Chapter 604: Visitors from Daze City
Xiao Honglian and Xing Tian both nodded, agreeing to Zhang Yi’s conditions.
"From now on, whatever you ask us to do, we'll do it," Xiao Honglian said. "All we ask is that you protect the people at our bases and let them survive."
Xing Tian looked at Zhang Yi.
"Old Zhang, we’ve always gotten along pretty well. You’re not gonna screw me over, right?"
He waved a hand casually. "Just carry on as usual. Wait for my orders."
He didn’t say too much—after all, he didn’t expect much from these three factions anyway.
Besides, no matter how many demands he made, if real trouble hit, these guys would still put their own interests first.
What a joke. That sort of thing only existed because of strength.
Xiao Honglian and Xing Tian nodded, then took their men and left Xiaomiaoshan Subway Station.
"Let’s head back too," Zhang Yi said.
He pulled out the Snow Vehicle, and everyone piled in for the ride back to the Shelter.
The mood on the way back was a little heavy.
After all, the days of peace were coming to an end.
Barring any surprises, they’d soon be clashing with forces from other cities.
"Why’s it always gotta be fighting? I’m exhausted!"
Fatty Xu grumbled, face full of frustration.
"This is just how things are now," said Uncle You.
"In a world where civilization has collapsed, it’s survival of the fittest. Darwin’s law rules everything."
"All we can hope for is that Jiangnan District sets up a proper system soon to keep these factions in check."
Zhang Yi sat in the front passenger seat, arms crossed, listening to them chat. He said lazily,
"Once we win this fight, things will be a lot more peaceful."
A cold light flashed in his eyes.
He hadn’t forgotten the humiliation from those Daze City bastards.
"We need a warning—a chicken to set an example."
"This time, I’m not just killing a chicken. I’m tearing down the whole chicken coop."
Everyone arrived back at the Shelter, where the women of the household came out to greet them.
Zhang Yi and the others hadn’t been gone long, so everything at home was still calm and peaceful.
But when they finished recounting what had happened at Blizzard City, Zhou Haimei and Yang Siyah wore helpless expressions.
"Why can't people just live in peace? Why do they have to fight to the death? I really don’t get what goes on in their heads,"
Zhou Haimei said, shaking her head, full of regret.
She seemed to be scolding those who couldn’t appreciate a good life and insisted on throwing it away in battle.
Uncle You put an arm around her shoulders and smiled warmly.
"Don’t worry. No matter how big the problem, we’ll handle it. You just focus on your work here at home—leave the rest to us."
Zhang Yi sat on the sofa as everyone gathered in the living room.
He immediately started assigning tasks.
"Xinxin, get the Tianhai City network system running."
"Through that, we can monitor movements across all districts of Tianhai City."
"Got it, Brother Zhang Yi. Besides that, I can try hacking into the networks of other cities too."
Zhang Yi blinked, surprised.
Yang Xinxin smiled and nodded.
"I didn’t before because our main enemies were inside Tianhai City. But now, with outside forces threatening our safety, it’s necessary."
"Aside from Blizzard City’s network—which I wouldn’t dare touch—hacking the public networks of other cities shouldn't be a problem for me."
Even though it was the apocalypse, the network systems hadn’t completely collapsed.
After all, national-level forces like the Six Districts still maintained basic infrastructure.
Most factions relied on communication devices and central control systems.
That dependence created weaknesses Yang Xinxin could exploit.
Zhang Yi’s eyes lit up.
"Then try hacking into Daze City’s network! I want their combat data—especially intel on their superhumans and abilities."
Yang Xinxin smiled sweetly.
Then Zhang Yi turned to Lu Keran.
"Keran, you’ve come into contact with a lot of new tech at Blizzard City—especially that black combat suit and those construction materials."
"Absorb everything you learned, and for now, focus on replicating that combat suit."
Zhang Yi had been seriously tempted by those training suits from the Training Arena.
It was the first time he’d seen clothing that could enhance a person’s physical abilities.
Kind of like a human exoskeleton.
He’d heard of exoskeleton technology online before the apocalypse, but seeing it miniaturized into clothing was a first.
With something like that, their whole team’s strength would jump dramatically.
Even the girls who weren’t good at fighting would have a much better chance at survival.
Lu Keran gave a playful salute.
Then Zhang Yi turned to Yang Siyah.
"Your job stays the same. Stockpile as much Superhuman Energy Food as possible."
Yang Siyah nodded sweetly.
"Got it. I haven’t been slacking either."
Zhang Yi gave her an approving nod.
He continued handing out tasks—mostly defensive preparations—nothing too complicated, just making sure everyone stayed battle-ready.
The next day, a letter arrived from Daze City.
The messengers came in two Snow Vehicles, ten people in total, all superhumans who exuded a powerful presence.
They’d already figured out during the Gathering that Zhang Yi was the true leader of Tianhai City's forces.
So the vehicles rolled straight up to the area near the Shelter.
The moment they got close, the Shelter’s AI system sounded an alarm, alerting Zhang Yi.
He checked the monitors and saw two black armored Snow Vehicles, immediately guessing they were outsiders.
The markings on the vehicles weren’t anything he recognized.
Zhang Yi quickly changed into his Combat Suit and left his room.
Liang Yue and Uncle You, both suited up, were already waiting at his door.
"Let’s go see what’s up," Liang Yue said.
"They’re being cautious—stopped about two hundred meters away. Judging by their gear, they’re not from around here."
As they headed downstairs, Zhang Yi said,
"I know. They’re probably from Daze City."
"Are they here to declare war?"
Zhang Yi laughed and shot Uncle You a look.
"You ever seen anyone so polite that they announce a war before starting it?"
Uncle You: "Then what are they here for?"
"They’re here to intimidate us—to scare us into surrendering without a fight."