Chapter 161: News from the North

As for what the operation entailed, Liu Mu did not say, and they did not ask.

For the Former Special Operations Team, keeping mission details confidential was already routine; after all, who else but them were the most elite?

Don't ask; if you ask, it's because your clearance is too low.

So, in reality, they often didn't know themselves, but that didn't stop them from putting on an act.

Liu Mu also needed to hurry back home; besides checking the progress of various projects, the main reason was to meet with Xu Xiaofeng and Hong.

With Qin Han and Jiang Wenjun at the Underground Project, Liu Mu hardly needed to worry, provided there was no shortage of materials.

What weighed on her mind most right now was the Plantation.

Everyone thought the sky clearing up was a good thing, but not Liu Mu; the sky clearing meant the next disaster could erupt at any moment.

The next one would be the Cold Wave.

Based on this, the main purpose of Liu Mu's return trip was to find a way to cope with the low temperatures.

If it were just her alone, or if she followed the earliest plan of only adding Xu Xiaofeng and Zhang Xiaoyong, it would be easy for the three of them to survive the Extreme Cold.

As long as they stayed underground and had enough fuel and food, they would have no problem holding out for several years.

But now...

"Sigh, I knew people were nothing but trouble; the more people there are, the more trouble there is."

Sitting on Niu Boyi's back, they raced across the wasteland covered in Mutated Plants like a bolt of lightning, the innocent plants instantly sliced into segments by the blade-like air.

"Woof woof, then what should we do, Master? Why don't we just go underground with Big Sister and Little Brother and be done with it? Let's stop worrying about them."

Liu Mu's hand, which had been scratching her head, dropped, and she patted the Military Dog on the head. "Times are different now. Your master is a high-ranking official, understand? A high-ranking official! I am the guardian deity of the Haicheng Barrier, and I still have things to do."

"Woo woo, it hurts, it hurts! Is Master as powerful as the Great Deity in the Niangniang Temple now?"

Niu Boyi's understanding was still limited, so it didn't know why Liu Mu had to protect so many people; after all, they were clearly just scrap collectors.

Of course, it could still protect Li Gang and Liu Fugui and the others itself; after all, they were its little underlings.

"Not quite, the Great Deity of the Niangniang Temple protects many people, and we can't do that yet. Boyi, you must remember what I said: we need people to do business. Only with people is there a market, and with a market, we can make big money."

Hearing this, Niu Boyi understood and immediately accelerated with excitement, as if it had eaten a Red Mist snack.

Nowadays, as Liu Mu leveled up, Niu Boyi's level rose as well. For the two of them, the Red Mist not only caused no harm, but long-term exposure could also strengthen their physiques, tempering their bodies for continued evolution.

Niu Boyi didn't know what this meant, otherwise it would have been shocked to realize that its current abilities were well-matched to its name.

Shengli Group...

The three-story building was still in its original place, but the surrounding area had been cleared into an open space; only one kilometer away, new buildings stood in clusters, stretching toward the nearest mountain.

No matter how spacious that area of single-story houses was, the small building remained as it had been in the past.

Xu Xiaofeng had been busy in the kitchen since an hour ago.

At this moment, the lid of the Stainless Steel Bowl steamer was lifted, and the Steamed Buns, white and tender, bathed in hot steam; just smelling the aroma made one's mouth water.

Outside the window, Li Gang leaned against the wall, full of envy and jealousy.

"The Boss is coming back again?"

Ever since the construction of the Headquarters resumed, Xu Xiaofeng rarely cooked by herself unless Liu Mu was returning.

Of course, it wasn't that she didn't like to cook or was lazy; it was mainly because she was truly too busy. She needed to control the vine roots to help both above and below ground, which was too exhausting.

Several times, Xu Xiaofeng had been so tired her face turned pale, and Li Gang couldn't bear to let her do any extra work.

"Mm, I'm already near the Plantation; I'll be there in ten minutes or so."

Xu Xiaofeng's lips curved, and her face showed a rare hint of relaxation.

