After the vehicle left the base, it passed through a stretch of wasteland. Qiu Shi had seen this area from the hot air balloon before—this land was once farmland. From the air, one could still vaguely make out the outlines of fields, but now it was completely overgrown with weeds infected by fungi.
Every so often, there was a birdcall outside that sounded like a whistle—long and mournful.
The old man had said that land which couldn’t grow much to begin with would produce even weaker weeds after a bout of fungal infestation.
Qiu Shi had lived in Yun City all his life. According to the expanded maps, Yun City was quite far from the epicenter of the fungal outbreak. Its protective barrier had shielded much of the surrounding land during the time of the “jungle” migration. Though the city’s area was much smaller compared to the massive urban centers, it had still managed to preserve this small piece of habitable land over the years.
Aside from infected people and refugees, Qiu Shi didn’t know much about this broader world—until this trip away from Yun City. Now, he had seen with his own eyes the ruins of cities that had been consumed or were still being consumed by fungi. These lands would take many years before crops could grow again. And by the time they could, there might not be many people left in this chaotic and dangerous world to cultivate them…
“We can probably narrow it down to this area,” Song Heng projected a coastal map onto the dashboard. “Even if everything is underwater, there should still be traces on land.”
Song Heng’s voice pulled Qiu Shi back to the present. In two days, they would arrive at the sea. The search, originally expected to take more than three days, might be shortened to just one.
That meant they would soon be facing a new and unknown battle.
Qiu Shi, who still had part of his mind lingering with the hot air balloon, felt suddenly and sharply yanked back to reality, like being dragged out of an unfinished time-travel dream.
He stared at the map. “Is it that protruding stretch of land?”
“Yes,” Xu Jie replied. “That spot is ideal for constructing a subsea tunnel.”
“But if we attack from that direction, the terrain is too low,” Qiu Shi frowned. “Other than the cliffs near the sea, there’s no cover.”
“We can’t go straight in from the front,” Xing Bi said. “We’ll have to come in from the side—or across the water—get in as quickly as possible. But if we do that…”
“We’ll need the exact location of the research facility,” Xu Jie said quietly. “Someone has to scout ahead.”
“249 probably already knows we’ve narrowed down his general location,” Qiu Shi said. “He’ll definitely have set up defenses there.”
“Which means whoever goes to scout has to go in small numbers and must avoid being discovered,” Xing Bi said.
“Go in through the water,” Song Heng added. “249 doesn’t have many underwater guards, and the infected can’t stay submerged for long. That route is less likely to get detected.”
“That…” Qiu Shi looked at the map and imagined it for a moment, then furrowed his brow. “Isn’t that extremely dangerous?”
“Mm.” Xing Bi grunted in agreement.
“Who’s going?” Qiu Shi asked.
“I will,” Xing Bi said.
Qiu Shi looked at him but said nothing.
This answer didn’t surprise him at all. He knew Xing Bi would never let others take a risk like this. From the logic of a synthetic being pursuing the “optimal solution,” Xing Bi’s strength among the stealth units was top-tier. For a high-risk mission like this, minimizing casualties meant sending the strongest.
And he’d already handed over command of the team to Xu Jie and the others. This kind of mission wasn’t meant for a commanding officer to carry out.
“Do non-elite stealth unit members have a say?” Bai Zhan’s voice came through the earpiece.
“Go ahead,” Xing Bi said.
“I’ll go,” Bai Zhan said.
“Didn’t your system take some damage?” Qiu Shi asked. “This mission could cause further damage to it.”
Bai Zhan didn’t respond.
Qiu Shi waited two seconds. “Well?”
“Shit,” Bai Zhan muttered.
“Who the hell are you swearing at?!” Qiu Shi snapped.
“Yun City really raised a human like you?” Bai Zhan said.
“Was he insulting me?” Qiu Shi looked at Xing Bi.
“He’s moved,” Xing Bi replied with a small smile.
“Moved my ass,” Qiu Shi muttered.
