"Why are there two children here?" Both Li Yanqing and Mi Ai were average in height, appearing like children from afar. Dragon Gang's team surrounded the area, waiting for military intervention. Yet even after Shao Qi and the others emerged, there were no signs of the military.

Mi Ai anxiously surveyed the surroundings. The garbage station was closed for the night. They had only heard about this place and had never been. It looked eerily deserted, and those they were chasing seemed not to be there.

"We've lost them," said Li Yanqing, frustrated.

Something felt off to Mi Ai, who gripped Li Yanqing, saying, "Let's head back quickly. This place feels too creepy."

Li Yanqing brushed him off, "Where isn't creepy at this time of night?"

Regardless, there was nothing of interest at the garbage station. Venturing further seemed too risky, so they decided to turn back.

Seeing them depart, Dragon Gang disregarded them. Although he was certain their late-night venture was for some ulterior motive, as long as they weren’t causing chaos, his team wouldn't bother.

"Captain Dragon, dawn is approaching. Are our men expected to stand guard the entire night?"

"It depends. Despite the commotion earlier, only Mr. Shao and his group have emerged. There shouldn't be any more issues." No one wanted to stay out in such cold for long, especially when there seemed to be no activity below.

But just because the chaos here was over didn't mean the ordeal was done. The real struggle had only just begun.

A loud explosion echoed, leaving everyone stunned. "What happened? Did it come from below? Is someone still down there?"

"Look... what's that in there?" From their distant position behind ice walls, it looked like a group of people had appeared in the garbage station.

"They've come out... What are those?" A group of naked figures emerged. Some were missing limbs. As they spread out, a large subgroup headed their way.

As they came closer, it became evident. What emerged resembled the once-mentioned zombies.

"Are they alive or dead?"

"Ever heard of the dead walking?"

"How did they come out?"

"No point in asking now. Just kill them first." These creatures looked malicious. A potential viral contagion was a grave concern.

"Captain Dragon, should we fire?" someone whispered.

Dragon Gang was the first to shoot, aiming for a creature's head. The shot burst it open like a watermelon. Yet, those around it didn't flinch or pause.

"They don't seem too formidable. Aim for their heads and fire."

About a hundred of these living-dead emerged. A few rounds of shooting cleared them out, much to the relief of those who had initially been nervous.

Once no figures stood on the snow, Dragon Gang and his team examined the bodies. Up close, these entities could hardly be termed 'human'. Bizarrely mutated, some had hollowed-out torsos. What kept them alive was a mystery.

"Are these entities living or dead?" Everyone was baffled. However, Dragon Gang figured that since a single shot could kill them, they were, at least until shot, alive.

"Dragon, how do we handle these bodies?" The men sent by Cheng Zi'ang are here, and Shao Qi ordered them to follow Dragon's commands. Thankfully, Dragon has the requisite seniority.

Dragon pointed to the garbage station behind: "Isn't there a furnace right here? Move the bodies there and burn them. Be cautious and wear your gloves."

No one objected, especially since they were unsure of the potential hazards from materials coming out of these laboratories.

Everyone helped move the bodies to the garbage station. Those with exploded heads were a gruesome sight. As they dragged them, brain matter oozed out, causing many to vomit from disgust.

"It's hard to know where they got so many people from, especially since the internet isn't as prevalent as before. They probably didn't even post missing persons' ads."

"Given how dangerous it is outside nowadays, people disappearing from the base is all too common. Who would think their loved ones were kidnapped? Let's not dwell on that. This incident occurred at our Jiangnan base; we're in for some friction between the central and local authorities."

"This time, I'm siding with the central authority. Labs that disregard human life like this should just be blown up."

Everyone queued to throw the bodies into the furnace. Dragon took a stroll inside the garbage station but couldn't find an entrance to the underground. He heard from Shao Qi that there was an elevator, presumably well-hidden.

"Hey, did you hear that?" asked a man who had just thrown a body into the furnace, addressing his comrade behind.

"What sound other than the furnace? Just ignore it. Let's get out of here; the smell is unbearable." As the two walked out side-by-side, a long arm suddenly reached out from behind them, quickly dragging them behind a machine. Screams followed.

"Who's there?"

"Show yourself!"

Everyone immediately surrounded the area, guns drawn and pointed at the machine. Dragon motioned them to hold on, and picking up a metal trash container, he hurled it behind the machine.

With a loud "clang", a white figure dashed past, grabbing a soldier at the entrance and quickly exiting the garbage station.

Meanwhile, a golden figure leapt onto the steel frame of the garbage station. The sudden movement drew everyone's attention. They looked up to see a man covered in golden fur, his non-human eyes coldly observing them.