Chapter 553: Alliance of Survival

Xia Qing stood up too, her voice firm and resolute. “I’m with you. I will never abandon my territory.”

After the six members of the Alliance reached a consensus, Xia Qing started laying out their defense plan. “Brother Yue, from now on, you’re our commander for this mission. Everyone will take your orders. If you can hold your farmland and homes, do it. If not, pull back. As long as we’re alive, we can rebuild anything. Above all, keep yourselves safe. If there’s a chance to strike back, do it hard and fast—let everyone know: invade our territory and it’s a death sentence.”

Before retirement, Yue Haiying used to command five elite squads on dangerous missions in the Evolved Forest. With all his experience, he was the best choice to lead their defense—not even Xia Qing could match him there.

“Understood.” Yue Haiying accepted the role, his expression cold and determined.

“All territories, report how many people you can spare for the defense. List their skills and what weapons or gear they have.”

Xia Qing spoke up first. “Besides slingshots and knives, I’ve got two guns, a shoulder-fired light grenade launcher, and 120 grenades.”

She reached into her backpack and pulled out three wooden boxes—one big, two small—and a plastic bag. “These are the grenade launcher, 30 shells, and 70 grenades, Brother Yue. I’m handing them to you to coordinate. And this bag holds extra filter cartridges for our level-three protective masks, courtesy of Third Brother. The enemy loves poison, so from tonight till tomorrow noon, don’t take off your mask for any reason.”

How do you eat in a mask? You drink nutrient shakes!

Yue Haiying didn’t agree with Xia Qing giving up her heavy weapons. “You’re the main target, and your territory most at risk. You keep the grenade launcher.”

If the Blazing Fire Squad made a move in the chaos, Xia Qing would clearly be their number one target. Out of everyone in the Alliance, she was the one they hated most. They’d steal her supplies—and her life if they could.

But Xia Qing shook her head. “I’ve only test-fired it once. I’m not skilled with it. In your hands, it does the most good.”

Yue Haiying’s squad was equipped with heavy weapons. He’d lost the use of one arm, true, but surely someone else in Territory Fifteen could handle the launcher.

Yue Haiying nodded at last.

Seeing Xia Qing’s stash, Zhao Ze looked embarrassed. “All I’ve got are three homemade pistols, thirty-five rounds, two chainsaws, and over twenty machetes.”

Kuang Qingwei chimed in. “I’ve got five homemade pistols, seventy-four rounds, six chainsaws, and thirty-odd machetes.”

Qi Fu’s loadout was similar to Kuang Qingwei’s. Section Ten had fewer people but no shortage of weapons. Shizhong reported in: “We’ve got a handgun, two homemade pistols, over sixty rounds, two chainsaws, and five machetes.”

Finally, Yue Haiying detailed Territory Fifteen’s arsenal. “We have three handguns and more than 180 rounds. I’ll go out today and bring back two more guns and a crate of landmines. Plus, with the grenades Xia Qing just gave us, we can split them up. Now, each territory needs to report every person with real experience handling guns or grenades—and they’d better be trustworthy. In the wrong hands, these weapons are more dangerous to us than the enemy.”

Half an hour later, their defense plan was set. The weakest territories—Section Four and Territory Six—would each have a sniper from Territory Fifteen. Hu Ningsheng would carry the grenade launcher, ready to assist any territory in danger.

External reinforcements were just the backup. Real defense came down to their own territory members.

At the end, Xia Qing offered one last word of reassurance. “Stay alert and keep yourselves protected. Even if your arm or leg gets lopped off, or you take a bullet, or your guts end up on the ground, don’t give up. As long as you hang on, Third Brother can pull you back from the gates of hell. Also, the rice seeds that Blazing Fire owed us have arrived—Captain Yang has them now. Each field will get half a plot of Yellow Lantern Rice. Once the fight’s over, we’ll pick up our seeds and start the new planting.”

On her way back from Section Five, Zhao Ze kept looking at Xia Qing. Near Territory Four’s north gate, he finally spoke up. “Xia Qing, why don’t you go to Territory Seven tonight? You don’t have much farmland, does it matter if they destroy it? We’ll help you rebuild the greenhouse in March. Like you said, your life comes first. We’ve waited ten years for a ray of hope—let’s stay alive to see it.”

Of everyone in the Alliance, the one Zhao Ze worried about most was his neighbor Xia Qing. If anything happened to her, the whole Alliance would fall apart.

Xia Qing knew he meant well and gave him a faint smile. “Don’t worry, Zhao. Captain Hu and his team will be at my place, so my defense is the strongest around.”

Zhao Ze whispered, “But if Territory One comes under attack, and they get called back, you could be in trouble.”

Xia Qing understood where he was coming from. She didn’t mention that Hu Zifeng’s squad was off guarding Section Three, just answered quietly, “If they get summoned away, I’ll head to Territory Seven.”

Once he heard Xia Qing’s plan, Zhao Ze felt reassured and returned to Section Four, throwing himself into preparations as Yue Haiying instructed.

Xia Qing went back to her territory, making arrangements. Judging by the beast tide’s speed, tomorrow afternoon or evening they’d cross the Evolved Forest between Section One North and Territory Two. Any ambushers would likely strike then.

Night was closing in fast. She’d have just half a day and one night to get ready.

Stepping into her own yard, Xia Qing saw the lights in her window and Er Gou waiting for her outside, and warmth filled her heart.

She brought Er Gou inside, took off her protective mask, greeted Old Goat who was busy generating power, washed her hands, and started cooking dinner.

Just the three of them, and once again it would be an all Green Lantern meal.

After dinner, Xia Qing discussed their defense for tomorrow. “We might get invaders in the afternoon or evening. Old Goat, you guard the food storage. Er, you’re with me on perimeter duty. Sound good?”

Old Goat was strong, but not exactly a fighter—he could charge with his head, but facing invaders up close was risky. So Xia Qing planned to dose him with medicine at noon, letting him sleep the whole time in the basement storage.

Their two underground pantries were built from brick and concrete, reinforced with expensive wall panels Xia Qing had traded for with Zhang San. Even if her house got blasted apart by shells, the storage would survive untouched. Not only Old Goat, but the Green Lantern Chicken, Pure Spring Fish, Yellow Lantern Mealworms, and Rabbit would all shelter there.

Thanks to Xia Qing’s care, Er Gou was much better than before, his strength restored. When darkness fell, she’d have to count on his sharp senses—sight, hearing, and smell—to pinpoint any intruders fast.

Finding the invaders was Er Gou’s mission. Wiping them out was up to Lord Xia Qing.