195: Rumors spread

Moreover, since Gu Xiheng's actions were not announced to the general public, everyone was anxiously guessing among themselves.

Gradually, a rumor emerged within the base: the zombie virus had broken out there.

Those infected would spread it to others within three meters. Once contracted, it was an incurable disease, and the infected would be quietly dealt with by the base, without even leaving a complete corpse.

As time passed and the base authorities did not stop these rumors, they grew louder and louder. People panicked, leading to several riots.

Seeing that the situation was tending toward losing control, Gu Xiheng had no choice but to reveal the truth.

He also explained that the base was safe; as long as they stayed inside, did not go out, and avoided contact with outsiders, they would not contract the virus.

He also urged the populace to be careful during their daily work and preferably avoid any wounds on their bodies.

Hearing the official statement and explanation from the base, the agitated emotions of the residents calmed down considerably.

Having lived in the Apocalypse for so many years, it was the terror of the unknown that caused fear. Once people knew what was happening, they could calm down and actively think of countermeasures.

Three days passed safely like this, and the elite squad dispatched by Gu Xiheng to observe the Nameless Monster successfully reached their designated location.

They began using mini drones to fly into the Chiluo Safety Tower for observation.

They discovered that the Nameless Monster had destroyed all the buildings inside the Chiluo Safety Tower, turning it into ruins, and it was currently lying atop the rubble, sleeping.

They also noticed that with the monster's breaths, a milky white gas that condensed but did not dissipate was exhaled from its mouth and nose.

The longer the time passed, the more of this milky white gas appeared, slowly covering the surroundings like a thick fog.

As the monster continued to breathe, the milky white gas kept expanding, gradually covering the half-rotted side of its face.

At this rate, it was only a matter of time before it covered its entire body, and even the entire Chiluo Safety Tower.

When Gu Xiheng received the news, he couldn't help but worry if the white mist would continue to spread, potentially reaching other bases.

Before Gu Xiheng could devise a good solution, he received another piece of bad news.

Many wandering zombies suddenly appeared outside the Tianou Safety Tower, and their numbers were continuously increasing.

Fortunately, the Tianou Safety Tower was prepared and promptly closed its main gate, preventing the zombies from swarming into the Safety Tower and infecting others.

Unexpectedly, after only one night passed, news arrived the next morning that the Tianou Safety Tower had fallen.

The reason was that someone had been scratched and infected with the zombie virus before the base was sealed. He had no family, lived alone, and was too afraid to report it.

Eventually, he unfortunately succumbed to the infection, turned into a zombie, and bit everyone on the first floor who was unprepared.

At that time, all the armed forces in the base were concentrated on attacking the zombies outside, so the authorities did not discover it in time.

By the time they found out, it was too late.

Too many people had converted into zombies, and the number of those bitten also increased rapidly.

Suppressing them with force was no longer effective; the number of zombies killed was less than the number of people bitten and converted.

In the end, the entire base was overrun with zombies, and the survivors had no choice but to abandon that base and flee toward the nearest Safety Tower.

The journey during the escape was also unsafe, but fortunately, they had vehicles, and under the cover of fire support, they successfully broke out of the encirclement.

Hearing this news, Gu Xiheng felt deeply heavy. To prevent what happened at the Tianou Safety Tower, he dispatched people to thoroughly inspect everyone in the base over three days.

Anyone found with wounds was immediately isolated; only after twenty-four hours without any signs of illness would they be released.

Fortunately, they discovered it early, and the base was sealed quickly. Everyone in the base was normal and had not been infected with the zombie virus.

This slightly eased the already tense heart of Gu Xiheng.

However, before he could relax for a few days, a soldier from the watchtower reported that wandering zombies had also been spotted outside their base, approaching the Yingjin Safety Tower with drooping heads and stiff gaits.

When Gu Xiheng and the others heard this news, their hearts all tightened.

A trace of fear colored Gu Xitian's face, "Dad, Brother, will our fate be the same as the Tianou Safety Tower?"

Gu Yan patted her hand and comforted her, "It won't happen. Xitian, don't be afraid. With Brother and Dad here, we won't let you get hurt, and our base won't fall."

Gu Xiheng also nodded and promised, "Don't worry, I will definitely protect the base."

Listening to Gu Xiheng's words, the others felt somewhat reassured. His words and actions had never disappointed them.

Cheng Siyu said gently, "Xiheng, let me stay by your side and help you. I am not a weak woman either."

"Brother, neither am I! I can also help you!" Gu Xitian quickly stated after hearing Cheng Siyu's words, insisting she wanted to help too.

Gu Xiheng pondered for a moment before agreeing.

After all, they were not flowers raised in a greenhouse, and who knew what situations they might encounter in the future? It was better to let them train.

Gu Xiheng led the group to the very front line and indeed saw many 'people' with stiff limbs and staggering steps walking toward them.

"Ah..." Gu Xitian cried out in alarm, "It really is like what they show in the movies. Good heavens, won't they jump up and climb over our walls like human towers?"

"Probably not. Look at how stiff their movements are; they shouldn't be able to jump high," Cheng Siyu analyzed.

"Let's hope so." Gu Xitian's small face was filled with worry, but she didn't say anything more.

"Yan Li, give me a sniper rifle!" Gu Xiheng suddenly said to Yan Li behind him.

"Yes, Young General." Yan Li quickly found several sniper rifles and handed one to each person.

Gu Xiheng took the rifle, skillfully chambered a round, rested it on the city wall, aimed, and fired without hesitation.

Direct hit to the heart!

"Hey, Brother, haven't you watched zombie movies? Shooting other places is useless; only headshots work," Gu Xitian said disdainfully.

Indeed, the zombie that had fallen to the ground staggered back up, looking unharmed.

"Watch me!" Gu Xitian imitated her brother, resting the rifle on the wall, and fired!

Her aim was good; one shot to the head resulted in the skull being blown to pieces, with chunks of flesh scattering.

That zombie dropped to the ground in response and never got up again.

"See!" Gu Xitian said triumphantly.

Gu Xiheng rarely didn't give her a sour look, nodding instead. He repositioned his rifle and shot at a distant zombie, while the others raised their rifles and fired.

The group found that sniper rifles were indeed effective, so Gu Xiheng assigned a team to stand on the wall, firing in shifts twenty-four hours a day, killing every zombie that approached the Safety Tower.