Zhou You hadn't seen Chen Shu at the site but didn't rule out the possibility he died in the collapse.

However, Shao Qi believed otherwise. "According to Zhuo Hao, Chen Shu had suggested more than once to get external help. If he truly cared, it would be one thing. But he probably wanted more people inside for a total ambush. With everyone trapped, he likely fled to get reinforcements."

"What? He dares to confront us?"

"I believe it's very likely. If we hadn't escaped and Zhuo Hao's team was surrounded by mutants, Chen Shu might return without being exposed. In fact, he could be hailed as a hero for rushing out with the news."

"Hmph! If he dares to return, I'll cut him down with a single stroke!"

"But now, with our enemy dead and no mutants around, does it matter if he brings reinforcements?"

The group exchanged glances, the mood lightening. They began speculating on the excuses Chen Shu might use upon seeing them alive and well.

Shao Qi, not wanting to linger, said, "Let's leave the city. From today, we shouldn’t separate easily. There's safety in numbers. Also, there might be more than one traitor among us. Everyone, be cautious."

A chill ran down their spines. The camaraderie built over time was suddenly clouded with suspicion. Trust among teammates seemed fragile.

"Don't be overly concerned. It's just my speculation. Although many want to obstruct us, few wish us dead. Be cautious but not overly tense."

The situation was now even tenser. They realized their adversaries had planned this long ago. They thought they had faced their greatest challenge, but many more dangers awaited.

In private, Zhou You told Shao Qi, "Don’t worry about them. Xiao Bai will handle it. We should move on. If it wants to find us, it can easily do so."

"You've really raised a treasure," Shao Qi mused. He had initially believed humans and mutants couldn’t coexist. Either Xiao Bai would leave Zhou You upon maturity or its instincts would take over. However, current events suggested they might coexist peacefully for some time.

Zhou You leaned in, whispering into the other's ear with a chuckle, "You are my true treasure."

"Let's head out of the city for a bit." Their mission to gather supplies in the city had utterly failed. They had found little to begin with, and what they had was rendered useless after being raided by mutated beasts. They returned empty-handed.

Chen Shu fled the city. To gain the trust of the people outside, he inflicted wounds upon himself, appearing battered and distraught. As soon as he was clear, he shouted, "Captain Qin, Captain Sang... Hurry, rescue them!"

Qin Li Feng and Sang Li Wu waited outside the city. As time ticked away, their anxiety grew. Seeing only Chen Shu emerging, they rushed over in alarm, grabbing him and demanding, "What happened? Where are the others?"

Chen Shu's face crumpled in grief as he cried, "Captain Shao led a team into a large supermarket for supplies. Some of us stayed outside. But then... there was an explosion and the building collapsed with them inside. The noise attracted the mutated beasts. We were surrounded... Captain Zhuo ordered me to call for reinforcements. We need to go back. The longer we wait, the more perilous it becomes."

Upon hearing the grave news, the group didn't hesitate. They equipped themselves with weapons, prepared to drive back into the city for a rescue.

"Hold on!" Qin Li Feng's voice rang out sharply. He stared intently at Chen Shu, "You said Captain Zhuo sent you for help? What exactly did he instruct? To bring everyone into the city?"

Chen Shu hesitated briefly before nodding vigorously, "Yes, there are dozens of mutated beasts there. We didn’t have enough people to fight them off. And... Xiao Liu didn’t make it."

"Captain Qin, let's move. We can't afford to delay any longer," the crowd urged. They had friends, teammates, and leaders trapped within. If half of them perished, their mission would be a total loss.

Qin Li Feng frowned, deep in thought. Something didn't add up. If there was such a dire situation, Zhuo Hao had flares to signal for help. There was no need to send someone.

That flare was their secret tool, unknown to outsiders. If the situation was so dire that there wasn't even time to fire a flare, how did Chen Shu, one of the weakest among them and older in age, manage to escape? Why would Zhuo Hao choose him to deliver the message?

"What's wrong? Is there an issue?" Sang Li Wu leaned in, whispering to Qin Li Feng.

Qin Li Feng weighed his options and addressed the group, "I understand the urgency. But before we entered the city, the Captain instructed that under no circumstances should our group re-enter the city. I'm a soldier, and a soldier's duty is to obey orders."

The crowd was incredulous. The notion that someone would refuse to aid their comrades was inconceivable. Someone shouted, "Captain Qin, it's not the time for orders! We have to go in. What if they're all trapped inside?"

"I'm going, whether you approve or not. Lin Yuan Kang is with them, and I won't leave him behind."

"My cousin is in there too."

"Let's just go! He's just a junior captain. Why should we listen to him?"

"Captain Sang, what do you say?"

Sang Li Wu scanned the anxious faces of the crowd, then said to Qin Li Feng, "You can't hold them back. Regardless of the situation, if we know our teammates are in danger, we have to go."