Chapter 135

Chapter 135: A Small Big Chapter

After Yi Shaoqing finished speaking, the scene fell into an eerie silence, broken only by the growls of zombies and the occasional crackling of fireballs.

These people were no fools; they knew full well that in their current state, the chance of being bitten by a zombie had increased exponentially. Without their special abilities, even a bite or scratch from an ordinary, non-evolved zombie could be fatal. If the antidote had seemed like a useless trinket to the ability users before, now it was a lifesaving elixir. And this elixir was in Yi Shaoqing’s hands. Who would dare to leave now?

Zhang Ji watched coldly, a sneer in his heart. These people from the Capital were no simpletons. He had already decided that if the base gates really couldn’t hold, he would stick close to them.

Thinking this, he was the first to step forward with a knife, mimicking Gu Ning’s earlier actions, stabbing at the heads of the zombies clawing at the gate. He hadn’t made any move to leave earlier, so staying now didn’t feel out of place.

The other teams, however, felt a bit awkward. But awkwardness aside, survival was more important than pride.

After exchanging a few glances, they silently joined Zhang Ji, using knives or sharpened iron rods to stab at the zombies’ heads.

Wei Xin, the leader of the Yuezhou Team, swung his knife down on a zombie’s head, only to have it get stuck in the skull. He shook the handle, trying to pull it free, and said, “Killing them one by one like this isn’t going to work. There are at least a few thousand out there. We were out there risking our lives all day yesterday, didn’t sleep until almost midnight, and then had to get up after three hours to kill zombies. What rotten luck.”

A young man beside him chimed in, “All I want to do now is lie down and sleep.”

They had been out on rescue missions since early yesterday and were woken by gunfire at 3 a.m. today. Their nerves had been on edge the entire time, and both their bodies and minds were exhausted.

Without their special abilities, their stamina had noticeably declined. Even Xiang Xu, who usually never felt sleepy, couldn’t stop yawning.

Gu Ning patted Xiang Xu’s head and said to Third Brother, “Third Brother, this isn’t going to end anytime soon. Take Xiang Xu, Xiaobai, and Cheng Ming back to rest. Let the others take over for a while.”

Third Brother yawned loudly and said, “Alright. Those brats are always complaining about not being allowed out. It’s their turn now. You should come back with us too.”

Gu Ning shook her head, “I’m not tired.” She really wasn’t. The closure of her space hadn’t affected her energy levels.

Seeing her bright eyes, Third Brother knew she wasn’t just putting on a brave face. Besides, when the others arrived, Gu Ning would need to be here to manage them. So he took Xiang Xu and called for Zhang Xiaobai and the others to head back.

“Why are the Three-Linked Team leaving?” The ability users who were busy killing zombies grew anxious when they saw Third Brother and the others heading back.

Yuan Ge, who had a cloth wrapped around his face to avoid getting zombie brains in his mouth, said, “Don’t forget they have a bunch of soldiers. Usually, it’s just the ability users out front. Now it’s probably their turn. Well, they have the numbers.”

Wei Xin regretted, “Damn it. We should’ve recruited some civilians too.”

The term “civilians” wasn’t meant to be derogatory; it was just a way to distinguish them from the ability users.

Liang Le, who had taken over for a girl in his team, said, “Forget about civilians or not. We’re all the same now.”

Another silence fell.

The “bad news” Third Brother brought back plunged the room into silence.

“Everyone’s lost their abilities? Even Gu Ning?” Zhang Yang asked.

Third Brother shook his head, “Everyone’s just ordinary now. Alright, stop chattering. It’s your turn now. Go out there and don’t panic. Listen to Gu Ning’s commands.”

“Don’t worry, Third Brother!” Tian Fei answered loudly, a bright smile on his face, completely out of place in the tense atmosphere.

Third Brother smacked him on the head, “You still have the nerve to smile?”

Tian Fei rubbed his head, “I’ve just been itching for some action! My knife’s almost rusted from sitting around the base all day!”

The soldiers who hadn’t developed abilities felt the same way. Third Brother had always kept them safe, not allowing them to leave the base even when others went out to kill zombies. They usually just trained with each other or practiced their aim. They didn’t dare say it out loud, afraid of angering Third Brother, so they quickly dragged Tian Fei out, saying, “Third Brother, we’re off!” and ran out the door, clearly excited.

Third Brother chuckled, “Those little brats.” Though he scolded them, he was secretly pleased. They weren’t too shaken by the loss of their abilities, showing they didn’t rely solely on others for protection.

Meanwhile, Gu Mama searched the room anxiously, “Wu Sen, He He, and Zuo You have all gone out. It’s so dangerous out there!”

Wu Sen, He He, and Zuo You had sneaked out with the others.

Shi Tou said, “I’ll go bring them back.”

“Stop!” Hong Jie, who was knitting a sweater, called out without looking up, “They’ve been training hard every day. Wu Sen has been out with you guys many times. He He might be a girl, but she’s no less capable than the boys. Zuo You’s a bit timid, but it’s time for them to get some experience.”

