TL: Moonlit

Xiao Hen came up with a brilliant idea. Since Wen Qingling wanted the research equipment in the Central Mega City Laboratory to ensure its normal operation, why not find a set of research equipment from outside to replace the one in the laboratory? Even if there were any problems with the equipment, the maintenance personnel in Central Mega City could fix them.

The most important thing was that it wouldn’t be considered stealing or borrowing; at most, it would be an exchange, borrowing their maintenance personnel for a while.

After hearing this, Ji Rong and the others found it feasible.

They were no longer affiliated with the Central Mega City. They had even returned their weapons to Xue Feng and couldn’t operate the helicopter. So they went to a car dealership and spent 300 ordinary crystal cores to buy a modified off-road vehicle.

The off-road vehicle was completely black, with steel plate protection on the body and a bull bar on the front capable of pushing through hordes of zombies. It had a row of powerful headlights on the roof, giving it an imposing appearance. Both its exterior and interior had been modified to enhance its performance. It had sufficient power, quick acceleration, and a high chassis. This vehicle was clearly prepared for survivor squads that went out hunting. Xiao Hen and the others didn’t need the vehicle for its protection, but they were impressed by its performance. The modifications were indeed well done.

The four of them left the Central Mega City in their newly purchased off-road vehicle and headed for Yunjing City, the former economic and political center. It used to be a bustling metropolis with a large population, but now it was a gathering place for countless zombies.

The survivors often said: “To the south, there’s Ling City; to the north, there’s Yunjing City.”

Both places were famous “zombie cities,” with a massive number of zombies inside. Ling City had even seen a Level 7 evolved form called “Turret” and a Level 8 evolved form called “General.” As for Yunjing City, there were no reports of any powerful evolved forms appearing yet, but no one was bold enough to venture into Yunjing City to find out.

The Central Mega City had been monitoring the situation in Yunjing City. Strangely, the outskirts of Yunjing City were filled with ordinary zombies and evolved zombies were rarely seen. There was an incident where a helicopter flew over Yunjing City and inexplicably crashed. The Central Mega City specifically sent another helicopter to investigate, but it also crashed, and no crew members survived. Since then, the danger level of Yunjing City had been raised to the highest.

Although Xiao Hen had the ability to control all zombies with the “General,” he wasn’t arrogant enough to call the shots in Yunjing City. He honestly searched for the research equipment and deemed it wise to leave as soon as possible because Yunjing City was full of oddities.

They rushed into Yunjing City, found the research institute, and took away all the visible research equipment. They then rushed out of Yunjing City, and the whole process didn’t exceed two hours.

It wasn’t until the off-road vehicle was far away from Yunjing City that the four of them finally breathed a sigh of relief.

Ji Rong patted his chest and took deep breaths. “Damn, Yunjing City is really something. After going in, I felt like there was a huge stone pressing against my chest. It was even difficult to breathe. Did you guys feel the same?”

He Lin and Shi Chong both nodded simultaneously. “Exactly.”

All three of them looked at Xiao Hen, and his expression turned serious. “There’s something powerful in Yunjing City.”

Ji Rong asked, “Stronger than the ‘General’?”

Xiao Hen replied solemnly, “Crushing the ‘General’.”

That was his first impression.

Xiao Hen had fought against the “General” before and could withstand its pressure, but the pressure in Yunjing City wafted about casually, as if it were an unconscious behavior. If it were a deliberate suppression, wouldn’t they have trouble surviving here?

Silence filled the car.

After a while, Ji Rong finally uttered, “Compared to Wen Qingling?”

Wen Qingling didn’t exude any pressure in his daily life unless he deliberately released it. However, based on his battles with the “General,” Wen Qingling had died several times before barely forcing the “General” to retreat. Regardless of what happened later, at least the current Wen Qingling was not a match for that thing.

Xiao Hen said seriously, “It’s better if he doesn’t come over here.”Considering Wen Qingling’s personality, he dared to face it head-on without knowing the true strength of the “General.” If something in Yunjing City offended him, he might even level the whole city just like he did with the “General.”

Everyone nodded and agreed, feeling suffocated at the thought. They must not let Wen Qingling come to Yunjing City; it was too dangerous for both parties.

