Wang Qinping composed herself and looked at the railway tracks stretching into the distance:

"Quickly, everyone listen up, continue westward along the tracks."

"Never stop for a moment!"

"Yes, patriarch," the Wang family members responded in unison.

The Wang family members quickened their pace, some whispering among themselves, "Following the head of the family is the right thing to do."

Just then, an old man said worriedly, "I just don't know how long these railway tracks have been abandoned, or whether they still exist in the places they pass through."

Just as Li Yu had predicted, after discovering the railway tracks, Wang Qinshui led the team along them without hesitation.

They all hoped to find new hope on this railway track, which was full of unknowns.

The refugees who were close to the safe zone naturally followed suit.

However, the refugees' steps became increasingly heavy, as waves of intense hunger washed over them.

They haven't eaten anything since leaving the shelter and crossing the canyon.

"I'm so hungry." Some of the refugees' stomachs were already rumbling.

"If I had known, I should have risked going to the rabies area to snatch some food."

"Are you out of your mind?"

"If you get bitten, you're doomed."

After grumbling a few words, the refugees endured their hunger and continued onward, hoping to encounter animal remains or something along the way.

Without the free food provided by the refugees, they basically returned to the miserable life of starving refugees they had lived in the past.

The group of refugees, who had come together with great difficulty and managed to unite, began to gradually disperse.

The way the refugees looked at the people around them began to change.

After all, unity can't fill an empty stomach, and spiritual strength can't satisfy hunger either.

Just then, Ma Yuanbai, one of the refugees, also noticed the reactions of the hungry refugees around him.

Watching the refugee caravan gradually slow down due to hunger.

Ma Yuanbai's lips curled slightly upward, revealing a meaningful smile, and a barely perceptible glint flashed in his eyes:

"It seems the time has come."

Ma Yuanbai deftly took out a slightly old-looking large jar and gently took out several green algae sticks from it.

He nodded slightly to his teammates.

The teammates around him nodded knowingly and quickly stepped forward to take the algae stick.

The group, carrying green algae sticks, quickly dispersed and began moving among the refugees like ghosts.

Before long, Sun Hao, Zhao Xiong, and the others who had previously teamed up together were invited back to Ma Yuanbai's side.

"You mean you want to create a refugee force?" Zhao Xiong's eyes widened in surprise.

He never expected that Ma Yuanbai would have such lofty ambitions.

"Can this bunch of scattered sand really become a force?" Sun Hao looked at the listless, staggering refugees around him and had some doubts in his heart.

He still didn't quite believe that these undisciplined vagrants could do that.

Ma Yuanbai smiled slightly, not rushing to answer, but calmly taking some green algae sticks from the jar and handing them to the group before slowly saying:

"It didn't work before, but things are different now."

“Look at the current situation. Although these people are loosely organized, as long as we give them hope and food, and let them see the possibility of survival, they will be of use to us.”

Sun Hao frowned, took the algae stick, took a bite, and said:

"That's true, but it's not an easy thing to do."

Sun Hao's eyes lit up; this green algae stick was indeed no different from the one in the shelter.

Seeing the algae sticks Ma Yuanbai handed them, Zhao Xiong took one and ate a bite, echoing:

"That's right, if things don't go well, we'll have worked for nothing."

Zhao Xiong finished the algae stick in two bites, and it tasted exactly the same as the ones distributed at the shelter before.

Only then did the two of them completely believe Ma Yuanbai's words.

“From now on, I can provide algae sticks as food, which will be distributed to the refugees daily,” Ma Yuanbai said calmly, arms crossed.

"As for the conditions for receiving it, naturally it's to become my subordinate." Ma Yuanbai's sharp gaze swept over the surrounding refugees.

Zhao Xiong, Sun Hao, and the others exchanged glances, their eyes flashing with a strange light.

After a brief silence, Zhao Xiong spoke first: "This method might work."

“I think it’s a good idea.” Sun Hao also thought this approach was feasible.

"From today onwards, you will act as my deputies and help me manage the people I have recruited."

"I'll give you extra algae sticks and meat, how about that?" Ma Yuanbai knew very well that being a commander without any resources was definitely not going to work.

We must first select a few people from among those we trust to help, so that rules and order can be implemented quickly.

After hearing Ma Yuanbai's plan, the group immediately agreed.

“Okay, let’s do it that way.” Sun Hao immediately agreed.

"I'll go recruit people right now." As soon as Zhao Xiong finished speaking, he eagerly walked towards the hungry refugees.

A moment later, Zhao Xiong started shouting at the top of his lungs:

"Listen up, everyone! Anyone who joins Ma Yuanbai's team will get to eat algae sticks!"

Sun Hao also went to more distant places to spread the news.

Soon, the news that joining Ma Yuanbai's team would grant access to algae sticks spread rapidly among the refugees.

Upon hearing that there was free food, the refugees instantly stirred and began to gather in Ma Yuanbai's direction.

When the refugees saw the handful of green algae sticks in Ma Yuanbai's hand, their eyes lit up, as if hungry wolves had spotted a plump lamb.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!