Chapter 40 The Lone City (40)

Chapter 40: The Lonely City (Part Forty)

Jiabida Supermarket occupied three floors, a large chain store that stood in the open suburban area with an outdoor parking lot and looming billboards.

The sky was clear and blue, the city greeting a long-absent blue sky and white clouds. The billboard for Aimeile nutritional supplements was glaringly bright, a jarring mix of evil and light.

The closer they got to the supermarket, the more frenzied people appeared, and the road suddenly narrowed. Several times, their path was blocked by abandoned vehicles, but Wu Ke plowed ahead indifferently, ramming through the obstacles without a second thought.

Until the traffic jammed completely, leaving no way forward.

The engine fell silent. The three of them silently surveyed the scene before them.

Jiabida's parking lot resembled a scrapyard for discarded vehicles. Hundreds of cars were crammed together, blocking the road several hundred meters ahead. The supermarket stood isolated amidst the sea of cars, its neon sign sputtering, giving off a weak glow.

"What's the plan? Charge in or turn back?" Wu Ke asked.

With five and a half adult men in their household, their daily consumption far exceeded that of other families. Venturing out was a major undertaking, and Lin Yanqing still hoped to bring back as many supplies as possible.

Wu Ke countered, "Even if we charge in now, the car can't get through. How do we get the supplies out? I don't think carrying plastic bags while dodging frenzied people is a good idea."

"We'll deal with that later." Jiang Songnian tossed the walkie-talkie to Lin Yanqing. "Scout ahead first. Be careful."

"Wait for my signal." Lin Yanqing shouldered his backpack, pushed the car door open, and swiftly slipped out, making his way forward through the narrow gaps between cars.

After the door closed, Jiang Songnian said, "Crank the AC for a while."

"Save fuel," Wu Ke replied. He watched as Lin Yanqing struggled forward, eventually finding it too difficult. Lin Yanqing climbed onto a car, then jumped onto the roof of another. He seemed unsteady at first, waving his arms for balance, but gradually found his rhythm, leaping nimbly across the colorful car roofs.

"Why are you fine with him scouting ahead? Maybe he won't attract the frenzied people's attention, but that's not a reason for him to take risks." Wu Ke unbuckled his seatbelt, asking in a puzzled tone, "You don't seem to value him much." Then he repeated with certainty, "You don't value him."

"Because I've never seen him as some weak, fragile thing." Jiang Songnian gazed at Lin Yanqing's retreating figure. "You don't understand him."

"Let's talk about you instead." Jiang Songnian turned to Wu Ke, his voice edged with sharpness. "Why have you been following him?"

Just moments ago, Jiang Songnian remembered. He had seen Wu Ke not just once—from Tianhai City to Suxi City, every time Lin Yanqing moved, Wu Ke had appeared nearby.

Not long ago, Lin Yanqing had also asked Jiang Songnian why he was following him. Only now did Jiang Songnian realize that the person Lin Yanqing was referring to wasn't him, but Wu Ke.

Wu Ke's expression remained indifferent, betraying nothing. "I don't know what you're talking about."

Jiang Songnian said, "This is the first time you've driven this car. After getting in, you adjusted the seat several times. You're not familiar with this vehicle. You knew this was coming and prepared in advance. When did you become a Psychic? Two months ago, or earlier?"

Before Wu Ke could react, something cold pressed against his waist.

"Don't move. It's Serum."

Wu Ke's throat bobbed. "I told you, I don't understand."

"Who's your boss? Aimeile or Chen Ya?"

A rare bead of sweat trickled down the back of Wu Ke's neck. His ragged breathing was starkly obvious in the quiet car. He thought, somewhat inappropriately, that he should have turned on the AC earlier—at least it would have masked his current tension.

"I have nothing to do with Aimeile, and I don't know Chen Ya."

"But you know me. It was you who told Lin Yanqing about my identity. That day, you were the only one who spoke to him alone."

"That's right. So what?" Wu Ke turned his head, his voice cold and hard. "I didn't exaggerate. I just stated the facts. You're Jiang Feng's son. Is it surprising that people talk about you?"

"You've said more now than in the past week combined." Jiang Songnian pressed the Serum Needle forward, his voice firm. "You're hiding something."

Lin Yanqing's voice came through the walkie-talkie.

"The door's locked. Not sure if there's someone inside. I'll check the warehouse area. Stand by." Lin Yanqing put away the walkie-talkie and headed toward the back door.

As he approached, he saw dozens of frenzied people gathered near the back entrance, the thick scent of blood hanging in the air.

Lin Yanqing pulled up his hood, zipped his jacket all the way up, leaving only his face exposed as he looked around, bewildered. He didn't know why the frenzied people were gathered here, as if something was attracting them. At the same time, he felt extremely uncomfortable, standing out conspicuously among the crowd.

Just as he was feeling dazed, a red light blinked on a surveillance camera in the corner. On the other side of the lens, someone was staring intently at his face through the monitor.

"What the hell is that?" a man squinted. "A frenzied person? A Psychic? My god, what's he doing? Why aren't the frenzied people attacking him? Pei Zheng, come look at this."

The man sitting in the swivel chair irritably opened his eyes, pushed off with his foot, and slid over with the chair. "Maybe he just turned frenzied and still looks tidy?"

