51. Counterattack
Darkness is the only main tone here.
It wasn't pure black, but rather a heavy, gloomy darkness stained by time and despair. The air was thick with rust, aged dust, and a faint, damp, musty odor, emanating from deep underground. Occasionally, from the far end of the tunnel, a hollow whistle of wind would echo, like the sobbing of a fallen soul, lingering for a moment before being swallowed by the vaster silence.
Deep within a long-forgotten subway tunnel, abandoned so long that even the most tenacious moss seems to wither. A dilapidated train car leans against the tracks, its hull covered in scratches and dents, its paint peeling in patches, revealing the scarred, brownish-red rust beneath. Like a giant steel beast, exhausted of its last breath, it crumbles here, awaiting death. It becomes a temporary, precarious refuge for Lei Qing's team.
Inside the carriage, the scene was even more dilapidated. A few "beds," barely made of tattered flannel and cardboard, were scattered in the corners. In the central open space, a camping lantern, powered by a small fuel generator, emitted a dim, flickering glow, barely dispelling the darkness in a small area, but making the shadows farther away seem even deeper and creeping, as if an invisible monster lurked.
Su Lin huddled in a relatively clean corner near the junction of the train cars, wrapped in a thin blanket, washed to a pale white, its edges frayed. His face appeared pale in the dim light, a nearly transparent white that comes from a long period of lack of sunlight and nutrition. His soft black hair, slightly damp with sweat like a raven's feather, plastered to his smooth forehead. His usually clear amber eyes were now filled with unconcealable fatigue and a deeper, lingering apprehension, like a frightened bird. He was carefully extracting supplies from his portable spatial ability.
First, a dwindling roll of white bandages, pilling around the edges. Next, a small brown glass bottle of disinfectant sloshed, its level pitifully low. Finally, a few compressed biscuits, tightly wrapped in clear paper, their sharp edges looking tough enough to crack teeth. With each item he took out, his brow furrowed ever so slightly, as if these insignificant items were stripping away his already dwindling sense of security.
"There are only these last two rolls of bandages left, and the disinfectant is almost gone..." Su Lin's voice was soft and a little hoarse, as if he was talking to himself, but also as if he was stating a harsh truth to his companions. He pushed the things towards Bai Yan, who was sitting across from him.
Bai Yan raised his head, revealing a calm and handsome face. He looked slightly older than Su Lin, his black hair meticulously combed, maintaining a near-rigid neatness even in this environment. He wore rimless glasses, and behind the lenses his eyes were a calm, deep brown, like a deep, ancient well, rarely stirring. He wore a somewhat worn off-white turtleneck sweater and a dark gray, multi-pocketed work vest, on which were faintly visible traces of indelible herbal stains.
"Yes," Bai Yan simply replied, reaching out to take the supplies. His fingers were long and steady, his nails immaculately trimmed. He opened the bottle of disinfectant, and the pungent smell of alcohol immediately filled the air. He first soaked a small piece of relatively clean gauze with a small amount, then turned to Ah Yan, who lay on a simple "bed" not far away.
A Yan's condition looked dire. His fiery red hair had lost its former flaming sheen and hung limply, a few sweat-soaked strands clinging to his forehead and cheeks. His face, once a defiant expression, was now pale from excessive blood loss and a deep weariness. His open black leather jacket and the vest beneath it were lifted, revealing a hideous wound across his sturdy waist. It was inflicted by the custom-made scimitars of the Returning Dust Cultists while they were covering the retreat. Though Su Lin's healing powers had urgently treated it and made it no longer fatal, the edges remained red, swollen, and oozing blood. Clearly, even with his overdrawn powers, Su Lin was unable to heal it completely.
"Hiss—be gentle! Bai Yan, you did that on purpose, didn't you?" When the disinfectant-soaked gauze touched the wound, Ah Yan gasped, his body instantly tensing, veins popping out on his forehead, and he growled through gritted teeth. His voice, though hoarse from weakness, still held a fierce, unyielding spirit.
Bai Yan didn't even raise his eyelids, his movements unwavering, his composure bordering on ruthlessness. "The wound shows signs of mild infection. Disinfection is essential; bear with it." His tone was steady, devoid of any emotion. "Su Lin's ability stabilized your internal bleeding, but healing your muscles and skin takes time, and it's also very draining. Physical means are the only way to prevent further deterioration." As he spoke, he expertly began to wrap the bandage around it, his movements precise and efficient.