As she spoke, she took a large Stainless Steel Bowl, put seven or eight hot buns into it, and handed it out. "You eat something first; the Plantation still needs people to keep an eye on it."

The Plantation extended from several mountain peaks toward the Barrier; besides the land reclaimed on the surface, the interior of the mountains was also being expanded.

In the Plantation map provided by Liu Mu, the space inside the mountains was not small, also in preparation for potential future disasters.

They had all seen the complete architectural plans for the Haicheng Barrier and the Headquarters. Starting from the second phase, the main construction would shift underground, and at least two tunnels would be dug between the two, with spaces opened up along the way for underground planting and living.

The scale of the project was so vast that even for China, known as the "infrastructure madman" before the apocalypse, it would take more than ten years.

And now, just as Liu Mu had estimated, it would take at least fifty years.

Just as Liu Mu said, such a massive project was not just for their generation, but to benefit the descendants of humanity for generations to come.

As long as the apocalypse did not end and the disasters did not disappear, humanity could not survive on the surface for long.

"Alright, then I'll eat," Li Gang said, flattered. Without hesitation, he took a bite of the piping-hot bun. "You eat something too; you haven't had time to rest, don't wear yourself out."

Xu Xiaofeng put another few steamer layers into the pot to continue steaming and replied casually, "I don't need to eat."

It was a fact, yet it stirred a trace of bitterness in Li Gang's heart. "Eat a little at least. Even though we've undergone Evolution, we can still enjoy good food. How does that saying go? Only love and good food cannot be let down, and even less so your unique skill."

Recently, he had strongly wanted to categorize himself and Xu Xiaofeng as the same kind; from the perspective of Mutation, were they not the same kind?

If they weren't the same kind, wouldn't he have even less hope of finding a wife?

"Delicious, so delicious. Speaking of making food, yours is still the best. Tell me, how are you so good at tinkering with this?"

"Just eat your food," Xu Xiaofeng was already numb from Li Gang's flattery; it wasn't just about the food—even if she dug a hole, he would praise it for half a day, saying it was rounder than what others dug...

Li Gang's intentions were known to everyone.

A blush finally appeared on Xu Xiaofeng's face, though the exhaustion in her eyes could not be hidden.

Having only eaten half of the eight buns, Li Gang suddenly flashed and vaulted into the kitchen from outside the window, pulling the glass window shut behind him, leaving not even a sliver of a gap.

Xu Xiaofeng, who was continuing to make buns, turned around, just about to ask what had happened, when she saw a black shadow sprinting over through the steam.

The black shadow was extremely fast, and when it stopped, it actually ground a series of sparks against the concrete floor.

Before the people in the kitchen could greet it, a huge, slimy, bright red tongue swept across the glass window, leaving behind disgusting drool.

"Woof woof woof woof woof! Big Sister, Big Sister, I want to eat!"

Niu Boyi didn't care if Liu Mu had gotten down or not; it jumped wildly in front of the small building, panting with its tongue extended, and clawed at the window with its front paws.

"Stop it, you're going to ruin the window again," Li Gang shouted, pointing toward the Dog House. "Yours is over there, go quickly!"

The dog food was taken out of the underground freezer, heated up by Li Gang, and brought to the Dog House half an hour ago.

The Great Master Flower had previously run rampant, but it hadn't damaged the small building, and the Dog House assembled from containers next to it was still there too. As soon as Niu Boyi heard this, he headed over there immediately.

Liu Mu pushed open the kitchen door and, just like Gouzi, twitched her nose, "This smells too good!"

Xu Xiaofeng laughed at her greedy look, "You all came back just in time. Quick, those bamboo steamers were just taken down, go wash your hands first!"

"Indeed, I've already tasted the saltiness for you, it's just right," Li Gang said, holding a bowl and wanting to add two more, but Liu Mu slapped his hand away with a chopstick.

"Mine, they're all mine!"

Having been out for a month, Liu Mu really craved this, biting directly into half a bun. The savory meat juices flowed into her mouth, and she slurped up what was at the corner of her lips, "Delicious!"

