CHAPTER 652: CHAPTER 315: I’M AFRAID THEY’LL RUN AWAY (3)

"No problem." Hu Lushou had a smile on his face and patted his chest, saying, "My fleet is still here, what are they worried about? Besides, with me helping them earn so much without a single soldier lost, I’m practically their benefactor. Which fool would cut off their own source of income?"

"Heh."

Lu Zhao chuckled, looking at Hu Lushou, "You might fool others, but surely not yourself. While you did come up with this road fee idea, you’re not irreplaceable to the sand bandits. They’ve let you collect road fees for over two weeks, but they’ve probably been planning to devour you whole from the start. Why would they leave you with a cut?"

He squinted slightly with a smile, "Brother, you’re focused on the lice on the tiger’s back, but the tiger is eyeing your life. Otherwise, why would you have gathered us for an evacuation plan, right?"

The man named Xie Guan from the Akse Brotherhood also spoke up, "The city’s fleets have formed alliances as much as they could. They’re ready to head into the desert at dawn. If no new fleets arrive, only a few of us will remain in the city. Planning in secrecy like this... if the sand bandits catch wind, they might make a move."

Wu Dapeng from the Haven Fleet looked worriedly at the others, "We’ve got at least close to five hundred people combined, would those sand bandits really dare raid the city directly?"

"Hmph!" Lu Zhao snorted coldly, his cheeks jiggling, "Captain Wu, our five hundred people include families. Only about three hundred would actually fight back, whereas the sand bandits’ fleet has no old or young to care for."

Hearing this, both Xie Guan and Wu Dapeng looked sullen. Wu Dapeng clicked his tongue and quickly turned to Hu Lushou, "Boss Hu, didn’t you say you could get in touch with the Red Demon Assault Team sent by the Star Morning Defense Army? Any news?"

"Yeah."

Lu Zhao also chimed in directly, "Boss Hu, although we’ve benefited from your dealings, you mentioned before knowing a safe route to Quan City and being able to contact the Red Demon Assault Team. That’s what I care about. Why else would we risk antagonizing the sand bandits to cooperate with you?"

Lu Zhao was being honest; his fleet was potent, with the option to either join other fleets or simply pay the road fee and leave Akse. However, he knew the road fee might just be a short-lived pass, and while alliances were a good option, tales of Abnormal Bodies in the vast desert were unsettling. Preferring calculated risks, Lu Zhao sought out Hu Lushou for valuable intel, thus getting persuaded into the alliance.

The Akse Brotherhood saw things differently. As a small fleet, they had little influence in alliances, so joining the Joint Fleet was beneficial and came with stronger backing. Xie Guan and his team agreed to take the risk, prepared to fight the sand bandits to the death if necessary. They held personal grudges, having lost loved ones to the bandits, making them staunch supporters of Hu Lushou.

"Let me be straightforward." Hu Lushou assumed a confident posture and addressed everyone, "I gathered you here before nightfall to inform you that the Red Demon Assault Team can’t make it. They’re stationed near the Sand Serpent’s Mouth, and timing is critical, so the evacuation plan needs revising!"

"Revise it? When?"

Hu Lushou’s gaze shifted as he steadied himself, "Tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Lu Zhao frowned, "Are you serious?"

"Yes, absolutely." Hu Lushou confirmed.

Wu Dapeng was surprised, "Boss Hu, you’re not suggesting we move out with those fleets before dawn, right??"

His comment echoed the thoughts of the other two fleets. Lu Zhao maintained a grim face, "Boss Hu, those fleets won’t wait for us."

"No, they won’t." Hu Lushou waved his hand, "Didn’t I say I have connections..."

Lu Zhao scrutinized him, "Are you sure the Red Demon Assault Team will really support us?"

"Rest assured, everyone." Hu Lushou chuckled, indicating for everyone to stay calm, "I wouldn’t undertake a plan I’m not confident in. Keep your minds at ease. Tomorrow, all the fleets will assemble as planned, fully armed and ready. But remain vigilant at all times. We should aim to enter the Akse Desert before noon."

With this, the room’s atmosphere grew tense.

Xie Guan from the Akse Brotherhood was the first to nod in agreement, "Alright, Boss Hu. I’ll head back to make arrangements right away."

Lu Zhao gazed intensely at Hu Lushou, and after a while, slapped his thigh, "Fine then, since we’re allied now, no need to worry about this or that. Survival here is a gamble, and beyond this hell’s gate lies another rickety bridge, seen it all before, no fear!"

However, Wu Dapeng from the Haven Fleet seemed quite anxious, "There might be sand bandit spies in the city watching us. Our movements tomorrow will surely draw attention. So I suggest we avoid making too much noise tonight."

"Isn’t that obvious? How much noise can we make?" Lu Zhao laughed sardonically, "I’m already trying to avoid those sand mites, and if we encounter an Abnormal Body tonight, that’ll be a real headache."