TL: Moonlit
Xiao Hen wasn’t foolish. He knew that the four of them couldn’t simply take down such a sizable base by using only their words. While their combat strength was more than sufficient, Wen Qingling desired the survivors within the base, not a base filled with corpses.
Xiao Hen let out a roar, summoning half of the zombies in Yue County to gather around the base.
This was the first time Xiao Hen had used his commanding ability as a “General.” The sensation of effortlessly controlling a vast army made him unconsciously crave more power and authority. Perhaps it was the yearning inherent in the bloodline of an eighth-level evolved being that Xiao Hen could clearly feel.
Yue County was the most populous of the three counties, which meant it had the most zombies. Half of the zombies equated to two or three hundred thousand, resembling a small-scale zombie tide. And this tide of zombies was under someone’s control, encircling the entire base, not allowing anyone to escape.
Shi Chong, with his straightforward nature, directly used his earth elemental ability to dismantle the base’s walls, allowing the horde of zombies to pour in and surround the Yue County base. The survivors who had been living peacefully in the base for so long never expected to be besieged by a zombie tide. The entire base instantly descended into chaos, with people running and hiding everywhere, cries and screams filling the air.
Xiao Hen: “…”
So far, the horde he controlled was perfect. Not a single zombie disobeyed his orders to attack people. What were these people running from? Wasn’t there anyone who could observe the obedient zombies?
Ji Rong began shouting, “Listen, everyone! Either join the Xiang County base or become food for the zombies! You have one minute to decide. If there’s no answer by the time is up, you’ll all become zombie fodder!”
Ji Rong’s shout had a distinct “Wen Qingling style” to it.
Everyone in the Yue County base was at a loss. Was this supposed to be a multiple-choice question? Life or death, was there even a need to choose? Even a strand of hair would know which one to choose. But could they really avoid death by joining Xiang County base?
Looking at the horrifying and terrifying zombies, the survivors felt their hearts race and their breaths shorten. They were on the verge of passing out. It was too terrifying, too ugly. Even in death, they couldn’t accept becoming like that. They wanted to jump up and live for another five hundred years.
Wen Qingling had been focusing on Xiao Hen’s side with his psychic power. Most of the powerful individuals from Yue County were estimated to be there. Those left in the base were mostly ordinary people, making it easy to take them down.
While observing the ongoing battle, Wen Qingling shifted from standing to sitting. He crossed his legs, sitting on top of an off-road vehicle, leisurely watching the chaotic fight before him, utterly bored.
Although Xiong Shu was quite burly, he still guarded the off-road vehicle with his brothers, not allowing the frantic survivors to disturb their leader’s rest. Even though they were weak, they were determined to protect their leader.
As Wen Qingling watched the spectacle, he suddenly turned his head, looking toward a blind spot in his line of sight. A man with small eyes had hidden himself there, planning to ambush from behind. However, he was easily discovered.
Sun Shijie’s eyes flashed with ferocity, and both guns opened fire simultaneously. Wen Qingling waved his hand, and Sun Shijie felt his arms uncontrollably turn, aiming all the bullets toward his own people. Several people fell to the ground, and a bullet even hit the back of the Rockman.
Niu Liangguo couldn’t believe it and roared, “Sun Shijie!”
His full-body petrification ability was already highly taxing. The longer it lasted, the weaker his rock defense became. Sun Shijie’s sudden attack easily pierced through his rock protection, causing him unbearable pain, almost losing control of his petrified form.
Momentarily distracted, when Niu Liangguo regained his focus, a metallic spear was already at his nose. He quickly turned his face, and the spear grazed his rocky face, leaving behind a sharp sound. Immediately after, a heavy metal shield smashed toward his face.
The rock defense was indeed strong, and Chang Boheng knew that he couldn’t harm Niu Liangguo in the short term. However, he didn’t give up and kept attacking the surface of the rock. Each of Chang Boheng’s attacks accelerated the depletion of Niu Liangguo’s ability. His ability would eventually be exhausted, while Chang Boheng only consumed physical strength. His ability had hardly been depleted, and it was already clear who would win.
As the Rockman fell, Chang Boheng didn’t give him a chance to catch his breath. He relentlessly attacked, striking a series of blows. Finally, the metal spear pierced through the rock surface, deeply penetrating the Rockman’s chest.
Sun Shijie attempted to ambush Wen Qingling but found himself spinning in place under his ability, unable to hit his target. Instead, he managed to knock down his own allies with every attack.
Wen Qingling signaled for Chang Boheng to speak, and he understood. He shouted loudly, “Listen, anyone willing to join Xiang County base will not be killed!”
The surviving individuals who had held on until now hesitated. They came to plunder supplies but ended up fighting zombies all the way. They hadn’t seen a single grain of food, and there was that person sitting on top of the vehicle. His target was too large, and no one could harm him, let alone approach him. There were too many roaming zombies, making it impossible to advance.
Sun Shijie angrily roared, “Don’t believe them! They want to kill all of us! Kill! Kill them all…”
His voice abruptly stopped as he looked down at his chest, where a dark wooden spike had pierced through.
Wen Qingling’s cold voice echoed, “Believe it or not, it’s up to you. If you don’t believe, continue killing until there’s no one left. Even without you, there’s still the entire Yue County base, and there are plenty of people there.”
