Chapter 46
Wen Xin made rapid progress.
Before he left G City, he still needed the protection of the gang members and could not face the zombies alone.
Now, he was able to quickly dodge the zombies’ attacks and bites when surrounded by several zombies, and then shoot bullets into their heads without batting an eyelid.
Although the other team members were not as agile as him, they also had a tacit understanding developed through long-term training, and they cooperated with each other and were equally efficient.
Soon, this small area was cleared.
While keeping a vigilant eye on their surroundings, the group advanced deeper into the southeast area.
It is winter now, and all you can see are leafless trees standing bare on the roadside.
The iron metal rolling door was dented and covered with bloody handprints. The trash can was overturned on the side of the road, clanging when the wind blew.
Countless corpses lay on the road with no one to clean them up, causing most of them to rot and stink.
The whole street exudes an atmosphere of depression and decadence.
Wen Xin looked around: “Something is wrong.”
When Lin Nan heard this, he subconsciously stopped and asked, “What’s wrong?”
Wen Xin was about to speak when he suddenly saw the wooden board behind Lin Nan move, revealing a crack.
A bloody claw quietly stretched out from the gap.
His eyes suddenly turned stern, and he pulled Lin Nan behind him with one hand.
He kicked out again, pressing the zombie’s mouth, which couldn’t open, against the wall.
Bang!
A gunshot rang out, the zombie’s forehead exploded, and blood splattered on the black combat pants.
The other team members turned around, looked at the young man’s long legs raised in the air, and his calm face, and couldn’t help but shout out: “Woohoo.”
So cool, their captain!
Wen Xin retracted his legs and quickly changed the magazine of his gun: “There are too few zombies in this area. It doesn’t match the original predicted number.”
Zombies are very sensitive to the breath of living people. As long as they sense the presence of humans nearby, they will rush over impatiently.
They can only eat a few bites of humans, but they are very keen on gnawing on people and produce large numbers of their own kind.
Some researchers said that this may be the instinct of species to reproduce under the control of viruses.
So Wen Xin and the others stood here in a pile, no different from the bait emitting an enticing aroma.
The fact that no zombies appeared simply meant that there were really no zombies left nearby.
The team members speculated: “Could it be that other teams have cleared out the zombies here in advance?”
Wen Xin shook his head: “Each team has a planned route of action, and it is unlikely that they will interfere with other areas. Besides, we didn’t hear any special gunshots on this road.”
He had doubts in his heart: I didn’t see any members of the Idealism Cult along the way. Could it be that they were the ones who took action?
You can’t guess anything by just guessing.
The group continued along the original route.
Not long after, Wen Xin and the others’ doubts were answered.
I saw groups of zombies crowded together in front of a roadblock not far away, almost blocking the entire street.
There were varying degrees of decay on their bodies. When they opened their mouths and roared, the flesh and blood mixed with pus were torn apart with great force, pulling out sticky silk threads.
Everyone just felt their breathing stagnate.
It turns out that all the zombies on the outermost periphery have run here, no wonder I didn’t see many of them just now!
But this number is too much.
Lin Nan’s scalp tingled, and he tightly clenched the weapon in his hand: “How many people are there in here to attract so many zombies?”
At the front of the zombie group is a large shopping mall, which is estimated to be more than 400 meters long.
The windows were tightly closed, the glass was reflective, and the distance was too far, so Wen Xin couldn’t see if there was anyone calling for help inside the mall.
He did not act rashly. Instead, he took out his walkie-talkie and reported the situation on the scene to the first team.
The liaison officer was very surprised. He didn’t expect that Wen Xin’s team would reach the target location so quickly.
The other party solemnly warned: “You are few in number, don’t act rashly, find a safer place nearby to stay and wait for the transfer order.”
There were constant sounds of gunfire and noisy voices on the intercom, mixed with the zombies’ roars, drowning out the voice of the contactor.
Wen Xin listened reluctantly to the end, but the other party had already unilaterally terminated the communication.
The team members also heard the noise coming from the walkie-talkie and looked at each other.
“I heard explosions. They even used micro-bombs!”
“Why aren’t there so many zombies on this road? Are we just lucky?”
Wen Xin frowned, abandoned those bad guesses, and led his team members to avoid the attention of the zombies and lurk in the residential building.
Looking down from the window on the third floor, you can observe the situation around the mall.
There was a discovery that puzzled Wen Xin.
The roadblock blocking the zombies is not very high. With the size and number of this group of zombies, they can be easily pushed down. Why are they blocking behind it instead of going in?
Could there be something in the mall that could make even the zombies afraid to move forward…
Not long after, Wen Xin saw bursts of roars erupting at the other side of the street, and thick smoke rising into the sky.
The zombies heard the noise, let out creepy roars, swarmed over like a flood, and then fell down in droves under the suppression of firepower.
Blood and flesh were flying everywhere.
Amid the sound of explosions, two elite troops rushed out of the encirclement in the lingering smoke.
