A Scout Couple, Things Going South

The KTV was a three-story building. It had a semi-open style top floor where flowers and plants were planted, but of course, they were all dead now. Right after they got on the top floor, Yun Che threw Heiyu back in Space. He then looked down from the top floor by the railing, it was the same scene in this morning again. The smell of living people had drawn all the nearby zombies to the building. The zombies thronged on the streets. Fortunately, they got gold superfunction possessors to strengthen the roller shutters, or else the building had already been torn down.

"Take a flight down there?"

Asked Xing Feng when he saw Yun Che take the pieces of a two-passenger hang glider out of Space. He then took the components over and started deftly assembling the hang glider.

"Yeah. The level of my air superfunction only allows me to fly on my own. It'd be risky to hold both of us. It's much safer to use the hang glider."

Since the professional took over, Yun Che chose not to meddle with it. He stepped aside and watched Xing Feng work with a bring face. High-level air superfunction not only could fly people around but also was highly offensive. But currently, it was just supportive superfunction for Yun Che.

"You do collect everything. Why don't you take a plane out?"

While assembling the hang glider, Xing Feng joked with Yun Che. Yun Che never told Xing Feng how big his Space was, but it must be ridiculously huge. Whatever they needed, Yun Che would provide. But Xing Feng had never seen him unload anything as if his Space was illimitable.

"A plane? No. I'm not a rich man or a high-ranking official like you lot, I'm happy with the basic supplies. Plus, where do I get planes, tanks, armored vehicles anyway? Don't judge me but I borrowed money to collect supplies before the doomsday, I got about 200 thousand in total. And then I ran out of money, I just ransacked the largest warehouse in the north of Chuan City."

Yun Che even found himself funny when he looked back on that thing. Back then, all he wanted to do was collect as many supplies as he could despite all cost so that his family wouldn't suffer in the doomsday. Now he knew that no matter how much stuff he stocked, it wouldn't be enough. For example, it would be nice if he had a jet or something, but the reality was he didn't.

"So it was you emptied that warehouse."

"You know about that?"

Yun Che was surprised. Xing Feng shook his head and said, "Why do you think I was in Chuan City before the doomsday? Many warehouses in the north of Chuan City belonged to Chaoyang. I rushed there as soon as I got the news and moved all the stuff to the base, which was still taking shape at the time."

Their story began from that moment, neither of them was aware of it though.

"So the military did know that the doomsday was coming?"

Yun Che frowned. He was having doubts from the start and later, he acquired evidence of the authority hiding the truth from the public, but nothing was verified until now. Xing Feng's word could pretty much be considered a confirmation.

"Yes, the doomsday was caused by a nationwide snowstorm, but only a handful of people remembered that. Before the snowstorm, there was a milder snowfall across the country and there were already reported infections. However, neither the military nor the government could be sure what it was, they didn't publicize the cases to avoid unnecessary panics. They just secretly ordered hospitals and scientists to look into the matter. We Chinese always tend to take precautions, the military and the government worked together to make some basic preparations but what caught us off guard was the doomsday hit us quick and hard. All armies across the country went through quite a number of hardships to build those bases. You know, Southwest is pretty decent among all bases."

Xing Feng didn't and wouldn't hide anything from Yun Che. Hadn't Chaoyang made enough preparations before the doomsday, they wouldn't get to live a well-off life now. Before the doomsday, the superfunction of Xing Feng and Chu Haoling had already awakened. The two of them traveled between multiple areas many times to relocate their supplies. The last day before the doomsday, Xing Feng even used his connections to get himself a freight train and drove it straight into Lingjiang City. He donated half of the supplies on the train in exchange for Chaoyang Community, the other half was divided and stored in the underground vaults in those mansions of his.

"I knew the authorities were slick. They made preparations without telling the public what the hell was going on."

Yun Che understood the authorities had their own concerns. Nothing was confirmed at the time, so surely they wouldn't announce anything. That said, Yun Che still held a grudge because if he had known in advance, he would have ask his sister and brother to live with him sooner and Cheng wouldn't have ended up like this.

"Done."

Xing Feng didn't respond to what Yun Che said because he, too, was hell of a slick dude. The hang glider had been assembled and they didn't continue the subject.

"Come on, let's glide around to collect as many things as possible. They'll spoil out here anyway. In the following weeks, no one will come to worst-hit areas like the provincial capital."

Yun Che moved on as well. They stood on the railing with the control bar of the hang glider in their hands. Xing Feng was in charge of the navigation. The very second they fell, Yun Che controlled air superfunction to blow the sail. The glider zoomed over the zombies.

Rrrraahh~

The zombies roared, reached out their hands, grasped nothing but air above their heads when they smelled living beings. In case there were level-3 control superfunction zombies, Yun Che wrapped an additional layer of air membrane around them. Suddenly, the smell was gone, the zombies stopped rampaging. But instead of scattering away, they went back to the siege of the KTV.

Screak!

After they flew over the area where most zombies thronged, Xing Feng found an empty space to land. It made a raspy noise when the tail of the hang glider scratched the ground. Right after Xing Feng landed, he put the hang glider back in Space. Yun Che took out an electric scooter. Inside the air membrane, the two of them moved straight to the research institute at full speed without hindrance.

