The war against mutated beasts in the southern battlefield of Yuzhou finally concluded, and Shen Feng's prestige soared to an unimaginable level. Throughout Yuzhou, from the grand avenues to the narrow alleys, his name was chanted everywhere. Newspapers and news outlets plastered his photograph across their pages.
Shen Feng's fame wasn't confined to Yuzhou; countless media outlets in more distant regions began reporting on him. The reason was simple: Shen Feng had annihilated over 700,000 mutated beasts in the southern mountains of Yuzhou, directly resolving the mutated beast crisis. Yuzhou's safety had now reached a new height.
Upon learning of the events in Yuzhou, many residents of Rongcheng immediately boarded trains to Yuzhou, seeking a more secure life.
As the ancients wisely put it, "It is not scarcity that is to be feared, but inequality; it is not poverty that is to be feared, but instability." A little poverty is insignificant as long as there is safety.
In the second year of the apocalypse, in the Chinese region, the threat of zombies had become minimal. While zombies still existed in many southern areas, it was evident to any discerning eye that zombies could not reproduce. Their method of infecting humans was also singular: bites and scratches. Therefore, zombies posed less of a direct threat to humanity than mutated beasts. Mutated beasts, when hungry, would descend from the mountains to prey on humans, appearing everywhere like a widespread bloom.
Thus, many who had just emerged from the shadow of zombies were subsequently faced with the constant threat of mutated beasts, their fear intensifying. If humans encountered a lone zombie, they still had a chance to fight back. However, when facing a robust mutated beast in the wilderness, humans were often no match, frequently becoming the beasts' dinner.
Now, Shen Feng's decisive action against the mutated beasts, eliminating hundreds of thousands of them, offered people hope. If the mutated beasts could also be eradicated, then safety would be achieved.
The man who brought this hope was hailed as a hero, and the title "Wind God" spread like wildfire. People no longer referred to Shen Feng as "strong grass in the wind" but simply as "Wind God." Perhaps, in the eyes of ordinary people, Shen Feng had truly become a deity.
Shen Feng returned to Yuzhou with eighty thousand troops, leaving twenty thousand to clean up the battlefield. Many mutated beast carcasses needed to be salvaged: edible parts were processed into canned goods, sellable parts were directly traded, and inedible parts were sent to laboratories.
The laboratories had a remarkably successful war this time. It was initially thought they would offer little assistance in the conflict, but they had successively researched three mutated plants, with the research on the phoenix egg being the most crucial, directly aiding the soldiers in completing the encirclement. Professor Niu, therefore, logically proposed an increase in funding for the laboratories from the City Lord's Mansion.
Chu Chaoyan approved this suggestion. Without the laboratories' continuous analysis of mutated plants, the war could not have proceeded so smoothly. If the laboratories could produce more inventions in the future, wouldn't that further enhance Yuzhou's strength?
As they entered the city, people on the city walls scattered flower petals and confetti. Winter had arrived, and Yuzhou had few flowers to offer. However, the situation was different in Dian Province to the southwest, which boasted abundant flora. Flowers from Dou Nan, in particular, were unsold. Yuzhou eventually exchanged a significant amount of grain for a large quantity of fresh flowers.
The moment Shen Feng entered the city, rose petals rained down from above, filling the air with fragrance. Shen Feng leaned back comfortably in the passenger seat of the convertible, enjoying the cheers of the crowd.
"Wind God, Wind God..." countless people cheered for Shen Feng, with crowds lining both sides of the street.
The shower of flowers Shen Feng received was Chu Chaoyan's plan. A large quantity of flowers had been procured and scattered at the moment of Shen Feng's entry. These flowers, exchanged for tens of tons of grain, represented a considerable expenditure for the sake of ceremony.
The soldiers behind him did not receive such treatment. The supply of petals was limited, and once they were gone, they were truly gone. Therefore, the soldiers in the rear only received confetti, which fluttered down from the city walls, looking beautiful as they drifted like butterflies in the air.
The soldiers didn't mind; the cheering crowd was enough. They had followed Shen Feng's actions, and the honor was shared. The people's cheers for Shen Feng were as if they were cheering for themselves.
Compared to the honored duo, the mercenaries' reception was far more subdued. They carried weapons, but Yuzhou had a regulation prohibiting the entry of individuals carrying firearms. Thus, the mercenaries could only watch enviously as Shen Feng's direct soldiers entered the city. They, on the other hand, took their wages, a stack of grain coupons, and prepared to head home.
"The excitement is theirs, I have nothing!" This sentiment arose in the hearts of the mercenaries. Despite having participated in the battle, their status prevented them from receiving a welcome.
However, upon returning home and seeing their wives and children on the streets, the mercenaries found solace. While there were no cheers or applause, it didn't matter. At least they had protected their families.
"A true man should be like this!" Many looked at Shen Feng, seated in his car accepting the public's adulation, and felt an unspoken envy. Who wouldn't want to be celebrated so grandly upon their triumphant return? Unfortunately, there was only one Shen Feng, and no one could replace his position.
This expedition brought Yuzhou significant gains. The phoenix egg could be cultivated and sold as a new crop. The canned goods made from countless mutated beasts were equivalent to possessing a large supply of food. The cypress forest produced hypnotic pollen, suitable as a controlled substance. Most importantly, Shen Feng's position was now unchallengeable. He commanded the strongest force in Yuzhou and possessed immense prestige among the populace.
Shen Feng arrived at the City Lord's Mansion. Outside, Chu Chaoyan and Chang Jianyi stood waiting. Chang Jianyi, due to the downward pressure on her abdomen, had to lean back slightly. Luo Qing remained constantly by Chang Jianyi's side. The three stood at the forefront to welcome Shen Feng's return. Behind them, more staff from the City Lord's Mansion looked at Shen Feng with admiration.
