The Ultimate War Of The Apocalypse
Chapter 220 - 216 Going Abroad

Chapter 220: Chapter 216 Going Abroad

Snow began to pile up on the highways, while many sections of the desert roads were covered in drifting sands, making it seem as if some roads were carved right through the desert.

In just over half a year without maintenance, these desert highways now appeared sporadically, and in another couple of years, they were estimated to be completely buried...

However, regardless of these challenging conditions, the two vehicles managed to conquer these hindrances, and they were ultimately much faster than bicycles.

Without entering any refuges or making contact with anyone, both cars overcame numerous, though not overly difficult, obstacles to arrive at Hols City in a week’s time.

This was the westernmost edge of Shenzhou, just beyond the national border lay Kazakhstan.

The border crossing was within the city limits of Hols City, but to exit the country, it certainly wasn’t necessary to go through any official checkpoint, one could simply cross at any place along the lengthy border between the two nations.

Gao Yuan raised his binoculars to look, Li Jingang and Panxin were also using their binoculars, and Zhao Qiang was observing through binoculars too.

Only Yu Shunzhou was different; he squatted opposite Lizhizi with a smug smile and said, "Taoist Priest, Brother Li, why don’t you tell our fortunes and see whether our journey abroad will be auspicious or ominous?"

Lizhizi was quite helpless but also very serious as he told Yu Shunzhou, "My mundane name is Zhang, and my Daoist name is Lizhizi, so you can call me Brother Zhang, Lizhizi, or the Taoist, just don’t call me Brother Li, doesn’t it feel awkward for you?"

"Not at all, Brother Li, please cast the divination."

Lizhizi was extremely helpless; he had no interest in engaging with Yu Shunzhou, but during the several days of traveling together, Yu Shunzhou hadn’t stopped bothering him.

"I’m not divining."

"Come on, we’re about to set off. If you don’t divine, how can we know if it will be auspicious or ominous?"

Eventually yielding, Lizhizi pulled out three copper coins, shook them in his hand, flung them onto the ground, and then, after only a glance, said, "Great auspiciousness."

Gao Yuan put down his binoculars and then turned to look at Zhao Qiang.

Zhao Qiang also put away his binoculars and said, "Our biggest consumption of supplies is diesel fuel, but we refueled enough at the last gas station. Even if we went to a refuge, we couldn’t get much more, and as for food and water, we still have enough for ten days of consumption. I think it’s unnecessary to go to a refuge for supplies."

The gas stations, of course, had long ceased to operate, and all the fuel pumps, probably all around the world, were expected to be out of order. But there is fuel in the underground storage tanks at the gas stations; all that is needed is to open them and find fuel inside.

Along the way, Gao Yuan and his team had already drained two tanks of fuel, storing it all in barrels on the truck.

Entering a refuge would provide a good rest, a bath, and a hot meal, but that was just for a break—getting supplies wasn’t of much use. If they went to a refuge, they might bring trouble upon themselves. It was better to avoid it altogether.

In name, Gao Yuan was the leader of this small group, but he always followed Zhao Qiang’s advice. Hearing Zhao Qiang suggest not to enter the refuge, he immediately agreed, "Alright, then let’s set off."

"Wait a minute!"

Zhao Qiang said to Gao Yuan, "Let’s switch vehicles. Once we leave the country, a lot of things will be less convenient than they are inside the country. It’s still better to have the car up front scouting, and you few should take the truck."

Gao Yuan paused for a moment before he understood Zhao Qiang’s intention.

The SUV, leading the way, should best be occupied by those with stronger combat abilities, such as Li Jingang, Panxin, Zhao Qiang, and Li Yang.

As for the new recruits like Gao Yuan, they were better off in the truck following behind.

It felt like being slighted, but... Zhao Qiang’s words seemed to make sense too.

"Alright, let’s switch then."

Zhao Qiang waved his hand and said, "Pangxin, King Kong, Cao Zhenjiang, the four of us will take the small car; everyone else stays on the big truck. Liu Deguang will drive, with Xinghe and Gao Yuan in the cab. The rest of you will have to squeeze in the back."

The environment in the back of the big truck wasn’t good, something Gao Yuan knew all too well. In his opinion, it was someone else’s turn to enjoy it.

"No, no, I’ll sit in the back too. Just let Doctor Wang and Xinghe sit in the cab," he said.

In the days on the big truck, no matter who was driving, the most comfortable seat in the cab—the passenger seat—was always Wang Ning’s.

There seemed to be a deep-seated notion among every soldier in every unit to give preferential treatment to intellectuals and doctors. Gao Yuan didn’t want to break this tradition, so he refused to change the rules.

Wang Ning said softly, "No need, really, I’m not that delicate."

Gao Yuan smiled and said, "That won’t do; Doctor Wang, you must get enough rest. Everyone, get on, get on."

Zhao Qiang also added, "Don’t draw your guns easily, but be ready for combat. The situation we’re facing after crossing the border is very complex."

Gao Yuan was about to climb into the back of the truck. Just as he pushed Yu Shunzhou up, Xinghe stood silently in front of him, ready to get on, which was to be expected. Gao Yuan was just about to reach out to help Xinghe onto the truck when she had already climbed up on her own.

However, seeing that Gao Yuan had extended his hand, Xinghe jumped down again and then said to him, "Help me up."

So Gao Yuan helped push Xinghe onto the truck, and then he said to Li Yang, "You go sit in the front."

Li Yang always carried a bag with him, which contained the "Revelation." He thought for a moment and without saying anything, turned around and joined Wang Ning in the truck’s cab.

The truck was somewhat cramped. The front half was filled with supplies, while the rear half was for seating the passengers. Seven people sitting in the back made it quite packed, but thankfully, the foldable chairs were fairly comfortable and allowed them to stretch their legs.

The vehicle started moving. The truck was certainly going to be much bumpier than the off-road vehicle, and although there was a canvas cover, cold air still whistled in through the gaps.

To keep out the cold, the curtain at the back of the truck was lowered, plunging the entire canopy into darkness so that nothing could be seen.

Then Gao Yuan realized the hardest part had yet to come.

Before, regardless of the road conditions, the truck had always stuck to the highways. But now, as they were going to cross the border, the truck left the main road and drove straight into the farmlands beside it.

So the truck began to bounce unavoidably.

Yu Shunzhou pulled back a slit in the canvas cover to take a look outside and said, "I’ve never been abroad before; I want to see what it looks like outside."

Nie Erlong also said, "I haven’t been abroad either; I want to have a look too."

Although Gao Yuan had never been abroad either, that didn’t stop him from looking down on the two of them.

"You two country bumpkins, what’s there to see?"

While looking down on Yu Shunzhou and Nie Erlong, Gao Yuan said loudly, "Just pull up the curtain; if we’re going to look, let’s all have a look. I’ve never been abroad either!"

The curtain was pulled up, and the cold wind howled in. Xinghe wrapped herself in a sheepskin military coat left behind by someone, and then she said, puzzled, "The scenery hasn’t changed at all. What’s there to be excited about?"

Without hesitation, Yu Shunzhou said, "We’re going abroad; of course it’s exciting."

With a reflective look, Nie Erlong said, "We’re going abroad; I wonder if we’ll even be able to..."

Gao Yuan and Yu Shunzhou, without consulting each other, each kicked out, sending Nie Erlong and his chair toppling over onto Lizhizi. Then they said in unison, "If you can’t say anything useful, shut up!"