"Here's a bed linens store, we'll take everything away on our way back. I happen to be in need of them."

Yun Che kept an eye on the stores along the way on the backseat. They had entered the second ring, the downtown area. There were all kinds of stores around them, each and every store had zombies in it. But they didn't stop for the supplies. After all, they were currently scouts, supply-collecting had become a side-business.

"Yeah. We'll empty all the stores one by one later, better safe than sorry. But is your Space big enough for so much stuff?"

"Don't worry about it. My Space can grow. The more stuff I put into it, the bigger it gets. According to Heiyu, it can grow into the size of the Earth if I like. Isn't that awesome?"

Speaking of this, even Yun Che thought he sounded too flaunty. Luckily, only Xing Feng heard his boast, or else he'd draw himself more haters.

"Awesome indeed."

The joyful ride was soon over, the two of them reached the environs of the research institute. Yun Che took a look at the air panel and said, "Well, well, it's lucky that Major General Mo didn't lead everybody here. There are tens of level-3 zombies and several nearly-level-4 ones in there. Also, a dozen zombie beasts. The dots are packed together, and I think I might miss some."

Even Yun Che got alarmed when he read the air panel. The numbers were way beyond their estimation.

"Looks like things are worse than we thought. We'd better head back now for further discussions."

The look on Xing Feng's face darkened. Dozens of level-3 zombies and some of them were nearly level 4, plus more than 10 zombie beasts and there might even be more? Even our Captain Xing wasn't optimistic about it. You could imagine the look on Mo Wenyang's face when he heard news, he would swear again.

"Yeah. But shall we go inside for a quick look around?"

Suggested Yun Che. He figured it would be OK under the protection of the air membrane.

Xing Feng shook his head and rejected, "No. You said it yourself that the situation in the institute is unknown. You may not be the only one with air superfunction. If any zombie was air attribute, we would be screwed."

It was a matter of importance, so Xing Feng rejected Yun Che for the first time.

"You're right. Let's walk around the streets then. We loot as many stores as we can in case someone keeps yammering tomorrow."

Yun Che agreed with Xing Feng so he decided to abort the plan. In the air membrane, the electric scooter moved away from the research institute. When they went back, it was almost dark. No one in the expedition was skeptical, instead, they appreciated it when Xing Feng and Yun Che volunteered to be scouts. However, they came back with frustrating news.

"Count how many level-3 superfunction possessors that can still fight. We'll need to take a gamble tomorrow. All level-3 superfunction possessors will venture into the institute, level-2 guys will be waiting here, looking after the casualties. But 10 ranged level-2 fighters are needed to protect space superfunction possessors."

Fuming and agitated, Mo Wenyang wouldn't stop swearing. At last, Xing Feng put forth a rational proposition. There were just too many level-3 zombies in the research institute, level-2 superfunction possessors would be of no help. In addition, they had to take all those casualties for whom no one would have extra energy during a battle. By then, they would all become zombies' snack.

"All right, then."

Mo Wenyang finally calmed down with a nod. He then gave his deputies some instructions. After he left, Xing Feng took a glance at Major General Zeng and said, "You don't wanna be dead, do you, Major General Zeng? How about stay here to look after the casualties?"

The seemingly nice words felt like a smack in the face. Major General Zeng and Wei Soldiers all got upset, yet they had no right to talk Xing Feng back because Xing Feng was only quoting Zeng.

"Looking after the casualties isn't an easy job, you're making it difficult for Major General Zeng. Just ask for their opinions. If level-3 Wei Soldiers would like to follow us, then it's OK. If they don't, well, it's their choice. We don't want to take the blame for the deaths of your soldiers anymore."

Yun Che said to Xing Feng, holding his chin with one hand. But everyone could tell whom he was really talking to. Now Wei Army felt like they were the biggest suckers in the whole world.

"Thanks for your concern, Captain Xing, but my people aren't afraid to die. Tomorrow, all of our level-3 superfunction soldiers will be going with you."

One of Zeng's deputies preempted his boss by making the statement. Xing Feng and Yun Che both took a look at him. But apparently, his boss wasn't happy.

"Shut up! You're in no position to speak."

Major General silenced his deputy. He felt his authority was challenged. But immediately, he tried to clear the air, "We'll do what we're ordered to do and I'll be with you guys as well. Two captains, it's unnecessary for you to prod me."

After that, Major General Zeng pretentiously pushed him back from the table, stood up and swaggered off. His deputies froze at first, then they saluted to Mo Wenyang before they caught their boss up. These poor guys weren't given a choice of under which major general they would be fighting.

"Tch, the wussy got an ill temper. That's why I don't like being in the army. The asshole hasn't got what it takes to be a savior but he surely swaggers like one. Major General Mo, sorry but after this one, I won't take part in another military operation. Period."

Watching Zeng walking away, Yun Che sniffed at him. He then put up an attitude toward Mo Wenyang. They joined this one because they wanted to help Mo gain people's trust, otherwise they wouldn't have to put up with this shit. Yun Che had decided that he would say no to every military-civilian cooperation in the future.

"Well…"

Mo Wenyang put on a wry smile and heaved a heavy sigh. If he was Yun Che, he would do the same.