Chapter 1703: Chapter 19: Fully Equipped

Pang Meiqin glanced around the scale of the casino, nodding in satisfaction. With such a foundation, the owner must be no small contender.

A few bodyguards immediately turned their attention to the beautiful-legged stewardess of Chinese descent, their eyes scanning her figure.

“I want to see your boss. I have a big deal for him!” Pang Meiqin hooked her finger at one of the bodyguards.

“Miss, you are?” The bodyguard stepped closer, lowering his voice to inquire.

Smack! Pang Meiqin swung her hand and slapped him across the face, her expression filled with disdain.

“You reek! Stay away from me!” Pang Meiqin pointed at the next bodyguard. “You, go.”

The slapped bodyguard’s face turned red, but under Pang Meiqin’s overwhelming aura, he dared not move. If this woman had any notable background, he might end up in trouble.

“Move! Didn’t you hear me?” Pang Meiqin snapped, striding directly into the casino.

A maid appeared to greet Pang Meiqin, leading her into a reception room and serving her red tea.

“Who’s asking for me?” A short, stout man, chewing on a large cigar, stepped into the room, his sharp eyes immediately locking onto Pang Meiqin.

“These items on the list—get your lackeys to prepare them!” Pang Meiqin pulled out a paper filled with a list of items, placed it on the table, and pushed it toward the casino owner.

“And why should I?” The owner didn’t reach for the list but instead slammed his hands on the table, glaring aggressively at Pang Meiqin. “Who exactly are you? If your answer doesn’t satisfy me, I’ll sell you to the filthiest brothel!”

Pang Meiqin smiled sweetly, her right hand suddenly lunging forward to grab the owner’s collar.

The bodyguards, startled, quickly reached for the revolvers at their waists, while the owner, equally alarmed, moved his pudgy fingers toward his hip.

With her left hand propped on the table, Pang Meiqin spun like a windmill and landed elegantly on the sofa across from him.

The owner had barely drawn his revolver, but she had already vanished from his line of sight.

From her sleeve, Pang Meiqin flicked out a dagger and mercilessly stabbed it into his hand.

Squelch! The owner howled in pain as his hand was pinned to the table. Pang Meiqin grabbed the revolver and pressed it against his head.

“What I have relies on your pathetic life!” Pang Meiqin tightened her grip on the trigger, the hammer slowly cocking.

“Calm down! Mind the misfire!” The owner shouted, cold sweat pouring down his forehead. “I’ll comply! I’ll do exactly as you say!”

“Smart choice!” Pang Meiqin grinned. “In half an hour, if your men haven’t gathered these materials, you’re dead!”

“What are you all standing around for? Get moving!” The owner called his trusted henchman with a meaningful glance, signaling him to appease this woman for now and later exact revenge—this humiliation could not go unpunished.

Five minutes later, two bodyguards placed several boxes of bullets and two shotgun rifles on the table.

“I knew it! In your line of work, how could you possibly be without firearms for defense?” Pang Meiqin picked up one of the shotguns single-handedly. Its craftsmanship was exquisite, clearly a collector’s item, though perfectly usable for shooting.

“A Winchester M1887 Shotgun, latest model, custom-made!” The owner spoke through clenched teeth, his tone dripping with veiled threats. “Not something the average person can get their hands on.”

With a spin of the shotgun, Pang Meiqin smashed the butt into the owner’s head, splitting it open. In the shocked stares of the bodyguards, she moved her hands like blurred shadows and, in under three seconds, loaded all seven bullets into the magazine.

Click! With her left hand, Pang Meiqin worked the lever under the trigger, chambering a round and aiming at the bodyguards.

The bodyguards went pale and immediately raised their hands.

“I know! No need for you to tell me—this is the very firearm Terminator once used!” Pang Meiqin grew impatient. “You’ve got twenty minutes left. If I don’t see what I want, your head pops off.”

“What does she need these for?” The maid, holding a tray in both hands, pretended to be brave and interrupted after receiving a glance from the owner.

“To make explosives, of course. They’re not exactly sold in stores!”

Most of the Conquerors might not be demolition experts, but as skilled gun handlers, and with the knowledge available on the Trojan List, they were no strangers to making explosives. After all, when abilities were restricted, this craft could significantly enhance combat power.

The owner was terrified. What was this woman planning? Could she be a terrorist?

The materials Pang Meiqin requested weren’t rare, and with the owner’s considerable influence, he quickly mobilized a dozen bodyguards to gather them. Before long, they returned to the room with everything needed.

“Excellent. Pack it into the box!” After inspecting the goods, Pang Meiqin nodded contentedly. “And also prepare twenty thousand British Pounds!”

In the industrial era, this was a hefty sum. Considering the UK was about to become the British Empire where the sun would never set, the British Pound was absolute hard currency.

“Hurry up!” The owner, bleeding profusely, was already feeling faint.

“Thank you for your cooperation. Now, bind them up!” Pang Meiqin gestured toward the maid. “If you don’t, I’ll shoot you dead!”

