C26 Kicking Him

Lee Yuanhong and his team at the base finalized their evacuation plan. As they refueled with a meal, Yuanhong outlined the next steps: "We're currently on the northeast side of the base. Soon, we'll move to the southeast side, where we need to find an area with fewer zombies. This will allow us to monitor their activity and prepare for any necessary rescues."

"Why head southeast?" Lee Luoxia inquired. "Isn't it fine to stay nearby?"

Yuanhong placed a bottle of mineral water on the table encircled by the group, gesturing to it as he explained, "Imagine this is our base." He then set a biscuit to the northwest of the bottle, saying, "This represents the car that hit the building." Taking another bottle, he placed it a short distance behind the biscuit. "Lee Luoxia, remember the supermarket we looted?"

Luoxia nodded, "Yes, but what's that got to do with the supermarket?"

"The car that crashed into our building today was the same truck parked at the supermarket's back door. That means the car originated there, and it's likely that the group chasing you has taken over the supermarket. Somehow, they've discovered our location. There are surely some of them nearby keeping watch, so we need to move to a blind spot to prevent them from interfering," Yuanhong clarified.

Everyone nodded in understanding. Yuanhong emphasized, "Be extra cautious. The zombies are stirred up, and we need to avoid detection. Keep the noise to a minimum."

After ensuring everyone was on the same page, Yuanhong turned to Huang Xiaopeng with a teasing challenge, "Little man, you're not scared, are you?"

"I'm not scared at all! Don't underestimate me!" Xiaopeng retorted, puffing up with indignation.

"Good, let's move out!" Yuanhong took the lead, directing the gunmen to clear the path and the archers to cover the rear as they began scouting for a new safe haven around the base.

Despite the brief explosion, the southeast side of the temporary base wasn't swarming with zombies. However, it did draw out many that were lurking in the buildings. As they approached within twenty meters of the base, the zombie density increased. The base's inhabitants had retreated to the fifth floor, so the zombies below didn't exhibit any aggressive behavior. It appeared that the zombies' detection range was limited; beyond it, they would ignore potential prey. This limited range was precisely why Yuanhong had been able to search the area successfully. Of course, this was also a testament to Yuanhong's cautious nature. If he were like those reckless protagonists who aren't satisfied unless courting danger, he would have likely met his end a dozen times over.

Ultimately, Lee Yuanhong secured a foothold in a three-story building situated fifty meters from the base, separated by a street. Alongside two riflemen, he spent thirty minutes clearing the room of zombies and scavenging some supplies.

Upon entering the room, the newly joined hospital trio collapsed on the floor, particularly the little one who finally ceased boasting about his manhood. Observing this, Lee Yuanhong began to strategize, realizing it was time to rigorously train the group. Otherwise, they'd be a liability. In a situation where they'd have to sprint through a zombie horde, their survival would be in jeopardy.

As dusk approached, the last streaks of sunlight painted the desolate city with a hint of vitality, casting a poetic aura over the urban silence. That is, if one could overlook the ever-present wandering zombies.

Lee Yuanhong and Zhang Yuan stealthily made their way to the rooftop of a two-story building thirty meters from the base. Zhang Yuan readied his bow, attaching a rope to the arrow, and fired it towards the fifth floor of the base. The arrow struck a window with a sharp snap, and a shadow darted to retrieve the bow and arrow before vanishing with the fading light into the night.

Before dawn the next morning, at not even five o'clock, a cry erupted from the base: "Zombies are attacking! Wake up, everyone!" The abrupt yelling seemed to rouse the entire world, with zombies below lifting their heads to let out a collective roar, as if protesting the disturbance of their tranquil morning. Moments later, fiery projectiles rained down from the northwest corner of the base roof, igniting the undead in a conflagration. One minute later, a gunshot echoed near the ground floor, amplifying the chaos within the base, spurring the surrounding zombies to hasten their assault. The cacophony of roars, shouts, and intermittent gunfire transformed the once-peaceful morning into utter turmoil.

From the rooftop of a building a mere fifty meters from the base, Lee Yuanhong was busy issuing commands through a walkie-talkie. Nearby, a rope fashioned from several climbing ropes extended into the base. As dawn's early light began to emerge, figures intermittently slid down the rope onto the rooftop. After the fourth person landed, Wang Jingrong's voice crackled through the walkie-talkie, tinged with urgency, "Fatty is too scared to jump; he's got a fear of heights. What's the plan, Mr. Lee?"

Lee Yuanhong muttered a curse under his breath before speaking into the walkie-talkie, "Tell Fatty he doesn't have to jump; he can make it over here just like I said. First, have him secure the safety rope around himself—make sure it's tight. Then, he needs to bite down on a towel and not let go. Lastly, he should grab the rope, close his eyes—yes, actually close them." Lowering his voice, Lee Yuanhong then barked into the device, "Hurry, give him a kick."

No sooner had he finished speaking than a heavy figure soared out of a southeast-facing window of the base building.

The commotion at the base lasted for an hour. Following the final gunshots, the fifth floor erupted in flames. Ultimately, amidst the crackling inferno, a horde of zombies met their fiery end, and the building itself was reduced to ashes.

In a small building to the northwest, a figure exhaled slowly, relieved at the sight of the conclusion. He then quietly gave his report over the walkie-talkie. An hour later, this figure stealthily left the building, making his way toward the supermarket Lee Yuanhong had mentioned. Unbeknownst to him, as soon as he stepped out, another figure was closing in.