Shen Feng quickly led his men to a nearby residential area. The streets were temporarily cleared of zombies, and Shen Feng intended to use this window of opportunity to rescue the residents within the complex. Of course, the most crucial aspect was to collect food. Shen Feng was acutely aware that food shortages would become a severe problem in the future, making present-day collection essential.
Upon entering the residential area, Shen Feng had his men block the entrance with their vehicles. He then immediately led his team to eliminate the zombies. Although the zombies had learned to avoid danger, they were currently incapable of using weapons. Thus, faced with the group's assault, these zombies were doomed.
The roads within the residential area were narrow and lined with trees. If the combat team found themselves unable to defeat the zombies, they could quickly climb trees, leaving the zombies with no recourse. Shen Feng and the evolved individuals specifically sought out mutated zombies. In one building, they found two spitting zombies. Upon seeing their attackers, these zombies immediately sprayed acid at the group. As everyone present was an evolved individual, they swiftly dodged the acid. Shen Feng then produced two bone spikes and hurled them, instantly dispatching the two zombies.
Yang Chang, looking at the fallen spitting zombies, felt a wave of nausea. "How can such things exist? The liquid they spray must be stomach acid or something similar. Their combat ability isn't great, but this is just too disgusting. If it weren't for needing zombie heads, I wouldn't want to touch them."
Shen Feng paid no attention to the zombies on the ground, only instructing Yang Chang, "Remember to retrieve the bone spikes. They can be used again later."
As he spoke, Shen Feng observed the rooms in the building and unexpectedly discovered that the doors on three floors had been opened. The door locks had been corroded by acid, allowing them to be easily broken. Seeing this, Shen Feng began to speculate whether the zombies' mutations were related to their environment.
He theorized that in open, outdoor areas, speed-type zombies could traverse walls and seek food. In more enclosed indoor spaces, depending on the circumstances, strong or tank-type zombies might appear. However, when faced with tightly shut doors, zombies would mutate into acid-spitting variants to corrode the locks and enter rooms.
Yang Chang carried chalk with him. Upon entering a room and finding food, he would draw a circle on the door. This served as a marker, indicating to the subsequent food collection teams that provisions were present. Specialized personnel would then enter to transport the food.
After Shen Feng cleared the zombies from one building, people soon rushed out, mostly seeking refuge.
The individuals Shen Feng rescued were immensely grateful, nearly prostrating themselves in thanks. Simultaneously, they presented further requests. Parents urged Shen Feng to rescue their children who were still at school, while middle-aged individuals hoped for safe shelter and an end to the threat of zombies.
Among them, a particularly vocal middle-aged man stood out. Clutching the remaining half-bag of rice from his home, he berated the members of the Self-Help Association: "What are you doing? Why are you taking my food? Are you here to rescue people or to rob us like bandits?"
In response, a member of the combat team explained, "Confiscating food is our rule. We guarantee you won't starve, but all food must be surrendered. Otherwise, you cannot enter our base."
The middle-aged man, still clutching his half-bag of rice, declared, "Then I'll stay here. I'm not going to your so-called base. You can leave, don't bother with me!"
With the middle-aged man's words, others began to chime in. They were unwilling to leave the residential area, and more importantly, they did not want their food to be taken. Having survived this long on these provisions, losing them would mean losing all hope.
Because of one man's refusal, many began to waver. These survivors noticed that the Self-Help Association members were all young and lacked any identification. This clearly indicated they were a civilian organization, and their safety could not be guaranteed. So why go to their base? The zombies in the residential area had already been cleared, making it safe. Wouldn't it be better for them to stay here?
Shen Feng's answer was no! Both people and food needed to be taken together. The idea of these people surviving independently was pure wishful thinking. Firstly, there were mutated zombies. A single speed-type zombie could kill the hundreds of people rescued here. If these people died, they would be consumed by zombies and turn into energy. Thus, allowing them to exist independently would essentially be supporting the zombies.
Shen Feng gave Yang Chang a meaningful look. Yang Chang immediately understood and grabbed the leading middle-aged man, dragging him towards the residential area's entrance. As he dragged him, Yang Chang declared, "We saved you, and instead of being grateful, you call us bandits. No, you've insulted our dignity. Now, I'll let you feed the zombies."
The middle-aged man, caught by the powerful grip on his collar, tried to resist but found himself unable to. He realized his strength was no match for this young man. In his desperation, he released the half-bag of rice and pleaded, "Don't do this. Let's talk. I'll give you the food, alright?"
Yang Chang looked towards Shen Feng, who gave no instructions.
Yang Chang continued to drag the middle-aged man, saying, "Food is a minor issue. Your biggest mistake is your distrust of us. Come on, let the zombies be the judge. See if anyone else will pull you out of the zombies' mouths besides us!"
The middle-aged man quickly begged, "I was wrong, I was wrong. I shouldn't have misunderstood you. You are all good people, bodhisattvas who save people from suffering. I was blinded by greed. Please let me go. I'll do whatever you say."
At this moment, Shen Feng stepped forward with righteous indignation and pointed at Yang Chang, saying, "How can you do this? Zombies are our greatest enemies. You cannot coerce people with zombies. Your awareness is not high enough. I order you to release him immediately."
Yang Chang lowered his head in a show of "shame" and said, "President, I was impulsive. I just felt that these people's misunderstanding of us was too deep, so I wanted to scare him a little."
