C24 Leaving the Building

As Jiang Feng was getting dressed, he noticed a subtle shift in Urendir's demeanor; she seemed to have softened. Handing him one article of clothing after another, there was a tenderness in her actions that puzzled him. He wondered if this newfound gentleness was merely a trick of his own shifting mindset.

Once they were all dressed, Jiang Feng, Urendir, and Jiang Wei ascended to the building's rooftop. The day was exceptionally clear; the sun's outline was sharp against a cloudless sky, the azure expanse washed clean, with only a few birds calling out in the vastness. Below, however, was a scene of disarray, starkly contrasting the beauty above.

"It's about time to consider our next move," Jiang Feng remarked.

With a deep sigh, he gazed toward the northwest, lost in contemplation. Reflecting on the past half-month, he realized the world had undergone more change than it might have in fifty years.

The strength of thirty people was significant in these times, yet still insufficient to make a substantial impact.

Jiang Feng's thoughts turned to a military base in the city's northwest outskirts. Perhaps his exceptional abilities could earn him a vital role there, securing food and shelter. If necessary, it could serve as their initial stronghold.

After sharing his plans with Urendir, he was met with her agreement and support.

But little Jiang Wei had her reservations: "Dad, shouldn't we go find Mom first? You promised we'd find her as soon as we could."

Jiang Feng crouched down, his hands resting on Jiang Wei's shoulders, his voice laden with earnestness. "Your mom is likely in the Imperial Capital, which is a great distance from us. In these apocalyptic times, we can't just hop on a train or a plane; we'd starve before we even got there. We need to establish a foothold first, secure a base, then find someone who can pilot a plane, and a plane itself. Imagine how wonderful it will be to fly to your mom."

"You're not lying, are you? If those oil-eating bugs evolve, planes won't even be able to take off," she countered.

Despite her youth, Jiang Wei had picked up some history. Before the world's end, transportation and firearms were highly advanced, yet these technologies had become relics of the past. The rise of the Zerg wasn't solely due to the zombie outbreak; another significant factor was the evolution of oil-consuming creatures.

These creatures, known as Boer Twin-Tailed Insects, were tiny but had infested soils worldwide. They bred wildly in oil-rich areas. In less than two years since the apocalypse began, Earth's oil reserves were nearly depleted. With their subterranean food sources gone, the Zerg surfaced, attacking gas stations and human strongholds in search of oil. The Boer Zerg became one of the Zerg's many offshoots.

Jiang Feng was taken aback by the depth of Jiang Wei's thoughts at such a tender age.

"Don't worry, we have time," he reassured her. "The bugs don't eat that fast. We'll stockpile enough oil before they do, enough for us to fly."

"But how much longer must we wait...?" Jiang Wei's impatience was clear; she was eager to set off in search of her mother.

"Jiang Wei, do you like Sister Lu?"

"I do."

"Could you consider her your mother for now?"

"Hey, Jiang Feng, what's this about?" Urendir was taken aback.

"It's just a way to comfort a child," Jiang Feng signaled to Urendir with a knowing glance.

"But a sister is a sister, and a mother is a mother."

"You sleep beside her every night, don't you? What if you thought of her as your mother?"

To their surprise, Jiang Wei turned away, her lips pursed in defiance. "No~ I don't want to."

She was, after all, only eight years old, not so easily placated. Jiang Feng conceded, "Okay, if you can be good, I promise you, give me one month. I'll find us a plane and a pilot. You just need to be good for this month, alright?"

"Okay, I'll be good," Jiang Wei agreed, her mood lifting instantly.

"Great, let's head back and pack our bags."

Jiang Wei skipped ahead, full of energy.

Urendir leaned in and whispered to Jiang Feng, "Why suggest she see me as her mother? How could I possibly fill that role?"

"Sigh, if only she could be my mother."

"What do you mean?"

"Never mind." Jiang Feng gave a resigned smile.

Unbeknownst to Urendir, Jiang Feng's feelings for her had shifted.

Previously, Jiang Feng was preoccupied with many concerns, and his heart was unsettled, constantly suppressing his emotions.

But since Urendir had forgiven him and chosen to stay by his side, Jiang Feng resolved to stop lying to himself. He wholeheartedly acknowledged his feelings for Urendir.

As a result, finding Cui Wei was no longer a priority for Jiang Feng, and he even intended to postpone the search. He hoped that in time, Jiang Wei would gradually accept Urendir and come to understand his father's emotions.

Regrettably, things weren't progressing as smoothly as he'd hoped. After all, Jiang Wei was already eight and had her own opinions.

For now, Jiang Feng's wishful thinking remained just that.

The trio returned home to pack their belongings and provisions.

While sorting through their luggage, Urendir came across her police badge and gazed at it thoughtfully, her mind lingering on her colleagues and Director-general Lee.

