Chapter 733: Alliance Bonds and the Price of Survival

Yue Haiying replied, “Once you’re registered, you’ll need to go to a hospital designated by the Safe Zone for a physical exam to confirm your health. Dazhi’s situation is complicated, so he can’t sign up. Before he was poisoned, his Devastation Element content was 9 per mille, and Evolution Element content was 6.2. When we tested him the day before yesterday, his Devastation Element content had shot up to 26 per mille, and Evolution Element content had dropped to 5.2.”

“The Devastation Element in his body is still way too high. We’ve got to get it down as fast as possible.” Anything over 20 per mille is considered dangerous. Last time Xia Qing saw Dazhi, he seemed full of energy and was even out hunting, so she’d assumed his levels had already dropped below 20.

She never expected his numbers were barely better than hers last winter, right after she’d been hit by a poison gas bomb and taken the Evolution Element stim shake.

Also, before Zhang Hongda was poisoned, both his Devastation and Evolution Element levels were lower than Xia Qing’s, which actually makes sense. His Devastation Element was low because army rations were way better than what Xia Qing ate in the Safe Zone. His Evolution Element was lower simply because he’s an ordinary Three-Path Evolutionary, while Xia Qing is an advanced one.

“Once the toxins are cleared, it’ll gradually drop,” Yue Haiying said. Xia Qing isn’t one to chat idly, so if she brings something up, she means business. With hope stirring in his chest, Yue Haiying pressed on, “Actually, even if Dazhi were still fighting for his life with the toxins in his system, this batch of Devastation Antidote wouldn’t go to him.”

“First, Dazhi hasn’t accumulated enough contribution. Second, he was poisoned by a Synthetic Toxin, and until we find a proper cure, even if he takes the antidote, the Devastation Element will just spike again thanks to the synthetic stuff.”

Hui Three Base has over 1.9 million people. Those needing the antidote number at least three or four hundred thousand, with tens of thousands in desperate need.

The Devastation Antidote won’t save Dazhi. So even if Yue Haiying’s in charge, he wouldn’t waste it on him.

Of course, Xia Qing picked up on Yue Haiying’s hopeful tone, so she came right out and said, “I’ve got one dose of Devastation Antidote here. Go ahead and use it, Brother Yue. Let Dazhi have some to regain his fighting strength. If anyone else in Territory Fifteen needs it to stay alive, let them use some too, but don’t give anyone less than 1ml—it won’t be effective below that.”

The hope that had just flared became reality in a flash. Even a hardened man who’d survived countless bloody battles couldn’t keep the tremor out of his voice. “Xia Qing, thank you. How many credits for this dose? Or what supplies do you need?”

“One antidote is 8,000 credits. I’m also giving you a bonus of 150,000 credits. Do you think you could help me get an old army surplus car? It just needs to be sturdy and reliable—the more beat-up, the better.” Xia Qing needed to travel constantly between her territory and the testing zone. In emergencies, she could use personal flight equipment, but flying was too flashy and burned way too much fuel. That’s why she wanted a car.

The road from her territory to Third Peak, Hill Fifty, was now drivable. For Xia Qing, time lost on the road was worth much more than the credits she’d use on a car and fuel.

She wanted the car to look old and battered so she wouldn’t draw attention.

“No problem!” Yue Haiying agreed instantly. “Devastation Antidote goes for 130,000 on the black market. You can keep your credits.”

But Xia Qing wouldn’t hear of it. “We’re part of the same Alliance, after all. I got the antidote for 8,000 credits from Third Brother, so that’s the price I’m asking. If I wanted to make money, I wouldn’t sell you the antidote at all.”

Yue Haiying snapped to attention and made a solemn promise. “Understood. I’ll use this antidote to boost the fighting power of the Alliance. Helping each other, we’ll make sure the land thrives and every one of us survives.”

That’s what the Alliance was founded for, and it’s the goal they all shared.

After exchanging a few excited words with his fellows, Yue Haiying picked up the antidote from Xia Qing the very next day. His first stop: the Hidden Valley on Hill Fifty.

