As winter approached, the joint counterattack against zombies by Wuming City and various locations across the country was nearing its end.
All regions compiled their experiences and achievements from this joint operation. Overall, humanity's ability to combat zombies had significantly improved.
Except for the slightly slower cleanup speed around the peripheries of some former major cities, casualties in battles across various regions were minimal. This was especially true in areas where Wuming City's teams advanced, where the progress was almost a rapid, overwhelming victory.
This battle against zombies greatly encouraged the humans struggling to survive in the apocalypse and boosted morale.
"The weather has turned quite cold, and this year's operations are concluding, allowing everyone to rest. However, various bases should not be idle during winter. Reconnaissance personnel must regularly monitor the zombie situation in different areas."
"They also delivered the promised crystals to Wuming City as agreed."
As the organizer of this battle, Wuming City not only dispatched its own teams to assist struggling regions with appropriate cleanups but also participated in almost all operational plans.
Therefore, bases across the country were required to submit varying amounts of crystals to Wuming City as compensation.
This practice laid the foundation for Wuming City's future leading position nationwide.
Although Wuming City did not adopt a monarchical system, it played a crucial role in the joint governance of various regions, and as an important city, its voice carried significant weight.
...
As Wuming City experienced its first snowfall of winter.
Lu Heng also returned to Wuming City.
He did not plan to venture out to kill zombies during winter. After a busy year, he also desired some rest.
During his recent expeditions, he had acquired zombie crystals up to level fifteen, and he did not intend to collect any higher-level crystals.
This was also because the gap between those zombies and Lin Xue was gradually narrowing, and he felt that Lin Xue was finding it increasingly difficult to control the zombies.
The main reason was that as the zombies' levels increased, not only did their abilities improve, but their intelligence also rose, making them harder to manage.
Back in his room in the inner city, Lu Heng stood by the window with a cup of hot tea, gazing at the snowy scenery outside.
Occasionally, a few people walking in the inner city, carrying items, had smiles on their faces.
They chatted as they walked. Wuming City had already sealed its gates, no longer organizing outward expeditions.
In the outer city, apart from the guards on the walls and those on reconnaissance missions, the only people moving about within Wuming City were those exchanging goods.
However, those who came to exchange goods would also choose to stay for a few days in Wuming City's satellite towns. The reason was simple: the satellite towns had developed various services.
Services such as bars, restaurants, inns, and barber shops were abundant. Of course, there were no illicit establishments within the city. Wuming City enforced strict controls, and dark industries were not permitted to operate within its confines.
Therefore, even though the activity of killing zombies outside had ceased for winter, the city remained lively.
Knowing that Lu Heng had returned, Lin Yu also quickly made his way back to their residence.
"Brother Lu, your trip out this time was really long."
After not seeing each other for a while, Lin Yu greeted Lu Heng enthusiastically upon entering the room and began to chat.
"Yes, I needed some high-level crystals, so I went out to get them."
Although he didn't explain the purpose of needing high-level crystals to Lin Yu, Lin Yu was not one to pry. If Lu Heng didn't elaborate, he wouldn't press further.
Lin Yu briefly updated Lu Heng on the current main affairs of Wuming City, then shifted to other topics of conversation.
After Lin Yu finished discussing official matters, Lu Heng spoke again, "During my last trip, I killed Sun Qiang."
Placing his teacup on the coffee table, Lu Heng sat back on the sofa.
"Yes, that can be considered a form of release," Lin Yu said, also sitting on a nearby sofa.
"By the way, I haven't seen the Director for a long time. Has he gotten fatter again?"
For a considerable period, the Director had been stationed in Wuming City to assist Lin Yu with his work. Therefore, Lin Yu had a good relationship with the Director and would occasionally recall amusing anecdotes they shared.
"Indeed, that fellow rarely moves in the spatial realm, spending his days eating and sleeping."
After speaking, Lu Heng summoned the Director from his spatial realm. The Director, who had likely been sleeping, was curled up on the sofa upon appearing.
"He really hasn't stopped growing. His size has also increased quite a bit."
Lin Yu walked over to the Director and stroked its fur.
The Director's physique was now almost as large as an adult tiger. With the good food it received in Lu Heng's spatial realm, it was indeed plump and robust.
Disturbed by Lin Yu's petting, the Director woke up. It opened its eyes, first glancing at Lin Yu, then at its surroundings.
Although the central air conditioning was kept on twenty-four hours a day here, it was still not as comfortable as the constant temperature within the spatial realm.
The Director arched its back, stretched its limbs, shook its fur, and then sat on the sofa, asking, "Why did you bring me out again?"
"You're always sleeping in the spatial realm. If you don't move around, look at how fat you've become."
"(＞^w^＜) Meow! It's snowing outside."
Seeing the snowflakes outside the window, the Director got up, jumped off the sofa, and perched on the windowsill to watch the snowscape.
"Yes, would you like to go out and play for a while?"
"No, I still prefer warm places."
Although the Director had mutated, many mutated animals retained their original habits.
The Director had never liked cold places, so when it came to watching snow, it preferred to do so indoors.
"We're planning to have a lively celebration in the city for the New Year. Will you be joining us, Brother Lu?"
"If nothing unexpected happens, I will participate."
"Alright. The city hasn't been this lively for a long time. The situation in various areas has improved significantly this year, and we want to further boost everyone's morale."
"Yes, that's the right thing to do. Distribute New Year's gifts to all citizens. If you lack supplies, I can get you more."
"Okay, I'll have them think about what New Year's gifts to give and then report back after they've compiled the list."
At noon, Lu Heng released the animals from his spatial realm that were not afraid of the cold, but he instructed them to only roam within the inner city.
The residents living in the inner city were all management personnel of Wuming City. They had been there since the early days of Wuming City's establishment and had some understanding of Lu Heng's control over mutated animals.
Moreover, Lu Heng's mutated animals had played a part in Wuming City's initial rise to fame.
...
The second New Year after the apocalypse arrived quickly.
Happy days always passed swiftly. Everyone had a more fulfilling winter than ever before.
The faces of everyone in Wuming City were filled with smiles, filled with hopeful anticipation for the future.
This year, Wuming City distributed new weapons and armor from another world, brought by Lu Heng, as New Year's gifts to the city's residents.
Of course, Lu Heng also released a considerable amount of various living supplies from his spatial city, distributing them to everyone.