241

There were four people in the room bound with metal. One of them was out of breath due to his injuries.

Ignoring that one, Luo Xun began a simple interrogation. Of course, it would not be easy, the other side was more than aware that they had killed all but them. This could not be good and they were unlikely to leave this alive. Therefore, the three prisoners grit their teeth and were not willing to reveal information.

So, Zhang Yi squinted, smiled like a flower and brought them one by one into a black room…

“How long do you think he’s going to take?” Luo Xun looked up at the stars in the sky.

“I don’t know, it depends on how long he wants to.” Li Tie began to idly bat at mosquitoes – they were present after the apocalypse but fortunately were not zombies, otherwise, people would not be able to survive. Of course, there were mutant ones, they had been outside for the night when they encountered a man-sized mosquito. Everyone had nightmares when they tried to sleep.

“Hey, shouldn’t you go in and check? In case he decides to…the hat on your head…” Han Li elbowed Wang Duo’s waist.

Wang Duo stared at Han Li with contemptuous eyes and was too lazy to answer the question. He did not want to accompany him but the problem was…he was afraid that he would throw up last night’s meal. He knew his lover, who knew what would happen if that person was in good spirits.

Half an hour later, Zhang Yi came back with an unsatisfied expression.

“How did it go?”

“They’re all dead.” Zhang Yi waved a hand.

Luo Xun was speechless for a while, this was really…”What info did you get?”

Zhang Yi explained, “The wind user could probe our whereabouts, he is already dead. There are nine people in the outside five cars who only waited for three hours. If they did not get a signal, they would return to the base.” His eyes flashed with excitement, “They are a part of a larger team and these were their sideliners. They saw our team selling dried non-mutated vegetables. In the past, they heard that we had sold crops to select teams and guessed we had a base outside. They wanted to find a way to grow non-mutated plants so…” Zhang Yi playfully shrugged as he looked at Luo Xun.

The meaning in Zhang Yi’s eyes was obvious, they could only blame Luo Xun for being too capable. Right? Being able to grow a bunch of non-mutated vegetables so they had a lot to sell disregarding what they had at home! No wonder the other side was eyeing their team – there were so many teams in the stall, why would they get targeted? It turned out their captain was too capable.

Luo Xun was speechless and continued to look at the stars twinkling in the cloudy sky. After a while he turned to Zhang Yi, “What is there contact signal?” He just remembered and there were cars waiting outside. Now that it came to this, it was best to pull out the root.

“Three red fireballs in a row.” Zhang Yi answered, “Although I don’t think they’re going to lie…it might be fake.” Although all three men said the same thing, he still had some doubts.

Luo Xun understood but still wanted to try since success would solve the current problem. If it did not work, they’ll immediately change their position.

Luo Xun turned to Xu Mei, who nodded and said, “No problem.” While speaking, she raised a hand and shot three red fireballs into the night sky. Her power level was higher than the enemy so she could naturally send out a similar signal.

Luo Xun turned to Zhang Yi again, “You said they are part of the Dragon team? How many are in the team? Did the boss of the team know about the operation?”

Zhang Yi yawned, “This time it seems like a third of the team and half their cars.” The leaders knew that it was action after consultation. Should be involved with other teams on base.”

Any other specific questions had unclear answers since he was not present during the interrogation. But based on what he inquired earlier today, the majority of teams had chosen to cooperate with base higher-ups. The greatest benefit of working with the officials was they could secure property in the inner city. They also had access to military communications.

Zhang Yi briefly inquired and confirmed that the so-called internal information was the same as some of the satellite transmissions from home as well some supply distribution. The most important info was they could know where there was a large number of zombies and their general arrival time/routes. These were clearly shown in satellite photos but the base regularly informed teams in print.

Right after Zhang Yi relayed all the questions he asked, he raised his eyebrows and pointed to the street. “They’re coming.”

Those three signals were good, the five cars actually drove over.

Luo Xun touched his chin with a strange smile. “Let’s go and rob them.”

Since the enemies were aiming towards robbing them, don’t blame them for turning the tables.

