NOVPUB
Chapter 205: Chapter 205 Confrontation on Both Sides
𝖓𝔬𝖛𝔭𝔲𝖇.𝔠𝔬𝖒
Han Jiaojiao loved a spectacle and didn’t mind making things worse, chiming in, "Yeah, yeah, there were several monsters, so how could they have not been detected?"
Zhang Zhuo’s face grew even darker as he said in a deep voice to the Superpower User beside him, "Try again!"
The man’s face turned red; Zhang Zhuo’s public questioning of his abilities was embarrassing, yet he had no choice. He tensed his face and used his spiritual power again to search the cave’s interior. After a while, he said, frowning, "Major General, there really are no monsters inside, but there are many corpses."
Han Rui couldn’t restrain himself, "Major General Zhang! I think these people are deliberately mystifying to stop us from entering the factory!"
"Ah, it’s so hard to be a good person these days!" Yan Xiao let out a long sigh. "Since you don’t trust us, just go ahead and enter. But don’t blame us if something happens; we warned you."
Han Rui snorted heavily, his face full of disdain, clearly not believing a word Yan Xiao said.
On this side, Tian Xinyue, Zhou Xiaoliang, and Hao Boming were clueless. Zhou Xiaoliang and Hao Boming were somewhat skeptical, but Tian Xinyue, with her naïve and carefree nature, believed what Yan Xiao and Han Jiaojiao had said.
Tian Xinyue sidled up to Han Jiaojiao and asked with concern, "Jiaojiao, are there really monsters inside? Are you guys unhurt?"
Han Jiaojiao nodded repeatedly, "Yeah, it was terrifying! But we’re okay, thankfully my brother was there. If it had been someone else, they might have died in there!"
Zhang Zhuo’s face turned even blacker, as if it was about to drip ink.
Han Rui spoke urgently, "Major General Zhang, you can’t believe their words! If we don’t transport the stuff back, we won’t be able to explain it to the old general..."
Xiao Jian, seeing Han Rui’s pitiable state, scoffed.
Regardless, since they had come this far, they couldn’t possibly return empty-handed. Zhang Zhuo deployed a ten-person squad to scout ahead into the factory.
About fifteen minutes later, the communication device crackled to life, the sound of voices and rustling noise intermixed—
"Major General, there’s nothing here."
Han Rui’s eyes bulged as he yelled into the communication device, "That’s impossible! Have you actually searched thoroughly?! Have you checked every place? Did you go to the warehouse?!"
"...We’ve searched everywhere... the warehouses are empty..."
Zhang Zhuo looked at Han Rui coldly, his voice suppressing fury, "Han Rui, is this your assurance?"
If it weren’t for Han Rui repeatedly assuring how much ammunition and weapons were in the Armory, why would the old general have mobilized such a huge force?
Han Rui glared venomously at Han Yi, grinding his teeth, "Han Yi! Is it you?! Did you do this?! You’ve hidden the munitions, haven’t you?! Tell me where those weapons and ammunition are! Tell me!!!"
Han Yi glanced at him with disdain and then paid no more attention, taking Han Jiaojiao to sit down on a smooth rock, asking her in a low voice if she was tired or thirsty.
Han Jiaojiao leaned into Han Yi’s arms, rolled her eyes at Han Rui, and rebuked him unhappily, "The place is only so big; where could my brother hide them? Don’t slander us."
"Exactly, we’re not hiding kittens or puppies here, we’re talking about a whole factory’s goods. If you want to slander us, at least give a reason that convinces both heart and mind."
Yan Xiao and Han Jiaojiao played off each other, infuriating Han Rui to the point his eyes were blood-red with anger, and he was fuming!
At that moment, the communication device crackled again—
"Major General, something seems off..."
Zhang Zhuo responded immediately, "What’s the matter?"
"... Major General, our numbers have dwindled... Several people have gone missing... It’s too vast and dark down here, we can’t find them..."
