Chapter 683: Shelter

Author: Sanjiu YinyuWord Count: 1248

Red Dust City.

A convoy of mud-splattered black vehicles rumbled down the deserted streets.

Huang Suyu sat in the back seat, her gaze sweeping over the familiar buildings outside the window. A myriad of emotions welled up within her... she had, after all, returned. The convoy moved at a considerable speed. It hadn't taken long from their decision to return until they re-entered the city. Fortunately, they had been one step ahead, avoiding an encounter with the approaching Witchcraft Association; otherwise, entering the city would likely have been impossible. The towering flames reflected, flickering continuously, in the rearview mirror. The city gate area had already turned into an inferno, with thick black smoke billowing up to the sky.

"Miss, we've returned... What do you plan to do next?" Uncle Quan asked, puzzled.

"...Stop the car."

"What? Now?"

"Yes, stop the car."

The convoy slowly pulled over at the intersection. Huang Suyu pushed open the door and stepped out, carrying her suitcase. Her yellow long dress fluttered in the gusting wind as she ran directly towards several police officers who were evacuating refugees. At that moment, the officers were shouting instructions to the numerous refugees, while pointing in a certain direction:

"Do you see that intersection ahead? Turn there; there's a staircase to an underground shelter. Go there!"

"If that shelter is full, head southeast. There's a wine cellar a few dozen meters away; people can hide underground there too."

"Those silver monsters aren't familiar with the terrain, so it won't be easy for them to find the shelters. Once you're inside, you absolutely must not make any loud noises, understand?"

"And once you're inside, you absolutely must not come out again! No one can guarantee when those creatures might appear on the streets. If they see you and find the shelter's location, everyone inside will be killed!"

"Hurry, hurry! There's no time to lose!"

Residents from various towns outside Red Dust City were being orderly evacuated by the police to different locations, fearing that if they were even a moment too late, they would be attacked by the silver monsters and their entire families would perish. A few police officers, consulting maps marked with various symbols, were about to turn back after guiding a group of people when they saw a figure in yellow running towards them.

"What's going on? Why aren't you heading to the shelter?"

"Officers, I'm not here to seek shelter." Huang Suyu stopped and stated formally, "I am Huang Suyu, chairwoman of the Huang Group. I want to buy something from you."

"The Huang Group?" The officers paused, glancing at the nearby convoy, their expressions puzzled. "What do you want to buy?"

"This." Huang Suyu pointed to the map covered with markings in their hands.

"This isn't for sale." The officer firmly shook his head. "I don't care who you are. This is an emergency. Please go to the nearest shelter immediately!"

"No, please listen to me. I need this map for another purpose! Red Dust City is too vast; your manpower isn't enough to manage it all, so..."

"Give her one." A low voice came from a distance.

Everyone turned to look and saw Wang Jincheng, covered in injuries, walking with a weary gait. His gaze fell on Huang Suyu. "We have plenty of these maps; we're not short one. Miss Huang is a well-known philanthropist in the city. I trust she wouldn't do anything detrimental to Red Dust City."

"Director Wang??" Seeing the newcomer, the officers immediately stood at attention.

"Director Wang... it's been a long time." Huang Suyu observed Wang Jincheng. "How did you get so badly injured?"

"I had a fight with someone from the Witchcraft Association and nearly died... but it's not a big deal." Wang Jincheng took a map from an officer and handed it to Huang Suyu. "I heard you left the city, but you've come back?"

"Yes, I want to do something for Red Dust."

Huang Suyu took the map, her eyes glinting. She immediately opened her small leather suitcase. "How much is this map?"

"No need." Wang Jincheng waved his hand dismissively. Then, as if remembering something, he narrowed his eyes at Huang Suyu. "However, if you ever run into 'Red Heart 6' again, please tell him for me... that what he did to me isn't over."

Huang Suyu paused for a moment, then, holding the map with both hands, she bowed deeply to Wang Jincheng before hurrying back to the convoy.

*Thud* The car door closed.

"Miss, what is this...?" Uncle Quan asked, bewildered, looking at the map in Huang Suyu's hand.

Huang Suyu had no time to explain to Uncle Quan. Her previous sprint had already left beads of sweat on her nose. She focused intently on the map in her hands, her eyes gleaming with determination, lost in thought.

"Uncle Quan, let's go."

"Where to this time?"

Huang Suyu lowered the map and spoke slowly, enunciating each word:

"Dinglu Group."

---

Dinglu Group, Underground.

In the dim light, intricate pathways intertwined, resembling a grand underground palace. In the central area of this subterranean palace, dozens of figures were gathered in silence. A large marble round table stood in the center, with three opulently dressed figures seated on three sides. The incandescent light overhead flickered slightly with the tremor of the ground, casting their elongated shadows to sway erratically.

These were Lu Yuanzheng, chairman of Dinglu Group; Pang Shan, chairman of Paradise Group; and Su Xiaohong, chairwoman of Whaleshark Group.

Behind the three chairpersons stood numerous imposing bodyguards, forming an unbreakable wall around them. Beyond them were countless shelves. These shelves were nearly overflowing with emergency supplies, including long-lasting provisions like canned goods and compressed biscuits, as well as short-term perishable items like bread, fruits, rice, and flour. On the marble table at that moment sat a plate of crystal-clear grapes, for the three to enjoy.

"What's the situation outside?" Su Xiaohong glanced behind her.

A bodyguard quickly stepped forward and spoke softly:

"Just received news: the Witchcraft Association has reached the east city gate... The people of 'Floating Life Painting' are still fighting desperately, but the situation is not looking good... I hear a group of silver monsters has entered the city."

"Silver monsters?" Pang Shan was startled. "Are they very powerful?"

"They're roughly equivalent to Tier 2 or Tier 3 combatants. They locate enemies primarily by sight, so they shouldn't pose an immediate threat to the underground shelters."

Only then did Pang Shan slightly relax. He looked back again at his bodyguards, who were on average Tier 3 or 4, and felt increasingly at ease... He leaned back in his chair and popped a grape into his mouth.

"Good, we're safe."

"Your safety, isn't that thanks to our Dinglu Group?" Lu Yuanzheng snorted coldly, his face darkening. "If I hadn't taken you in, you'd probably be crammed into public shelters with the common people right now... or exposed on the surface, at risk of being wiped out by the Witchcraft Association at any moment."