“Stealth units are strong. Most people forget he’s even damaged,” Xu Jie said. “Especially since it’s not a limb issue.”
“Every time he speaks, I’m reminded his voice is so hoarse, his system must be damaged,” Qiu Shi said.
Xu Jie chuckled but said nothing.
“Thanks,” Bai Zhan said.
“…What the hell is going on here?” Qiu Shi said, exasperated.
“I’m coming over,” Bai Zhan said.
“Coming where, my ass?” Qiu Shi blinked in confusion.
Before he could ask Xing Bi, he saw the frontmost vehicle’s door open—Bai Zhan jumped out. The convoy didn’t slow down. As Bai Zhan ran toward them, Xing Bi opened their car’s door.
Bai Zhan leapt in.
“Was there something you couldn’t say over the comms?” Qiu Shi asked.
“I prefer talking face-to-face,” Bai Zhan replied.
“Then go ahead,” Qiu Shi said.
Bai Zhan looked at the projected map. “Make it bigger.”
Song Heng switched to a larger map, now displaying a broader area in front of them.
“These two sides,” Bai Zhan pointed to locations on the coastline slightly farther from the suspected research site, “far from the power lines, and avoids the final nest of the symbiotes.”
“Yeah,” Xing Bi replied. “But that’ll stretch our battlefront. We don’t have enough people. Lin Sheng’s reinforcements from Yun City won’t arrive in time for the recon phase.”
“We won’t need them,” Bai Zhan said. “The nomads will go.”
Qiu Shi was surprised. “The nomads?”
“The nomads,” Bai Zhan confirmed. “They’re already gathering near the coast.”
“Have they been in contact with you this whole time?” Xing Bi asked.
“Mm,” Bai Zhan responded.
“How?” Qiu Shi asked, still confused.
“There’s been whistling outside this whole time,” Xing Bi said.
“…I thought it was birds,” Qiu Shi muttered.
“There aren’t that many birds. And they wouldn’t follow us the whole way,” Xing Bi said with a small smile.
Outside, that long and mournful “birdsong” rang out again—the same sound they’d heard before.
“That one?” Qiu Shi asked.
“Yeah,” Bai Zhan nodded. “It’s a special long-distance signal they use.”
To be honest, the sorrowful tone of this whistle didn’t match the wild, chaotic style of the nomads at all. Their combat calls had a much sharper, fiercer sound—more in line with their usual temperament.
“How many nomads?” Song Heng asked.
“Several hundred, maybe a thousand,” Bai Zhan said. “We couldn’t gather that many before, but now it’s different.”
“What’s different?” Qiu Shi asked.
“How many drifters are there among the infected? They’re not afraid of dying, but that doesn’t mean they want to die as infected and be used by the symbionts,” Bai Zhan said. “No one used to take the lead, but now that Yun City has, they’re willing to join in for some excitement—and for the bounty.”
“The terms?” Xing Bi asked.
“Freedom,” Bai Zhan replied. “Drifters don’t need Yun City’s protection, and they won’t accept its leadership.”
“Mm.” Xing Bi gave a brief response.
That aligned with Li Feng’s current approach. Yun City had no intention of forcibly incorporating these wild humans, nor the capacity to manage the vast range of drifters.
“Tell us the specifics,” Xing Bi said.
“I’m not sure how they’ll attack,” Bai Zhan said. “But the coastal drifters have watercraft. If they help with reconnaissance, it’ll be safer.”
“Watercraft?” Qiu Shi thought of their flight suits.
“I’ve never seen them, but they’ve got all kinds of weird junk. No guarantees on performance—might die using it—but it works.” Bai Zhan said.
“Damn,” Qiu Shi muttered.
“I’ll go with them,” Bai Zhan said. “If they’re around, I can escape in case of skirmishes.”
Qiu Shi thought for a moment. “What if…”
“No, relying on them for recon won’t work,” Bai Zhan said. “They’re not dependable when it comes to serious business.”
“Got it.” Qiu Shi glanced at Xing Bi.