They were divided into four teams and moved in an orderly manner. They arrived at the main entrance on the side of the mall in almost the blink of an eye and ran into the mall without any delay.
Wen Xin didn’t hear any more gunshots, and wondered if they were blocked by the mall’s soundproof walls.
Seeing the powerful force, Lin Nan was excited: “Hey, I said they must have other tasks.”
But that’s not what they need to worry about.
Several people followed the instructions and stayed where they were and waited.
After resting enough and having nothing to do, they split up to collect some supplies.
Lin Nan maxed out his search skill. The others searched four cabinets but found nothing. Only he found half a can of Lao Gan Ma, a few packs of Little Bear biscuits, and a bag of sunflower seeds.
When the team members saw the melon seeds, their eyes lit up.
It’s only been a few months since the apocalypse, and these things haven’t expired yet. As long as they’re not damaged or leaking, you can eat them.
Wen Xin was still observing the situation outside.
Along the way, not to mention the shadow of a fox, I didn’t even see any small animals like sparrows.
The witnesses only said it was near this area, so the actual location might be a little off.
Wen Xin decided to wait until the mission was over before searching carefully along these roads.
“Squad leader!”
Wen Xin looked back and saw Lin Nan offering him the bear biscuits. “Squad leader, I heard you like sweets?”
He was stunned and asked in confusion: “Why do you say that?”
Lin Nan said as if it was a matter of course: “Because you were a cake maker before!”
His thinking is very simple. If he doesn’t like sweets, why would he choose a job related to them?
Wen Xin was silent for a moment, then he met Lin Nanqiyi’s gaze and crooked his eyes subconsciously: “Yes, I like it, thank you.”
Seeing him smile, Lin Nan felt his heart melt.
Their squad leader is usually very serious in serious situations, but he looks so soft when he smiles.
It’s like a ray of spring breeze blowing across your face, always giving you a feeling of security and tranquility.
The main force was just ahead, so no one dared to go too far.
This time when they went out, they all brought enough food for three days in case they encountered any accidents along the way that might delay their return.
It’s only the first day now, so there’s no shortage of food, so everyone can sit still.
But after a long time, the entrance of the mall was still quiet, which made Wen Xin feel a little uneasy.
He picked up the walkie-talkie, but was not sure what was going on inside. He was afraid that contacting them rashly would interfere with the operations of the main force.
Wen Xin decided to wait a little longer.
An hour later, the sky gradually darkened, and a new wave of zombies appeared in front of the roadblock, but there was still no movement in the mall.
Wen Xin’s heart finally sank little by little.
Without further hesitation, he used the intercom to call his previous contact.
About ten seconds later, the call was connected with a beep.
Before Wen Xin had time to inquire about the situation, a shrill and distorted scream came from the intercom.
“ah–!”
Everyone’s heart suddenly tightened.
Wen Xin asked sternly, “What happened? How are you doing over there?”
The liaison officer’s trembling voice came: “The operation has been exposed. There are mutants and other bases are intervening. We, we need reinforcements…”
“Zhang Quanyong… find Director Zhang Quanyong! He is in the west of the mall…”
Before the last word fell, there was another loud noise from the other side, like a blunt object like an axe, hitting the floor with force.
Rolling.
There was the sound of a head rolling to the floor.
Communications were interrupted.
Wen Xin’s hand trembled, then quickly clenched.
The team members looked panicked. The news they suddenly heard was like a thunderous cloud hanging over everyone’s head, making them at a loss as to what to do.
“Captain, what did he just say? There are mutants and other bases interfering?!”
“Did our people encounter an ambush? What should we do now? Who is Zhang Quanyong?”
Wen Xin’s heart was also in a mess.
But before the players lost their composure, he calmed down first.
“If I’m not mistaken, Zhang Quanyong should be the target of the large force’s mission this time. Let’s find him instead of killing him. This is most likely a rescue operation.”
Wen Xin closed his eyes and made a prompt decision: “It’s too risky to rely on just a few of us to carry out the follow-up rescue.”
“Zhang Wu, Wang Hang.”
The two players whose names were called responded: “Here!”
“The first team didn’t contact us first for reinforcements. Maybe the situation was too critical to call for help. You two should go nearby and find other teams to verify the situation with them.”
The two men looked serious and left.
Wen Xin: “This operation should be kept absolutely confidential. The fact that the news has been known by other bases proves that there is an undercover agent among us.”
He closed his eyes and recalled that his whereabouts were exposed on the way to City A.
He also thought of the three people who had shown invisible malice towards him before this operation began.
Wen Xin had something in mind.
He looked at the other two team members, including Lin Nan, and said, “You two must return immediately and report the matter of other bases interfering to Commander Li Yongming and ask him to make a decision.”
One of the team members immediately responded: “Yes!”
Among all the action plans, Wen Xin himself was the only one not included.
Lin Nan looked at Wen Xin’s resolute expression and thought of something: “Squad Leader, are you planning to break into the mall alone to rescue the so-called Zhang Quanyong?”
Lin Nan hit upon Wen Xin’s thoughts.
