Chapter 158: Casting the Net

In accordance with last night's discussion, a few people were left behind while the rest set out for nearby towns to find usable transportation.

To improve efficiency and save time, the search party was divided into three groups moving in different directions. Whichever group found a vehicle was to drive it back immediately and fire a signal flare near the tunnel.

If none of the three groups had any success, they were required to return along their original routes before nightfall, gathering together to discuss further steps.

Bai Ge was the commander-in-chief of the search party. She arranged for Ling Lan and Ling Zhe to be in one group, and paired herself with Xue Man.

Considering Chang Qing's lecherous nature and his clairvoyant vision, she assigned Zhu Youzheng to his group.

"I don't want to be in a group with him." Zhu Youzheng despised Chang Qing and tried to negotiate with Bai Ge to change teammates.

"He has the ability. Following him won't put you at a disadvantage."

"But..."

"Sacrificing you alone can protect so many girls, so just bear with it." Bai Ge patted his shoulder, making it clear that the matter was non-negotiable.

Since the commander had put it that way, even though Zhu Youzheng was a thousand times unwilling, he had no other choice. He could only agree with a resentful expression.

Naturally, when Chang Qing learned he was paired with the fat guy and had no beauties by his side, he didn't look happy either. The two ignored each other and set off first.

Wang Lu, Liang Bing, and Mu Qing stayed behind to sort out the supplies and take care of Yichen's younger sister, Yilin, as well as the unconscious Cheng Xianglong.

Wang Lu didn't have any particular strengths in other areas, but she was quite talented at taking inventory and organizing spaces. Even though they were currently staying inside a dark, gloomy mountain tunnel, she did her utmost to keep the place clean and infuse it with a touch of warmth.

Ling Lan and Ling Zhe had also set out. Ling Lan noticed that Ling Zhe, who usually loved adventure, seemed somewhat lacking in spirit this time.

"What's the matter?" Ling Lan asked.

"I was thinking of staying behind to study whether the soil in the tunnel is suitable for farming..."

"What nonsense are you talking about? Among us, only you, Bai Ge, and Zhu Youzheng know how to drive. If you stayed behind, our chances of finding a suitable vehicle and leaving this place would drop by a third!" Ling Lan scolded him thoroughly.

"I know, that's why I came anyway." Ling Zhe stuck out his tongue. In front of his older sister, no matter how mature he tried to act, he was still treated like a child.

"You sometimes, your thinking is too self-centered. You need to change that mindset, or it's going to hurt everyone..." Just as Ling Lan was speaking, she suddenly heard the rustling sound of footsteps behind her and turned around in bewilderment.

To her surprise, Yichen was walking briskly right behind them, accompanied by more than a hundred zombies. The massive procession looked just like bodyguards escorting the siblings.

At the sight of this spectacle, Ling Lan was torn between laughter and tears. Yichen definitely wanted to help them, but bringing along an entire army of zombies was far too conspicuous, wasn't it?

Wasn't Yichen right now the number one "problem child"?

"Ahem—Yichen, just follow along with us. Have them go back," Ling Lan said.

She understood Yichen's actions. After all, she and Ling Zhe were ordinary people, not as stable and safe as the other groups, which paired one infected person with one ordinary person.

Yichen remained indifferent. His zombie subordinates quickly overtook the siblings and scattered forward in a fan-like formation.

"Sis, I think the zombies aren't meant to protect us, but to act as scouts for our Yichen," Ling Zhe cleared his throat and reminded her.

"Aren't you just the smart one!" Ling Lan glared at him.

Since Yichen had made this arrangement, the situation in the directions taken by the other groups was probably similar—they all had his zombie subordinates with them.

Relying solely on their few numbers, it would take half a day just to reach the town. Human energy was limited, and they were pressed for time. With these zombie helpers, they could at least avoid other zombies along the route in advance, reduce the hazard coefficient, and save time.

Yichen had left over a hundred zombies at the cave tunnel where they had set off, and dispatched the rest. Through their mental connection network, he could receive the perceptions of every single zombie, greatly expanding his reconnaissance range.

Although zombies were not as agile as wildcats, their advantage lay in their sheer numbers. He had already cast a tight net over this area, and this net was still continuously expanding.

The surrounding area was mountainous, the roads were undulating, and coupled with the overnight rain, the ground was extremely muddy, making travel quite arduous.

After walking for about an hour, Ling Lan and Ling Zhe were already feeling extremely exhausted. Just as they wanted to stop and rest, Yichen suddenly accelerated and dashed forward.

This meant he had made a discovery! Either danger or an opportunity!

"Let's follow and take a look!" The siblings forced themselves to summon their energy and set off again.

Yichen easily sprinted dozens of meters, moving as smoothly on flat ground as anywhere else. Ahead was a gentle slope, below which ran a highway.

The sound of a car engine came from the distance, and a hazy vehicle shadow gradually became visible.

Yichen strode down the slope, landing steadily and blocking the middle of the highway.

The vehicle approaching was a Hummer, and it was not moving very fast. As it neared Yichen, the car gradually braked to a stop.

The people inside made no movement, and Yichen had no intention of walking up to them. He currently could not communicate with humans, and whatever came next would have to be handled by Ling Lan and the others.

Ling Lan and Ling Zhe finally rushed to the edge of the slope, and seeing this scene from afar, they were both startled and delighted.

What startled them was that at a time like this, in a place like this, there were still people around?

What delighted them was that less than two hours after setting out, they had already reaped rewards!

There was no time to lose. Regardless of how steep the slope was, the siblings boldly slid and rolled down, looking thoroughly disheveled. Without bothering to tidy up their appearance, they jumped and shouted, running with all their might toward the Hummer. This was their lifeline!

Ling Lan tapped on the car door, and the person inside slowly rolled down the window.

"Hello, beauty. Do you need help?" The speaker was a bespectacled young man with thin lips. He looked to be twenty-three or twenty-four, with faint, unkempt stubble around his lips.

Sitting beside him was another man, but due to the lighting, Ling Lan could not clearly make out the man's appearance for a moment.

It was this simple question from the other party that instantly choked the plea for help right back in Ling Lan's throat.

This person was far too calm—calm in a way that felt abnormal!

Logically speaking, anyone who saw Yichen standing there wielding a giant sword would feel terrified, yet this person's expression remained completely normal. Was he scared out of his wits, or did he genuinely fail to understand the situation?

"We did run into trouble and need help, but we need to figure out who you guys are first." Ling Zhe put on a harmless smile and stepped forward, casually shielding his older sister.

"Fang Qiu, these two are ordinary people. The only unusual one is the one in front of our car." The man beside him spoke, his voice as cold and sharp as a blade.

"......What kind of people are you?" Ling Lan's heartbeat sped up involuntarily, and she stepped back a few paces, asking with vigilance. Judging by what they said, these people were likely far from ordinary!

"Don't be nervous, beauties—we're good people. Look, we're both wearing glasses; it must be fate." The bespectacled young man winked at her.

"No bad guy writes the word 'bad' on their face," Ling Zhe retorted, unimpressed. Besides, the guy seemed to have eyes only for his sister and hadn't addressed him at all.