Wang Li, having meticulously assessed the situation with Su Wenhao, unfolded a map of Yuanliao in front of Su Chen. With a red marker, he highlighted an area centered around the Beicheng District, indicating the swarming horde of monsters spreading outwards from various locations outside the city.
"The Deputy Battalion Commander mentioned that the monsters might have other strategic intentions, but for now, they are moving in groups," Wang Li explained. "Each group consists of approximately 30 to 50 black scale monsters. Additionally, the scattered black scale monsters outside Yuanliao City have joined forces, intercepting survivors attempting to flee the Beicheng District. It seems this has been going on for some time, which explains how we received news of the monster's proximity to Lianhua Village. Deputy Battalion Commander Su and the others discovered this after arriving at the General Directorate."
During their retreat, Su Wenhao and the Seventh Mixed Battalion had outpaced both the survivors and the military, reaching Heihe County Headquarters ahead of everyone else. They found themselves surrounded, with numerous survivors and military personnel trapped in the Beicheng District. While some managed to escape in scattered groups, many were still attempting to flee the urban area of Yuanliao City.
Wang Li raised his gaze, locking eyes with Su Chen. "However, the area outside the city is vast. The maximum force the monsters can deploy is concentrated on the second and third floors of the city. While they may pose a threat to the remnants and weakened troops, they should not be a significant danger to you, Deputy Battalion Commander Su. Nonetheless, Su Wenhao hopes you can break free from this encirclement ahead of time."
Su Chen nodded, but he found Su Wenhao's suggestion overly cautious. In the city, surrounded by monsters at every turn, he would indeed be overwhelmed. However, once outside the city, the density of monsters would decrease. Even if they were aware of his presence, it might not pose a substantial threat to him.
In fact, Su Chen viewed the current situation as an opportunity for him to take action.
With that in mind, Wang Li concluded their conversation and calmly checked his equipment on the first floor. He then turned to Su Chen, his eyes fixed on him. "Mr. Su, what is our next move?"
Qiao Zheng, summoned by Wang Li, also cast an expectant glance at Su Chen.
Before Su Chen could respond, a loud banging disturbed the silence as someone pounded on the door of the village chief's house where they had taken refuge.
Yu Hualong, appearing flustered, hurriedly entered and spoke in an anxious tone. "We've received word from people outside Lianhua Village that a convoy, under attack from a group of monsters, is nearing our location. Mr. Su, please remain quiet. We don't want to draw the attention of those monsters..."
Wang Li's instinct to rescue kicked in, but he quickly realized something and halted abruptly. He looked at Su Chen with unease. "I don't recommend you take action. The battlefield of the 'favored' lies elsewhere, not in the Xicheng District. Engaging any group of monsters, even if the situation is less perilous than in the city, will undoubtedly bring about certain troubles."
Before Hualong could receive a response, the lights outside Lianhua Village suddenly blazed, accompanied by the rapid approach of gunshots, shouts, and the chilling howls of monsters.
It was too late. The convoy, under siege by the monsters, crashed into Lianhua Village.
Yu Hualong's face contorted with alarm, and without explanation, he rushed out to gather their people.
In an instant, Su Chen emerged, donning his battle armor and soaring into the air. He had recently replenished his energy, and these black scale monsters were merely the "prey" delivered right to his doorstep.
Within a brief moment, the once desolate and dark Lianhua Village transformed into a blazing inferno.
The convoy of survivors lacked an organized military presence, but they seemed to possess substantial backing. They had a multitude of individuals armed with guns and sturdy vehicles, including a modified tin car. Despite enduring relentless attacks from the monsters, their formation had already crumbled. Approaching Lianhua Village from various directions, they found themselves in disarray. Their initial intention seemed to be to utilize the intricate terrain to hinder the monsters, unaware that a large group of survivors was hiding in Wuyangyang.
Consequently, the two factions collided in a chaotic frenzy.
People and vehicles crashed into one another, while the black scale monsters, flooding into Lianhua Village from different directions, further escalated the pandemonium.
Yu Hualong anxiously led his people, attempting to regain control of the situation and swiftly evacuate Lianhua Village.
But Su Chen had already taken action.
He refused to relinquish the energy unit he had acquired, nor could he passively witness these people being ruthlessly slaughtered by the monsters.
About a dozen black scale monsters, scattered in all directions of Lianhua Village, wreaking havoc amidst the crowds and vehicles, mercilessly slaughtering ordinary people. Their onslaught seemed almost one-sided.