"Don't let it happen again. Take people to move the food. Today, we must rescue all our compatriots and send them to the base to ensure their safety!" Shen Feng said sternly.
The two's synchronized performance indeed made the survivors present obedient. This was because they suddenly realized that if they didn't comply, they might be thrown out to feed the zombies. Although this action had been stopped, who knew if these people were just saying it casually?
Afterward, Shen Feng addressed the survivors loudly, "Listen everyone, I am the president of the Self-Help Association. We are currently working hard to retake Luzhou, and military rescue will not arrive anytime soon. Therefore, we must save ourselves. Now, I ask everyone to unite. Only through unity can we defeat the zombies! I guarantee that once you reach our base, your safety will not be a concern, and you will not experience food shortages."
The survivors were stirred by his words, believing that the Self-Help Association was a group dedicated to retaking Luzhou.
However, at this moment, a middle-aged woman rushed forward and knelt before Shen Feng, saying, "President, please save my son. I will serve you like a cow or a horse for the rest of my life, and I will repay you. Please!"
Shen Feng looked at the kneeling woman, feeling a pang of sadness. It was not easy for a mother to kneel and beg for her son.
Subsequently, Shen Feng helped the woman up and said seriously, "Sister, don't worry, I will definitely save people. But we are proceeding step by step. I guarantee that within five days, I will have rescued the surrounding urban areas. If your son is still alive then, I will definitely bring him back."
"Thank you, thank you, young man!" the middle-aged woman repeatedly expressed her gratitude. She then voluntarily joined the food-moving efforts. Seeing this, others also began to carry food, and in the fastest possible time, the provisions were loaded onto the trucks.
Witnessing this, Shen Feng felt a surge of emotion. "If I can become their hope, they will give everything. These people are truly foolish."
Shen Feng spent half a day rescuing all the people in the residential area. Upon counting, he found there were just over seven hundred people, which was sufficient. He instructed the driver to take the residents to the dock first, while he continued with his team to rescue people from the next residential area.
In this new residential area, Shen Feng discovered a tank-type zombie. All the edible animals within had already been consumed by it. Seeing this scene, Shen Feng's head began to ache. Due to the presence of the tank-type zombie, the number of survivors likely to remain in the residential area would be very small.
By now, Shen Feng had a method to deal with tank-type zombies. He quickly advanced to attract the tank-type zombie's attention. As the tank-type zombie bent down to attack, Shen Feng moved forward instead of retreating and thrust his sword out, piercing the zombie's eye socket. The zombie's massive body then collapsed to the ground.
Yang Chang efficiently placed the zombie's head into a cloth bag and then began directing the others to hunt down zombies.
There were not many survivors in this residential area, only a little over a hundred. This was due to the tank-type zombie. Whenever someone dared to appear, they would inevitably fall prey to the tank-type zombie's gaping maw. Furthermore, the tank-type zombie had learned to knock on doors. If anyone dared to open one, they would be captured and killed on the spot.
The people in this residential area had lived in fear, often hearing the zombies knocking on their doors. They dared not open them, and had barricaded their doors tightly to prevent the tank-type zombie from breaking in. It was only after Shen Feng killed the tank-type zombie that these people finally emerged from their fear.
One woman wept, "My husband was eaten by this zombie. Before he died, he kept attacking it with a kitchen knife, but it was completely ineffective against the zombie. In the end, he was eaten alive. I could only close the door and wait for rescue. You've finally come."
The other survivors, recalling the fear that had dictated their lives for days, began to cry. Humans are prone to conformity. Once a few people started crying, others followed suit. Shen Feng felt helpless. After offering some comfort, he ordered people to move the food. This time, no one opposed Shen Feng's actions; they only wished to leave this terrifying place.
Upon returning to the dock, Shen Feng instructed Yang Ye to sail the crowd and food back to the base. Shen Feng himself had to continue killing zombies until the granary was secured.
As night fell, Ren Jing and the people who had departed had not yet returned. Shen Feng began to feel uneasy. According to the intelligence he had gathered earlier, there shouldn't have been many zombies at the academy. So why hadn't Ren Jing returned yet? Could they have encountered some troublesome zombies?
Shen Feng was eager to go to the academy to investigate and understand the situation, at least to confirm the safety of the combat team members Ren Jing had taken with him. However, Yang Chang stopped Shen Feng, saying earnestly, "President, at this time, without the protection of our ships, if powerful zombies were to attack, we would have difficulty escaping. Moreover, Ren Jing has fought alongside you for a long time. If he encounters any danger, he should be able to protect himself."
Shen Feng explained, "I'm not worried about Ren Jing. I suspect that their group of over four hundred people hasn't returned because of Yu Ren Shu and Chu Zhao Yan. Chu Zhao Yan is fine; she doesn't have many schemes or tricks. But the doctor is different. She might cause trouble while I'm away!"
Yang Chang gritted his teeth and said, "President, then you go and investigate. I will lead the brothers here to hide carefully. If zombies attack, we will quickly retreat downstream to ensure we are not wiped out."
Shen Feng shook his head upon hearing Yang Chang's words and said, "Forget it. I'll wait until tomorrow to set out and see. I also need to consider your situation here. Perhaps I shouldn't have split the forces. It's better to go slower if we can stay together for safety."
At this moment, Shen Feng was acutely aware that Yang Chang's group was also very important. Moreover, zombies could appear around the dock at any time. If mutated zombies appeared, the people here would be completely unable to resist. As for Ren Jing's situation, he hoped he could lead the team well.