At this moment, Miao Bo suddenly spoke up, “Stop, don’t fight anymore! Yue County base is no more. The people inside are willing to join the Xiang County base. Why are you still struggling? Do you find life too long?”
Someone shouted, “Impossible! Yue County base couldn’t have been destroyed!”
Miao Bo scolded, “Open your eyes and look around you. We’ve been fighting all this time, can any of you get any closer?!”
Gradually, everyone stopped their actions. The vicious biting zombies also ceased and obediently retreated to the side.
The survivors were all shocked. What was the matter with these zombies? Were they intentionally targeting them?!
Someone attempted to swing their blade again, but the obedient zombies let out a roar and continued attacking. The person immediately dropped their weapon, and the enraged zombies quieted down.
This discovery left everyone pale. “W-What’s the matter with these zombies?”
Miao Bo looked at Wen Qingling, and he nodded slightly, indicating that it didn’t matter. It could be said openly since there were already too many people who knew he could control zombies. He didn’t care about having more of them.
Miao Bo said, “As you can see, we have someone who can control zombies on our side. All the zombies are under Dr. Wen’s control. Why are you still fighting? Continuing will only lead to death!”
Miao Bo used “we.” He had already decided to stand with Wen Qingling. Previously, he had hesitated about joining Chang Boheng’s Xiang County base, but now it seemed there was no need to hesitate. Even Chang Boheng had chosen to follow Wen Qingling. What reason did they have to hesitate?
They were following not Chang Boheng but rather following Wen Qingling in a different form.
The facts were right in front of them, so why would they keep fighting? How could they possibly defeat someone who could control zombies? Unless they could eliminate all the zombies, they wouldn’t even have a chance to get close.
Everyone dejectedly dropped their weapons. They seriously doubted whether staying inside the closed base for too long had made them unaware of people who could control zombies outside.
To think that someone could control zombies was simply unimaginable!
Miao Bo reassured, “Rest assured, the Xiang County base will be your new way out, definitely offering more development prospects than the Yue County base.”
Someone snorted, “Does Xiang County base have a food storage?”
Miao Bo chuckled, “How long do you think Yue County base’s food storage can last? Others might not know, but don’t you know? Once the food runs out, what will you do? Stay in the base and wait to starve to death?”
A survivor said, “When there’s a will, there’s a way. The leader will surely find a solution.”
Miao Bo scoffed, “Nonsense! Just look at your leader, he’s already lying there! I once suggested to him to try farming, but his response was that there were too many zombies outside, and no one was willing to go out. Going outside was like seeking death. He also said there wasn’t much food to begin with, so there was no extra food to waste in the fields, and he asked me not to bring it up again. Fine, I won’t bring it up. Let’s just sit here, eat up the resources, and wait for death together!”
Miao Bo raised his voice, “You’re lucky to encounter Dr. Wen. He intends to use the food as seeds for cultivation. When the crops grow, we’ll harvest even more food. Everyone will have land and food. Are you still afraid of starving to death? With a safe and reliable base, a stable income, and enough to eat without going hungry, what more could you ask for in the apocalypse?!”
Someone muttered, “It’s easy for them to say. Trying to cultivate in this kind of environment is not that simple. It’s just wishful thinking, making empty promises. Who would believe such nonsense?”
Wen Qingling’s voice turned cold and clear, “Don’t misunderstand. Xiang County base is not a garbage dump. They don’t accept just anyone. They have their standards. People like you might not be up to their standards.”
Wen Qingling continued, “Leader Chang, let them have a taste. We don’t need the trash. If they want to go back, let them go. It’s a waste of time.”
Chang Boheng chuckled, “…”
Chang Boheng almost burst out laughing, “Sure.”
Everyone: “…”
If they couldn’t enter the Xiang County base, it meant they were considered trash.
Although they maintained a reluctant attitude, their hearts had already been moved. Regardless of whether Miao Bo was making empty promises, the idea of the base was very appealing to them. They didn’t ask for much, just a stable life without facing death and hunger every day would be enough for them.
They pretended to be unwilling, but they were already considering their own interests. Wen Qingling saw through their little schemes, but he didn’t mind. He put the offer out there, confident that they would join.
Xiao Hen appeared next to Wen Qingling, startling the surviving scoundrels who were lucky enough to still be alive.
Who were these people? Why did they all have the demeanor of big shots?
Xiao Hen said, “The base is ready, and we can depart for Xiang County anytime.”
The scoundrels, who were just complaining moments ago, fell silent.
Well, they had no other choice. Since everyone in the base was leaving, they could only follow suit.
With nearly ten thousand people, there weren’t enough vehicles to accommodate them. Even if the base had vehicles, they couldn’t take everyone. Most of them would have to travel on foot, and the journey would undoubtedly be dangerous. They needed someone to protect them. The protectors had to be strong enough to handle the wandering zombies along the way. It seemed that the responsibility would fall on Wen Qingling or Xiao Hen.
Xiao Hen didn’t decline and agreed to take on the role.
Today wasn’t suitable for a long journey, so Xiao Hen instructed everyone to return to the base and pack their things. They would set off early the next morning at dawn, hoping to arrive at Xiang County base before nightfall.
Nighttime was the most dangerous time. Although Xiao Hen wasn’t worried about being attacked by zombies, he had to be cautious of various mutant creatures and plant attacks. If they could travel during the day, they should avoid traveling at night.
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