I Am Cultivating in the Apocalypse

Chapter 736: Everybody Follow Car 1 to Depart!

Before departure, each family from the first fifteen vehicles sent a representative to the number 1 escort police vehicle. In contrast, everyone from the carpool convoy, vehicles 16-20, had to be present. The escort police team was holding a brief meeting to discuss some rules.

After receiving the notification, Jing Shu immediately headed to the location of the number 1 escort police vehicle.

This was an escort police vehicle converted from an armored bus. It was taller than an ordinary Volvo bus, and its chassis was one and a half meters off the ground, requiring one to climb up its large wheels to get in. The vehicle’s walls were outfitted with barbs, and there was even a rocket launcher mounted at the rear, giving it a very impressive appearance.

The area around the escort police vehicle was packed with people, clearly divided into two groups. One group was obviously from the carpool convoy; each bus had a coordinator managing them, so they were lined up neatly.

The other group consisted of representatives from the families in the first fifteen vehicles. Most of them were men, standing vigilantly to one side, dressed in thick, clean clothes, their faces ruddy and their bodies strong.

"Where did this little girl come from? Part of the carpool group, are you? Go stand over there. Don’t even think about mingling here."

As soon as Jing Shu arrived, a woman in a black mink coat mistook her for someone from the carpool group. After all, family representatives were usually burly men, not delicate, pretty young girls like Jing Shu.

Even this woman was clinging to her own man. The mink-clad woman’s husband looked a bit displeased and gently tugged at his wife.

"What’s it to you? You think you own this place? Who are you to tell me where to stand?" Jing Shu retorted, crossing her arms and glancing nonchalantly at them. These people are really overstepping.

What nonsense. This is all so ridiculous.

The mink-clad woman, her temper flaring, pointed at the carpool group and burst out cursing, "Some women are utterly shameless! Before the apocalypse, they loved to chase after rich and handsome men in business class. Now, after the apocalypse, they’re mixing into carpool groups specifically to hook up with men. A few of you succeeded today, making you all proud, huh? And now you think you can worm your way into our circle?"

The woman’s husband pulled at her again, but she shook him off and said resentfully, "What? Isn’t the one at home enough for you? You want a second and a third?"

The man, who looked simple and honest, flushed beet red. "Ahong, Xiao Tao is different. I won’t look for anyone else."

Just as Jing Shu was about to curse back, several women from the carpool group, who were clearly experienced fighters, rushed out and interrupted her. They immediately went for hair-pulling and face-scratching, shouting, "So you look down on the carpool group, huh?"

"Who are you looking down on? You’re incompetent yourself, yet you look down on us for trying to make a living!"

"So what if we’re trying to hook up with men? Just keep your own man in line!"

The mink-clad woman was no pushover either. Using her considerable bulk, she turned and got into a scuffle with the group of women.

The scene quickly descended into chaos. Some joined the fight, some tried to pull people apart, and others took the opportunity to grope. The mink-clad woman’s husband, despite his strong build, was quickly pushed out of the crowd as he tried to pull her away from the fight. He could only watch helplessly and anxiously from the outside, shouting in distress, "Ahong! Ahong! Stop hitting Ahong!"

TSK TSK. What a bunch of drama queens.

Jing Shu: "..." So, what exactly happened here?

Just then, from the high chassis of the escort police vehicle, several burly men jumped down. The THUD of them landing on the ground silenced the noisy surroundings. They were all muscular, carrying gleaming black guns, which instilled a sense of security about the upcoming journey.

More than thirty escort police officers stood in a line, presenting a truly formidable sight.

The farce soon subsided. The mink-clad woman’s face was covered in bloody scratches, and her mink coat was torn in several places; she looked utterly disheveled. As soon as those young women saw the officers, they immediately threw themselves on the ground, rolling around, WHIMPERING and crying as they recounted their grievances. Coupled with their cheeks, red from the cold, they did indeed look pitiful.

Both sides seemed pitiable, and they were all women. After the cause of the fight was ascertained, each person involved was fined 50 Virtual Coins, and that was the end of it. No matter how fiercely the women on the ground cried, it was useless. After their faces were scanned and the fines paid, the officers ordered them to return to their respective places. One of the stockiest officers stepped forward to speak:

"My name is Sanliang. I’m the captain of the escort police vehicle’s first squad. I’m responsible for the personal safety, property, and security of everyone in your convoy, as well as route matters. I hope what happened today won’t happen again. If it does, there’ll be no second chances—we’ll deduct coins immediately. Of course, theft, infringement of others’ property, and similar offenses will be handled according to the new laws of the apocalypse. Everyone, manage yourselves properly. Also, there are rewards for reporting others.

"From now on, during rest stops, we will assemble for a daily briefing. I need to ensure everyone’s safety and provide updates on the itinerary and any problems encountered."

"The groups will remain as they are: the families from the first fifteen vehicles as one unit, and the carpool group as another unit. Now, I’ll call out the vehicle numbers. When your number is called, come and get a walkie-talkie!"

The mink-clad woman, trembling, pointed at Jing Shu and shrieked, "Did you hear that, you shameless hussy from the carpool group? Still lingering here, trying to seduce who knows who..."

This was intolerable. Jing Shu stepped forward and slapped her twice, then paid 50 Virtual Coins to Sanliang’s QR code. "Sorry, I couldn’t hold back. I accept the fine. I am Jing Shu, the representative from vehicle number four."

"Huh? A family sent a young woman as their representative?" The mink-clad woman was stunned by the slap, momentarily forgetting her pain. She had assumed that this person, with such a seductive face, was just trying to find a man during this migration. She detested such people more than anything.

Hearing Jing Shu’s name, Sanliang’s frown relaxed. He handed Jing Shu a walkie-talkie, saying, "Alright, alright. Don’t let it happen again. If there’s any trouble, report it on the walkie-talkie."

The discerning onlookers nearby realized that this family wasn’t simple, and they grew even more curious about this pretty young woman’s identity. However, out of self-respect, they didn’t ask directly and could only plan to make inquiries later.

It turned out the mink-clad woman was from vehicle number eight. Her name was Cai Hong, and her husband was Cai Dali, who was also her first cousin. It seemed theirs was likely an arranged marriage.

Jing Shu took the walkie-talkie back to the camper van, sat in the driver’s seat, and made her final preparations.

There was no helping it. Mr. Jing and Mrs. Jing were busy dealing with matters outside and would likely be occupied for a few days until everything was sorted out. So, Jing Shu would drive for now.

Then, the walkie-talkie crackled to life: "Everyone, all personnel, prepare to move! Follow the number 1 escort police vehicle and let’s depart!"

The modified escort police bus led the way, RUMBLING out of the train station, with the vehicles behind starting their engines one by one and slowly following.

Jing Shu drove the camper van forward at a slow pace. Her family watched the scenery recede under the lights, a sudden wave of sadness washing over them. The desolate landscape on either side of the train station soon gave way as they entered a tunnel connected to it.

RUMBLE... The convoy slowly descended the slope.

The camper van jolted slightly, and the light inside instantly dimmed. They could see nothing outside except for the pitch-black earthen walls on either side. Two minutes later, another RUMBLE was heard as it slowly climbed an incline, jolting over the uneven ground before exiting the tunnel. The sudden light outside was a bit dazzling.

Only after the lead escort police vehicle had exited the tunnel did the last bus of the carpool group slowly enter it. Then, the second wave of people, using various other forms of transport, slowly began to enter the tunnel.