Shen Feng ignored the fervent gazes of others and walked directly from the car to Chang Jianyi and Chu Chaoyan, smiling as he said, "I'm back. You've worked hard."
Chang Haojie, who had been flying overhead with a camera, capturing footage like a professional paparazzo, also descended and announced loudly, "I'm back too!"
"It's good that you've returned safely. I've prepared a meal for you. We'll eat first, and then we can discuss everything else," Chang Jianyi said gently.
Although the combat zone was close to Yuzhou, essentially a battle on their doorstep, Shen Feng could have returned to Yuzhou to sleep every night and gone to the front lines during the day if he wished. However, war was war, and the danger was not to be underestimated. Seeing her husband and brother safely returned, Chang Jianyi's anxieties finally subsided.
Chu Chaoyan's reaction was the most fervent. She rushed forward and embraced Shen Feng, disregarding her image. Her legs wrapped around Shen Feng's waist, and she exclaimed, "You've been gone for over a month. Do you know how much I missed you?"
Shen Feng patted Chu Chaoyan's back helplessly and said, "Alright, alright, you're squeezing too hard. I can barely breathe. Don't suffocate me!"
"Nonsense. My chest provides cushioning. How could I possibly suffocate you?" Chu Chaoyan reluctantly disengaged from Shen Feng. However, her bold action had been captured by reporters, and she expected to see related reports in the newspapers that evening.
Shen Feng glanced at the soldiers behind him and instructed Guo Pinming to lead them back to the barracks for rest. Those due for leave would take leave, and those requiring training would train. There were no plans for deployment during winter.
Finally, there were the members of the Ability Administration. Ke Yiming jokingly said, "City Lord, will you treat us to a meal?"
"Treat you to a meal? Absolutely not! I'll give you grain coupons, and you can buy your own food. This is a family gathering, and it has nothing to do with you!" Shen Feng replied grumpily. Ke Yiming's attempt to freeload at this moment was simply disruptive.
Ke Yiming was not offended. He smiled, accepted the grain coupons, and prepared to explore Yuzhou.
Li Keyi watched Chang Jianyi's happy demeanor and Chu Chaoyan's joyful expression, feeling an indescribable mix of emotions. She then gently shook her head and turned to leave the City Lord's Mansion.
Returning to the Wind God Palace, Du Xinshi had already supervised the chefs in preparing a table full of sumptuous dishes, most of which were Sichuan cuisine. As it was winter, Sichuan food was ideal for warming the body. Both chili peppers and Sichuan peppercorns had dispersing effects, warming a chilled body while eating.
Chang Haojie, after reviewing the details of the war, couldn't help but recount the combat experience upon returning home. He was considered well-traveled. "Lu Kaiyang's tactics were incredibly brilliant. Sister, you wouldn't believe it; those hundreds of thousands of mutated beasts were chased all over the place, with over ten thousand dying daily from exhaustion. When we contracted our lines, we often found dead mutated beasts in the mountains. Their claws were worn raw and swollen like balloons..."
Chang Jianyi listened to her brother's narration with a smile, while Chu Chaoyan also listened as she ate. She still had her sensational novel to complete but was confined to Yuzhou city. To learn about the battlefield events, she could only rely on Chang Haojie's account.
Du Xinshi was feeding their son. Little Long had already grown teeth and was learning to eat. Upon seeing Shen Feng, he opened his arms and called out "Daddy," much to Shen Feng's resigned amusement.
Zhang Xixi had always been indifferent to what Chang Haojie said, as she preferred not to get too close to him, lest they be forcibly paired. However, this time, Zhang Xixi was captivated by the war's narrative. She hadn't realized so much had happened on the southern battlefield.
Chang Haojie recounted many events, especially his battlefield observations. At this moment, he was the star of the dinner table, his demeanor akin to a child who had learned something at school and was eager to show off at home. In reality, Chang Haojie was still a child. After sharing so many experiences, he hoped to receive his sister's praise.
After listening to her brother's account, Chang Jianyi encouraged him, "Then you must work hard in the future and strive to earn titles through your own efforts. Then, you will surely be a great hero!"
"Of course! In future battles, I will rely on my skills to become a great hero in the eyes of others. Preferably, I'll be recognized wherever I go!" Chang Haojie declared confidently.
Shen Feng looked at the warm scene at the dining table and felt a deep sense of warmth. Indeed, all his hard work over the long period had been for his family. At this moment, with his family laughing and talking, it was the most beautiful thing in the world.
However, Shen Feng had to break this rare tranquility. For the sake of the future, Shen Feng had to utter an ill-timed remark: "Senior Sister, I've decided. In a few days, I'll be going out to sea with Ke Yiming and the others, taking a few ability users with me. I'm going to salvage meteorites."
The moment he spoke, everyone in the living room fell silent, including Chang Haojie, who had been speaking so eloquently. They all looked at Shen Feng. The once warm atmosphere suddenly chilled, and the mood became awkward.
Chang Haojie was relatively fine, as he had already heard of Shen Feng's decision and was somewhat prepared. However, Chang Jianyi and Chu Chaoyan did not understand. They couldn't comprehend why Shen Feng insisted on undertaking such a dangerous task. The dangers at sea were no less, if not more, than on land. Why take such a great risk?
"Why must you go out to sea? If the Ability Administration is persuading you, we can give them a lot of evolution base points to silence them. Yuzhou is incredibly stable now; there's no need to risk going out to sea, nor is there any need to obey the headquarters' orders. Moreover, the headquarters has no mandatory order for you to depart now," Chang Jianyi asked, bewildered. She couldn't understand why Shen Feng insisted on going to sea, choosing a perilous voyage over a peaceful life.