Chapter 284: A Desperate Gamble |
The torrential downpour continued.
On the sea surface, fish-men emerged one after another.
Taking advantage of the heavy rain, fish-men crawled ashore in a steady stream.
They followed behind.
Then, under Qin Ziwu's command, this group of fish-men split into two batches, surrounding both sides of the Red Cauldron Tower.
Perhaps somewhat unaccustomed to the environment on land, even though the surrounding area was continuously lashed by the storm, after these fish-men stopped, they kept digging holes in the ground.
They dug out one small pit after another.
Rainwater accumulated, pooling into muddy pits, and then they lay down, settling into the pits, closing their eyes contentedly.
"Discipline is lacking," Qin Ziwu silently observed the performance of these fish-men. "But their strength is not small."
Cold rainwater poured into the building along with the biting wind.
Some rooms were smashed into a mess, and even patched with newspapers and wooden boards, they were uninhabitable. Many people moved their furniture and ran to neighboring rooms, living together with others.
Under this oppressive atmosphere, sometimes a minor incident could ignite the powder keg.
For the higher-ups of Blood Script, food still had some reserves.
But for the ordinary members, food was becoming increasingly scarce. Some had even exhausted their food supplies and had to resort to various methods to try and obtain food.
No one was willing to sell food. Inside the tower, food prices soared relentlessly.
There was even a trend of rising to the levels of the cruelest phase during the first map's food shortage.
This stirred up bad memories for many.
Mutual wariness, suspicion, and even long-suppressed hatred all erupted at this moment.
"We cannot continue like this. Do you want another Dark Age to erupt inside the building?" Mei Yuqing stepped forward. As a beneficiary under the internal rules of the tower, if there was anyone unwilling to see the internal order collapse, she was definitely one of them.
"I think Sister Mei is right," Li Zecheng expressed his agreement.
The other Floor Heads also nodded one after another.
"Go out for a strong assault? You've all seen the weapons on the other side with your own eyes. If those people below charge out, losing twenty or thirty percent will shatter their morale. If we force an attack, it will be hard for us to win."
Li Zecheng said, "If it's a frontal confrontation, it might be difficult. But now, this heavy rain is our opportunity! If we keep waiting, what are you waiting for? For the people below to starve into madness, then pounce on us and tear us to shreds?"
"Although the rain is heavy, the other side will definitely be prepared," the Third Floor Head said. "My people have noticed frequent movements around their perimeter. There might be an ambush outside the building."
"With rain this heavy, do you think they are all made of iron? How could there be an ambush? At most, there are some people taking turns monitoring us."
The Second Floor Head sighed with regret. "After the rain last time, the people on the other side took advantage of it to move the corpses from downstairs. Otherwise, it wouldn't be this difficult."
Li Zecheng said, "When we go out later, we must make it clear: if a teammate dies, we must bring the body back. We're all from the same society. How can we watch our comrades lie exposed in the wilderness?"
"That's right, we can't watch our comrades lie exposed in the wilderness."
"We're all one of our own."
This group of people, with each having their say, decided the fate of the two thousand people below as they talked.
Everyone's eyes flickered, sharing an unspoken understanding.
If they go out and fall into an ambush, only those below will die. They themselves won't be going out. This would also relieve internal pressure.
If they go out and win a great victory, boosting morale and recovering some fighting spirit, that would also relieve internal pressure.
But if they don't go out, this powder keg remains inside the building.
And the ones threatened would be them.
Which is more important, which is less, is naturally not hard to distinguish.
"But for this operation, I think we need a strong, decisive expert to lead the way. Moreover, it must be someone with considerable reputation within our Blood Script," Li Zecheng suddenly spoke up.
As soon as he spoke, several Floor Heads nearby immediately voiced their agreement.
Mei Yuqing's eyebrows furrowed almost imperceptibly. She shot a warning glance at Li Zecheng. This part wasn't what they had initially agreed upon.
Li Zecheng didn't even look at Mei Yuqing. "The people below aren't fools either. If we really send them to their deaths, they'll be the first to rebel. So, we must have a highly respected and powerful expert lead the way. Only then will they believe it."
"I think Brother Su Xiao is the most suitable."
"I agree as well."
Mei Yuqing immediately realized they wanted to separate Su Xiao from her side.
"No," Mei Yuqing immediately vetoed.
But what greeted her were the cold, playful, and meaningful gazes of the other Floor Heads.
Mei Yuqing said without hesitation, "Then this operation is canceled."
"Sister Mei, you must consider the overall situation. Within the entire Blood Script, with thousands of people, who doesn't know Su Xiao is the best fighter? If he goes, the people below will absolutely believe this operation is genuine."
Su Xiao pressed his hand on Mei Yuqing's shoulder, stopping her from speaking further. He looked around the room and said clearly, "I can go. But besides me, each of your floors must send your best fighter to join me in this operation, forming a vanguard team."
With that, he drew a short knife from behind his waist, flicked it in a flourish, and threw it onto the table.
Thud!
The blade sank three inches into the wood.
"Who agrees, who opposes."
After the others had left, Mei Yuqing remained seated in her chair.
Su Xiao said, "This is our last chance. Food is already scarce, morale is low. With each passing day, our chance of winning grows smaller. We must take advantage of this heavy rain and go all in."
...
At the back of the Red Cauldron Tower, under the cover of the pouring rain.
Ropes were lowered one after another. Figures slid down slowly from the second floor, gripping the ropes.
The sky was dark, the rainstorm sudden and fierce.
Visibility was less than thirty meters.
After exiting the tower and looking back, everyone could only see a vague, tall silhouette.
The curtain of rain blocked their view.
"The urban village is at the back. We'll circle around now and attack them from the side."
Su Xiao turned back. "If we win, we'll have everything. From now on, within Blood Script, you can not only become senior members, but women, food—you'll lack nothing!"
"Understood, Brother Xiao."
"If we go head-on, the other side will be prepared. We'll circle around from the back. This time, I'll take the lead. You all charge with me!"
"Yes." "Alright." "We'll listen to Brother Xiao."
The morale among the group warmed up slightly.
Su Xiao's expression remained unchanged. He knew that if it weren't for him and the toughest fighters from each floor joining this operation, morale would be even lower.
Su Xiao led the team, heading towards the direction of the mountain at the back to circle around.
After walking some distance, he heard movement ahead and instinctively stopped, making a hand signal.
Faintly, through the curtain of rain ahead, he seemed to hear the sound of some kind of animal, "..."
An animal?
Su Xiao frowned, his eyes sharpening. He drew his twin knives, bent his waist, and slowly advanced through the rain.
Just as he passed a reverse slope, the sound ahead abruptly ceased.
A dangerous aura permeated the air.
Splash—
A waterlogged muddy pit directly ahead suddenly churned.
Muddy water parted to both sides as a massive, bloated silhouette slowly rose from the bottom of the pit.
A tall, corpulent Turbid Clan fish-man slowly stood up from within.
Clumps of mud slid off its body as rainwater washed over its dark, gleaming skin.
It stood taller and taller, its shadow falling like a curtain, completely engulfing Su Xiao from head to toe.