"Before we head to the military base, let's stop by the police station in Long Hua District. It's on the way, and I'd like to check in," Urendir suggested to Jiang Feng.

Jiang Feng bowed his head, his eyes tinged with sorrow, and spoke softly, "Yeah, let's visit. I truly hope they're all still alive."

They weren't relatives, but they were people he had known. Remembering their faces in life brought a touch of melancholy.

Given the city was now teeming with zombies, and considering Jiang Feng's current level, battling them would offer little gain and only deplete his strength and time.

Ultimately, Jiang Feng chose to depart from the building's rooftop.

The three reached the rooftop's edge. Jiang Feng, with his luggage, nodded to Urendir, who was carrying Jiang Wei. Urendir nodded back.

Then, with a swift leap, they soared into the air, vaulting hundreds of meters above the ground.

As they soared through the air, the skyscrapers lay beneath their feet, and the swarming zombies below seemed as insignificant as ants.

Jiang Feng felt godlike, surveying all life from his lofty vantage point.

The buildings were mere toys under his command, each forceful leap causing the structures beneath to fracture from the impact.

Together, they leapt from one rooftop to the next, bounding across the skyline without pause.

Their pace far outstripped that of any bus, free from the constraints of the road. In under ten minutes, they had reached the police station in Long Hua District.

Jiang Feng and his companions landed directly on the rooftop of the station.

Peering down from their perch, they saw the station's doors wide open, the building overrun with zombies.

Jiang Feng let out a sigh. "The police station has already fallen," he observed.

Urendir sought further proof. Approaching the metal door leading downstairs, she applied a bit of force, and the lock twisted out of shape.

She swung the door open to reveal nothing but darkness.

Jiang Feng quickly rummaged through his luggage, handed a flashlight to Urendir, and said, "Maybe you should go. I'm not brave enough to face it."

"Alright," Urendir agreed, taking the flashlight and descending alone.

Deep inside, Jiang Feng harbored a profound fragility when it came to confronting the death of loved ones.

He had avoided the first half of his parents' funeral, unable to bear the sight of their still faces. Only after the coffin was sealed did he appear, eyes brimming with tears.

Director-general Lee might not have been family, but he was close enough to be considered kin.

Over two years of close interaction, the childless Director-general Lee had come to see Jiang Feng as a son. It was for this reason he had entrusted Jiang Feng with a gun and assigned Urendir to protect him, bending the rules to ensure his safety.

Jiang Feng sat on the rooftop, his gaze tinged with melancholy, lost in a sea of thoughts. Beside him, Jiang Wei gazed blankly into the sky, murmuring to herself, "I never realized the birds looked so small from up here."

Suddenly, the entire building began to tremble, a series of vibrations rippling through the structure.

"Dad..."

Before Jiang Wei could even voice her concern, Jiang Feng reassured her, "It's nothing to worry about. Your sister is just unleashing her formidable power again."

Inwardly, Jiang Feng marveled at Urendir's strength: 'Just by taking on the zombies inside the building, she's causing this much of a stir. She's definitely far more powerful than I am. That must be why she's so secretive about the extent of her abilities.'

Feeling the weight of his own expectations, Jiang Feng was constantly driven by the desire to grow stronger, to surpass Urendir, and to protect her.

Yet Urendir seemed like a natural-born warrior, effortlessly powerful as if she had an unfair advantage.

Ten minutes later, Urendir appeared, her coat stained with dust and blood.

"Couldn't you be a bit more gentle? You're practically shaking the police station to its foundations," Jiang Feng joked.

Urendir responded wordlessly, handing him an object – it was Director-general Lee's distinctive police badge.

Jiang Feng accepted the badge, his hand frozen in place.

"Jiang Feng, we've lost nearly everyone. It's a cruel twist of fate. Just when we've gained the power to save anyone we choose, those we wish to save are gone," Urendir lamented.

Pocketing the badge, Jiang Feng shouldered his bag and said, "Come on, we have a long road ahead of us."

The past was unchangeable, but the future lay ahead, waiting to be seized.

At least Jiang Wei, the last of his blood relatives, was still with him.

With a powerful leap, Jiang Feng soared into the azure sky, making a vow against the dazzling horizon, "I will forge a future for her."

Above the towering skyline of Bluecliff City, the trio navigated swiftly through the air. On Urendir's back, little Jiang Wei was mischievously clutching a small bird she'd caught.

"Sister, the birds are so tiny now."

"Jiang Wei, why did you catch it?"

"I wanted to see if I could find one with red eyes."

"And why a bird with red eyes?"

"Because it can transform into a Blood Light Bird as big as a ship, with red eyes that glow when it's happy. I once had one as a pet. It was incredibly cute, and I'd often ride on its back, soaring through the sky with Mom."

"Really? So, does the bird have red eyes?"

"No, it doesn't." Jiang Wei said, a touch of disappointment in her voice as she released the small bird.