In the morning, Fu Shiwu was awakened by sharp, piercing cries.
Due to the upcoming defense mission, Fu Shiwu hadn't slept well and jolted awake.
"What's going on?" Miao Jia, who hadn't slept the whole night, stumbled out, looking disoriented.
Fu Shiwu briskly combed his hair and hurried downstairs.
In the living room on the ground floor, Tang Xuhai was already waiting. Seeing him, Fu Shiwu's tense demeanor relaxed considerably.
"What's happening?" Fu Shiwu inquired.
"War alert," Tang Xuhai waved it off nonchalantly, lounging with his legs crossed on the coffee table, addressing the people coming in, "It's just the first wave. We've got time before the specified alert time. No need to rush."
Tang Xuhai's calm demeanor eased the tension. He sat there composed, unperturbed, while others went to eat and freshen up.
Regarding military operations, it was his responsibility within their trio. Fu Shiwu and Wen Zhaoming, though puzzled, could only comply, getting ready and having breakfast.
Tang Xuhai, not knowing the time, had been up long before Fu Shiwu and the others finished breakfast. Miao Jia was talking to him as they left the dining hall.
"I understand. Today, you'll stay behind as support personnel, stationed in Courtyard 7. You've done what's required as an intelligence officer; the rest is up to us," Tang Xuhai patted Miao Jia's head, noting the dark circles under his eyes.
"Are you sure you don't need me to accompany you?" Miao Jia anxiously asked. "With me around, I could help keep an eye on any abnormal movements."
"No need. Surveillance at the scene is better handled by Shiwu," Tang Xuhai stood up, addressing the others, "When ready, we'll head out."
"Didn't you have breakfast?" Fu Shiwu called out.
Tang Xuhai briskly walked away, replying, "I already did."
Leaving Miao Jia alone in the courtyard, the group crowded into a small van. Despite the cramped space, sticking together seemed advantageous in the face of uncertain times.
Last night's notification not only specified time and location but even delineated sections of the wall for escape and defense, along with detailed route maps.
Miao Jia spent the sleepless night scouring forums for valuable intel. He not only gathered defense details from other units and guilds but also found rare, unreleased video footage stored in military satellites.
"During the operation, Liu Peiqi, Wang Dan, and Olande, you three will assist the defense forces on the wall. Someone will instruct you based on the information Miao Jia found. Typically, the mutants' work involves relaying information and transporting ammunition," Tang Xuhai explained. "As for me, Shiwu, Liao Ke, and Wen Zhaoming, being combatants with high-level abilities, we might be assigned to the front lines to eliminate mutants."
"What if I run out of bullets?" Fu Shiwu touched the firearms at his waist, acquired during the eradication of the Wild Wolf Gang alongside Shi Zheng. Shi Zheng used most of the gunpowder to make bombs, so Fu Shiwu hadn't found enough bullets.
"Don't worry, get them from the logistics officers when the time comes," Tang Xuhai glanced at him, "Trust me, given your marksmanship, they won't make you search; they'll deliver the firepower to you personally."
Peicheng was the city closest to the H Province Military Region. Its strategic importance led to extensive government setup in the vicinity—factories transformed into military arms depots during wartime. Since the apocalypse began, the military took over Peicheng, erecting a sturdy survival base.
Though lacking national financial support now, the military defended various auxiliary factories, ensuring a steady supply of ammunition.
When Tang Xuhai and the team of seven arrived, the area was bustling yet organized. The van couldn't get close, so they had to park far away and walk over.
Once they reported their battalion's name, a military officer in charge came forward to receive them.
"Hurry, follow me!" The officer hurriedly called out, already walking several meters ahead. They could only keep up closely.
"Listen up! I'll only say this once!" The officer's urgent tone made Fu Shiwu and the others tense involuntarily.
Tang Xuhai furrowed his brows slightly but didn't speak, striding behind them. When they were led to their destination, the officer said, "Going up these stairs leads to sections 20-25. Find your way there. Don't mess up the area, or the final score won't tally properly. Don't blame me for not warning you in advance."
Around, soldiers hurriedly passed by, creating a tense atmosphere.
Tang Xuhai spoke up, "Don't worry, with me here, you won't end up in the wrong area."
Fu Shiwu's lips twitched slightly. Was this a joke?
