Chapter 98: Information, Small Teams in Town

But he never changed. Even though he knew more people and had built up a lot of goodwill, he was still the same honest, good-natured guy. He was polite to everyone and always willing to lend a hand when someone was in trouble. At the same time, he had a good sense of boundaries—he never tried to stand out or meddle in things he shouldn’t, and he knew who he could and couldn’t help. Because of this, even the big shots and people in power at the base liked him a lot.

In the past, Bian Changxi both admired and thought this rich guy was a bit of a fool. Seriously, she never understood what he was after. People usually have a purpose for what they do, but he didn’t seem to get anything out of it. If it was just to live comfortably, there was no need to be indiscriminately kind to everyone. And after doing so many good deeds, he didn’t even look for any recognition.

Later, she heard Gu Xu mention that a big reason Chu Hao acted this way was to build up favors for a friend of his—so that if this friend ever offended someone, people would let it slide for Chu Hao’s sake. That friend had a weird, abrasive personality and a knack for causing trouble, plus a special job, so Chu Hao had no choice but to cast a wide net.

Realizing she’d been lost in thought too long, she quickly said to Chu Hao, “Oh, I must be mistaken. I don’t think we’ve met before.” Then she turned to the man by the window—“Old Six”—and asked, “What about him? What’s his name?”

Chu Hao replied, “He’s Chen Guanqing. We were classmates in high school.”

So it really was Chen Guanqing—Su City’s infamous “Suicidal Number One” assassin.

He didn’t have any background to speak of. His ability was strong, but not the best. He had a gloomy temper and liked to take on assassination jobs he was barely qualified for, which earned him the nickname “Suicidal Number One.” But probably because Chu Hao looked out for him, he’d managed to survive—right up until the day Su City’s base fell. Word was, he suddenly went berserk, leapt into a zombie horde, and was completely devoured by a female zombie.

Thinking of this, Bian Changxi was startled. Could that female zombie be the one from the hotel?

The more she thought about it, the more likely it seemed. Back then, there had been both a zombie horde and a beast tide, and the rumors were that there was a zombie who could control mutant beasts.

With that in mind, she looked at Chen Guanqing with a much softer gaze.

After Chu Hao finished the introductions, it was her turn. She said, “I’m Bian Changxi. I just arrived from the outskirts this morning.”

“The outskirts? You came alone?” Chu Hao asked.

“Not exactly. I was with a large group before, but we got separated because of some things. I came here to see if they left through this place.”

“A large group?” Chu Hao glanced at Chen Guanqing. “You mean that big convoy from two months ago?”

Two months ago?

Bian Changxi thought, No way it’s been that long, but said, “Maybe. Can you tell me more about it?”

Chu Hao also thought it was unlikely—after all, the convoy left over two months ago, and only now someone from the group showed up? Still, he answered honestly, “It was a huge convoy, supposedly with five or six hundred thousand people. They split into five or six groups, all protected by the military. I saw tanks, cannons, and plenty of fighter jets that day.”

Bian Changxi’s mouth fell open. That was definitely it.

“Which way did they go?”

“Toward Music Square. Pretty much everyone in Longyue Town went there that day and left with them.”

Bian Changxi fell silent for a moment. She kept working as she finally dug the crystal core out of the dog’s head, wiped it clean, and found it was a radiant third-tier gold core. She was happy but also a little shaken—if that wolfdog had scratched her earlier, she’d have been seriously injured.

This gold core was at least worth fifty first-tier white cores in terms of energy, and probably double that in value. Should she keep it, or let Ning absorb it?

Chu Hao was amazed when he saw it. “That’s a high-grade core, isn’t it? I heard there are different levels.”

“Yeah, this one’s third-tier.” Bian Changxi asked, “By the way, how do I get to Music Square?”

“You want to go there?” Chu Hao quickly tried to dissuade her. “You really shouldn’t. So many people passed through there—just think how many zombies from in and around town were drawn there. Now it’s the most dangerous place, packed with zombies.”

“I know what I’m doing. I just wanted to ask.”

Since she insisted, Chu Hao didn’t push further. As he explained, he drew out the route for her. Bian Changxi thanked him happily. When it came to supplies, nowhere could compare to the area around Music Square. She just didn’t know if the big group had already cleaned it out. If she didn’t find what she needed elsewhere, she might have to make a trip there.

She went on to ask about other things. For example, today was August 11th on the Gregorian calendar—the third month since the apocalypse began. That meant after she woke up in Ning, more than two months had passed outside. She also learned that the big group that left two months ago wasn’t led by Qu Shangjin, but by someone surnamed Hu, whom everyone called Chief Hu. The actual work—commanding the troops, recruiting people from Longyue Town into the convoy—was handled by someone known as “Captain Gu” and his subordinates.

