223: Kill me

"Alright, it's time to go. It's not safe here, so we should hurry to our destination," Li Meng said in a gruff voice.

Everyone understood that now was not a good time to rest, so they all stood up and continued their journey.

To their surprise, the rest of the journey was incredibly safe, and they reached the agreed-upon location smoothly.

When they arrived, they found that four teams had already reached the spot. However, two of those teams were in bad shape; they had originally set out with over twenty people, but only a dozen or so remained. Fortunately, the survivors were uninjured.

The other two teams seemed to be in much better condition.

As for the three teams that had traveled together with Ai Yue, they were the best preserved.

Just then, a sharp female voice suddenly rang out, "Ai Yue? Why are you everywhere? I'm even running into you here?"

Ai Yue looked closely and saw that it was Gu Xitian.

Of the two teams in good condition, one was the Yingjin Safety Tower team led by Gu Xiheng.

The team was full of her old acquaintances.

Gu Xiheng, Cheng Siyu, Gu Xitian, Yan Li, as well as Old Zhang, Old Wang, and the others—every face was familiar.

Seeing Gu Xitian staring at her with hostility, Ai Yue smiled slightly. "Yeah, why are you everywhere? With your lack of strength, you really dare to poke your nose into everything. Aren't you afraid of staying here forever to keep the zombies company?"

"What are you talking about? Who lacks strength? Let me tell you, I'm very powerful now. You'd better not mess with me, or watch out that you don't lose your little life when you least expect it!"

Gu Xitian grew furious at Ai Yue's nonchalant attitude and threw out threats recklessly.

Ai Yue sneered and said casually, "Fine, go ahead and kill me!"

"You—you—you're looking down on me!" Gu Xitian was incensed by Ai Yue's behavior and was about to burst into a tirade.

"Enough! Xitian, what did you promise me when we left? That you wouldn't cause trouble. Have you forgotten?" Gu Xiheng reprimanded her expressionlessly.

Gu Xiheng's stern face appeared even colder, and the spark that used to be in his eyes was gone.

Ever since they met up, Gu Xiheng had maintained a cold, expressionless face and hadn't spared Ai Yue a single glance.

Gong Qiuqiu chuckled softly and said, "Xiheng, don't be so fierce. You look quite scary."

Hearing Gong Qiuqiu's words, Gu Xitian's eyes turned soft as water as she gazed at him affectionately.

Gu Xitian's gaze was so blatant that Gong Qiuqiu's gentle expression almost cracked.

The corners of Gu Xiheng's mouth twitched slightly, but the expression vanished in an instant.

Having no intention of catching up with Gong Qiuqiu, he pointed at the white mist and asked directly, "Qiuqiu, what do you think?"

Turning to business, Gong Qiuqiu straightened his expression and said, "The white mist is spreading faster. It seems we need to hurry."

Gu Xiheng nodded. "Everyone has brought their equipment. Are you sure this protective suit can block the zombie virus?"

"Positive!" Gong Qiuqiu said without hesitation.

They had developed it at the risk of their lives; if it weren't effective, how would they dare to use it?

Having received his affirmation, Gu Xiheng nodded. "Good. Once the people from all ten Safety Towers have arrived, we can head inside."

Gong Qiuqiu smiled but didn't speak, and Gu Xiheng had no interest in further conversation either.

At some point, Cheng Siyu, Gu Xitian, and Jing Xi had huddled together, whispering among themselves.

Seeing her three enemies together, Ai Yue knew they were definitely discussing her and plotting how to kill her.

Ai Yue grew wary. She wasn't afraid of Cheng Siyu and Gu Xitian, but Jing Xi was different; she was the one Ai Yue had to watch out for the most.

Because she knew her too well—brave, resourceful, and full of ideas. Being her friend was fine, but as an enemy, she was a nightmare.

Another hour passed, and finally, someone else approached from a distance.

However, it was only one person this time.

He was seen stumbling toward them.

Li Meng immediately rushed over with his men and supported him, shouting in shock, "Brother Chen, how did you end up like this?"

Chen Sheng gripped Li Meng's hand tightly and said sorrowfully, "Li Meng, there were thirty of us brothers... thirty of us, and everyone is dead except for me."

Li Meng was horrified. "How is that possible? No matter how powerful those Level 3 zombies are, you should have been able to escape if you wanted to. Why..."

Li Meng couldn't finish his sentence; he was too stunned.

Chen Sheng gave a miserable smile. "Because we encountered a Level 4 zombie! It was too terrifying; we were completely powerless against it!"

Ai Yue, Gong Qiuqiu, and the others then approached Chen Sheng and heard the news about the Level 4 zombie.

"Level 4? Have Level 4s appeared so soon? And it's so powerful that thirty of you couldn't defeat it?" Li Meng said in shock.

Ai Yue and the others couldn't help but frown slightly.

Level 4? Was a Level 4 zombie really that powerful? Could it take down an elite squad of over thirty people all by itself? And an elite squad from a Safety Tower at that?

Ai Yue found it hard to believe.

At that moment, Chen Sheng tremblingly raised his right hand and rolled up his sleeve for everyone to see.

A blood-red wound was revealed, with black threads already spreading from it.

Everyone was startled when they saw the wound.

Li Meng cried out, "Brother Chen, you..."

Chen Sheng smiled bitterly and said despairingly, "That's right, I was scratched by that Level 4 zombie. Heh... my fate is sealed. So I hope, Li Meng, that the moment I turn into a zombie, you kill me immediately. Don't hesitate! I don't want to become a stinking killing machine!"

Hearing this, Li Meng's eyes grew moist, and he said in a trembling voice, "Alright! Brother Chen... do you have any last wishes?"

Chen Sheng smiled bitterly. "Wishes? None. I'm the only one left in this world. My family... they're all dead. Now it's my turn."

"If I had to say one..."

Chen Sheng's voice sounded a bit distant. "I hope the Apocalypse ends soon, and a new life can begin!"

Time passed slowly, bit by bit, and soon an hour had gone by.

By this time, Chen Sheng's consciousness was muddled, and black veins were slowly crawling up his cheeks.

The skin on his torso and limbs had turned grayish-black, looking rusty as if coated in a layer of iron rust.

He still had a bit of sanity left.

Using his remaining sanity, he said with great effort, "I can't hold on... I'm turning into a zombie. Quick, kill me!"

The others looked at each other, not daring to actually do it.

Seeing that they weren't moving, Chen Sheng grew a bit angry. "Don't be afraid. Strike together and kill me. If you don't do it now... it'll be too late."