When they returned to Central Mega City, it was already completely dark, and the city gates were closed. If they wanted to enter the city, they would have to wait until the next morning or Xiao Hen could use his abilities to manipulate faces and try to get them in. But Xiao Hen wouldn’t do that.

Xiao Hen saw being outside the city as an excellent opportunity. Their departure from the city was recorded, so now Xiao Hen could use his spatial abilities to return quietly during the dead of night, without anyone knowing.

This kind of mission wouldn’t pose a challenge to Xiao Hen. After infiltrating the virus research institute, he cut off the power and moved through the darkness using his spatial abilities to enter an empty laboratory. He didn’t need any passcodes or fingerprint locks. With a small flashlight, he referenced the list Wen Qingling had given him and started exchanging the equipment.

He had to be fast because there were werewolves in the research institute who worked through the night. If the power suddenly went out, they would definitely call someone for repairs. Xiao Hen had to finish replacing the research equipment before they arrived.

Outside the laboratory, the researchers were angrily shouting. After Xiao Hen finished exchanging the equipment, he calmly left the darkness. Flashing a few times, he had already exited the virus research institute and made his way out of the Central Mega City, returning to the off-road vehicle.

Ji Rong patted the steering wheel. “It went too smoothly. We didn’t need four days at all.”

Xiao Hen glanced at him. “You’re wrong. The real trouble will start tomorrow.”

Ji Rong didn’t understand. “What do you mean?”

Xiao Hen looked at Shi Chong. “Is your uncle going with us to Ling City?”

Ji Rong suddenly realized that there were more than just the four of them. If they were going to completely leave the Central Mega City, what would happen to Shi Chong’s uncle, who would be left behind alone? Without Shi Chong’s care, as an ordinary person, he would face great difficulties. In critical situations, he might even become a burden to Shi Chong.

If Shi Chong wanted to completely leave Central Mega City, he would definitely have to take his uncle with him.

Shi Chong remained silent for a moment. “If possible, I would like to bring him along, but it might not be easy with Dr. Wen.”

The Civilization Base only accepted civilized zombies, and it was impossible for humans to enter. If Shi Chong wanted to bring his uncle there, how would they arrange it? Did they have to turn his uncle into a civilized zombie too? According to the rules of civilized zombies, whoever converts someone gets married. Who would casually convert a human? Moreover, Shi Chong’s uncle had been a bachelor for many years. Unless they found a new soul for him, he wouldn’t consider marriage in the apocalypse.

Xiao Hen said, “If you decide to take him, then we’ll go pick him up.”

The Civilization Base didn’t accept humans, and Xiao Hen understood that. However, everyone has close friends and relatives, not just Shi Chong. Xiao Hen believed that there were definitely other people in the Civilization Base who still had living relatives, but they didn’t know that their zombified loved ones had returned to their human form. Otherwise, they would have come looking for them.

Even though their emotions were severely diminished after turning into civilized zombies, they still couldn’t sever ties with their blood relatives. The Wen family was the best example of this.

Xiao Hen continued, “The problem now is that when we go to pick up Uncle Shi tomorrow, we might encounter Old Xue.”

They suddenly applied for retirement and wanted to leave Central Mega City together. Xue Feng wouldn’t accept it immediately. If he couldn’t find the four of them, he would definitely focus on Shi Chong’s uncle, the only person connected to them.

Xue Feng wouldn’t monitor Xiao Hen’s father, and Xiao Hen and his father wished to never see each other again. Staring at Xiao Jiang was also useless, so Xue Feng would undoubtedly target Shi Chong’s uncle.

Shi Chong said, “Tomorrow, I’ll go alone to pick up my uncle. You wait for me outside the city. If I don’t come back, you go back to Ling City first. Time is limited, don’t let me and my uncle delay you.”

Ji Rong was the first to oppose, “What are you talking about? We should all go together. If Xue Feng tries to force us, we can delay him for a while. You take your uncle and run first.”

Xiao Hen also said, “Before, we were avoiding Xue Feng to find an opportunity to get equipment. Now that the equipment issue is resolved, once we pick up the person, we can leave anytime. If we continue to hide and avoid Xue Feng, do you think with his explosive temper, he won’t chase us to Ling City?”

