Yu Hualong hastily pulled Old Liu into the car and sped away from Lianhua Village alongside the surviving group of people. Flames continued to engulf the village as the convoy gradually moved away, seeking refuge on a nearby mound where they could make necessary repairs.
Despite the heavy losses they had suffered in the battle, the atmosphere within the group wasn't as solemn as one might expect. They had grown accustomed to the constant presence of life and death, becoming more anxious during times of danger and calm during brief respites.
However, Old Liu sat in a corner, his mind vacant and numb.
Yu Hualong approached him, engaging in a conversation. Meanwhile, the ordinary onlookers regarded Su Chen with astonishment. Among them, only the men who had accompanied Yu Hualong on the frontlines had witnessed Su Chen's brutal slaughtering prowess.
A young boy even ran up to Su Chen, clutching the hem of his clothes, and exclaimed, "Big brother, you're incredible! Can you teach me? I want to kill monsters too, so I can protect everyone..."
Su Chen shook his head, denying the request.
His gaze drifted towards Lianhua Village, which was transforming into a purgatory of flames in this apocalyptic world.
The little boy was quickly whisked away by his family, and Su Chen turned his attention to Yu Hualong and the gentleman who were walking towards him.
Yu Hualong expressed his gratitude, saying, "Thank you very much, Brother Su. If it weren't for you, we would have suffered even greater losses."
Su Chen gently shook his head and replied, "In a city as small as Yuanliao, it's better not to let the murderers linger for too long."
He retrieved a cigarette case from his pocket, lighting one up. He didn't smoke often and had previously declined Lin Mo's offer, but his current state of mind was complex, prompting him to indulge in a slow drag.
Yu Hualong and the gentleman didn't leave immediately. Instead, they exchanged glances, and the gentleman spoke up, "Mr. Su, I'm not sure about your plans for the future."
Realizing that Su Chen might have misunderstood, he hastily clarified, "Allow me to explain our plan first. We intend to split our team into two groups. The smaller group, consisting only of myself and Lao Liu, wishes to accompany you. I understand, Mr. Su, that ordinary people aren't qualified to be your companions unless they possess specialized skills. However, both Lao Liu and I possess unique abilities that may prove useful to you.
"The situation in Zongzhi is undoubtedly complex," the gentleman continued, his voice filled with urgency. "Let Boss Yu lead a team to pave the way. If you decide to venture to Zongzhi in the future, you will have a secure foothold."
With these words, the gentleman introduced himself and Lao Liu, detailing their unique abilities. Liu Dongliang possessed the power of mental intimidation, capable of exerting control over any being with cognitive abilities, including monsters. The gentleman, on the other hand, possessed a more elusive ability, described as "transparency." His power could render objects within a six-meter radius of himself "invisible" or amplify someone's attention to an extreme degree. However, this ability had a short duration, and after one use, he required a significant recovery period.
As Su Chen listened, he discerned the true intention behind the gentleman's words—they were offering themselves as loyal followers, pledging their allegiance.
Furthermore, the gentleman's explanation was meticulous and well-prepared, suggesting that this notion had been brewing in his mind for some time.
After pondering for a moment, Su Chen responded, "You can tell that I'm not from the military. But why do you believe that I need both of you, including Lao Liu?"
"It's not difficult to deduce that you have military ties," the gentleman replied. "As for Lao Liu and me... from our previous encounter, I remember you were with the military. However, the circumstances have changed, and you are now in retreat while we have severed our ties. We have our own objectives to pursue, and in the pursuit of those objectives, we may require assistance or even sacrifice. Lao Liu and I are willing to offer our help, and when your affairs are concluded, you must reciprocate. This is the natural course of events. Even if you were to join the military, having your own power among the survivors would undoubtedly be advantageous."
"Today is different from the past. Human lives may be the least valuable, but they are needed everywhere," the gentleman continued. "There is something amiss in Yuanliao City, and the military's strategy has gone astray. There may be factors we are unaware of. Therefore, I believe that even you require additional personnel."
Although unaware of the blockade in Yuanliao City, the gentleman had astutely observed certain clues.
Su Chen scrutinized him closely and remarked, "So you anticipated that I would likely not refuse."
The gentleman shook his head.
Su Chen didn't press any further, shifting his gaze towards Yu Hualong. He advised, "I suggest you depart as soon as possible. According to the military intelligence I've gathered, the monsters outside of Liao City are growing in strength. Without the protection of the army, the sooner you leave, the better."
Yu Hualong was taken aback, wearing a bitter smile as he replied, "I had planned to establish Lotus Village as my stronghold. Now it seems those damn survivors helped us abandon Lotus Village."
Then, Su Chen turned to the gentleman and cautioned, "I understand your thoughts. While there is an element of self-promotion, I am undeniably a formidable individual. But I also carry immense danger. Following me, both you and Lao Liu may face death and extreme peril. You must consider this carefully."
The gentleman responded without hesitation, "I have given it thorough consideration, and Lao Liu expressed his desire to follow you."
"Very well. It's settled then. We'll be leaving soon. Prepare yourselves," Su Chen declared.
As Su Chen's gaze briefly scanned the sky, he caught sight of a pitch-black monster hovering in the distant horizon.
He had barely made a move before it noticed him.
However, the pitch-black monster showed no intention of attacking or approaching. Evidently, there was no monster group nearby capable of encircling and killing Su Chen. It simply trailed behind at a safe distance.
Su Chen paid little attention to its presence and soon parted ways with Yu Hualong's motorcade.
As they separated, Yu Hualong eagerly asked Su Chen to inspect the supplies they had brought out from the city, attempting to please their leader. Su Chen had already amassed a considerable amount of supplies, having looted them from the monsters he had slain in the city. Nonetheless, he obliged and took a look, only to make an unexpected discovery.
Among the supplies, there was a balance scooter. Su Chen claimed it for himself and stowed it away in the storage ring.
With that, the two groups went their separate ways, venturing onto the open road.
This time, Su Chen's convoy seemed somewhat cramped.
Lao Liu fell into an eerie silence, following Su Chen without uttering a word. He simply trailed behind, faithfully mirroring Su Chen's every move.
Qiao Zheng appeared jubilant about the arrangement. However, upon learning about the abilities of the gentleman and Lao Liu, he realized that his own powers were the weakest and seemingly useless. A crestfallen expression enveloped his face, and he sank into a state of deep dejection.
Wang Li, as always, assumed the role of the driver, with the baby's equipment occupying the co-pilot seat. Qiao Zheng and the other two squeezed into the middle row, while Su Chen claimed the back row. He intended to utilize this opportunity to discreetly perform a magical transformation on the heavy machine gun.
Having replenished his energy to a level of 27 after the recent chaotic battle, Su Chen had no need to evade others or be discreet. He could make the change openly without concern.
However, before commencing the transformation of the heavy machine gun, Su Chen inquired of the gentleman, "I don't believe I know your name yet..."
The gentleman, slightly intrigued by Su Chen's ability to produce such a massive heavy machine gun, refrained from asking and simply replied, "He Xuanheng."
Su Chen nodded in acknowledgement.
At that moment, Wang Li interjected, "Mr. Su, where are we headed?"
"Wherever there are gunshots and monsters, that's where we'll go!" Su Chen declared.
A solitary off-road vehicle traversed the desolate wilderness, while above, the pitch-black monster followed like a persistent shadow, maintaining a considerable distance.
As darkness still blanketed the sky, the city's vibrant lightning had dissipated, casting a dimmer glow upon the world and returning pure darkness to the land.
The vegetation withered.
The land itself teetered on the brink of death.