Chapter 87: Zhuang Xiaoyuan's Subordinates

"Bai Jie, are all your personnel in position? Make sure you're ready to receive the wounded at any moment. It’s essential to have treatment arrangements prepared immediately," Feng Guoqing began delegating tasks again after Zhang Weili departed. This time, he turned to an elderly woman with a head of silver hair. She was the head of the Medical Support Department, possessing exceptional medical skills; many soldiers’ lives had been wrested from the jaws of death by her hands.

“All rescue personnel are in place and ready to respond at any time.” Despite her age, Bai Jie was still in robust health. The military salute she gave was no less imposing than those of the younger officers who had just left.

“Good. Finally, Wang Tianshang, your transport unit’s mission remains the toughest. I hope your muscles haven’t gone slack from all the downtime. This enemy is unlike any before—there are many of them. Get moving on the transportation of ammunition and supplies. And don’t delay the evacuation of the wounded, either,” Feng Guoqing continued, outlining the tasks for the transport group.

With the other tasks assigned, only the members of the transport group remained before Feng Guoqing. Zhuang Xiaoyuan worked in logistics within the transport group. Usually, only a third of the unit handled routine supply deliveries, while most remained idle. But once war broke out, every member would snap into high alert. If the fighting was intense, even with the entire unit working at full capacity, there was a risk of being shorthanded.

“Don’t worry, Commander. Have I ever let you down? All right, we’ll be off then.” Unlike the stern officers before him, Wang Tianshang was more relaxed, flashing a cheeky grin as he spoke to Feng Guoqing and began to leave.

After all, Wang Tianshang was different from the other officers, who had joined Feng Guoqing’s command only after he arrived in Maple City. Wang had originally served under him, coming with Feng Guoqing to this city and, through his own effort and ability, had worked his way back up to command the transport group.

“Wait a moment. If… never mind.” Wang Tianshang had just turned to leave when Feng Guoqing called out to him, but after glancing at Zhuang Xiaoyuan, who was about to leave with the others, he simply waved his hand and said nothing more. Young birds eventually leave their parents to fly on their own. Because she was his own daughter, Feng Guoqing was reluctant, torn between worry and pride, but in the end, every fledgling must grow up.

Zhuang Xiaoyuan gave Feng Guoqing one last look but said nothing, following Wang Tianshang out of Conference Room One.

“All right, is everyone here?” At the transport unit's garage, Wang Tianshang stood on a specially constructed platform, surveying the large gathering of his subordinates. “Even if not, it doesn’t matter now. The whole city is already at red alert. The vanguard is clearing all main roads—it’s our time to shine. Everyone split into four groups according to your unit numbers. The first group goes to the warehouse immediately, loads up on supplies, and sets off. The second group leaves fifteen minutes later; the third group departs fifteen minutes after the second. The fourth group stays here on standby, ready to handle any emergencies. Make sure supplies reach their destination on time and bring back the wounded. The supply chain must never break. Understood?”

“Understood!” everyone roared in unison, their voices crashing through the garage like a wave.

“Good. Everyone in the first group, take your positions. Let’s move!” At Wang Tianshang’s command, the first group sprang into action.

“Let’s go, too.” With the order given, Zhuang Xiaoyuan addressed the seven people gathered around her and led the way toward vehicle bay eighteen. These seven or eight people were her direct subordinates.

“Sergeant, long time no see! Who would’ve thought we’d meet again at such a tense moment? If only the demons had come a little later, I would’ve liked a proper chat with you,” said a young man striding quickly by her side.

“Lv Xiaowei, you talk too much. Or do you want to sample my methods again?” Taking a step forward, Zhuang Xiaoyuan reached the passenger side, opened the door, and shot a stern glare at Lv Xiaowei, shaking her fist in warning. This was no time for joking around—these young ones had never witnessed the terror of the demons. Though she herself was even younger.

“No, no, Sergeant, I can’t take your fists. The mission comes first!” At the sight of her raised fist, Lv Xiaowei shrank back a step, as if expecting to be hit any second. It was clear that Zhuang Xiaoyuan commanded real authority in this eight-person squad. Just a few months earlier, when she was first assigned to the team, she’d had to teach a hard lesson to the most unruly ones before they shaped up.

Back then, her divine power training hadn’t made much progress, but she was already a top graduate, and the bit of divine power she had managed to develop had strengthened her body enough that only Fu Jian, the veteran with the longest service, could match her.

Fu Jian, who alone could go toe-to-toe with her, had admired Zhuang Xiaoyuan’s character and actions, becoming her first supporter. With him on her side, the remaining troublemakers had no choice but to fall in line.

“Hmph.” With a soft snort, she hopped into the passenger seat; Fu Jian was already behind the wheel. At thirty-five, Fu Jian was not just a veteran with solid combat skills but also an outstanding driver, having won top places in the unit’s obstacle course many times.

Seeing that Zhuang Xiaoyuan had only meant to scare him, Lv Xiaowei relaxed and jumped into the back of the truck. Yang Xiayu, a taciturn, baby-faced young man—earnest and stubborn by nature—also climbed in. The other four took their seats in the truck next to them. With wireless communication available, splitting up posed no problem for coordination.

“Fu, let’s go. We’re heading to the demolition warehouse.” Settling in, Zhuang Xiaoyuan noted that the first trucks to start up were all heading to the mecha warehouse and frowned slightly before instructing Fu Jian to drive to the demolition warehouse.

The resource distribution department had several subsidiary warehouses, each designated for different types and uses. The mecha warehouse, as expected, housed powered armor and its ammunition. The demolition warehouse, to which Zhuang Xiaoyuan directed them, stored bombs, missiles, and other explosive ordnance.

“Sergeant, everyone’s heading to the mecha warehouse—why are we going to the demolition warehouse? The mecha squad is the main force against the demons,” Lv Xiaowei, who’d just been silenced, couldn’t help but start talking again as soon as he heard her order. He wasn’t questioning her authority—he just had a habit of voicing his doubts directly, never learning his lesson. While such straightforwardness was sometimes welcome in the military, he really did talk too much.