Ch 129: TGCIR

The zombie horde stretched for thousands of miles. If viewed from a satellite, it would look like a gigantic wasp nest, and the survivors’ attacks on this nest each day would only make a very small impact, almost negligible, barely posing any real threat to it.

On the outskirts of this gigantic wasp nest, human activity was very frequent. Small groups of survivors, leveraging their flexibility, were intentionally or unintentionally driving more and more zombies into this growing snowball, gathering more and more zombies together.

But during this process, some unfortunate humans were also caught by zombies and ultimately joined this gray, lifeless sea.

Today’s companions could become tomorrow’s enemies, standing aimlessly in the zombie ranks.

Xia Jinshi put down his binoculars and asked his subordinate beside him, “Have the other bases arrived yet?”

Whether they were dragging their feet or not was irrelevant. What mattered was that they had a goal, and everyone had to be there.

The subordinate looked at his records and was about to reply when a cloud of dust appeared in the distance, indicating a relatively large group of survivors had arrived.

Among them was someone responsible for recording for Xia Jinshi, but before they could report, Xia Jinshi had already put down his binoculars, with a rare hint of a smile at the corner of his mouth: “Noah’s base has arrived.”

What was unexpected was that Noah’s base had sent so many ability users this time, almost as if they had mobilized their entire force.

Li Weilan no longer concealed his spatial abilities.

In reality, since his ability had upgraded again, allowing him to teleport over a fixed distance, he no longer hid his true power.

And his space had expanded from a small broken hut and a few plots of land to a massive warehouse and endless fields. Inside, there were plenty of supplies and weapons.
He openly took out stuff from his space for his team to set up tents and prepare meals for temporary rest. Looking at Noah’s well-organized camp and comparing it to their own makeshift shelters, the members from other bases couldn’t help but be envious: look at their treatment, look at their ‘temporary homes’. Even their bases didn’t have so many blankets, pillows, and mats.

They were green with envy!

And that wasn’t all. After setting up the tents, they started cooking. Noah’s main food was a fruit that looked like soft bread, with roasted fish and vegetables. The aroma was so enticing that it made everyone else’s stomachs grumble. They had always thought of people from Noah as underground rats, but who would have thought that the lives of these ‘rats’ were a thousand times better than theirs?

Others were eating ‘meals’, while what they had looked like pig food in comparison.

Frustrated, they threw down their food.

Just when they thought it couldn’t get any worse, the people from Noah’s base, after finishing their meals, donned their armor and grabbed their weapons, each ready for battle.

Noah’s base had auctioned some armor and equipment before, but only the leaders of various bases had managed to buy them. These life-saving treasures were highly coveted, but the ordinary ability users could only look on with envy.

But look at Noah’s base?

Even the lowest-ranked soldiers were equipped!

Oh, and it seemed like their gear was updated and better than the equipment the base leaders had paid top price for!

Wearing fitted and heroic armor, even those who seemed on par with the rest now had a completely different aura.

Shen Cheng whispered to Li Weilan, “Hey, they’re looking at us with such jealousy, they’ve got sour grapes.”

Even those who were oblivious could feel the envious stares ‘whizzing’ towards the center where Noah’s base was, clearly showing their jealousy.

Weapons and such—Shen Cheng had stocked up a lot of high-level weapons from the prize draws during the rescue mission at the Research Institute, which were now coming in handy.

Everyone knew this mission was fraught with danger. Since Fu Yanzhou’s disappearance, no one had seen him. Who knew to what extent he could control the zombie horde?

Moreover, the nuclear explosion planned by J City Base was indiscriminate. If any mistakes were made during the zombie herding process and they couldn’t withdraw in time, everything would be obliterated.

Shen Cheng was determined to arm everyone from their base to the teeth, but with recent expenses from moving and stockpiling supplies in her own world, money was tight, and she couldn’t afford to spend as freely as before.

Every day was spent on edge, but fortunately, the zombie monkeys seemed to have been eradicated, and the virus hadn’t spread.

Li Weilan was acutely aware of their world’s timeline progression: initially, a meteorite had fallen near the spatial rift, spreading spores that first affected nearby life forms. If they could create a quarantine zone and destroy all the fallen spores, infection could be prevented.

