Chapter 83: A Rare Moment of Tranquility

Gao Yi smiled wryly. “Captain Cao, are you truly unaware? With your status, you don’t know about this? Inside, there are the most elite scientists and researchers in every field.”

“It’s not just them. The pillars occupied by other factions are the same; each has top-level researchers. In the ruined era, people faced immense survival pressure, and the potential that emerged was limitless. Many things were discovered.”

Cao Fusheng suddenly understood. “I see what you mean. The pillars have always been interconnected, which means they can share information. So their technological progress should be more or less synchronized.”

“Exactly.”

“Do you know about the distress signal sent from the pillar in ZZ City over a month ago? It covered hundreds of kilometers. If they were still connected, why didn’t they just call for help from other pillars? Why did they gather survivors to assist?” Cao Fusheng voiced his doubts.

Gao Yi shook his head with some difficulty. “I heard about that message too. The settlement I stayed in received it, but everyone treated it as a joke. Who would dare risk everything to travel a hundred kilometers to save them? As for why the other pillars didn’t come… only those inside the pillars would know.”

“You mentioned the issue of bloodlines. I’ve been thinking—perhaps those scientists, through their research on human genes and the biological tissues of corpses, variants, even phantoms, found something. Maybe we survivors have some problematic bloodlines, so they use bloodline matching to divide us.” Cao Fusheng hunched forward, hands clasped, seriously sharing his thoughts.

The three nodded, each deep in thought.

The pillars hid secrets unknown to most survivors in the world—or perhaps known only to a small portion. Judging by the number of survivors inside the pillars, they were the true majority, the real masters of the wasteland.

Cao Fusheng spread out the map on the table, brought from the desolate zone.

He pointed to a spot. “We’re now in Xingyang County, under ZZ City, about a hundred kilometers from the city’s edge. I plan to investigate that area. It could be dangerous, so you may choose not to go; this is my personal matter.”

After he finished, Cao Fusheng let his gaze sweep over the group by the dim candlelight, silently weighing their reactions.

“Brother Cao, what are you saying? The four of us live and die together. How could we let you face danger alone? Without you, the team’s done for—I’m definitely coming with you,” Shen Dong spoke up first, barely pausing to think.

“What’s the matter, big guy? Are you afraid to go? Come on, I’m waiting,” Shen Dong teased Gao Yi, a smile tugging at his lips.

Gao Yi snorted. “If you want to prove your loyalty, let’s not forget who joined first. I was in the team before you. Wherever Captain Cao goes, I’m right behind him—I don’t need you to remind me.”

“Ha! You were only ahead by a few hours. You were the leftover, half-beaten, before Brother Cao pulled you in. Don’t talk hierarchy with me,” Shen Dong retorted, clearly displeased as he glared at Gao Yi.

“I won’t argue with you. No need to alert those things outside,” Gao Yi muttered, turning away.

Han Shuqing circled behind and settled into Cao Fusheng’s lap, speaking softly. “Of course I’m with Fusheng. You two are his brothers; I am his woman. If the brothers are committed, should the woman remain silent? Besides, if all three men leave, would you really leave me behind?”

Shen Dong sighed. “You’re more suited to be our sister-in-law than Xiao Bing. Brother Cao has it rough; you need to take good care of him.”

“Alright, since we’ve decided, let’s prepare what we need to bring. Tomorrow, after we sleep, let Shuqing cook us a good meal, then we set off,” Cao Fusheng waved his hand.

After Shen Dong mentioned Huo Bingran, his spirits seemed to sink. He looked drained, head bowed, and went to his bedroom.

“Ah, our few days of peace are over again,” Gao Yi lamented, heading to his room.

Once everyone had left, the spacious hall was empty, save for Cao Fusheng and Han Shuqing.

In the quiet darkness, their steady breathing was all they could hear, gazing silently at each other.

“Fusheng, let’s rest. You need to relax,” Han Shuqing straddled his waist, arms wrapped around his neck, her lips parted, breath fragrant as orchids.

Cao Fusheng murmured his assent, lifting her as he carried her upstairs.

“The lady of this house had quite the taste. I found a washed black silk lingerie in her suitcase… Will you let me wear it for you?”

Inside the room, Han Shuqing clung to him like an octopus, pressing him down on the bed, even playing her old tricks of seduction.

“If it’s not revealing, I’m not interested.”

“Relax—boss will be satisfied!”

“Wow, you’re even more daring than the three great temptresses!”

“I purposely cut it open…”

Half an hour later, Cao Fusheng lay on the bed, holding the alluring Han Shuqing.

Neither spoke; after passion, only calm remained. Even the corpse monsters groaning behind the wall were ignored.

“I never dared dream of such a big house before. A duplex like this would cost at least a million. Now, we can live wherever we wish,” Han Shuqing traced circles on his chest, marveling at how times had changed.

In peaceful days, people cared only for power, wealth, and fame. Yet in times like these, such things were the cheapest.

The owner of this mansion may well be among the countless corpses—or devoured to nothing.

Cao Fusheng stroked her smooth, jade-like body. “You’ve suffered.”

Han Shuqing’s body tensed, then she shook her head. “We’ve all lost a lot. Hardship is a habit now. After Mingming left, I finally understood—living people shouldn’t always grieve for the dead. If I survived, I must live for her share, too.”

“I don’t know what happened between you and Miss Huo. Feelings developed so quickly, but I can see there’s real affection between you two…”

Cao Fusheng whispered, “Sleep. Tomorrow we keep moving. Who knows if we’ll ever sleep soundly again.”

“Mm,” Han Shuqing replied, closing her eyes.

Cao Fusheng, meanwhile, was thinking about the ecological gene chain. His available gene points had reached over 6,000.

He hadn’t hunted corpses specifically during this time; the extra thousand or so points were earned by killing on the run over the past month.

He still needed more than a third to reach level two.

To be prepared, he had to find a way to get the remaining points before entering the center of ZZ City.

Originally, gaining gene points was fastest through tasks issued by the ecological chain.

But since his last mission failed, it had fallen silent, not even issuing random tasks.

Cao Fusheng wasn’t lucky enough to stumble upon chemical plants or oil depots—mostly because he didn’t know the roads.

Seeking out such places while fleeing was pure fantasy.

“Hala hala…”

Just as Cao Fusheng was about to sleep, a sound came from the corridor.

Soon, Little Night hopped onto the bed, settling beside him, silent and ready for sleep.

“Life really is like a boiled egg—cook it long enough, and it just goes bad.”