The journey back to District One went surprisingly smoothly. There were no attacks from zombie birds, and before nightfall, the group arrived inside District One’s safe zone.
The aircraft landed. The moment several of them stepped out of the aircraft, a group of well-equipped soldiers suddenly rushed out from all directions and surrounded them, separating Lian Qiguang from the others.
“What are you doing!” Xiahou Luoyu stepped forward and shouted sternly as she looked at the rows of gun barrels surrounding them.
“I’m sorry, Miss Xiahou!” An officer stepped forward and blocked Xiahou Luoyu’s movements. “We were ordered by the Marshal to come and escort Young Master Lian over. From this moment on, your mission is completely over. Young Master Lian will be under our charge.”
“You!”
“Get lost.” Xiahou Shaoxuan protected Lian Qiguang in his arms, his cold eyes sweeping across the surrounding soldiers, his aura cold and terrifying.
“Major General! Please don’t make things difficult for us.”
Seeing that they were determined to take Lian Qiguang away, a surge of irritation rose in Xiahou Shaoxuan’s heart. The pressure belonging to an Imperial-level expert gathered around the two of them, as though the entire earth were trembling along with Xiahou Shaoxuan’s anger.
The pressure of an Imperial-level expert forced the surrounding soldiers to retreat again and again, nearly making them unable to stand. Lian Qiguang calmly put away the computer in his hand. His expressionless gaze swept across the standoff on both sides, and he reached out and took Xiahou Shaoxuan’s hand, dispelling the violent aura around him.
“Let’s go. We’ll go see together.” Lian Qiguang spoke indifferently. “They won’t do anything to me for the time being.”
Xiahou Shaoxuan looked at Lian Qiguang in his arms. The coldness in his eyes gradually faded. Holding Lian Qiguang’s hand tightly, he looked coldly at the leading officer. “Lead the way!”
The officer opened his mouth, originally intending to say that no one was allowed to follow, but when he thought of the terrifying power that had almost crushed people to pieces just now, he immediately fell silent. He silently stepped back and moved aside. “Please!”
“Xiaoguang!” Lian Yucheng looked at Lian Qiguang worriedly and wanted to step forward, but two soldiers blocked him.
Lian Qiguang turned his head and nodded slightly. “Stay alive.”
After saying that, Lian Qiguang boarded an aircraft with Xiahou Shaoxuan under the soldiers’ guidance. Lian Yucheng watched Lian Qiguang’s departing figure, both hands clenched tightly. For some reason, an inexplicable sense of panic suddenly rose in his heart.
Lian Xiaozhu carefully tugged at Lian Yucheng’s sleeve and asked timidly, “Big Brother, where are they taking Second Brother?”
“It’s fine.” Long Ying gently placed a hand on Lian Xiaozhu’s head and said in a low voice, “With Xiahou Shaoxuan by his side, no one can do anything to him.”
“Damn it!! Old man, what the hell do you mean!!” Restricted by a group of soldiers, Xiahou Luoyu paced around irritably. “I went through hell and risked my life to bring the person back for you, and you won’t even give me a reason! Believe it or not, I’ll quit and stop working for you!!”
Gui Ling silently stepped forward, reached out, and placed a hand on Xiahou Luoyu’s shoulder. In a cold voice, he said, “I’ll help you kill them.”
“……” Xiahou Luoyu.
The aircraft carrying Lian Qiguang and Xiahou Shaoxuan stopped at a military base. The two got off the aircraft and were quickly surrounded by a large group of soldiers. They escorted the two through layer after layer of security checkpoints, finally stopping in front of a building.
The building’s metal doors opened. Xiahou Jue walked out with two soldiers. After taking over the assignment, Xiahou Jue stepped forward and looked at Lian Qiguang and Xiahou Shaoxuan, confirming that the two were safe. His usually hard expression softened slightly.
“Come inside with me,” Xiahou Jue said before turning and walking into the building.
Xiahou Shaoxuan tightened his grip on Lian Qiguang’s hand, signaling for him not to be afraid. Lian Qiguang tilted his head slightly and followed Xiahou Shaoxuan into the building.
The appearance of the two attracted countless strange looks from the people around them. Xiahou Shaoxuan’s eyes turned cold as he swept his gaze around. His fierce aura made everyone’s backs turn cold, and they quickly lowered their heads.
Xiahou Jue led the two to the top floor of the building. After verifying their information and passing through several layers of authorization, they arrived before a tightly closed metal door.
Xiahou Jue stopped and turned to look at the two of them. He said solemnly, “The Marshal is waiting for you inside. Go in.”
Xiahou Shaoxuan nodded slightly, carefully protecting Lian Qiguang at his side. He passed Xiahou Jue and entered through the door.
