In total, the number of survivors hiding away in the mall's underground storehouse comes to fifteen, ten males and five females. There are even three children amongst them, ages around five or six.
"They hid in the food storage room, which is why they are able to survive for so many days" Looking at the survivors eating cornmeal biscuits with the villagers, Qin Jun muses as he hands a bottle of mineral water to Li Qing.
"It has only been a month since the world ended, so the safe zones would have only just settled down. Things like mercenary squads created to actively search and slay zombies will only appear approximately one and a half months after Judgement Day, at the earliest. Afterwards, groups sent out to scavenge for food, other supplies or rescue survivors will also surface. Which is why this mall has been left intact." Taking a bite of flavoured roasted seaweed recently brought out from the storeroom, Huo Zaiyuan says absently. "Mmm, this seaweed doesn't taste too bad. I can use it the next time I make rice balls."
"Mercenary squads" Long Zhanye murmurs as he leans down to take a bite out of the same piece of seaweed.
"Ummteams organised and formed from volunteers within the people in the safe zone. A squad typically consists of five to six members who will go outside to scavenge for supplies or search for other survivors" Seeing the lone raised eyebrow of Long Zhanye, Huo Zaiyuan explains before falling silent for a while. "ThatI'm just speculating" Trailing off, he turns his head away, stealing a packet of tomato-flavoured potato crisps that Li Qing secretly stored away.
Lips curving into a small smile, Long Zhanye gazes at Huo Zaiyuan. Naturally, he doesn't believe the youth's explanation is all based on pure speculation, but he doesn't want to question him further. Since the child doesn't want to be honest, he will treat it as if he (LZY) doesn't know. Because Long Zhanye is well aware there will be a day Huo Zaiyuan will willingly divulge his secrets, just like how he showed Long Zhanye his interdimensional space.
~~~
With an additional fifteen survivors and the remaining food from the storeroom all transferred into the two trucks, the line of vehicles depart early the next morning. The off-road car leading the way as per usual, they make their way towards the safe zone located in X City's outer suburb.
As they get closer and closer to the safe zone, tracks left by zombies become increasingly common. On top of that, the various malls and shops in the safe zone's proximity have all been cleanly ransacked. Clearly, teams have already been sent out from that place to scavenge for necessary goods. This assumption is further confirmed by the various zombie corpses sporting blade gashes or bullet holes in their heads, most concealed under spread bedsheets with an occasional body left uncovered.
Travelling through X City's side streets and outer districts for almost three hours, the line of three vehicles slowly make their way around various obstacles, drawing closer to their destination. Staring into the distance, one can see the city's military district and its high, white perimeter walls. A wooden platform has been established on top of the meters-high wall, a glaring, flashing red spotlight acting as a signal beacon. Ten meters from the military district, a trench has been dug all around, with barb wires covering the top of the long trench to create a defensive line. In addition, there is only one ten-meter wide road leading into the district with a large steel gate at the end. This entrance is tightly guarded by ten-plus men in military uniform with guns in hand.
As soon as the three vehicles draw close enough, two soldiers lift a hand, gesturing for them to stop.
The off-road vehicle comes to a halt. One of the two soldiers walks up to the driver's side and raps on the car window, signalling them to lower it.
The current driver is Long Zhanye, who winds down the window and looks at the soldier, a smirk curling his lips.