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墨書 Inktalez
As Wang Chao looked on, he couldn't help but feel a deep sorrow. Old Lei's once-commanding white hair was now matted with blood, clinging together in a disheveled mess. The dignity he once held seemed to have vanished, leaving only a pitiful sight. Old Lei spoke, "It is my fault. I resign from the position of Commander. However, returning is truly dangerous; our only way out is to go up the mountain." With that, Old Lei bowed deeply at a ninety-degree angle.
Unlike Huangfu Ling, Old Lei could not bring himself to let countless people die for the sake of pride. A bitter smile crossed his face.
The rain of stones continued to fall, but many had already stopped. Some realized they had made mistakes; Old Lei's intentions were for his own sake. Others watched him with unease, and gradually more people ceased their actions. The downpour of stones began to subside, and the crowd fell silent. They looked at Old Lei, and an unusual feeling stirred within them.
Old Lei wiped the blood that had congealed before him and turned away. The people around him instinctively parted to make way. Wang Chao gazed at Old Lei's departing figure, filled with countless emotions.
At that moment, Huangfu Ling stepped forward, picked up a megaphone, and addressed the silent crowd. "I have just learned about this situation as well. What Old Lei has done is undoubtedly for everyone's benefit." After a pause, Huangfu Ling continued, "It is also for my own good. Old Lei is right; if the Nuclear Power Plant is about to explode and there are hordes of Zombies blocking our path, climbing the mountain is our only option."
Upon hearing Huangfu Ling's words, the crowd felt anger but also understood that there was no other choice.
The mountain path was treacherous; in many places, there was no road at all. Erlong Mountain stretched endlessly upward, its elevation unknown. The area was primarily covered in broadleaf forests, though most leaves had fallen by this season. Many animals had entered hibernation. Wang Chao speculated that this was why they had only encountered non-hibernating lions. Although there was no snow line on the mountain, it wouldn't be easy to cross in just a few days. To be honest, it would take less time to go around than to climb over it; however, given the circumstances, they had no choice.
Huangfu Ling quickly discussed the route into the mountains with several advisors. True to his decisive nature, they settled on an extremely direct route that considered the mountain's terrain and overnight accommodations; it should be the best option available. Of course, no one knew the specifics until they actually ascended.
Next came the issue of food supplies. Previously there were two tankers transporting water, but now they needed to clear space for water transport as they prepared to head up the mountain. Food could be rationed somewhat, but water was non-negotiable; after all, people could go a day without food but not without water. There were many factors to consider since the Zombie Horde was fast approaching; these matters needed urgent resolution.
Distributing food would take some time, but the vanguard's mission fell on Wang Chao and his fellow members of the Bioterrorism Security Department.
Everyone packed enough food and water for a week; Da Qiang carried over two hundred pounds without breaking a sweat as if it were nothing at all. Meanwhile, Xiao Wei, being the smallest member of the Bioterrorism Security Department, carried significantly less—mostly medical supplies.
Thus, the members of the Bioterrorism Security Department set off first while those remaining below would depart in about three hours. The final wave would leave that evening; by dawn the next day, aside from vehicles on the road, no living souls would remain in sight. Crossing this mountain meant safety—a comforting thought that propelled them onward as they ascended.
"This place won't have any monsters, right?" Ouyang En said nervously as he looked at the tall but bare trees surrounding them.
"Don't worry," Wang Chao replied. "You have so little meat on you that even if a monster comes out, it wouldn't eat you."
Beside them, Shen Zhitao chimed in, "Oh, then who do you think it would eat?"
Wang Chao glanced at the few pounds of flesh on Shen Zhitao's chest and said, "Probably..." Shen Zhitao looked at Wang Chao, then down at herself, and suddenly understood his implication. "I guess even if a Zombie came out, it wouldn't eat you."
At this point, Wang Chao felt a jolt of surprise. He realized that he wouldn’t be bitten by a Zombie now because he no longer fell within the realm of humanity. But how could Shen Zhitao know this? And if she did know, why didn’t she expose him? For a moment, Wang Chao's mind was in turmoil, unsure of what to say.
When he instinctively looked at Shen Zhitao again, he noticed her expression remained unchanged. However, she had caught the fleeting panic on his face. Although she found it strange, she didn’t show it and simply said, "That's because Zombies don't eat brains."
Everyone burst into laughter upon hearing this. Shen Zhitao's meaning was clear: Wang Chao had no brains. At that moment, Wang Chao finally understood that Shen Zhitao didn't actually know his secret; she was just making a joke. With this realization, he joined in the laughter, feeling a weight lift off his chest.
While the others hadn’t noticed Wang Chao's earlier expression, Shen Zhitao had seen it all too clearly. She looked at him with a complex gaze, wanting to say something but ultimately holding back.
As they continued forward, aside from the branches blocking the sun, there were no other dangers in sight, which lifted everyone's spirits. Shen Zhitao occasionally pulled out the simple route map and compass made by Huangfu Ling to ensure they wouldn’t lose their way. She also instructed everyone to use their daggers to cut branches and leaves to leave clear markers for those who might follow.
After walking peacefully for several hours, Tang Feng suddenly stopped and said to the group, "There's something ahead." Immediately, Shen Zhitao made several hand signals: one for the front few people to follow her and check what was ahead; another for those behind to fire silent signal flares to alert the main group to stop advancing; and finally, a signal for those in the middle to wait in place and remain vigilant.
Once these gestures were completed, everyone responded with an OK sign.
Only then did Shen Zhitao lead Wang Chao and Tang Feng forward.
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