Chapter 167: The Shadow of the Iron Hand

Just as Lin Chen and Xia Nuan had confirmed the rescue mission to the abandoned hospital for tomorrow,

the communicator suddenly rang. It was a message from the base guards: "Brother Lin Chen,

a family came outside, saying their name is Lin Guodong, wanting to enter the base for refuge, and also saying they know you.

" Lin Chen was stunned for a moment. Lin Guodong was his neighbor before the apocalypse; he didn't expect them to still be alive. "Let them in, I'll go to the gate to pick them up."

Lin Chen walked quickly to the base gate and saw Lin Guodong standing outside with his wife and daughter.

The three were covered in dust, their clothes were tattered, and the daughter was still holding an old doll in her arms,

their faces all very pale. "Uncle Guodong, how did you come?" Lin Chen walked up and helped them take the luggage in their hands.

Lin Guodong saw Lin Chen, his eyes reddened: "We have been hiding outside since the apocalypse,

heard that you built a safe zone, so we found our way here. We encountered many dangers on the way,

fortunately we didn't give up." Lin Chen nodded, took the three into the base, and Xia Nuan had already prepared hot porridge and bread, letting them fill their stomachs first.

Lin Guodong's daughter was named Lin Xiaoxiao, eight years old this year, drinking hot porridge,

and asked in a low voice: "Uncle, is it safe here? Will zombies come in?"

Lin Chen stroked her head: "Don't worry, there is a very powerful defense system here,

zombies can't come in." Lin Xiaoxiao nodded, hugging her doll, the fear in her eyes gradually disappearing.

After resting for half a day, the Lin Guodong family recovered some spirit. Lin Chen took them to visit the base—automated defensive walls,

material storage room, medical room, and the open space where cold-resistant wheat was being planted.

"Didn't expect you to build the base so well, much stronger than the temporary safe zones we stayed in before." Lin Guodong sighed.

Just as they were talking, an argument came from outside the base. Lin Chen and Lin Guodong walked quickly to the defensive wall,

and saw several people wearing black clothes arguing with the guards,

the leader having an "Iron Hand" pattern tattooed on his arm, holding an iron rod in his hand,

his attitude arrogant. "Let your manager come out! We, the Iron Hand Group, want to requisition half of your materials, otherwise we'll dismantle your base!" the man shouted.

Lin Chen frowned.

He had heard of the Iron Hand Group before—it was a famous evil mercenary group nearby, often robbing other survivors of their materials,

their methods overbearing. "I am the manager here. Tell me what's the matter.

" Lin Chen walked to the guard's side and looked at the other party coldly. The leader looked Lin Chen up and down, sneered: "Just you? If you're sensible, hand over the materials quickly, otherwise don't blame us for being impolite."

Lin Guodong pulled Lin Chen's sleeve and whispered: "The Iron Hand Group is very fierce.

The temporary safe zone we stayed in before was robbed by them, and many people were injured."

Lin Chen didn't turn his head and said to the people of the Iron Hand Group: "You can have materials if you want, but come and take them with your strength. What kind of skill is it to rob other people's things?"

The leader's face sank, and he waved his hand,

"Go for it!

Smash their base!"

Several Iron Hand Group members immediately raised their weapons and rushed towards the defensive wall. Lin Chen mobilized Absolute Zero,

condensed an ice shield to block in front of him, while drawing the Ice Blade long blade, leaping up,

and slashing at the leader. The man hurriedly used the iron rod to block. With a "clang" sound, the iron rod was slashed with a gap, and he staggered back a few steps, full of shock.

"What are you still stunned for?

Go together!"

The leader shouted, and several members rushed again. Lin Chen dodged flexibly,

the Ice Blade danced, every slash aimed at their weapons, and soon two people's weapons were slashed and broken.

The remaining people saw this, didn't dare to come forward again, and retreated one after another. The leader looked at Lin Chen,

gritted his teeth and said: "You wait, our Iron Hand Group won't let you go!" After speaking, he took his men and left in a dejected manner.

Lin Guodong looked at the direction where the Iron Hand Group disappeared and breathed a sigh of relief: "Fortunately you are powerful,

otherwise we would have suffered again." Xia Nuan walked over and handed Lin Chen a bottle of water: "These people definitely won't give up, pay more attention to vigilance in the future."

Lin Chen nodded and said to the guards: "Strengthen patrols, especially at night, to prevent the Iron Hand Group from sneaking an attack."

Returning to the villa, Lin Xiaoxiao was already asleep on the sofa, still holding her doll in her arms.

Lin Guodong looked at his daughter and said to Lin Chen: "Really thank you, if we hadn't met you,

we don't know if we could have lived until now." Lin Chen shook his head: "We are neighbors, helping each other is what we should do. You stay in the base first, and tell me if you need anything in the future."

Xia Nuan arranged a room for the Lin Guodong family, which had clean bedding and daily necessities.

Lin Guodong and his wife packed their things and thanked Lin Chen and Xia Nuan repeatedly.

Lin Chen looked at their tired but relieved appearance, thinking to himself—he must protect this base well and not let evil forces like the Iron Hand Group hurt the people inside.

At night, Lin Chen checked the surveillance at the control console, confirmed that the Iron Hand Group hadn't returned,

and only then returned to the bedroom with peace of mind. Xia Nuan was already asleep, and Tuan Tuan was curled up beside her.

Lin Chen lay gently beside her, thinking about tomorrow's rescue mission and the threat of the Iron Hand Group, knowing that there were many challenges waiting for them in the days to come. ===== CHAPTER 168 =====