Game: Civilization Paradise

Chapter 172: Chapter 172: Poor

It didn’t take long for all the ruins to be assigned.

"Alright, it’s settled. Everyone, get moving on the search. The people from the City of Abyssal Sin and Star Tower are already giving it their all exploring, and we can’t afford to fall behind!"

Qiansha announced to everyone present.

"Understood."

Qian Wei, Luoxue, and the others rose and left.

...

A short while later, Luoxue and her people returned to their tent.

She walked to her desk, picked up a pen, and began to add all the reconnaissance markings to a map. Finally, she circled Ruin No. 12, the one assigned to her, her gaze shifting as she strategized.

"Sigh, this is so frustrating. We were assigned a ruin that’s so far away, and it’s tiny."

Jing Chuan sighed.

"There’s no such thing as absolute fairness in this world. We have to rely on ourselves for everything!"

Luoxue was completely unfazed.

Just then, Shen Hu came in and reported to Luoxue and her team.

"President, our supplies have been delivered."

"Let’s go. Once we’ve received the supplies, we’ll head out to explore our assigned ruin!"

Upon hearing Shen Hu’s report, Luoxue led Jing Chuan and the others out without a moment’s hesitation.

...

「The military camp’s open area.」

Rows of transport vehicles were parked there.

Xiaoqi, Long Ming, and their team opened the vehicle doors and jumped out.

"Everyone, unload the supplies and pry open the crates! Remember, be gentle."

Xiaoqi ordered Long Ming and the others.

Johnny, Long Ming, and the others stepped forward, unloading case after case of ammunition and supplies from the transport vehicles.

They stacked the crates neatly, then took up crowbars and pried them open one by one, revealing boxes of ammunition, grenades, military ration packs, and other items.

Just then, Luoxue arrived with her subordinates!

"President Luoxue!"

Seeing Luoxue and her group, Xiaoqi ran over excitedly.

"Why are you the one escorting the supplies? Where’s Tang Qiu?"

Luoxue asked Xiaoqi, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

"Tang Qiu resigned. I heard she had a falling-out with her family; they weren’t very supportive of what she was doing."

Xiaoqi explained tactfully to Luoxue.

"I see. Everyone, get the supplies!"

Luoxue nodded slightly and raised her hand, giving the order to Shen Hu and her team.

"Yes!"

Upon receiving the order, Shen Hu and the others immediately moved forward to collect the supplies.

They picked up the various types of ammunition and supplies, packing them methodically into their tactical backpacks.

Luoxue stood by quietly, watching.

Just then, she spotted Long Ming helping move supplies. A flicker of surprise crossed her face, and she walked over.

Long Ming had just set down an ammo crate and was about to turn back to the truck when he saw a figure standing before him.

"What are you doing here?"

"I came to help."

Long Ming stopped and offered Luoxue a slight smile.

"I thought you were in poor health. Why are you running around? Things now are very different from how they were in the game."

Luoxue reminded Long Ming coolly.

"Sigh... I don’t have a choice. I’m too broke, so I had to come out and make some extra cash."

Long Ming was lying through his teeth. ’I can’t just tell her I’m out here on an adventure to find a Genetic Potion, can I?’

"You spent a million that quickly? What did you spend it on?"

Luoxue’s brow furrowed when she heard that.

"Er, well, I... bought medicine."

Long Ming stammered for a long moment before finally answering.

"Did your condition get worse? How much do you need? I can lend it to you."

"It’s fine, don’t worry about it. I’ve already bought the medicine I need, it’s enough."

"That’s good. If it’s not enough, come find me."

After giving her instructions, Luoxue said no more and turned to walk toward a nearby transport vehicle, checking on the supply transfer.

...

「Over an hour later.」

Shen Hu and his team had finished receiving all the escorted supplies.

Jing Chuan reported to Luoxue.

"We’re all set."

Luoxue nodded slightly, then turned to Xiaoqi.

"Xiaoqi, your team should rest up and then head back to Mountain City Mountain."

"President Luoxue..."

Xiaoqi began, but trailed off hesitantly.

"If you have something to say, just say it."

"President, can we stay and explore with you?"

"No. The situation is different now. You could die at any moment. You don’t have any combat training, so stay here in the rear and handle logistics."

"But you’ll need the Mouse Squad to haul everything when you’re exploring the ruins."

"Still no!"

Luoxue still refused Xiaoqi.

"Alright then."

Hearing Luoxue’s answer, Xiaoqi and the others replied, their voices filled with disappointment.

Luoxue saw their dejected looks, shook her head, and spoke in a serious tone.

"How about this: The A7 camp zone is ours. I’ll permit you to stay here. Wait until we’ve finished exploring the ruin and cleared out all the dangers, then I’ll call for you."

"Thank you, President!"

Xiaoqi and the others replied happily.

"Let’s move out!"

With a wave of her hand, Luoxue led her unit and marched off.

Long Ming and the others remained where they were, quietly watching Luoxue’s group depart.

...

「Two days later.」

「The A7 camp zone.」

Long Ming, Xiaoqi, and the others were sitting on the hood of a transport truck.

"Sigh, I’m so bored!"

Xiaoqi said with a heavy sigh.

"Yeah, we’re just stuck here all day. Eat till you’re full, sleep, wake up, and eat again. I think I’ve gained a pound."

Cloud Fish and the others chimed in to agree.

"Exactly."

Xiaoqi then turned to look at Long Ming at her side, her eyes full of hopeful expectation.

The moment Long Ming saw her expression, he reacted like a cat whose tail had been stepped on, his fur practically bristling.

"Don’t you look at me like that! Don’t think for a second I don’t know what you’re planning. Absolutely not!"

"I didn’t say anything."

Xiaoqi replied awkwardly.

"You don’t have to. There is absolutely no way I’m taking you guys out to fool around. This isn’t a joke, you could actually get killed!"

Long Ming’s refusal was firm.

’If this were a game, Long Ming might actually have dared to take Xiaoqi and the others out for some fun.’

’But this wasn’t a game. He couldn’t protect so many people by himself. If even one of them died, he would have no way to answer to Luoxue, or to their families.’

"I get it."

Xiaoqi replied, disappointed.

"Xiaoqi, Luoxue is just looking out for you guys. You’re not like the members of the combat unit. They’ve all become official combat personnel, and anyone who didn’t quit is prepared to die. So you all should just obediently stay put."

Long Ming said to Xiaoqi and the group.

"Okay."

Seeing Long Ming put it that way, Xiaoqi could only give up on the idea.

Seeing that Xiaoqi had dropped the subject, Long Ming hopped off the truck’s hood and quickly made his escape.

He wandered aimlessly through the tent area, bored.

Just then, he passed by the main tent and stopped instinctively.

’If I remember correctly,’ he thought, ’this main tent was Luoxue’s. Now it’s been left empty for Xiaoqi and the others.’

He walked in on impulse. Inside, only a basic table and chairs remained; all the equipment and other gear had been taken.

Then, Long Ming’s eyes fell upon a map lying on the table.

He stepped closer to take a look and discovered it was a hand-drawn map marked with the locations of the scouted ruins.

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