While the three were in the kitchen, a truck also departed from the Barrier, heading toward the Shengli Group.

In the truck, Xing Tianyang kept urging He Qizheng, who was driving; he had to see Liu Mu as soon as possible to tell her the news from the north.

A new disaster was coming, and it would bring a catastrophe to humanity.

If the Ten-Day Burning was a disaster for most regions that did not distinguish between species, then this time, it was planned and aimed solely at humans.

Cold sweat broke out on He Qizheng's forehead as his large hands gripped the steering wheel steadily. He confirmed with Xing Tianyang for the third time, "What you said, it's really not those mutated monsters like in the Urban Laboratory? It's a virus that spreads through contact like a cold, and there's really no medicine to cure it?"

"It's not a monster, it's a Zombie Virus, and there isn't one currently." Xing Tianyang wasn't angry either; the fear he had seen with his own eyes, along with the tragic state of the General Command, had infinitely expanded his patience.

Facing a virus that could potentially wipe out humanity, he had also lost his former research fanaticism, because... this damn thing wasn't his field of research at all.

But after leaving the Laboratory without authorization and injecting the Mutation Agent into Yang Shuo, his status had become very sensitive; one wrong move and he could be sent to prison by those with ulterior motives.

At this moment, he still didn't know the source of the Zombie Virus, and of course, he was even less aware that the human-made component of this incident far outweighed a natural outbreak.

Liu Mu met the arriving Xing Tianyang in Hong's Laboratory and heard him say that in the region where the General Command was located, three bases with over ten thousand people had already fallen.

"Airborne? That's impossible!"

Hong was the first to raise a doubt, "The No. 5 Virus itself doesn't have enough stability; it survives for at most half an hour in the air. And it should be transmitted through blood; even if it enters the respiratory tract, as long as there are no exposed wounds, it cannot survive, let alone infect a biological organism!"

Liu Mu frowned at the side, but she still answered Xing Tianyang's questions in time, "The No. 5 Virus is the Zombie Virus you mentioned. It is one of the biochemical weapons that the Sky Viper is researching. Hong is very familiar with its characteristics."

Xing Tianyang did not question their words, nor did he want to ask how they knew at this time, "But, clearly, it has evolved. Just as you proposed that mutation is actually an evolutionary manifestation of organisms adapting to new environments, other microorganisms can also evolve, and their evolutionary mutation speed even far exceeds what we can see with the naked eye."

"Damn it," what Liu Mu feared had come, and it wasn't just this that made her irritable; the order of future events had been disrupted, which was completely different from what she remembered.

"Did the Sky Viper research a new version again?"

"Even if it's a new one, it couldn't have changed that much," Hong said, feeling a bit anxious. He sat on a high stool, barely able to look the other two in the eye, "Just like how a child born to normal people can't be a superman. I don't understand, it's too strange. Most importantly, the decay of the No. 5 was clearly only eight hours, but the zombies Doctor Xing mentioned can even stay alive indefinitely. I don't understand, what on earth is going on?"

Hong was a bit agitated; as early as when he discovered the initial version of the No. 5 Virus, he had predicted what kind of harm this virus would bring.

He didn't want there to be such a day, or such a 'weapon', that would lead to the extinction of humanity.

He didn't understand, but Liu Mu, the least educated person present, understood very well that what Xing Tianyang was talking about was the real Zombie Virus.

After establishing basic protective measures with the two and taking a few Anti-Cold Suits, Liu Mu had to leave in a hurry.

He Qizheng, who had only eaten a few steamed buns, drove back to the Barrier at midnight.

The leaders inside the Barrier were called out of their beds, and an emergency meeting was held in the Chief's confidential room. Except for the lamps, all electrical equipment was turned off.

Amidst everyone's complaints, Liu Mu called Xing Tianyang in directly.

Xing Tianyang's appearance undoubtedly made most people feel very surprised, mainly because this little brother had left the Barrier Laboratory without cause, and there were rumors that he had been caught.

As for why, apart from Liu Mu and Jiang Wenjun, no fourth person present knew.