The initial spores, although highly infectious, weren’t overly frightening. The real danger was that the spatial rifts kept appearing. In his world, it started with one rift and eventually led to many opening over time. If they could close the ‘gates’ in Shen Cheng’s world before reaching the second phase and eliminate all zombie monkeys, they might have a chance to end the crisis there.

This was the main reason for the urgency.

Otherwise, this mission would have been unnecessary.

Noah’s base could have continued slowly exterminating the zombies methodically, using their bio-technology to process zombies into food while also growing their resources.

Noah’s base was currently the only survivor base which was not completely powered by ability users.

Many discovered that if such a base, which no longer needed to exploit nature, was advantageous, this environmentally friendly way of living could continue even after the apocalypse. It would solve many post-apocalyptic and environmental issues.

“Mr. Li,” Xia Jinshi approached with a smile as Li Weilan’s group donned their gear. His face held a cheerful smile, showing no sign of hostility.

Li Weilan coldly watched without a word.

Shen Cheng held her breath, knowing that Li Weilan’s gaze was devoid of any warmth, not showing the slightest hint of anger. Only she knew how much Li Weilan had suffered because of Xia Jinshi.

“I recall we’ve met before,” Xia Jinshi said, smiling nonchalantly, “So I sent an invitation. Initially, I was worried past grudges might affect things, but seeing you here now, I thought maybe, for the sake of humanity, you might have forgiven.”

“Yeah, right!” Shen Cheng fumed, poking at her phone screen, trying to push Xia Jinshi away. “Who the heck forgave you? Stop talking nonsense. It’s disgusting.”

The force made Xia Jinshi step back, his smile fading slightly. Even though he kept smiling, others around from different bases were surprised to see Li Weilan directly reject Xia Jinshi’s approach.

“How can this be?”

“Exactly. No matter what, considering the Research Institute’s sacrifices, they deserve some respect.”

“This is too much.”

“What’s so great about Noah’s base? They might be as big as J City Base, but this is arrogance. Even when Dr. Xia extended an olive branch, they didn’t acknowledge it?”

“We should hope to team up with them.” The person saying this was hushed by their teammate, realizing the superiority of Noah’s base equipment.

Li Weilan narrowed his eyes.

Shen Cheng saw a small heart pop up over Li Weilan’s head, clearly appreciating her stance against Xia Jinshi. Rolling up his sleeve to reveal scars on his arm, he spoke: “Is this what you call past grudges?”

The crowd gasped: such scars were clearly from prolonged torture, not something ‘grudges’ could cover. It was evident Li Weilan had endured severe, repeated harm.

Xia Jinshi was taken aback, not expecting Li Weilan to reveal these scars. It was clear he had underestimated Li Weilan’s confidence in exposing his past suffering.

Thinking Li Weilan would back down, Xia Jinshi hadn’t expected him to be so forthright. He narrowed his eyes, then smiled angrily: “Are you saying old grudges haven’t been settled, and you want to bring them up again now?”

Li Weilan, hearing Shen Cheng’s angry rant in his ear, chuckled softly: “Dr. Xia, be careful with your words. It’s not ‘grudges,’ it’s enmity. Where’s the ‘favor’ in our enmity?”

Xia Jinshi was left speechless, and Li Weilan continued, smiling: “Don’t misunderstand, Dr. Xia. Your invitation mentioned ‘eliminating zombies to end the apocalypse.’ We just wanted to see your brilliant plan. After all, your methods have always relied on others’ sacrifices and deaths. This time, we’ll see if it’s any different.”

A buzz arose among the crowd.

Li Weilan’s words, though indirectly suggesting something sinister, combined with Xia Jinshi’s lack of rebuttal regarding the scars, left a strong impression on the crowd.

No one was willing to sacrifice themselves for someone else’s grand plan.

It’s one thing to fight and possibly die, but if it was a predetermined death rate or a set fatal event, they’d rather go back home!

Xia Jinshi’s eyes narrowed dangerously, while Li Weilan’s group stood firm, both sides glaring at each other, creating a tense standoff.

