Following Du Xiu's command, Lian Ruofei slammed on the brakes, burying the off-road vehicle in the snow.
"Tell Big Python to keep the engine running and take turns resting."
"Got it. By the way, Xiu'er, where are we heading?"
Lian Ruofei pulled out two cigarettes, lit them, and handed one to Du Xiu.
Du Xiu took a deep drag, feeling a spicy sensation fill his chest.
He wasn't much of a smoker, but in the blizzard, driving through the endless white wilderness, smoking did help keep him alert, shift his focus, and dispel irritation.
"We're heading to Bote City, the nearest fortress city from here."
"Won't the Ma Consortium put a bounty on us?"
"No, the guards are dead, the mine collapsed, and there's no one alive in the Miwu Mine. They won't find the culprits. Besides, the Miwu Ore was just shipped out yesterday, and we didn't steal anything too valuable. They won't go through the trouble of investigating, likely labeling it as a wasteland bandit raid."
The Ninth Empire, vast and boundless, with fortress cities scattered like stars, was separated by endless wilderness.
In the wilderness, feral beasts and insectoids were countless, fraught with danger.
Accompanying this were resources like herbs, ores, and the bodies of feral beasts and insectoids.
Ordinary people, unable to cultivate and weak, lived in fortress cities, becoming fuel to keep the Empire running, burning themselves out.
Those with strength, like Origin Cultivators, Gunslingers, and Gene Warriors, ventured into the wilderness to gather resources.
Various Hunter Squads and Hunter Groups emerged, becoming a hallmark of the era.
In addition, there were some with ill intentions, like wasteland bandits and aberrants allied with the Church.
All these forces together created a chaotic stage in the wilderness.
The consortium's control within cities was undeniable, but in the wilderness, strength was paramount.
Numerous wasteland bandits and aberrants would treat the consortium's caravans as fat sheep to plunder.
Mines being raided was normal.
A mine without value wouldn't warrant a thorough investigation by the consortium.
"However, when we get close to Bote City, we need to deal with these vehicles in advance."
The vehicles they were driving bore the Ma Consortium's emblem, a pair of pure white wings.
Driving these cars into the city would arouse suspicion with just a little questioning, akin to walking into a trap.
Du Xiu got out of the car, unzipped his pants, and relieved himself in the snow, shivering from the cold before climbing back into the vehicle.
The night passed in silence.
By dawn, the blizzard had lessened.
The group set off once more.
The overnight snow had buried all the terrain under a blanket of white.
Maps were now of little use, so Du Xiu used a compass to guide their general direction.
After traveling for most of the day, a rumbling sound came from afar, and four or five vehicles appeared from the west.
These vehicles also bore the emblem of pure white wings.
Upon seeing Du Xiu and his group, the vehicles approached them.
"Brother Du, what do we do? Should we avoid them?"
Big Python's panicked voice came through the radio.
Not just him, Lian Ruofei beside him was also visibly nervous, sweating profusely.
"No need, just drive normally."
Du Xiu looked at the heavy artillery mounted on the approaching vehicles and gritted his teeth as he gave the order.
In these road conditions, even at full throttle, they couldn't outrun them.
And if the consortium's people sensed anything amiss, at this distance, they wouldn't survive the barrage of artillery fire.
At that moment, a stranger's voice came through the radio: "Avoid who? Which company of the consortium do you belong to?"
Everyone's hearts leapt into their throats.
They didn't know that the Ma Consortium's radio channels were all on the same frequency, automatically connecting within a certain range.
Not just the Ma Consortium, but almost all consortiums and large Hunter Groups were set up this way.
This allowed members to communicate and call for help in the wilderness at any time.
Their conversation had already been overheard.
The other party must have become suspicious.
"Which company are you from?" Du Xiu's cold voice came through the radio.
"Not convenient to disclose."
After a brief pause, the other party replied.
"Sorry, our business is above your pay grade to inquire about."
Du Xiu looked at the white wing emblem on the other party's car door and spoke calmly.
Master Ma had briefed him on the Ma Consortium's hierarchy.
The Linta Golden-Wing Ma Family.
This referred to the Ma Consortium's emblem, with the highest rank being the Golden Wing, used by the core family members on their travels.
Below it were Silver Wing, Azure Wing, and White Wing.
These represented the consortium's senior management, branch management, and general branch staff, respectively.
The emblem on the other party's car door was the same as his, a White Wing, belonging to one of the many subsidiaries under the Ma Consortium.
They were on equal footing, so there was no need to overly fear them.
Silence returned to the radio.
After a long pause, a voice came through.
"What's your destination?"
"Bote City."
"You're taking this route to Bote City?" the other party asked with a hint of doubt.
Du Xiu was taken aback. Wasn't this direction leading to Bote City?
Before he could speak to cover up, the radio voice came again:
"Heh, what a coincidence, we're also heading to Bote City. Follow our convoy!"
Du Xiu frowned, pondering. If he refused, would they use force to stop them?
After hesitating for a while, Du Xiu forced himself to respond calmly with a "Fine."
Seeing Du Xiu release the radio, Lian Ruofei showed a hint of urgency on his face: "Xiu'er, if we go with them, won't we be easily exposed?"
"We have to follow. If we don't, and they sense something's wrong, they'll definitely act. At our speed, we can't escape their firepower range."
In the wilderness, impersonating consortium or large Hunter Group convoys was common.
The other party would definitely be wary of this.
They couldn't take that risk.
"In a moment, go down and explain to Big Python and the others. Tell them not to panic, not to speak, and to follow my lead."
Du Xiu instructed.
"Got it."
Du Xiu stopped the car, pretending to wait for the other vehicles. Lian Ruofei got out from the passenger seat to brief Big Python and the others.
Soon, the vehicles met up with Du Xiu's group.
In the lead vehicle, the passenger window rolled down, and a burly man with a full beard stuck his head out.
Du Xiu also lowered his window, looking wary.
The man glanced at Du Xiu's Ma Consortium standard guard uniform and tossed out a "Follow me closely."
Then he prepared to roll up the window and continue driving.
"Wait, how do you prove you're with the consortium?" Du Xiu asked skeptically, while his right hand moved from the steering wheel, pretending to reach for a gun.
The bearded man's window rolled down again, and he gave Du Xiu an annoyed look before taking out an ID from his pocket, which had his photo and the Ma Consortium's emblem.
Dingsheng Company Transport Captain.
Zhou Yuan.
"Here, take a good look, kid. See if I'm with the consortium."
Zhou Yuan grumbled.
This brat, quite vigilant.
Du Xiu nodded, and with a displeased look, raising his window first, ignoring Zhou Yuan.
Seeing this, Zhou Yuan was furious: "Hey, this little brat really needs a lesson."
Despite his anger, he didn't check Du Xiu's ID.
The other party's demeanor, with that rebellious attitude, was typical of a newbie in the consortium.
With the consortium's backing.
Arrogant, daring anyone to challenge him.