Deep in the Qinling Mountains · 77th Group Army Underground Command Hub, "Panshi Fortress"
The lead-gray alloy gate slowly opened with the hiss of hydraulic machinery, and the strong smell of blood mixed with the pungent odor of disinfectant fiercely slapped the faces of the soldiers lined up outside.
Despite wearing thick gas masks, the sweet, cloying smell of ruptured internal organs mixed with the stench of fecal incontinence stubbornly penetrated, irritating everyone's nostrils and stomachs.
"Third Squad! Move in!" The squad leader's voice was hoarse, issuing a muffled command through his mask.
A team of soldiers, dressed in heavy NBC suits and carrying sprayers, silently stepped into the world behind the gate.
Under the pale emergency lights was a wide tunnel temporarily repurposed as an "incineration passage."
On both sides of the tunnel, bodies were piled up like discarded sacks, extending into the darkness beyond the reach of the lights. Bodies in various military uniforms, medical scrubs, and even logistics support uniforms were grotesquely intertwined.
Some had shattered skulls, red and white matter mixed together; some had their chests completely ripped open, internal organs trailing out; some had limbs torn off by immense force, with sinews and muscles exposed at the breaks… The ground was already covered with viscous, semi-coagulated dark red blood and shattered tissue, making a nauseating "squelch" when stepped on.
"Hurry up! Spray B-7 disinfectant gel! Cover all exposed wounds and bodily fluids!"
The squad leader's voice was undeniably stern, but if one listened closely, a subtle tremor could be detected.
The soldiers immediately sprang into action. High-pressure spray guns emitted a piercing hum, and a pale green, strongly pungent, viscous gel sprayed over the piles of bodies like a downpour.
Upon contact with flesh and blood, the gel immediately produced a faint "sizzling" corrosive sound, and a light yellowish-green smoke rose. This was a highly effective disinfectant specifically developed for the ghoul virus, capable of rapidly inactivating the virus and preventing secondary infections and mutations.
But spraying it on such a massive, gruesome pile of bodies felt more like a desperate ritual.
"Squad leader… this… how many must there be…" A recruit's voice came through his mask, with an uncontrollable tremor and a sob. His hand, holding the gel sprayer, trembled violently, and the pale green liquid sprayed crookedly onto the wall.
"Shut up! Follow orders!" The squad leader snapped, but when his gaze swept over the pile of young bodies in recruit training uniforms, almost blocking half the tunnel, his Adam's apple bobbed violently, and his voice lowered, "…At least… six thousand… This is just Sector C…"
Six thousand. This was just one of the cleanup zones in this underground fortress code-named "The Boulder."
And there were seven more such cleanup zones in the vast underground complex.
When the apocalypse erupted, this ultimate fortress, built into the mountain and said to withstand nuclear strikes, became an iron coffin that devoured lives.
The internal personnel were densely packed, and the ventilation system instantly became a high-speed channel for virus dissemination.
Over seventy percent of the officers, soldiers, and logistics personnel mutated or were torn apart by mutated comrades in the initial chaos.
On the third day of the Blood Moon Cataclysm, when the surviving command system finally re-established order and activated the highest level of biochemical isolation protocols, the interior of the fortress had already become a living hell.
The cleanup operation had been ongoing for a full day and night.
The soldiers moved mechanically, spraying, covering, sealing relatively intact bodies in body bags, which were then transported by simple trolleys by the transport team behind them to the incinerators deeper inside.
Shattered, unidentifiable remains were sprayed with high-concentration disinfectant gel on the spot, then piled into designated areas awaiting centralized disposal.
Oppressive, deathly silent.
Only the hum of the spray guns, the grating sound of trolley wheels against the ground, and the heavy, suppressed breathing inside the NBC suits echoed in the empty tunnel.
"Goddammit…" an old soldier cursed under his breath, forcefully stuffing a body that was only a torso, with intestines trailing on the ground, into a body bag.
His NBC suit mask was splattered with viscous blood and pale green gel.
"I've been a soldier for over ten years, been in drills more brutal than this, but… but what the hell is this? Dying by our own people… no, dying by these ghastly things…"
"Save your strength, Old Zhao."
A soldier next to him, equally covered in blood, responded in a muffled voice.
He was trying to separate two bodies that were tightly embracing and had torn each other to death, but the decaying flesh had already adhered, and a slight pull would tear off a large piece of skin.
"Let's finish this early… get out of this cursed place early… I'd rather go out and fight those monsters with real blades!"
"Go out?" Old Zhao scoffed, his voice heavy with fatigue and mockery.
"You think it's better out there? Didn't you hear those wails on the radio? The entire Jiuan City is completely finished! Tens of millions of people… all became fodder for those things! Here… at least we're still alive…"
"Alive?"
