54: Chapter 54 Level 2 Mutant Zombie

Among them were doctors and nurses in white coats.

There were also a few people in blue uniforms who, in Qi Yin's eyes, looked more like researchers.

There were nearly thirteen people, all of them sallow and emaciated, likely having starved for several days.

"Thank you, thank you!"

An older-looking doctor choked out, his lips cracked and peeling.

Wang Tianyu and the others stepped forward, handing out a bottle of water and a piece of bread to each person.

Intense hunger left them no time for thanks as they began to wolf down the food and gulp the water.

Qi Yin's gaze quickly swept over the group. When she saw an elderly man with thick glasses and graying hair, whose aura was completely different from the other medical staff, her pupils suddenly constricted.

It was him!

In her past life, she had seen this old man from a distance at the Xishan Large Survivor Base.

This was Professor Zhou Zhiheng, a national-level expert who reportedly participated in the early virus source tracing research and held core data.

How could he be here?

While she was reminiscing, Xiao Sinian stepped forward, his gaze also locked onto Professor Zhou.

His tone carried a gravity that Qi Yin had never seen before.

"Professor Zhou! I am Xiao Sinian from the National Security Bureau. I have been ordered to evacuate you. Please be sure to stay close to us."

Professor Zhou froze for a moment, slowly swallowing a mouthful of bread.

He glanced at Xiao Sinian, then at Qi Yin, appearing somewhat dazed, but he still nodded subconsciously.

Qi Yin instantly understood that Xiao Sinian's mission objective wasn't just this group of survivors, but Zhou Zhiheng.

Moreover, he was actually from the National Security Bureau.

In her memory, the state machinery continued to operate even in the Apocalypse, trying to salvage the situation.

However, ten years into the Apocalypse, there had been little success, and she didn't know the specific reasons why.

A ripple of emotion flashed through Qi Yin's heart; obtaining Zhou Zhiheng meant potentially gaining the most cutting-edge knowledge about the zombie virus.

Perhaps even clues to a virus vaccine.

This was of immeasurable value to her future survival and planning.

Furthermore, spiritual spring water seemed to have a certain curative effect on the zombie virus, though it was likely missing something and hadn't reached its maximum efficacy.

Perhaps spiritual spring water could even assist in the development of a zombie virus vaccine.

But an ordinary man is innocent, yet treasuring a jade ring becomes a crime. If Zhou Zhiheng were her person, she wouldn't mind giving him the spiritual spring water.

But if not, she didn't want to bring trouble upon herself.

She glanced at Xiao Sinian; his serious expression made her understand.

Zhou Zhiheng was someone the state wanted, likely for vaccine research or an even greater goal.

Qi Yin weighed her options in her mind. Should she take him by force?

Wouldn't taking him by force mean offending the state? Setting herself completely against the remnants of national power would bring endless trouble, even if she succeeded.

Besides, given Xiao Sinian's identity, she wasn't confident he would take her side.

Whether for public or private reasons, vaccine research indeed concerned the last hope of countless survivors.

Qi Yin took a deep breath, suppressed the turmoil in her heart, and made a decision.

"Your people won't be able to hold back the zombies below for long. Move quickly and return the way we came."

She looked at Xiao Sinian, her expression more serious than ever.

"You, protect Professor Zhou well."

Choosing to hand him over wasn't submission, but a weighing of interests for the greater good.

Xiao Sinian gave her a deep look, filled with relief and admiration.

He stood closely by Zhou Zhiheng's side and gave her a deep nod. "Yes, Captain!"

Qi Yin was satisfied. "Withdraw!"

The team immediately turned around, fighting and retreating along the path they had come.

The addition of survivors made the team much more bloated. Although the medical staff and researchers had escaped death, the long period without food left them physically exhausted and unsteady on their feet.

This situation seriously slowed their speed.

Wang Tianyu and the others had to be distracted by supporting them while also urging along some rebellious types, forcing the overall pace of the retreat to slow down.

When they reached the elevator shaft where they started, a sudden change occurred.

From deep within the lower stairwell came a howl unlike the roar of an ordinary zombie.

The sound seemed to pierce the eardrums, carrying a strange, unsettling vibration.

Having a hunch, Qi Yin closed her eyes, her Spiritual power extending along the stairwell entrance.

Among the grayish-white spots of light below, a speck of black seemed to be mixed in.

Qi Yin snapped her eyes open, her gaze instantly becoming icy cold.

That was the mutated zombie Xiao Sinian mentioned earlier! It might even be a Second-level one!

It really appeared ahead of time!

Immediately after, the previously chaotic sounds of impact from below suddenly became orderly, as if under unified command.

With no time to explain, Qi Yin looked at Xiao Sinian, her voice rising several decibels.

"Xiao Sinian, tell your people to withdraw immediately! Stop guarding!"

They were no match for that mutated zombie. If they continued to hold their ground, they would all end up dead here.

Knowing that Qi Yin might have sensed something powerful, Xiao Sinian also realized how critical the situation was.

"All units, evacuate!"

Upon receiving their leader's command, the twenty-plus black-clad subordinates holding the line below did not hesitate.

Dragging their slightly injured comrades out of the zombie horde, they jumped out of the windows and immediately sped away from the hospital on assault boats.

Xu Yongning, who was responsible for the rearguard, spoke with horror, "Sister Yin, these things from below are swarming up, and their speed has increased significantly."

Before his voice could fade, a dense mass of zombies crawled up one after another from the corner of the stairs below, the crimson in their eyes even more intense than before.

Wen Yang, Chen Quan, and Lu Yanxiu immediately stepped forward, roaring, "Hold them back!"

The remaining few people desperately guarded the stairwell entrance, building a defensive line with their weapons and bodies.

But there were too many zombies; they likely wouldn't be able to hold out for long.

Even more terrifyingly, a blurred black shadow was darting through the zombie crowd at a speed difficult for the naked eye to catch!

It was extremely agile, lacking the stiffness and sluggishness of ordinary zombies.

Sometimes it scurried along the walls, other times it swept across the ceiling.

Qi Yin lowered her eyes, her hand already subconsciously tightening its grip on her Tang sword.

A speed-type mutant, and it really is a Second-level one.

This Second-level Mutated Zombie had a very clear goal, lunging straight for Professor Zhou Zhiheng in the middle of the team, its speed so fast it was merely a blur.

"Ah!"

How could a group of Medical Personnel have ever seen such a scene? They could only scream in terror!

The unremarkable Four-Eyes who had been guarding Professor Zhou's side suddenly found strength from somewhere, grabbing a half-dead, small-statured nurse nearby and throwing her out.

Before Qi Yin and the others could act, the mutated zombie's initial attack was intercepted by the small nurse who had been pushed to the front of the team.

Jiang Yao was instantly enraged upon seeing this.

He grabbed Four-Eyes by the collar and hoisted him off the ground.

"What are you doing? We had time to save her! Why did you send an innocent person to their death?"

Four-Eyes gave a desperate smile. "Heh, I only want to ensure Professor Zhou's safety."

Jiang Yao was about to punch him when Qi Yin stopped him.

"We'll talk once we're out."

Then, Qi Yin looked at Xiao Sinian and spoke rapidly.

"This zombie is not something you can handle. Area attacks could easily cause collateral damage. Only my Ice-type Ability can effectively control it. You take everyone and evacuate first; I'll handle it."