Under Yu Renshu's command, nearly two thousand people moved into the blocks. The roads leading here were then sealed off. Three thousand survivors were rescued from within the blocks. The city's population density was extremely high; a single block the size of a medical college housed three thousand survivors. Naturally, the number of zombies in this area was also substantial.
Yu Renshu continued to employ Chang Jianyi's methods, centralizing all food supplies for management. While idlers could be supported, no one was allowed to hoard large amounts of food. Consequently, those rescued had no choice but to depend on others. There were some who resisted, but they were beaten into submission by Yang Chang and his men.
Yu Renshu thought to herself, "Now is the time to enhance my own strength while I still hold power. Otherwise, once Shen Feng recovers, I'll just be a mere researcher."
Thus, Yu Renshu immediately instructed Yin Li, who was by her side, "Go and turn on the generator, use the printing equipment to print recruitment orders, and recruit young, strong individuals to join the combat team. Also, have Ren Jing and Li Xiang collect all the clothes from the apparel store. From now on, members of the Self-Help Association will need to be distinguished by their attire."
Yu Renshu had already planned that while recruiting personnel, she could seize the opportunity to build her own contingent of followers. Furthermore, using clothing as a distinction would ensure that once Shen Feng recovered, he would not dare to underestimate her upon seeing her command of a combat force.
Unexpectedly, Yin Li then said, "Vice President, recruiting personnel requires the President's approval. You do not have the authority to decide on recruitment yourself!"
"I am the Vice President, and the President is currently absent, making me the highest authority. How can I not recruit?" Yu Renshu was very displeased. She was already the Vice President, yet someone among her subordinates refused to obey orders, which was truly detestable.
Yin Li continued, "Vice President Chang Jianyi previously stated that you were to command our relocation. Therefore, during the relocation, you were the highest authority. However, now that the relocation is complete, your task is finished. All other matters require the President's approval!"
"I… you dare to play me!" Yu Renshu heard this and turned to leave. She had not expected that after her hard work, she would have no power afterward. It seemed she had underestimated Chang Jianyi, who could still use her at such a crucial moment!
Afterward, Yu Renshu no longer bothered with the subsequent matters and returned directly to her laboratory. While it was called a laboratory, it was actually her private domain; no one could enter without her permission. Within a certain box in the laboratory, blood was flowing out.
Upon seeing the box, Yu Renshu's face immediately showed a cold smile, and she said, "You all think I'm easy to manipulate, don't you? But when I gain greater strength, you won't be able to ignore my influence!"
Yu Renshu couldn't swallow the humiliation of the day. She had helped Chang Jianyi with the subsequent relocation at a critical moment, only to be double-crossed in return. All her power was gone, leaving only the title of Vice President. After much thought, Yu Renshu decided to subtly retaliate against Shen Feng, lest he overlook her existence.
Meanwhile, at the clinic, Chang Jianyi, after hearing Yin Li's report, smiled and said, "Yin Li, you did very well. The Doctor has already secured her own separate quarters, which can be considered a benefit for her. If she still wants to form her own team, that would be too much, especially a combat team. She absolutely cannot get her hands on that!"
Yin Li quickly asked, "Vice President, the survivors who were rescued are very resentful. They feel that we have occupied their homes and taken their rightful food. They are gathering together and seem to be preparing to cause trouble. We need to handle this quickly!"
Hearing this, Chang Jianyi felt helpless. "These people only see what we've done and not that we cleared the nearby zombies to ensure their safety? Truly detestable! They can forget the life-saving grace! Don't worry, the President has recovered very well, and we have evolved individuals. If they dare to cause trouble, we will suppress them directly!"
Yin Li nodded and left, preparing to inform the combat team to keep an eye on the survivors, preventing them from causing trouble.
Chang Jianyi muttered to herself, "It seems recruiting personnel is also imperative!"
What can be done with those who wish to rebel? Suppressing them would appear too bloody and ultimately escalate the conflict. The best approach is to win them over, drawing those who wish to rebel into one's own ranks. This will make it difficult for the remaining individuals to rebel.
Chang Jianyi returned to the ward, but she was surprised to find Shen Feng standing up and walking around the room after waking up. His wounds had already healed, and there was no sign of his previous near-death state! Chang Jianyi speculated that during Shen Feng's evolution, his hematopoietic function had instantly increased, providing him with sufficient blood cells and doubling his recovery ability. Within mere seconds, his wounds had healed on their own.
"Didn't I tell you to lie down? Why are you walking around everywhere?" Chang Jianyi said with displeasure.
The sky was gradually darkening. Shen Feng was lighting a candle in the room. Upon hearing his senior's voice, he replied with a smile, "I have recovered! And I feel my physical condition has reached a new level. Even the special abilities I can use have been enhanced!"
"Oh? What can you do with your special abilities now?" Chang Jianyi asked curiously. Currently, the only ability users were Shen Feng and Hou Wenxi, whom Shen Feng had killed. Therefore, Chang Jianyi did not know what special things ability users could accomplish. At this moment, she hoped to witness it firsthand.
