No wonder Tan Yuanchun was so adamant, determined to block their path at any cost. Yao Chen's squad represented General Shao's elite force and, by extension, his will.

"I... I'm okay now." Yuan Chenchen, pushing his teammate into the vehicle, muttered. Those behind, unaware of their conversation, were puzzled by his sudden submission. Even outnumbered, they believed they could stand their ground.

"Those who wish to leave, come with me. Those who want to stay can do so, but we won't back you up," Yuan Chenchen declared coldly, driving away.

With Tan Yuanchun deceased, everyone seemed at a loss for leadership. Only a few were driven by vengeance, while the rest just went with the flow.

The few remaining warriors exchanged hesitant glances, and eventually, instead of moving to their deaths, they boarded the last vehicle and fled. Instead of catching up with the main group, they took an alternative route to report back.

Seeing that Shao Qi had driven off the adversaries without any loss on their side, Sang Liwu and the others laughed heartily, "Commander Shao sure has some presence!"

Tang Jiu countered coldly, "It was Brother Zhou's hidden weapon that took out their leader. Military strategies indeed prove their worth."

With no human adversaries left, everyone joined the hunt to eliminate the mutated beasts. Yao Chen had already retrieved the ultrasonic device to prevent more creatures from being attracted.

A mutant python emerged from the tall grass, lunging with its mouth wide open at a warrior. Miao Miao, witnessing this, quickly lashed out her whip, circling the warrior's waist and pulling him to safety.

The warrior, looking back and staring straight into the foul mouth of the beast, pulled out a grenade and threw it directly into the snake's maw.

The mutant python was blasted to pieces. Miao Miao was pleased with his quick response, "Good job! Much improved from before."

In this battle, everyone seemed adept at handling the mutant beasts. Surrounded by countless creatures, they stood their ground without fear, methodically eliminating each threat.

Furthermore, many felt they were on the verge of breaking through to a new level. Training daily at the base had its benefits, but real combat accelerated progress. Only through ample battle experience could one refine and adjust their martial arts techniques, a reason many clans remained dominant—always evolving, becoming ever stronger than their ancestors.

It took two hours to clear out the mutant creatures. As the battle wore on, more of them began to flee. The group didn't bother searching for a new resting place, settling down right there on the battlefield.

The ground was littered with the bodies of mutants and some humans. Casualties were inevitable, but they seemed trivial compared to the achievements.

With plenty of meat available, they started campfires to cook, replenishing their energy with the flesh of the mutated beasts after their prolonged exertions.

Night had fallen. Shao Qi, having encountered Yao Chen, decided to halt the night's journey. He suggested everyone rest in the ruined city to recharge, anticipating even more dangers on the road ahead.

Exhausted from the long battle, Yao Chen and his team lay side by side on moisture-proof mats, bandaging each other's wounds with practiced ease.

Yao Chen sat beside Shao Qi, quietly updating him on recent developments. Although they sat together, the difference in their status was evident. Observing this, the group from Yang City Base began speculating about Shao Qi's identity.

"Head engineer of the arms factory? I find that hard to believe. Why would an engineer be roaming outside instead of being in the office or factory? It doesn't add up."

"Perhaps the engineer title is just a secondary role. An official military badge can't be easily faked."

Once suspicions arise, they often fester. Especially given Shao Qi's surname, many connected him to Marshal Shao. After all, both his combat skills and leadership abilities were remarkable.

After Yao Chen finished reporting, he noticed their boss's constant gaze on Mister Zhou. Curiosity winning over reason, he blurted out, "Boss, about you and him..."

Without hesitation, Shao Qi proudly presented his marriage certificate, kept close to his heart, and cheerfully said, "That's my spouse. Officially certified. You can call him 'brother-in-law'—if he's okay with that."

Yao Chen's jaw dropped in surprise, "Have... have you told the old man?"

"No."

"... " Yao Chen recalled the elder's words before his departure, speculating how the surprise might overwhelm him. After all, the elder was anticipating great-grandchildren.

But no one had ever dared to meddle in their boss's personal life. Not even the family elders. A decision as intimate as marriage was Shao Qi's alone.

Patting Yao Chen on the shoulder, Shao Qi said, "I'll treat you to a celebratory feast when we return. This mission is over for now. Bring your team with me. There might be more 'surprises' waiting for us on the remaining journey. The combat capabilities of those we've faced so far have been somewhat lacking."

"Yes."

"There's another thing. Before I came out, I received news that Dr. Jiang, who was previously brought back, has escaped. It's highly likely he was abducted by some power group. Due to the gravity of the situation, the higher-ups kept it quiet. Be cautious, as he bears a deep grudge against you."

"Escaped? It's been six years since the dawn, and such things still happen. Who would believe there wasn't an insider involved? I suspect it's the work of those few families. But a man known for human experimentation won't pose much threat in the short term. Keep a close eye on those families; if any of them suddenly purchase large amounts of chemicals, they're the most suspicious."

Zhou You served the food, and several people nearby wanted to help him with the plates. How could they let the Marshal's wife do such labor?