“How soon can they get there?” Xing Bi asked.
“The ones by the sea could arrive fast,” Bai Zhan said. “The ones here won’t be as quick—limited equipment.”
“Then we need to speed up,” Xing Bi said. “We have to get there before they go full berserk…”
“They don’t know our objective. I told them we’d supply weapons, so they’ll wait,” Bai Zhan understood what Xing Bi meant. “They’ll attack the camps and nests over there first.”
“Mm.” Xing Bi nodded.
The command room was busy. Li Feng was still seated in a corner, but this section had been made comfortable—small sofa, coffee table, cigarettes, and occasionally some food and drink.
All arranged by Chen Dang.
“No need to make it this cozy. I’ll end up falling asleep,” Li Feng leaned into the sofa.
“Then sleep. Better than those three wheeled chairs you used to piece together,” Chen Dang said.
“Hard to sleep here when I’m the only one idle,” Li Feng said.
“Not anymore.” Chen Dang glanced at Lin Sheng approaching.
“The drifters are all heading east,” Lin Sheng said, waving a hand to project a map from his pet bot in front of Li Feng. “Big numbers.”
“Who did it?” Li Feng asked. “We didn’t release that info, right?”
“Bai Zhan,” Lin Sheng said. “He’s got good ties with a lot of drifters.”
“Bai Zhan—he’s Xing Bi’s junior, right?” Li Feng asked.
“Yeah,” Lin Sheng nodded. “Him and Jiang Zhuo both have deep connections with the drifters.”
“I should meet him someday,” Li Feng said.
“Jiang Zhuo might be hard to meet,” Lin Sheng said, sitting across from him and looking at the map. “Also, the symbionts near Yun City are retreating.”
“Eastward?” Li Feng asked.
“Yes. 249 already figured out what Xing Bi’s group is up to,” Lin Sheng said. “Now all the symbionts and a lot of infected are moving east.”
“Intercept them. We can’t let them get through,” Li Feng said.
“Colonel Yu already deployed people,” Lin Sheng said. “Two bioweapon squads are out as well, but they might clash with the drifters in some areas.”
The drifters wanted the bounty, and if Yun City’s squads cleared out the symbionts and infected first, it would feel like stealing their job.
“Take them all out. This isn’t the time to reason,” Li Feng said.
“Won’t that affect our relationship with the drifters? We’ll still need their help in the east,” Chen Dang asked.
“No. We need to show them that the reason we don’t mess with them isn’t because we’re equally matched—it’s because we don’t want to,” Li Feng said. “Like when I fight Old Wu—threatening him by cutting off one of Wang Hong’s fingers doesn’t work as well as cutting off one of his fingers.”
“…Does Director Wu know you think like this?” Chen Dang asked.
“He must never find out,” Li Feng laughed, casually opening the bioweapon roster. Names in different colors showed their destinations. He looked at Lin Sheng. “Count the ones supporting Xing Bi’s team at the coast. How many are left near Yun City?”
“Defense is solid,” Lin Sheng replied. “Even if the symbionts attack, they’ll run into our field teams first. They can’t reach Yun City.”
“Mm.” Li Feng looked at him. “You going?”
“I’m staying in Yun City,” Lin Sheng said.
“Then you and Chen Dang keep an eye on Old Wu,” Li Feng said. “Some of the base’s data has already been moved to Yun City by Xu Jie’s people. Qu Shen and Cheng Gu will start going through the fungus-related files. Once they find anything useful, both chief scientists will join the experiments. The tech is there, but with just Old Wu, I can rest easy. Once the other two are in, we’ll need to monitor closely.”
“Got it,” Lin Sheng replied.
“We’ll catch up later,” Chen Dang said.
“Sure.” Lin Sheng nodded.
“I’m heading to the outer city. Zhang Sihai’s car is waiting,” Li Feng stood up. “This place is yours now.”
“Director Li’s got a car now?” Lin Sheng asked.
Li Feng smiled. “Well, I do manage a few major construction sites.”
