Chapter 448: Leading the Charge
In the base’s standoff against the zombies, that particular zombie barely moved. On the rare occasions that it did, it always shifted toward where the most intense battles and highest zombie casualties were occurring.
In the first video segment, it was surrounded. As the clips progressed, it stood farther and farther away. By the last clip, the zombie seemed to notice the camera and threw something at it.
After watching the footage, Lu Weiyi and Zhuang Mingxu couldn’t help but glance at Su Yan—who was still staring at the zombie with the obscured face. After a moment, he met their gaze, forced a stiff smile, and nodded.
“These clips were recorded during separate zombie attacks on the southern Zuo Base, Xinghai Base, and later Nuo Xi Base,” Zheng Yi explained.
“After extensive analysis and tactical review, we’ve discovered—”
“This zombie is continuously evolving. From the first siege, it’s been learning through trial and error to improve its success rate.”
“Is that even a zombie anymore? Sounds more like a demon.”
“It’s using tactics now? How’s humanity supposed to survive that?”
“Doesn’t Capital Base have powerful crystal-core weapons? Why not just blow it up?”
“Yeah, worst-case scenario, isn’t there an SS-class…”
Lu Weiyi cast a cold, indifferent glance in the man’s direction, silencing him immediately.
“Quiet, everyone,” Zheng Yi said, slapping the table.
“Crystal-core weapons aren’t very effective against high-level zombies, and they’re difficult to manufacture and transport. That’s why they’re not widely deployed.”
“And since the last zombie siege on Nuo Xi Base this past April, there hasn’t been another siege. So we have no clear information on that zombie’s current whereabouts.”
“However, we’ve discovered that zombies are still moving in large numbers. Their destination is currently unclear, but we suspect they’re planning something big. That’s why we’re calling on all bases to unite and prepare.”
“Sure, we at our base welcome Capital’s help to get through tough times.”
“Yes, welcome, welcome.”
Everyone wanted to be first in line when benefits were handed out, but no one wanted to share the burdens.
By the end of the meeting, it was clear the three main organizers were exhausted.
As the conference room door closed behind them, angry voices were heard inside. Zhuang Mingxu couldn’t help but laugh.
Lu Weiyi elbowed him. Zhuang leaned in and whispered,
“Did your uncle say anything to you? Like asking for help?”
“No, why?” Lu Weiyi was confused.
“Something feels off,” Zhuang said quietly, meeting Lu’s gaze.
“Capital’s tone is too soft this time—especially on the second topic. I think… they already know where that zombie is headed. And there’s a good chance it’s—”
He pointed to the ground beneath them.
Lu Weiyi opened his mouth to speak, but Zhuang quickly covered it with his hand.
“Hello, are you Base Leader Lu from Half Moon Bay Base?”
A voice came from behind. Zhuang gave him a slight nudge—Later.
Lu Weiyi suppressed his surprise and turned to greet the visitor politely.
*
After a long day, Lu Weiyi didn’t feel like saying a word.
As soon as he got out of the car, he saw Li Zhuang and Xu Yi sitting leisurely on the swing in the courtyard, chatting and eating melon seeds. His fatigue vanished instantly.
“Li Zhuang, I need to scout the surrounding area tomorrow. You’ll attend the meeting in my place,” Lu said seriously—so much so that even Zhuang Mingxu didn’t notice anything off.
Li Zhuang glanced at Xu Yi. “You’ll be at the villa tomorrow?”
“I know, I know,” Xu Yi replied impatiently, though the corners of her eyes carried a smile.
Back in the room, Zhuang Mingxu finally asked what Lu Weiyi planned to do.
“Nothing. Socializing is too exhausting. I don’t want to go,” Lu Weiyi mumbled from the bed, burying his head in the blanket like an ostrich sticking its butt up in the air.
Zhuang Mingxu couldn’t help but give him a pat and then squeezed him playfully.
Those who came to the base either wanted to trade for more purified crystal cores or were looking to gather intel about upgrades. Some came straight out asking about crystal core weapons. Lu Weiyi, just by standing there, became a walking trendsetter—everyone was drawn to him.
These were all people capable of running their own bases, so things couldn’t be made too ugly. Lu Weiyi could only force himself to endure the small talk.
That he managed not to lose his temper—Zhuang Mingxu already found impressive.
He bent down and carried him to the bed. “Rest for a while, I’ll call you when it’s time to eat.”
“Mm. Go see where Ai Yi and Taotao went. Haven’t seen them around.”
“Got it.”
Zhuang Mingxu closed the door and left the bedroom.
That evening, Zhao Qiang and Zheng Yi showed up unannounced.
Even though the two were dressed casually, with no entourage and carrying a few things like they were just dropping by a neighbor’s house, Lu Weiyi didn’t let his guard down in the slightest.
“That mutated honey you brought me a few days ago was amazing—sweet and smooth, with a gentle energy. My old lady tried it and said it really eased her chronic cold condition.”
