Ch45 Caution, Unwelcome Visitors Ahead
"Over there!"
Shen Que pointed in a direction, and Meng Ci quickly adjusted their course.
When they left, Shen Que had mentioned the coal shop was a three-story building clad in yellow tiles.
This area was essentially an urban village, with buildings of varying heights crammed together in a crowded layout.
Numerous three-story buildings sported yellow tiles, forcing the pair to proceed cautiously, stopping frequently to avoid missing their target.
Shen Que, with his keen eyesight, spotted one such building and promptly signaled Meng Ci.
Approaching closer, they noticed a sign dangling precariously from the third floor.
Despite its precarious state, the character for "coal" remained visible.
Relieved they hadn't missed it, both breathed a sigh of relief.
The location sat on higher ground, and since it was self-built, the ceilings were higher than average floors. Consequently, the floodwaters only reached the second story.
Along the way, they saw a few homes with air conditioners installed outside. It seemed coal was indeed necessary for winter heating, though they wondered if the owner had stocked up.
A balcony extended from the second floor. Shen Que secured the assault boat's rope to one of the decorative columns on the balcony.
To prevent the boat from being taken, they pulled it onto the balcony before entering the house.
With the first and second floors submerged, they waded through the water directly to the third floor, hoping to find coal.
As expected, they discovered half the room filled with coal, neatly packed in sacks.
They planned to take ten bags back first.
They would return for more later, as carrying too much at once risked capsizing the assault boat.
Shen Que carried two bags of coal downstairs first. Just as Meng Ci prepared to lift his share, he suddenly heard an animal's cry.
"Coo-coo! Coo-coo!"
Curious about the source, Meng Ci scanned the area.
In one of the third-floor rooms, he spotted two rabbits caged inside, alongside a half-eaten carrot.
The room was empty, yet the rabbits had ample food.
Meng Ci surmised the owner had left on business, deliberately stocking up on provisions for the rabbits.
Meng Ci carried the cage out.
"Shen Que, quick, look-two rabbits!"
"We can have rabbit meat now."
Seeing Shen Que approach, Meng Ci immediately showed off his discovery.
Shen Que came over to inspect. He noticed one rabbit had a noticeably swollen belly.
"Is it pregnant?"
Meng Ci opened the cage, grabbed the rabbit to examine it, and confirmed it was indeed a female rabbit. Its belly was significantly larger than the male rabbit beside it.
"Wow, then we can raise these rabbits. We'll never have to worry about meat again."
"Yeah."
Meng Ci didn't know which word he'd said that made Shen Que so happy.
Meng Ci didn't probe further, assuming Shen Que was simply pleased at the prospect of meat.
Meng Ci wasn't particularly strong and could only carry one bag of coal at a time.
On the final trip, Shen Que hoisted two bags himself, letting Meng Ci carry the rabbit cage.
After stowing everything, Meng Ci piloted the assault boat back.
Shen Que gripped the cage tightly.
Unexpectedly, halfway back, danger struck.
"Those ahead wishing to leave must leave their boat's cargo behind."
The two suddenly heard a loudspeaker bellowing from behind, but Meng Ci and Shen Que ignored it, pressing forward.
Shen Que glanced back and saw three assault boats approaching them not far behind.
"They're probably up to no good."
Meng Ci focused on steering the assault boat, refusing to look back.
"No problem. If it comes to it, we'll fight to the death!"
The book had mentioned that half a month after the torrential rains began, many people started taking advantage of the chaos to loot. It wasn't uncommon for groups to band together, relying on assault boats to carry out raids.
The assault boat was loaded with coal, so Meng Ci dared not drive too fast. Soon, the group caught up.
One of the attackers deliberately drew close, unleashing a torrent of water that drenched both Meng Ci and Shen Que.
Fine.
You chose the path to hell when heaven was open.
Then don't blame me for being impolite.
Meng Ci's hand tightened around the long knife.
"Didn't you hear us tell you to stop? Or do you just not give a damn about what we say?"
The leader sat in a motorboat with a sunshade, acting like a big shot, puffing on a cigar for show.
"Got something to say?" Shen Que asked flatly.
"What? Can't we tell you to stop if we feel like it?"
Meng Ci replied, "If it's nothing, then get out of the way. Stop blocking our path!"
Each assault boat held four men, totaling twelve individuals.
Whether approached with kindness or harsh words, they likely wouldn't be spared.
Better to resolve this trouble early and make it back before nightfall.
"Fine. Since you refuse to show any courtesy, don't blame me for being blunt."
"Guys, let's move."
Meng Ci had expected such brazen men to carry pistols or other cold weapons, but they only had a few knives.
Yet none of their blades were as long as Meng Ci's weapon. As the saying goes, an inch longer means an inch stronger. So Meng Ci swung first at the man approaching him.
One swing sent the man's hand, still clutching the knife, tumbling into the floodwaters, swiftly carried away.
"Ah! Ow ow ow!"
The man writhed in agony on the assault boat, throwing it off balance. He tumbled into the water and was quickly swept away.
The boat's driver struggled desperately to keep it from capsizing.
Seeing Meng Ci's ruthlessness, the others, though fearful, charged forward one by one to avenge their brother.
Shen Que wasn't about to be outdone. As another assault boat tried to flank them, he swung his blade down.
But the man was quick and dodged it easily.
"Boss, there's a rabbit on their boat!"
Hearing mention of meat, their eyes lit up even brighter, and their attacks grew fiercer.
After so many days of torrential rain, they'd been eating only vegetables, their taste buds dulled by blandness.
Now, with meat in sight, each of them was wildly excited.
But while they were fierce, Meng Ci and Shen Que were fiercer still. Though they struck infrequently, every blow landed a wound.
"Sssshhh..."
A boat took a hard stab from Meng Ci and began deflating rapidly.
"Boss, save me!"
"Boss..."
But the boat offered no chance to react. It deflated completely, and the four men, screaming for help, were swept away by the floodwaters. On Shen Que's side, the slaughter knife also slashed a man's arm.
A man on the assault boat spotted a long pole drifting by. Grabbing it, he lunged to stab Shen Que and his men.
Shen Que seized the pole, yanking and shoving until the man plunged into the water.
But the man reacted swiftly, clutching the assault boat he'd been sitting on.
"Fourth Brother, save me! I don't want to die!"
"Save me!"
The others in the boat tried to pull him up, but the sudden weight on one side threatened to capsize the craft.
Exhausted, the man was ultimately swept away by the floodwaters.
Amid the chaos, Shen Que managed to deliver several powerful blows to several attackers. The driver struggled to maintain control of the boat.