Chapter 185: Gathering Strength, the Second Most Important Thing

(from ""Restarting the Farm at the End of the World"")

Bian Changxi feigned panic and called out, “George! George, what’s wrong?”

The others rushed over in a flurry, only to see that George had already lost consciousness, as if he’d fainted from overwhelming excitement and nerves.

Chen Guanqing sighed, “We’ve been going out every day to scavenge for supplies, fighting zombies all the time. The pressure’s been too much for George.”

As he spoke, he prepared to take George to rest.

The two police officers exchanged a furtive glance, then said to Bian Changxi, “Miss Bian, we’ll head back for now. We still need to report to our superiors about Guangtou Qiang’s situation.”

Bian Changxi caught the look they shared and instantly knew she couldn’t let them leave—not now. If rumors started spreading, the consequences could be dire.

She shot Chen Guanqing a look and said to the two officers, “I think Guangtou Qiang should be waking up soon. Why don’t you at least finish the basic questioning before you go?”

The two officers insisted it wasn’t necessary and turned to leave, but just then, a plump white little beast sauntered in from outside, baring its sharp little teeth at them.

It should have been a cute, kitten-like gesture, but the glint of those fangs and the cold, disdainful look in its black eyes sent a chill up their spines. For some reason, their feet felt rooted to the spot.

Bian Changxi, seeing Milk (the little beast), paused for a moment, then told Chu Hao to entertain the two officers—under no circumstances could they be allowed to leave. She stepped outside to check, and saw that Chen Guanqing had already secured the courtyard; no one inside could get out.

Over the past month, Chu Hao had fully lived up to his reputation as the number one rich guy—kind, generous, and helpful. He’d helped many people, and some loners with nowhere else to go had started following him. Chen Guanqing, no longer the reckless type, was now shrewd and understood the importance of building his own power base. He made good use of the favors Chu Hao had earned, and now had seven or eight reliable people under him, with even more casual connections.

Today was the day they planned to move. Everyone had come to help, though with Chu Hao’s spatial ability, there wasn’t much actual moving to do. But it was a good way to build camaraderie and morale. The two who’d just tried to placate the police were among those seven or eight. After Bian Changxi’s signal, Chen Guanqing had them help lock down the courtyard.

By the dim light, Bian Changxi saw that Lin He and Zhao An’an—who’d come with her—were also deliberately blocking the main entrance. Relieved, she went with Chen Guanqing to a side room and asked, “How were you exposed? How bad is it?”

Chen Guanqing, aware of the seriousness, replied immediately, “That day, I was training Xiao Ai as usual, with Chu Hao keeping watch. We got careless, since most people were out of the yard. George suddenly barged in. I was feeding Xiao Ai meat at the time.” He quickly clarified, “It was mutant beast meat. We’ve never fed her human flesh, nor let her hurt anyone.”

“Although Chu Hao put Xiao Ai away right away, I’m sure George saw everything he shouldn’t have.”

Chen Guanqing’s face darkened. “Afterwards, I tried to sound George out. He was still shaken and confused, but he accepted our explanation that he’d been seeing things. Who knew he’d be waiting to cause trouble now?”

Bian Changxi didn’t reply immediately. Suddenly, she asked, “It’s not easy for you to get in and out of the base, right? They have spatial detectors now, so you can’t keep Xiao Ai in Chu Hao’s space.”

Chen Guanqing nodded. “At first, we went out twice, but after the detectors were installed, I didn’t dare let Chu Hao leave anymore.”

Bian Changxi asked again, “Why does Xiao Ai eat meat? Did you give it to her, or did she ask for it?”

Chen Guanqing was momentarily confused by the question, but answered honestly, “At first, I just infused energy into Xiao Ai. She seemed to love it, and I could tell she needed it. But after a while, it wasn’t enough. She was fine with me, but when she saw Chu Hao, she wanted to pounce and bite. We discussed it and tried giving her a piece of frozen meat—she loved it. So I started bringing her mutant beast meat.”

Bian Changxi thought for a moment, then looked at Chen Guanqing. “How’s your ability progressing?”

Chen Guanqing was even more puzzled, but Bian Changxi’s serious expression made him realize something was up. He held out his hand, and a black fireball the size of two fists formed in his palm. The air around it instantly grew cold and corrosive.

Bian Changxi was a little surprised. “Tier three already?”

Chen Guanqing was even more surprised that she could tell at a glance. “Yes!” he replied firmly. “I’ve been training hard, and two days ago I finally advanced.”

Bian Changxi’s mind was churning.

It had only been about a month since the first tier-three appeared, and while they weren’t so rare now, there still weren’t many. Even An Jibo, who was clearly being groomed as a key talent, was only just short of advancing, showing how difficult it was.

Those who had advanced were almost all people with backgrounds and resources, since they had access to concentrated resources and didn’t have to worry about daily survival, allowing them to focus on cultivation.