The fact that so many people can be mobilized shows that this mission is of great importance.
The situation on the other two sides of the mall cannot be seen from here. What if Zhang Quanyong encounters an accident or is transferred away through the side door while they are waiting for other teams to gather?
Then all those who participated in this operation…including those who have already sacrificed their lives, will have all their previous efforts wasted and will die with regrets.
After hearing these words, Lin Nan was silent for a moment, then insisted: “If you want to go, squad leader, then I will go with you. Only one person is enough to bring the news back.”
“I have no one at home, and I have no other concerns. Squad leader, take me with you. More people means more help!”
Wen Xin couldn’t refuse him.
The two men sorted out the remaining bullets, avoided the group of zombies surrounding the roadblock, and chose another way to sneak into the mall.
The gate had been broken open by the first team, and the broken chain was hanging on the broken glass door.
From the outside, the mall was dark, silent, and eerily quiet.
Wen Xin and his companion walked on the smooth marble floor and entered cautiously.
In case someone was lying in wait, they would stop every few meters and wait for the situation.
This mall is bigger than I imagined.
It seemed that there were passages connecting several buildings, one side was five stories high and the other side was seven stories high.
The looping and interlaced structure has turned this place into a small shopping mall, and traces of human modification can be seen everywhere.
When passing an intersection, Wen Xin suddenly noticed a dazzling white light coming from the dark corridor.
He gestured to Lin Nan to stop, hold his weapon tightly, hold his breath and wait, silently hoping that the man would leave quickly.
But God did not meet Wen Xin’s expectations.
The white light came straight towards this side without any deviation, and at the same time, the footsteps of no less than five people were heard.
Lin Nan’s face changed, Wen Xin pursed his lips, quietly took out a smoke bomb, and continued to wait.
Ten meters, nine meters, eight meters…
When it came to the last three meters, Wen Xin pulled out the safety pin of the smoke bomb, held it in his hand and counted to three, then threw it out without hesitation.
“Who is it?!”
The five men screamed and at the same time a smoke bomb exploded, and a thick white smoke blocked everyone’s vision.
“It’s them, the same group of people as the army just now!”
Hearing this, Wen Xin no longer hesitated. He jumped out like a swift wolf, and with the cover of smoke, he knocked a person unconscious with precision.
They couldn’t shoot because the space here was enclosed and the echo would attract more people.
Lin Nan dealt with one but turned around to be entangled by the other two. Unfortunately, he bumped into the wall and screamed in pain: “Fuck!”
“Lin Nan!”
Wen Xin hurried over to provide support.
During the stalemate, he suddenly realized that although these guys had strong hands, they had no method at all when beating people, and they did not look like they had received formal training.
In a flash, Wen Xin asked, “Are you from Idealism?”
Upon hearing the name of his own sect, the person fighting against him was obviously stuck.
He didn’t even get the words “How dare you come here if you knew that” out of his mouth because Wen Xin seized the opportunity and knocked him unconscious.
There were more footsteps coming from the distance, and I was afraid that the situation here had been discovered by someone.
Wen Xin made a prompt decision and shouted at Lin Nan, “Go!”
Without hesitation, Lin Nan followed Wen Xin’s steps.
The two men ran desperately towards the west, and Wen Xin even heard gunshots behind them.
The Idealism Sect is a civilian organization, and these guns must have been snatched from the main force!
Those who entered before are probably in danger.
Wen Xin paid attention to the situation of the pursuers. His palms were covered in sweat, his heart was beating violently, and his nerves were stretched to the extreme.
Suddenly, Lin Nan behind him shook.
Wen Xin’s pupils shrank, and his body reacted faster than his brain. He pulled his shaky teammate and hid in the shop next door.
After being pulled like this, Lin Nan sobered up a little, and said with difficulty while holding his head: “I might have hit my head just now…”
Wen Xin covered his mouth and made a gesture to keep quiet.
The sound of chaotic footsteps soon caught up.
But for some reason, the group of people who were shouting and yelling angrily suddenly stopped at the stairs and did not move forward another step.
Wen Xin concentrated and listened carefully.
After a while, footsteps were heard again and they actually dispersed backwards.
What is going on?
Wen Xin frowned, not daring to relax at all. Suddenly, he smelled a strange fragrance.
The fragrance was not strong, but it was refreshing. To describe it specifically, it was a bit like the incense and candles he had smelled in the temple before.
Wen Xin felt dizzy for no reason.
Lin Nan, who was beside him, reacted more strongly than him and couldn’t help but murmur, “What a nice smell…”
“Wen Xin, there is light ahead.”
Lin Nan pointed vaguely towards the back room of the shop.
The dim candlelight poured out through the gap in the open door, and a shadow was reflected on the door curtain, seemingly moving.
“There seems to be a fox in there…?”
Fox… Fox?!
Wen Xin’s confused mind suddenly became clear.
He looked up suddenly and saw that the shadow on the door curtain was a fox. His heart rate soared.
Is it Xiaoqi?
Wen Xin took a big step forward and grabbed the door curtain.
