Xiao Ba

Xiao Fan asked in a solemn voice, "Where do you come from? How many of you are there? Who is your leader?"

"We come from General Ridge, twenty kilometers away, with over two hundred people. Our leader's name is Zhang Feng."

As the survivor spoke, he examined Xiao Fan and Xue Ninger.

Seeing their calm demeanor and lack of ferocity, he mustered some courage.

"Commanders, can I ask you a favor?"

"Speak."

"Could we pay a bit less in taxes? There are only a little over two hundred of us, and it's already difficult to survive in the desolate mountains of General Ridge. It's tough for us to afford the monthly taxes, and with no place to process the harvested grains now. There's also no salt or diesel left at the nearby gas stations. We really want to pay but have no means to do so."

Xiao Fan stroked his chin. "How often do the tax collectors come around?"

"Ah, aren't you two from the Alliance Headquarters' tax office?"

"Of course not."

"Then who are you?"

"No more chatter. Answer the commander's questions."

The two survivors exchanged a fearful glance, unsure of Xiao Fan's identity but daring not to stay silent.

"The tax collectors only came once before to notify us. They said they'd return in a month to collect taxes, and it's been over twenty days since then. They'll probably come within a week at most."

"Where did you say the Alliance Headquarters is located?"

"In Yunzhou Film and Television City, of course. It's already been occupied by the Alliance Headquarters. They broadcasted the news to the entire city a month ago. Many major survivor groups have already joined them, and now there are a lot of people there, with many branches too."

Xiao Fan was familiar with Yunzhou Film and Television City, one of the top three film production sites in the country, famous for shooting period dramas and war films in the past.

The site covered a vast area and had long been a renowned scenic spot in the north.

Moreover, Xiao Fan knew there was a border defense force stationed nearby, either a company or a battalion.

There was even an airport in the vicinity.

If the Alliance Headquarters had consolidated the local resources, their strength could not be underestimated.

After clarifying the situation, Xiao Fan waved his hand, dismissing the survivors.

The two hurried away, unwilling to provoke Xiao Fan and Xue Ninger in their military attire and armed with guns.

The rule of post-apocalyptic survival: be polite to those carrying firearms.

Watching them leave, Xue Ninger asked Xiao Fan, "Commander, they might leak our presence here."

Xiao Fan smiled, "It doesn't matter. The tax collectors will arrive here soon anyway, so our presence will be revealed then. In fact, I'd prefer them to spread the word since we've come to Yunzhou. We need the people of Yunzhou to know about us, or else our base would be too quiet."

Xue Ninger nodded, her gaze falling back on the supply crate still floating in the water.

Earlier, when she was about to undress, they were interrupted. With no one around now, she could enter the water.

Xiao Fan turned away again, continuing to examine the intriguing rearview mirror.

Xue Ninger started undressing once more.

She had just taken off her top and handed it to Xiao Fan when she quickly snatched it back.

The sound of an approaching vehicle could be heard in the distance.

After putting her clothes back on, a mountain cat all-terrain vehicle from their base came into view.

Shen Ruihui and his men drove up to Xiao Fan and Xue Ninger, jumping out of the vehicle and standing at attention with a salute.

"Commander, you two moved too fast, and I almost lost track of you. But I managed to catch up in time to protect you."

Seeing the soldiers from the security squad on the mountain cat, Xiao Fan didn't comment further.

He simply waved his hand. "This place isn't far from the base. We only came to collect the supply crate. There's no need to be so tense. You can go back now."

As Shen Ruihui was about to return to the vehicle, he suddenly noticed the supply crate floating in the water.

A flash of insight struck him – his chance had arrived!

The supply crate was in the water, which meant someone had to go in and retrieve it.

But who?

The commander was the leader, so it wouldn't be appropriate for him to enter the water.

Xue Ninger was a young woman, so it wouldn't be proper for her to undress and go into the water either.

Crucially, the commander was indifferent to beautiful women!

Therefore, this task had to fall to Shen, the squad leader.

Eager for a promotion, Shen seized the opportunity without hesitation. "Commander, let me do it. This is a small matter; I can handle it."

He tossed his military uniform and gun to a soldier behind him, wearing only a vest and baggy pants. With a leap, he plunged into the water.

After splashing around, he reached the supply crate, hauling the wooden box out of the water.

Dripping wet, he climbed ashore and handed the crate to Xiao Fan.

"Commander, the supply crate."

Xiao Fan felt his molars grinding as he patted Shen Ruihui's shoulder with a blank expression.

"Squad Leader Shen, good progress."

"Heheh, the commander praises me too much," Shen Ruihui gloated, beaming with pride.

Xiao Fan ignored him and accepted the supply crate.

If his guess was correct, this should be an underwater unit.

"Open it."

The supply crate opened.

A loud splash erupted from the water, sending waves splashing everywhere!

A massive dark shadow plunged from the sky, crashing directly into the Haoyuan River.

Then, an enormous head slowly emerged from the water's surface.

When described as enormous, it wasn't an exaggeration – the head's diameter exceeded five meters!

Floating on the water, it resembled a massive mound of earth.

Its two saucer-sized eyes rolled around, spraying bubbles when they spotted Xiao Fan.

"Gurgle gurgle~~!"

Xiao Fan approached the water's edge and extended his hand towards the massive creature.

With a whoosh, eight gigantic tentacles, each tens of meters long, emerged from the water, vying to shake Xiao Fan's hand in a display of friendliness.

Xiao Fan exhaled a long breath, not expecting this particular being.

It was the Giant Squid from the Red Alert game series.

In the Red Alert shipyard, unlocking the Battle Lab would introduce a sea monster – the Giant Squid.

The Giant Squid's primary role was to counter naval vessels, capable of capsizing any warship, including aircraft carriers, in the game.

Although there would undoubtedly be differences from the game in reality, this Giant Squid's prowess was undoubtedly formidable.

Stroking the squid's wet, massive tentacles, Xiao Fan said, "With your eight big arms, we'll call you 'Little Eight' from now on."