Chapter 241: Reporting the News

Late at night, the bitter wind pierced to the bone.

The search-and-rescue team, after marching all day, set up camp right where they were.

Few tents were available, so those trying to escape the cold wind had to crawl under the vehicles, huddling together for warmth.

There were no blankets, no extra clothing; bodily heat became the only source of warmth.

People who used to lie on silk mats and soft pillows, suffering insomnia all night, now slept soundly on the icy concrete.

Even girls who were neat freaks and loved beauty had no choice but to squeeze into the crowd to resist the midnight chill.

Some dishonest men took the opportunity, slipping their hands into the clothing of the women beside them and groping at will.

They dared to be angry but not to speak; tears swirled in their eye sockets.

Couples and spouses gathered in small circles silently embraced each other; no one dared to step forward and accuse.

The military region was still far away; in the apocalypse, once a conflict with another person caused injury, it meant death.

To avoid the wandering corpse horde, the team could only keep looping around the ring road.

Unaccustomed to hardship, the city survivors whose toughest experience had been the gym could barely endure this high-intensity march.

The soldiers on duty, rifles in hand, leaned against the armored vehicle, their heads under helmets nodding off bit by bit.

On the armored vehicle.

Tang Tian curled up his body, hiding inside the vehicle, pretending to sleep.

He would occasionally open his eyes, stealing glances at Tang Long above him.

Compared to the survivors outside, the cold cabin was uncomfortable to sleep in, but it already counted as heaven.

The snoring was harsh and irritating.

Tang Long above him was sound asleep, hugging a thin olive-green coat, his smelly bare feet dangling over his head after taking off his socks.

Waves of strong foot odor filled the entire cabin.

Through sheer endurance, the three of them could board the vehicle only thanks to Tang Long's status as an Awakened One.

"Shush-shush."

The movement was gentle.

Tang Tian carefully crawled out from under the man's feet, daring not to make too much noise.

He wanted to inform, he wanted to find the officer here and report news of Lin An.

Tang Long wanted to sell at a good price, wanted to wait a bit longer and see.

But he couldn't bear it.

Who knows how many days it's been since he last ate a full meal?

Besides, with the team moving so slowly, what if they ran into a mutant or a zombie?!

He was just an ordinary person; when real danger came, who would care about him?

Tang Long's thoughts had changed; he now began to fear, fearing that after finding Lin An he would speak ill of him.

That damned bastard!

Tang Tian inched his way to the vehicle door, his eyes full of reluctance and venom.

Why am I not an Awakened One? Why must I live by watching others' faces?

He thought it through clearly: as long as he found Lin An and joined the Safe Zone, his brother-in-law would surely help him become an Awakened One out of respect for his sister!

The Safe Zone explanation issued by the system stated clearly that once you joined the Safe Zone, your attributes would gradually increase.

As Lin An's brother-in-law, I should at least get some special treatment, right?

Get me some spiritual fruits, rustle up a few pieces of equipment—becoming an Awakened One wouldn't take long, would it?

Instinctively, he ignored Lin An's attitude toward him.

Like a dying patient, even if someone told him eating feces would save his life, someone would still do it.

Lin An is now his sole hope, the only expectation of his day-and-night fantasies of rising above others.

Damn it, once I, Laozi, find my brother-in-law and become an Awakened One, I will surely kill you!

Tang Tian looked at the sleeping Tang Long with resentful eyes, his heart pounding; he had already moved outside the vehicle.

Tip-toeing.

After walking a few meters out of the armored vehicle.

Tang Tian took a deep breath, aimed at the foremost military tent, and sprinted off.

That was where the search-and-rescue team's superior officer was stationed.

The heavy footsteps sounded somewhat abrupt in the deep night.

"Halt!"

Within a few seconds, several alert soldiers rose from the ground, rifles aimed at the sprinting Tang Tian.

"What are you doing! Hands up! Hold your head and stay put!"

He shouted loudly.

The dark muzzle was aimed at his head.

Tang Tian's body trembled at the sound; he hastily stopped and raised his hands in panic.

He swallowed hard, lowered his voice, and said repeatedly:

"Su... Superior Officer!"

"I have important matters to report to Officer Yang!!"

