Chapter 41 Setting Out on the Journey Once Again

One month later.

Inside the new base, daily life operated with the precise and orderly rhythm of interlocking gears.

Xu Hanfeng had personally trained a batch of disciplined self-defense force members, who now shone with the piercing brilliance of unsheathed swords.

Jiang Han川, the mechanical genius, was far from idle. He had repaired all the remaining weapons in the base and personally led teams to lay an inescapable web of traps and indestructible protective barriers outside the perimeter walls. His meticulous attitude resembled that of a spider weaving its web, leaving no room for a single flaw.

Luo Yucheng was now surrounded by two clever and quick-witted disciples, learning basic medical arts from her like fresh spring shoots brimming with vitality and hope.

Uncle Sun had also embraced a second spring of youth, leading a group of children in classes, teaching them to read and write, and explaining historical stories from ancient and modern times, both domestic and international.

All of this was like the dawn of a new day, signaling that it was time to embark on a new journey once again.

The heavy responsibility of handover fell upon Mu Wanqing, whose steady and composed demeanor brought a deep sense of peace.

We bid farewell one by one to Uncle Sun, little Huihui, and every companion in the base. This brief month of living together had passed as swiftly as a white horse leaping across a crevice, yet it left a deep imprint in our hearts. Nostalgia and reluctance intertwined into complex emotions, but with our mission heavy upon our shoulders, we were ultimately solitary travelers destined to press onward.

In a corner of the base, a military jeep sat quietly, as if awaiting our call. Without hesitation, we claimed it. With this off-road vehicle aiding our journey, our traveling speed would naturally be as swift as the wind.

I silently prayed that my serum would truly prove effective, allowing us to forge a cure capable of saving all of humanity.

With a roar, the jeep engine came to life. We climbed aboard and set off toward a new horizon.

I firmly believed that one day, bathed in the light of victory, we would reunite with everyone here once again.

The wheels rolled forward, kicking up clouds of dust. Our retreating figures lengthened in the morning light, carrying a resolute determination to never return until the enemy fortress was utterly broken.

Along the way, the vehicle surged forth like an unbridled wild horse, hurtling along the winding highway straight toward Dongjiang Province, which served as our ultimate destination.

——————

Guangling City, Dongjiang Province.

After a long and bumpy journey lasting a month and a half, the jeep finally crossed into the borders of Dongjiang Province, with Guangling City as our first stop.

This city resembled a ghost peering out from the edge of hell, exuding an indescribably eerie atmosphere. Although its ruined landscape was no different from the several cities we had passed before—shattered walls and pervasive devastation—an inexplicable unease welled up within my heart. I felt as though something was profoundly wrong, like the heavy stillness right before a violent storm.

Xu Hanfeng furrowed his brow, doubt flashing in his eyes. "If I remember correctly, this city had a fairly large population. Why are there so few zombies?"

Hearing this, a flash of inspiration crossed Jiang Han川's eyes as if he had realized something. He slapped his thigh hard. "Boss, could the Jiang Corporation have a base here too, and rounded up all those zombies for experiments?"

That theory held some water. After all, having previously encountered Base Number 8 and Base Number 9, it was clear the Jiang Corporation's influence spanned far and wide. If another base existed here, it would hardly be surprising.

Yet, I shook my head, a tightness gripping my chest, and muttered to myself, "No, my intuition is wrong. This city is too quiet—unnervingly quiet."

With those words, I closed my eyes and focused, gathering all my mental energy to perceive everything around us. After a moment, I slowly opened my eyes, my brows tightly locked. "I can only sense one thing: there should be a vast number of zombies here, but they seem... different. Their presence is chaotic and jumbled."

Immediately afterward, I looked toward the direction from which the information flowed, a trace of vigilance in my gaze. "I cannot establish a connection with them; I can only vaguely sense their existence. Furthermore, something is heading toward us from ahead."

As my voice fell, the zombie tiger seemed to sense the danger as well. It let out a low growl and stepped in front of me, its massive body acting like a mountain of flesh to shield me securely.

Right at that moment, a mass of dark figures gradually materialized around the street corner, resolving into a crowd of silhouettes sprinting frantically toward us. We drew in sharp breaths, cursing inwardly as we scrambled back into the vehicle, fired up the engine, and tried to flee this fraught place.

The car darted through the streets like an arrow released from a taut bow, but that crowd of figures clung to us relentlessly, clinging like leeches to bone.

"Damn it! What kind of people are these, running this fast?!" Jiang Han川 exclaimed, his voice tinged with a hint of panic.

I peered through the rearview mirror, my heart sinking as I spoke in a low voice.

"They aren't people! They are... zombies!"

The moment the words left my lips, the interior of the car fell instantly silent, broken only by the roaring engine.

Luo Yucheng's face turned ashen, her voice trembling slightly as she asked, "Linyu, how is that possible? Their running posture is unmistakably human!"

I shook my head, my own mind shrouded in complete uncertainty. "I don't know. Perhaps they have evolved. In fact, I previously found some documents stating that zombies would evolve. At first, I didn't believe it, but looking at this now..."

I trailed off, not knowing how to describe this unprecedented terror.

"Evolved—?"

The other three in the car shouted in unison, their voices laden with disbelief and terror.

At that moment, the pack of zombies outside was drawing closer and closer. We could only slam our foot down on the accelerator, desperately trying to shake off this horrifying pack of pursuers.

Xu Hanfeng's voice sounded exceptionally steady within the cabin. He asked, "Linyu, what is actually going on?"

I remained silent for a moment and sighed, no longer able to suppress the oppressive weight in my chest. Unwilling to drag out the suspense, I stated cleanly and directly, "When I woke up, I found a stack of documents in the hospital. It clearly stated that zombies evolve, and explicitly pointed out that the Southern 104 Military District Laboratory had covered up the truth!"

Upon hearing this, it was like a thunderclap striking flat ground. Both Luo Yucheng and Jiang Han川 drew in sharp breaths, their complexions instantly turning paper-white.

Only Xu Hanfeng wore a somewhat peculiar expression. A flash of surprise crossed his face, a look suggesting he might have already known something about this, though it immediately vanished back into his customary calm. Yet, that subtle shift did not escape my notice.

Jiang Han川, possessing his usual fiery temper, immediately started cursing. "Damn it! Those bastards in the government! Why didn't they speak up sooner? The country is nearly overrun by zombies, and yet they kept it hidden. Isn't this treating the lives of ordinary citizens like a joke?!"

Luo Yucheng turned her head, her gaze fixed intently upon me as she asked, "Linyu, can you still control these zombies?"

I shook my head, my mind equally blank. "I cannot establish a connection. They seem to have some method to block this special connection of mine. It's truly bizarre!"

Hearing my words, Jiang Han川 slumped like a defleted ball, clutching his head and wailing aloud, "We're done for! We're completely done for this time! If even you can't control them, how terrifying must these zombies be? Aren't we dead for sure?"

Watching Jiang Han川's theatrical antics, I stared in sheer disbelief and yelled, "Big brother! Stop clutching your head! Grab the steering wheel instead! You're the one driving! Are you trying to kill everyone in this car?!"