Chapter 83: The Blind Soldier
After a brief silence, Scorpion Luo’s fierce gaze settled on Fang Nian.
“Do you have confidence you can survive?”
Fang Nian shrugged. “I don’t know. We’ll only find out once we enter the last compartment.”
Scorpion Luo was silent for a moment, then with a sudden flash of movement, he appeared before Fang Nian in the span of a single breath. A cold dagger pressed against Fang Nian’s throat, and an icy sense of threat washed over him.
“For now, I’ll trust you once. But if you dare deceive me, I’ll kill you.”
Scorpion Luo’s speed was astonishing. The crowd behind him was visibly shaken by his display.
“My god, as expected of the legendary Scorpion Luo—his speed could wipe out everyone here in an instant.”
“Yeah, Fang Nian might have some skill, but he’s useless against Lord Scorpion Luo. I can’t believe he’s actually here in front of us. Truly unexpected.”
“From now on, I’m following Lord Scorpion Luo. We’re going to rob every rich person on this train, show those bloodthirsty bastards who the real masters are.”
“Right, we’ll become the masters. Long live Lord Scorpion Luo!”
...
The abilities Scorpion Luo revealed instantly intimidated the crowd of poor passengers. Luo Li naturally retreated to a lower position, unwilling but knowing that ceding power was the best choice to ensure the rebellion continued smoothly.
Yet, just when everyone expected Fang Nian to be terrified, he suddenly placed his hands behind his head as if unconcerned, and said coolly, “Kill me if you want. I doubt you have the guts.”
Everyone who had just been cowed by Scorpion Luo was stunned.
“Is this guy an idiot? How could he talk to Lord Scorpion Luo like that—he must be insane.”
“He’s dead for sure. Scorpion Luo is infamous for his ruthlessness; he’s destroyed everything in his path. Fang Nian doesn’t stand a chance.”
...
But against all expectations, Scorpion Luo actually withdrew the dagger from Fang Nian’s throat, smiling as he looked at him.
“You’re clever, and bold. You know I still have use for you—that’s why you dared threaten me.”
Fang Nian shrugged with a helpless smile, though inwardly a thousand wild horses thundered through his mind. He wasn't actually certain Scorpion Luo wouldn’t kill him, but it seemed he’d gambled correctly.
With things at this stage, both sides were temporarily safe. Using Duan Rui’s lock-picking device, Scorpion Luo rescued four more people from the prison compartment—his old subordinates.
Though all older now, Fang Nian could see their skill was far from ordinary. His suspicions were soon confirmed during the journey.
...
Leaving Compartment 18, the squad of poor passengers seemed to be supercharged, advancing swiftly and decisively. The rescued men, much like the train’s creators, were intimately familiar with the train’s structure, traps, and mechanisms.
The rebel army was suddenly full of energy, slicing through obstacles and moving at lightning speed, looting and pillaging wherever they went. They even discovered a massive machine in Compartment 12 used to produce fruit cakes.
But when they saw the raw materials, nearly everyone was instantly nauseated—the cakes, which tasted decent, were made from bugs.
Cockroaches, ants, and woodlice were ground into powder in the mixer, then processed and pressed into cake shapes, injected with glue to solidify them.
Yet even these disgusting cakes were fiercely fought over.
Duan Rui was baffled. “Why, when better options exist, do they still scramble for these revolting things?”
Fang Nian found the scene all too real, sighing, “Poverty and hunger are etched into their bones. Even if a table of delicacies sat before them, they’d still take as many fruit cakes as possible. They’re terrified of hunger—like finding an oasis in the desert, you’d want to seize it all. This is reality, painfully so.”
Duan Rui was taken aback. She hadn’t expected someone Fang Nian’s age to perceive such a complex world.
Soon, they reached Compartment 3. Any resistance from soldiers was quickly neutralized, and even some soldiers joined their ranks.
Now, the engine was only a short distance ahead—victory was within reach, and the rebels’ morale soared.
Yet, as they entered the third compartment, they were stunned by the sight: more than thirty fully armed figures stood before them. Though they carried no firearms, the cold gleam of their machetes was menacing.
Most bizarrely, each had a black cloth over their eyes. To Fang Nian, they looked like blind men, ears pricked to catch every sound.
Even Scorpion Luo’s usually impassive eyes revealed a hint of gravity. He said quietly, “They’re Brian’s Blind Army.”
Fang Nian had never heard the name before and asked Scorpion Luo, “Are they all blind? Truly can’t see?”
Scorpion Luo nodded and explained, “Don’t underestimate them. Though blind, their hearing is extraordinary. Within several meters, they can discern how many people there are and where they’re moving. They’re Brian’s elite force.”
Fang Nian was shocked. Though it sounded incredible, Scorpion Luo was right—such units truly existed, even in Fang Nian’s world.
Just then, Luo Li spoke anxiously, “What do we do now? We’re running out of time—let’s force our way through. We outnumber them, why fear a few blind men?”
Seeing Luo Li speak up, the surrounding warriors chimed in.
“Yeah, boss Scorpion, we’re not afraid to die. Let’s fight these blind men and carve a path through.”
“Right, let’s do it. These blind men are nothing—damn them.”
...
Suddenly, Scorpion Luo shouted angrily, “Get out of my way! You idiots don’t understand a thing. Move aside!”
The crowd, intimidated by Scorpion Luo’s fury, fell silent.
At that moment, Fang Nian’s pupils contracted slightly, his expression turning grave as he addressed everyone.
“Everyone, be careful. There’s a tunnel ahead.”