Zhang Sihai’s car was an old vehicle retired from the logistics department. Li Feng had it repainted and tuned up—it looked good on the outside.
Just uncomfortable to sit in. It wobbled and was hard on the back.
Before Li Feng could settle into a comfortable position, Zhang Sihai spoke up: “The construction sites need the logistics department to deliver supplies on time and in full.”
“You starving? Or freezing?” Li Feng asked.
“The workers need food and warm clothes,” Zhang Sihai said. “I just stopped a riot—several workers fighting over a box of canned food. Nearly escalated into a full-blown brawl.”
“What’s that got to do with timely and complete deliveries?” Li Feng asked.
“If everyone got their rations on time, would there be anyone fighting over them?” Zhang Sihai frowned, clearly upset.
“Did you borrow your dad’s brain for this?” Li Feng said.
“Director Li!” Zhang Sihai raised his voice, angry. “Stick to the issue—don’t make personal attacks!”
“Calling your dad’s brain a personal attack?” Li Feng couldn’t help laughing.
“Feng-ge,” Zhang Sihai changed his tone. “I’m being serious here.”
“First—how did a full box of canned food get into the hands of workers? Why is site management so chaotic?” Li Feng looked at him. “Second—ration supplies are to prevent starvation, not to make everyone stuffed and stockpiled. Third—next time, investigate properly before coming to me. You’re their manager, not their spokesperson.”
Zhang Sihai looked at him, speechless for a long moment.
“Eyes on the road,” Li Feng said.
The outer city’s expansion project was progressing rapidly. Zhang Sihai was competent and willing to work hard, but he was a bit malnourished in the brain department. He also had an overly idealistic and indiscriminate sympathy for all refugees, which made Li Feng have to call Zhao Lü and his corpse-collecting crew back.
These guys had spent a long time in the outer city and had been through the war—they were seasoned. On the construction site, they could assist Zhang Sihai with his work and help coordinate the various refugees. They were far more skilled than a fool like Zhang Sihai.
“Honestly,” Zhao Lü said, squatting on a rock that had just been cleared, “I’d rather go fight a war than butt heads with Zhang Sihai here. He’s even harder to deal with than Xiao Lei.”
“Then let Xiao Lei deal with him,” Li Feng said.
“Even Xiao Lei’s sick of him!” Zhao Lü lowered his voice. “Xiao Lei looks at him the same way we used to look at Xiao Lei. And Xiao Lei didn’t even have that many idealistic slogans back then.”
“As long as he gets the work done,” Li Feng said, “once this phase is finished, he’ll get a promotion and be moved somewhere else. This place will be handed back to you all.”
“Hand it over to Xiao Lei,” Zhao Lü said. “We’re not educated enough to handle this kind of thing.”
“Once the school is built, you’ll be going to school,” Li Feng said.
“What the hell?” Zhao Lü turned to him in shock.
“School,” Li Feng repeated. “Time to escape the life of an illiterate.”
“I’m applying to go back to Xima Town,” Zhao Lü said.
“There’ll be a branch school in Xima Town too,” Li Feng said.
“Fuck.” Zhao Lü jumped off the rock, swearing as he walked away.
“Director Li.” Xiao Lei’s voice suddenly came from behind Li Feng.
“Can you speak from the front next time!” Li Feng jumped in surprise.
“I came from behind you,” Xiao Lei said.
Li Feng glanced at him—his clothes were covered in dust, and his face wasn’t much cleaner.
“Did you go blow up a mountain?” Li Feng frowned.
“I just went to check on things,” Xiao Lei said. “They’re all rookies, not professionals. I was worried there might be safety issues.”
“You’re not a rookie?” Li Feng asked.
“I’ve been reading,” Xiao Lei said. “Since I got here, I’ve been reading every day. Director Lu from the Urban Development Office gave me the materials.”
Li Feng looked at him. “You’ve got a lot of energy.”
“Yeah,” Xiao Lei smiled. “When there’s hope, there’s motivation.”
Li Feng didn’t say anything.