Shen Feng slowly placed the candle in his hand on the table, and then it vanished. Chang Jianyi had not even seen Shen Feng's movement clearly. At that moment, a pair of strong arms appeared from behind, tightly embracing Chang Jianyi. Shen Feng appeared behind her and whispered, "Now, I can use the wind to accelerate myself. Currently, I can barely dodge bullets. I call this move 'Wind Walker.' What do you think?"
Chang Jianyi now understood. It turned out her junior had truly recovered. Otherwise, how could he have exhibited such speed? It was like a gust of wind, moving from in front of her to behind her in the blink of an eye.
However, Chang Jianyi suddenly remembered something else and quickly asked, "Right, what about that move you mentioned earlier where a whirlwind appeared around you, blowing away nearby objects? What is that called?"
"I haven't decided yet. How about you help me think of one, Senior?" Shen Feng said with a smile.
Chang Jianyi truly began to ponder. After half a minute, she proposed the name she had thought of: "How about calling it 'Eye of the Hurricane'? Because you stand in the center and are unaffected, like an eye, and you are the pupil."
"Whatever Senior says, it is. I'll listen to you!" Shen Feng replied softly.
Chang Jianyi then remembered something and quickly said to Shen Feng, "The survivors rescued today have intentions of rebellion. I'm wondering if we should recruit personnel. Otherwise, the people below will rebel sooner or later. Although we can defeat them, disputes are always undesirable."
Shen Feng slowly released his arms around his senior and then turned her to face him. He asked seriously, "Senior, there are only the two of us here now. Can you answer my question truthfully?"
"Of course!" Chang Jianyi did not understand why Shen Feng was asking this and felt a little puzzled.
Shen Feng took a deep breath and said to his senior, "Since we have achieved our objective, what are we still waiting for? Why aren't we leaving? My parents and sister are all in Rongcheng. Let's go find them now. As for the matters in Luzhou, we don't need to worry about them. Just elect a President and a Vice President, and let them handle the subsequent actions. Isn't that better?"
Hearing this, Chang Jianyi fell silent for a moment. Her eyes flickered. After a while, she said, "I know Rongcheng has been recaptured, but our safety is guaranteed here. Why shouldn't we stay? This is my hometown!"
Shen Feng understood his senior's meaning. She actually did not want to leave. At this moment, she wanted to stay and defend her hometown and its people.
Chang Jianyi continued, "Besides, didn't we promise Dr. Yu Renshu that we would help her return to Yanjing?"
"Going to Rongcheng will allow her to return to Yanjing the fastest!" Shen Feng said calmly. "We can bring the Doctor along. She has already conducted extensive research on the virus. Once we reach Rongcheng, people in Yanjing will recognize her value and quickly arrange for her to be picked up, won't they?"
Chang Jianyi gritted her teeth and said, "But what if Rongcheng is not safe? I'm not talking about zombie attacks, but about your identity. You are now an ability user. Evolved individuals can be manufactured with potions, but what about ability users? Now that you have abilities, what if someone captures you for research?"
"How could that happen? I'm so strong now. Once I return, I will definitely become a major combat force!" Shen Feng was dismissive of his senior's argument.
"What if you are sent out to die?" Chang Jianyi asked directly. "On someone else's territory, your life and death will be dictated by their orders. I don't believe that no matter how strong you are, others won't try to recruit you. If recruitment fails, they'll send you to dangerous places to die!"
Hearing this, Shen Feng frowned. It seemed his senior's words had some merit. He had only considered that Rongcheng had been recaptured but had not thought about what would happen after arriving in Rongcheng. It seemed the living conditions were unclear, and what he would be doing there was also unclear. If he went, he might truly lose his autonomy.
Chang Jianyi continued, "Think carefully, do we really need to seek protection from others? Can't we build our own base? If you're worried about your parents, you can bring them over after the base is established. We'll still be a family!"
"Senior, are you perhaps unwilling to give up everything you've gained so far?" Shen Feng suddenly asked.
Previously, Chang Jianyi had analyzed the situation from an objective perspective, and her reasoning seemed sound. However, at this moment, Shen Feng's question left Chang Jianyi unsure how to answer. Should she answer yes or no? Answering no would be a deception, while answering yes would make her appear as a fame-seeking woman.
Finally, Chang Jianyi gritted her teeth and said, "Yes!"
Shen Feng immediately embraced his senior. At this moment, he felt a sense of vexation, unsure of what to do. Was it correct to go to Rongcheng for protection, or was it correct to stay with his senior and establish their own base? He could only whisper, "Tomorrow, we'll recruit personnel first. We'll take it one step at a time!"
At this moment, Shen Feng could not figure it out. He desperately needed someone to guide him, but such a person was nowhere to be found!
Chang Jianyi also said nothing. Ever since she had been confined after the zombie outbreak, she had understood one thing: she could never entrust her safety to others, or the outcome might be dire. To ensure her own safety, only she herself could do it. Moreover, Chang Jianyi now believed she had gained power and was unwilling to relinquish it. Why should she allow others to become the power holders after she had worked so hard to reach this point?
A difference of opinion emerged between the two. Shen Feng could only choose to temporarily set aside the matter, preparing to discuss it again when the opportunity arose.