54. Take the Initiative
Su Lin's sobs gradually faded, eventually becoming a long, trembling sigh. He didn't move immediately, his forehead still resting on Lei Qing's shoulder, as if that solid bone could bear the weight of his memories. Lei Qing's arm was firmly wrapped around his back, not urging him, simply providing an absolutely reliable support. The bonfire cast the silhouette of their embrace against the mottled wall of the carriage, like a complete, indestructible shield.
After a moment, Su Lin's shoulders shifted slightly, and he slowly, with a barely perceptible hesitation, straightened up. His eyes and nose were etched with a distinct red, his long eyelashes wet with tears, and a few strands of black hair clung to his sweat-soaked forehead. He looked like a delicate piece of porcelain battered by wind and rain, fragile, yet reflecting a terrifying light from the lingering tears. He lowered his eyelids, avoiding the gaze of the crowd, his slender white fingers unconsciously twisting the edge of the blanket on his knees.
Seeing him stand up, Lei Qing calmly withdrew his arm, sat back down, and continued to clean the sniper rifle parts. His movements remained precise and rhythmic, as if the previous hug was just a necessary tactical buffer. But as he withdrew his hand, his fingertips lingered for a brief, almost imperceptible moment on the back of Su Lin's slightly cool hand. The touch was light, yet it carried a heavy warmth.
Almost immediately, Xingchen, who had been silently guarding the doorway, turned around. He didn't say anything, simply taking a few steps to Su Lin's side and sitting down next to him. His shoulders, now much broader than before, practically touched Su Lin's, offering silent support. He lowered his head and neatly tore a strip of soft fabric from the corner of his clean shirt. He silently handed it to Su Lin, his eyes calm, filled with complete understanding and a reassurance that "I'm here."
Su Lin was slightly startled, then took the piece of cloth that still carried Xingchen's body temperature, curled his fingertips, and whispered, "Thank you."
At that moment, Ling Ye, who had been leaning against the wall of the carriage, straightened up. His usual relaxed expression vanished completely, replaced by a rare solemnity. He walked in front of Su Lin and, to everyone's surprise, knelt on one knee, bringing his gaze level with the seated Su Lin.
This action made Su Lin look up in surprise. His red and swollen eyes, still filled with moisture, looked at him blankly.
Ling Ye didn't avoid his gaze. Those eyes, always moving with a certain scrutiny, now clearly captured Su Lin's fragile yet forced composure. His lips were pursed, his jawline tense and stiff.
"Su Lin," Ling Ye began, his voice deeper than usual, stripped of all pretentiousness. "I used to be used to being alone." His gaze locked onto Su Lin's face. "I've seen it all at Blackrock Base. They'll stab their brothers in the back just for a bite to eat. The so-called order is nothing but mud underneath. I don't trust that. I only trust the weapons in my hands and the speed of my legs."
He paused, his Adam's apple rolling.
"I feel like living like this is worry-free," he continued, his tone flat but with a frankness that reflected his own analysis. "But it's also pretty boring. Until I ran into you guys." His eyes swept across the other people in the car, finally settling on Su Lin's face. "Look at you guys, tied together, blocking each other's knives... Look at you..." He paused, his gaze lingering for a moment on Su Lin's wet eyelashes and pale face, "...Look at you like this, you can't even stand steadily, and yet you're still trying to protect everyone behind you... I think it's interesting."
His words were direct, even rough, but there was no sarcasm, only statements.
"This 'interesting' feeling makes me think that maybe there's something else I can do while I'm alive." Ling Ye's eyes sharpened. "Not just robbing and hiding, but also... guarding something."
He took a deep breath, his shoulders lowered, his posture steady, and his voice clear: "I, Ling Ye, have a rotten life. But from today on, this life belongs to you, Su Lin. Wherever you point my knife, I will cut it. As long as you don't mind my shady background, I will fight you."
This wasn't a request, it was a notification, a resoluteness tinged with the air of a gangster.
Su Lin stared at him blankly, his lips slightly parted.
Almost at the same time Ling Ye finished speaking, another calm voice sounded.
"My medical skills cannot change the past."
Everyone turned to see Bai Yan approaching. He held the small ceramic bowl of warm herbal broth. He crouched down and gently placed the warm bowl into Su Lin's cool hands. His slender, steady fingertips brushed Su Lin's wrist, bringing a touch of professional yet undeniable warmth.
Bai Yan raised his eyes, his gaze calmly reflecting Su Lin's current state behind his glasses. "It can ease the pain and calm the mind, but it can't erase the established facts." His voice was steady. "My stance is different from Ling Ye's."
He straightened up slightly, his eyes sweeping over the bandages around A Yan's waist and abdomen, and over the fatigue on everyone's faces.
