376: Mutated man-eating fungus

Zhu Xiaowu showed his lab reports to Jiang Fei and the others.

“This bacterium is called Streptococcus pyogenes, and in some places, it’s also known as the flesh-eating bacteria.”

“Once infected, it only takes 24 to 48 hours for a patient to go from showing symptoms to developing shock and multiple organ failure, with a very high fatality rate.”

“However, the flesh-eating bacteria in Ling Province has mutated. The initial symptoms are still sore throat, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea, but I’m not sure what it will develop into later.”

“But the main transmission routes for the bacteria are droplets, food or water, and skin contact.”

“I’ve thought it through carefully. The reason Tian Jie and I got infected was because we let our guard down, thinking Ling Province was safe. A few days ago, we fetched water from the lake and didn’t boil it, drinking it raw directly.”

“You weren’t infected because you took the enhanced version of the new special medicine.”

“The enhanced version can treat the mutated flesh-eating bacteria, while the first generation cannot.”

Zhu Xiaowu said with lingering fear, “If you hadn’t come in time that day to give us the enhanced version of the new special medicine, Tian Jie and I would have already passed our seventh day of mourning.”

Xu Qianyao got goosebumps listening to him:

“I never expected such a powerful mutated bacteria to be hidden in the beautiful mountains and waters of Ling Province.”

“Fortunately, we had the medicine, otherwise, all of us would have been wiped out.”

Su Liuyuan boldly guessed, “Then is it because there were no survivors in Ling Province, everyone died from the mutated flesh-eating bacteria, and their bodies were eaten by animals?”

Jiang Fei said, “It’s hard to say. In any case, starting today, we must wear protective gear and perform thorough disinfection whenever we get out of the car.”

“Don’t touch any water outside.”

“Qian Yao, Xiao Wu, please tally how much drinking water you have left in your cars.”

“If it’s not enough, we’ll resupply at the logistics warehouse in Xuan City, the next city, later.”

Xu Qianyao and Zhu Xiaowu returned to their RVs to tally their remaining water.

They each only had one barrel of drinking water left, which wasn’t enough.

While it was still light, Jiang Fei and the others got into their cars and headed for Xuan City.

Nearing the entrance to Xuan City, they saw an iron net stretched across the middle of the road, with many large stones blocking the way.

Three survivors, wrapped up like zongzi, stood guard outside with rusty iron forks.

They had no masks or medical protective suits; they wore hooded raincoats similar to those used for cycling, and a dirty transparent plastic bucket was placed over their heads as a protective face shield.

Upon spotting a car approaching, the three immediately raised their iron forks.

The man in the lead, wearing a blue raincoat, shouted loudly:

“Stop! Don’t drive any further!”

“What do you want in Xuan City?!”

Xu Qianyao put on his protective gear, got out of the car, and showed his Rescue Team ID.

“We are an official team from Huaxia Base, here in Xuan City to carry out a mission.”

“Please move aside, otherwise we will take special measures…”

Before he could finish, a hoarse voice interrupted him.

“Captain Xu?”

Xu Qianyao looked at the man in the pink raincoat with confusion.

Through the plastic bottle, he saw that weathered yet gentle face.

“You’re Uncle Liu, who was with Mo Yan’an?!”

“It’s me!” Uncle Liu nodded excitedly:

“If you want to enter the city, you must prove that you haven’t been infected with the bacteria.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Qianyao returned to the car to retrieve a thermometer gun.

Jiang Fei and the others also put on their protective gear and got out of the car.

After measuring everyone’s temperature one by one and confirming no fever, the two survivors looked Jiang Fei and the others over again.

Their complexions were rosy, and all their protective gear was medical-grade; they didn’t look sick at all.

The survivors lowered their iron forks, their attitude much better than before.

“Sorry, we blocked the road to be responsible for the people in the city, please don’t mind us.”

“If it weren’t for that damned bacteria, we wouldn’t have to stand guard here day and night.”

The two survivors and Uncle Liu spoke in turns, telling Jiang Fei and the others about the situation in Ling Province.

Ling Province had many survivors from different countries, all of whom had drifted there due to the tsunami.

Initially, they didn’t bother each other and lived their own lives, but then a contagious virus inexplicably appeared, sweeping across the entire Ling Province.

Once infected, death was certain within three days.

However, it only infected humans, not animals.

With no medicine to treat it and no protective gear, everyone used whatever materials they could find for protection.

They gathered together, hoping to investigate the source of the virus and resolve the matter.

After investigation, they learned that it wasn’t a virus, but a mutated bacteria.

It was spread by several survivors from R Country.

So, they killed all the R Country survivors and began to check each other.

Anyone with fever, vomiting, necrotic limbs, or showing symptoms was thrown out of the group.

After screening, there were still over a thousand healthy people.

To survive, they went to Xuan City, the only city that hadn’t been contaminated.

No survivors had been to Xuan City, so it was safe.

They settled there, and to prevent infected people from coming, they sealed every entrance and took turns guarding them.

They survived until now by digging wild vegetables and hunting.

Uncle Liu looked at Jiang Fei expectantly, “Miss Jiang, have you seen my young master and Old Mr. Mo?”

Jiang Fei nodded, “Yan’an and Old Mr. Mo are both at Huaxia Base.”

Uncle Liu’s breathing suddenly became rapid: “That’s wonderful… the young master and the old gentleman are still alive…”

“My struggles weren’t in vain!”

The man in the blue raincoat asked Jiang Fei eagerly, “Little girl, where is this Huaxia Base you just mentioned?”

“Was it established by our country?”

“That’s right.” Jiang Fei told them about Huaxia Base.

“If you want to go, we can help you relocate.”

“There’s a batch of supplies and vehicles in the city.”

Director Ning had said that she could use the logistics warehouse’s supplies to help compatriots go to Huaxia Base.

Uncle Liu and the survivors were overjoyed.

“We’ll go inform everyone right away!”

“Wait! First, help the official team clear the obstacles! Let them drive in!”

“Oh, my brain, I got too excited and forgot.”

The three quickly went to dismantle the iron net and move the stones.

Yan Tianjie, standing at the back, was already numb.

This was the third time the annoying person had privately used supplies.

He couldn’t control it, couldn’t do anything about it, so let her be.

He would just write it down in his notebook and complain to Director Ning later!

—

Uncle Liu and the three were responsible for gathering the survivors, while Jiang Fei and the others followed the map to the logistics warehouse in Xuan City.

Jiang Fei got out of the car alone and opened the warehouse door.

After taking out a box of enhanced new special medicine, she called Xu Qianyao and the others to come and get the vehicles and supplies.

For every item taken, Jiang Fei noted it down on paper, to facilitate future verification by Director Ning.

They worked until dark, ultimately driving out 7 military trucks.

Two of the trucks’ cargo beds were filled with drinking water, food, gasoline, masks, alcohol, and other supplies.

And several boxes of drinking water that Xu Qianyao and Zhu Xiaowu needed to replenish for their RVs.

After letting Xu Qianyao and the others go first, Jiang Fei stayed behind to collect the supplies.

“Ding — Detected gold: 3,560,000 grams”

“Ding — Detected gold: 110,000 grams”

Locking the large door, Jiang Fei returned to the team.

Xu Qianyao and the others had finished moving the water.

Uncle Liu and the survivors had also called everyone.

Su Liuyuan whispered to Jiang Fei, “Captain, Uncle Liu just told me that one-third of the people here are survivors from Kimchi Country, T Country, and Y Country. Should we take them all?”