Another young soldier's voice, tinged with a sob, interjected. He had just finished spraying a pile of remains and was leaning against the wall, dry-heaving.
"My sister… my sister is still studying at Linghui Academy… in her last year of high school… only seventeen… now… now…" He couldn't continue, his body trembling violently.
Linghui Academy.
This name was like a stone thrown into a still pond, instantly creating ripples in the hearts of several soldiers.
"Ling Hui?" A tall soldier who was sealing a body suddenly looked up, his voice through the NBC suit carrying a hint of imperceptible tension, "The city key school? In the new district of the east side of the city?"
"Yes… that one…"
The young soldier choked back a sob and nodded.
"My parents are both out of town, only she and Grandma are in the city. Grandma lives in the old district, the phone… the phone hasn't been working for a long time… She… she must be at the Academy… so many people… so many monsters…"
He could no longer control himself, squatting on the ground, letting out suppressed whimpers through his mask, like a wounded beast.
The tall soldier was silent for a few seconds, then continued his actions, but his fingers, sealing the body bag, were noticeably gripping much harder, his knuckles white.
"…She'll be fine."
His voice was low, as if he was comforting the other person, and also as if he was convincing himself,
"Ling Hui… is a newly built campus… good facilities… high walls… students… are also clever…"
"Clever for what good!" Old Zhao rudely interrupted him, pointing to the bodies on the ground, dressed in military uniforms, who were once equally "clever," "Look at these! Which one isn't a well-trained soldier? In front of those ghastly things, they're like paper! A school? Tens of thousands of students crammed together? That's just a jar for raising ghouls! How many can survive?"
His words were like cold knives, brutally piercing the young soldier's last hope. The whimpers turned into desperate wails.
"Enough! Old Zhao!" The squad leader sternly stopped him, "Execute the mission! If you say one more word, you can go monitor the incinerator!"
The tunnel fell into oppressive silence again, with only the hum of the spray guns and the noise of the trolleys, and that uncontrollable, desperate crying.
The tall soldier finished sealing the last body and silently walked over to the young soldier, patting his violently trembling shoulder. The NBC suit was thick, so no body temperature could be felt, but the action itself carried a silent heaviness.
"My younger brother… is also at Ling Hui." His voice was very low, through the mask, only the young soldier beside him could barely hear, "Class 3, Grade 12… named Li Mingyu."
The young soldier suddenly looked up, staring at the other person through the blurry mask lenses.
"He… is very strong… he never lost a fight since he was little…" The tall soldier's voice carried a hint of imperceptible hoarseness, "…I hope… he can survive."
He said no more, turning to walk towards the next pile of bodies that needed to be processed. His back, under the pale light, appeared exceptionally heavy.
Deep in the tunnel, the massive feeding port of the incinerator was like the throat of a giant beast, emitting scorching heat waves and the foul smell of burning flesh.
Bodies wrapped in body bags were grabbed by mechanical arms and thrown into the abyss of rolling dark red flames. The firelight reflected on the soldiers' silent NBC masks, casting a cold and numb sheen. …
Panshi Fortress Core Area · A-1 Strategic Command Room
The heavy lead-alloy door was tightly closed, completely isolating the gruesome scene of mountains of corpses and rivers of blood outside, and the pungent smell of disinfectant.
The command room was brightly lit, with a huge holographic tactical sand table occupying the center of the room. On the blue light screen, a three-dimensional model of Jiuan City and its surrounding areas was meticulously displayed.
Scarlet dots representing ghoul clusters, like festering sores, densely covered the entire urban area and were still spreading outwards.
In front of the sand table, a dozen military officers with general stars on their shoulders were seated.
Most of them were over fifty, with resolute faces and eyes as sharp as eagles, but at this moment, a layer of unbreakable gloom and fatigue clouded everyone's brows. The air was thick with the heavy smell of tobacco and oppressive silence.
At the main seat, an old man with white hair and a gaunt face, wearing three gold stars on his shoulder, slowly put down the electronic report board in his hand. He was the Commander of the 77th Group Army, General Qin Weiguo. His gaze swept over every general present, his voice deep and hoarse, carrying an undeniable authority.
"The situation is worse than we expected." He spoke, breaking the silence, "'The Boulder' internal cleanup completion is 73%, casualties and missing personnel count… over thirty-five thousand. Weapon and ammunition depots are relatively well-preserved, but energy reserves… especially fuel and electricity, are only enough to maintain the fortress's minimum operation for 15 days."
He paused, then tapped a finger on the sand table control panel. A localized area of Jiuan City's East District was magnified, and an area marked with a red triangle lit up.
“According to the last satellite images and low-altitude drone reconnaissance intelligence, the number of survivor strongholds in the city… is more than imagined, but among them, only a few have signs of resistance and strategic value.
The closest one to us is here—Linghui Academy.”