The group bypassed the road to climb in from the city walls but the cars could only drive-through. This was because if there was something valuable in the neighborhood, it would take hard work to repair anything destroyed.

Five cars drove in single file down the road towards the neighborhood. Before they entered the door, the earth started to shake and the car fell into a pothole!

A few people driving in front at first thought they were ambushed but then thought it was caused by an earthquake. Otherwise, why did the car in front did escaped but their five cars fell down?

However before they the time to save themselves and call their companions, sharp blades and spikes took their lives away.

Song Lingling directed a stream of gasoline from several cars into a metal bucket. Li Tie and several others took the chance to check the car cargo. Yan Fei and some others were extracting metal from the car to create a large pile.

At this time, the sky gradually brightened, filling the sky with splashes of color. When Li Tie finished packing up things, the sky was bright blue.

“It’s done boss, all packed. Their…cough is as well.”

Luo Xun turned a circle and saw that the blood-covered things were also gathered in a roadside pit. Yu Xinran dug it out with a layer of protection.

“Come on.” They had to dispose of the corpses, handily dealt with mutated mushroom juice, not a trace would be left. The place they fought last night, they had roughly packed up and all looked clean.

Mushroom juice poured into the pit and white smoke slowly rose from the pit.

Several people stood near the pit and waited for things to finish up.

Suddenly there was sound and they looked up. There were wings stretched, flapped twice and suddenly fell down.

Yes, it was falling not flying!

“What’s going on?”

“Isn’t that an eagle? Why isn’t it flying?”

The team looked up in amazement and saw a black figure floating from the rooftop. “It’s feathers are uneven!”

“It’s not fully grown! It’s a baby eagle!” Luo Xun started and called Zhang Yi. “Block it!”

Cyan wind appeared below the falling bird while it was flapping its wings. Unfortunately, some of the feathers were not grown, at most, it could only hover in the air. Fortunately, Zhang Yi caused it to drift and land a distance away from the crowd.

The little eagle did not seem to have seen anyone. It made some sounds and there was an answering call from above.

Hearing the cry the others looked up again and saw another downy lump with even fewer feathers also fall off the roof…

242

“This is the dumbest eagle I have seen my life.” Luo Xun saw Zhang Yi helped the other falling bird. The first one fell could be due to carelessness, but this one…obviously it was following the first! It was silly and bold.

“Luo Xun, what are we going to do?” Those two eagles with down were only half-grown, but they were still huge! Around the size of a small house while squatting.

Luo Xun looked up at the skyscraper, then looked at the one beside it and finally at the two ugly chicks covered in a mix of down and feathers. To be honest, when they grew up, they would look more handsome, this in-between stage was the ugliest.

Now, these two birds in the “ugliest” stage were as pitiful as sheep facing hunters, crouching in fear while staring at the group of “scary creatures”.

Now what? Luo Xun would like to say tough luck, however with his ears were filled with the squealing. The chicks with their lonely, helpless appearances looked towards the roof. He looked at his companions. “Do you want to find a way to send them up?”

The crowd looked at each other then looked away from the two snuggling birds and reluctantly asked, “Can’t we keep them?”

Luo Xun’s expression was a little uncomfortable, then he looked at Yu Xinran who was filled with expectation and Puppy who seemed ready to pounce. “Their food intake is too large…and it’s not know how big they will grow.”

Birds were not dogs, they could occasionally help the two silly wolves with hunting but even then they were free-roaming so they weren’t being raised. Not to mention the two eagles, they not only needed fresh meat but also enough space to fly! If if was cute, little ones, that the girls wanted to keep, there was plenty of space but these two…

Yu Xinran’s eyes were filled with regret while looking between Luo Xun at the two baby eagles.

Then, Zhang Yi suddenly frowned and said, “How did they grow until now?”

“Hmm?” Luo Xun was in a fog and looked puzzled.

Zhang Yi looked back, “August is mostly over, in a month or two the birds will migrate. These two don’t even have fully grown feathers, how would they keep up when the birds fly south in the winter?”

