Chapter 542, Is This Hell?
"We're leaving, but what about the skeletons? Without Sister Qi, they won't follow our orders."
"Then leave them. Saving ourselves is more important."
"How will we explain this to Sister Qi and the King when we just run away?"
"Then what do you suggest?"
The room descended into brief chaos.
Ever since joining the base, the survivors had rarely faced zombies head-on. Without their leader around, they felt lost and unsure.
From their discussion, most agreed it was better to leave first and regroup with Qi Hancai before retaking the area.
Just as they were quietly debating,
a familiar voice came through the radio.
"This is Qi Hancai, deputy leader of the Xinfu City base. How many zombies did the provincial rescue team bring?"
The voice was low and serious.
The room instantly fell silent, and everyone focused on the radio.
Soon, amid static and noise, the response came, "There are too many to count for now. It's estimated that over ten thousand have gathered, and more are joining along the way."
The people in the munitions factory listening to the radio looked even more grim.
"If it's just ten to twenty thousand, it's similar to the numbers when our leader cleared zombies in the city."
"It's different. We can't control the skeletons, nor do we have the leader's abilities. Once the zombies get in, one touch and we'll be infected."
"Damn it, they're screwing us over."
"Those bastards. Now that they see us living well, they lead the zombies right to us."
"Quiet down! Let's hear what Sister Qi has to say!"
The room fell silent again.
Qi Hancai's voice came through the radio, "Are there any special types of zombies?"
The rescue team answered, "We've seen level 2 and level 3 mutated zombies. Based on their behavior, we suspect a zombie king may be present, but it's unconfirmed."
The radio went silent for a moment.
Then Qi Hancai spoke again, "Continue toward the munitions factory. I'll have people meet you there. Follow their instructions and avoid any provocations to prevent misunderstandings."
"Thank you for your help, Xinfu City," the rescue team said.
Qi Hancai did not reply further.
Although she mentioned meeting them, her tone clearly conveyed dissatisfaction.
Only someone as composed as Qi Hancai could remain calm. Anyone else would probably be cursing by now.
Qi Hancai's voice came through again.
This time, she wasn't speaking to the rescue team but to the munitions factory shelter, "Bai Qing!"
"I'm here, Sister Qi."
"Bring Bone Demon One here. I need to talk to him."
"Got it."
Bai Qing gestured for someone to leave the room.
Shortly after, the door opened again, and a skeleton in a white shirt and black suit entered. Except for the skeletal frame, it looked like a manager attending a meeting.
"Sister Qi, Bone Demon One is here. Go ahead."
The radio remained silent.
Qi Hancai spoke directly, "Bone Demon One, I'm Qi Hancai. Over ten thousand zombies are approaching from the east along the road toward the base. I need you to mobilize the entire army to fend off the attack, protect the base, and rescue the incoming survivors."
Everyone in the room looked at the suited skeleton, which nodded slightly.
Bai Qing quickly said, "Sister Qi, it nodded."
Qi Hancai continued, "Prepare yourselves as well. If it becomes too dangerous, leave first and don't interfere with the skeletons' actions."
"Understood!"
"Report any developments to me immediately."
"Got it."
After the communication ended, everyone began preparing.
The survivors readied the vehicles and prepared for evacuation.
The suited skeleton walked out of the factory.
Behind the factory, the sound of footsteps echoed as skeletons emerged from the dense forest of withered trees.
Countless skeletons with glowing blue eyes marched through fallen leaves and underbrush, assembling in front of the factory.
...
Provincial rescue team, convoy.
A long line of vehicles sped along the road.
Behind them, the relentless horde of zombies chased after the vehicles, roaring and howling like mad.
"We're nearing the munitions factory. There's a roadblock ahead, and I see a large number of skeletons clearing a path for us," the lead vehicle reported over the radio.
"Slow down and drive through."
The convoy slowed down and entered the skeleton formation.
As they drove on, everyone's expressions darkened.
Under the moonlight, both sides of the convoy were flanked by organized, disciplined skeleton soldiers clad in armor, their empty eye sockets glowing eerily.
Spearmen, archers, axe-wielders, and swordsmen stood in neat formations.
Different units formed precise ranks and lines.
Looking ahead, the skeleton army stretched endlessly into the distance.
"Is this hell?"
As the rescue team members grew more fearful,
the survivors from the munitions factory approached, knocking on the vehicle windows. "Get out. No weapons allowed."
...
On the main road,
the pursuing horde of zombies suddenly stopped.
Many fell from the momentum, scrambled back to their feet, and retreated to the rear of the formation.
More zombies arrived, forming an endless sea of the undead.
Whoosh!
The sound of air being sliced echoed.
A winged, beetle-like figure descended onto a streetlamp.
The lamp wobbled, creaking under the weight.
The creature scanned the skeletons ahead with cold eyes.
Then, it let out an enraged roar.
The zombies below echoed its cry, their howls filling the air.
They surged forward like an unstoppable tide.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh~!
A barrage of arrows shot from the skeleton formations, turning many zombies into pin-cushions before they collapsed to the ground.
As the fallen zombies tumbled, they tripped those behind them.
More zombies charged into the spear formation, where sharp spears pierced through their bodies. The sounds of bone cracking and flesh tearing echoed through the night.
...
Gold-Silver Island, bedroom.
Wu Heng suddenly opened his eyes, his face grim.
[Experience +1.]
[Experience +1.]
[Experience…]
The flood of experience notifications jolted him fully awake.
He quickly dressed, donned his armor, and entered the study.
In the darkness, Xiaoxiao was watching TV while Glenda organized blueprints at the desk.
Seeing Wu Heng enter, Glenda asked curiously, "Weren't you resting?"
"I sense danger. Check the island to see if there's any fighting," Wu Heng instructed.
The rapid experience gain was more suited to battles in the zombie world,
but he wanted to ensure Gold-Silver Island was safe before leaving.
The two spirits exchanged a glance, nodded, and phased through the roof.
They returned quickly.
"Nothing's wrong, Uncle!"
"Unless you count the patrol chasing off some drunkards."
"That doesn't count. Come back. We're heading there," Wu Heng said.
The spirits re-entered his body, and Wu Heng opened the portal to the zombie world.
...
Stepping outside the dormitory, he immediately heard the sounds of battle and zombie howls echoing from outside the factory.
As expected, it was here.
He released the spirits again. "Go scout the situation outside."
The two spirits quickly flew toward the battlefield.
They soon returned.
"A massive horde of zombies is attacking, and the skeletons are fighting them," Glenda reported.
Xiaoxiao raised her hand like a student and added, "There's an 18th-level zombie, a bug-covered one with wings."
Glenda followed up, "There's also a convoy of unfamiliar faces in the courtyard."
"Let me see," Wu Heng said.
The two spirits re-entered his body, and he shared their vision.
On the road outside the factory, waves of zombies surged like relentless tides crashing against the skeleton formations.
Meanwhile, the skeletons held their ground like an iron wall, fending off the assaults repeatedly.
He then saw the convoy in the courtyard and the gathering crowd.
With a brief scan, he spotted the rescue team's flag.