Chapter 2894: Small Town Infrastructure Construction Proceeds Happily 14

Lu Jun stepped forward to Yan Genggu's front, crouched down, and asked, "How are you? Where are you hurt?"

Lu Jun wanted to touch the wound on Yan Genggu's forehead, but their hand froze halfway, afraid of hurting them.

Yan Genggu stared, shook their head, wanted to say something, but then their vision went dark.

Lu Jun immediately steadied them, "Don't move."

Lu Jun quickly tore a strip from their inner clothing and pressed it to the still-bleeding wound on Yan Genggu's head.

On the other side, Huo Zhaoye rushed in close behind, successively killing the few strange creatures that charged forward.

"Jin Chen..."

They hadn't finished speaking.

Jin Chen suddenly stepped forward and embraced them.

"You really came to save me."

Hearing this, Huo Zhaoye felt both sour and hot, asking, "Are you hurt? Where does it hurt?"

"No."

Though they said that, they really looked miserable.

Huo Zhaoye's heart tightened further, they helped Jin Chen up, letting them lean against themselves to stand steady, Jin Chen's forehead lightly touching their shoulder.

The group supported the wounded, preparing to leave the strange wasteland as quickly as possible via the route they came, but the sky suddenly changed dramatically.

Above the mist, dark clouds had gathered at some point, pressing heavily into the forest; the wind swept up dry leaves and dust, making a wailing sound as it passed through the twisted branches, like ghosts wailing.

"Is it going to rain?" someone asked, lifting their head uneasily.

Before the words could finish.

A blinding lightning bolt tore the sky, and the earth trembled with it.

Raindrops immediately fell, instantly forming an impenetrable curtain; lightning flashed and struck within the dark clouds.

Lightning struck repeatedly on the tall mutant trees, igniting fierce flames, which the heavy rain quickly extinguished, sending up rolling white smoke.

Thunderstorm!

"Fall back! Quick! Find shelter!"

Huo Zhaoye made a swift decision, ordering, and held Jin Chen tightly in their arms.

Traveling in such weather outdoors is tantamount to seeking death; a single lightning strike could kill everyone.

Lu Jun also looked grave, directing their subordinates to support Yan Genggu and the wounded as they retreated back to the cave they had just exited.

Houzi and the few others left on the outskirts to provide support also braved the downpour, dragging the three surviving Southern Town people over.

"Boss! Outside turned completely black in an instant! The lightning is terrifying! We dare not stay outside!"

Everyone crowded into the cave, listening to the thunder and lightning outside and the pouring rain, their faces grim.

"This thunderstorm came far too eerily."

The Northern Town squad suddenly realized something, looked in astonishment at Jin Chen, whom Huo Zhaoye was protecting at their side, and blurted, "Teacher Jin! You really predicted it! There really is a thunderstorm!"

This reminded the others; Teacher Jin's weather warnings had already proven effective several times, and this time they couldn't help but believe it.

Jin Chen slowly raised their hand and waved it, "No need to thank me."

The sky swiftly darkened in the storm, growing fiercer, mixed with hail pouring down.

Attempting to cross the perilous wasteland overnight in such weather to return to the town is nearly impossible.

"We can't leave tonight." Lu Jun observed through the rain curtain, then said in a low voice, "Wait for the storm to pass, then set out at dawn tomorrow."

"This place can still shelter from the rain; take turns keeping watch and light a fire for warmth."

No one objected; this was the only realistic option at present.

Huo Zhaoye had Houzi and the others take inventory of their supplies.

Fortunately, having entered the wasteland before, they all had experience and, even in a hurry, had brought basic supply packs containing some emergency rations, water skins, fire starters, and portable tents.

The compressed rations were limited, so priority had to be given to the wounded and those expending great energy.

Members familiar with wilderness survival ventured into nearby rain‑sheltering thickets and found edible wild fruit.

Everyone relied on the rainwater to barely fill their stomachs; Houzi led the effort, finally managing to light a small fire in a leeward rock crevice, the damp wood crackling and sending up thick smoke.

Huo Zhaoye repeatedly checked Jin Chen, confirming they were truly uninjured, only then did they slightly relax.

They placed Jin Chen nearest the fire, in the driest and safest spot, and forced the little bit of dried meat upon them.

"How were you captured?" Huo Zhaoye asked quietly.

They couldn't imagine what would have happened if they hadn't reached the cave in time, or if Jin Chen had been a bit unlucky...

Jin Chen's chin lazily rested on Huo Zhaoye's shoulder; hearing this, they froze for a moment.

"Good question."

Jin Chen turned toward Yan Genggu on the other side.

Yan Genggu simply treated the wound on the back of their head, then whispered something to Lu Jun sitting nearby.

Yan Genggu felt the gaze, also looked up, met Jin Chen's eyes, feeling somewhat puzzled, then glanced at Huo Zhaoye, who was intently watching Jin Chen.

Yan Genggu: "……" Really didn't understand what Jin Chen's gaze meant.

"Lord Huo asked us how we were captured."

Yan Genggu: "……"

"Just say you're strange, Teacher Jin!"

"Can't you say it yourself? You insist on going around so I have to say it."

Little did they know, Huo Zhaoye noticed Jin Chen's actions and felt secretly annoyed.

Jin Chen was terrified, unwilling to even recall, surely they were extremely frightened.

If they had been a bit more careful, not leaving Jin Chen in the town, Jin Chen wouldn't have to go through this, nor need to seek safety from others.

Huo Zhaoye felt as if something was tugging at his heart, both sour and painful.

【Detected Villain Heartthrob Value +15, total 37!】