Xing Tianyang lived up to his professional reputation, explaining the news of the Zombie Virus outbreak in the north clearly in just a few sentences.

Everyone, now fully awake from their drowsiness, began to worry.

Qin Han spoke first, "Is this similar to the two viral outbreaks at the beginning of the century? Can it be treated?"

Asking the key question right away, Liu Mu shook her head, "We can't find an effective Antibody for the time being, and after infection... it cannot be treated."

"Ah, this... doesn't this mean that once it breaks out, everyone will turn into zombies?"

"With current sanitary conditions, it's hard to protect against it, too. Any person coming from the north could directly make us..."

The rest of the sentence wasn't said, but the crowd seemed to receive some hint and cast their gazes toward Xing Tianyang one after another.

Xing Tianyang understood the meaning immediately, "Anyone who is infected will show symptoms within a few minutes; there is no incubation period, and the virus does not survive in the air for more than half an hour. So, it is actually quite easy to identify."

"That doesn't count as good news, either," the Captain in charge of the Barrier's defense said with a worried face, "Acting Chief, tell us how to protect ourselves. Otherwise, we should just seal the Barrier; I can't let my men go to their deaths."

"There are two transmission routes: close-range breathing and contact with open wounds. These two points are not impossible to avoid, and the north is a certain distance from us, so not many people can make it here," Liu Mu stopped suddenly as she said this and looked sharply at Jiang Wenjun beside her, "Do those few people have any symptoms?"

Jiang Wenjun immediately understood who she was asking about, "No, I've been in contact with them, and there's been no situation so far. Their housing isn't with the others; I'll arrange for a doctor to check them again later."

But this wasn't enough to put Liu Mu at ease. She immediately called the Guard at the door, "Take some people to lock the doors of those few individuals. Do not make contact. If they ask, just say there was a spy attack incident in the Barrier and we are currently making an all-out effort to capture them."

The order was not hidden from the others. After the Guard left, the people in the conference room had different expressions on their faces.

Qin Han asked, "Do you suspect they came with other motives?"

"Just in case," Liu Mu smiled. Her suspicion that they had arrived too conveniently was even heavier; the possibility that they really came to rescue Jiang Hanzhong and his nephew might not be that great.

Moreover, the fact that the two from the Jiang Family were caught and they arrived so quickly also indicated that there were indeed spies lurking in the Steel Factory or even the Barrier.

The few inspectors that Qi Zhengxun had dealt with before were not people from inside the Barrier. Liu Mu had been concerned that there were still Sky Viper people here, but she just hadn't found them.

"Alright, let's listen to Doctor Xing talk about how to protect ourselves first."

Xing Tianyang explained his duties conscientiously, while Liu Mu huddled with Jiang Wenjun to discuss how to notify other bases in the Southeast Three Provinces, as well as the Mine and the Steel Mill.

The Steel Mill had Communication Equipment, so it was easier to contact, but the Coal Mine and some Survivors who didn't want to come to the Barrier or other bases became a big problem at this time, especially the latter; they couldn't even fully know where these people were.

It could even be said that it was impossible to protect these people from being infected.

"I think this matter might not have been done by the Sky Viper," Liu Mu said in a low voice to Jiang Wenjun, "They had used this virus once before at the Shengli Group, but it didn't succeed."

"Used it before?" This matter indeed shocked Jiang Wenjun. It was called a contagious virus, but once someone with ulterior motives got involved, it could be directly classified as a biochemical weapon.

"Yeah, on the ship, before we went ashore." Liu Mu didn't want to talk too much about the oil tanker; if she started, there would be no end to it. She just continued, "Uncle Jiang, I'll have to trouble you to stay in the Barrier to preside over the work recently. My original plan needs to change a bit; I might have to spend twice as much time outside."

What Liu Mu was going to do, others might not know, but Jiang Wenjun and Qin Han would still be notified in advance.

"Follow your plan. With us here, it will be fine," Jiang Wenjun said. The pink scar outside the gauze on his forehead, along with the wrinkled skin around it, was somewhat terrifying.

