Chapter 96 Shancheng: Could It Be Because of Resentment?

Following the truck into the base, the group went straight to Shao Yingjie’s office.

This base was significantly larger than the safe zone in Wushi, as it occupied half of the Jiangbei District, with all the buildings already in place.

They stopped in front of a large building, where the words “Mission Hall” were prominently displayed at the front. Upon entering, it was bustling inside, with five windows resembling those in a bank, and plenty of people coming and going.

Above the windows hung LED screens, scrolling with numerous missions. It seemed that Shancheng had already developed its own new economic model.

The group followed Zhao Zhi upstairs, and Zhao Zhi casually introduced, “The missions here usually involve going out to hunt mutated animals. Quite a few are issued by the Sciences Academy, needing special metals or materials. All of these can be brought back for trade to earn points.”

“Points?” Lin Mu, who was a step behind, asked.

Zhao Zhi turned around and glanced at him. This young man had a delicate and gentle appearance that naturally made people feel fond of him. A slight smile appeared on his tanned face.

“Yes, the base has a cafeteria and a market where you can eat or buy things. Of course, there are also many private shops where points can be used. It’s currently the common currency in Shancheng.”

Lin Mu nodded. It seemed that Shancheng was indeed much better than many other places, at least maintaining an economic and survival model reminiscent of a civilized society.

Shao Yingjie’s office was on the seventh floor. The group followed Zhao Zhi as they slowly made their way up. Although Shancheng’s power system had been partially restored, it could not sustain large consumption, so non-essential facilities like elevators were still not used to avoid wasting power.

Outside the office on the seventh floor, two young soldiers holding guns stood guard. Upon seeing Zhao Zhi, they saluted and knocked on the door.

A stern voice came from inside, “Come in.”

The group pushed the door open and entered. What came into view was a fairly spacious office with a simple desk and two large wooden bookshelves on the wall, filled with numerous documents.

“Commander Shao, Captain Fu is here.”

Shao Yingjie looked up at the group, stood up, and walked over, saluting Fu Jingmo.

This man appeared to be around 35 years old, with a face full of righteousness, much like Zhao Zhi, and so stern that it seemed almost rigid.

If Fu Jingmo was the kind of mischievous soldier with a rogue demeanor, then Shao Yingjie was the most by-the-book, exemplary leader with three stripes.

“Have a seat over here,” he said, guiding them to the sofa. The group briefly introduced themselves, and Shao Yingjie scrutinized the three of them from head to toe.

Anyone who could accompany Fu Jingmo on such a journey must have exceptional qualities; otherwise, with Fu Jingmo’s lone wolf nature, he wouldn’t need teammates.

“Commander Shao, just now Huang Gou tried to take them outside the city.”

“Mm, I understand.” Shao Yingjie waved his hand, signaling Zhao Zhi to get back to work, and then turned to the group. “Captain Fu, or should I call you Major Fu?”

“Captain,” Fu Jingmo replied succinctly.

“Captain, did you come from Wushi? What’s your ability? What’s the current situation in Wushi? Do you have any information regarding the zombies?”

Fu Jingmo lifted his chin slightly, his fingers tapping rhythmically on his thigh. “Commander Shao, are you interrogating me?”

He leaned back against the sofa and turned his head to look at Shao Yingjie, speaking lazily, “Wushi is temporarily safe. The mutated zombies have been cleared out. As for our abilities, you’ll find out when the time comes.”

Fu Jingmo disliked being in a passive position, even more so when someone spoke to him in an interrogative tone. “Right now, you need me. So, tell me about the situation in Shancheng first.”

The man before him was indeed as rumored—arrogant and proud, but with a presence that made people instinctively follow what he said.

He Ze, standing to the side, nudged Shen Rangchen and gave a thumbs-up, thinking to himself: Brother Fu is powerful and imposing.

