54. Wait

This abandoned carriage deep in the tunnel seemed to have become an isolated war fortress. The air was no longer filled with only the smell of rust and mildew, but also the bitterness of ground herbs, the coldness of polished metal, and a silent, tense atmosphere of preparation for war.

Su Lin sat in a corner, spread out before him several more detailed blueprints of the Guichen Sect's stronghold, obtained from Ling Ye. His fingertips slowly traced the ink-lined passages, his brow furrowed slightly, his long lashes casting a quiet shadow over his eyes. His face remained pale, but the fear and devastation of the previous few days had been replaced in his amber eyes with a focused calm, like the settled waters of a lake after a storm. Lei Qing had entrusted him with the crucial task of transporting supplies, and he couldn't afford to make even the slightest mistake.

Xingchen sat silently, slightly to his side, like a loyal silhouette. He wasn't looking at the blueprints, but rather with his eyes slightly closed, breathing slowly and steadily, as if in meditation, or as if constantly tempering and gathering his spiritual strength in preparation for the upcoming action. His figure seemed even taller and more solid in the dim light, and when he occasionally opened his eyes, his gaze was as sharp as a sword about to be unsheathed.

At the other end of the carriage, Bai Yan occupied a relatively flat toolbox as a workbench. A variety of bottles, grinders, and dried herbs were neatly arranged on it. He lowered his head, the dim light of the camping lantern reflected in his glasses, and his slender fingers mixed several different colored powders with extreme precision, his movements gentle and steady, afraid to stir up a speck of dust. The bitter medicinal smell that permeated the air came largely from the tiny space under his hands. Ah Yan lay on a bunk nearby. Although he still couldn't move much, his complexion looked much better than in the past few days. He idly toyed with a small, gently dancing flame on his fingertips, his golden eyes occasionally glancing in Su Lin's direction, revealing an obvious anxiety and an urgent need to recover quickly.

Ling Ye was not in the carriage. He spent most of his time in the area outside the tunnel. Relying on his past experience and agility, he repeatedly confirmed the safety of the external environment and further refined the infiltration route in his mind.

Lei Qing was the busiest of the group. Not only did he have to repeatedly rehearse every aspect of the operation plan, he also had to check everyone's equipment and distribute the limited weapons and ammunition. At this moment, he was half-kneeling on the ground, distributing several well-maintained pistols and the corresponding number of bullets to Ling Ye, Xingchen, and himself. His movements were meticulous, his face expressionless as he inspected the firearms, only absolute concentration.

"How is the poison prepared?" Lei Qing asked Bai Yan in a low voice without raising his head.

"Concentrated paralysis powder, dissolves instantly in water, is colorless, and has a very faint odor. It takes half an incense stick to take effect and lasts for four hours." Bai Yan answered concisely, handing a small, sealed leather bag to Lei Qing. "The dosage is enough to contaminate the main water supply nodes in their central area. But it needs to be accurately administered, as it will take time to spread."

Lei Qing took the leather bag, weighed it, and looked at Ling Ye sharply: "Route?"

Ling Ye immediately moved in front of the map, his finger pointing at a complex pipe network intersection on the drawing: "This is the remains of the old municipal water purification plant. The Guichen Sect has renovated part of the structure and used it as their main water intake point. The guards are relatively peripheral, and the patrol intervals are regular. You can sneak in from this abandoned flood discharge channel on the west side, but the channel is narrow, and the exit is some distance away from the target point. You need to avoid three fixed outposts." His finger drew a zigzag dotted line on the map, his eyes shrewd and calm.

"Leave the sentry to me." Xingchen opened his eyes at some point and said in a steady voice, "I can interfere with the perception of two people at the same time, and the duration is long enough for us to pass." His mental strength seemed to be more condensed after the deliberate tempering of these days.

Lei Qing nodded and turned his gaze to Su Lin and Mu Lin. "Once the poisoning is successful, we'll send a signal. Su Lin, you and Mu Lin wait at the designated location on the warehouse wing. Once it's confirmed that the warehouse guards have been transferred or are in disarray, Mu Lin will use his ice ability to temporarily seal the keyhole or door hinge, while Ling Ye will be responsible for unlocking it. Su Lin, you have a maximum of five minutes." His gaze fell on Su Lin, a heavy burden of trust. "Once you're inside, don't be picky. Prioritize collecting food, medicine, ammunition, and fuel. Act quickly."

Su Lin met his gaze and nodded vigorously, his fingers unconsciously curling. He could feel the spatial energy flowing through his body. The volume within that small space would carry the future of all of them.

"What about the front?" Ah Yan couldn't help but interrupt. He tried to sit up, which pulled at his wound and made him grimace in pain, but he still looked at Lei Qing anxiously, "What should Mu Lin and I do? We can't just watch you take risks. Shouldn't we just wait in the back?"

Mu Lin, standing on Su Lin's other side, had been listening quietly, and now he too turned to look at Lei Qing. His light blue hair shone softly in the dim light, and his voice was as clear as a spring: "Creating chaos requires timing and scale. Too early and we'll alert the enemy, too late and we won't be able to create any opportunities for Su Lin and the others."

