Chapter 43: Charge for the Cotton Clothes!

Clearing out mutant beasts to earn cotton clothes?

This is a must!

Over the past few days, everyone has been eating well, growing stronger, gaining flesh on their bones, and improving their abilities.

The sight of those mutant beasts lingering outside the city gates was becoming more and more unbearable.

“Then it’s settled!”

Bu Weng responded immediately, activating his ability. A pair of luminous wings sprouted from his back as he soared into the military camp.

“Third Army, assemble!”

The moment he left the city lord’s manor, he was no longer just a lively young man with a hint of naive charm.

He was a true general, one who had seen bloodshed and survived countless battles.

His prestige was built upon his battle achievements.

At his command, hundreds responded.

“For days, we’ve been feasting on the food bestowed upon us by the Savior, yet we’ve done nothing in return!”

“Now, the Savior has granted us cotton clothes—this is our opportunity!”

“Follow me outside the city to hunt the mutant beasts. Anyone who achieves merit will be rewarded with a set of cotton clothes!”

The warriors’ eyes lit up.

Cotton clothes!

Those who earned merit would be rewarded with cotton clothes!

Incredible!

Some of them had touched the cotton clothes issued to the children—so soft, so warm.

They had been envious beyond words.

Now, all they had to do was kill mutant beasts to earn a set for themselves! Their spirits surged with enthusiasm.

“Fight! Fight! Fight!”

“Kill! Kill! Kill!”

Bu Weng was pleased.

“Alright! Those who wish to slay mutant beasts, move out!”

Everyone watched as Bu Weng led a force of nearly two thousand soldiers, boarding war vehicles and heading out of the city.

“Young people sure have energy!”

“Even my old hands are itching. City Lord, let me lead a team as well—I want to hunt a few mutant beasts for fun!”

The veteran general Shi Hai was full of fighting spirit.

Cotton clothes—who wouldn’t want them?

“City Lord, my men want cotton clothes too!”

Cheng Fang stepped forward. He needed battle achievements—many, many achievements—to exchange for delicious food and fun toys for his daughter, and a few more adorable sets of cotton clothes and hats to dress her up cutely.

Lü He and Shi Zhuang clenched their fists, eager for action.

Though Song Lufeng was already dressed in a warm sweater, his orders were as firm as iron:

“General Shi, General Cheng—flank the enemy and support Bu Weng.”

“Lü He, Shi Zhuang—deploy the mechs and mobilize the heavy assault vehicles for reinforcement.”

“This battle must be won—defeat is not an option!”

The warriors straightened their backs and responded in unison:

“Yes! Victory is certain!”

They sprang into action.

For the first time in fifty years, they were launching a large-scale counterattack against the mutant beasts.

Everyone in the city was watching.

Crowds gathered at the city walls, seeing them off, waiting for their return.

Those who had taken over kitchen duties moved the giant soup pots to the walls, adding plenty of rice and meat, preparing fresh vegetables—waiting for the warriors to return victorious.

Stacks of cotton clothes were prepared in advance, ready for distribution.

Medical personnel stood by, ready to treat the wounded at a moment’s notice.

Women saved every drop of water, setting it aside for the soldiers to drink upon their return.

The elderly swept the roads clean for them to walk upon.

The children prayed for their victory…

They had to win!

Song Lufeng knew this was not the ideal time for a counterattack.

But in a battle for survival, there was no such thing as the “perfect moment.”

There was only the fight to live amid death.

He believed in his soldiers.

Besides, he had his own tough battle to fight.

His gaze turned toward the Light Group’s territory…

War vehicles rumbled across the icy terrain. Above, several reconnaissance drones flew ahead.

The transmitted images returned in three-dimensional clarity.

Under the leaden gray sky, the world was frozen solid. But the ice wasn’t clear or transparent—it was inky black, like thick ink spilled over the earth.

This was the result of toxic contamination from another world, steadily creeping in and altering the environment.

The black ice was undrinkable—highly toxic.

A vast wasteland stretched out, devoid of any greenery.

If there was any green in this desolation, it would not be a sign of hope—it would be something to be wary of.

Since the last mutant beast siege, when the Beast King was slain, this generation of mutant beasts had retreated thirty miles.

No one had ever ventured this deep into beast-occupied territory.

But seeing the devastation—so barren, so lifeless—filled everyone with a sense of powerlessness and fury.

The mutant beasts were too strong.

Their variety was endless.

Born to kill, constantly evolving—once a beast tide formed, humanity would be utterly powerless before them.

China’s land was being lost bit by bit.

For nearly two hundred years, in every offensive and defensive battle, the casualties had been devastating.

And this time?

“We must win!”

Bu Weng’s voice rang out.

“This battle—we must fight well! We must be worthy of the Savior’s provisions!”

“The cotton clothes I’m wearing—don’t you want a set for yourselves?”

The sight of Bu Weng’s warm, snug, and undeniably stylish cotton outfit filled the soldiers with renewed determination and strength.

“Yes! We want it! We really want it!”

“For the cotton clothes—charge!”

Shouting it out, the tension in the air eased. The atmosphere became much lighter.

“Mutant beasts spotted!”

Mechanic Wen Miao adjusted the surveillance feed. Up ahead, a large herd of mutant beasts appeared.

They resembled wild boars, but their entire bodies were covered in thick armor.

“Mountain Boar Monsters—total count… 783!”

Wen Miao reported the number with precision.

Mountain Boar Monsters were earth-element mutant beasts, born with the ability to manipulate earth energy.

Juveniles were approximately Level 2, while adults reached Level 5.

Individually, they weren’t too strong and were often preyed upon by other mutant beasts, but they had a strong tendency to form large herds.

If they detected an enemy, they would attack as a swarm.

Each had six massive tusks—sharp enough to tear through steel.

At the moment, the herd was huddled together, grunting and snuffling at something on the ground.

“Prepare for battle!”

“Wait—zoom in! Let’s see what they’re eating first.”

A reconnaissance drone flew closer, its camera focusing in.

The boar monsters were feeding on a type of crimson, fern-like plant that wriggled like a living creature.

When the boars bit into it, the plant oozed a bright red liquid that seeped into the ground, staining the earth crimson.

Analyzing the image, Wen Miao’s face paled.

“General! It’s an alien plant—they’re modifying the soil composition!”

Bu Weng’s expression darkened.

An alien plant invasion…

This wasn’t something that had just begun. It had likely been happening for a long time. The only reason they had discovered it now was because it had already spread deep and wide.

If they altered the planet’s environment, would it still be suitable for human survival?

Rage burned in Bu Weng’s eyes, but his command was swift and decisive.

“Send the scouting report back to the base.”

“Zhang Hou, lure the beasts!”

“Yang Chang, once they charge, you confuse them!”

“Zhang Liang, set up the traps!”

“Everyone else—attack freely from the flanks!”