Chapter Forty-Five: The Arrival of the Arms

“My father may have issues with yours, but they’ve been friends and associates for years! He would never do something as heinous as that!” Huo Bing argued fiercely, refusing to yield an inch.

Shen Dong, his jaw clenched, let out a bitter laugh. “He wouldn’t do such a thing? Then why did they want to get rid of me this time? Still want to deny it? All I ever wanted was to reclaim what was rightfully mine, to protect my father’s legacy. The Scavengers were handpicked and built up by him himself!”

“If your father hadn’t always been so guarded and suspicious of me, if he hadn’t tried so hard to alienate and undermine me, things would never have gotten to this point! My father’s death is inseparable from that old scoundrel!”

“Shen Dong! Your father’s the old scoundrel! Don’t you dare talk about my dad like that!” Huo Bing glared at Shen Dong, their voices rising in the cramped car, quarrelling without end.

I was getting irritated—it was as if two flies were buzzing endlessly in my ears. “Both of you, shut up already! Damn it! Enough with your ‘my father, your father’ nonsense—they’re both no saints! If there’s a misunderstanding, hash it out when we get back! Speak face to face and clear it up! Don’t keep buzzing in my ears like a couple of starving mosquitoes.”

Finally, the two quieted down for a while. Soon enough, Shen Dong started muttering again, “If you’d married me back then, none of this crap would’ve happened. The two families would be one by now…”

Huo Bing immediately grabbed my arm and said, “Give up on that idea. There’s no way, not in this lifetime! If I end up with anyone, it would be someone like Brother Cao! And you think you’re worthy?”

Ha! Looks like this woman is using me as a shield again, but I didn’t mind lending her my arm. After all, it felt rather pleasant having her brush against me like that.

Shen Dong looked from me to Huo Bing, dumbfounded. “That won’t do! You’re not even older than me—how could you possibly be my mentor’s wife?”

Huo Bing was taken aback, then burst into laughter, pointing at Shen Dong as she couldn’t stop giggling.

Even I was left speechless by Shen Dong’s twisted logic. Why did he always see things so differently from everyone else? Wasn’t this the same arrogant youth I’d met in the settlement? Now he looked positively juvenile.

“All right, enough. Huo Bing, let me ask you: was your father involved at all in Shen Dong’s father’s death?” I steered with one hand, a cigar in the other.

There was still enough cigar left for two or three more smokes—far more enduring than an ordinary cigarette. In this world, only cigarettes and women are worth savoring; nothing better for blowing off steam.

Huo Bing pursed her lips. “I really don’t know. But I’m sure my father isn’t that kind of man! He may be a businessman, but he values loyalty and feelings. Otherwise, some settlements have already resorted to cannibalism due to lack of supplies, but here, we’d rather send people out to reduce resource strain than do something so inhumane.”

Cannibalism and valuing relationships are hardly comparable, but I figured she just couldn’t find another argument. In the end, she herself didn’t know the truth—she just wanted to believe her father wasn’t capable of such things.

Shen Dong snorted but said nothing.

I glanced at him. Despite his quirks and brashness, he had a certain passion. Unlike Tong Jia, the so-called team leader who was all heartless ambition, Shen Dong’s fellow Scavengers actually listened to him.

“Here’s the plan: when we get back, I’ll go with you both to see Huo Tian. We’ll get to the bottom of this. As for the team leader position, if things are cleared up, let Shen Dong take the role. I only care about that blade; I have no interest in the title.”

After observing along the way, I thought Shen Dong was fit to lead the Scavengers. Whether by background or character, he was far better than the cold, selfish Tong Jia. Since I didn’t want the job myself, giving it to a fan wasn’t a bad idea—at least I knew Shen Dong a bit better than the others.

Finally, Shen Dong and Huo Bing quieted down, though the kid kept trying to pry stories out of me about my days with the Swordfish. I evaded every question.

For any soldier of the Old Era, joining the Direct Command was an honor. To make it into Swordfish—well, that was the mark of a true king among soldiers. The rank might not be the highest, but it was recognition of personal strength. Shen Dong had once been part of a special forces unit himself, so he admired Swordfish all the more. Ordinary troops might have heard of the Direct Command, but would never know about Swordfish. Still, the special ops unit Shen Dong served in must not have been lowly, since he even knew the Swordfish designation.

“We’re almost to the settlement. When we went out last time, I saw some decoy grenades thrown on the ground. Was that your doing?” I glanced at Shen Dong, asking in a low voice.

Shen Dong looked at Huo Bing and me, both of us grim-faced, and blurted, “What!? Decoy grenades? What are you talking about? Why would I throw those near the settlement? That would be suicidal! Don’t look at me like that—it definitely wasn’t me!”

His expression didn’t look fake, and I began to doubt myself. If it wasn’t him, then this was a curious mystery—where did those decoy grenades come from?

“Huo Bing, make a note of this. When we’re back, check the surveillance. See if you can find any clues. If someone else tossed those grenades, it means someone’s keeping a close eye on the settlement.” My tone was grave as I spoke to Huo Bing.

Her expression matched mine. This was no small matter. If Shen Dong had done it, a scolding would suffice, but if not, then who?

“But there aren’t that many cameras on the perimeter fencing. There are still blind spots—might not see anything even if we check,” Huo Bing murmured, idly playing with her slender fingers.

In any case, I was just giving a heads-up. Still, since I was temporarily based in this lonely place, any trouble would affect me too. Sigh. Guess I would have to help out.

“We’ll look into it when we get back.”

...

Upon entering the bunker, Huo Tian was already waiting by the parking lot with a group, having heard the report.

After getting out, I walked over and nodded to him, while Huo Bing stood silently by my side.

“Let’s get a damage report first. Seems like we lost quite a few more people,” Huo Tian said, frowning at the dozen or so survivors lined up—a huge drop in numbers.

Shen Dong, supported by others, walked up as well. He didn’t bother putting on a friendly face for Huo Tian, but still reported formally, “We lost twenty-two brothers, but the supplies are maxed out.”

Huo Tian sighed, his expression grim. He waved a hand. “Inventory both teams’ supplies.”

“Chief! Come quickly, you have to see this!”

I squinted at the commotion, even Huo Tian gaping at the vehicle Huo Bing and I had used.

He gave me a subtle nod, then jerked his chin toward Shen Dong.

Of course, I understood what he meant. It seemed Shen Dong’s return wasn’t exactly to the old fox’s liking.