Ji Rong: “…”He Lin: “…”

Shi Chong: “…”

It was very likely!

Previously, Xiao Hen and Ji Rong had been staying in Ling City without returning. This time, they were retiring and leaving the Central Mega City. Even a fool would know where they would go if they were looking for someone—they would definitely go to Ling City.

After discussing with the four of them, they realized they had to walk into the trap themselves. It was best to resolve their matters here and not bring the problem to Ling City.

Early the next morning, the four of them drove into the city, heading straight to Shi Chong’s uncle’s place.

Xiao Hen’s guess was correct. Someone was indeed waiting for them here, and it was Xue Feng himself.

Xue Feng’s face had turned red with anger. If they didn’t come today, he would definitely bring people to Ling City. He was determined to capture these four brats.

Shi Chong’s uncle, Shi Yun, also had a poor complexion. His dark circles were severe, indicating a lack of proper rest. He had likely been intimidated by Xue Feng’s overbearing presence. Under such pressure, even a normal person couldn’t sleep well, let alone Shi Yun. Xue Feng had been questioning him all night, but Shi Yun couldn’t provide any useful information. Xue Feng was on the verge of exploding. Shi Chong’s mouth was too tight, and he had only informed Shi Yun about going out on a mission and not returning home after going to Ling City. Shi Yun didn’t know anything else.

Xue Feng looked at the four of them and wished to beat them up. “Lock up Xiao Hen!”

Xue Feng knew the capabilities of the four of them. He was prepared to capture them, and immediately two people approached and restrained Xiao Hen’s hands, locking him up.

Xiao Hen was their leader. As long as they had Xiao Hen in their custody, the other three wouldn’t be able to resist.

Xue Feng glared at them. “Take him away!”

Xiao Hen was pushed into a car, accompanied by Xue Feng. Xue Feng angrily said, “I may not be able to control you, but there are people who can!”

Xiao Hen replied, “He can’t control me either.”

Xue Feng glared, “If Xiao Jiang agrees to let you go, I won’t say another word. You can all leave!”

Xiao Hen remained silent. He knew Xue Feng would definitely take him to see Xiao Jiang, and Xue Feng couldn’t make the final decision on his fate.

When they were close to the headquarters, Xue Feng finally couldn’t hold back anymore. “Why do you want to leave? If you can convince me, maybe I can help delay Xiao Jiang before he breaks both your legs.”

Xiao Hen looked at his superior, Xue Feng, and asked, “Where do you think the future of humanity lies?”

Xue Feng fell silent for a moment before saying, “Have you lost faith in the future of humanity because you’ve witnessed the danger in Ling City?”

Xiao Hen shook his head. “I can’t see the future of humanity.”

Xue Feng angrily retorted, “Is your belief so easily shattered? You’ve been a soldier for so many years! How can you say that humanity has no future? As long as we develop a vaccine, humans won’t fear the zombie virus. Our energy weapons have made breakthrough progress, and when the time comes, we can fight and eliminate the zombies, and reclaim our territory. That is the future of humanity!”

Xiao Hen chuckled, “I used to think that way too, and I firmly believed it. I believed that humans would eventually triumph. But now, I don’t think so.”

Xue Feng ordered his men to release Xiao Hen. He realized that Xiao Hen had no intention of escaping.

Xue Feng said, “How can you not think that way? You must think that way!”

Xiao Hen looked at him. “Self-hypnosis, is that it? Can humans survive by self-hypnosis?”

Xue Feng firmly said, “Humans will triumph, they will definitely triumph! Humans have experienced so many disasters. How can they be defeated by a mere zombie virus?!”

Xiao Hen said, “Is this really just a simple zombie virus? This virus not only infects humans but also animals and plants. It is constantly evolving and mutating, beyond our predictions. We can’t anticipate what the virus will evolve into in the next moment.”

Xiao Hen continued, “Energy weapons are indeed powerful, but don’t forget, it was humans who first possessed supernatural abilities. It was only later that the zombies started to evolve. This virus clearly becomes stronger when it encounters strength, but the direction of its evolution and mutation is uncontrollable and unimaginable. Now that humans have energy weapons, have you considered what new things the outside world might evolve and mutate into if we use them?”