhere….”

Chen Wudi said unhappily, ”Master, do you think I'm dumb?”

Ren Xiaosu gave a mental sigh. Indeed, even a fool would not get deceived by such an answer.

”Wudi.” Ren Xiaosu earnestly tried to change the subject. ”Do you have any other wishes besides accompanying me to obtain the Buddhist scriptures in the Western Paradise?”

Ren Xiaosu was thinking of chatting with Chen Wudi for a while longer. After all, loose lips sank ships. As long as Chen Wudi's thoughts were impure, he would reveal something if he spoke enough.

But he realized Chen Wudi was behaving awkwardly. ”Yeah, I have another wish.”