"All I can promise is that I will use the medical skills I've learned to do my best to protect your present and the future you desire." His words were concise yet incredibly firm. "As long as I have strength left, as long as the herbs are not exhausted, as long as you still need a doctor... I, Bai Yan, will join you."
Su Lin lowered his head, watching the steam rising from the ceramic bowl in his hands. The warmth seeped through the ceramic wall and into his cold palm. He raised his eyes, his gaze shifting from Ling Ye, who was crouching on one knee before him, his eyes blazing, to Bai Yan, who stood beside him, his expression calm but his gaze resolute. He then felt the silent, steadfast presence of Xingchen beside him. He said nothing, only nodded deeply and vigorously.
"snort."
A suppressed groan came from the side. Ah Yan struggled to prop up his upper body with his elbows. The wound was pulled, and cold sweat instantly broke out on his forehead, but he gritted his teeth. His golden eyes first glared at Ling Ye fiercely, then turned to Su Lin. The irritability in them seemed to be forcibly suppressed by something, leaving only anxious concern. Although his tone was still aggressive, it was obviously softer: "...Why are you crying! It's so ugly! From now on...from now on, as long as we are here, no one will dare to make you cry again!" After he finished speaking, he seemed to have run out of strength. He took a deep breath and turned his face away, but his ears were a little red.
Mu Lin, who had been standing quietly a little further away, now slowly stepped forward. He didn't squat, but simply stood beside Su Lin, reaching out his hand and very gently tucking a strand of sweaty black hair from Su Lin's cheek behind his ear. His fingertips were slightly cool, carrying a hint of refreshing air, and he touched carefully, as if he were handling a rare treasure. "Don't be afraid," his voice was as gentle as a stream under the moonlight, and his blue eyes were filled with a gentleness that could drown people, "We are all here. You will not be alone anymore."
Su Lin felt the care coming from all sides, in different forms but equally sincere. His nose felt sore again, but he forced himself to hold it in. He pursed his lips and looked at Lei Qing, who was always in control of the situation.
Lei Qing snapped the last part back into the sniper rifle. He raised his eyes, their hawk-like gaze sweeping across the crowd before finally settling on Su Lin. His gaze was deep, filled with absolute trust and an even deeper, unquestionable protection.
"Su Lin is our most important person, without a doubt." Lei Qing spoke in a low, steady voice, his words final. "His safety is the team's highest priority. His abilities are the cornerstone of our survival and counterattack."
He stood up, his tall figure bringing an invisible sense of oppression. He walked to the map on the wall of the carriage.
"We have two goals." He pointed his index finger precisely at the map. "First, destroy the core of the Guichen Sect. Second, seize the central warehouse. Supplies are essential for our survival and our search for a new home, and they are also the prerequisite for any rescue efforts."
He looked around at everyone, his plans clear and calm. "'Poison Blade Plan' will serve as the breakthrough point. However, the execution of the poisoning will be handled by me, Ling Ye, and Xingchen."
He looked at Su Lin, his tone tolerant of rebuttal, yet filled with absolute trust: "Su Lin, your spatial and healing abilities are the core of our strategy. You cannot take any risks. Your mission is to enter the warehouse as soon as we open the access and clear out all available supplies! This is the key to our future, and only you can do it."
Su Lin wanted to retort, but Lei Qing's gaze stopped him. It said: Trust us, just as we trust you.
Mu Lin spoke at the right time, his voice gentle but firm: "Su Lin, your support and assistance in the rear is more important to the entire team than taking risks on the front line." His eyes gently enveloped Su Lin.
Ah Yan also echoed in a low voice: "That's right! You just stay here! Leave the fighting to us!"
Su Lin looked at Lei Qing, and at each of his companions who, in different ways, expressed the same determination and desire to protect him, and understood that this was their shared will. He took a deep breath, suppressed the churning in his chest, nodded, and his voice became clear: "I understand. I will complete my mission."
"Very good." Lei Qing's eyes swept over everyone. "Ling Ye, plan the infiltration route and poisoning point. Bai Yan, prepare a sufficient amount of highly effective toxin. Xingchen, provide mental interference and shielding. A Yan, Mu Lin, recover as quickly as possible and lead the frontal assault. I will be responsible for overall command and remote support."
The division of labor is clear and responsibilities are assigned to individuals.
"Time is running out," Lei Qing said finally, his voice like tempered steel. "We must take the initiative and attack before the Guichen Sect can react!"
The bonfire burned, illuminating faces stripped of their confusion, leaving only calm and determination. The new blood had pledged their all, the blueprint for a counterattack already drawn. Different hands, in different ways, supported the seemingly fragile figure in the center, who in reality had become the spiritual pillar of all. Outside the tunnel, the wind howled, as if playing the prelude to the impending bloody battle to protect each other.
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