The holographic image switched, and an aerial view of Linghui Academy appeared.
It was a newly built campus with tall walls and well-arranged teaching buildings.
But at this moment, the walls were damaged in many places, and scorched marks from explosions and large patches of congealed dark red bloodstains could be seen everywhere on campus.
The windows of several teaching buildings were shattered, like wounds gnawed by a giant beast.
“Linghui Academy…” Chief of Staff Li Zhenbang, a Major General, pushed up his glasses, his gaze sharp behind the lenses.
“Its location is crucial.
It’s in the core of the city’s East New District, adjacent to the Qing River that runs through the city, and backed by the foothills of Yunwu Mountain.
The campus itself is on higher ground, with an open view and relatively sturdy building structures.
More importantly,”
He drew a virtual line on the sand table with his finger.
“It’s located at the choke point of the main road leading from the urban area to the northern mountains, and eastward to the highway network of the neighboring province!
If we are to retake the urban area in the future, or establish a safe passage to the outside world, this place… is a strategic fulcrum that must be captured!”
“Strategic fulcrum?” A rugged-faced Army Lieutenant General with two stars on his shoulder, Wang Tieshan, who was the Deputy Commander of the Group Army, snorted coldly.
“Chief of Staff Li, anyone can talk theory!
Look at this scale!”
He pointed at the crimson light spots representing the zombie hordes on the sand table, which formed several huge, whirlpool-like deep red areas around Linghui Academy!
“Conservatively estimated, the number of zombies entrenched inside and outside the academy exceeds five thousand!
And that doesn’t even count the mutated beasts!
We’ve just gone through a catastrophe!
Our troops are severely depleted, morale is low!
Ammunition and energy are scarce!
What do we use to gnaw on this hard bone?
Fill it with lives?!”
“Deputy Commander Wang is right, a frontal assault is not advisable.” Another Air Force Lieutenant General, Liu Yunfeng, with thinning hair and a steady demeanor, slowly spoke.
“Due to a large number of air force personnel mutating, our air power has suffered heavy losses, and the few remaining armed helicopters need to perform more important reconnaissance and emergency support missions.
Ground forces… need rest, and even more, need to understand the situation.”
“Therefore, I suggest,” Chief of Staff Li Zhenbang’s gaze swept over everyone, and he said in a deep voice, “adopting a strategy of ‘wait and see, precise intervention’.”
He operated on the control panel, and several small green dots lit up at the location of Linghui Academy on the sand table.
“First, send out elite reconnaissance teams, carrying high-power signal repeaters and miniature drones, to secretly infiltrate near Linghui Academy.
Establish forward observation posts to continuously monitor survivor activities inside the academy, zombie distribution, and… the types and strengths of mutated entities.
We need the most real and timely intelligence!”
“Second, activate ‘Spark’ Plan Phase Two.
Utilize the radio frequencies we control to broadcast safety information and rallying orders to all possible survivor strongholds in the urban area.
But the rallying point… is not near the fortress, but…” His finger pointed at the sand table.
An abandoned industrial park less than five kilometers from Linghui Academy, “Here! Code-named 【Campfire】!
The industrial park buildings are sturdy, with large internal spaces, easy to defend and difficult to attack.
More importantly, it is located on the flank and rear of Linghui Academy; once there is a change in the academy’s direction, we can react quickly!”
“Third, and most crucial,” Li Zhenbang’s voice became solemn, “we need to find and evaluate the… ‘special talents’ among the survivors.” He deliberately emphasized the last four words.
The generals present shifted their gazes slightly.
Clearly, they all knew what this meant.
“According to the accounts of some surviving officers within The Boulder, and scattered footage captured by drones,”
Li Zhenbang brought up several blurry video clips.
One showed a blurry figure at a supermarket entrance using a steel rod to smash a zombie away; another showed a teaching building window, where a blinding white beam of light flashed and disappeared; and another high-altitude overhead view seemed to show a metallic, reflective figure charging through the zombie horde on the playground.
“There are humans with special abilities in the city!
Their strength far exceeds that of ordinary people, their bodies can metallize, and they can even manipulate light energy!
These abilities are invaluable in the fight against zombies!”
He paused, his gaze sweeping over Deputy Commander Wang Tieshan: “Didn’t Deputy Commander Wang’s special operations brigade also encounter an extremely troublesome, giant feline mutant that could spit strong acid and poisonous mist when clearing Sector B?
How was it finally resolved?”
Wang Tieshan’s face was grim, and he said in a muffled voice: “It was that kid Yang Wenjie… his awakened ability… is very sinister.”
Everyone’s gaze focused on Wang Tieshan.
“That beast had thick skin and flesh; bullets were like tickles to it, and the acid it spat could even corrode alloys!” Wang Tieshan recalled, a hint of trepidation flashing in his eyes.
