As Xu Bao was about to speak, Lu Yu's voice, filled with astonishment, cut him off. Wei Jianjun, Wu Qiang, and Yan Yun glanced at each other and at Lu Yu, their eyes wide with disbelief.
Could this really be happening again?
The memory of a black minibus, swarming with thousands of creatures, was still vivid in their minds from their university. And now, it seemed to be repeating itself.
"Is it really a black minibus?"
Lu Yu questioned, setting aside the precious item he had been holding.
"Yes… that's what Aguang told me,"
Xu Bao replied through gritted teeth, despite the pain, providing an honest answer to Lu Yu's inquiry.
Xu Bao couldn't fathom the confidence exuding from Lu Yu and the others, nor could he understand how Lu Yu, merely a student, could exhibit such ferocity.
However, he recognized that submission was the only way to preserve his life when confronted with someone more powerful and composed.
"It seems to be the same vehicle we encountered before,"
Lu Yu murmured to himself. Since the world's end, the black minibus was the only vehicle Lu Yu had seen operational, which led him to believe it was the same one.
But what was it doing here?
A thought struck Lu Yu, prompting him to turn his attention to Aguang.
"You're Aguang, aren't you?"
"Yes, yes!" Aguang responded eagerly.
"Was what your boss said earlier true?" Lu Yu pressed on.
With a fearful nod, Aguang confirmed,
"Yes… it's true!"
"Good," Lu Yu said with a hint of relief.
"Now, can you release us?" Xu Bao asked, his voice tense.
"Certainly," Lu Yu agreed, rising to his feet.
"Old Wei, escort Aguang out. He might still prove to be of some use."
With that, Aguang, who had been poisoned and kicked by Lu Yu, was taken away.
Depleted of his combat prowess, Lu Yu decided to detain him for further questioning.
"Alright!"
Wei Jianjun agreed, delivering a swift kick to Aguang's head.
"Stand up!"
Simultaneously, the formidable black dog lunged at Xu Bao, its jaws snapping wildly.
The team, accustomed to Lu Yu's methods, watched without surprise as Aguang was paralyzed with fear.
Xu Bao fought back against the massive bulldog, cursing,
"You deceitful little devil, you have no honor!"
"Honor?
Who claimed I lacked it?" Lu Yu retorted.
"You promised to let me go," Xu Bao protested.
"Have I slain you?
No.
The beast is untamed and beyond my control.
If it decides to kill, what can I do?" Lu Yu responded with a feigned helplessness.
Xu Bao, seething with anger at Lu Yu's trickery, realized the tables had turned. Karma had come full circle, and now he faced the consequences he once imposed on others.
Overpowered and unarmed, Xu Bao stood no chance against the black dog. Mid-roar, the dog clamped down on his throat.
Lu Yu paid him no heed, instead acquainting himself with the firearms.
He handed one to Wei Jianjun and stored the rest in his ring.
"Unsure if this hall is soundproof, Old Wei, take this gun.
You, along with Aguang and the black dog, eliminate the two sentries," Lu Yu instructed.
"Understood."
"Wu Qiang, Dai Lian, Yan Yun, come with me, we....."
Boom!
Boom!
Before he could finish, a flare shot into the sky, exploding with a resounding boom.
Then, another flare followed, echoing the first with a second blast.
"Fuck, what's going on here?"
"Are those… fireworks?"
"Who would be setting off fireworks now?"
"Fuck it, the fireworks are coming from the backyard.
Is someone trying to draw the monsters with them?
Follow me quickly…"
…
Xu Bao and his gang were nothing but thugs.
Having taken over this place, it's likely they've also killed the other officers.
Confronting such lowlifes, Lu Yu felt no remorse in eliminating them.
As it has been said,
Lu Yu isn't necessarily a saint, but he doesn't shun the righteous.
In these apocalyptic times, as alien creatures invade Earth, it's become a survival battle not just against monsters, but amongst humans too.
Lu Yu understands the desperate struggle for survival.
However, those like Xu Bao, who kill merely for the thrill of it, earn nothing but Lu Yu's contempt.
Not all who commit evil deeds are villains.
And not all villains are comrades.
If the entire human race were to become like Xu Bao,
What would be the point of surviving as a villain after humanity has extinguished itself?
Thus, Lu Yu adopts a neutral stance towards the altruistic souls willing to sacrifice for others in these dire times.
He neither goes out of his way to aid them nor does he senselessly harm them.
Unexpectedly, just after Lu Yu had dispatched Xu Bao and delegated tasks, a massive firework erupted from the backyard.
The booming detonation captured everyone's attention.
By the time the second firework burst, Lu Yu was already sprinting out of the hall.
And there it was—the source of the fireworks.
Could it be the backyard of the police station?
In the Surrounding rear yard, a location once traversed by Lu Yu and his companions, now lay several hefty clusters of fireworks.
These were designed to soar into the heavens before erupting in a blaze of glory.
Xiao Fan, with a backpack slung over his shoulder and a lighter gripped firmly in hand, set about igniting the fuses with a maniacal laugh.
Hahahahahaha!
"Dieee, all of you!" he cackled with glee.
In times past, fireworks symbolized jubilation, marking festivities and joyous occasions. Yet, in this post-apocalyptic world, they had taken on a more sinister role as instruments of destruction.
Their unique trait of detonating mid-air rendered them magnets for not only the nearby abominations but also those lurking in the distance.
A prolonged explosion could even summon a horde as fearsome as any encountered before.
"What in the world are you up to, motherfucker?"
Wu Qiang, upon laying eyes on Xiao Fan, didn't immediately place him.
His mind raced to the conclusion that Xiao Fan was in cahoots with Xu Bao.
"Ah, you've arrived already?"
As figures emerged in the distance, Xiao Fan ignited a batch of firecrackers and hurled them towards Lu Yu and his group.
"I've done nothing wrong; I merely wish to expedite your departure to the afterlife.
Farewell!"
With those final words, Xiao Fan spun on his heel and dashed towards the rear exit, not once glancing back.
His speed was remarkable, and the back door was within reach. In the blink of an eye, he had vanished through it, leaving Wei Jianjun without a moment to aim his firearm.
Meanwhile, the fireworks continued their ascent, and the firecrackers crackled furiously.
"Fucker, Hei Shuai, take him down!"
Lu Yu's gaze turned icy as he issued the command, his mind devoid of any other thought. Although he hadn't recognized Xiao Fan at first glance, he was acutely aware of the chaos that would ensue if the fireworks were left unchecked.
The gunfire previously exchanged within the confines of the police station lobby had been muffled, its volume comparable to that of ordinary firecrackers.
The station's glass doors, lacking adequate soundproofing, had failed to contain the noise, yet it wasn't enough to draw in a significant number of monsters.
But these fireworks were a different beast altogether. Their aerial explosions, unimpeded by any form of sound barrier, were not only audible but also visible to creatures afar.
As he commanded Hei Shuai to give chase, Lu Yu prioritized the fireworks, swiftly moving to intercept them.
His silver-grade azure sword gleamed with lethal sharpness, slicing through the firecrackers which were in air with ease.
Xiao Fan, now fleeing, caught sight of the dog pursuing him and let out a curse.
"Fuck, that dog is fast!"
A/n :- Dear readers, I welcome your suggestions and feedback in the comments section below. If you find the story engaging and enjoyable, I would greatly appreciate it if you could leave a review for this novel.