Under the cover of night, Shen Feng, carrying Chu Chaoyan on his back, rushed towards Yuzhou. After two hours, they finally reached the camp. Currently, one-fifth of Yuzhou's main urban area had been recovered, a relatively fast pace, mainly because no one was obstructing them. Almost everyone in Jiangyang had been mobilized, and the speed of cleaning and moving corpses had also increased.
Now, there were 30,000 people in Yuzhou, all working hard to recover the city. Along the Yangtze River, black smoke rose every day, not due to fires, but because pollutants were being burned along the riverbanks. All clothing or food that had come into contact with corpses was being incinerated.
Initially, according to Shen Feng's plan, it was enough to simply throw all potentially contaminated items into the Yangtze River. However, Professor Niu Baiye reminded Shen Feng that if the plague spread downstream, it could cause the transmission of the epidemic. Currently, the plague was only appearing in a small area in the southwest and could be controlled. If it spread nationwide, it would be very difficult to eradicate.
Shen Feng originally didn't care about the people downstream, but after careful consideration, the act of shifting the burden to neighbors was too unethical. It was better to burn them properly.
Thus, the people of Yuzhou could only first burn pollutants along the Yangtze River and then throw the residue into the water. This way, the spread of the plague could be avoided.
After Shen Feng brought Chu Chaoyan to Yuzhou, he quickly saw Zhou Xiaoxiao waiting in the office. Zhou Xiaoxiao had dark circles under his eyes, clearly exhausted these days. Yang Chang was also sitting behind the desk. After using the ability-enhancing potion, he had finally woken up after a week.
Upon seeing Shen Feng, Yang Chang immediately stood up and reported, "City Lord, I am now an ability user. I can manipulate silver! Believe it or not, look!"
As he finished speaking, Yang Chang waved his hand, and the bracelet on his wrist immediately turned into liquid, then condensed into flying knives. The silver bracelet in Yang Chang's hand seemed to have gained a life of its own, constantly shifting between solid and liquid. This ability was indeed very useful, but it required silver to use, which was somewhat difficult, as silver was also very valuable.
Zhou Xiaoxiao quickly handed over a report and said to Shen Feng, "This was sent from Jiangyang by the Deputy City Lord during the day. It is said to be found in the data you brought back. This is important information about ability users!"
Shen Feng quickly took the data and read it carefully, while also telling Yang Chang, "Familiarize yourself with your abilities first. After some time, we might have to go to the battlefield again!"
Yang Chang nodded and sat down. He had now become a third-tier ability user and was extremely excited. He had been envious of Guo Pinming becoming an ability user, and then Chu Chaoyan also became one. His mindset was completely unbalanced. Fortunately, Shen Feng had not forgotten him and had also given him the ability-enhancing potion.
Yang Chang was filled with gratitude towards Shen Feng at this moment. He was grateful that Shen Feng had not forgotten him even now. As Shen Feng's loyal subordinate, he was very pleased.
Shen Feng began to read the report, and Chu Chaoyan also leaned closer to observe carefully. The two of them discovered that the laboratory in Rongcheng had already conducted such in-depth research on ability users that they had even begun to summarize the classification of ability users.
"Ability users can generally be divided into three categories. The first is the enhancement type, which can enhance a certain aspect of oneself, or improve vision, allowing one to see targets several kilometers away by strengthening the eyeballs, or strengthen hair, allowing it to grow freely and cause damage using body parts. However, their combat ability is not outstanding, making them suitable for auxiliary combat," Chu Chaoyan read from the document.
"The second category is the material type, which can manipulate a specific substance on Earth, such as water flow or steel. This type of ability is relatively special. During combat, one can freely manipulate the corresponding substance. According to investigations, this is also the most common type of ability among existing abilities. When used properly, it can cause great damage and even change the course of a battle."
"The third category of abilities is the most terrifying, which is the natural type. It can manipulate certain natural phenomena, such as lightning, gravity, light, and even phenomena like rain and earthquakes. Once the ability is enhanced, it is easy to cause disasters when used! This type of ability is the rarest, with less than twenty natural ability users worldwide!"
After reading this document, Chu Chaoyan nodded and said with realization, "So, I am a material-type ability user, as I can manipulate chlorine gas. Shen Feng, you are a natural-type ability user, right?"
Meanwhile, Shen Feng was silent, staring blankly at the document in front of him, as if contemplating something specific.
