Chapter 396: Is This the Kind of Mess We Should Be Wading Into?

"Su-ge, do you think there are other camps that have found mutated zombies?"

Wu Lue shoved his hand inside his collar and tugged at the neckline of his bulletproof vest—the unique texture gave him a sense of comfort.

"Definitely!"

Zhang Su nodded without hesitation, exhaled a plume of smoke, and said, "The world's huge, ours is tiny. Even if Venom Zombies are legendary-grade mutated zombies, there must be others of the same quality discovered by someone else—but discovery alone isn't enough; the key is figuring out their use."

Mutated zombies are indeed deadlier than ordinary ones, but no matter how strong, they're still killable. If you just kill them as special enemies and then ignore them, it's a massive waste.

Tianma Yu has been able to gradually research the strange uses of zombies precisely because it hosts scientific personnel—not every camp has senior researchers, and even if they do, few are as insane as Fu Wei. Most normal researchers still focus on vaccines and treatment.

"Come to think of it, I'm kinda looking forward to seeing other mutated zombies—this world's getting weirder and weirder!"

Zhang Su couldn't help but sigh. The old world was gone for good; now surviving humans had to carve out a new world in this new environment, and zombie ecology had become an unavoidable research direction.

New energy sources, new medical treatments, new weapons and gear—countless fields bore the shadow of zombies… There would surely be more discoveries ahead.

"Hey hey! Su-ge, look—the horde's moving!"

While chatting, Lu Yu pointed with a trembling finger toward the distance.

Zhang Su took the binoculars and looked far off—sure enough, the horde was acting strange, all turning their heads southward. He grinned. "Hah! Looks like it actually worked!"

According to his plan, both Tianma Yu and Qincheng's survivor camps were emitting magnetic fields to attract zombies, but Tianma Yu's range was limited—once zombies passed the critical threshold, they'd move toward other camps.

But before Zhang Su could rejoice further, he realized things weren't as simple as that…

"No, no, no…"

Three "no's" in a row—Zhang Su raised the binoculars and peered closely, suddenly realizing the horde had turned because they'd spotted a new target!

On the other side of the horde, south of the Second North Ring Road, two cars had collided rear-end, and a third had slammed on its brakes, frantically rolling down its window and waving wildly, signaling the two ahead to turn around!

"Hurry up, hurry up, damn it, turn around and get out of here!"

"How the hell did so many zombies show up? Weren't all the zombies along the route already lured toward Tangcheng?"

"This isn't even the first time! Why are you so shocked? I told you I heard car engines earlier—someone must've lured zombies here. Stop analyzing, just get the hell out!"

These three unlucky cars had gone out as usual to scavenge, only to burst out of a village and immediately be blocked by zombies on the Second North Ring Road.

As long as the road was decent, cars could easily outrun zombies—after speeding through the village, the three vehicles successfully lost the horde entirely.

Vrrrrr.

The vehicles stopped outside a farmhouse. Ten people stepped out one by one; careful observation revealed a unique emblem stitched inside their sleeves—concealed in position but vivid in color.

"Who the hell keeps luring zombies toward our territory? Now I've dented my car—I'm gonna get yelled at again when I get back!"

A man in a puffy Adidas down jacket was furious.

"Where does this road lead north? Anyone know?"

"Our search zone ends at the Second North Ring. According to the map, it should lead to Qingxian. Damn, those barbarians up north must've done this again—fuck!"

"I remember this isn't the first time. Should we head north and investigate? Demand an explanation!"

"Are you crazy? I say we report this and go back. Don't wade into this mess—just don't get ourselves killed, that's already a win!"

This survivor alliance scouting team was outraged, but due to alliance regulations and their limited weaponry, they dared not cross the Second North Ring to go further north. "Wait—I just remembered! Earlier, when we chased the traitor and Fu Wei, the Vanguard Team went north to investigate—they must know what's up there!"

"Yeah, yeah, that's right! I recall Deputy Leader Gong even led a team north afterward, but they came back empty-handed. Looks like something's definitely going on up north—we should report this; we might even get credit!"

"Alright, then. Let's go."

"Let's go!"

Decided, the ten returned to their vehicles and floored the gas toward Qincheng.

"The horde fell into confusion again—the cars acted quickly and escaped."

As the survivor alliance's scouting team turned back, Zhang Su and the others still watched the horde's movements from Hahe Bridge—the view was terrible, and only Zhang Su could barely make anything out.

"All that excitement for nothing, Su-ge. How about we keep luring the horde toward the city center to make sure it's safe?"

Lu Yu grinned slyly.

"Don't go deeper. We don't know what's going on in the city now—too risky. Leave it like this. Set up a small trap on the bridge, check it tomorrow."

The city center was far smaller than the Tianma Yu area, yet it housed several times more survivors—no one knew the current situation. Charging in blindly was irrational.

Lu Yu and the others naturally listened. They hastily strung several wires across Hahe Bridge, confirmed everything was secure, then drove off.

Qincheng's Le Gou Mall had long lost its former glory. Large sections of glass were shattered, patched with cardboard and tape for warmth—looking from afar, it was pitifully shabby, yet it was now the largest power in Qincheng: the headquarters of the Survivor Alliance.

"Le-ge, you drove fast today—big haul? Oh, your car's dented…?"

At the intersection one street north of Le Gou Mall, Xiao Shen, the guard on duty, saw the scouting team speeding back and hurriedly moved the roadblock, chatting as he worked.

"Stay at your post, keep your eyes open—another horde's appeared. Report immediately if anything happens!"

Le-ge, behind the wheel, gave Xiao Shen no courtesy. The scouting team ranked lowest in the Survivor Alliance's hierarchy, but still far superior to guards—only those unfit for official squads got assigned to outposts and night patrols…

"Oh? Really? Then I'll have to pay extra attention!"

Xiao Shen seemed used to others' attitudes—didn't get angry at all.

"Moving a roadblock this slow? Clumsy bastard!"

Vrrr! As soon as the roadblock was cleared, Le-ge floored the accelerator and sped off.

The two cars behind didn't even roll down their windows—didn't spare Xiao Shen a single glance.

"Fucking hell, pfft!"

After the cars passed halfway down the street, Xiao Shen pulled out his outpost-issue pistol and waved it around. "I've got a gun, at least! You ten bastards together only have two guns—pathetic!"

After venting his frustration with curses, Xiao Shen picked up his radio and reported the scouting team's return. Curse all you want—but you still have to do your job, or you'll get punished!

"Oh, Xiao Le, your car's dented again? Hah! Your squad leader's gonna blow a gasket when he sees it!"

In the underground parking lot, Zhang Xin was preparing to lead his team out on a mission. Seeing the returning scouting team, he teased them.

When facing Xiao Shen, Zhou Le had been haughty—but before the Vanguard Team's commander, he was polite, immediately pulling out cigarettes. "Ah, Xin-ge, don't even ask. I'm so damn unlucky—another horde on the Second North Ring. I and the boys barely escaped the village before nearly hitting them—scared the shit out of us!"

"Another horde?"

【60】 Zhang Xin frowned at Zhou Le's words. They'd thoroughly cleared the area along the Second North Ring, luring zombies from nearby villages and factories thirty kilometers west—there shouldn't be any left. Yet in recent days, this had happened two or three times! (End of chapter)