122: Prepare explosives

The gloom of the Apocalypse heavily pressed down upon this devastated land.

Every inch of air was filled with a sickening, putrid stench.

It was the scent of death intertwined with despair.

In this Hell-like world, inside a sturdy manor.

Dim yellow light flickered precariously in the howling cold wind, as if it could go out at any moment.

Just like the precarious hope of everyone present.

Yang Chunlai, the elder brother who, relying on his courage and wisdom, had become the backbone of the group in the Apocalypse, sat frowning intently before a worn wooden table.

On the table, a crumpled map was spread out, with an area circled prominently in red pen.

The core of this area was that ominous and mysterious abandoned Air Raid Shelter.

At this moment, the Air Raid Shelter resembled a massive black vortex, constantly swallowing the group's sense of security.

Because it was the lair of countless zombies, the most dangerous existence in this apocalyptic world.

Jing Hua and Zhu Yunque sat quietly across from Yang Chunlai.

The faces of the two beautiful women were etched with the fatigue of days spent dealing with zombies, as well as deep worry about the future.

Their hair clung messily to their cheeks, yet their eyes still shone with resilient light—the will to survive tenaciously in the Apocalypse.

Jing Hua was the first to break the oppressive silence. Her voice was slightly hoarse, but it carried an undeniable firmness:

"Big Brother, I've been thinking, we can set up a ring of traps around our stronghold."

"We can use sharp wooden stakes and dense electric netting to keep the zombies blocked at a certain distance."

"Then, we wait for the right moment and eliminate them one by one."

"While this is time-consuming and exhausting, it can at least guarantee the safety of our stronghold."

Zhu Yunque nodded slightly and picked up the thread:

"I think we should mass-produce Molotov Cocktails."

"Zombies are afraid of fire. When they get close, we can throw the Molotov Cocktails."

"The raging fire can temporarily block their attack, giving us a chance to catch our breath and replan our next move."

Yang Chunlai listened quietly, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table, making a rhythmic “da-da” sound.

It was as if he were keeping time for this difficult battle for survival in the Apocalypse.

After a moment, he spoke slowly, his voice low but powerful: "Your ideas are all very sensible, and they would indeed play a role."

"But have you considered that the number of zombies is simply too great?"

"These methods can only hold them off temporarily; they cannot fundamentally solve the problem."

"We are like people fighting a tide—we block it for a moment, but the next wave will quickly surge in."

Pausing here, a look of determination flashed in Yang Chunlai's eyes: "I have a more direct and thorough method—planting Explosives in the Air Raid Shelter."

"As long as we collapse the entrance, the zombies inside will be buried deep beneath the rubble, solving the problem once and for all, and we can completely get rid of this massive threat."

Hearing this, Jing Hua and Zhu Yunque couldn't help but exchange glances, a hint of surprise and worry flashing in their eyes.

Jing Hua frowned tightly and said anxiously:

"Big Brother, isn't that too risky!"

"What if the Explosives aren't powerful enough to collapse the entrance, or if the Air Raid Shelter has other hidden exits, allowing the zombies to escape? Then we'd be in huge trouble!"

"If that happens, our entire stronghold could be in danger."

Yang Chunlai looked firmly at Jing Hua, his tone steady and forceful:

"I know the risks involved, but right now, this is the most effective method."

"We cannot always be on the defensive; we must take the initiative to attack."

"As long as we prepare thoroughly beforehand and carefully check every corner of the Air Raid Shelter to ensure nothing is missed, we will surely succeed."

Over the next period, the three of them engaged in a fierce discussion about the plan.

They repeatedly weighed the pros and cons, envisioned all possible scenarios, and formulated corresponding countermeasures.

Finally, under Yang Chunlai's insistence and persuasion, everyone reached a consensus and decided to proceed with this seemingly risky plan.

Yang Chunlai acted decisively. Once the plan was set, he immediately contacted Strong Ox, the village chief of Xiaohe Village.

The village chief was an honest and simple middle-aged man who usually wore a cheerful expression.

But now, under the shadow of the Apocalypse, his face was also covered in worry.

Upon hearing Yang Chunlai's order, the village chief's brows furrowed into a knot, and he said with a troubled expression:

"Big Brother Yang, our village's Stonemasons are indeed experts when it comes to making Explosives."

"They have been following their elders to quarry mountains and chisel stone since they were young, so they are extremely familiar with the process of making Explosives."

"However, supplies are extremely scarce now. How easy do you think it is to gather the Materials needed to make Explosives!"

Yang Chunlai patted the village chief's shoulder and comforted him:

"I understand your difficulty. I will figure out how to solve the Materials problem."

"You go back first. Tell the Stonemasons to prepare their tools. As soon as the Materials arrive, start working immediately."

"This is a major matter concerning whether all of us can survive; we cannot afford the slightest carelessness."

The village chief nodded and hurried away.

Yang Chunlai watched the village chief's departing back, his eyes revealing a hint of worry, but mostly determination.

He knew well that the process of searching for Materials would be full of hardship and danger, but to completely resolve the zombie threat, he had no other choice.

Afterward, Yang Chunlai turned and loudly instructed his subordinates: "Notify the Azure Dragon Gang! Have them all deploy and use every means possible to quickly find the Materials needed to make Explosives."

The members of the Azure Dragon Gang received the mission and immediately sprang into action without hesitation.

They knew the difficulty of this mission, but in the cruel environment of the Apocalypse, they had long become accustomed to living alongside danger.

They split into several teams and headed out in different directions, targeting abandoned towns and desolate villages that might contain supplies.

Inside an abandoned Chemical Factory, Xiao Zhang, a member of the Azure Dragon Gang, was carefully rummaging around.

The air here was thick with the pungent smell of chemicals, mixed with the putrid stench of zombies, making it almost suffocating.

Xiao Zhang covered his mouth and nose, meticulously searching through a pile of old storage boxes.

Suddenly, his gaze fell upon several barrels of Potassium Nitrate in the corner, and a wave of ecstatic joy rushed through him.

Just as he reached out to move them, he heard a low roar.

Xiao Zhang's heart jolted, and he subconsciously tightened his grip on his weapon—a modified steel pipe covered in sharp barbs.

He slowly turned his head and saw a horde of zombies shambling toward him.

These zombies had hideous faces, their skin was severely festered, and they emitted a sickening stench. Their eyes were vacant and soulless, yet filled with a craving for fresh blood.

Xiao Zhang's heart rate accelerated sharply, and sweat continuously rolled down his forehead.

He knew he was already in danger.