A Yan bared his teeth, his golden eyes glaring fiercely at Bai Yan, but he ultimately said nothing. He simply gritted his teeth, swallowing back any more cries of pain. His gaze passed over Bai Yan's shoulder, landing on Su Lin's face, which was filled with worry. The fierceness in his eyes faded slightly, replaced by a subtle hint of tenderness and... guilt.
Just then, a soft metallic scraping sound echoed from the connecting carriages. A nimble figure slid in, as silently as a civet cat. It was Ling Ye. He wore a dark, easy-to-move combat uniform, stained with tunnel dust and cobwebs. His hair was a short, slightly messy dark brown, with a few unruly strands falling over his brow. His face was sharply defined, with a hint of irreverent arrogance. His eyes, however, were startlingly bright, like a cheetah waiting in the dark, swiftly scanning the interior of the carriage.
"It's quiet outside for now. I've set up some 'little surprises' at a few entrances." Ling Ye dusted his hands, his tone relaxed, but the vigilance in his eyes remained. His gaze lingered for a moment on the meager supplies Su Lin had taken out. The smile that had always been on his lips faded slightly. Then, naturally, he picked up an empty water bottle nearby, shook it, and licked his chapped lips. His Adam's apple rolled, clearly indicating a deep thirst.
Seeing this, Su Lin quickly took out the last half-full bottle of mineral water from his space and handed it over: "Ling Ye, drink some water first."
Just as Ling Ye reached out to take it, a cold snort came from the side.
"Hmph, even the former elite of the mopping-up team is thirsty?" Even though Ah Yan was half lying down, he didn't forget to glare at Ling Ye with hostility. "Who knows if you set a trap to prevent the enemy, or a mark to make it easier for the enemy to find you?"
Ling Ye's outstretched hand paused in mid-air. He raised an eyebrow, and the ruffian smile on his face returned, albeit with a hint of tit-for-tat. "Red-feathered turkeys, it's already this late, save your energy for howling. If I really wanted to sell you, you would have become roast chickens in the library. Why wait until now?" He was harsh in his words, but his eyes subconsciously and quickly glanced at Su Lin. Seeing the helpless apology on the other's face, he snorted and finally took the half bottle of water. However, he didn't drink it immediately. Instead, he handed it to Bai Yan, who was bandaging his own wound. "Doctor, moisten your throat first. You look like you need it more."
Bai Yan was slightly stunned, looked at Ling Ye, nodded silently, took the water and took a sip before handing it back to him.
This scene fell upon Lei Qing, who had been sitting silently in the shadows of the train car. Like an ageless rock, he sat on an ammunition crate, his back against the cold, rusted wall. He wore a dark gray combat uniform, meticulously dressed, even though stained and worn, to highlight his broad, sturdy shoulders and slender waist. His bronzed face was angular, like rock honed by wind and sand. His thin, tightly pursed lips, beneath a high nose, exuded a cold, hard resolve. With a well-worn, lightly oiled velvet cloth, he meticulously and meticulously wiped every component of his modified sniper rifle, his movements steady and rhythmic. His eyes were downcast, thick lashes obscuring the eagle-like sharpness beneath them. Yet, everyone could sense his pervasive, steady, and powerful aura, like a stabilizing force.
Xingchen, on the other hand, quietly stood guard near the carriage door, his back to the others, facing the darkness outside. His figure had become much stronger than when they first met. His once thin shoulders had become broad, and the muscles in his arms and back were clearly visible under his slightly tight clothing. His eyes, once timid and uneasy, now calmed down, like a deep lake, vigilantly watching any light, shadow, or sound in the distance of the tunnel. He was like a silent guardian stone statue, shielding all danger behind his back.
The carriage fell into a brief silence, the only sound remaining was the gentle scraping of cloth as Bai Yan tended to his wounds, and the soft clang of metal parts as Lei Qing cleaned his weapon. Depression, deprivation, pain, and the lingering suspicion between them enveloped everyone like a sticky quagmire.
Su Lin's gaze slowly swept over his companions—A Yan, gravely injured but holding on; Bai Yan, calmly treating but lacking resources; Ling Ye, alert but distrusted; Xing Chen, silently guarding the already growing Xing Chen; Lei Qing, reliable as a mountain but also under immense pressure; and Mu Lin, always gentle but now unable to conceal his worry. His gaze finally settled on the nearly empty corner of his own space, and a familiar, cold feeling of despair gripped his heart once again.
