Chapter 26 (1/2)

Translator: virtual group  Editor: virtual group

A corpse was thrown very high and far into the swamp ahead, splashing up plenty of mud. It became embedded in the black and muddy surface before sinking inch by inch.

Beside it was two scenes that were mostly the same, except that the corpses were buried deeper in the mud.

Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong stared at each other for a few seconds before retracting their gazes and walking to the jeep.

Jiang Baimian did not ask for a raise of hands to decide who would be the first to ride the heavy motorcycles. She immediately wore the corresponding helmet and sat on it. While carrying a mini submachine gun on her back, she turned her head to look at Shang Jianyao and the others and said with a smile, “I’ve always wanted to get myself one of these for a long time, but I never had the chance.”

Before she could finish her sentence, she had already revved the engines, producing a deep and mighty roar from the heavy motorcycle. Jiang Baimian lowered her torso. Although it was her first time riding a motorcycle, the way she posed looked rather professional.

The engine’s roar grew louder as the heavy motorcycle shot out like an arrow, racing along the edge of the swamp and heading into the distance.

“The romance of steel and fuel…” Long Yuehong muttered enviously. “As well as freedom and wind.”

With a boom, the heavy motorcycle turned around and stopped not far away.

Jiang Baimian propped herself up with her feet and pulled up her helmet visor. She laughed dryly. “Hey, erh, Bai Chen, which way should we go?”

Bai Chen looked down at her scarf and loudly replied, “Follow the jeep!”

“Huh? What did you say?” Jiang Baimian raised her hand to cup her ear, but it was blocked by the helmet. That didn’t change her smile though. She pulled her visor down and rode the heavy motorcycle back to the jeep as if she made that decision herself.

Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong got into the jeep one after another. Bai Chen sat in the driver’s seat again and started the jeep.

They advanced through the Blackmarsh Wilderness at a relatively low speed due to such a roster. From time to time, they would change directions and circle around any obstacles. During this process, Jiang Baimian repeatedly used the excuse of investigating their surroundings to leave the convoy and speed off in different directions on her motorcycle.

Nearly two hours later, Bai Chen stopped the jeep, which seemed a little overburdened. She pushed open the door and said to Jiang Baimian, who had just come roaring back from the distance, “Team Leader, we’re almost at the settlement.”

Jiang Baimian propped herself up with one foot and pulled up her visor. “What do you have in mind?”

Bai Chen touched the rather rough skin on her face. “I’m worried that the wilderness nomads in the settlements will overreact if we go over like this. They are always very vigilant about such matters. How about this? You guys wait here while I ride the motorcycle over and finish the job before returning to bring you over? If they don’t allow us entry, I’ll try closing the trade outside.”

Jiang Baimian nodded slightly and said, “Our firepower is indeed terrifying.”

The Blackmarsh Iron Snake’s outer skin tied to the top of the jeep was even more terrifying.

Jiang Baimian immediately dismounted, parked the motorcycle, took off her helmet, and handed it to Bai Chen.

After watching Bai Chen’s back disappear into the sparse forest ahead, Jiang Baimian opened the jeep’s door and sat in the driver’s seat.

“Do you want one?” She smiled and picked up a simple cigar from the armrest compartment. These were the spoils of war they had previously obtained.

The tobacco leaf, roasted yellowish-black, exuded an indescribable fragrance.

“No thanks.” Long Yuehong and Shang Jianyao shook their heads at the same time.

“What’s wrong with the two of you? This is a luxury good!” Jiang Baimian put down the simple cigar. “Countless people who have been on battlefields are crazy about it. This allows them to relax their minds and keep their sanity. It’s just like how alcohol-based beverages can make people forget many unhappy matters they are unwilling to recall. Sigh, many people can only be happy when they are drunk.”

“That’s not true happiness1.” Shang Jianyao suddenly sang.

“Yo, you’re even singing.” Jiang Baimian’s mouth opened slightly as she reprimanded him in jest.

Shang Jianyao nodded seriously. “I like music.”

“But the lyrics don’t seem right…” Jiang Baimian stroked the metal device in her ear.

Shang Jianyao replied as if he were discussing an academic question. “The lyrics can be modified to suit the current scene. This can help in expressing it better.”

“…” Jiang Baimian waved her hand. “That’s not the point. I almost forgot what I wanted to say after you interrupted me!”

She grunted angrily. “I mentioned tobacco because I wanted to raise the topic of war trauma. Although the battle you just experienced hasn’t reached that level, you still need to pay attention to such problems. Be it cigarettes, alcohol, or even drugs, they aren’t actually a good way to deal with the trauma. It’s easy for you to develop a serious reliance on them, and it’s not good for your health.

“If there are any situations where you are too tense, stressed, anxious, irritable, or unable to focus, you can chat with me at any time. I’ve taken some psychiatry lessons.”

“Yes, Team Leader!” Long Yuehong replied loudly. “Just now, on the way to the settlement, Bai Chen actually talked to us about this matter. I feel much better now.”

“Good.” Jiang Baimian praised him. “Ever since the higher-ups approved the establishment of this Old Task Force, the best thing I did was approve Bai Chen’s application. Tsk, you have to agree on my good taste, right?”

Without waiting for Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong’s response, she leaned against the driver’s seat and continued speaking, her eyes darting about slightly. “I don’t know when Bai Chen will return. Since I have nothing to do, I’ll tell you guys something else—something I didn’t tell you guys before.”

Shang Jianyao and Long Yuehong immediately sat up straight as if they were still in school.