Chapter 84: Delivering the Core, Longyue Town Ahead

After the battle, the convoy was unusually quiet, as if everyone was still in shock from what had just happened.

It wasn’t like they’d never been attacked by zombies before—zombies and mutant beasts harassed the massive convoy almost every day. Blood had been spilled, people had died. But never had anything like today happened: right before their eyes, under everyone’s gaze, a single zombie had acted so brazenly, so unstoppable, as if nothing could stand in its way.

That long-legged, speed-type zombie had shown everyone just how truly ferocious and powerful zombies could be, making the harshness of their current survival environment hit home in a visceral, unforgettable way.

Of course, in the end, whether it was that spatial blade or that burst of flame, both had filled everyone with renewed hope and excitement.

So Awakened could really be this powerful—killing zombies without a trace, even blasting them away with a single strike. Damn, that was amazing!

From today on, ordinary people who hadn’t awakened abilities couldn’t help but yearn to become stronger. At the same time, two names echoed throughout the entire convoy for the first time:

One was Su Chensi. The other, Gu Xu.

Back to the scene: after the last zombie was finally brought down, people gradually came to their senses. The zombie’s mental attack had been relatively weak, so everyone just felt dizzy for a moment, but soon recovered.

Then the loudspeaker announced that all danger had passed, but the convoy didn’t move. That was because a group of people—normal people, thankfully—had emerged from the previously zombie-surrounded building. Convoy One sent someone to negotiate with them, and after quite a while, the broadcast came again: they would set up camp on the grassland and rest here for the night.

Everyone cheered with relief. After such a fright, they were all exhausted—any chance to rest was welcome.

Zhang Bubai checked the time. “It’s not even one o’clock yet.” His face was still a bit pale—whether from fear or excitement, it was hard to say. He kept muttering, “That was Captain Gu just now, right? He’s really something.” If Captain Gu hadn’t shown up, would anyone have been able to stop that zombie? Would it have gone on a rampage, killing indiscriminately? Would any of them have survived? The thought was terrifying.

Bian Changxi pursed her lips. It was indeed Gu Xu. She was also surprised to see him there instead of with his own Team Six. But what really shocked her was his mastery over fire—he must have reached the second tier by now.

Comparisons are odious. Just three days ago, he’d been badly injured, lost half his blood, and now he was up and about, full of energy, and had even advanced a tier, making a huge splash.

It was still early, not even two o’clock. But by the time they’d cleared the area and settled the vehicles and people, it was already three-thirty.

The sun was still blazing. Zhang Bubai and the people in the rear truck hauled out two bundles of fabric—old, damaged tents they’d salvaged and sewn together, an idea suggested by Bian Changxi. One end was tied to the truck, the other two corners propped up with bamboo poles, so the truck looked like it had spread its wings, creating a patch of shade. After getting out, people gathered under it.

Bian Changxi brought out her folding stool, stretched her back and legs, and plopped down—after a day of bumping along, her bones felt like they were falling apart.

Zhang Bubai, after a short rest, started making more folding stools. She laughed, “You don’t have to work so hard, do you? Aren’t you tired?”

Two days ago, Bian Changxi had given one of these stools to Lin Rongrong and Chen Yisha. Lin Rongrong hadn’t thought much of it, but Chen Yisha’s family and teammates all wanted one. Space in the vehicles was tight, and there was barely enough room for supplies, let alone chairs. After getting out, people either stood or sat on the ground, and even laying a cloth down wasn’t comfortable. So everyone really liked the folding stools.

Bian Changxi realized there was a business opportunity and suggested trading stools for supplies.

She’d seen Zhang Bubai make them—he was skilled, and if he didn’t fuss over the details, he could finish one in an hour. After some haggling, she managed to set the price at one stool for a 500-600ml bottle of water or a standard 250g pack of biscuits. That price scared off some, but others with more resources were happy to trade, which delighted Zhang Bubai.

Though he had to drive during the day and couldn’t make many stools, any extra income was welcome. He even shared the “business” with a few roommates and friends—people worse off than him, often going hungry, but with more free time. They made stools for food and even gave him a “commission.” In just two days, the whole convoy knew about this little group making folding stools. Soon, people were making folding chairs, fans, wooden clogs, mats, clothes, hats, umbrellas—you name it. The craftsmen realized they could make a living this way.

Of course, none of them could match the prices Bian Changxi had negotiated.

Because of this, Bian Changxi, the pioneer, was showered with gratitude, “good person” cards, and all sorts of simple but useful items.

It wasn’t that people were especially honest or kind—they just saw the benefits her driver, Zhang Bubai, was getting and wanted to get in on it. Besides, as the strongest wood-type Awakened in the convoy so far, Bian Changxi was already in high demand.