Bian Changxi realized it was almost certainly Hu Aiquan and Gu Xu who had teamed up to sideline Qu Shangjin. She wasn’t surprised he’d ended up powerless again. She didn’t feel the least bit sorry for him—after all, when Boss Zhang set her up, it was Qu Shangjin who gave the order. She didn’t know what the old man was thinking, but it all started because she’d publicly rejected him over a trivial matter. For a military district commander to be so petty, it was only a matter of time before he was ousted.

She also found out that Chu Hao and Chen Guanqing weren’t the only survivors left in Longyue Town. There were several scattered groups who, for various reasons, hadn’t left with the convoy. Over time, they’d formed small teams, wandering in and around town, wary of each other but also dependent on one another.

When Chu Hao suggested she come see their place, Bian Changxi hesitated, then nodded.

They left the empty building—no zombies, no people—and moved quietly through the streets. Chu Hao chatted as they went, pointing out which areas were packed with zombies, which had only a few, where the really dangerous ones were, and where there were only small fry. They made their living dodging the lesser threats.

To have survived over two months in zombie territory, these people had developed their own survival rules. It reminded Bian Changxi of primitive tribes on the plains or in the forests—no sturdy houses, no stable food supply, not even a fixed home. They roamed among wild beasts, struggling against nature, living at the mercy of the elements, with danger and uncertainty everywhere. Yet beneath it all was a fierce tenacity and vitality.

This kind of environment really forged people.

Of course, if there were better options, no one would choose such a precarious life.

On the way, they ran into another group at a street corner. Hearing footsteps, someone called out warily, “Who’s there?”

Chu Hao quickly put on a friendly smile and called back, “It’s me, Chu Hao. Is that you, Old Chai?”

The other group stepped into view—a tall, burly middle-aged man led five or six others. Each had a watermelon knife or hammer strapped to them, and they carried makeshift weapons: mop handles with cleavers or sickles lashed to one end, giving them reach so they wouldn’t have to fight zombies hand-to-hand.

The leader, “Old Chai,” even had a revolver at his waist.

Sizing up the big, imposing Old Chai, Bian Changxi guessed he was probably a strength-type ability user, likely at the second tier judging by his aura—not bad at all.

When Old Chai saw Chu Hao, his expression relaxed. “Oh, it’s Little Chu. I thought it was that Baldy’s gang—gave me a fright.” Even as he said that, a shadow flickered in his eyes. Clearly, if it had been Baldy’s people, there might have been trouble.

His gaze quickly landed on Bian Changxi, and his eyes lit up. “This young lady looks unfamiliar.”

Chu Hao said, “We just met her. She came from the southern outskirts.”

Not knowing if Bian Changxi wanted to share her name, he didn’t introduce her further.

Old Chai noticed the Tang sword and rifle on Bian Changxi’s back—she hadn’t put the rifle away since taking it out, since that would expose Ning—and his eyes burned with envy. Those were clearly top-notch weapons. In the apocalypse, aside from abilities, weapons were what gave people a sense of security. A powerful weapon could boost the survival odds of a person or even a whole team.

But he wasn’t stupid. Just looking at Bian Changxi, covered in fresh blood but not at all disheveled, with a healthy complexion that showed she was eating well, fair skin that showed she wasn’t short on water, and a bright, alert look in her eyes—he knew she was no ordinary person.

So he suppressed his greed.

After all, you needed to be alive to enjoy good things. Just a month ago, Scavenger Lao Wei from the east had set his sights on Bald Qiang’s two pistols—just pistols, and with barely any bullets left. He made a few threats, and that very night, was found dead in his home. After he died, his ragtag crew fell apart, and within days, zombies had picked them off one by one. Their corpses were still wandering that area.

In this world, there was no shortage of strong or ruthless people. If you crossed them, dying was just dying.

He eyed Bian Changxi’s weapons with envy, but forced himself to sound casual as he said to Chu Hao, “Looks like you’ve recruited another tough one. If I ever need help, you can’t turn me down!”

Chu Hao’s face changed. He glanced at Bian Changxi, saw she didn’t react, and said reproachfully, “Old Chai, don’t say that. ‘Recruited’—we just happened to meet. If you say that, what will she think of me? She might think I have some ulterior motive.”

“Oh?” Old Chai immediately switched gears, smiling at Bian Changxi. “Young… friend, my name’s Chai Zhong. The younger folks here all call me Old Chai. You’ve just arrived and who knows how long you’ll stay, but if you need anything, just ask. I, Chai Zhong, will do whatever I can to help.”

ps:

Thanks to Juzi Guoguo for a pink ticket! Thanks to Shuiboli Shuo for a pink ticket!