335 Acting alone (1/2)

”Then why didn't they send some more people?” Ren Xiaosu asked, ”Aren't they sending us to our deaths? They could have just sent the army to eliminate the bandits!”

”Do you know why that place has become an unincorporated zone?” Yang Xiaojin said, ”It's because it's the transit hub of the Northwest with links to four different places, of which three lead to the Zong Consortium, the Yang Consortium, and Stronghold 178. Whoever sends their troops into this area will attract the suspicion of the other two. In the past, there was no lack of friction among the three groups over this matter. None of them wants anyone else to gain control of this route.”

”So that area eventually became a gathering place for the bandits since no one could do anything about it?” Ren Xiaosu asked. ”No wonder the three organizations are conducting this operation together at the mention of exterminating bandits. Even Xu Xianchu had to specially make a trip to the Yang Consortium.”

”Yes, some large bandit gangs even settled down over there and turned to stealing women from the refugees to keep them company.” Yang Xiaojin said, ”If there's a need to deploy troops there to exterminate the bandits, the three organizations have to work together. Since everyone wants to kill the bandits, the mission must be carried out no matter what.”

”Everyone should have just sent their troops together then,” Ren Xiaosu said in a speechless manner. ”What's the point of sending us there?”

”It's extremely easy for the bandits to hide in the valley because of the complex and peculiar terrain.” Yang Xiaojin said, ”So someone has to first get a better understanding of the bandit situation in the entire valley and find out where they're located to assess if there's a chance of killing them in one fell swoop before making further plans.”

With that, Ren Xiaosu understood they were just going there to scout the path and did not have to participate in any battles. He and Yang Xiaojin weren't even a part of this plan at the beginning. The primary mission was supposed to be conducted by the 30 nanosoldiers along with the Zong Consortium's soldiers.

If the troops were deployed directly into the valley, many of the bandits might go into hiding or run away. Furthermore, it would be very easy for the three organizations to fight each other.

”When you say that you want to shake them off, it's mainly Zong Cheng that you want to shake off, right?” Ren Xiaosu probed.

”Yes.” Yang Xiaojin nodded and said, ”As the Zong Consortium is more familiar with the valley, they suggested they should lead the way this time. However, the banditry issue originated from them, and many of the bandit gangs have ties with them as well. If they lead the way, we can only see what they want us to see.”

In any case, they would have to avoid the Zong Consortium and not get led by the nose.

Ren Xiaosu did not have any problems with that. Honestly, Yang Xiaojin was a daredevil. How could a normal person barge into a bandit's lair just like that? Ren Xiaosu asked, ”Aren't you worried that something will happen along the way?”

Yang Xiaojin glanced at him. ”Don't I have you to protect me?” Then she stomped on the gas at an intersection.

When they exited the stronghold, Yang Xiaojin deliberately drove to the rear of the convoy. By now, the convoy in front of her had turned down a side road. So when Yang Xiaojin suddenly took the other route and drove west, the vehicles ahead of her could not react in time.

By the time they realized the off-road vehicle driven by Yang Xiaojin had detoured, it was too late for them to turn around. They could only stop their vehicles and watch Ren Xiaosu and Yang Xiaojin drive all the way northwest, leaving a huge trail of dust behind them.

The Southern wilderness was filled with lush greenery. But in just the short distance spanning two strongholds, the landscape had suddenly changed from a lush green to a khaki land filled with sand mounds. From here to the north, it would be hard to see an entire forest again. The remaining vegetation that could be seen were squat shrubs.

Severe soil erosion had happened here before The Cataclysm, and desertification was already an unstoppable trend back then and could only have been prevented by putting in a great deal of manpower, logistics, and funding into its reversal.

But with the advent of The Cataclysm, the lands became completely deserted.

Zong Cheng had a calm expression as he stood outside the vehicle and looked at the off-road vehicle departing west.