Zhang Zhuo frowned deeply and replied, "First, lead your men out."
Han Jiaojiao ominously said, "Tsk, tsk, tsk... They must have encountered a monster... Now we’re in trouble..."
Han Rui glared at her furiously, "Stop fanning the flames here! You..."
He was probably about to curse Han Jiaojiao, but before the foul words could escape his lips, he was violently thrown to the ground! It was as if someone had slapped him across the face from afar!
Han Yi looked at him as if he was looking at a corpse, "Han Rui, tell me, should I smash your teeth, or would it be better to rip out your tongue?"
Half of Han Rui’s face quickly swelled up, and he looked at Han Yi with venomous eyes, angrily saying, "You... You dare to strike me..."
Han Yi burst into laughter upon hearing this. His perennially morose face suddenly revealed a smile, which was chilling to the bone.
"You think just because you have an additional two hundred soldiers behind you, I wouldn’t dare to hit you? Hah... Han Rui, don’t mention just two hundred, even if all your men were here, I would still hit you without hesitation."
A flicker of panic crossed Han Rui’s face.
There was also a slight change in Zhang Zhuo’s expression. On this expedition, they had brought out a total of five hundred men. When they entered the mountain, because Han Rui was not familiar with the terrain, they split into two teams. He had not expected Han Yi to be aware of this...
Zhang Zhuo, of course, knew that Han Yi was not to be trifled with, but they had not found the ammunition, and Han Yi just happened to be here. Who knew if Han Yi had tampered with the armory? Letting him go without repercussions was something Zhang Zhuo could not accept!
"Major Han is a favored son of heaven, a rare MAX Ability user, naturally not putting mere soldiers like us in his eyes. However, Major Han, if we truly came to blows... Well, we might suffer, but I fear you wouldn’t fare well either. Bullets don’t have eyes, and if any of Major Han’s friends ended up missing an arm or breaking a leg, that would be quite the predicament, wouldn’t it?" Zhang Zhuo stared at Han Yi, slowly uttering these words.
Han Rui, clutching his face, walked up to Zhang Zhuo and said, "Major General, the disappearance of the ammunition is inexplicable, it must be related to him! He won’t confess unless he’s made to suffer!"
Han Jiaojiao’s eyes widened as she shouted, "Are you out of your mind?! If my brother knew where the ammunition was, would he have made a trip for nothing and come out empty-handed?!"
Zhang Zhuo glared at Han Rui with a fierce gaze.
He didn’t want relations to become too strained. This mission had already depleted a large amount of their supplies. If they were to sustain casualties here with Han Yi, it would just make it harder to explain once back. Unfortunately, Han Rui was tactless, always stirring trouble, which was annoying.
What concerned him most now was whether the disappearance of the ammunition was related to Han Yi or not...
"We all came here with the same purpose. If it was just a dispute over seizing the ammunition, it would be perfectly reasonable. But now, with the ammunition gone, continuing to quarrel here is somewhat laughable..." Zhang Zhuo carefully chose his words and slowly continued, "I wonder what Major Han’s next move might be?"
Han Yi replied indifferently, "To descent the mountain, and find somewhere to stay."
"We can’t let them leave!" Han Rui burst out desperately, "The ammunition must be hidden by him! He’s going to retrieve the ammunition! Major General! We can’t let them go!"
Han Jiaojiao could barely contain her mirth. Han Rui’s imagination was indeed rich!
However, what Han Rui said was precisely one of Zhang Zhuo’s concerns.
Zhang Zhuo looked gravely at Han Yi, attempting to discern any reaction to Han Rui’s accusation. Yet, Han Yi’s expression remained indifferent, revealing no hint of his thoughts.
"... The mountain roads are treacherous, and wild animals roam, it would be better if we descend together for mutual support. What do you think, Major Han?"
Zhang Zhuo had made up his mind; if Han Yi did not agree, he would use any means necessary, even if it meant sacrificing some men, to ensure Han Yi and his group did not leave.