Zheng Yi laughed as he put down the wine he was carrying. “When it comes to food research for ordinary people, no one can beat your team.”
“It’s thoughtful of you,” Zhuang Mingxu said as he invited the two inside. “If she likes it, we’ll be harvesting a batch of mutated fruit at our base this autumn. We’ll send some over then.”
“Thanks so much. Nowadays, ability users don’t lack for anything, but ordinary folks have to be so careful about what they eat. Every meal at home requires separate dishes. Watching how little my mother can eat—it really bothers me,” Zheng Yi sighed.
“You short on food? Everyone knows anything edible for ordinary people sold to the Zheng family fetches a high price,” Zhao Qiang exposed him mercilessly.
“Look how petty he is—just because he lost a regular sheep to me in a bidding war last time,” Zheng Yi pointed at Zhao Qiang and laughed heartily. “How’s that my fault?”
Zhao Qiang glared at him and handed over two ducks and a stack of flatbreads. “These are hanging-roast ducks made by a top chef on our team. They’re from non-mutated ducks. Give them a try.”
“Haven’t seen these roasted flatbreads in years. I used to love them—great with some veggies,” Zhuang Mingxu said as he accepted them and told someone to send them to the kitchen. “You two are staying for dinner tonight. I’ll have someone prepare a few dishes to go with drinks.”
“Sure thing—we came here just to share a drink with you guys,” Zheng Yi laughed and clapped Lu Weiyi on the shoulder when he saw him, almost grinning at the wary look on his face. “Brother Lu, what’s with that expression?”
“A look that says I’m wary of your ulterior motives,” Lu Weiyi replied bluntly, making Zhao Qiang laugh too.
“Oh come on, with our brotherly relationship, you think I’d trick you?”
“How are the crystal core weapons from our base working out for you?” Lu Weiyi asked.
Last time, he’d been tricked into signing a deal on those weapons after being plied with too much alcohol by these two. That smiling trap had left a lasting impression.
Zheng Yi and Zhao Qiang burst into laughter again.
That night, the kitchen prepared a few small dishes, and the four of them ate outside in the courtyard, enjoying the cool evening.
With Zhuang Mingxu drinking with them this time, Lu Weiyi only sipped a little out of politeness. After a few rounds, Zheng Yi brought the topic back to business. “What do you guys think about what you saw today?”
Though he asked generally, his gaze fell directly on Lu Weiyi, waiting for an answer.
Lu Weiyi quickly turned to look at Zhuang Mingxu.
Zhuang Mingxu was used to it. “What’s your take?”
Zhao Qiang and Zheng Yi exchanged a glance, as if silently communicating, then Zheng Yi sighed and spoke again. “The information released today was limited.”
Zhao Qiang took out his phone and handed it to Lu Weiyi.
The screen showed several video clips not played in public earlier. In them, a zombie could clearly be seen howling toward other zombies, which responded in turn. They would then move together in a certain direction.
However, after a while, the leading zombie would suddenly stop and look around, as if it had forgotten something. Sometimes it just wandered aimlessly, and other times it abruptly turned back in the opposite direction. This behavior repeated itself.
“Based on our analysis, this zombie’s consciousness might not have fully recovered. It remembers some fragments—disconnected and impossible to hold onto,” Zhao Qiang explained.
“No wonder there hasn’t been any solid intel for so long,” Zhuang Mingxu said as he set the phone down and looked at the two men. “And the reason you’re showing us this is…?”
“This zombie might be able to communicate with others—or worse, command them. Either case is bad news for humanity. If one day he regains full consciousness and stands against humans, leading a horde of millions of zombies… the consequences would be unimaginable.”
“So, we want to take this opportunity to form a coalition ability-user army, made up of people from all major bases, to deal specifically with zombie hordes.”
“You want people from our base to join?” Zhuang Mingxu’s eyes narrowed. “Or rather, you want Xiao Yi—the strongest ability user—to lead the call?”
Zheng Yi nodded.
Zhuang Mingxu refused instantly. “No.”
Zhao Qiang and Zheng Yi turned their eyes to Lu Weiyi, but Zhuang Mingxu immediately grabbed his hand, still keeping a calm tone. “Xiao Yi, go see why Ai Yi and Taotao haven’t come back yet. Where did they go for dinner?”
Lu Weiyi glanced at the three of them, nodded, and got up to leave.
“Zhuang Mingxu, you—”
“Zheng Yi!” Zhuang Mingxu cut him off sharply, his voice so loud that even their teammates inside the villa came out to take a look.
Xu Sa gave the two a slight nod and called out with a smile, “Brother Mingxu?”
Zhuang Mingxu exchanged a sharp glance with Zheng Yi. A few people were also standing behind Xu Sa, their scrutinizing gazes flickering between the three of them.
Only after Zheng Yi let out a sigh did Zhuang Mingxu finally say, “It’s nothing, you all go eat.”
“Alright, just call us if you need anything,” Xu Sa replied, then led the group back to the dining room.
The three left behind fell into complete silence.
