专业炒股配资

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Yu Hong led Wei Shanshan toward the post office. Though it was only a ten-minute walk, the girl was panting heavily, her face flushed red, and she had to bend over to rest frequently.

It took them a full half-hour of slow trudging before they finally arrived at the stone post office.

Old Li was in the courtyard, chatting with two tall young men.

Seeing Yu Hong approach, he immediately waved enthusiastically.

“Xiao Yu, what brings you here at this hour?”

Yu Hong glanced at the two men and noticed their brows furrow slightly upon seeing Wei Shanshan, as if they recognized her. That was enough to clue him in.

He pulled Old Li aside and quietly explained the situation.

“This is a small matter. I was just about to report the supply team’s situation to the higher-ups. This incident has caused quite a stir, and they’ve promised to send reinforcements, but it will take a few days,” Li Runshan lowered his voice.

He glanced at Wei Shanshan and the two men.

“Most of these people are either rich or powerful, with special identities. If something really happens to them, the impact will be huge. So, I have to lend a hand where I can. If you have any spare Rune Array, sell them to them. Don’t worry, charge as much as you want—these people have money.”

“Alright.” Yu Hong grinned, but his smile quickly faded. “What about those flying bugs, the Devourers? Can you handle them?”

“It’s fine. As long as we hide underground, we’re safe,” Li Runshan nodded. “But I’ve received intel that the Black Disaster is accelerating. The outside world is getting more dangerous—especially the wilderness. In the future, only heavily armed supply convoys with elite combat strength will be able to connect cities. This could be a real problem. Small places like ours might be completely cut off when they shorten the supply routes.”

“What’s the higher-ups’ response?” Yu Hong’s heart sank. If the supply convoys couldn’t come, or if their arrival frequency was reduced, both he and Old Li would be in big trouble. No wonder the guy had started taking in people—it was a survival strategy.

“There’s no response. The Black DIsaster has been steadily worsening since it first appeared, but now its growth rate is increasing. Why do you think I’m taking in people? It’s all about planning ahead,” Li Runshan chuckled. “I need to expand the lizard pens, dig up humus soil—it’s impossible to do everything alone. Not to mention mining radiant stone, maintaining buildings, and taking care of Nana. There’s too much work for just me.”

“Yeah, yeah, you’ve got such noble reasons,” Yu Hong scoffed, unconvinced.

“Forget about me—you should start recruiting people too. I’ll give you a breeding box for free. You need to start growing mushrooms. If even we get cut off from supplies, that would be the real disaster,” Li Runshan’s tone became serious.

As he spoke, he suddenly smacked his forehead as if remembering something.

“Wait here.”

He dashed into the stone house and soon returned with a black, box-like device.

He shoved it into Yu Hong’s hands and whispered,

“This is an instant communicator. It works within a one-kilometer radius. We can use this to stay in touch.”

Yu Hong took the box and gave it a shake. The contents clattered lightly, indicating there were quite a few components inside.

“Good stuff! And we both have solar chargers.”

“Yeah. By the way, I checked—Wei Shanshan’s name is indeed on the list I received. Her father, Wei Hongye, is a top expert in nuclear energy research,” Li Runshan shifted the conversation. “Are you planning to get something from her? Just a heads-up, this girl is part of the specialized aid team. She’s probably used her identity to get help all the way here. I doubt you’re the first person she’s promised something to.” ṚåộʙÈs

“Doesn’t matter. As long as it’s valuable, that’s all that counts. It also depends on whether her father is willing,” Yu Hong said indifferently. “Can you contact her father?”

“I’ll try,” Li Runshan nodded.

He gave a few instructions to the three people outside before heading back into the stone house. Yu Hong and the others waited quietly.

About ten minutes later, Old Li came back out and waved Yu Hong over.

Yu Hong’s heart stirred, and he stepped inside.

Wei Shanshan was also called in right after him.

They sat down at a wooden table in the living room, facing a silver, speaker-like device.

A worried, slightly high-pitched male voice came through the speaker.

“This is Wei Hongye. Is Shanshan there?”

“Dad! I’m here! I’m right here!!”

The moment she heard her father’s voice, Wei Shanshan’s eyes turned red, and large tears rolled down her face.@@novelbin@@

“Mom… Mom isn’t going to make it! We have no medicine left! I’m so scared of the infections… And the monsters are everywhere outside! We just found a place to rest, but in a few days, several people have already died—”

She collapsed against the communicator, sobbing uncontrollably as she recounted their journey.

Yu Hong listened silently.

After the supply team was attacked, this group had fled with some resources, constantly chased by unseen horrors. Many had died along the way, but those who survived had gradually adapted.

