Chapter 112

Chapter 112

As they walked further in, the alley became brighter and more crowded. Music emanated from houses with bar signs on either side.

Feng Chen stopped at the entrance of a bar and said to Yan Bubu, "You and Bino Bino wait here for me. I'll just ask around and come back out."

Yan Bubu initially wanted to follow, but worried the noise might disturb Bino Bino, so he agreed, "Then hurry back."

"Okay."

After Feng Chen entered, Yan Bubu stood by the door, receiving curious looks from those entering and leaving, their gazes lingering on his face.

Yan Bubu didn’t like these stares and moved to stand in front of a closed door, away from the crowd.

Under the eaves of the house across, someone stood wearing a dirty, unidentifiable-colored robe, holding a wooden plaque.

When Yan Bubu looked over, the man, his hair unkempt and only his eyes shining brightly, shouted at him, "The gods are calling us... accept it, obey, the gods are calling us to the sacred temple of Anboga..."

Followers of Anboga?

Yan Bubu quickly averted his gaze.

A drunkard approached the man, swaying, and asked, "If I, I join Anboga, can you give me, give me some drink?"

Yan Bubu heard the man reply, "For just five credit points, I can take you to the sacred temple of Anboga..."

"Pah, fake, pretending to be an Anboga follower, I've already, already met one up ahead."

The bar's door opened, and Feng Chen came out. Yan Bubu quickly approached him and asked, "How did it go? Did you find out anything?"

Feng Chen shook his head: "They don't know where the Haiyun City people are staying. Let's ask somewhere else."

Just as they walked a few steps, chaotic running sounds came from behind. Several people in tattered robes, holding wooden plaques, rushed past them, shouting to the man still talking to the drunk, "Run, the soldiers are coming!"

The robed man immediately pushed the drunkard away and ran after the others down the alley, leaving his wooden plaque on the ground.

"Stop, don't run!"

A squad of soldiers rushed past Yan Bubu and Feng Chen, quickly pinning the fleeing men to the ground and restraining their arms.

The captured men started to plead in panic, "Officer, officer, we are not Anboga followers, really not."

The squad leader circled around them, squatting in front of one, "You say you're not, and we should believe you? Take them away for now, interrogate them thoroughly, find out if they really are Anboga followers."

"Officer, we really aren't, we're just people from Room 46 in Zone A's settlement, you can check it. We were wrong, shouldn't have been blinded by greed and tried to scam money."

Next to them was a bar, with some people stepping out to watch the commotion, holding iron mugs in their hands, drinking and discussing.

"Let's not bother with this, let's go," Feng Chen said.

As he led Yan Bubu past the group, he glanced down and suddenly noticed one of the men on the ground, his complexion turning blue rapidly, with a purplish vein creeping up his forehead.

He abruptly halted, and as the man turned to bite the squad leader next to him, Feng Chen rushed forward, pushing the squad leader away while stabbing the man in the temple with a hidden blade.

With a dull thud, the dagger pierced the skull and was swiftly withdrawn, the man collapsing silently, black blood oozing from the wound next to his head.

All this happened in just two seconds. As Feng Chen retracted his blade and continued walking with Yan Bubu, everyone was still in shock, including the other captured men who remained silent.

"Wait, wait."

Feng Chen paused, seeing the squad leader catching up to them.

The squad leader's face was pale, still visibly shaken, and he said, "Th-thank you."

"It's nothing," Feng Chen continued walking forward, but the squad leader, looking at his retreating figure, asked, "Where are you heading? Do you need any help?"

Feng Chen, knowing the man wanted to express gratitude, initially intended to refuse, but then he paused, reconsidering.

"I want to ask if there are any people from Haiyun City living around here," Feng Chen said.

The squad leader looked surprised, "People from Haiyun City? Those who came nine years ago?"

"Do you know of them?" Feng Chen pressed.