“We sacrificed seven brothers just to corner it… just as it was about to spray poisonous mist again… that kid Yang Wenjie suddenly rushed forward!
He wasn’t holding a weapon; he just… made a gripping motion in the air towards that beast!”
Wang Tieshan made a gesture of an empty grip.
“And then… that beast’s head… was like a tomato squeezed by an invisible giant hand… poof! It exploded!”
The command room was silent.
Everyone could imagine that bloody and bizarre scene.
“Squeezed… exploded from a distance?” Commander Qin Weiguo’s brows were tightly furrowed.
“Yes!” Wang Tieshan confirmed, “Post-mortem examination showed that the beast’s skull was completely pulverized, and its brain tissue turned into mush!
But Yang Wenjie himself… was almost crippled!
After using it once, his face turned pale, he vomited blood and fainted, and he’s still lying in the medical department now.
The doctor said he… had severe mental exhaustion and abnormally chaotic brainwaves.”
“This kind of ability…” Li Zhenbang’s eyes gleamed.
“We call it ‘telekinetic compression’.
Its destructive power is terrifying, but the cost is huge, and it’s difficult to control.
Yang Wenjie is an anomaly, but it’s enough to prove that there are powerful forces hidden among the survivors that we cannot imagine.
Linghui Academy, as one of the largest survivor strongholds, is very likely to have similar talents!
Perhaps… even stronger!”
He looked at Commander Qin Weiguo: “Commander, my suggestion is that while monitoring the academy, the reconnaissance team must prioritize evaluating the types, strengths, controllability, and… potential threats of the awakened individuals among the survivors!
Especially,”
His finger heavily tapped the location of Linghui Academy on the sand table,
“those offensive abilities that can cause large-scale casualties to zombie hordes, or can threaten our future operations!”
“Seconded.” Lieutenant General Liu Yunfeng nodded.
“Agreed.” The other generals also expressed their consent one after another.
Commander Qin Weiguo remained silent for a moment, his profound gaze sweeping over the huge sand table, over the area covered by crimson light spots, named Linghui Academy.
His finger unconsciously tapped the tabletop, making a dull “thud-thud” sound.
“Linghui Academy… its geographical location is indeed crucial.
Survivors… especially those with special abilities, are valuable resources, and also… potential destabilizing factors.”
He spoke slowly, his voice carrying the decisiveness of someone long in a high position.
“Chief of Staff Li’s plan is feasible.
But execution must be cautious!
The reconnaissance team members must be carefully selected, focusing on infiltration, observation, and intelligence gathering.
They must not expose themselves unless absolutely necessary, and even less, must not conflict with survivors!
The content of the ‘Spark’ broadcast must be carefully considered, both to give hope and to emphasize discipline and obedience!
As for the awakened individuals…”
He paused, his gaze becoming sharp as a knife.
“There is only one evaluation standard: whether they are controllable, and whether they are beneficial to the country and the people!
Any unstable factors that may threaten military operations or endanger survivor safety… must be identified in advance, and if necessary… eliminated!”
“Yes!” The generals responded solemnly.
“In addition,” Commander Qin Weiguo added, “notify Logistics and the Equipment Department to prioritize ensuring the equipment and materials needed for the reconnaissance team and the subsequent establishment of the ‘Anvil’ stronghold.
Especially… the research and development of special equipment targeting mutated entities and awakened individuals must be accelerated!
We don’t have much time left.”
The meeting ended.
The generals left one after another, and the heavy alloy door closed again, isolating the solemn atmosphere within the command room.
Commander Qin Weiguo stood alone in front of the huge sand table, gazing for a long time at the red triangular marker of Linghui Academy.
His finger lightly tapped the control panel, pulling up an encrypted file.
On the file photo, there was a girl in a blue and white school uniform with a bright smile.
Top Secret File 【Rose-07】.
Name: 【Encrypted】 → Public Name: Lin Wei
Family Relations:
Biological Mother: Lin Jingshu (CEO of Lin’s Heavy Industry, deceased in 2055 plane crash)
Biological Father: Qin Feng (Commander of the 7th Armored Division, deceased in the Blood Moon’s first night zombie transformation)
Security Note:
“In accordance with Article 13 of the ‘Wartime General’s Direct Relatives Protection Regulations’, the maternal surname and civilian identity are used for social placement.
Bio-Key: GH-73α”
The old man’s fingertip paused on his granddaughter’s latest photo: Lin Wei’s smiling face, wearing a chemistry competition gold medal at the Linghui Academy sports meet.
The icy sternness in his eyes cracked, and he murmured: “Jingshu… I promised to protect little Rose…”
In his deep eyes, a hint of imperceptible worry and determination flashed.
My granddaughter… I hope you can survive.
But if you truly possess that power… I hope you can make… the right choice.