Ignoring the trembling maid, Pang Meiqin carried the box filled with materials and cash with one hand, while pointing the shotgun at the owner with the other, and backed out of the room.

“If I find you chasing me, he’s dead.” Pang Meiqin warned, the five fully loaded revolvers on her belt making her truly armed to the teeth.

“Impressive operation, but what does she need explosives for? Wouldn’t it be better to bring more bullets?” Yu Deye remarked smugly.

“Idiot, obviously to bomb the train station and cause an explosion. That’ll ensure a lockdown, delaying passengers unless they switch transportation means.” Lu Fan rolled his eyes, finding Yu Deye downright foolish.

The other group members exchanged glances before breaking out in cold sweat. They hadn’t figured it out either, but thankfully, they hadn’t foolishly voiced their confusion aloud.

Yu Deye’s face flushed with embarrassment, but he didn’t argue back.

“Face the wall and count to a thousand, or I’ll blow your head off!” Pang Meiqin used the shotgun’s muzzle to prod the stout man. “Such a generous boss—we’ll meet again.”

“Catch her!” The owner barely counted a few numbers before turning back to bellow at his bodyguards. If that woman reached the casino with so many people, she’d be impossible to catch.

“Ugh!” The owner was instantly silenced, like a chicken being strangled. Standing right behind him was Pang Meiqin, her gun aimed squarely at his head. He chuckled awkwardly, obediently turning back to continue counting.

Bam! Pang Meiqin swung the shotgun like a baton, striking the owner’s neck and knocking him out cold before quickly darting away.

With Pang Meiqin’s skills, she easily shook off her pursuers and returned to the inn, climbing effortlessly to her third-floor guest room.

“Ma’am, the maps you ordered!” The innkeeper handed her three freshly printed maps as she descended the stairs.

“Thank you!” Pang Meiqin browsed through the maps.

“Around the World in Eighty Days, departing from London—the shortest route would naturally be circular when viewed on a globe.”

“Damn it, I forgot to ask for a world map, but luckily the Trojan marked the endpoint of the first stop.”

On the map, Pang Meiqin located Brindisi, a seaport city in southeastern Italy, and drew a straight line with a pen.

“Crossing all of France and much of Italy—it’s quite the lengthy journey!” She scrutinized place names on the map while questioning the hotel owner.

The owner, who had never traveled far, was clueless.

Pang Meiqin asked him to prepare portable food, lifted her suitcase, and left. Only upon reaching the train station and checking the schedule could she confirm the route. After all, even with a straight path plotted, without railway connections, it would be useless.

With double the British Pounds as incentive, the coachman drove the carriage at top speed toward Charyn Railway Station, splashing puddles onto pedestrians along the way without concern—after all, there was no place to file complaints in those days.

Masquerading as a traveler embarking on a long journey, Pang Meiqin stood before the timetable. After a moment of contemplation, she frowned and then headed to find a staff member.

As an outsider, she could only discern surface-level details, which paled in comparison to directly seeking insider information.

Once again using money to pave the way, an enthusiastic employee greeted her warmly.

“You’re headed to Italy? Then from here, take the train to Hastings, which takes about half a day. From there, board a cruise ship to France’s Boulogne-sur-Mer, then take a train to Paris, and from there, board another train bound for Italy!” The employee pointed out several key locations on the map. “This is the fastest route.”

“When’s the earliest train to Hastings? Could you help me purchase a ticket?” Pang Meiqin slid over a hundred British Pounds. “The remainder is your tip.”

“In two hours, ma’am. Rest assured, I’ll get it for you!” The employee, delighted, pocketed the equivalent of half a month’s wages.

“Also, keep an eye out for any passengers heading to Hastings and check how many tickets are sold!” Pang Meiqin hefted her suitcase. “Traveling alone can be lonely—I’d like some company.”

The employee nodded eagerly, even tempted to accompany such a stunning woman himself.

“Thank you!” Pang Meiqin left and promptly checked into a nearby inn to lay low. Once inside, she opened the suitcase, retrieved the materials, and began making explosives.

The Warhammer Team scattered to observe the screens of other teams.

Under such surveillance, everything the contestants did was exposed. Some were scheming, which made the viewers uneasy. Unfortunately, there was no way to inform their own contestants.

“So ruthless. She’s clearly making us worry on purpose!” Some teams watching Pang Meiqin preparing explosives were furious, calling her heartless while also praying their own members would quickly see through her plans.

“Be grateful! At least the Trojan didn’t broadcast bathroom or bathing privacy—things could be worse.”

Thank goodness the Trojan wasn’t hosting the second round; otherwise, with its nasty tendencies, it might’ve actually done something like that.

“Trojan, this round isn’t fair—Europeans have way too much of an advantage, especially the British!” Someone protested, pointing to the Blade Empress’s team.

“This is ‘Around the World,’ not ‘Around the UK!'” Several British participants angrily retorted, shedding any pretense of gentlemanliness. When it came to matters of life and death, no one compromised.

No one paid attention to the squabbles. Every minute brought drastic changes on the field. A few contestants had already clashed, igniting fierce combat. (To be continued. If you like this work, please visit Qidian.com to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)