The squad leader sized up Feng Chen and Yan Bubu, responding, "I myself came here from Haiyun City nine years ago."

Ten minutes later, Feng Chen and Yan Bubu followed the squad leader into the Western Alliance Army's station in Zone A, sitting in a room seemingly reserved for guests.

"Wait here, I'll go call Captain Wang," the squad leader hurried out of the room.

Yan Bubu surveyed the room, asking Feng Chen softly, "This soldier doesn't know the whereabouts of Colonel Yu and the others. Will this Captain Wang know?"

Feng Chen shook his head, "I'm not sure."

"What if he doesn't know either?"

After a moment of silence, Feng Chen replied, "Then I'll have to go back to the Eastern Alliance Army and contact Commissioner Chen Sizhe. He should know the whereabouts of Major General Lin and the others."

With a bang, the door was pushed open, and a military officer, about thirty years old and holding the rank of captain, strode in.

He stopped in front of Feng Chen, giving him a thorough look from head to toe, then suddenly burst into a smile, extending his hand: "Qin Shen, long time no see."

Feng Chen also stood up to shake his hand, recognizing him, "Wang Ping, Brother Wang."

"You've grown into a man, even more handsome, but still recognizable," Wang Ping patted Feng Chen's back and pointed to the sofa, "Sit."

He then walked to the door and shouted outside, "Bring us three cups of coffee." He turned to look at Yan Bubu, "One with extra sugar."

Sitting down on the sofa opposite them, Wang Ping sighed deeply, reflecting, "Back in the day at Haiyun Cave entrance, fighting the mutants, you were on the killing end, and I handled your mental field. It was tough, wasn’t it? That battle feels like it happened just yesterday. Now seeing you, I realize it's been nine years. You were only thirteen then, quite impressive. But then what happened afterward..."

Wang Ping stopped abruptly, but Feng Chen knew what he meant, simply saying, "Whatever happened, it’s all in the past."

"Yes, it's all in the past," Wang Ping fell silent for a few seconds, then asked, "So, you've been living in Haiyun City all these years?"

"Yes."

"Always in Haiyun City?"

"Always there."

"Alone?"

Feng Chen glanced at Yan Bubu, "The two of us."

Only then did Wang Ping notice Yan Bubu, his expression turning surprised and doubtful, "This is..."

"Yes, this is him, Yan Bubu." Feng Chen paused, then added, "Actually, my name isn't Qin Shen, it's Feng Chen."

Having fought side by side with Wang Ping, risking their lives together, Feng Chen felt no need to hide his identity any longer.

"To think he's really alright, truly recovered," Wang Ping, not concerned with the name revelation, leaned forward in astonishment to examine Yan Bubu. "We all thought... he's cured?"

"Yes, he's cured."

"It's really lucky, so very lucky," Wang Ping kept expressing his amazement.

Feng Chen smiled briefly, choosing not to elaborate on Yan Bubu's situation, and changed the subject: "Brother Wang, I want to ask about two people."

Wang Ping, who had been observing Yan Bubu, turned back with a more serious expression: "I know who you're asking about, just wait."

Wang Ping took out a small device from his pocket and clicked it on.

"A portable device for jamming surveillance," Wang Ping said with a smile, explaining, "Even though this is a Western Alliance Army station, both the Eastern and Western Alliances spying on each other has become the norm. Not just the guest rooms, but even the toilets need to be guarded against eavesdropping."

Feng Chen raised an eyebrow: "Same old, same old?"

"Yes, even if we've just cooperated in killing zombies, we try to slip a bug into each other's pockets while shaking hands," Wang Ping waved his hand and laughed. "Of course, that's an exaggeration, not to be taken literally."

After explaining, Wang Ping turned serious and said to Feng Chen, "I know you want to ask about Major General Lin and Colonel Yu. I've already contacted Colonel Su, he'll be here soon to talk to you."

"Colonel Su?"