Just as they got used to the Ghostly Shadow, another nightmare appeared at night—the Devourers. Within moments, several more people were lost.

At that point, the teachers and bodyguards among them began to break down. They started prioritizing only their most important charges, leaving the rest to fend for themselves.

“Right now, the team is split into three groups: high-ranking United Army officials’ children, local government officials’ children, and us—relatives of researchers. We have the least protection! Any aid that arrives, they take first. The very first night here, we already lost two people,” Wei Shanshan choked out.

“What about Yan Xudong? Didn’t that kid promise to protect you?!” Wei Hongye’s voice was sharp with fury.

“Brother Dong… he… He went out to fetch water on the second day and never came back,” Wei Shanshan cried.

There was silence on the other end of the line, followed by a long sigh.

“The postman assisting this call is…?”

“This humble one is Li Runshan. No need for formalities, just call me Old Li,” Li Runshan quickly replied.

“You heard my daughter’s situation. Can you…?” Wei Hongye asked.

“Providing shelter is no issue. The problem is the lack of antibiotics. I’ve run out—I only had a few doses, and Yu Hong is the only one nearby who still has some. The key now is to negotiate a trade with him,” Li Runshan explained.

“Is Mr. Yu Hong there?”

“He’s right here.”

“Alright. Mr. Yu, could you please help my wife and daughter? Whatever compensation you require, I will make sure you receive it,” Wei Hongye said sincerely.

Yu Hong had been waiting for this moment.

“Fine. I need a micro nuclear battery. Can you get me one?”

“Nuclear batteries… The technology for micro nuclear batteries is still far from completion,” Wei Hongye replied, slightly exasperated.

“I need a long-term, stable indoor power source. I don’t know much about this field, but if you can solve this problem for me, I’ll protect your wife and daughter,” Yu Hong responded swiftly.

There was a brief silence.

“I understand. However, nuclear materials are heavily restricted—I don’t have the authority to allocate them privately. But…”

“But what?” Yu Hong frowned.

“But near your location, there’s an abandoned town that contains what you need. I can give you the exact coordinates.” Wei Hongye didn’t state it explicitly, but his meaning was clear. As a high-ranking official in the nuclear research institute, he couldn’t openly admit to misusing official resources to provide someone with nuclear energy equipment through postal communications.

However, by offering a crucial piece of intelligence and letting Yu Hong retrieve it himself, it became an entirely different matter. The only question was—how many people had he sold this information to?

Legitimate, compliant, and reasonable.

“Alright!” Yu Hong immediately understood the implication. Although there was a risk of being deceived, he had no other choice in this situation.

If he could truly obtain a nuclear energy system, he wouldn’t have to worry about power issues for decades. A short-term reactor could last thirty years, while a long-term one could even run for sixty.

With energy secured, the water supply system could also function, ensuring a stable source of water.

“My condition is that you and Mr. Li must protect Shanshan and her mother until the new rescue team arrives. The item you requested will be delivered along with them. Do we have a deal?” Wei Hongye said solemnly.

“Deal!” Yu Hong agreed without hesitation.

It was essentially a gamble—if it paid off, the benefits would be immense. If it didn’t, he’d have only wasted a few days, which wasn’t a big loss.

“But how can I be sure your information is reliable?” Yu Hong asked.

“I can’t guarantee it,” Wei Hongye admitted after a brief pause. “But I can give you another critical piece of information.”

“Go on,” Yu Hong prompted.

“Aurora City and Silver Tower are on the verge of collapse. Casualties at the front lines have been catastrophic—no one can withstand the nightmare-level Black Disaster. It ignores most of our weapons, and only sunlight materials can repel or defend against it. But the production of sunlight materials is far too low. Ever since the last elite suicide squad went missing last month, the situation has spiraled out of control.” Wei Hongye sighed.

“Out of control? What do you mean?” Yu Hong’s expression turned serious. Beside him, Li Runshan also looked grim—clearly, this was news to him as well.

“Exactly what it sounds like. The front lines can’t hold anymore. The real danger is coming. The Evil Shadow are just minor problems compared to what’s ahead—War-class, Nightmare-class, and even the newly emerging Despair gates.”

“The United Army?” Li Runshan asked.

“Let me tell you a fact,” Wei Hongye said. “The United Army’s weapons are ineffective against many Evil shadow Calamities, including Luminous Stone weapons. These creatures can’t be completely exterminated or truly killed. Even Ghostly Shadows, once dispersed by Luminous Stone weapons, will regenerate and reappear shortly after. So, if the defense line collapses, those rapidly recovering monsters will break through as well.”

“What about nuclear bombs? Why not use them?” Li Runshan couldn’t help but interrupt.

“Who says they haven’t?” Wei Hongye countered.

(End of Chapter)