Before Xia Jinshi could speak, his subordinate couldn’t hold back: “What sacrifices and deaths? Speak clearly, or have solid evidence! How has the Research Institute harmed anyone? You’re speaking nonsense!”

Xia Jinshi frowned slightly.

He had a bad feeling.

It seemed the opposing side was waiting for such a rebuttal.

But the words had already been said, and he didn’t want to slap himself in the face. Xia Jinshi frowned, feeling a vague unease in his heart.

“Xia Jinshi!” At that moment, an angry shout was heard from behind.

The voice was very familiar.

In front of the crowd, Tang Lu from J City Base was half-supporting, half-carrying an unconscious girl.

Seeing the princess-like girl, the crowd started buzzing: “Isn’t that the healer, Su Bai? How did she end up like this?”

Su Bai had disappeared for a while, leaving them without their lifesaving healer. Luckily, Noah’s base had started selling hemostatic agents, ability-boosting potions, and all-purpose bandages. Otherwise, the wasteland explorers might have overturned J City Base’s reputation.

Despite this, many still had vivid memories of Su Bai’s healing abilities.

Everyone had thought something happened to Su Bai, but seeing her boyfriend angrily confronting Xia Jinshi, whispers spread quickly.

Su Bai had always maintained an image of being pure and kind—a weak girl, a ‘doctor’ figure. Now, seeing her unconscious, looking innocent and pitiful, many couldn’t help but sympathize.

Could this be an example of the ‘sacrifices and deaths’ that Noah’s base mentioned?

Tang Lu, with Su Bai in his arms, exchanged a secret glance with Li Weilan—both had planned this. With Xia Jinshi leaving the Research Institute, it was the perfect time for Tang Lu to rescue Su Bai.

But the condition was to bring Su Bai back as ‘evidence’.

Xia Jinshi frowned slightly; his earlier premonition had come true.

Seeing this, it was clear they were prepared.

He didn’t argue but bowed slightly to Tang Lu and said sincerely, “The recent success and the sharp decline in human casualties, the control over zombies, are all thanks to Miss Su Bai’s sacrifices. Her life essence created a unique, clear-headed zombie king, giving us all a hopeful, peaceful future.”

Tang Lu didn’t expect Xia Jinshi to say that.

He was stunned for a few seconds, and Su Bai, in his arms, murmured as she slowly opened her eyes. Just as she was about to say something, Shen Cheng, seeing the opportunity, squeezed some lemon juice into Su Bai’s slightly open mouth. The sourness made her eyes water and nose run, and she couldn’t say a word.

Su Bai was furious inside!

She really wanted to respond to Xia Jinshi’s words! After all, with her life essence nearly exhausted, there wasn’t much left to take. Xia Jinshi’s gratitude was supposed to bring her both fame and fortune. Even without her life essence, she could still live comfortably!

Now, with tears and snot running down her face, she couldn’t say a word.

Crying miserably, this time the tears were genuine. Anyone watching would feel pity, seeing her looking so pitiful with tears and snot.

“Look at Dr. Xia…”

“Seems we need to be cautious.”

“Better be on guard.”

Xia Jinshi’s face turned slightly blue.

His ability to maintain composure was impressive. Despite repeated provocations, he didn’t show any anger. Instead, he sighed and looked at Su Bai in Tang Lu’s arms, saying, “Since Miss Su Bai is willing to forgive, once everything is over, she can have whatever compensation she wishes. We’ll give her everything we can.”

Then he turned to the others, pointing to the central tent, without looking at Tang Lu again, as if being backstabbed didn’t matter to him. He said, “Everyone, let’s go over the plan one more time. We hope everything goes smoothly, for the future of humanity, and to end this darkness.”

Despite hating Xia Jinshi for his extreme hypocrisy, Shen Cheng had to admit that when he spoke about ‘the future of humanity,’ he was highly persuasive, making everyone want to follow his lead.

This was probably Xia Jinshi’s charisma and leadership appeal.

Without these traits, Xia Jinshi wouldn’t have come this far.

🦋🦋🦋🦋🦋