Knowing he couldn't instantly clone himself to match the number of monsters, Su Chen made a calculated decision. He targeted the area where the screams were the loudest and the crowd was most concentrated. While his restrictions on black scale monsters weren't as potent as those against long and thin ghosts, he could still momentarily immobilize them. Seizing the opportunity, Su Chen swiftly dispatched the monsters, blasting their heads with a hand cannon and delivering the finishing blow with a Miao knife.
Though the tactics remained somewhat unchanged, his unparalleled skill allowed him to execute the beheadings swiftly, draining all the energy and seamlessly moving on to the next target.
As the monsters slaughtered the innocent, Su Chen fought back, his figure darting from all directions amidst the flickering flames. His actions etched themselves into the hearts of countless survivors.
Some individuals were eager to express their gratitude, but Su Chen had no time for empty words. Upon completing each kill, he promptly launched himself into the air, seeking out the next black scale monster.
Cold and resolute.
It took nearly two minutes for Su Chen to eliminate all the black scale monsters. Many lives were lost in the process. However, Su Chen harbored no self-indulgent sentiment of "I couldn't save everyone." Death was inevitable, and he had done his utmost to prevent further casualties.
He possessed the ability, and when confronted with such a situation, he couldn't simply stand idly by. But that was the extent of it.
This was a portrayal of the calamity. While the strong had the power to turn the tide, ultimately, it was the overall situation that was saved. If ordinary people didn't fight tooth and nail for survival, they would perish like blades of grass.
No one could rely solely on others.
Su Chen descended back to the center of Lianhua Village, where Yu Hualong had gathered everyone. In the fiery glow, the somber expressions on their faces were palpable.
Stuttering Old Liu rushed over from the other side, cradling a woman in his arms.
It was the woman who had given Su Chen the cake. One of her legs was gruesomely twisted, and her abdomen had been torn open by the monster. Lao Liu ran, juggling between supporting her and pushing back the protruding organs, his tears flowing uncontrollably. "Don't die! Please, don't die!"
The woman weakly held his hand, her gaze fixated on the sky as it gradually dimmed. She murmured, "Lao Liu, I can see the sun...right at the edge of the blue sky and clouds..."
"What a sight...
"It turns out that the ordinary sky can be so beautiful every day.
"Tomorrow...tomorrow...
"Tomorrow, let's go to my brother's place and have skewers, alright..."
At a certain moment, her grip suddenly tightened, her eyes returning to Lao Liu's disheveled face. "Without me...you won't have any burdens...you must live well...live..."
The woman's hand gradually slipped from Old Liu's grasp.
Su Chen intended to step away, but something compelled him to turn his head. To his surprise, he witnessed Old Liu, who had somehow knelt in front of him, his frail form contorting even more. The lifeless body of the woman lay beneath him, and he pleaded desperately, his head knocking against the ground, "Mr. Su... Su Chen... you possess extraordinary powers... I beg you... I implore..."
His stammered words failed to convey what he desperately wanted to express. Clutching onto the corpse, he continued to bow repeatedly, muttering, "Su... Su... I... I'll be your loyal servant... your loyal servant..."
Silently, Su Chen observed the scene, the woman's presence lingering in the air, cautious and watchful.
There was no need for explanation.
In this post-apocalyptic world, poverty was the original sin.
Now, being ordinary and weak was the original sin.
Su Chen watched this heart-wrenching spectacle, his heart alternating between coldness and heat. Then, he raised his gaze, fixating on the tragic sky. He understood that Old Liu's wife had passed away, and now he came to beg for some form of companionship, a mere presence to lend solace in his time of despair.
Amongst the crowd, it was Su Chen, the one who had always been wary of Old Liu, who answered the call.
Recalling the sliced cake, Su Chen gently patted the huddled man's shoulder and sighed, "Enduring hardship is the only path available to you. I believe that is also what your wife hoped for."
Regardless of age, the lives of the weak were as fragile as paper, easily swept away by the slightest gust of wind or ripple in the waters of happiness.
Behind them, Yu Hualong nodded gratefully to Su Chen.
Gradually, Old Liu's words ceased, his body slumping to the ground, his former vigor and resolve diminishing. He muttered softly, "If only I hadn't been so foolish... if only I possessed greater strength..."
Observing this poignant scene, the gentle man's eyes reflected a newfound determination.