Zhao signaled the others to follow by turning his flashlight on and off three times.
Freya walked to the entrance of the cave and peeked out to observe the surroundings.
The cave entrance was about two meters above the ground, located in a mountain hollow.
Not far away, three large trees had wooden houses built in them, and there was a cooking shed on the ground.
At the moment, about a dozen men and women were packing things up, while six strong men stood guard behind them, watching over around 200 wooden boxes.
"We're going to be rich!" That was the first thought that popped into Freya's head.
"But if it doesn't belong to us, it all has to be handed over to the state!"
Such treasures she couldn't have. She felt heartbroken and frustrated. Freya raised her hand dramatically.
"I really regret it. I should have asked more questions before knocking that guy out.
Why are there women and kids here?
This is going to be tricky!
It's too easy to hurt innocent people by mistake!" Mr. Zhao peeked out to look around and leaned close to Freya, whispering.
Freya shifted her body away from him.
"Heh, sorry. I'm used to being straightforward with the guys. Forgot you're not one of them," Mr. Zhao noticed her movement, looking embarrassed and laughing awkwardly.
"I have an idea!" Freya looked at the people outside, pulled out four black balls about the size of steamed buns from her cloth bag, and handed two to Mr. Zhao.
"I'll shout 1, 2, 3. You throw to the left, I'll throw to the right."
"Got it. What are these? Bombs? Explosives?
There are kids out there. We're the regular army. We can't kill innocent people," Mr. Zhao examined the two black balls but didn't see any fuse.
"It's knockout gas, okay? Not a bomb!
I'm not a crazy killer," Freya rolled her eyes. Even during the apocalypse, she had her morals.
She never killed innocent people. She only dealt with those who messed with her.
"Oops, my bad! Let's toss them. Maybe we'll be back in time for lunch," Mr. Zhao scratched his nose awkwardly.
When the black balls were thrown, white smoke spread instantly on the enemy's side. A few men panicked and tried to run, but after a few steps, they all collapsed.
"All right, give them the antidote and search the area. Don't let any of them escape," Freya said, glancing at the stunned Mr. Zhao.
"Right on!
Freya, this knockout gas is amazing. Easiest battle I've ever fought!
Got more? Give me a few!"
Mr. Zhao looked excitedly at the people lying on the ground.
"Sure, but I made them myself from rare herbs in the mountains. If you want more, you'll have to trade for them—with money or food," Freya said with a half-smile.
No way she was giving them out for free. Nobody was getting anything from her for nothing.
"Totally fair. I'll report to my superiors and arrange to buy them from you."
Mr. Zhao agreed immediately.
This knockout gas was too useful. It could save lives on the battlefield.
"Let's go, guys!" Mr. Zhao led ten elite soldiers down from the cave.
Each soldier passing by Freya looked at her with either surprise or admiration.
The soldiers were organized, with some climbing trees to search for treehouses, others tying people up, and some keeping watch around the area. Everything was counted and sorted in no time.
Suddenly, Freya took out her pistol and fired a shot at a thick bunch of branches in a tall tree.
A woman, who had been aiming at Mr. Zhao from the tree, didn't even get the chance to fire back, her head exploded from the shot, and she fell from the three-meter-high tree.
"Whoa, thank you, Comrade Freya, you just saved my life!" Mr. Zhao looked at the woman whose temple had been blown out, then stepped forward and shook Freya's hand gratefully as she jumped down from the cave entrance, looking heroic.
He had originally feared she'd be a burden, but now he realized she was a treasure.
"If you really want to thank me, just give me some money later. I've got a family to support and I'm broke!"
The house at the Xiao family was too small and life was inconvenient. She was planning to build a big house, but didn't have much cash on hand. It wasn't a good time to sell off her gold and silver.
Freya quickly pulled her hand away, frowning at the gun she was holding. It was nothing compared to modern weapons.
Back in the apocalypse, she had confiscated a ton of guns from arms dealers. Unfortunately, it wasn't safe to use them here.
"Uh… fine, I don't have cash on me now, but I'll send some over when we're back. Thanks again for saving me."
Mr. Zhao scratched his empty pocket awkwardly as the other soldiers chuckled quietly.
Freya nodded. "Alright, I'm not in a rush."
"Ahem… by the way, your aim was incredible. I only taught you once, remember?"
Mr. Zhao didn't mind that Freya had pulled her hand away coldly. He was just amazed, she had great strength, sharp observation, and undeniable skill. She was born for the military.
He started thinking of bringing her into the army, she'd be a real asset.
"I'm just talented," Freya said casually, glancing at a woman lying on the ground.
???
Sister Biyun?!
Freya brushed past Mr. Zhao, who still had more to say, and walked over to the woman with sunken cheekbones, sallow skin, and a body as skinny as a skeleton.
"What is it, Comrade Freya? Do you know her?" Mr. Zhao asked, noticing how intently she was staring at the woman.
"She might be my sister-in-law. But I've only seen her in the Xiao family's family photo, so I can't be completely sure." Freya squatted and gave her an antidote pill.
"Please, officer, I'll work! Don't beat me, just don't make me serve men, okay? I have a husband."
The woman opened her eyes in a daze and saw Freya staring at her, shaking in fear.
"Shut up. What's your name? Why are you here?"
Freya's voice was cold as she looked at the trembling woman.
"I… I'm Sister Biyun. I was… half a month ago, my husband sold me. They blindfolded me and brought me here. I don't know anything else!"
Sister Biyun snuck a glance at the fierce-looking Freya and quickly lowered her head, sobbing quietly.
"What's your maiden family brother's name, the one who's a soldier?
Stop crying and answer me!"
"I… my brother is Brian. You know my family?"
Sister Biyun wiped her tears excitedly, staring up at the pretty but clearly bad-tempered woman in front of her.
"Yes, Comrade Brian's wife, that's this lady here. She's your sister-in-law, don't be scared."