“Director Li,” Xiao Lei continued, “I used to have a lot of complaints about you.”
“Everyone does,” Li Feng said.
“But now I think,” Xiao Lei said, “even though you’re… well, you really are the kind of talent Yun City needs.”
“Even though I’m what?” Li Feng asked.
“You should know yourself,” Xiao Lei said. “You already know everyone’s got complaints about you.”
“Scram, scram, scram,” Li Feng waved him off. “Go do your job.”
“Are Qiu Shi and the others doing okay?” Xiao Lei asked.
“They’re doing fine. Just wait for them to return in glory,” Li Feng said.
When the map opened up in front of Qiu Shi, the sheer number of blinking lights made him feel like his vision was overwhelmed.
“This map’s useless. Didn’t they consider the possibility of over a hundred people showing up at once when they designed it?” He turned the map off and sighed. “Have the nomads already gathered here?”
“There are a lot of refugees too,” Xing Bi replied.
“Refugees have no weapons, no stamina, and no combat experience,” Qiu Shi looked out the car window. The map showed a crowd, but to the naked eye, there was no one to be seen. The nomads’ stealth skills were impressive. “Are they just here to die?”
“Refugees have always been here to die,” Xing Bi said. “But even if they die this time, if it’s in the pursuit of hope, then at least it’s a meaningful death. Some people survive on hatred, but more want to live with hope.”
Ahead, the horizon where the sea met the sky was coming into view. If Xing Bi hadn’t said anything, Qiu Shi would have thought it was all just sky. Shocked, he stared at it without blinking.
“Shouldn’t there be waves on the ocean?” he asked quietly. “Why does it look like the sky over there, completely still?”
“Because it’s still far away,” Xing Bi said.
Truth be told, Qiu Shi was starting to feel uneasy. The largest body of water he had ever encountered was the hot spring behind their shelter. Second to that was the river with the floating corpses. For someone who couldn’t swim and had barely seen any water in his life, the vast ocean stretching out like the sky made him nervous.
“Follow the coastal road north. The nomads are waiting for us under the rocks there,” Bai Zhan said.
“Copy that,” Xing Bi replied.
The convoy followed the lead car driven by Jiang Liu and turned north.
What was once called the “coastal road” had probably been a wide road in its day. Now, it was nothing but rubble—but it was still clear that it had once been broad.
The wind coming through the open windows was no longer dry and icy. It had turned moist and carried a faint, fresh scent.
After a while, the convoy turned a corner, and the vast sea that had hovered on the horizon suddenly came into full view.
Along with the sea breeze came the gradually intensifying sound of waves.
“Holy shit,” Qiu Shi couldn’t help but exclaim.
There were many makeshift huts along the roadside, made from stacked stones, similar in structure to the shelters they had outside the city. At the end of the road was a massive field of rocky reefs.
When the convoy stopped in the middle of the road, a loud cacophony of shouts, whistles, and shrieks suddenly erupted from both sides. From between the rocks, over a hundred people appeared and began surrounding the convoy.
“Hold your position,” Xing Bi instructed.
The door of the lead car opened, and Bai Zhan stepped out.
Two tall, muscular men emerged from the rocks and walked toward him. After a brief exchange, Bai Zhan led them over to Xing Bi’s vehicle.
“Let’s go,” Xing Bi opened the door.
“All of you?” one of the men asked, scanning the group.
“Just me,” Bai Zhan said.
“Hmph.” The man seemed to look down on their “cowardice” and tossed a large leather pouch at Bai Zhan’s feet before turning away without another word.
“If anything seems off, fall back immediately,” Xing Bi said.
“Got it.” Bai Zhan nodded and tapped a few times on his earpiece.
Qiu Shi could hear the taps in his own ear.
“Copy,” Xing Bi responded.
Bai Zhan crouched down, opened the pouch, and pulled out something that looked like a torpedo with a propeller attached.
“What’s that?” Qiu Shi asked.
“Underwater propulsion device,” Bai Zhan replied.
