Chapter 73

In 3357, the scientific research team of Beifeng District discovered a batch of cryogenic chambers at a ruined site in an abandoned zone. After thawing, several virus carriers were revived.

After undergoing revival treatment at the Beifeng District First Research Institute, three virus carriers successfully awakened from a batch of over a dozen cryogenic chambers.

Two of them were numbered A3223-02-068 and A3233-13-023. The letters represent the district codes, while the following numbers indicate the freezing duration, batch, and chamber number.

The third one, however, had the cryogenic chamber numbered 002.

There was no district code, batch, or freezing time—just a sequence number.

The technology of freezing virus carriers had been gradually improving for over 300 years, and the cryogenic chambers had evolved.

More than a hundred years ago, after the 3207 mutated animal disaster, the seven habitable zones were reorganized. Since then, all cryogenic chambers have had detailed batch numbers, like A3223-02-068 and A3233-13-023.

Before that, the numbering of cryogenic chambers was more complex and chaotic, but simple numbers like 002 were unprecedented.

What was even more astonishing was the virus activity inside the cryogenic chamber—shockingly high, suggesting a possible original virus carrier.

At the Beifeng District First Research Institute, after reviewing historical records and comparing all documented data, they concluded that the 002 cryogenic chamber contained the first batch of virus carriers frozen during the early days of the apocalypse at the Beizheng Base.

The individual inside, known as Wen Jiuze, was awarded a military rank of Colonel by the Beizheng Base officials in 3060.

In 3085, all his secret experimental data were classified and sealed as top secret.

The institute’s director at that time used the highest authority to lock the cryogenic chamber and forbade future thawing or research.

Afterward, the Beizheng Base disbanded, and with the surge in mutated animal disasters, 002 and many other cryogenic chambers from the base were lost in the chaos.

Then in 3357, people dug up 002, and miraculously, this “antique” from over 300 years ago was revived.

Though cryogenic chambers were no longer rare today, and some virus carriers had been asleep for centuries, the awakening of 002 was still considered an unbelievable miracle.

To protect him, the data about 002 was once again classified.

Ten years later, in 3367, in the remote and least developed Jinghai District, the district’s scientific team discovered the ruins of a secret research lab.

“There are still some cryogenic chambers running here!”

“Look at the numbering: G3289-24-099. These are all standard numbers, and the anti-counterfeit codes match. They were among those previously lost.”

“Let’s check the virus activity… Zero, no hope left. Even if we thaw them, they can’t be revived.”

“Captain, there’s another cryogenic chamber at the far end of the room, but it has no number.”

Cryogenic chambers without a number were usually privately frozen, not officially done. This was a common occurrence despite being prohibited.

Through the semi-transparent window of the chamber, the team saw the virus carrier inside. This one was the thinnest they had ever seen, completely unrecognizable.

“How long has it been frozen for it to look like this… There’s probably no need to thaw it. The virus activity must be zero, no way to revive it.” one team member said.

But the captain replied, “Let’s measure it anyway. The procedure must be followed.”

A team member took out a machine, opened the cryogenic chamber, and placed the instrument on the head of the virus carrier.

“My god! Captain, look, her virus activity is so high!”

“It’s at revival level. Bring her back!”

…..

After an incredibly long and indescribable period, she opened her eyes.

There were blurred shadows moving around her.

“She’s successfully awakened… Let’s check her… functions…”

“Talk… Name…”

She heard these voices, but her brain couldn’t process the information right away. Someone continued asking repetitive questions by her side.

“Your name, do you still remember it?”

Name? She tried to grasp something from the empty void in her mind. After a moment, she moved her lips and softly murmured two barely audible words: “Xiaoxiao.”

“Is that so? Your name is Xiaoxiao? Do you remember how old you are? What year were you born? Which year were you frozen?”

She paused for a long while, but at this moment, she felt like a pocket with nothing inside. No matter how much she searched her body, she could not find anything.

Someone beside her comforted her, “It’s okay, this is temporary. You’ve probably been frozen for too long. Many people who have been frozen for so long are like this when they wake up. After two more rounds of treatment, you should remember everything.”

As she listened to the gentle voice by her ear, she slowly looked down at her hand, staring blankly. She let out a soft “Ah.”

“Don’t worry, the virus in your body is very active. Your recovery should be good. You’ll look almost the same as a normal person.”

“No need to rush, your brain has just ‘booted up.’ Let’s give it some time to fully wake up…”

She felt a wave of drowsiness again, nodded slowly, and then turned her head and fell asleep.

Dr. Jian, who was in charge of her care, left the special treatment room and returned to her office.

Someone asked her, “Dr. Jian, how is the patient you thawed today?”

“She’s awake, but still in a state of confusion. She can’t remember anything, and communication is difficult. I’m afraid it will take two more rounds of treatment.”

Dr. Jian continued, “Our medical conditions in Jinghai District aren’t as advanced as in other districts. The best revival technology is in District A’s First Research Institute.”

Her colleague laughed, “We all know District A has the best technology, but not every frozen person has the qualifications to be sent there. I heard this one didn’t even have a cryogenic chamber number. Our local research institute didn’t accept her, so she was sent directly here.”

“Dr. Jian is kind and agreed to treat her. But, to be honest, if her revival fails, there will be no one to cover her medical fees. Dr. Jian could lose a lot.”

Dr. Jian said, “She looks very young, about the same age as my child. I’ll do my best to help her.”

“Well, Dr. Jian, you know that virus carriers in cryogenic chambers don’t really have an age. She could be decades older than you.”

Everyone in the office chuckled.

