"What is it? Go ahead and say it!"

Qing Luan looked at Zhao Dahai, her face showing no joy at the prospect of a troop withdrawal. She knew that if the other side had mobilized so many people and slaughtered tens of thousands before her very eyes, their withdrawal would come at a steep price.

"Our leader, Chief Lin, is very fond of cars. He wants the off-road vehicle at the entrance of the stronghold. If you're willing to part with it, we'll withdraw our troops immediately and return directly to Qing City, never to enter Qi City territory again!"

Zhao Dahai said, "What do you think, Chief Qing Luan? By sacrificing a car, your stronghold can avoid our artillery fire and save countless lives! Surely this is a simple choice for you, isn't it?"

Hearing Zhao Dahai's words, Qing Luan's expression changed, while Duan Lei looked at Zhao Dahai with amusement.

With Duan Lei's abilities, he immediately understood the other side's intentions. He was certain that this scheme originated from Zhao Dahai himself.

Especially his last sentence, directly pointing out that this was a simple choice for Qing Luan. After all, this was Qing Luan's stronghold, which was naturally more important to her than a car!

Moreover, this guy deliberately avoided looking at Duan Lei, focusing only on Qing Luan, reminding her in his words that she was the chief.

With their army pressing down, Qing Luan was already on edge. If she carelessly agreed, it would be difficult for Duan Lei and the others!

Although they had helped build this stronghold, it was nominally Qing Luan's. Moreover, after the stronghold was stabilized, Li Chenzhou and Duan Lei had rarely returned, and most of the people in the stronghold didn't even know they existed.

"Clap, clap, clap!"

Zhao Dahai was very pleased with his own rhetoric. He looked at Qing Luan with a faint smile, but unexpectedly, just as Qing Luan was about to say something, they suddenly heard a round of applause. Turning their heads, they saw it was Duan Lei!

"I knew you were a character, but I didn't expect you to be so ruthless! Did you think that no one here could see through your scheme, so you felt safe enough to come here yourself?"

Duan Lei clapped his hands as he walked up to Zhao Dahai, saying with a smile, "Logically speaking, you wouldn't have been able to come up with such a vicious scheme before. It seems that being by Lin Qiang's side has changed you a lot!"

"You… What are you talking about? What scheme? I don't understand!"

Hearing Duan Lei's words, Zhao Dahai was shocked. Could this young man really be so perceptive that he had guessed his scheme?

Moreover, Duan Lei had hit the nail on the head. The former Zhao Dahai really couldn't have come up with such a vicious scheme, because no matter which choice the other side made, they would ultimately be killed.

But after witnessing the massacre of the surrendered, and Lin Qiang's attitude towards those around him, Zhao Dahai understood that if he couldn't demonstrate his value and loyalty, he could become Lin Qiang's next target.

His scheme demonstrated his ability by coming to the stronghold himself, and it also showed his loyalty, killing two birds with one stone! He hadn't expected Duan Lei to see through it all!

"Don't understand? Then I'll make it clearer!"

Duan Lei sneered, "Lin Qiang's goal is indeed our car, and it may even be his primary goal! As for the stronghold, he probably discovered it after chasing us to Qi City, and after finding out about our relationship, he chose it as his target.

"Moreover, based on Lin Qiang's previous actions, he definitely wants to take the stronghold base; he won't let it go! And this request you've come to make is your scheme.

"If we agree, then Lin Qiang's primary goal will be achieved. Once the car is in your hands, he will have no more reservations and can use artillery fire to completely destroy our defenses, along with our people. Anyway, you mainly want the location of the stronghold. After it's all blown up, you can just rebuild it! You don't lack manpower.

"And if we don't agree, Qing Luan and the others will think that we're sacrificing the stronghold base and the lives of the people here for the sake of a car, and they'll harbor resentment towards us.

"In the current situation, if we have a falling out with the people of the stronghold, it will be most beneficial to you, of course. So, as long as you come here, your scheme will be put into motion. As long as we don't see through it, no matter what we choose, it will be advantageous to you, right?"

"This…"

Looking into Duan Lei's eyes, Zhao Dahai actually saw murderous intent in them, causing him to shudder. He regretted coming to the stronghold.

He hadn't expected this seemingly seventeen or eighteen-year-old young man to be so formidable, seeing through his scheme almost as soon as he mentioned the car.

Hearing Duan Lei's words, Qing Luan also shuddered. If Duan Lei hadn't spoken first, she almost would have begged Duan Lei to give the car to them.

Once she spoke, if Duan Lei didn't agree, the people around her would probably resent Duan Lei and the others.

Unlike others, Qing Luan was well aware of the strength of Duan Lei and the others, especially Li Chenzhou, who had been missing for some time.

Even aside from Li Chenzhou's kindness to her, Qing Luan would never dare to attack Duan Lei and the others, because if they became enemies, Li Chenzhou would never let them go. The day he returned would be the end of them all.

Therefore, after hearing Duan Lei's words and seeing Zhao Dahai's reaction, Qing Luan suddenly felt hatred for Zhao Dahai. This guy was indeed vicious, almost causing a conflict between the stronghold and Duan Lei and the others with just one sentence.

"Do you think that because you have the upper hand and we can't see through your scheme, we won't kill you?"

Duan Lei said to Zhao Dahai with a faint smile, "Then guess, will you be able to walk out of here alive?"

"Thump!"

Feeling the murderous intent emanating from Duan Lei, Zhao Dahai couldn't care less about keeping up appearances. He knelt on the ground without hesitation.

"Spare me! I admit that I came up with this scheme, and my intention was indeed as you said. Either we get the car, or you don't give us the car, but we successfully divide you!

"Anyway, Lin Qiang will never let go of your base. Everyone in the stronghold base will die. After that, Lin Qiang will also try to ambush Li Chenzhou and Grey Bear, because he believes that Li Chenzhou has a great secret, and he wants to take that secret for himself!"

Zhao Dahai was indeed a talent. After realizing that he had been seen through, he immediately confessed everything without concealment. He knew that it was useless to argue with a little fox like Duan Lei. He wouldn't even listen to his excuses. He might kill him as soon as he opened his mouth!

So, as long as he honestly confessed, so that the people of the stronghold knew that this was indeed a scheme and wouldn't misunderstand Duan Lei, he would have a chance of survival...