“You’re back?” Hearing the movement, Xiahou Zhong put away the virtual screen and stood up to look over.
“Marshal!” Xiahou Shaoxuan gave a military salute and said solemnly.
“As long as you’re safe.” Seeing that neither of them was injured, Xiahou Zhong breathed a sigh of relief. Deep exhaustion filled his brows and eyes. After only a few days apart, Xiahou Zhong seemed to have aged considerably.
“How is the situation now?” Lian Qiguang did not waste any words. He took a computer out of his space, walked over to Xiahou Zhong, and sat down.
“All the districts have already fallen. Comparing the battle reports coming from the front lines, District Three should be the main battlefield. District One is better off because it is the headquarters of the government and military. Search-and-rescue teams have already been sent out, but the disaster erupted too suddenly, and we know almost nothing about these zombies. Very few humans have managed to survive.”
“And there is another particularly troublesome problem.” Xiahou Zhong sighed. “The network has now collapsed. Not only can we no longer see distress signals sent by surviving humans, but once the soldiers we send out leave the safe zone, we can no longer establish contact with them.”
Lian Qiguang leaned against the back of his chair, his fingers lightly tapping on the computer in his hand as he thought.
“What if you use the kind of broadcast they had in ancient times?”
“Broadcast?” Xiahou Zhong asked in confusion. “What is that?”
“Take a look at these.” Lian Qiguang handed the computer in his hand to Xiahou Zhong. “I compiled this over the past two days. These are some of my experiences from the apocalypse, as well as problems we might encounter, including solutions. They should be of some help.”
“The air also carries the infectious virus?” As he looked through the computer in his hand, Xiahou Zhong’s expression became increasingly grim.
“That’s right. So I suggest dividing the safe base by streets and managing the military, ordinary humans, and ability users separately.”
“Moreover, besides zombies, you also have to guard against plants, insects, and birds. Once these things mutate, their level of terror will be far greater than that of zombies.”
“How are humans supposed to survive this catastrophe?” Xiahou Zhong closed his eyes, his face filled with grief, and murmured softly.
“And there’s one more thing.” As though he had thought of something, Lian Qiguang suddenly spoke. “Regarding the zombie virus, have you conducted any research?”
“We’ve already handed it over to the laboratory. They’re currently working on researching a viral serum.”
Lian Qiguang’s brows furrowed slightly, and his voice became colder. “I absolutely will not accept human experimentation. If I discover it, I will personally destroy it.”
Seeing that Lian Qiguang was not joking, Xiahou Zhong nodded heavily. “I’ll have someone keep an eye on this.”
“Marshal, where is Murong Qing now?” After the two finished talking, Xiahou Shaoxuan spoke.
“She’s at the base. Is someone injured?”
“No.” Xiahou Shaoxuan looked at Lian Qiguang beside him and reached out to embrace his shoulders. “Xiaoguang and I discussed it. We want to take the child out.”
“What?” Xiahou Zhong froze, quickly shifting his gaze to Lian Qiguang. Lian Qiguang calmly nodded, indicating that he agreed with Xiahou Shaoxuan.
Xiahou Zhong considered it for a moment before saying, “That’s fine. Given the current situation, taking the child out will be much safer than keeping it in your abdomen.”
“When can the surgery be performed?” Lian Qiguang straightened his body slightly and asked.
“Your identity is special. From now on, you and Shaoxuan will stay at the base. Don’t have too much contact with strangers. I’m worried those old fellows won’t behave themselves. We can’t be careless about the child. Once all the equipment has been installed and prepared, it’ll take at least two days.”
“Then set it for two days from now.”
“Fine. Shaoxuan, Xiaoguang is in your hands. You must protect him.”
“Yes!”
“By the way, Grandpa.” Now that official matters were finished, it was time for personal matters. “When did Little Aunt get a partner?”
“What? A partner?”
“I fought him before. He’s at the base right now, together with Little Aunt. That interstellar pirate, Mie.”
“What the hell!! That little bastard actually dares to come here!!” With a furious roar, Xiahou Zhong slammed a hand onto the table. His anger soared as he began rolling up his sleeves. “Let’s see if I don’t skin him alive!”
A man dressed in a red Tang suit sat atop an abandoned building. A pair of scarlet blood-colored eyes indifferently gazed at the endless battlefield smoke and flames and the zombies filling the entire city. His slender, pale fingers held a crystal-clear crystal core, while his red lips curled slightly into a cold smile.
“Father.” Qiu Limo walked over and bowed slightly.
“How did things go?”
“It has been completed. When will Father make your move?”
“I have my own decision about that. Now…” The man turned his face to the side, his eyes narrowing slightly. “I want you to go and bring someone away.”
“Who?”
“My teacher. Your… Lord Darklight.”