Years ago, before they had solved the zombie virus problem, many districts had frozen infected people in large batches. The peak of thawing came decades ago.

Now, it’s not so common. There are only a few cases every year, mostly coming from relic sites where the surviving virus carriers were uncovered.

These thawed survivors are now often referred to as “undead.”

They are thawed, and with the help of machines that activate the virus in their bodies and special medications, their bodies are reshaped. The process is both like a metamorphosis and a corpse resurrection, which is why the treatment is called “revival.”

Revived individuals usually return to the age their bodies were frozen at, no longer aging. They possess bodies of steel and strength beyond ordinary people. They maintain their life with regular injections of special virus-activated cells.

It sounds impressive, but not all revived individuals fare well. If the revival isn’t successful, their bodies won’t reach an ideal state, and more precious medications are needed for secondary repairs.

The patient Dr. Jian is treating, whose identity remains unknown, couldn’t be revived by the Jinghai District Research Institute for free. Since the district’s revival technology isn’t advanced, they may end up owing a large treatment bill.

Dr. Jian had been worried about this, but after receiving the viral data from the thawed patient, a new idea popped into her head.

Dr. Jian had done revival treatments before and had seen many viral carrier data reports, but she had never encountered anything as strange as this one.

Maybe, she could send this data to the First Research Institute in Beifeng District. District A’s research on viruses is the most thorough. Perhaps, because of the unusual data, they would be willing to provide the revival treatment free of charge.

Being treated in District A would definitely be better than here.

“Xiaoxiao, how are you today? I have good news. The First Research Institute in Beifeng District has decided to accept your treatment. They’ll be coming to pick you up soon.”

The frozen patient, Xiaoxiao, remained dazed and wasn’t sure if she understood. She placed her dry hand over Dr. Jian’s.

Dr. Jian reassured her, “Don’t worry. You’re a lucky child. They’ll make sure you recover completely.”

“I’m not sure which year you were frozen or how long you were in cryostasis, but you’ve made it through. Everything will go smoothly from now on.”

Beifeng District is the largest and most developed of the seven districts, with the most advanced technology and the best of everything.

When the First Research Institute received the test report that Dr. Jian had cautiously sent, they immediately sent an airship to pick her up.

No one knew how excited they were. Since the 002 data report ten years ago, they had never seen a virus as peculiar as the one found in 002. Could this be another virus carrier from the early days of the apocalypse?

During this time, “Xiaoxiao’s” memories remained unclear. She only knew that she had somehow moved to a new place.

The new place was large, and there were even more people around her.

She underwent a round of revival treatment, and slowly her mind began to clear. She could think clearly, and many memories started to surface.

She remembered her childhood, the times she rarely saw her mother, and her life at her uncle’s house.

She remembered her school days.

She remembered meeting Wen Jiuze.

She recalled the apocalypse, when she became a zombie.

She remembered reuniting with Wen Jiuze, meeting her mother again, spending winter in a village, and the Beizheng Base…

“Xiaoxiao, how do you feel now? This revival treatment should have restored much of your body’s functions. Do you want to try walking?”

Xue Ling sat up from the treatment bed, slowly placing her feet on the floor.

The two people in white coats around her smiled encouragingly and praised, “Xiaoxiao is amazing, she’s recovering very well.”

Hearing the repeated “Xiaoxiao,” Xue Ling fell silent.

That’s right, she remembered now, her name didn’t seem to be Xiaoxiao.

“I… resurrected, cryogenic chamber,” Xue Ling tried to form the words.

“Now, just like me, what about the other cryogenic chambers?”

They figured out her question: “Are you asking about the cryogenic chambers found at the same time as yours? What happened to them?”

“Your cryogenic chamber was found in the Jinghai District. We contacted the research team there. They said the other chambers discovered at the same time as yours, the people inside, have no chance of waking up anymore.”

Xue Ling sat there, staring at everything around her that felt unfamiliar. She raised her dry arm and involuntarily hugged herself.

“Wen Jiuze.” She unconsciously called out that name.

An emptiness settled inside her, and a delayed sadness began to pour in.

Suddenly, someone next to her asked in confusion, “Did Xiaoxiao just say ‘Wen Jiuze’?”

“Wen Jiuze, is it that Wen Jiuze?”

“No way, do they know each other? Could it really be from the same era?!”

“I told you, I compared thousands of records, and their data is the most similar, different from everyone else! There must be some connection!”

Xue Ling’s sadness was interrupted by these excited voices.

Why did it seem like they all knew Wen Jiuze?

“Xiaoxiao, do you remember now, what’s your full name?” A middle-aged man asked, his voice trembling, eyes full of hope.

Xue Ling leaned back slightly. “Xue Ling, Ling as in the bell…”

Before she could finish, the people around her started cheering, crying with joy, and hugging each other.

Someone covered their mouth and said, “Oh my god, you’re Xue Ling!”

“She is the Xue Ling!”

“We found you!”

“That’s great, it’s finally over, the hard days are behind us!”

“We won’t have to be dragged to the wasteland to dig up ruins on every holiday anymore!”

“Ten years, it’s been ten years! I’ve had to collect so many cryogenic chamber data every year, this was never my job!”

“Going all over the seven districts digging up cryogenic chambers wasn’t my job either!”

Xue Ling nervously moved a little. “Huh?”

“You… know Wen Jiuze?”

The room fell silent for a moment, and then a middle-aged man patted his bald head and said angrily, “Know him! Of course, we know him! Who doesn’t know him?”

Another middle-aged man wiped his red, excited eyes. “He tortured me for years. I’d forget my girlfriend, but I’d never forget him!”

Xue Ling: “…”