Seeing Shen Feng like this, Zhou Xiaoxiao couldn't help but ask, "City Lord, what are you thinking about?"
Shen Feng came back to his senses and explained to Zhou Xiaoxiao, "I was thinking about Devil Fruits. This document from the laboratory seems to have a suspicion of plagiarism. I'm worried if they will be sued by lawyers. It's probably me overthinking!"
Zhou Xiaoxiao was somewhat amused and helpless, saying, "City Lord, can you worry about something else? What is this even about? Where can we find Devil Fruits in this world? Besides, we can still go into the water, we haven't become afraid of water, have we? Your worries are completely unnecessary."
Shen Feng scratched his head sheepishly and smiled, "Sorry, I used to watch too many anime and couldn't help but make associations. I will definitely correct this habit. Speaking of which, they are indeed different things. Although there are three categories, the essence is different."
At this moment, Zhou Xiaoxiao looked around and leaned in to whisper to Shen Feng, "City Lord, I recently investigated and learned some news. How is the battle situation in Yanjing? Don't be afraid!"
Shen Feng nodded seriously, waved his hand, and said sternly, "I am an ability user, I am not afraid."
"Then I'll say it. In the Yanjing area, over two hundred Corpse Kings have united, gathering zombies from several northern provinces to attack Yanjing. The number is about 180 million!" Zhou Xiaoxiao did not avoid Yang Chang and Chu Chaoyan and directly stated the answer.
"How much? I didn't study much, don't lie to me!" Shen Feng was startled, unexpectedly receiving such explosive news. 180 million, wouldn't that mean all the zombies from the northeastern provinces have come? With so many zombies, it's no wonder headquarters' reaction was so intense, gathering national troops to resist the zombies!
"City Lord, you just said you wouldn't be afraid, why are you so timid now?" Although Zhou Xiaoxiao had expected Shen Feng's reaction to be intense, Shen Feng's current shocked appearance was still somewhat exaggerated.
Shen Feng spread his hands helplessly and said, "It's easy for you to say! When I went to support Rongcheng before, I faced four million zombies. At that time, it felt like zombies were everywhere, as far as the eye could see, with no end in sight. If it weren't for the thermobaric bomb, we wouldn't have been able to fight against so many zombies. Now, 180 million zombies! How can this be resisted?"
"Aren't there nuclear bombs?" Zhou Xiaoxiao asked somewhat blankly.
Shen Feng pursed his lips and said speechlessly, "...Come on, the deterrent effect of nuclear bombs is obviously stronger, right? Under normal circumstances, dropping two nuclear bombs would make the other side surrender. Do you think zombies will surrender? Not to mention that zombies are everywhere. Who knows how many nuclear bombs it would take to kill all these zombies!"
Yang Chang also suddenly reacted and quickly asked, "Did you mean this when you said there would be a battle in the future? Are we going to fight in Yanjing?"
Shen Feng nodded helplessly and said, "That's right. After Yuzhou is recovered and the main urban area is completely cleared, I plan to lead the soldiers north to participate in the war. It seems now that the battle will be even more brutal than I imagined. If we can't find a way to turn the tide, it will be impossible to eliminate so many zombies in a short time."
Zhou Xiaoxiao also sighed helplessly. He thought that it would be enough to simply recover cities step by step, but he did not expect that a counterattack by the zombies would lead to Yanjing falling into crisis. If Yanjing could not be defended, wouldn't it mean that humanity was no match for zombies?
Chu Chaoyan heard their discussion and couldn't help but take out a small notebook and record their conversation: "Yanjing is facing an unprecedented crisis. If anything unexpected happens, the entire Yanjing will be submerged by the zombie tide."
After the discussion ended, Shen Feng took Chu Chaoyan and, under the cover of night, began to inject chlorine gas into the sewers. Chlorine gas is heavier than air, so after being injected into the sewers, it will accumulate at the bottom and will not disperse for a short period of time. During this time, the rats in the sewers will only be killed by the poisonous gas.
Shen Feng looked up at the many tall buildings in the city center and couldn't help but say, "In a few days, we'll be going to the city center. It's worthy of being called a mountain city. Looking up from the bottom, it's like a high mountain. I don't know if the recovery plan will go smoothly."
Chu Chaoyan secretly glanced at Shen Feng and found that Shen Feng had fallen into thought. She also began to ponder, "Even if Shen Feng leads people to Yanjing, they won't be able to defeat the zombies, right? If I had to choose, I wouldn't go to such a dangerous place."
