Chapter 85 – When the Roses Bloom (3)
◎ My people ◎
Countdown: 15 days.
As the concrete dates for their possible stay were determined, V587 began to feel an inexplicable sense of urgency. If within these 15 days they made no progress, they would be forced either to take on the role of a clearer or face expulsion from Mu City.
After the recent amendments to the laws, the application process would now involve constant and unrelenting scrutiny. Their household registrations were already forged, and any further intervention by Lu Xiaoyu would only increase the risk of exposure.
What was more significant was the inclusion of freelance mercenaries in these amendments. Specifically mentioning “flying birds” and yet not imposing mandatory regulations on “house dogs,” the General was still providing a small amount of face-saving to those who supported him.
“Time is limited. Let’s divide into groups and take action tomorrow,” said Zhuang Qingyan in a grave tone.
The group division resulted in Song Ke and Zhuang Qingyan forming one, Lin Youyou paired with Su Cha in another, while the remaining three – Lu Xiaoyu, Fang Zhixu, and Xu Xing – formed the last group.
After a brief sleep, the next morning, V587 set out in different directions to gather intelligence.
Song Ke and Zhuang Qingyan arrived at the Golden Palace, the General’s residence also known as the “Reunification Palace.”
The main gate of the Reunification Palace was heavily guarded by armed soldiers, with a demarcated exclusion zone that barred anyone from approaching. Though there were no visible signs of heavy weaponry, an air of palpable hostility pervaded the atmosphere.
Song Ke cautiously felt along the perimeter, daring to consider scaling the wall, but Zhuang Qingyan stopped her by pulling her hood.
“Don’t go there, there’s infrared detection.”
Song Ke silently withdrew the foot she had already lifted and released a wisp of mental energy, confirming the presence of numerous concealed mechanisms within the walls.
The infrared sensors swiveled in a different direction, and the smell of gunpowder grew stronger. Song Ke’s hairs stood on end; she quickly retreated. She had a premonition that any trespassing or unusual behavior would immediately prompt numerous muzzles to aim and obliterate her on the spot.
Zhuang Qingyan scanned the surroundings and swiftly made a decision: “Let’s head to the hill opposite.”
The two changed course and ascended the hill. Although the distance was great, from there, they could overlook the entire Reunification Palace.
“Captain, please support me a little,” Zhuang Qingyan extended his left hand, openly displaying weakness to her.
“Wasn’t there a cane?” Song Ke murmured softly but dutifully held his arm.
The mountain path was uneven. When Zhuang Qingyan stood up, he accidentally stepped on some gravel, causing his body to lean slightly towards Song Ke. Song Ke instinctively lifted her head just as the other person was bowing down. Their breaths unexpectedly intertwined.
Zhuang Qingyan’s deep peach blossom eyes curved, and his magnetic voice seemed as if it intended to seep into Song Ke’s ears: “I want to draw, it’s more convenient leaning against you.”
Song Ke blinked slowly, swiftly turned her head, and suddenly felt a warmth in her ears.
“…Oh.” She didn’t know what to say and finally responded.
Zhuang Qingyan skillfully manipulated the screen and sketched and painted. Song Ke watched as he delineated the three-dimensional structure of the Golden Palace, even creating models and sections. She stole a glance at the person beside her, focusing intently on his profile. Song Ke looked again and again, gradually becoming entranced. How could this person be so intelligent? Not only did he understand a lot, but he seemed to know everything; he could effortlessly draw even.
As Zhuang Qingyan drew, he spoke, “The General’s mansion is larger than we anticipated. Sneaking in recklessly poses a high risk and could easily alert the guards.”
“Ah? Oh,” Song Ke hadn’t caught what he said at all, she mumbled in response, feeling a bit uneasy as she awkwardly touched her own neck.
“You keep the blueprints.” Zhuang Qingyan finished drawing, handed the screen to Song Ke, then stood upright, closing his eyes slightly.