Zhang Bubai, sweating profusely, grinned, “It’s hot whether you’re sitting around or working, so why waste time?”

He was good at planning ahead—unlike many in the apocalypse who lived only for the moment, he saved most of the food and water he earned, just in case something unexpected happened and he suddenly had nothing to eat.

“You’re right, young man,” said an old man sitting beside him, holding a few peeled, sun-dried wooden stakes. “You should always keep busy—no matter what, people shouldn’t be idle.” He added, “Mind if I borrow your axe?”

This old man was even more skilled than Zhang Bubai. He made utensils, chopping the wood into pieces and deftly using knives and chisels to turn them into chopsticks, spoons, bowls, and plates. After a bit of polishing, they’d be beautiful and practical. The leftover scraps could even be made into cute pendants. But Bian Changxi hadn’t seen anyone buy his wares—maybe because the wood had a smell, or maybe people just didn’t need them. Still, he was content, his wrinkled face full of quiet satisfaction and determination.

Looking at him, then at the anxious, irritable young people nearby—arguing endlessly over supposed “big decisions”—it was like two different worlds, two different attitudes.

Before she could reflect any further, someone came over—there were wounded who needed her help.

The medical team wasn’t just for show. Although she didn’t get any special treatment, she had plenty of work to do. In fact, after publicly rejecting Qu Shangjin’s obvious attempts to recruit her, she was being worked even harder. But there was nothing she could do—she wasn’t ready to fall out with Qu Shangjin just yet.

On the way, she detoured to check on Wu Dalang. His injuries weren’t as life-threatening as Gu Xu’s, but much harder to heal—a whole bone broken, not just flesh, and bones don’t just grow back overnight. He was still lying there, leg immobilized, unable to move.

Before she even got there, she heard Wu Dalang’s cold, impatient voice: “Just go. Take your core with you. I don’t need it.”

Rounding a vehicle, she saw a silver-gray van with the door half open. The back was cleared out, with only a folding mattress inside, where Wu Dalang was half-lying. Su Chensi, dressed in crisp military attire, stood by the door, looking disappointed and conflicted.

Aside from them, only the barbecue guy—Nan Bin, known as A’nan—was there. Gu Xu and the others were busy, so this young strongman had been assigned to look after Wu Dalang.

“Well, take care of yourself. About that day, I—I’m really sorry,” Su Chensi said, head down, and hurried away.

Bian Changxi walked over. “She still comes every day?”

“Miss Bian,” Wu Dalang greeted her, sighing. “Yeah, every day, sometimes several times a day.” He wasn’t Qiu Yun—otherwise, he’d probably be complaining, “What’s wrong with her? I told her not to come. Is she just asking for trouble?”

Bian Changxi bent over to examine his leg, then asked A’nan to help remove the splint so Wu Dalang could carefully bend his knee.

“It’ll hurt a bit—still not healed, but you have to move it. If the muscle stays contracted too long, it’s not good.”

Wu Dalang nodded gratefully. “I know, I know.”

While the soldier assigned to escort Bian Changxi was being distracted by A’nan, Wu Dalang said quietly, “You still have to go over there?”

“Yeah.”

“Those people are getting more and more out of line. If it’s not what you want, don’t force yourself.”

Bian Changxi was taken aback. Lately, the way she was treated when healing people was worlds apart from before. Wu Dalang’s words warmed her heart. He then took something out. “The captain knew you’d be coming, so he asked me to give you this.”

Bian Changxi’s eyes lit up. No way—a green core, and it looked like a third-tier one.

“From that zombie just now?”

“Yeah. The captain had to go to a meeting and didn’t know when he’d be back, so he asked me to give it to you first.”

Receiving such a valuable item, Bian Changxi felt a bit embarrassed. As the saying goes, “When you take someone’s hand, your own gets shorter”—well, a little shorter wouldn’t hurt. Only a fool would refuse something this good. She tended to Wu Dalang’s wound even more carefully, and casually asked, “What’s the meeting about?”

“Not too sure. The people from the dairy farm brought some intel—the highway to Sucheng is blocked, so Longyue Town ahead has become the only way through. Otherwise, the convoy would have to detour fifty kilometers through the mountains. The road isn’t long, but it’s tough, and a lot of vehicles would have to be abandoned. Plus, who knows what kind of wild beasts are in the mountains. Commander Qu and the others want to clear a path through Longyue Town. I guess that’s what they’re discussing.”

Bian Changxi’s heart skipped a beat. Longyue Town? Wasn’t that the place where so many people died? What did Bian Kuang say about it back then?

ps:

Thanks to ajulia for the reward and hull1977 for the floating flowers—thank you all for your support!

A family elder came to see a doctor, so I was roped into running errands. Today’s second update will be a bit late—sorry!