Chen Guanqing was different. He hadn’t trained at all for two months after awakening his power, then endured a difficult journey, and after arriving at the base, he and his group had no power or influence and were constantly busy just surviving. Yet he’d managed to reach tier three at a speed even faster than Gu Xu!

It was worth noting that he was a mutant fire type, but used a white core.

Bian Changxi extended a slightly flattened vine, wrapping it around the black fireball. Instantly, a sizzling, corrosive sound filled the air—she could feel the power in that flame.

He was going to be a real powerhouse.

“What about your ability to control zombies?” she asked.

Chen Guanqing answered honestly, “It’s not as useful as the fire, but I’ve found that I can influence tier-one and tier-two zombies, confusing them and slowing their movements.”

Yes, this unique zombie-control ability was truly enviable.

Chu Hao had connections, Chen Guanqing was shrewd and capable, and both had good character. Last time, when Bian Changxi asked them to help monitor Wen Mingli, they’d agreed without hesitation, showing their gratitude to her. She’d done them favors, and there was a bit of camaraderie between them.

So, while Chu Hao’s spatial ability wasn’t all that important, Chen Guanqing’s potential as a future top expert carried real weight.

Originally, Bian Changxi had wanted to befriend Chu Hao for more connections and options. But she hadn’t expected Gu Xu to be so thorough and accommodating—having him around meant she didn’t really need to network elsewhere, and truthfully, she didn’t enjoy that kind of social maneuvering. So her contact with Chu Hao and the others had lessened.

But now, two paths lay before her again: to help, or not to help? To get involved, or stay out of it?

Bian Changxi thought about the future move to the capital—there would surely be massive zombie hordes and all kinds of unpredictable dangers along the way. Someone like Chen Guanqing could be invaluable.

Seeing her silent for a long time, Chen Guanqing asked, “If Xiao Ai’s secret gets out, Chu Hao and I won’t be able to stay in the base. Who knows if we’d even be safe in another base. If you can help us, I’ll do everything I can to repay you.”

Bian Changxi shook her head. “It’s not just a matter of not being able to stay. The base’s top leader, Zhuge Yunma, has started a research project on transforming and taming zombies. I’ve already been targeted by them—if I didn’t have a powerful backer, I’d have been taken away for research by now. If your secret gets out, you and Xiao Ai won’t just be studied—you’ll be experimented on.”

Chen Guanqing’s face changed dramatically. He hadn’t realized it was that serious!

He swallowed hard, staring at Bian Changxi. “So… do I have what it takes to get myself a strong backer?”

He had the qualifications, but it would be complicated.

Bian Changxi took out paper and pen from her farm space and wrote down everything that had happened, especially highlighting Chen Guanqing’s unique abilities, but without adding her own opinion—leaving the decision to the recipient. She called Lin He over, gave him her black card, and told him to drive back to the villa and deliver the note to Gu Xu.

Lin He left solemnly. Bian Changxi said to Chen Guanqing, “The only person I can ask for help is Major Gu. There’s no one more reliable or righteous than him. But whether he agrees, and whether the outcome suits you, I can’t guarantee.”

Chen Guanqing immediately said, “I’ve long admired Major Gu. Honestly, I’ve been wanting to join him.”

Bian Changxi said no more, and called Milk over, settling the little beast on her lap. “Why did you come? Did Gu Xu send you, or did you come on your own?”

Milk rubbed against her palm, thoroughly enjoying it, but also a little aggrieved, as if complaining she never took it out with her.

Bian Changxi smiled. Earlier, when she’d heard someone was looking for her, she’d thought it was someone trying to recruit her for research, but then found out Gu Xu had already turned them down several times. Realizing the problem was on Dianzi Lane’s side, she hadn’t asked Gu Xu or anyone else to come—after all, they were all prominent figures now, and their appearance would only escalate things. She didn’t want to make a big deal out of her own private matters.

But now, it was no longer just a private matter.

After about twenty minutes, the two police officers were getting restless, and the others were growing anxious. A car pulled up outside the courtyard. Lin He and a few others escorted a tall, elegant man—his face still hidden—into the house. Once inside, the others dispersed, and the man lowered his hood. It was Qiu Feng.

Qiu Feng shook hands with Chen Guanqing and exchanged a few pleasantries, then turned to Bian Changxi. “Gu Xu wants you to come back. I’ll handle things here.”

“What does he mean?”

“He said, in the apocalypse, the second most important resource is manpower—and the most important of all are top-tier experts.” Qiu Feng looked at Bian Changxi, a mixture of admiration and perhaps a hint of impatience in his eyes. “You really are our lucky star. Not only have you brought us opportunities for growth, you’ve also introduced such outstanding talents.”

Bian Changxi could tell he was a little displeased.