Three days later, Chen Xiao's caravan rolled out of the city. He wasn't alone; accompanying him were Tang Shirou, Jiang Chuxue, A Yao, and their newest "acquisition," Huang Yiyi.
Tang Shirou and Jiang Chuxue traded subtle, knowing glances as they observed Huang Yiyi. They were secretly amazed by Chen Xiao's uncanny ability to attract top-tier talent. This girl wasn't just another pretty face; she was the SSS-level powerhouse they'd heard rumors about—the one suspected of being a high-level spy. Having spent enough time around Chen Xiao, the girls were no longer jealous; they were simply curious. How exactly had he broken her? they wondered. Had he already turned her heart to his side?
Their mode of transport was a marvel of post-apocalyptic engineering: a custom-built, heavy-duty RV. Originally a massive industrial truck, the Triad's construction crew had spent days stripping it down and reinforcing the chassis. Chen Xiao had personally overseen the interior, tossing out redundant appliances like oversized closets to maximize the living space.
Since this was a leisure trip, there was no need to summon his Winged Dragon. They had a full week before the Ultimate Path Tournament in Cangzhou, which gave them the rarest of gifts in this dying world: time to travel slowly and enjoy the scenery.
The Driver's Complaint
Beep—Beep—Beeeep!
The driver's seat was occupied by a very familiar, very grumpy face. Ouyang Miao gripped the steering wheel, letting out a theatrical sigh.
"Chen Xiao, you told me you were taking me on a 'break' to clear my head. You failed to mention I'd be acting as your personal chauffeur."
Chen Xiao leaned against the doorframe, feigning a look of grave disappointment as he turned to the other girls. "Did you hear that? None of you bothered to learn how to drive a heavy rig. It looks like I'll have to punish all of you tonight."
Jiang Chuxue didn't skip a beat. She stepped forward with a playful giggle, her eyes sparkling. "Chen Xiao-gege, if it's a punishment from you, Chuxue is more than willing to accept it!"
"Count me in too!" A Yao chimed in, a mischievous smirk dancing on her lips.
Tang Shirou simply adjusted her hair, her voice a sultry purr. "I suppose I shouldn't let them have all the fun. I'll join the punishment detail as well."
The sudden weight of the "peer pressure" shifted entirely onto Huang Yiyi.
Over the last two days resting at Jianghe Tower, her world had been turned upside down. This man, whom she had once viewed as a literal monster, treated his inner circle with a warmth she hadn't seen since the world fell apart. He'd even shared rare delicacies like seasoned lamb skewers and beef jerky with her.
But seeing him surrounded by such stunning women—the alluring Tang Shirou, the radiant Jiang Chuxue, the energetic A Yao, and the cool, sharp-tongued driver—made her feel a sudden, sharp pang of insecurity. In the apocalypse, beauty was a curse unless you had a protector. These girls looked untouched by the world's cruelty, while she still felt like a stray.
"I... I'm willing too..." she whispered, her voice so low it was almost drowned out by the engine's hum. Her face flushed a deep crimson.
Chen Xiao grinned at Ouyang Miao. "There. You heard them. I'll be busy 'punishing' them all tonight. Happy now?"
Ouyang Miao rolled her eyes so hard it looked painful. "You're the boss of Jiangbei, the feared Mad Ghost Butcher... who am I to say no to the Great Leader?"
A Five-Star Fortress
Ignoring her sarcasm, Chen Xiao ushered everyone inside. The girls gasped as they stepped into the living quarters. It didn't feel like a truck; it felt like a mobile penthouse suite.
The Living Area: Bathed in the warm glow of crystal chandeliers and recessed wall lights, featuring plush leather seating.
The Kitchen: A sleek, open-concept space fully stocked with high-end cookware.
The Bedroom: Located at the rear, it featured a custom-built, oversized king bed piled high with premium down comforters and silk linens, all illuminated by soft purple mood lighting.
Chen Xiao coughed awkwardly and flicked the bedroom lights off. "Satisfied?"
"Xiao Ge," Tang Shirou said softly, her voice thick with genuine emotion. "Thank you. To go through all this trouble just to give us a bit of comfort... it means everything."
"As long as we're with you, we're happy," Jiang Chuxue added, hugging his arm.
Huang Yiyi lingered by the bedroom door, her fingers tracing the edge of the silk sheets. Despite her dual talents and SSS-rank potential, she had been a mere tool for the Destiny Group—stripped of her dignity and forced to beg for scraps. Seeing the genuine affection between these people made her realize how much she had lost. For the first time, she wasn't afraid of Chen Xiao; she was envious of the life he had built.
Dinner and Shadows
The journey began in earnest. By dusk, Ouyang Miao pulled the rig off the road near the outskirts of Liangzhou. They found a quiet spot by the river—a rare patch of tranquility where the scent of mutant blood was faint enough to ignore.
The girls decided to handle dinner themselves, setting up a camp stove outside the RV.
"Chen Xiao-gege, I'm making my signature fried rice noodles!" A Yao shouted.
"And I'll handle the stir-fried pork with peppers!" Jiang Chuxue added.
Chen Xiao played the role of the provider, reaching into the Shanhai Tu (Mountain and Sea Scroll) to produce fresh ingredients that shouldn't have existed in this era: lean pork, fresh green peppers, and aromatic spices.
But as the scent of sizzling fat and spices drifted through the evening air, Chen Xiao's [Dragon's Breath] sense began to tingle. In the tall grass and ruined structures nearby, several shadows shifted.
"God, that smell... is that actually meat?" a raspy voice whispered from the darkness.
"How long has it been? I can't even remember what real food tastes like..."
"What a waste," another voice hissed, trembling with hunger and envy. "Stir-frying meat with peppers? In this world? You're supposed to boil every scrap into a soup to make it last! They're eating like gods while we rot..."
Chen Xiao didn't look up from his drink. He simply leaned back in his folding chair, a cold glint in his eyes. The "vacation" had barely begun, and it seemed the local vermin were already lining up for a taste.