Having said that, he glanced sideways at the armored vehicle behind him, a little afraid.

Damn it! How could I have forgotten there were soldiers on guard?

With such a loud noise, for heaven's sake don't wake Tang Long!

However, it did not turn out as he wished.

Alert soldiers rushed to his side with guns in hand, their eyes full of distrust.

Repeated disturbances woke the people in the front half of the column.

In a daze, Tang Long heard a sound, and vaguely he seemed to hear Tang Tian's voice.

A shiver.

He didn't have time to put on his shoes, he grabbed his coat and hurried out of the armored vehicle.

He turned toward the sound and saw, not far away, Tang Tian surrounded by several soldiers, anxiously explaining what this was.

"Tang Tian! What are you doing!?"

Tang Long was both shocked and angry, utterly astonished.

This brat didn't sleep in the middle of the night, sneaked out of the vehicle, and seemed to be heading for the rescue team's superior officer.

It's not hard to guess; this damned little beast is likely going to inform on us!

Tang Tian's heart skipped a beat; he heard the anger in Tang the Elder's voice.

Damn it! I can't worry about that anymore!

He originally wanted to bring his sister and mother, find an officer here to talk things over, and seek protection.

After all, once he fell out with Tang the Elder, he might fly into a rage and attack us.

But after tossing and turning all night, Tang Tian could no longer bear it.

During the day, Tang Long kept staring at him; at night, calling out to the disabled Tang Mother would surely wake him.

Sorry! Sister and Mother!

I believe that bastard Tang Long, no matter how angry he gets, wouldn't dare to kill you in front of the military region's rescue team.

If I have to suffer, then I will; I'm doing this for our family's future "happiness"!

A flash of ruthlessness crossed Tang Tian's eyes; he no longer lowered his voice, but shouted loudly:

"I know news of Lin An! I guarantee it with my own head!"

In the dead of night, the piercing shout tore through the sky.

The surrounding armed soldiers froze, and even the awakened survivors stared in shock at Tang Tian, who kept shouting.

Lin An!?

In the entire Huaxia war zone, nobody doesn't know that name—from the military's top brass and capital leaders down to illiterate women and children survivors.

Everyone remembers that, so far, this is the only time a system announcement has been made for an individual.

Not to mention the constant stream of news about Lin An in the chat channels.

Inside the military tent, a military officer with a stern face lifted the tent flap and stepped out quickly, his face full of suspicion.

News of Lin An? Guaranteeing it with his own head?

That's hard to believe.

He fixed his stare on Tang Tian, who was shouting loudly.

Currently, all military regions have been issued the highest order: one is to rescue survivors as much as possible, and those able should quickly establish safe zones.

Another is to find a way to locate Lin An, or obtain news of him!

Since the last time the Capital Military Region sent out a notice about Lin An, Lin An and Long'an Base have shown no sign of responding.

Consequently, the higher-ups are furious, and each military region can only grit its teeth and send people everywhere to seek news of Lin An.

They have no satellites, no internet; everywhere is blocked by zombie mutants, so they can only search nearby.

Right now, an ordinary person jumps out claiming to have news of Lin An?

The stern-faced officer stared for a moment, then waved his hand to signal that he be brought over.

After a few glances, he finally recalled that this person was a relative brought by an Awakened One.

His voice solemn, he slowly asked:

"Are you sure you have news of Lin An?"

"Deceiving the military is a violation of military law and will be punished accordingly!"

Tang Tian clenched his fists, feeling the anger and killing intent from Tang Long behind him.

After a moment's hesitation, he took a deep breath and nodded vigorously:

"Sir! I guarantee this is news of Lin An! And I even know where he is!"

Tang Long's face turned ashen, his teeth grinding.

"This damned little beast! He actually dared to speak up first!"

Watching Tang Tian being led into the tent.

Tang the Elder could only suppress the surging killing intent in his chest, he turned his head to look at the flustered Tang Wan and the panicked Tang Granny.

His fists clenched, making a cracking sound.

Should we just kill these heartless beasts!?

Hopes shattered; he had originally planned to sell the news for wealth and honor.

At this moment, Tang Long felt his blood rush to his head, wishing he could devour the two alive.