A strong surge of mental energy slowly flowed out from him, heading directly towards the Reunification Palace.
“There are awakeners inside, probably the Guard Unit, mainly A and B levels, and their numbers… close to a hundred.”
Suddenly, Song Ke remembered the first encounter with the mutant zombie at the City Hall in Luli Port. She and Xu Xing couldn’t find their way, but it was Zhuang Qingyan who first noticed the mental energy fluctuations and led them through the maze. He seemed particularly sharp in this regard.
“It seems like a direct assault won’t work; we’ll have to think of another way,” Zhuang Qingyan said. As he spoke, he noticed Song Ke’s strange expression. “What’s wrong?”
Song Ke lifted her head and said seriously, “Lu Xiaoyu is S-level, and he has demonstrated his strength before.
You are also S-level, but I don’t know how powerful you are.”
Apart from the incident at Manzoni Street when he rescued her from the Bloody Killer, Punk, Zhuang Qingyan had barely used his abilities. Most of the time, he was strategizing. As an S-level psychic awakener, his true strength was still a mystery.
“You should think this way, because there’s a reassuring captain, so there’s no need for me to step in,” Zhuang Qingyan said with a sly smile.
Song Ke turned her head, puffed her cheeks, and hmphed at his sweet words.
…
On the other side, Lu Xiaoyu and his two companions arrived at Mu City’s commission center.
This place gathered a large number of mercenaries and awakeners, a diverse crowd, the best place for outsiders to gather information.
Lu Xiaoyu found a self-service terminal and, after a moment of tinkering, suddenly sounded puzzled, “Huh?”
“What have you found?” Fang Zhixu asked in a low voice.
Lu Xiaoyu accessed the new announcement he had just seen: “Mu Qin’s family issued a recruitment notice for the Guard Unit two days ago.”
Fang Zhixu concentrated on reading the contents of the recruitment notice: “They will hold a Hero Banquet in their residence in seven days, recruiting for the Guard Unit on-site, inviting all the aspiring individuals in the region. The identity is unrestricted, but it requires the submission of a Level 3 crystal.”
Mu Qin, Miao Lun, and Ruan Wenjun were the three major warlords in Mu City. Not only did these three families tightly control the core development of military technology, but it’s also said that they have a close relationship with the General. Joining their Guard Unit could grant an individual an officer’s status, facilitating a leap in social rank.
A Level 3 crystal, also known as a blue crystal, is exceedingly rare in terms of availability. It’s only produced by evolved Level 3 zombies or mutant zombies of B-level and above. This threshold can be considered quite high.
Lu Xiaoyu returned to the hall and found a secluded corner. His focus fixed on the central floating screen, where numerous data streams flowed through his pupils. He rapidly sifted through the information, occasionally pausing at seemingly unrelated fragments.
“Cover me, I’m looking for something,” he said.
Fang Zhixu and Xu Xing quickly positioned themselves to shield him.
After a while, Lu Xiaoyu’s movements came to a halt.
“Ah, so that’s how it is.”
…
Before sunset, V587 safely returned and gathered at the apartment.
“We went to the arms factory, but it’s heavily guarded by a large number of private soldiers. It’s impossible to sneak in. Here’s the footage we captured.” Lin Youyou cast the terminal’s projection, showing Su Cha stealthily approaching the periphery. The footage shook for a moment, followed by clear sounds of patrol teams and a vague view of something tank-like being loaded onto a vehicle and taken away.
“We also went to the Reunification Palace.” Song Ke displayed the architectural structure diagram drawn by Zhuang Qingyan, emphasizing that both direct assault and infiltration were unfeasible.
They were all at a loss. A day had passed, and they remained clueless, with only 14 days left.
“We’ve made a discovery,” suddenly said Lu Xiaoyu, lifting their spirits.
“What did you find?” the others asked eagerly.