The moment the captain brought out the antidote, Zhang Hongda, his rash almost gone, and Li Kai, now looking healthy, stared in amazement. “This—this… Captain, where did that come from? How many credits did it cost?”

Yue Haiying didn’t beat around the bush. “8,000 credits. Xia Qing offered it to us herself.”

The price left Zhang Hongda and Li Kai even more shocked, but it felt like something Xia Qing would do.

Li Kai wiped his face to steady himself. “Brother Yue, following you to Territory Fifteen was the best decision of my life.”

Back when they left the military, the army helped them find basic jobs inside the Safe Zone so their lives could carry on. But when Li Kai and the others learned Yue Haiying was bringing a handful of brothers, already declared dead, up to Section One of the North to save them, they gave up those jobs and came along. They knew they might not help much, but at least they could still pitch in with odd jobs.

Now that Dazhi was cured and hope returned for the others, their days finally had meaning again. Joining the Alliance, becoming allies with Xia Qing and Zhang San—it was their good fortune and their last shot at survival.

Zhang Hongda added, “Joining the Alliance was the best second step we’ve taken since coming to the territory. As long as some disaster doesn’t strike, we won’t ever have to move again. Even when we die, we’ll be buried whole, right here.”

Time was running short. Yue Haiying cut to the chase. “Dazhi gets 5ml from this antidote. The five brothers with the worst conditions each get 1ml…”

“Brother Yue, my poisoning’s cleared up! I can’t take the antidote!” Zhang Hongda shot to his feet, nearly sending his stone seat toppling.

They were deep within Hidden Valley, and the Bear Cave on the other side still held members of the Azure Dragon Squad guarding the high-risk area. Any big commotion could expose the valley.

Zhang Hongda managed to hook the edge of the stone and steady it, averting a loud crash. All three breathed a sigh of relief.

Of the thirty-two veterans in Territory Fifteen, nine had serious injuries or sickness, Zhang Hongda among them. Now he was cured, so the antidote should go to the eight brothers still bedridden.

Yue Haiying gestured for Zhang Hongda to sit down and explained the reasoning. “We have to keep the brothers alive, but the territory needs defenders too. The second Devastation Rain is coming, and it’ll be a brutal fight. We’ll need you and Yu Shou at the front, so your Devastation Element levels must be under 20 per mille; otherwise, you could lose control in the middle of the Rain.”

“When the next Devastation Rain comes, this valley will be shielded by Yi Stone. I’ll clear it with the Alliance so Ye Yang and the others can recover here until the danger passes, safe from the toxins outside.”

Seeing Zhang Hongda still being stubborn, Yue Haiying let out a low curse. “You listen up! If I give you half the antidote and your Devastation Element isn’t below 20 per mille, I’ll skin you alive!”

This was the squad leader they all recognized.

The old military discipline kicked right in for Zhang Hongda. “Yes, sir! I guarantee I’ll get it below 20 per mille!”

“Keep it down,” Yue Haiying shot him a glare, then turned to Li Kai. “Your recovery’s gone well, so this time you’re not—”

No need to finish; Li Kai cut in, “I understand, Brother Yue. I’m being fed and taken care of here. My Devastation Element is already under 20 per mille; I don’t need the antidote.”

Yue Haiying nodded. “In five days, you two are swapping roles. Three other brothers will come stand guard here, and you’ll head back to work. Dazhi needs to get back on his feet fast. When the Rain comes, the team may need backup and you’ll have to step up.”

“Understood! Sister Qing saved my life; whether Section Three needs help or not, I’ll be there to lend a hand.”

Li Kai chuckled. “With your tiny bit of strength, Qing will probably just frown at you.”

Zhang Hongda shot his buddy a look. “I may not be strong, but I’m quick. Can’t plow a field or haul water? Fine, I’ll pull weeds and pick string beans instead.”

Watching his men come alive again, Yue Haiying glowered. “Enough chatter. Drink your medicine before the thermal box loses its heat.”