"You must know him, the former Captain Su, now a colonel. By the way, the Western Alliance Army once opened a school on the Hive Ship, and he served as its principal."

Yan Bubu's spirits lifted, "Colonel Su, the principal."

The door was knocked, and a soldier came in carrying three cups of coffee.

Wang Ping didn't continue his previous conversation, instead instructing the soldier to hand the extra-sugared coffee to Yan Bubu. He picked up one cup for himself and passed the other to Feng Chen.

"Coffee beans grown in our plantation, quite rare. They were a reward for my last commendation, and I've been reluctant to drink them. You two are honored guests, so I have to serve them. Try it," Wang Ping said with a smile.

Coffee.

Yan Bubu's eyes lit up.

This was the coffee often seen in movies.

Holding his cup, he turned excitedly to look at Feng Chen.

Feng Chen, guessing what he was thinking, just smiled at him.

Yan Bubu sniffed the coffee, finding it somewhat reminiscent of burnt rice, and then took a cautious sip.

Hmm...

A bit strange.

Ah! So bitter! Bitter and sweet, what a strange and terrible taste!

Feng Chen, catching Yan Bubu's scrunched face from the corner of his eye, found it somewhat amusing.

"What's wrong, Yan Bubu? Not used to it?" Wang Ping looked at Yan Bubu. "I can have someone bring you hot water, add more sugar if you like it sweet."

"No need, I'll drink this." Yan Bubu, finally tasting the coffee he had longed for, was determined to finish it despite not liking it.

Bino Bino also peeked out of the bag, staring unblinkingly at the coffee cup.

Knowing Bino Bino was curious too, Yan Bubu brought the coffee to the edge of the bag and whispered, "Smell it, this is coffee."

Only then did Wang Ping notice Bino Bino: "I remember when you were bitten by a zombie, Colonel Yu mentioned you were evolving into a guide. Is this your quantum beast?"

Yan Bubu turned and replied, "Yes, it's called Bino Bino."

Bino Bino sniffed the coffee, wrinkled its brow, and turned its head away, refusing to smell it anymore.

Wang Ping stared at Bino Bino, only able to see its head, his expression turning suspicious: "This quantum beast... what species is it?"

"It's just Bino Bino," Yan Bubu said.

Wang Ping, not familiar with cartoons, had no idea what Yan Bubu's reference to Bino Bino was, assuming it was an unheard-of animal species.

...But this animal looked too much like a zombie.

"It looks a lot like a zombie," Wang Ping thought to himself, and the words slipped out.

"Roar!" Bino Bino immediately bared its teeth and growled at him, startling Wang Ping.

"It doesn't like strangers much, better not to talk about it," Feng Chen advised.

"I see," Wang Ping, though full of questions, didn't pursue the topic of Bino Bino any further and averted his gaze.

The door suddenly opened, and a soldier stood at the entrance, "Captain Wang, Colonel Su is here."

The robust Colonel Su strode into the room, the soldier closing the door and leaving.

Although they hadn't seen each other in nine years, Yan Bubu recognized him immediately, setting down his coffee cup and standing respectfully with his hands at his sides, "Hello, Principal Su."

Colonel Su paused, his eyes sweeping over Feng Chen and Yan Bubu, then he broke into a smile, "Qin Shen and Fan Renjing, right? You're Fan Renjing, the one who found the Kanzha lizard eggs with a few kids!"

Yan Bubu, thrilled and slightly overwhelmed, responded, "You're the principal, you remember me?"

"What principal, I was only a principal for a short while," Colonel Su said modestly but with a hint of pride, then pointed at Feng Chen, "I know he is Qin Shen, hasn't changed much, just more handsome. So, you must be his younger brother Fan Renjing. Wow, you haven't changed either, still curly-haired and big-eyed."

"Colonel Su," Feng Chen also stood up to greet him.

"Have a seat, everyone sit," Colonel Su sat down next to Wang Ping, gesturing for the others to do the same.