Lei Qing had already made up his mind. "After the signal is sent, Ayan, you don't need to go too deep. Just create explosions and fires on the east side of the warehouse area. The louder the better to attract attention. Mulin, you will support Ayan and use ice walls and fog to block possible reinforcement routes and protect Ayan's flanks. Your mission is not to annihilate the enemy, but to create panic and contain them." He looked at Ayan, his tone unquestionable, "Your injuries are not healed yet, so you are not allowed to act stubbornly."

Ah Yan tutted, somewhat unwillingly, but upon seeing Lei Qing's cold, hard eyes, he lay back down in frustration, muttering, "Got it... I'll just set it on fire and run."

Details were repeatedly scrutinized, and the plan gradually improved through debate and supplementation. The atmosphere in the carriage was serious and focused. Everyone knew their part, and they also understood that if any link went wrong, it could be disastrous.

By the time the discussion came to a halt, it was already late at night. The sound of the wind in the tunnel seemed to have died down, leaving only a hollow silence.

Su Lin felt a little cold and subconsciously pulled his collar closer. Xingchen, who had been quietly beside him, silently took a slightly thicker, though old, but clean, animal hide blanket from his own bunk and gently draped it over Su Lin's shoulders. His movements were natural, without any unnecessary words.

Su Lin was slightly startled and turned his head to look at Xingchen. The boy's well-defined profile appeared a little cold and hard in the shadows, but when he looked at him, his eyes were unusually focused and gentle. Su Lin's heart warmed and he whispered, "Thank you."

Stardust just shook his head, closed his eyes again, and continued his "cultivation".

Elsewhere, Mu Lin approached Su Lin, carrying a cup of freshly brewed hot soup, scented with soothing herbs. He handed it to him. "Drink some to warm you up so you can rest well later." His voice was soft and gentle. As Su Lin took the cup, Mu Lin's fingers brushed the back of his hand, seemingly casually. The cool touch was fleeting, yet it carried a soothing power.

Although Ah Yan was lying down, his eyes never left Su Lin. Seeing Su Lin holding the hot soup and drinking it in small sips, his pale face slightly flushed by the heat, he seemed to breathe a sigh of relief. He looked away awkwardly, but the flame between his fingers danced more gently.

Ling Ye leaned against the wall of the carriage, watching the scene, a faint, almost invisible smile curling his lips. He didn't move closer, but simply handed the last bit of clean water in his canteen to Bai Yan, who had just finished encapsulating the toxin and was cleaning his tools. "Doctor, some water."

Bai Yan looked up at him, took it, and nodded: "Thank you."

Lei Qing took it all in. He said nothing, simply continuing to polish his sniper rifle until every part was perfectly polished. Then, he stood up, walked in front of Su Lin, squatted down, and looked him in the eye.

"Are you scared?" Lei Qing's voice was not loud and only the two of them could hear it clearly.

Su Lin held the warm ceramic cup, his fingertips exerting a slight pressure. He nodded honestly, then immediately shook his head. "I'm afraid. But... I'm more afraid of losing everyone." His gaze swept across everyone in the car, finally returning to Lei Qing's deep eyes. "I know what to do."

Lei Qing looked at the complex light in his eyes, a mixture of fear and determination, and reached out his hand, not to hug, but to firmly and calmly shake Su Lin's shoulder. The palm was broad and warm, with unquestionable strength and trust.

"Remember, you are not alone." Lei Qing's voice was low and firm. "We are a whole. Trust your companions, just as we trust you."

His words were like a rock, sinking heavily into Su Lin's heart. Feeling the strength and warmth of the large hand on his shoulder, and looking at the direct and implicit expressions of concern from his companions, Su Lin felt the chill of the unknown and danger in his heart dissipate somewhat.

He took a deep breath and drank the last bit of medicine in the ceramic cup. The warm feeling spread from his throat all the way to his stomach, and it seemed to inject a bit of courage.

"I understand." Although Su Lin's voice was soft, it carried a power that emerged from a cocoon.

The night was late. The shifts had already been arranged. Most of the men gradually fell into a light sleep, conserving every bit of energy for the upcoming operation. The only sounds in the carriage were the steady breathing and the occasional crackling of the embers of the campfire.

Su Lin lay on his bunk, covered with the animal hide blanket Xingchen had given him and a thin blanket Mu Lin had quietly added. He closed his eyes, but didn't fall asleep immediately. His mind replayed every movement of entering the warehouse and collecting supplies, calculating the use of space and sensing the flow of his supernatural powers.

He could feel that Xingchen, who was sleeping outside him, was breathing deeply, but his body remained alert and relaxed. On the other side, A Yan, even in his sleep, had a slightly furrowed brow, and one hand was unconsciously pressing on the wound. Further away, Mu Lin's sleeping posture was still elegant, as if even his sleep was restrained. Ling Ye leaned against the door, his arms folded, his head nodding, but he would always wake up suddenly at some point and look vigilantly into the depths of the tunnel. Bai Yan was sleeping soundly, but next to him was his medicine box, which he never left behind.

Lei Qing sat in the shadow at the connection between the carriages, like an eternal watchman. Only the cold metal outline of the sniper rifle glowed faintly in the dim light.

They come from different pasts and carry different shadows, but they are brought together by one person and are about to face danger together.

The night was as dark as ink, and the blade was already hidden. It waited for the darkest moment before dawn, to deliver a devastating blow. Outside the tunnel, everything was silent, as if even the wind was holding its breath in anticipation.