The obese man is none other than Master Kun.
He was the Train Captain of Chen Mang's former train.
And at this moment, this train head is crammed full with ten people.
"Master Kun!"
One man holding a baton hesitated slightly and said in a low voice, "The carriage with our heavy machine gun has already been discarded by us, and currently, this train head has almost no attack capabilities. Why don't we use that 'Car Blade' Blueprint first?"
"That way, at least we have some means of attack."
If Chen Mang were here, he would definitely recognize this man in a glance. This man was the one who ordered a thug to swing a baton at him in the slave carriage at that time.
This man is one of Master Kun's trusted guys.
During their escape.
Master Kun couldn't take all the thugs with him, so he took those he trusted the most, along with several reliable thugs. Besides these six thugs and Master Kun, there is also a Deputy Train Captain, and the remaining two people are Master Kun's women.
Though they are not bad-looking, they all have the look of those who survived a calamity on their faces.
While they are thugs, they are trusted allies and are quite knowledgeable about the blueprints owned by Master Kun, information that most thugs would never know.
...
Master Kun glanced at the white component 'Car Blade Blueprint' placed on the table beside him and shook his head: "Building this component requires 500 units of iron ore. Though it's a white component, its construction cost is even higher than some green components."
"Currently, there are only 200 plus units of iron ore in the train, not nearly enough for manufacturing it."
"However..."
"We won't need it. It's just a rookie train. It doesn't even qualify to build the most basic 'Firearms Production Line'. Whether it's vehicle-mounted weaponry or handheld firearms, they require a train level of 2 or higher to construct."
"A level 1 train has no means of attack."
"We all have guns. As long as we find them, it'll be easy to take them down. They're just a bunch of slaves. Killing the leader presents no risk."
"..."
The middle-aged man who proposed this didn't say much more, just looked down at the pistol and baton in his hands, feeling a vague sense of unease.
Who is Chen Mang?
He hadn't heard of him, but he had a strong feeling that this person was very likely the slave leader he appointed in car No. 7!
A ruthless person, one who made quite an impression on him.
Would just them and these few guns really be enough...
He didn't know how they survived the Corpse Tide, but since they did survive, finding some guns and bullets from other abandoned trains shouldn't be too big of an issue. Why was Master Kun acting so fearless?
Wait—
The man suddenly realized and excitedly rasped, "Master Kun, I understand what you mean! Even if they picked up pistols and bullets, those guns were produced by our train and can't harm you!"
"Hm."
Master Kun pulled the woman beside him into his arms, his expression quite satisfied as he grinned: "Only now figured it out? Better late than never. Did you really think I'd mindlessly rush in?"
"Anyone surviving in the wild for long isn't an idiot."
"Let's go!"
"With this batch of slaves, it's only a matter of time before we rise again. I just hope Chen Mang goes to the mining site and doesn't panic and run around in the wilderness, leading to us not finding him and letting someone else snatch this piece of fat!"
"Indeed!"
The man nodded deeply in agreement. Normally, a level 1 train with 10 slaves is considered pretty good. Often, the Train Captain even has to mine personally. A level 1 train with no attack means and 100 slaves is like a wandering piece of fat meat in the wilderness.
...
On the wasteland.
The sun was gradually setting, nearing dusk.
By the iron mine, the train that was safely parked nearby, Chen Mang sat in the train cabin, constantly exploring various information and studying vehicle accessories. Each train had its focus strength points.
For instance, some were fast, some had strong firepower, some had thick armor, some were agile, etc.
His vision was to be versatile, now researching these accessories, along with various information and rules from the beginner's tutorial.
Old Pig was in car No. 3, classifying and storing various minerals and living supplies, while the remaining ten thugs were holding rifles, patrolling around vigilantly.
These ten people were still slaves this morning but became rifle-toting thugs this afternoon. The change in identity and treatment made these ten people, though pale and thin, walk with a spring in their step, eager to show they were different from the slaves.
A bit like in times of peace, when the middle class who rose up wanted by all means to show they were not in the same class as ordinary people.
When a person reaches a certain position, they strive to make themselves look like they belong there. Though it might seem comical at first, eventually, they settle into it.
At this moment—
"Hmm?"
Chen Mang suddenly noticed in the distant wilderness, a train head speeding towards him at an incredible speed!
He stood up from the chair immediately.
Picking up the telescope, he gazed into the distance through the glass.
"It's really coming!"
Chen Mang's expression changed slightly, immediately picking up the radio to order all the thugs to get on board and prepare for battle. This train head was undoubtedly the one he used to be on since it was rare to have just a train head.
Even he had three carriages at this moment!
The way they're coming, they clearly plan to crash into them at full speed. After all, it's a level 2 train with thicker armor than his level 1 train, and if it hit just like that, his train wouldn't just split apart; it would definitely be overturned!
They had to go around the back of the mine.
As long as the opponent couldn't crash directly into them, there was still a chance to win!
Almost instantly.
Chen Mang made a decision and immediately maneuvered the train to circle behind the small earth hill, preparing to play a game of cat and mouse with the other side, but...
Seconds later.
He noticed that the opponent's speed began to slow down continuously.
"Huh?"
Chen Mang was slightly taken aback, finding it hard to believe. Why was the opponent decelerating? Did they intend not to crash directly? If they didn't plan to crash, what attack means could a train head have? It didn't seem to have any externally mounted attack components.
Wait!
He suddenly understood with a peculiar expression. Could Master Kun believe that his train was newly built and lacked any attack means, intending to capture them alive without causing too much damage, and then recapture them as slaves?
And also hoping to keep their train intact to connect the cars directly back to their train?
Although hard to believe.
Judging by the increasingly slowing train head, it was evident that this was indeed what they were thinking. Theoretically, this was maximizing profits for Master Kun, yet... also maximizing risks.
Having figured this out, Chen Mang immediately spoke urgently into the radio: "Old Pig, find something to cover the heavy machine gun."
"Everyone, listen up. Don't fire until I give the order!"
Normally speaking.
A level 1 train indeed has no attack means, after all, none of the thirteen 'Vehicle Accessories' available for production is related to attack. The only component related to defense, 'Wagon Steel Armor', requires 1000 units of iron ore to manufacture.
Master Kun's decision is normally not wrong.
But—
This world always has many abnormal things happening.