“We found out that Mu Qin’s family is about to hold a Hero Banquet to recruit guards.”
“What does that have to do with us?” Song Ke inquired.
“It’s absolutely related,” Lu Xiaoyu’s icy eyes glinted as he presented all the information about the Hero Banquet, “The timing of Mu Qin family’s Hero Banquet is extremely subtle, occurring a whole three months earlier than usual. I have substantial evidence to suspect that, due to the urgent situation, they are actually gathering talents on behalf of the General.”
Lu Xiaoyu continued, “The General might have encountered an ambush, causing shock or injury.”
He effortlessly retrieved news snippets from the cluttered data: A month ago, multiple media outlets reported that the General encountered an attack by refugees during a ‘hunt.’ Fortunately, with timely defense, he escaped unscathed, while the rioting refugees were instantly subdued by the Guard Unit.
“Regardless of the General’s actual condition, it’s likely that his Guard Unit suffered some losses and therefore urgently needs fresh recruits.”
“I analyzed surveillance footage of the General over the past 26 years; there have been approximately 132 different faces among his guards. If we can figure out how many are still around…”
“95 people,” Zhuang Qingyan stated.
“There are 95 guard members remaining in the Reunification Palace,” he confirmed.
“Are you sure?” Lu Xiaoyu expressed doubt.
“More certain than your ‘approximately,'” Zhuang Qingyan countered calmly.
Lu Xiaoyu fell silent for two seconds and then clicked his tongue.
“But what kind of refugees could cause the General’s Guard Unit to lose nearly 40 people?” Lin Youyou questioned, “Could there be another reason? How could a disorganized and undisciplined group of refugees overpower elite awakeners who make up the Guard Unit, all of whom are at least B-level and among the most skilled individuals?”
“No matter what the truth is, for us, this is an opportunity. If we can attend the recruitment meeting, maybe we can infiltrate the Guard Unit,” Zhuang Qingyan suggested. He didn’t explicitly say the latter part, but everyone understood; the Guard Unit protects the General closely, and if they can successfully join, there will be opportunities for action.
Song Ke lowered her head and rummaged through her backpack in dismay. “But we don’t have a Level 3 crystal.”
The highest quality crystal she currently had was a green Level 2 crystal from Mirror Lake’s water monster. As for Level 3 crystals, she had never even seen one.
Su Cha chimed in, “We could go to the lifeline. On the day we entered the city, I encountered Level 2 zombies.”
In the surrounding D-level cities near Mu City, monsters roamed everywhere. If they searched carefully, they might discover Level 3 zombies.
“Alas…” Lin Youyou felt a headache just thinking about zombies, “It seems like there’s no escaping playing the role of a cleaner again.”
“Then it’s settled. We’ll leave the city tomorrow,” Zhuang Qingyan declared.
Song Ke cautiously sought the opinions of the others, “Since we’re going out, should I take on some commissions on the side?”
As the team captain, she needed to plan carefully to sustain the whole group.
The other six: “…Up to you.”
…
In Xian Port, a D-level city near Mu City.
Lin Youyou scoured the ruins for signs of zombies. Because V587’s dedicated captain, Song Ke, “incidentally” accepted over a dozen commissions, they were concerned about time and decided to split up to complete tasks. However, they weren’t too far apart, so they could call out if anything happened.
As Lin Youyou emerged from a collapsed office building, she brushed off the dust. Just as she looked up, a group of fierce-looking mercenaries approached her. Noticing she was alone, they stopped with hostile intent.
The post-apocalyptic setting, the ruins, and a vulnerable yet beautiful young woman—these three elements together easily spark the imagination.
The mercenary, Sang Bo, was one of those lower creatures. He stared fixedly at Lin Youyou, excitement tugging at the corners of his mouth.
His companion, Hu Chao, guessed what he was thinking and cautioned in a deep voice, “Sang Bo, such a fine commodity should be offered to Lord Miao Lun.”
