In the deep darkness of the night, Ning Yu's figure moved like a cautious cheetah, silently approaching the firelight. The sounds of hurried footsteps and crude laughter drifted intermittently on the night wind, confirming his suspicions—it was Captain Chen's group.
Ning Yu slowed his pace, using the cover of night to gradually approach the area illuminated by the firelight. It was a small puddle, reflecting a faint light on the parched, cracked earth, as precious as an oasis in the desert. A dozen or so figures surrounded the puddle, busily filling various containers with the murky water. Captain Chen stood in the center of the group, a cheap cigarette dangling from his lips, the crimson flame illuminating his rugged face, making him appear particularly menacing.
"Captain, this place is a treasure! We can hold out for a while longer!" A thin man said obsequiously to Captain Chen as he filled a worn-out water jug.
"Of course! I've always had a sharp eye!" Captain Chen exhaled a smoke ring smugly, his eyes greedily scanning the small water source. "This place is our territory from now on. Anyone who tries to take it from us will face my wrath!"
Hearing this from the shadows, Ning Yu frowned slightly. He had discovered the puddle a few days ago, and to avoid others, he had specifically chosen to fetch water at night. Unexpectedly, Captain Chen and his group had beaten him to it today.
"who?!"
As if sensing something, Captain Chen turned his head sharply, his sharp gaze sweeping towards the shadows where Ning Yu was hiding.
Knowing he had been exposed, Ning Yu stepped out of the shadows, looked directly into Captain Chen's eyes, and said calmly, "Captain Chen, how have you been?"
Upon seeing Ning Yu, Captain Chen's eyes flashed with surprise, followed by a disdainful smile: "Oh, isn't this Boss Ning? What brings you to this desolate place all by yourself?"
"I'll fetch some water." Ning Yu shook the kettle in his hand, his tone calm and composed.
"Fetch water? You think you can?" Captain Chen laughed loudly, as if he had heard a joke. "Don't you even know where you are! This puddle is ours now!"
“I was the one who spotted this puddle first,” Ning Yu retorted sharply, refusing to back down an inch.
"You think you're the one who found it first? What a joke! In this apocalypse, might makes right!" Captain Chen's face darkened, and he waved his hand impatiently. "Brothers, get him! Teach him a lesson!"
"If reasoning doesn't work, then we have no choice but to resort to violence?" Ning Yu sighed, his tone tinged with helplessness, but his eyes gradually sharpened.
"Enough talk! Brothers, let's go!" Captain Chen waved his hand impatiently, and the dozen or so team members behind him immediately pounced on Ning Yu like wolves.
Although Ning Yu was agile, he was no match for the overwhelming numbers. He skillfully dodged the attacks, trying to find a way out. However, outnumbered and outmatched, he quickly found himself at a disadvantage. In the chaos, one of the attackers swung a thick wooden stick, which slammed into Ning Yu's back. Ning Yu groaned, staggered a few steps, and finally collapsed heavily to the ground.
"Boss Ning, if you know what's good for you, get lost! Don't force us to be impolite!" A tall man brandished an iron rod and said viciously.
Ning Yu struggled to stand up, but the sharp pain in his back prevented him from moving. He gritted his teeth and glared at the group of people in front of him, his heart filled with anger and defiance.
"I must get this water today!" Ning Yu forced out these words through gritted teeth, enduring the pain.
"You won't listen to reason, so you'll have to suffer the consequences!" Captain Chen snorted coldly, ignoring Ning Yu, and turned to walk towards the puddle.
Seeing Captain Chen about to fetch water, Ning Yu was extremely anxious. He mustered all his strength and lunged forward, grabbing Captain Chen's leg tightly.
"Get out of my way!" Captain Chen was startled by this sudden action, then flew into a rage. He raised his foot and kicked Ning Yu hard in the chest.
Ning Yu groaned and was kicked away like a kite with a broken string, rolling several times on the ground before coming to a stop. He felt a sharp pain in his chest and a metallic taste rose in his throat.
"Overestimating yourself!" Captain Chen patted the dust off his trousers with disgust, as if he had touched something filthy. He didn't even glance at Ning Yu, and walked straight to the puddle, ready to drink it all down.
However, just as he was about to touch the water, a blood-stained hand suddenly grabbed his ankle...
Captain Chen looked down and saw Ning Yu covered in dust, yet still clinging to him like a wounded beast, his eyes filled with defiance and ruthlessness. A chill ran through him, and before he could react, Ning Yu suddenly pulled, causing Captain Chen to stumble.
"Beat them! Beat them hard!" Captain Chen shouted at his men, both shocked and furious.
Ning Yu was surrounded by the group, and punches and kicks rained down on him. He desperately protected his head, dodging instinctively. But he was outnumbered, and soon he had several more wounds on his body.
"Cough cough..." Ning Yu felt a metallic taste in his mouth, but he dared not relax. He knew that once he fell, he would never have another chance.
In the chaos, Ning Yu's eyes suddenly caught sight of a drainage ditch next to a small puddle, which was covered by rocks. It was usually used to drain rainwater, but now it became his only hope.
"Get out of my way!" Ning Yu roared, using all his strength to shove a tall man in front of him away.
Caught off guard, the man screamed and fell straight into the ditch. The ditch wasn't deep, but it was enough to cause a commotion.
"What happened?"
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