Before, Chu Chaoyan thought Shen Feng was a so-called egoist, only seeking profit all day long. But now, it seemed that Shen Feng's choice was the most appropriate. If he foolishly rushed out to relieve Yanjing, he might not be able to defeat the zombies and wouldn't even get Yuzhou.
Now, Chu Chaoyan gradually understood Shen Feng's decision because she began to put herself in his shoes. If she were to make the decision, would she bravely charge forward to face an enemy that was impossible to defeat?
...
When the sun rose from the east, Ke Yiming also slowly emerged from the tent. He had been wandering in the mountains these days, trying to find Shen Feng. However, there were many mountains around Yuzhou, and now it was the end of the world. It was not easy to find Shen Feng in the mountains. Therefore, Ke Yiming had found no clues during his days in the mountains.
Ke Yiming actually wanted to use satellites to find Shen Feng, but Shen Feng's group was too small. Fifty people went into the mountains, and satellites couldn't find them. Therefore, Ke Yiming could only head towards Yuzhou and Jiangyang. He hoped to get some crucial information from the informant, Pangolin.
Ke Yiming found a motorcycle and rode it straight to Jiangyang. At this moment, this was the only method he had.
When Ke Yiming arrived in Jiangyang, he saw the fifteen-meter-high city wall from afar. At the city gate, there was also a registration office. No matter who it was, they needed to register before entering the city, otherwise, the dozen soldiers at the city gate were all guarding with rifles. If anyone did not cooperate, they would step forward to deal with them.
After registration, people would receive a pass. When entering and exiting the city gate, they would show the pass. This way, it could ensure that outsiders could not enter the city at will.
Ke Yiming couldn't help but curse in his heart, "I thought Shen Feng building the city wall was a waste of effort back then. Now it seems that this kid built the city wall purely to manage the people below. What a cunning and treacherous guy!"
Ke Yiming walked to the registration office and said, "I want to enter the city. Please register and issue a pass."
The staff member, without looking up, directly asked, "Name, occupation, age!"
Ke Yiming casually replied, "My name is Nie Feng, unemployed, age twenty-one!"
"I'm Bu Jingyun too. Hurry up and answer honestly, otherwise I'll call the city defense army to deal with you!" The staff member looked up angrily, seeing such a perfunctory person for the first time.
Ke Yiming quickly changed his words and said, "My brain malfunctioned just now, I misspoke. My name is Chen Beixuan. Is that okay now?"
"Do you think I'm someone who hasn't read books? Let me tell you, I've been in the online literature world for twenty years. What kind of books haven't I read? If you keep talking nonsense, don't blame me for getting serious!" The staff member was somewhat angry when he saw the person in front of him daring to challenge his hobby. You dare to say the names of novel protagonists, do you think I read few books?
"I was wrong, I was wrong. I'm so embarrassed. I've been reading novels these days, which has affected my mental state." Ke Yiming quickly apologized and then changed his words, "My name is Li Chao, unemployed. I want to enter the city to make a living. Please don't mind."
"That's right. Answer honestly, and I won't make things difficult for you, will I? Take the pass with you. After entering the city, go to the talent market. Seeing that you are young and strong, you can earn a lot of grain by working there. Let me remind you, don't be deceived by women. Things like honey traps are quite common recently." The staff member reminded Ke Yiming while processing his pass.
Ke Yiming nodded and thought to himself, "The name Li Chao is indeed useful. Such an ordinary name, no one would be suspicious."
Ke Yiming arrived at the city gate and was searched by the soldiers. No dangerous items were found, so he was allowed to pass. However, Ke Yiming clearly saw a soldier pocket one of his compressed biscuits, which made Ke Yiming somewhat angry, but he couldn't erupt now.
"Damn it, I, a dignified ability user, am now having my food stolen by an ordinary person. It's embarrassing to even say it. If it weren't for the need to investigate Shen Feng's whereabouts, I would have beaten him up right now!" Ke Yiming was extremely displeased.
"What are you looking at? If you're not happy, go find property management!" The soldier saw Ke Yiming standing still and couldn't help but scold him. It's just a compressed biscuit, are you unhappy?
"It's nothing!" Ke Yiming put on his backpack and entered the city. He tried his best to control his emotions. He couldn't erupt at this time; he still had a mission to complete!