Joe Di could sense that Cassie Cao had a favorable impression of him. He understood perfectly what she meant, and without hesitation, he said, "Sister Cassie, friends, I hope to join you in trying our luck at Tianhuang District."
Cassie Cao immediately replied, "By saying this, I'm agreeing to bring you along."
After speaking, Cassie looked at her three companions. "I'm planning to take him with us to Tianhuang District. What do you all think?"
"I agree with Sister Cassie." The round-faced woman sitting next to Cassie smiled at once, her dimples showing as she laughed.
The burly man and the chubby young man also spoke up without hesitation, "We agree as well."
Joe Di quickly stood up and cupped his fists. "Thank you, everyone. My name is Joe Di. I don't have many skills, but I am able to treat minor illnesses and injuries."
Cassie Cao smiled, "Joe Di, you should know that healing skills are highly valued in Tianhuang District. If you ever qualify for martial arts training and also have medical expertise, everyone will want to team up with you. Let me introduce us: I'm Cassie Cao, an orphan who's been scraping by on the outskirts of Tianhuang District. This big guy, we call him Marlon Mao—he fights like a spear, never backing down. The chubby one is Andy Hou."
And beside me is Luna Cui. The four of us have been in Desolation City for years, but good things here are getting scarcer, and survival is harder. We've been planning this trip to Tianhuang District for a long time. Joe Di, you should know that entering Tianhuang District is mostly a gamble with your life. Think carefully before you go."
Joe Di immediately said, "Coming here was my decision to enter Tianhuang District. As for life and death, that's not something I can control. I strive for what I want; if I survive, I'm fortunate. If I don't make it out, then that's my fate."
"Good! I admire that attitude, Brother Joe. Let's go—straight to Desolation City!" Marlon Mao clapped his hands and shouted enthusiastically.
......
As Joe Di and Cassie Cao's group headed for Desolation City, Jinhai had already been turned upside down several times, yet there was still no trace of Joe Di.
By now, some people realized that if Joe Di hadn't been killed, he must have sensed something was wrong and gone into hiding.
The possibility of him being killed was slim—after all, when Joe Di was exposed, he had already vanished. Even if someone wanted to eliminate him, it couldn't have happened so quickly. Since he was safe, the only explanation was that Joe Di sensed danger and must have disguised himself.
Almost every surveillance device in Jinhai was mobilized and replayed over and over. Sometimes, a small figure is truly insignificant before great powers.
It's not that Joe Di acted poorly, nor that he failed to think things through. Yet, even so, everything about him was laid bare before the eyes of countless influential figures around the world.
After leaving Jinhai Hospital, Joe Di went around buying all sorts of odds and ends—glue, paint, fake beards, and more. Everything pointed to the fact that Joe Di had disguised himself.
Further investigation revealed even more: not only had Joe Di used the Gold Needle to save a poisoned martial artist in Tianhuang District, he'd also cured a young man with a terminal illness. Since this young man's symptoms matched those of Yvonne Zeng from the Zeng Family, the entire family invited him and his relatives to their estate, treating them to every comfort.
Naturally, their purpose was to find out Joe Di's whereabouts.
Then Paul Pang was exposed, since it was he who had invited Joe Di. The Zeng Family wouldn't interrogate Paul Pang, but the big shots searching for Joe Di certainly wouldn't let him off so easily.
Not to mention that Paul Pang wouldn't risk his life to hide Joe Di's whereabouts—even if he wanted to, he couldn't. Soon, the big shots figured out Joe Di's target: Tianhuang District.
However, no one believed Joe Di had left Jinhai so quickly. Since he'd disguised himself, it meant he was temporarily hiding somewhere in the city.
Jinhai launched a second round of thorough searches, but some cautious power players began investigating secretly in Desolation City.
......
At the same time, outside Desolation City, trucks loaded with cargo were ready, and many martial arts squads prepared to set out.
Joe Di and Cassie Cao's group were lucky to be chosen by the Rainfall Squad. This time, Rainfall Squad hired twenty-seven helpers and offered a generous price.
But for Joe Di and the others, money wasn't the goal—they only wanted entry into Tianhuang District.
Martial arts squads usually pick strong, able-bodied men as helpers. Among Cassie's group, only Marlon Mao truly qualified. The reason Cassie's team was selected was mainly due to their excellent reputation in Desolation City.
Even though there were two women in their group, they never carried less than the men. More importantly, they'd helped squads transport goods before—and always returned safely. Clearly, their luck was remarkable.
Luck is crucial for martial arts squads entering Tianhuang District. That's why Cassie Cao's group was selected by Rainfall Squad as they'd hoped.
After spending a night outside Desolation City, at dawn the next day, all the martial arts squads set out.
The convoy stretched endlessly along the road. Joe Di, following Cassie Cao and the others, was only in the middle—he couldn't see the front or the end at all.
They rode in the truck for a full day and night before finally stopping at a vast plaza.
All the trucks began unloading cargo, including the Rainfall Squad's. Joe Di jumped down with Cassie's group to help unload.
Joe Di quickly noticed the plaza was far from level—full of pits and hollows. The distant fences were battered and broken, as if gnawed by dogs.
Carrying a box of nutrient fluid, Joe Di quietly asked, "Sister Cassie, why does this plaza look so rundown?"
Before Cassie could answer, Andy Hou chimed in, "Don't be fooled by how open and bare this place is, or by the lack of trees—it's actually very dangerous. Sometimes, packs of savage beasts from Tianhuang District charge through here. If a squad is unlucky, they might not even finish unloading before the beasts arrive. When that happens, we're as good as dead—even martial arts squads sometimes suffer heavy losses. The pits and hollows in the ground are from beast attacks or battles."
Instinctively, Joe Di glanced toward Desolation City. It was only a day's journey away—not too far. What if the beasts broke into Desolation City?
Sensing Joe Di's worry, Andy Hou grinned. "Don't worry, Ah Jiu. There are several laser walls outside Desolation City. If the beasts charge through, it's suicide. They're not stupid—they won't do that."
So that's how it is, Joe Di thought with a sigh. Having always lived in a small place, he'd never heard of such things. He knew Tianhuang District was dangerous, but he had no real concept of just how perilous it was.
Boxes of medicine, tents, rations, and all sorts of firearms and ammunition were unloaded from the large trucks. When Joe Di saw Cassie Cao hefting nearly two hundred jin of supplies, he privately wondered whether he could manage to carry that much himself.
Seeing that Joe Di was about to try carrying two hundred jin as well, Marlon Mao stopped him. "Ah Jiu, you haven't trained for this, and you look a bit delicate. Take a lighter load, I'll handle the rest."
As he spoke, Marlon Mao picked up the large box next to Joe Di and carried it away.
Cassie Cao took the initiative to say, "There are five of us, so our share is about a thousand jin. It's your first time, so you can carry a bit less. Let Marlon help you out."
Joe Di shook his head and lifted the box Marlon had taken, bringing it back. "I think I can manage. If I really can't, I'll ask Brother Marlon for help."
Neither of the two women handed their loads over to Marlon Mao, and Joe Di didn't want to ask for help before even trying himself.