He took a deep breath, the air carrying the tunnel's distinct rust and musty scent, icy and filling his lungs. He gathered the thin blanket around him, his fingers turning slightly white from the effort. Then, he raised his head, scanning each face in turn. His voice, though still trembling slightly from having survived a disaster, radiated an unprecedented, desperate resolve:
"We..." He paused, as if gathering all his courage, "We can't... keep running away like this."
His voice was not loud, but it was like a stone thrown into a stagnant pond, instantly breaking the stagnant air in the car.
Everyone stopped what they were doing and focused their eyes on him.
A Yan struggled to sit up, but Bai Yan held him down with a gesture. Lei Qing paused as he wiped his gun, looking up. His deep gaze, as if tangible, fell upon Su Lin's face. Mu Lin's gentle eyes revealed concern and a hint of understanding. Ling Ye folded his arms, leaning against the wall of the carriage, his eyes searching. Even Xingchen, who had been facing outward, moved his shoulders imperceptibly, as if listening intently.
Su Lin faced everyone's gaze, feeling his throat dry. But he forced himself to continue, his voice gradually quickening with a long-suppressed emotion: "How long can we hide here? Food... water... medicine... everything is almost gone. The Guichen Cult's people are biting us like mad dogs, and we won't let go. Where can we escape to and know the end?"
His eyes seemed to flash again, as if the flames of the library soaring into the sky, the blood-stained figures of his companions, and even from a long time ago... the faces of those who had fallen forever in pools of blood and flames to protect him. Those memories, buried deep in his heart, dared not easily touch them, now surged back like a tide, and his voice was choked with a subtle sob.
"I..." His voice dropped, filled with deep pain, "I've lost too many... too many important people. I can't... can't watch any of you leave me because of my weakness, my escape!"
He clenched his fists suddenly, his nails digging deep into his palms, bringing a sharp pain, which made him more awake and more determined.
"So, we must fight back!" He practically gritted his teeth, enunciating each word. For the first time, a fiery and resolute fire ignited in his amber eyes, as if to ignite the endless darkness. "Not for anything else, just to survive! So that we can see the next sunrise together! We must...completely eliminate them!"
As the words fell, the carriage fell into a deeper silence. Only the subtle crackling of the burning camping lantern wick and the eternal sigh-like sound of the wind deep in the tunnel could be heard.
Fight back. These two words weighed as heavily as a mountain.
They had just survived a brutal breakout, leaving everyone wounded and out of ammunition and food. The Guichen Cult was a powerful, treacherous terrorist organization entrenched in their area. Actively counterattacking would be like hitting a rock with an egg.
However, the fear in Su Lin's words that came from the tragic past, the almost paranoid cherishment for his current companions, and the desperate courage that burst out after being forced into a desperate situation, were like a heavy hammer, hitting everyone's heart hard.
Ah Yan looked at Su Lin's pale yet resolute profile, at the tears in his eyes, a mixture of fear and courage. The objection or ridicule that he wanted to blurt out was abruptly blocked in his throat. He tutted in annoyance and turned his head away, but his clenched fists slowly loosened.
Lei Qing's gaze remained as deep as the ocean. He stared at Su Lin for a long moment, as if assessing every detail of this decision, weighing the enormous risks against the minuscule chances. Ultimately, he said nothing, simply lowering his head and continuing to polish his sniper rifle, his movements seeming even more forceful and focused than before.
Mu Lin sighed softly, walked to Su Lin, and put his hand on his slightly trembling shoulder, conveying silent support.
Ling Ye touched his chin, his eyes flashing with complex lights, including surprise, scrutiny, and a hint of long-lost passion.
Xingchen slowly turned around, his gaze passed over the crowd and fell directly on Su Lin. His eyes were calm and firm, as if saying: No matter where you go, no matter what you want to do, I will be behind you.
Under the dim light, in a dilapidated carriage, seven scarred individuals, from diverse backgrounds and burdened with different pasts, were once again bound together by a shared decision. The road ahead held deeper darkness and an unknown bloody battle. Outside the tunnel, the wind still howled, as if foreshadowing an even more violent storm to come.
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