A Post-Apocalyptic Journey to Another World

After a heated discussion, the battle plan was finally finalized. Time was of the essence, and morale was high. The regimental commanders could not leave their troops for too long, so they rushed back to their units as soon as the meeting ended. Zhang Xi, however, stayed behind.

Huo Mingde and Wu Sheng also stayed behind. Being older and more astute, they had already sensed that Zhang Xi had something else to say. As soon as everyone left, Wu Sheng asked, "Zhang Xi, what do you want?"

Zhang Xi considered for a moment before speaking, "Commenders, strictly speaking, I am not one of your soldiers, right? Now let me reintroduce myself. I am a mercenary, a mercenary group leader, and my mercenary group is called Amber! Mercenaries are paid for fighting, and I would like to discuss the issue of commission with you both!"

"Nonsense!" Wu Sheng almost laughed out of anger at the young man in front of him. If Zhang Xi hadn't repeatedly distinguished himself in battle, he would have already ordered the guards outside to rush in. However, Huo Mingde said, "Then, Commander Zhang, what's your price?"

Huo Mingde's straightforwardness surprised Zhang Xi, so he stopped being polite and said, "My price is very low for you. I want the elemental crystals in the temporary warehouse! And those failed miniature laser guns!"

"that's it!"

"that's it."

“I agree! Lao Wu, what about you?” Huo Mingde looked at his partner.

Wu Sheng glanced at Huo Mingde and nodded helplessly: "Alright!"

Zhang Xi hadn't expected Huo Mingde to be so agreeable. Based on his experience from his previous life, he had been prepared to haggle. Now that things were settled, he happily went to accept his payment.

As soon as Zhang Xi left, Wu Sheng complained to Huo Mingde, "You didn't even help me find out his background! And wasn't it a bit hasty to just give in to his demands like that?"

Huo Mingde said, "Haven't you investigated this young man many times already? He's also a descendant of soldiers, and even a descendant of a hero of the War of Resistance Against Japan. I don't know why he likes those crystals so much. Those things have no meaning for us who are about to die. Let him take them. This young man may very well not return from this mission. Consider it fulfilling his dying wish. I'm an old man, so I'll leave it. The young people on the front lines are still young. Their lives haven't even begun yet..."

Wu Sheng listened helplessly as his old partner changed the subject. Having worked together for half his life, he knew Huo Mingde best.

……

Zhang Xi arrived at the temporary reserve warehouse with a heart full of joy. The countless Yuan Energy Crystals, as big as small mountains, made him overjoyed. This was the harvest of several thousand field soldiers and tens of thousands of militiamen for nearly a year! In his previous life, the Black Wolf Mercenary Group's wealth accumulated over several years was less than one percent of this. Now it was all his!

With everyone in a state of panic and time running out, no one cared about these pretty but useless crystals anymore. So Zhang Xi began using Horadric Cubes to fuse these elemental crystals. This was practically like a money-grubber stuffing his pockets with gold. Zhang Xi was working with great enthusiasm when he suddenly heard a knock at the door. He immediately stopped, went outside the warehouse, and asked what was wrong. His earlier joy vanished in an instant.

Zhang Xi rushed to the reception room and saw Wang Ruilong and Zhao Yu sitting there holding two glasses of water. Zhao Yu was shivering from the cold. The leopard cat gloves that Zhang Xi had given her were not on her hands, but tied together with a red rope and hung around her neck, which was also covered with two cloth covers.

The two men had clearly braved the cold wind and rushed over overnight. Wang Ruilong had obviously taken the powerful potion; he showed no signs of change, but despite wearing only a thin layer of clothing, he seemed completely unaffected by the cold. Upon seeing Zhang Xi arrive, Wang Ruilong immediately told her everything. It turned out that after taking Zhang Lei and Han Caiping away, Li Yinglong had ignored Zhao Yu. The young girl then immediately found Wang Ruilong, who, while asking his father for information, also took Zhao Yu and rushed to the military camp that night to inform Zhang Xi.

Seeing the dark clouds gathering above Zhang Xiliang's head, Wang Ruilong comforted him, "My father inquired and found out that your aunt and uncle didn't linger. They were sent directly to Tianjing City along with dozens of engineers. They're probably on their way now. Their safety is not a problem; they're protected by a large number of armed personnel. Xi'er! I'm about to leave for Tianjing too. Let's go together!"

Zhang Xi shook his head and said, "Ruilong, take Zhao Yu and leave immediately for Tianjing! Don't delay for a moment. I'll leave my parents in your care. I'll be in Tianjing soon, and then we'll make a name for ourselves together!" At this moment, Zhang Xi truly understood that he needed his own power; otherwise, no matter how strong you were, it would be difficult to truly protect others.

Upon hearing this, Wang Ruilong became excited: "I've been waiting for you to say that!"

Zhang Xi asked again, "Little Fatty, how's the news about the walk I asked you to do?"

Wang Ruilong grinned mischievously, his mouth almost reaching his cheeks, and said, "It's already spread throughout the city. Various private gangs and small groups have sent people to keep an eye on the troops and police. Everyone is skeptical, and many civilians have set up tents near the military barracks and along the main roads leading out of the city! As soon as the troops and police make a move, Pingyuan City will be in an uproar. That'll be quite a spectacle! Xi'er, you've really gone all out this time!" Wang Ruilong excitedly patted Zhang Xi on the shoulder.

"Hmph! Tianjing stole my parents, so I'll leave them with two main divisions! Once I get to Tianjing, they'll have to return my parents, but they'll never get those two main divisions back!" Zhang Xi said fiercely, "This little butterfly is about to flap its wings!"

In the First Division's battle plan, one problem remained unresolved: how to hold off the main orc force long enough to buy Zhang Xi sufficient time to destroy the teleportation portal and for the civilians to evacuate. So how could they acquire enough troops? The armed forces in Pingyuan City were already quite powerful, numbering in the hundreds of thousands. However, their combat effectiveness was weak, and their organization was scattered, making them no match for the orc army. But if they were captured, the orc commanders would not ignore this force and would certainly divide their forces to attack. This was Zhang Xi's purpose in spreading the information.

How could we leave behind hundreds of thousands of soldiers and two other divisions? There's a saying: "Water can capsize a boat!"

Just then, a clap of thunder suddenly rang out outside the window, followed by a torrential downpour. Since a year ago, the balloon's behavior had been erratic; even though it was nearly May and the weather was still cold, now it was pouring rain again. Wang Ruilong exclaimed, "Damn it! It's raining?"

Looking at the heavy rain before him, Zhang Xi felt a surge of emotion. He touched his chest and murmured to himself, "This rain? Even the heavens acknowledge my actions and are helping me?"

Wang Ruilong and Zhang Xi discussed the matter for a while longer before leaving, but Zhao Yu insisted on staying. She said her marksmanship was now excellent and she could stay and help Zhang Xi. Zhang Xi thought about it and allowed the strong-willed girl to stay.

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