Shi Tou glanced at Third Brother, who nodded. Shi Tou, being straightforward, said, “I’m still worried. I’m not tired either. I won’t bring them back, but I’ll go out and keep an eye on them.” Then he left on his own.

Wu Sen, He He, and Zuo You were quickly spotted by Zhang Yang and the others as soon as they reached the stairs. They tried to send them back, but He He’s pleading and Wu Sen’s persistence made them relent, on the condition that they followed orders.

The three quickly agreed.

He He’s face was a mix of excitement and nervousness, but no fear. Wu Sen, having been on several missions, exuded a sense of steadiness. Zuo You, who was as big as He He and Wu Sen combined, had actually gained a few pounds despite the base’s limited rations. His round face, however, was clouded with worry, “If Sister Gu Ning’s space is gone, does that mean we won’t have any food? I can’t stand being hungry…”

“Gu Ning, we’re here!” The soldiers ran over excitedly.

The three kids, feeling guilty, didn’t dare to shout.

“Mm.” Gu Ning, who had been talking to Zhuang Chen, turned and nodded at them, “Go and take over for the others. Seven in a group, half-hour shifts. Be careful, safety first.” Then she looked at the three kids who were staring at her with pleading eyes, “You three, watch how they do it. You’ll be up next shift.”

The kids were thrilled. He He’s face turned red with excitement, and she answered brightly, “Okay!” before happily going to observe the soldiers killing zombies.

Yi Shaoqing looked at the oldest boy, who looked no more than thirteen or fourteen, and couldn’t help but say to Gu Ning, “Gu Ning, aren’t they a bit too young?”

Gu Ning replied, “They train six hours a day and have been doing so for almost two months. But they lack real combat experience. I want them to survive even without protection.”

Yi Shaoqing had no retort. Though he didn’t fully agree with Gu Ning’s methods, he understood.

Once the Three-Linked Team took over, they quickly found their rhythm. Using weapons specially designed for zombies—steel rods about a meter long with sharpened tips and thick cloth wrapped around the handles for better grip—they stabbed at the zombies’ heads from a distance, avoiding the risk of being scratched. With their accumulated strength and positive mindset, their efficiency far surpassed the first group.

The high efficiency of the Three-Linked Team left Zhang Ji and the others speechless.

The first group, now relieved by the Three-Linked Team, walked over, exhausted and covered in filth.

Zhuang Chen nodded at them, “Good work. There are tents set up for you to rest. We’ll call if we need you.”

The relieved group didn’t even have the energy to speak and collapsed into the tents as soon as they got back.

Gu Ning watched as the Three-Linked Team quickly got into the swing of things. Then she suddenly realized she hadn’t seen Ji Jiuzhe for a while and blurted out, “Where’s your captain?”

“I knocked him out,” Yi Shaoqing said.

Gu Ning thought she misheard, “What?”

Yi Shaoqing sighed, “He hadn’t slept for three nights when we left the Capital. Yesterday, he flew here from the Capital. With the situation here, he would never rest on his own. But if he doesn’t sleep, his body will give out. So I took him down when he wasn’t looking and had him carried to a tent.”

Gu Ning was speechless. Only Ji Jiuzhe’s complete trust in Yi Shaoqing would allow such a thing. No wonder she hadn’t seen him for a while.

After a while, Gu Ning excused herself to get some food and went looking for Ji Jiuzhe’s tent.

Ji Jiuzhe lay quietly in the tent, his sleeping posture as “proper” as ever. Even in sleep, his brow was slightly furrowed, not fully at ease. Gu Ning noticed the dark circles under his eyes. He must have been working hard in the Capital, yet he had flown here immediately upon hearing about Zhuang Chen and Yi Shaoqing’s helicopter crash. There must have been significant resistance, but he had come anyway. Gu Ning believed that if she were still his teammate, he would have come to her rescue no matter the distance.

The blanket in the tent was thin, more suited for summer, but the weather was bitterly cold now, with visible breath in the air. Ji Jiuzhe’s military uniform didn’t seem warm enough, so Gu Ning left to get a thicker blanket from the Management Office. Returning to the tent, she carefully climbed in, starting to cover Ji Jiuzhe from the feet up, moving slowly to avoid waking him. When she reached the top, she found herself staring into a pair of eyes.

Ji Jiuzhe was awake.

Gu Ning’s hand froze mid-air. It was hard to explain why she was in a man’s tent, especially one she had only met once, and why she was about to cover him with a blanket. But she decided to try, “Uh… I was passing by and thought your blanket was too thin, so I brought a thicker one…”

Ji Jiuzhe’s gaze was calm.

Gu Ning paused, then continued, “With the situation outside, even if you were out there, it wouldn’t make much difference. And Zhuang Chen and Yi Shaoqing are worried about you. Staying here might be the best way to help them…”

Gu Ning felt her explanation was a bit forced, and her added comment might seem too familiar to Ji Jiuzhe, but she maintained a calm demeanor, “I won’t disturb your rest anymore…” She gently laid the blanket down and quietly backed out of the tent, pulling the zipper up to block Ji Jiuzhe’s gaze.