The eyebrow he had left twitched toward the center of his brow subconsciously, "If we can't make it in time for the iron mine, then delay the construction period first. We can't afford to take the risk."

The adventure here refers to everyone; Liu Mu nodded slightly, but her heart was bitter—where was there any time to delay for them?

After the Ten-Day Burning, the steel and scrap iron she had collected had now all been poured into the projects under construction. When piled in her space, nearly ten million tons seemed like immense wealth, but now it could only be described as a drop in the bucket.

The Steel Factory was currently smelting the scrap iron collected from various places, as well as the ore imported before the disaster at Haicheng Wharf; if they didn't find a fixed source soon, the factory would have been built in vain, and the projects under construction by the Barrier and Shengli Group would also have to stop.

However, the Cold Wave could come at any time.

Liu Mu was worried sick; even if all the supplies in the Barrier were at her disposal, it could not alleviate her anxiety.

After the meeting ended, the others got busy, and Qin Han was cornered by Liu Mu in the confidential room.

"Acting Chief, you, what are you doing?"

Qin Han's old face flushed slightly; it was the first time in his half-life that he had been pinned against a wall by a young woman. He didn't have any wild thoughts, it was just that the distance was truly...

"Tell the truth, Minister Qin, did Uncle Yang leave behind any contingency plans?"

Liu Mu didn't care; she was just a merchant, why should she bear such a huge risk?

Bearing the risk was one thing, but not getting equal compensation—was she doing charity!?

Impossible!

Absolutely impossible!

"Little Mu, ten days, a full ten days of Burning. How many commoners died, how many soldiers died, even the supplies prepared for war were destroyed in no small amount. Everywhere needs disaster relief, everywhere needs things—food for people, fuel for vehicles, which one isn't..."

"Don't give me that, I don't believe a word of it!" Liu Mu forcefully interrupted Qin Han, acting like a rogue, "Today you have to say it whether you want to or not; if you don't, I'm quitting!"

"It's already been three months, I haven't taken a cent of salary, and I've been running around everywhere, yet you still have things hidden from me. Is this reasonable? Can you live with yourself? Doesn't your conscience hurt?"

It wasn't the first time Qin Han had been interrogated by Liu Mu, and with his naturally strong mental fortitude, he simply wouldn't budge. "You shouldn't say that. If nothing else, the Barrier has provided plenty of support for the construction of Shengli Group. Moreover, I didn't ask you for compensation for the troops sent to the Coal Mine, and this time with the construction of the Steel Factory contracted to you, the Contribution Value is skyrocketing..."

"What's the use of it rising?" Liu Mu, having her weak point grabbed, could only act unreasonably. "What if one day your tone changes and the Contribution Value doesn't count anymore? I wouldn't even have a place to cry. Stop talking nonsense, tell me quickly what else Uncle Yang left behind, and where is it? If you don't tell me today, I'm not leaving, and don't you think about leaving either!"

"Uncle, you know, those things of mine were accumulated bit by bit over twenty-some years. When the Barrier said it wanted them, I gave them all up without holding anything back. The Contribution Value is just sitting there, and I can't use it, but what I provided to the Barrier were real, tangible things. Now that we are truly in difficulty, if you don't bring out what you've hidden away, I really can't go on!"

"Otherwise, whoever wants to sit in this lousy position can take it; I'm leaving!"

"There really isn't anything!" Qin Han also slammed the table in his anxiety, pleading earnestly, "You've figured out the affairs in the Barrier over these past few months; which time were the supplies not from the quota given by the General Command? Besides us, they have to be distributed to other Bases in three provinces. I have to break a single steamed bun in half to calculate, you can't just throw in the towel at this time. The underground projects, and the factories, you have to hold them up right now!"

It was as if they were saying Liu Mu was irresponsible; both had their own bitterness, like two old bitter melons pouring out their grievances to each other.

Before they could argue to a conclusion, the door to the confidential room was knocked, and without waiting for permission, the door was pushed open.

"Jiang Hanzhong and Jiang Lin have mutated, Zombie Virus."