Chapter 47: Calculating Every Move
As they continued onward, distant sounds startled Qin Chuan and the others.
“There seems to be some movement up ahead.”
“It sounds like a fight.”
“I think I hear people talking.”
Both Qin Chuan and Shangguan Ruoyun noticed the commotion ahead. Qin Chuan then said to Shen Gongbao, “Big Cat, go check it out.”
“Aroar~”
Shen Gongbao slipped into the thicket and headed toward the source of the battle.
“Bang!”
Suddenly, a gunshot rang out, catching Qin Chuan’s attention. They listened carefully and confirmed, “That’s a gunshot.”
“It must be a lucky survivor from another nation.”
Shangguan Ruoyun was familiar with the sound. Soon, Shen Gongbao leapt onto a rock, and the two humans and the beast surveyed the distant scene.
“Who is that... so ugly-looking?” Qin Chuan squinted at the figure far away—a blond-haired, blue-eyed foreigner. Which country he hailed from was unclear.
“That guy’s smart, hiding up in the tree. But that monster beneath him looks tough to handle.”
Shangguan Ruoyun glanced at the creature below. It was a crawling beast about a meter long, unable to climb trees. Otherwise, the man perched above would have been done for long ago.
A new piece of information appeared before them.
[Monster Name: Ironclad Beetle]
[Quality: None]
[Strength Rating: Two Stars]
[Talent: Iron Armor]
“So it’s a two-star defensive monster. No wonder firearms don’t have much effect on it.”
Shangguan Ruoyun understood and said, “Looks like firearms aren’t very effective against defensive monsters unless they hit the weak spots.”
“This guy’s in trouble. Making such a racket here will definitely attract more monsters. This is going to get interesting.”
Qin Chuan watched the man trembling in the tree, firing shots at the creature below from time to time, but to no avail.
The Ironclad Beetle’s shell was incredibly tough; ordinary bullets couldn’t penetrate. Coupled with the man’s poor aim, who kept missing the vulnerable spots, this wasn’t going to end well for him.
The viewers in the live broadcast room saw the scene unfold and commented on the stark contrast between the two sides.
---
“Looks like we’ve found a stranded star survivor.”
“Quick, which country does this Tree Man belong to?”
“Found him! He’s a lucky survivor from Australia.”
“Damn, of course it’s that country. They’ve done plenty to slander us Yanhuang people.”
“They’re just a sidekick trailing behind America, always up to some sneaky tricks.”
“I heard their president goes on vacation abroad while wildfires rage back home. Not a reliable nation at all.”
“I’m Australian and I hope the Yanhuang survivor can come help him.”
“Isn’t Yanhuang supposed to be the kindest people in the world? They wouldn’t just stand by and watch someone die.”
“Yanhuang people, you should help our survivor.”
“Help? No way. Our survivors have no obligation to do that!”
“Exactly. In this forbidden zone, everyone survives on their own.”
“You can’t say that—we’re all from the same planet, aren’t we?”
“When you were smearing us, you didn’t think that way.”
...
“Let’s go rescue him,” Shangguan Ruoyun said as she headed toward the Australian survivor.
“Sister Shangguan, why help him?” Qin Chuan was surprised.
Shangguan Ruoyun turned to Qin Chuan and replied, “After all, we’re from the same planet. Coming to this forbidden zone is difficult enough. If we can help someone, we should.”
“Oh, okay.” Qin Chuan didn’t mind and followed behind her.
“Wow, Shangguan Ruoyun really went to help.”
“That kind of person doesn’t deserve saving.”
“Just like Shangguan said, we’re all from the same planet. It’s tough for everyone.”
“We Yanhuang people should be magnanimous. As international friends, every little bit of help counts.”
“Yanhuang people really are kind-hearted.”
“Thanks to the Yanhuang survivor.”
Although many Yanhuang viewers disagreed with Shangguan Ruoyun’s actions, a large portion felt she was right. As Yanhuang people, it was important to show that they were a nation willing to help others.
---
This would not only demonstrate the broad-mindedness of the Yanhuang people but also elevate their international standing. In every aspect, Shangguan Ruoyun’s decision was justified.
The Australian survivor, Jamely, noticed the approaching figures and was initially stunned, then smiled. At a time like this, someone was willing to come to his aid.
“They’re Yanhuang people!” Jamely found it hard to believe. If it had been someone from another country, they would have left.
“Hey! Friend, I’m here! Let’s take down that monster under the tree together!” Jamely shouted eagerly.
He was surprised to see it was a woman coming to help, but he didn’t care—any help was welcome.
“All right!”
Shangguan Ruoyun nodded and launched an attack on the Ironclad Beetle, sprinting forward with such speed that Jamely was amazed.
“Good heavens, that speed is incredible!” Jamely was astonished, then shocked. “What is this Yanhuang woman doing? Is she crazy? She’s trying to fight that monster up close with just a dagger!”
To Jamely, engaging a physically powerful monster in close combat was extremely dangerous and unwise—something only done when there’s no other choice.
“Right, Yanhuang strictly controls firearms. It makes sense she doesn’t have a gun.”
Jamely suddenly recalled this and looked down on Yanhuang. His own country was better—free and democratic, without so many restrictions.
“Could she be that Qin Chuan? Didn’t expect it to be a woman. She’s so lucky to have gained so many resources for her country.”
Jamely stayed perched in the tree, not intending to intervene. He wanted to see just how strong this Yanhuang “Qin Chuan” really was.
Then he noticed two more figures in the distance. Unexpectedly, there were more people.
But after a closer look, he was once again surprised.
It was a child accompanied by a... beast.
If he wasn’t mistaken, it looked like a leopard!
How could a monster follow a child?
And it seemed this child was with “Qin Chuan.”
“Yanhuang people must have figured out how to control monsters. That’s how they got so many resources. I have to find a way to steal their secret!”
Immediately, Jamely began scheming. For him, the fact that these two controlled monsters was deeply intriguing.