Tang Xuhai addressed the two mutants and Liu Peiqi, "You head to the firepower supply point. Today's main task is physical labor, nothing too challenging for you."
Wang Dan and Olande looked tense, while Liu Peiqi nervously swallowed. Tang Xuhai encouraged them casually, and the three turned to find the firepower supply point.
Fu Shiwu looked up at the towering ten-meter-high city wall nearby, where a set of stairs led to the top.
The wall of the stairs had large English letters "F" with numbers below, "20-25."
"Don't overthink it. Just treat it like our usual routine. Level three mutants aren't that terrifying, just faster," Tang Xuhai said softly. "With Shiwu's detection ability, we can anticipate in advance."
"Okay," Fu Shiwu nodded after taking a deep breath.
Glancing around, Tang Xuhai instructed, "Both of you focus on your safety and try to handle the level two mutants. From what I reviewed yesterday, initial combat won't involve level three mutants. They're likely behind, directing. Shiwu, inform me if you spot a level three mutant. I'll figure out a way to take it down."
"Level three mutants don't appear alone, right?" Fu Shiwu pondered.
"A single one per colony, but the assaulting mutant wave is a fusion of several colonies," Tang Xuhai explained quietly.
The others gasped. This information was highly classified and unknown to most, yet Miao Jia seemed to have sourced it from somewhere.
After detailed instructions, the group climbed to the top of the wall.
Once there, deafening gunfire noises suddenly reached their ears.
The upper part of the wall wasn't a simple structure; it included a low wall, about two meters shorter than the main wall. Machine gunners stood atop the higher wall. In case evolved mutants jumped onto the low wall, they wouldn't directly reach these soldiers. The mutants were primarily stopped at the low wall, where the gifted individuals focused on killing them.
Tang Xuhai walked along the wall, swiftly reaching Zone 22 and finding Captain Zou.
"You're the team leader? Why are there only four of you?" Captain Zou frowned, deep lines creasing his forehead.
Fu Shiwu clenched his fist subtly and emotionlessly replied, "Our team consists of eight, including five gifted individuals, two mutants, and one ordinary person. Except for a wood-based gifted individual, all other gifted individuals are here."
Captain Zou's eyebrows twitched slightly. Seeming to restrain himself, he said with a stern face, "In that case, you four are responsible for defending Zone 22's low wall."
Fu Shiwu was puzzled but still declared coldly, "We won't let a single mutant pass!"
Captain Zou relaxed his frown, sighed, and nodded.
As the four descended to the low wall, they could sense Captain Zou's complex gaze lingering on them.
"What's going on?" Fu Shiwu was puzzled. "This captain seems quite displeased?"
"Not sure. Maybe there's some reason we don't know," Wen Zhaoming turned and glanced upwards. "The atmosphere within the unit doesn't seem settled either."
Tang Xuhai's face darkened ominously, "There are factions within the unit. We might've been dragged into it accidentally. If I find any conspiracy involving us, they'll regret it!"
Indeed, as Tang Xuhai said, they had inadvertently gotten entangled in factional struggles. People were always vying for power and gains, no matter the circumstances.
Zone F22 of the wall was already relatively isolated. However, even though each segment was around 20 meters apart, the four were responsible for the mutants on the low wall. Without Fu Shiwu and the team, casualties were highly probable.
The first-tier mutants exemplified why they were called cannon fodder. Swarms of mutants rushed toward the wall, fearless despite the continuous gunfire. Some mutants managed to breach the fire net and reach the base of the wall.
The towering wall had no apparent footholds, seemingly impossible for them to climb. Yet, these mutants stacked themselves, forming a ladder to ascend.
Initially surprised at the top, Fu Shiwu and his companions sprang into action. Wen Zhaoming unleashed flames, causing the mutants to scream and fall.
Fu Shiwu wielded his gun strategically. Instead of aiming at the mutants closest to the top, he targeted the lower ones precisely, disrupting the mutant ladder's foundation, forcing it to collapse and restart.
Learning from them, Zhen Zi also concentrated her attacks on the lower mutants.
Tang Xuhai was fearless in close combat, manifesting a massive sword and slashing at the mutants attempting to climb.
Though only four on this wall segment, there were no lapses in their defense, finally easing Captain Zou's constant vigilance.
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