The first thing Shen Congfei did upon returning to the hunter's cabin was to open the wooden door to the basement and shout inside:
"Hey, are you dead or alive?"
After a while, a feeble voice speaking in Imperial came from inside.
After Xia Wei translated, they found out that the person was asking for water.
At this, Xue Yangping took a jug and a glass and went into the basement, not to show compassion by giving him water.
Instead, he was there to discuss how to find the Imperial soldier with the scar on his nose to avenge his parents.
Xia Wei also went down to help translate the conversation.
Meanwhile, Shen Congfei showed the newly joined Tom and Jerry around the hideout.
He also told them not to wander around because of the traps scattered around the area.
At the same time, he took the opportunity to inquire about their backgrounds as the situation in the Neutral United Front differed greatly from that of the Empire.
The flag of the Neutral United Front had a design of a blooming flower with thirty-five differently colored petals.
Each petal represented a lost nation or tribe.
This system of survivors from various nations formed the unique state known as the Neutral United Front.
This was also the only place in the world that accommodated refugees.
Tom and Jerry were descendants of one of the thirty-five lost nations, but they were better off than their ancestors because they were born on this land.
Thus, the education and languages they received were based on the Neutral United Front's basic knowledge and common language.
After Shen Congfei finished inquiring, Xia Wei came out of the basement.
Looking at Xue Yangping's impatient expression, it was clear that they had reached an agreement and were just waiting to take action.
However, since they had just been in the limelight yesterday, if they returned now, they might run into the Imperial Army.
So, Shen Congfei decided to convince them to wait before taking any hasty actions.
Fortunately, the man known as "Flathead Brother" has calmed down considerably and, in the end, agreed to his proposal.
After finishing this, Shen Congfei looked at the five people who were resting in the room and decided to go out for a bit. He beckoned to Xia Wei to follow him outside.
Immediately, a round of laughter erupted from the group behind him, their faces full of playful smiles.
"Where exactly are we going?"
Xia Wei was also a bit embarrassed by their laughter. She thought the man beside her was unable to restrain himself and wanted to do something.
Quickly, Shen Congfei explained, "Don't overthink it. I just remembered the location of another cabin and thought you might come along."
Upon hearing his explanation, Xia Wei heaved a sigh of relief, but somewhere in her heart was a hint of disappointment:
"Why should I come along? You could just go alone or call everyone to come along."
Shen Congfei looked at her, "Well, to be honest, I feel like going out alone with you."
That was his sincere thought. After such a long battle.
Finally having the chance to rest, how could he not take the time to properly appreciate his future wife's pretty face?
If life was only about wars, it would be too monotonous.
A balance between guns and roses, that's the best way.
Xia Wei had no idea about these thoughts of his, but she did feel his fingers faintly hooking onto her hand.
Initially, they walked shoulder to shoulder through the forest. By the time they had reached the new hunter's cabin, they were naturally, hand in hand.
It must be said that the conditions of this hunter's cabin were far worse than the previous one.
Just like the one they encountered on the run into the mountains, only managing to provide slight protection from wind and weather.
They searched through it to find a crossbow, some arrows, a quiver, and a piece of preserved rabbit meat.
Even though they only found these items, Shen Congfei was satisfied.
Now with guns and cannons, they were certainly not lacking weapons.
The hunter's profession was indeed a great early game career.
In the initial stages, hunters could hoard a large amount of resources from these cabins.
Moreover, with skills like trapping and hunting in the wilderness, their combat power was not to be underestimated.
However, no matter how powerful, it had its limitations.
With this in perspective, it was about time to start looking for other achievements to complete, in order to gain professional planning points and unlock other professions.
Given his basic player template, it was especially useful.
He wouldn't need to look for professional certifications to change to other professions; how convenient it was.
As long as he had enough achievements and professional planning points, he could light up all other professions in the game "Codename: Wasteland."
By then, he would become a real 'All-Profession Skill Master'.
At that point, not even merely surviving the apocalypse, but even taking down the Empire should be no issue, right?
Heh-heh...
"Cong Fei, what are you laughing at?"
"Eh, was I laughing?"
Snapping back to reality, Shen Congfei instinctively wiped the corner of his mouth to find that he wasn't drooling.
"Well, since we've searched this place thoroughly, let's just remember this place for future use. Let's go."
He quickly changed the subject and took her hand, leading her back along the path they had come from.
When the two of them returned to the hunter's cabin by the lake, they were met with the teasing gaze of the group.
Having finished their walk and relaxed, Shen Congfei and Xia Wei didn't refuse their jokes.
In the face of this war, everyone must have been under enormous mental pressure. A little laughter, acting as a form of relaxation, was more than welcomed.
Before long, the sky began to darken.
While the others prepared to rest, Shen Congfei told them that he was planning to go to the city to get updated on the current situation.
Picking up the crossbow and quiver they found earlier in the hunter's cabin, he thought about hunting on the way back.
After equipping himself and bidding goodbye, he activated his hunting skill.
With this cheat-like night vision at his disposal and the professional advantage of hunters' tracks being hard to trace,
Shen Congfei easily avoided the patrol teams around the city, various guards and arrived smoothly at the outer wall of the zoo on the eastern side of the city.
By then, the night had fallen.
Luckily, his hunter skill still had some effect in the zoo.
Under his black and white vision, the night seemed no different from the day.
He mimicked Tang Ke, tying the rope into a circle and threw it onto the wall.
After he climbed the wall and entered the zoo, he called out in a whisper.
"Uncle Tang."
However, there was no response.
Taking a couple of steps towards the staff center, Shen Congfei suddenly stopped.
Perhaps due to his occupation as a hunter, his hearing was much better than before.
And that's why he heard a faint noise in the zoo.
It was the sound of a gun being cocked, and it didn't seem too far away.
With this judgment, Shen Congfei immediately jumped into the bushes at the side of the road, hiding inside with his hunter skill activated, scanning the surroundings.
Sure enough, several figures glowing red were hidden in different locations.
He realized that the location of the zoo had been compromised.
The situation of Tang Ke's parents was now in danger.
At that thought, Shen Congfei gritted his teeth, his eyes hardened. He loaded his crossbow, pulling out his survival knife.