Once seated, Colonel Su didn't waste time with small talk and went straight to the point.

"When our ship left Haiyun City, we sailed for about ten days and encountered extreme cold weather. The sea froze, forcing us to proceed on foot. We had limited warm clothing, and many froze to death along the way."

He paused there for a moment. Feng Chen and Yan Bubu could imagine the dire situation without further details, and the room fell silent.

"However, we weren't far from Central City. After two days of walking, most of us were lucky enough to survive. Major General Lin and Colonel Yu went to the military headquarters upon arriving in Central City, instructing me to settle everyone before saying they'd return later."

Colonel Su sighed deeply, "But once they left, they never came back."

"What do you mean by 'never came back'?" Feng Chen asked quietly.

"At that time, Central City hadn't been rebuilt yet, and the headquarters of both the Eastern and Western Alliances were in another underground settlement. They disappeared just after leaving the headquarters, never to be found again," Colonel Su furrowed his brow. "The Western Alliance searched everywhere, but they vanished without a trace, as if evaporated into thin air."

Feng Chen inquired, "Do you know why they went to the Western Alliance headquarters?"

Colonel Su glanced at Feng Chen, responding, "They were delivering a cipher box, the same one you gave to Major General Lin."

"Did they hand over the cipher box before disappearing?" Feng Chen asked.

Colonel Su nodded, "Yes, they did. And it wasn't just handed over to the Western Alliance; it was in the presence of both alliances' commissioners, given to a research facility jointly established by the Eastern and Western Alliances."

Feng Chen calmly asked, "Do you know what was supposed to be inside that cipher box?"

"You..."

"I don't know what was inside, I never opened it."

After a moment of thought, Colonel Su decided to speak the truth, "We didn't know initially, but during the search for them, we gradually figured out. The box contained the original virus that could combat the zombies."

"The original virus?"

Although Yan Bubu had been protecting the password box since childhood and knew it was used against zombification, he was unclear about its exact contents. Hearing Colonel Su talk about the box's contents, he sat up straighter, listening intently.

"Yes, it's the original zombie virus sample," Colonel Su explained. "Although the Eastern Allied Forces found a way to combat zombification, this research requires the original zombie virus sample to continue."

Feng Chen asked, "Wouldn't samples from other zombies work?"

"No, it has to be the original, the virus progenitor," Colonel Su shook his head. "The original zombies are long gone, only this virus sample remains. Without it, the research cannot continue."

Feng Chen followed up, "Since General Lin handed over the password box, why hasn't the zombification issue been resolved yet?"

Colonel Su hesitated before answering, "Later research on the password box revealed that the virus sample inside was a fake."

"Fake?" Feng Chen sat up straight, assertively responding, "Impossible."

"The password box my brother had is real," Yan Bubu also added.

Colonel Su stared at his hands, "After General Lin and his companion handed over the password box, they disappeared. Then the fake sample was discovered, leading the Eastern and Western Allied Forces to believe they hid the real password box."

The room fell silent. After a moment of thought, Feng Chen said, "If they intended to flee with the real password box, they wouldn't have needed to come to Central City. They could have disappeared en route."

Colonel Su gave a wry smile, "The Eastern and Western Allied Forces initially thought the same and deployed a lot of resources to find them, believing they were abducted. But as time went on without any trace of them, doubts began to arise. Now, it's almost universally believed that they absconded with the password box."

Wang Ping asserted confidently, "Regardless of what others speculate, we, who served under General Lin, know his character and don't believe he would do such a thing."

Feng Chen, with furrowed brows, turned to Colonel Su, "Is the Allied Forces still looking for them?"

"Yes, everyone is searching, both soldiers and civilians from Haiyun City, both openly and secretly," Colonel Su leaned back on the sofa, staring at the ceiling, "The Allied Forces want the real password box from them, and we just want to find them. Alive or dead, we need closure. After all these years with no clue, where could they possibly be..."