Chapter Ninety-Four: United as One

After Fang Nian stepped forward, everyone was stunned. Given his current standing, whoever he ordered to go would have gone back; there was no need for him to take the risk himself. And yet he had stood up so decisively and without hesitation that, in an instant, he inspired a feeling of reverence.

A moment later, thunderous applause, cheers, and shouts erupted through the carriage, and Fang Nian became everyone’s hope.

Duan Rui looked at Fang Nian, suddenly shining with a brilliance she had never seen before, and something strange stirred in her eyes. Even she did not know what it was, but one thing was certain: apart from her grandfather, Fang Nian was the man she disliked least.

Jin Jinhui also thought Fang Nian looked outrageously handsome at that moment. From everything that had happened before, this man was simply too charming: capable and responsible, strong in a fight and sharp of mind.

He was nothing like her brother Jin Jindao. For a moment, Jin Jinhui silently resolved that once they got back, she would make her brother understand just how vile he really was.

At that thought, Jin Jinhui noticed the light in Duan Rui’s eyes and could only smile helplessly. The two of them were usually best friends, and she knew perfectly well what kind of woman Duan Rui was.

Seeing her so lost, she nudged her with an elbow and teased, “What’s this? Fallen for him? Let me tell you, men like that are rare. If you don’t make your move soon, you’ll definitely miss your chance.”

Duan Rui blushed at once, losing all trace of her usual icy beauty.

“What are you talking about? How could I possibly like him? Besides, he’s already married. With such a beautiful wife as Xia Moyan, how could he possibly look at anyone else? So stop making things up.”

Jin Jinhui had no intention of arguing with her. She curled her lip and said, “Fine, deny it if you want. Anyway, sooner or later you’ll admit it.”

With that, she ignored Duan Rui and turned her gaze back to Fang Nian. He was discussing their last possible escape route with Xie Luo.

“Although this fortress was designed to be airtight, there is still one flaw: the secret passage in the tunnel. There’s another road there that leads out. Supposedly, the man who designed this train was originally meant to be trapped here with them. But after finishing the design, he secretly left himself a way out.”

“However, many years have passed, and we’ve tried to find that route too, but we’ve never succeeded. We’ve tried every possible method. Almost everyone who went looking for it ended up trapped in that maze of tunnels, and none ever came back.”

“So if you go this time, it will be a journey of no return. There’s a very good chance that once you go in, you’ll never come out again. If it were me, I would rather have you stay here with Brian and me, enjoying wealth and comfort. Living in this fabricated world may not be such a bad thing.”

“Don’t worry. We have the ability to avoid the cold zone, and once everything is over, we’ll still be the rulers of this world. By then, new people will appear, and your life will definitely be better than before.”

Fang Nian looked at Xie Luo, his expression giving nothing away. But one thing was certain: he would go back. He would absolutely not stay here and become some idle landlord.

Seeing that Fang Nian would not be persuaded, Xie Luo said no more. He looked at Fang Nian and said coolly, “All right. I’ve told you the method. How you choose is your own business. I only hope you’ll keep your promise. If you really make it out, make sure our identities are protected, because the people behind us will really kill us to keep us quiet.”

Fang Nian ignored them both. He turned and walked back, feeling along the ground, and sure enough found a mechanism that could be pulled open. In an instant, a sinkhole-like tunnel appeared.

Fang Nian glanced back at the crowd. Many of them were looking at him with admiration now. At this point, Fang Nian had become a man going against the current, carrying the hopes of too many people.

Xiao Xueluan walked over, a trace of respect in his eyes, and said to Fang Nian, “Old Fang, I heard you’re putting together your own team. I wonder whether you’d take in a mechanic like me, nothing too impressive. If you don’t mind, I’m willing to join, whether or not we get through this.”

Fang Nian was overjoyed. He had been wondering how to win Xiao Xueluan over, and now it was the very definition of finding what he sought after endless searching.

“Of course. I’d be delighted.”

Seeing Xiao Xueluan successfully put himself forward, Xu Dong grew anxious as well and said to Fang Nian, “Old Fang, Brother Nian, I want to join too. Don’t look down on me—I’m really strong.”

Hearing this, Fang Nian smiled and nodded. At this point, only Jin Jinhui, the story editor, remained to be won over. If he could persuade her, the task would be complete.

At the thought of that, Fang Nian grew excited, already wondering what reward the system would give him.

Yet one person’s mood was far more complicated. Guo Ji hid in a corner, silently watching Fang Nian, his heart filled with an indescribable feeling.

Ever since he had lost to Fang Nian, he had fallen into deep despondency and had become almost invisible during the latter half of the hunt.

At first, all he wanted was for Fang Nian to make a fool of himself, to pay the price for his arrogance. But now, seeing Fang Nian stand before him like a hero, he wavered.

Guo Ji never thought of himself as a petty man. He could tolerate others being stronger than he was, and he even longed for stronger people to appear and become his goal.

The reason he had resented Fang Nian before was entirely because of Duan Rui. But once he calmed down, he realized that Fang Nian truly possessed many qualities he himself lacked, and was a worthy opponent.

For reasons he himself could not explain, Guo Ji stepped out from the crowd and faced Fang Nian, who was about to enter the tunnel.

“Be careful.”

Fang Nian froze. Guo Ji’s abilities were among the most well-rounded of everyone there, and his leadership was beyond Fang Nian’s reach.

In Fang Nian’s eyes, Guo Ji was absolutely the ideal person for the team, but because of Duan Rui, he might find it difficult to join.

But now it seemed Guo Ji was not as narrow-minded as Fang Nian had thought. If so, then Fang Nian’s plan could naturally go on.

So faced with Guo Ji’s goodwill, Fang Nian naturally would not refuse. He held out his hand.

“Don’t worry. I’m very strong.”

Guo Ji paused, then smiled as well, taking Fang Nian’s hand.

“Come back.”

With that, Fang Nian said nothing more. He turned and disappeared into the darkness under the hopeful gazes of the crowd.

Duan Rui watched everything between the two of them and smiled from the heart. Then she looked toward the black tunnel and silently said, Go on. You are our hope.