Sang Bo shrugged it off, “Lord Miao Lun has seen enough beauty; one won’t make a difference. I’ll enjoy myself first.”
He emerged from the rubble and whistled provocatively at Lin Youyou.
Furrowing her brows, Lin Youyou coldly ordered, “Go away.”
Sang Bo, however, didn’t retreat but instead leered, his sinful eyes lingering on Lin Youyou’s face and descending further.
Incensed, Lin Youyou struck him hard across the face.
There was a moment of silence among the others.
Sang Bo seemed momentarily stunned, spitting out a mouthful of blood, “The little girl’s got some fire, I like it.”
Suddenly, his body turned into a black, rotten mud, moving behind Lin Youyou. It reconstituted, with his robust wrist now seizing her arm. His lips approached her cheek, his foul breath ominously close.
Enraged, Lin Youyou prepared to retaliate but realized she couldn’t sing!
No! A silence field—her innate ability restrained her. She couldn’t sing, nor could she even make a sound to call for help.
Startled, Lin Youyou looked up to see another lean man opposite her, covering his left eye while his bloodshot right eye fixed deeply on her. The world around Lin Youyou fell into silence; she couldn’t hear or produce any sound.
As Sang Bo’s foul breath neared, she felt a wave of nausea. With a slight movement of her sleeve, a dark blue hand arrow fell into her palm. She cut herself deeply.
The world remained silent, but—
A gust of wind rushed past Lin Youyou, a graceful figure zipping by her, heading straight for the lean man.
She breathed a sigh of relief.
Song Ke’s hand flashed with a sharp blue light, piercing directly into the sinister eye of the lean man.
“Ah—!” A piercing scream tore through the air, breaking the silence field of the opponent!
Almost simultaneously, Sang Bo, who had been restraining Lin Youyou, was struck heavily in the chest by another foot, causing blood to spurt out. Lin Youyou took the opportunity to escape.
In front of Sang Bo, Su Cha, furiously enraged, released his erratic ability, thunderously attacking him.
Realizing imminent danger, Sang Bo’s body rapidly disintegrated into black mud, about to retreat.
An ethereal song resonated in his mind. Suddenly, a boundless fear overwhelmed Sang Bo, freezing him in place, unable to move. This was Lin Youyou’s A-level ability, a debuff control!
Su Cha unleashed his venom, covering the wriggling black mud, inflicting unbearable pain on Sang Bo. Reverting to human form, he climbed in agony. At that moment, a dagger, infused with a green hue, pierced his heart. Sang Bo turned in shock, seeing that Lin Youyou had used Su Cha’s dagger to personally end his life.
In just a few seconds, a sudden turn of events: both mercenaries who had targeted Lin Youyou fell dead on the spot!
Song Ke landed beside Lin Youyou, asking, “Are you okay?”
Su Cha, a towering figure, looked down at her, a hint of regret flickering in his eyes.
Lin Youyou held his shoulder, reassuring him, “I’m fine.”
Not far away, Zhuang Qingyan and the others heard the commotion and quickly rushed over.
Hu Chao, witnessing Sang Bo’s death, spoke with a grave expression, “Who are you? Daring to kill the Miao Lun family’s mercenaries, don’t you want to survive here?”
Song Ke fearlessly stared back, “We are freelance mercenaries.”
“Freelance mercenaries? From the South or the Western Street? Who’s your boss? Which faction?” Hu Chao pressed.
“…Are there factions among freelance mercenaries?” Song Ke couldn’t come up with an answer.
Hu Chao grew suspicious, “Whose people are you, really?!”
His mercenaries behind him assumed a combat stance, encroaching on the group.
V587 tensed up, preparing for a confrontation.
The tense atmosphere was on the brink of eruption.
“Boom!”
A micro missile hit the open space between the two groups of people, shattering rocks and raising a cloud of dust.
“My people.”
A familiar voice rang out.
