34: Chapter 34 New Messy Plot: The Brother Who Came to Find His Brother?

Life in the Fortress seemed to have returned to a new normal. The existence of the soul suppressing pagoda was like a stabilizing force; it not only purified the environment but also calmed people's hearts. Smiles became more frequent on the survivors' faces, work efficiency improved, and the entire Fortress presented a scene of order and hope.

However, beneath the calm surface, undercurrents were often surging.

This afternoon, the patrol team on the perimeter of the Fortress was conducting its daily surveillance and resource marking in the ruins several kilometers away, as per routine. The captain was an experienced veteran named Zhao Tiezhu, one of the first to follow Lin Chen and fiercely loyal to both him and the Fortress.

Just as they were preparing to return, a faint, intermittent cry for help suddenly came from a half-collapsed residential building ahead.

"Help... help... is anyone there..."

The voice sounded very young, even carrying a hint of a boy's voice that hadn't fully changed yet, filled with terror and weakness.

The patrol team immediately became alert. Zhao Tiezhu made a gesture, and the members quickly fanned out, cautiously approaching the residential building in a tactical formation.

Amidst the ruins of the hallway, they found the source of the voice.

It was a boy who looked about fifteen or sixteen years old, dressed in rags, covered in filth and dried blood, curled up in a pile of rubble in the corner. One of his legs was unnaturally twisted, appearing to be seriously injured. His face was caked with dust, but his delicate features were still faintly visible, especially those large eyes currently brimming with tears due to fear and pain, making him look particularly pitiable.

Seeing the fully armed patrol team, the boy shuddered violently like a startled fawn. Then, a strong desire for survival erupted in his eyes. He struggled to crawl over, crying out with a sob:

"Save me! Please save me! Outside... there are so many monsters outside!"

Zhao Tiezhu did not step forward immediately but scrutinized the boy with a sharp gaze. In the apocalypse, any survivor who suddenly appeared was worth being wary of, especially one who seemed so non-threatening.

"Where are you from? How have you survived until now?" Zhao Tiezhu asked in a low voice, his weapon still raised.

The boy seemed frightened by his seriousness and shrank back, his tears falling even harder as he sobbed in response, "I... my name is Lin Tian... I escaped from 'Hope Town' to the east... there... it was overrun by monsters a few days ago... my mom and dad are both... both dead... my leg is broken, and I've been hiding here for several days... *sob*..."

He cried with such sincerity that the grief of losing his family and the fear of death did not seem faked.

Zhao Tiezhu frowned slightly. He had heard of "Hope Town"; it was indeed a small survivor settlement that was said to have been wiped out recently. The boy's story didn't seem to have any major flaws.

"Please, take me with you... I can do anything. I can clean, I can cook... I don't want to die here..." Lin Tian looked up with a face covered in tear tracks and filth, begging bitterly. His gaze was so pure and helpless that it was hard to remain cold-hearted.

A few soft-hearted members of the patrol team were already moved and looked toward Zhao Tiezhu.

Zhao Tiezhu pondered for a moment and finally decided to take him back first. Whether it was true or false, he would let the Master decide. He gestured for two members to step forward to briefly check and treat the injury on Lin Tian's leg (it was indeed a fracture), then they carried him on their backs as the team began to return to the Fortress.

Back at the Fortress, the news spread quickly. Another survivor had arrived, and it was an injured boy.

Su Qingyu rushed over upon hearing the news. Seeing Lin Tian settled in the medical station—pale with pain yet still trying his best to politely express his gratitude—a hint of pity rose in her heart. She arranged for someone to give him more formal treatment and a cleaning.

Once cleaned and dressed in fresh clothes, Lin Tian revealed his originally delicate and handsome appearance. Although he was somewhat frail due to pain and malnutrition, that clean aura of a youth was completely different from the weathered survivors in the Fortress.

Zhang Hao also came to join the commotion. Looking at Lin Tian's "pretty boy" appearance, he curled his lip with little interest and muttered, "Another freeloader," before being glared away by Su Qingyu.

And when Lin Tian timidly, with immense gratitude and a hint of admiration, asked Su Qingyu, who was in charge of managing him, who the master of this place was, Su Qingyu told him it was "Lin Chen."

The boy's reaction left everyone present stunned.

First, his eyes widened as if he had heard something unbelievable. Then, his body began to tremble violently, and tears gushed out like a bursting dam. These were not tears of fear, but a mixture of immense surprise, grievance, and unbelievable excitement!

"Lin... Lin Chen?! Is... is it my brother Lin Chen?!" His voice trembled so much it was almost out of tune. He grabbed Su Qingyu's hand and asked urgently, "Is he very tall, very handsome, and has a very, very small scar on his left brow? Is it him? Is it really him?!"

Su Qingyu was dazed by his intense reaction and nodded subconsciously. Lin Chen did indeed have a tiny scar on his left brow that was almost unnoticeable if one didn't look closely.

"Brother! It really is Brother!!" Upon receiving confirmation, Lin Tian burst into loud wailing, as if to cry out all his grievances and fears. "I'm Xiao Tian! Lin Tian! Your younger brother! Dad told me before he died that I must find you... I finally found you! Brother!"

He cried until he could barely breathe. That outpouring of genuine emotion caused several soft-hearted female survivors nearby to wipe away tears along with him.

But in Su Qingyu's heart, alarm bells were ringing loudly!

Another younger brother?! The lesson from Qin Weiwei was still fresh in her mind!

She immediately reported the situation to Lin Chen.

Inside the Core Control Room, Lin Chen listened to Su Qingyu's report with no expression on his face, merely tapping his fingers lightly on the armrest.

Again? A younger brother this time? It seems the acting skills have been upgraded.

He sank his consciousness into the system and opened the [Ghost Tycoon Information Network].

He entered the name "Lin Tian."

The interface flickered, and query options popped up:

[Query "Lin Tian" basic identity information: 1,000 nether talismans required]

[Query detailed background and affiliated organization: 10,000 nether talismans required]

[Query true purpose, abilities, and past record: 100,000 nether talismans required]

Lin Chen's gaze fell on the last option.

One hundred thousand nether talismans!

Querying Qin Weiwei's true information had only cost ten thousand nether talismans back then.

This time, the price was ten times higher!

Lin Chen's eyes narrowed slightly, a cold glint flashing through them.

It seems the one who came this time isn't just small fry.

The master behind the scenes is certainly willing to invest a lot of capital.