He glanced casually at the screen and saw the young man in the frame, biting his lip and looking around. Dressed in a black shell jacket with a backpack, his hands gripping the straps, he looked as relaxed as if he were on a trip. Suddenly, he looked up toward the surveillance camera, his hood falling back to reveal silver-white hair. He quickly pulled his hood back up and left the camera's view.

"Not a frenzied person." Pei Zheng stood up, running a hand through his hair, his eyes fixed on the screen. "He's a Pure Psychic."

"Wait! He's coming in!" Roger pointed at another monitor. The young man had climbed the outer wall to the second floor, violently pulled open a sliding window, and climbed inside.

*

Lin Yanqing landed softly and moved quietly, finding himself in a storage room filled with cardboard boxes and folding chairs. On a table were box cutters, colored paper, and several rolls of clear tape. He patiently sealed the broken window lock with tape. The long-stagnant air was thick with dust, making his throat itch. He coughed a few times, then picked up the walkie-talkie after the coughing subsided.

"I'm inside. There are dozens of frenzied people near the back warehouse. I suspect there's a hole in the wall. I'll check downstairs first. Get ready to move on the main entrance. Wait for my signal," Lin Yanqing said.

"Understood." Jiang Songnian replied as usual, then put away the Serum Needle, put on leather gloves, and gave Wu Ke a gentle smile. "Then let's call a temporary truce."

Wu Ke let out a relieved sigh. "I was already peaceful."

Jiang Songnian geared up fully, putting on his jacket and pulling his mask up to the bridge of his nose, ready to charge in at any moment.

Lin Yanqing left the storage room, passed through a fire door, and found himself in a KFC at the entrance to the supermarket's second floor. The KFC was empty—more accurately, the entire floor was empty—but there were bloodstain trails on the ground.

Lin Yanqing closed his eyes, listening carefully to the ambient sounds. The AC was running, and intermittent sobs were hidden within the exhaust fan's hum, piercing his eardrums. At that moment, a flurry of footsteps interrupted his focus—someone was coming this way!

Lin Yanqing raised the walkie-talkie and quickly said, "Run!" At the same time, he dashed toward the stopped escalator, racing down to the first floor.

At the main entrance, the glass doors and rolling shutter were both closed, secured with a heavy chain lock and blocked by over a dozen heavy storage cabinets.

Lin Yanqing rushed to the cabinets, pushing one aside with immense effort. He blew the lock off, pulled open the glass door, then shot off the lock on the rolling shutter. Bending down, he pushed the shutter upward. A few slivers of light slipped in, illuminating his sneakers and another pair of unfamiliar leather boots.

A boot lifted high, the toe pressing down on the edge of the rolling shutter, forcefully stomping it back down. The shutter descended, trapping Lin Yanqing's hand in the gap.

Lin Yanqing hissed in pain, then with lightning speed, pushed upward with all his might. The shutter rose again, letting in more light.

Caught off guard, Roger lost his balance and fell to the ground. His tall, burly frame stumbled and collapsed. "A Psychic! You really are a Psychic!" he said incredulously.

Lin Yanqing remained unfazed, pushing the door to its highest point. In his line of sight, Jiang Songnian and Wu Ke appeared, sprinting across car roofs with a spectacular horde of frenzied people behind them. It resembled a grim sprint—the crimson mass of frenzied people blending with the azure sky, the air thick with the smell of blood and sweat.

Roger lunged forward, threw a punch at Lin Yanqing. Lin Yanqing dodged sideways, countering with a grab, seizing his arm and throwing him over his shoulder, sending him flying over ten meters away.

Roger's body arced through the air before he landed steadily, excitement gleaming in his eyes. "Just what I've been searching for. Excellent, just excellent."

Lin Yanqing shook his reddened hand, raised the shutter higher again, and shouted, "Hurry!"

Frenzied people from the back door streamed toward them. Lin Yanqing kicked a cabinet against the rolling shutter, propping it open by half a meter. Just as he was about to deal with the approaching frenzied people, a faint presence drifted up behind him. By the time Lin Yanqing noticed, that person had kicked the cabinet away, and the rolling shutter slammed shut again.

Finally fed up, Lin Yanqing spun around, aiming his gun at the newcomer, only to be surprised to find the person wearing a long trench coat—clearly autumn attire.

Although Psychics couldn't perceive temperature, few wore autumn or winter clothing. Lin Yanqing couldn't help but recall the long down jacket in the pharmacy.

Pei Zheng curled his lips into a strange smile. "Hello, Pure Psychic."

Lin Yanqing didn't understand what he was saying. Seeing that he wasn't launching an attack, Lin immediately turned to lift the rolling shutter.

At that moment, over a dozen people surrounded them from all directions, all aiming machine guns at the entrance.

Lin Yanqing's breath hitched as he heard Pei Zheng say, "You might not fear bullets, but I wonder if your friends will be riddled with bullets."

"Well, I guess that's that," Lin Yanqing said, putting away his gun.

"That's more like it." Pei Zheng spread his hands open toward him. "Welcome, our new friend."

Then, Lin Yanqing pulled a grenade from his pants pocket. Everyone gasped, but before they could even try to negotiate, they saw Lin Yanqing pull the pin and casually toss it over his shoulder.

"Then let's all die together," Lin Yanqing said with a smile.