The team opened their mouths and then looked at the baby eagles. Under the mottled mess, they looked a little thin.

“….Are eagles migratory birds?” Wang Duo could not help but ask.

“Do you have a brain? You remember the weather last year, even if they are not migratory, they won’t be able to catch food. Wouldn’t they starve if they did not head south?” Zhang Yi rolled his eyes and then looked at the high roof. “There are no other animals above.”

Luo Xun conflictingly looked at the solid windows and then at the two eagles. “Yu Xinran?!”

The others turned around at Luo Xun’s cry and were frightened to find – Yu Xinran had run over when they were not looking and was happily feeding beef to the two eagles!

How sharp was the eagle’s beak?! And they might have potential abilities! One wrong move…

But Yu Xinran was beside the birds and successfully attracted the bird’s attention! If they rushed over to grab her, who knew what would happen!

Everyone’s heart rushed to their throats, only Zhang Yi and Yan Fei could quietly use their abilities to protect the little girl. However, Luo Xun had another headache – Puppy was standing next to the girl and smelling the two birds!

“Come on, eat.” The little girl was not stupid and she carefully presented the meat strips.

The two eagles seemed cautious but they were carnivores. With a slight pause, the smaller one stretched forward and took a strip off meat. Right after the other one grabbed the remaining meat.

Once she saw her food getting eaten by the two eagles, Yu Xinran turned around and smiled at the adults behind her like a flower. In the morning light with the two eagles who resembled a dog when not moving, made for an interesting picture.

Yu Xinran did not have an earth-shattering appearance like the two women on the team and she was a quiet girl. But her current smile was the most beautiful they had seen.

Luo Xun suddenly felt his heart soften and could not help but nod which caused Yu Xinran to jump in excitement.

Behind her the two eagles did not have any adverse reactions from the food, on the contrary, they seemed to want more!

They poured mushroom juice down the big pit in order to destroy the corpses and Yan Fei dealt with the metal in the cars. Yu Xinran was sitting happily in the truck, leaning against a large cage while feeding the two chicks snacks. Puppy was fearlessly accompanying her.

In front, Luo Xun was driving while looking at the sky from time to time. He was confused, “Why haven’t we seen the two parent eagles?” He still felt a little guilty about taking their children away.

For safety reasons, they did not climb on top of the building. There might be more eagles and there might be people living in the building.

However, Luo Xun wondered, if it was reasonable to think that there would always be an adult bird caring for the baby birds. But in this case, other than those two baby chicks, there was no trace of the adult eagle, which was very strange.

“Let’s take them back first, the adults are likely to move to our place to catch prey.” Yan Fei offered some words of comfort.

Luo Xun could only temporarily give up. Although he wanted to return the babies to their parents, he had no solutions at the moment and wondered about the two baby birds…

“Ah, how are we going to raise these two eagles later?” Luo Xun felt a new headache start. Although their base was pretty large with high roofs, would two floors be enough? It did not matter now since they could not fly but in the future …Where would they keep them? Not to mention there were so many mutant plants around! How could he not worry?

It would be good to know if the parents were only going to be gone for a while….but they could not communicate with the two eagles.

This time, Luo Xun had left their base and spent nearly two days on the road. They wandered for a few days due to the people following them. When everyone counted the days – they had been out for more than ten days!

Ten days, would the vegetables at base grown old and tough?

When they drove back home, they felt the ground trembling as a group of mutant rabbits were running in the opposite direction! Yes, it was a bunch of variant rabbits!

Looking at the two familiar figures behind the rabbits, there was a sense of deja-vu.

“Why does this happen everytime we come back?” Thinking of the two bottomless stomachs in the back of the truck, Luo Xun grit his teeth but still told everyone to get ready for hunting.

See the familiar red truck along with the familiar scents, the two wolves herded the rabbits in their direction.

Luo Xun looked at this group of animals and had a flash of inspiration. He immediately ordered Yan Fei, “Try to catch some alive!”

