45: Conscious zombies

Sun Ping and her daughter watched as the base gates slammed shut mercilessly before them; one’s eyes were filled with resentment, while the other’s were rimmed with red.

Although it was technically noon, everywhere the eye could see was shrouded in pitch-black darkness.

From the distance, the occasional roars of zombies and the sounds of smashing and looting echoed intermittently.

All of this made Sun Ping’s heart tremble uncontrollably.

Perhaps she had grown too accustomed to the comfortable life in Qingyun Base over the past few months.

Only now, after being kicked out, did she realize that the outside world felt like a completely different realm compared to Qingyun Base.

Even with the arrival of the Polar Night, Qingyun Base was not only powerful but also possessed strong cohesion, giving people a full sense of security.

Inside, resources were abundant, and the treatment was excellent.

The lights at home were often on, and everything remained as orderly as before.

But standing outside, the surrounding darkness was like a giant beast with its mouth wide open, leaving one feeling helpless and terrified...

Only then did she remember once again how horrific and cruel the Apocalypse was.

Back then, her husband, Feng Cheng, was a Level 4 Ability User.

When Qingyun Base issued an announcement to accept residents.

Their whole family was overjoyed. Feng Cheng went out day and night until he finally collected enough crystal cores to pay three months' rent. The family finally didn't have to hide anymore and moved into Qingyun Base.

But living in the base wasn't free; once inside, one had to constantly find ways to gather supplies and level up to have a chance at a better life within Qingyun Base.

However, Qingyun Base was full of talent, and his Level 4 ability was already considered bottom-tier.

To level up as quickly as possible, he took a private risk and went alone to face a Level 5 Mutant Lion, only to be killed instead!

Fortunately, the rent had already been paid. She usually relied on doing odd jobs around the base to exchange for supplies, barely managing to support herself and her daughter.

Additionally, Qingyun Base had always been lenient toward its residents and occasionally gave them subsidies.

These days could be said to be the most comfortable they had experienced in the three years since the Apocalypse began.

But now...

Sun Ping was instantly filled with regret, yet she also felt they were far too heartless, especially Lin Wan.

She was just acting out of love for her daughter and had scolded her a few times in a fit of anger; she hadn't even lost a single hair! Was it really necessary to be so ruthless?

Although they lived in the base and were under their protection.

They also earned everything through their own labor!

Bei Bei was shivering from the cold, but fortunately, she was still wearing a down jacket that Sister Wanwan had given her earlier.

Yet she was still cold and afraid.

“Mama... why did you scold Sister Wanwan? She's so pretty and kind, and she even saved me today, otherwise I would have... Besides, she gave us so much delicious food. Mama, you were wrong today. Sister Wanwan must be so sad.”

Hearing her daughter's words, Sun Ping, who already had many complaints, became even more incensed with shame and rage.

“Isn't this all your fault? If you hadn't accidentally been bitten by a zombie, would I have done that! You ungrateful brat, siding with outsiders! How dare you say I'm wrong! Why don't you talk about how petty Lin Wan is? She has enough supplies to last a hundred lifetimes; just a little bit leaking through her fingers would be enough for many people to eat for a lifetime! But her heart is smaller than the point of a needle! She usually puts on such a good act, but it's just to earn a good reputation and expand Qingyun Base!”

Sun Ping gritted her teeth and spoke stubbornly.

“Who cares? Do they really think we can't survive without this place! Let's go, we'll go find your aunt first! She's at Guangming Base, which isn't far from here.”

The two figures, one large and one small, held a small flashlight and dodged about, trying to stick to roads patrolled by the military as they made their way toward Guangming Base.

...

Qingyun Base conference room.

“Can someone tell me? What is going on? Ever since the Polar Night began, we have been constantly emphasizing that safety—safety!—is our top priority.”

“Zhao Yan, why did Zhang Ting mutate? And when did she mutate? Why was there no patrol team in the school area at that time! I need an explanation from you!”

Lin Wan's expression was icy as she looked at the red-faced Zhao Yan.

“Sister Wan, I know. This is my dereliction of duty as the Captain. I'm sorry.”

“It's like this: I just asked my subordinates, and Zhang Ting's last time leaving the base was yesterday afternoon. But she didn't show any abnormalities when she returned, so no one thought much of it.”

“Today, our patrol squad went to the school, but Zhang Ting told the squad leader that the school is in the innermost part of the base and is very safe, plus parents drop off and pick up their children personally every day.”

“She also said that them coming and going would instead distract the children, and that parents had privately spoken to her, asking her to represent them and bring it up with us.”

“The brothers felt that since Zhang Ting was one of our base's people and had always been a kind-natured teacher, they listened to her and withdrew to patrol an area not far from the school.”

“That spot allowed them to see the school without disturbing the classes. The squad leader had planned to tell me about it when I came over... Who would have thought she had actually been bitten...”

Ji Chuan and the others found it unbelievable after hearing this.

Ji Chuan's brow furrowed.

“So, if her last trip out was yesterday, she might have been bitten then? But why did she only get infected today, and even managed to speak to others like a normal person today?”

“Based on the current state of the zombie virus infection, one can't last more than half an hour after being bitten!”

Lin Wan was also shocked in her heart.

The mutation time had lengthened, and judging by Zhang Ting's behavior, they seemed to be good at disguising themselves! What was terrifying was that they could still speak normally!

“If that's really the case, it means the zombie virus has evolved again! It's not just that the mutation time has lengthened; they have gained autonomous consciousness! Hiding among the crowds, waiting for an opportunity to strike!”

Shen Mo Chi's eyes were deep.

“Zhao Yan, conduct another screening, especially in the areas where ordinary residents rent. Take our base's Mental Ability Users and focus on checking if they have any wounds. People infected by zombies are different!”

“Alright, I'll go right now!”

Just as Zhao Yan was about to leave, Lin Wan called out to him again.

“Wait. There was a group of residents whose rent was about to expire, and we made an exception to let them stay a few more days because of the Polar Night. From now on, as soon as it expires—whether by a day or an hour—ask them all to leave. Qingyun Base will not be accepting any more people for the time being. We'll reconsider everything after the Polar Night is over.”

Yue Yue and the others didn't say a word; they would agree with any decision Wanwan made. Besides, after what happened today, this was how it should be!

In the Apocalypse, too much kindness can sometimes end up hurting you!

Zhao Yan nodded and then strode away.

Next, they discussed further with the minor managers of other areas.

Ultimately, they reached a consensus to close down extra facilities like the school for now. Everything would wait until after the Polar Night.

Three days later, half of the rooms in the residential area of Qingyun Base were empty.

Lin Wan and the others also began to get busy, determined not to let the Zhang Ting incident happen again.

This base was their life's blood, their home in the Apocalypse, and they couldn't let anyone destroy it.

Moreover, aside from the few selfish and cold-blooded ones like Sun Ping, most people—especially the first batch of recruits like Zhao Yan's group, those hundreds of base members, and talents like Old Yuan who were as vast as the sea—had always followed them with unwavering loyalty.

Without their support and hard work, Qingyun Base wouldn't be what it is today.