Shao Yingjie’s expression turned more reserved, and he spoke stiffly, “Huang Gou is under Ye Xing’s command. Right now, Ye Xing is another major force in Shancheng, the head of Wunan Tower. He…”

“The Ye family was originally the wealthiest in Shancheng, with an extensive network of power and influence. While the military was still leading the evacuation and establishing the base, he had already seized 80% of Shancheng’s resources, including food and grain storage.”

“You must have noticed that at the entrance to the city, they display a lot of food. He has many mutated individuals under his command, not just because of the food but also due to Ye Xing’s ability, which is healing.”

“Healing?” Even Lin Mu looked somewhat surprised at this. Along the way, most of the abilities they had encountered were combat-related, making this the first time he had seen such a support-type ability.

Shao Yingjie looked at him and nodded. “Yes, healing. No matter how severe the injury, as long as the person isn’t dead, he can heal them. Except for one case—if bitten by a zombie, it’s ineffective.”

“That is indeed an ability that would make people willingly risk their lives for him, as it greatly increases their chances of survival,” Fu Jingmo analyzed calmly.

“But that’s not the most pressing concern right now. Although Ye Xing controls half of Shancheng, he stays in his corner and has barely had any conflicts with the Jiangbei team—except this time, targeting you…”

Fu Jingmo had no impression of the name Ye Xing at all and had no idea what kind of grudge or animosity the other party might have.

“Then what is the most pressing concern?”

“The Lucong River. The zombies have been blocked by the Lucong River in the southern part of the city, but recently, a monster has appeared in the river. Every night, many of our patrol members die. If this continues, I’m afraid it’s only a matter of time before that monster makes its way to the Jiangbei side.”

“A monster?” Fu Jingmo pondered for a moment before calculating his options. “If there really is a monster, it’s not just a matter for the Jiangbei team. That Ye Xing should also contribute. The Jiangbei team probably doesn’t have many mutated individuals, right?”

Shao Yingjie’s expression turned unnatural for a moment. “…The Jiangbei team is mostly made up of ordinary people. Wunan Tower treats mutated individuals very well. Here, they can only manage basic food and shelter, so many of them have left.”

“Alright, understood. Let’s rest for now. Tonight, we’ll go to the riverbank and take a look.”

“Let Zhao Zhi take you there. The accommodations have already been arranged.”

The group left Shao Yingjie’s office and followed Zhao Zhi to their accommodations.

“Fu Jingmo, do you not know Ye Xing?” 

Lin Mu turned his head to ask him. Based on what Shao Yingjie had said, Ye Xing seemed like the type who avoided stirring up trouble.

Fu Jingmo searched his memory but truly couldn’t recall anyone by that name.

“I don’t know him.”

He Ze leaned his head over. “Brother Fu, could it be someone you scolded before, who now holds a grudge? If not, what else could it be? Could it be over some romantic rivalry or something?!! Hahaha.”

He burst into laughter at his own outrageous suggestion. “No, no, who would dare to even think of targeting Brother Fu?”

Zhao Zhi, walking beside them, seemed to recall something. “Captain Fu, you may not know Ye Xing, but do you know Chen Yu, the former captain of Team 113?”

Fu Jingmo’s steps paused as he turned to look at him. “Chen Yu?”

“Yeah, exactly,” Zhao Zhi said, seeing that he had piqued Fu Jingmo’s interest. He continued, “Chen Yu is now at Wunan Tower. Uh, well, there are rumors that he and Ye Xing are, well… you know, like that.”

He extended both hands, touching his index fingers together and raising his eyebrows, with a look that suggested they should understand what he meant. The expression on his square face somehow turned comical.

“Huh? Isn’t Ye Xing a man? Is Chen Yu a woman?” He Ze pushed past Shen Rangchen and moved closer to Zhao Zhi.

“They’re both men. Who cares about that now?” Zhao Zhi responded smoothly, walking side by side with He Ze, arms around each other’s shoulders as they chatted.

Lin Mu stood there, momentarily stunned. This Zhao Zhi, who always had a face full of righteousness and seemed serious and earnest, turned out to be quite the gossip enthusiast…