Yan Fei quickly understood his meaning and immediately created some metal traps. Yu Xinran also sanded out a large pit in the instructed location.

Luo Xun trusted the two wolves in certain aspects. Although it was not a fight, they guessed that most likely, they were a group of mutant rabbits without abilities!

Such good prey! Easy to fight, high numbers and low intelligence! There was no better hunting target!

243

When the rabbits jumped towards the team, Yan Fei and Yu Xinran joined forces to create traps with great effect! Ones that bypassed the trap had to dodge and were killed by the others. In the end, Luo Xun counted that they had actually caught eleven mutant rabbits!

Only these eleven rabbits took up a lot of space so Yan Fei had to temporarily cage them and load onto the back of the truck with the two chicks. Sure enough, the rabbits had no abilities, which as in line with the two wolves usual method of operation.

The four killed rabbits were skinned and handed over to the wolves who were waiting for their food with their tongues out. Luo Xun took the skins and drove back to the base entrance.

“You know, this group of rabbits was much smaller than the one we met before, but the fur is much softer. We can make a few coats once the fur is treated.” Luo Xun’s mood was good, they had just harvested a full truck of rabbits which could be compared to what they gathered from the city base.

Yan Fei also laughed, “Where are you going to raise these rabbits?” He already knew what Luo Xun had in mind – their team just added two eagles along with the two wolves. The nest of rabbits along with their quails would perhaps be enough to supply these meat eaters.

Luo Xun squinted and sharply smiled. “Let’s continue digging and make the farm bigger or make the basement area larger. We can plant some grass and vegetables there.” Rabbits bred quickly, as long as they were adequately fed and watered, more would be born in a year! Plus they only had to initially hunt and then they could get rid of any worries of not being able to eat meat!

Luo Xun’s mood was very happy since the two bottomless buckets were no longer a problem. Who let them deal with a group of mutant rabbits?

They drove the car to the main entrance gate and opened the underpass.

The team moved upstairs and downstairs. They harvested the overgrown vegetables for the rabbit cage and then brought the two eagle chicks to the nursery room. Their home still had a lot of straw which they used with the rabbit fur to create a nest. It was temporarily placed on a flat surface next to the grape trellis, swings and stone chairs. It was a good place for Luo Xun to sunbathe.

After this was done, the team basked in the comfortable feeling of air conditioning and could not help but say, “One’s own home is always the best.”

“Right! Who can stand it if it’s hot outside?”

“Let’s dig for the next few days so we don’t have to go outside.”

“August is already half over and it will be much cooler in September.”

“But if we dig three underground layers, do we have enough metal on hand?”

With that, the team as one looked at Yan Fei.

Yan Fei answered, “Before we had a lot, I also collected some on the way back. Should be enough to build a basement.” However when they were finished, they would have to keep collecting more for their reserves outside.

Knowing that there was enough metal, the team was relieved that they did not have to consider the issue for now.

On base, whether it was the basement or the greenhouse, the temperature and humidity were much more comfortable than outside. They really did not want to leave and suffer outside for the time being.

So as they had discussed, they temporarily set a very leisurely work arrangement plan. Each separated upon arriving at base and went to do what they wanted.

Luo Xun went to the bathroom for a quick shower before turning on the TV and spending a while picking out a CD to play.

Yan Fei had also taken a shower and was sitting next to Luo Xun with raised eyebrows.

“Play together?” Luo Xun chose a well-known western masterpiece where two people wandered around with weapons. He did not think about the plot holes – their apocalypse only had zombies and wildlife changes, no one would have survived if it was combined with a biological invasion.

Yan Fei nodded his head while Luo Xun looked at the in-game map. The latter did not see that the man next to him had something brewing in his eyes.

Half an hour later, the television was showing the pause screen and Luo Xun was grabbing the bed sheets. At this time he had no time to think, but later he would wonder how long until the day was over. If someone didn’t get to play would they go mad?

The next morning, all the Otaku squad members were up all night. However this was expected and they were not going to start early in the morning. The work was all scheduled for the afternoon.