"I’ll clear the way ahead and take most of the pressure. You all follow behind me and take a smaller part of the pressure," Wen Yu said, staring into Li Quan’an’s eyes. Seeing the astonishment there, he added, "For every extra person, a few vines will be distracted. The more people there are, the less pressure I’ll face upfront. As for who makes it out alive, that will depend entirely on individual ability."
Wen Yu casually sipped his liquor, patiently waiting for Li Quan’an’s reaction.
In reality, whether he led the charge or brought up the rear made no difference to Wen Yu. He would be attacked by the vines regardless of his position. However, the phrase ’leading the charge’ sounded better and, more importantly, would be more readily accepted by these cannon fodder.
"This... Brother Wen Yu, can I say no?" Li Quan’an hadn’t yet grasped the gravity of the situation; instead, he felt Wen Yu’s proposal was even riskier. Besides, if many people died, would he still maintain his current status?
"You can’t say no, and we don’t have much time. I have to leave within two days at most. If Mayor Li still doesn’t grasp the situation by then, he’ll be dooming everyone, including me."
"People can go crazy when they’re about to die."
Seeing Li Quan’an’s hesitation, Wen Yu threatened him directly.
Li Quan’an’s expression was unsettled. He was even considering mobilizing everyone to eliminate Wen Yu.
"However, I believe Mayor Li is a smart man. When your scouting party returns, Mayor Li will understand the true situation."
Wen Yu drained the remaining liquor in his glass and said directly to Li Quan’an, "Mayor Li, arrange a place for me to stay first."
Li Quan’an didn’t want to discuss the matter further. He immediately waved over Bai Xiao’an, who was nearby, saying, "Go, arrange a decent room for Brother Wen Yu and his war pet."
"Understood, Mayor Li." Bai Xiao’an led Wen Yu directly upstairs. Cyclops, having devoured an entire basin of mutant beast meat, licked its lips and followed Wen Yu.
On the quiet staircase, Bai Xiao’an walked close beside Wen Yu. In the silent corridor, only their footsteps were audible.
"Um... Brother Wen Yu, my name is Bai Xiao’an. I’m Mayor Li’s secretary," Bai Xiao’an began.
"Mm," Wen Yu responded, his tone indifferent.
With his experience, Wen Yu could tell at a glance that this boy was deliberately trying to get closer to him. But what was there to say to a mere ant?
Perhaps Wen Yu’s response gave Bai Xiao’an some courage, as he spoke again, "Brother Wen Yu, I heard you came from Mudanjiang City. Could you tell me about the situation there?"
Only then did Wen Yu turn to observe Bai Xiao’an more closely. He looked to be around 13.4 years old, fair-skinned and clean, with a slender, frail build. More importantly, Wen Yu could tell from Bai Xiao’an’s breathing and footsteps that the boy hadn’t even undergone his profession change yet.
"The situation in Mudanjiang City isn’t good. You don’t need to concern yourself too much with it. You’ll be doing well enough if you can just survive here in Hualin Town."
Wen Yu’s words were harsh. As soon as they left his mouth, Bai Xiao’an’s face turned deathly pale.
Seeing Bai Xiao’an fall silent, Wen Yu had no inclination to concern himself with a stranger’s feelings. He asked impatiently, "Which floor?"
"The sixth floor," Bai Xiao’an replied, a little flustered.
"Alright, let’s hurry then." Wen Yu also sensed that his tone had been a bit harsh; the pressure from the mutant vines was indeed immense. He softened his voice slightly. Towards women and children, Wen Yu would, on certain occasions, show a faint trace of kindness.
Before long, Bai Xiao’an led Wen Yu to an office on the sixth floor. It was evident that Mayor Li had put considerable thought into the room arranged for Wen Yu.
The spacious room contained a large sofa, big enough for Wen Yu to rest on. Additionally, the office had an attached private bathroom. Although its functionality was questionable in these circumstances, it was, at least, a private space. Behind the enormous desk stood a large leather chair.
Wen Yu nodded in satisfaction. He turned to Bai Xiao’an and said, "Go back and thank Mayor Li for me. Tell him I’m very satisfied with these arrangements. Also, if Mayor Li has made his decision, he can come here to discuss countermeasures with me anytime. Mm, within the next two days."
Bai Xiao’an nodded, turned, and headed out.
"Oh, right. You’re Bai Xiao’an, aren’t you?" Hearing Wen Yu speak, Bai Xiao’an turned back and acknowledged him.
"Here’s some advice: improve your strength in the next two days. At the very least, you need to undergo your profession change."
"Understood. Thank you, Brother Wen Yu." Bai Xiao’an looked at Wen Yu with a complicated expression. From Wen Yu’s earlier words, the clever boy had already deduced that significant changes were likely coming to the camp soon.
"Mm, go on back then." Seeing Wen Yu lean back on the sofa and Cyclops sprawl out on the large desk, Bai Xiao’an closed the door and departed.
The banquet in the camp had concluded, and the sky was gradually darkening.
Outside, Lin Hu staggered back. The vehicle and the other professionists who had set out with him were nowhere to be seen, and Lin Hu himself was covered in wounds.
His F-Class protective suit was torn to shreds. Fortunately, the wounds inflicted by the mutant vines weren’t deep, allowing Lin Hu to just barely make it back to the camp.
The guards on duty in the distance saw the blood-covered Lin Hu and immediately rushed over.
"Quick, go find Mayor Li! It’s an emergency!"
Lin Hu’s injuries weren’t fatal. Aside from excessive blood loss, he hadn’t lost consciousness. He took the basic healing potion handed to him by someone nearby and downed it in one gulp, feeling somewhat revitalized.
"Take me to Mayor Li."
Lin Hu had just escaped death, and his mind was still a bit muddled from the ordeal. Now that he was safe, he realized some things couldn’t be said in front of so many people, so he headed directly for Mayor Li’s room.
Inside the room, Li Quan’an looked at the blood-soaked Lin Hu and asked with a grave expression, "How bad is the situation?"
Lin Hu took a large gulp of water and said to Li Quan’an with a solemn expression, "It’s very bad. Wen Yu was completely right. The exit from Hualin Town is blocked; we simply can’t break through. Moreover, those mutant vines have already begun to spread into the town. I’m afraid it won’t be long before..."
Mayor Li’s expression grew increasingly grim. He stood up and began to pace back and forth in the room. "Do you think this Wen Yu is trustworthy?"
Lin Hu thought for a moment, then said directly to Li Quan’an, "Whether he’s trustworthy or not, given the current situation, we must break out. If we stay here, I’m afraid none of us have many days left."
Hearing Lin Hu’s words, Li Quan’an nodded heavily.