Chapter 338: Chapter 333: Apocalypse Sisters
While little Mingming was worried that Ye Dong might one day belong to someone else’s family, Li Lewei was also afraid that Ying Yiming would fall in too deep after meeting Ye Dong.
From Shanghai to Hu Province, before the apocalypse, it would take less than a day to arrive, but now they had been traveling for two whole months.
Hu Province is mountainous and has many bodies of water, not only did they have to guard against land-based zombies and mutated animals, but also against things in the water. In recent days, a strange kind of Mutated Vine had grown everywhere, with particularly strong offensive capabilities. They weren’t cautious the first time and lost two teammates.
But Dr. Yang might be the most knowledgeable person about the apocalypse nowadays, and the superiors said that as long as there was a glimmer of hope, they had to bring Dr. Yang back. So no matter what Li Lewei said, Ying Yiming and the others were determined to go and take a look at Hu Province Base.
"It’s a bit strange," Ying Yiming said, his sharp eyes slightly drooping, seemingly in deep thought.
"What’s wrong? Is there a problem?" Li Lewei asked cautiously, watching the surroundings with confusion, and the others also turned their eyes to him.
"Haven’t you noticed? The closer we get to Hu Province Base, the fewer Mutated Vines there are, and they’re also getting weaker," he said.
"Could it be that this area’s climate isn’t suitable for their growth?" Li Lewei tried to explain.
"Impossible," Ying Yiming flatly rejected her explanation, "Even after the apocalypse, the climate here is still quite similar to Shanghai’s, but the vines have only diminished in this particular area. Besides, the primary source of growth for these Mutated Vines is absorbing energy from zombies and mutated animals, not the climate they’re in."
"Could it be that Hu Province Base has cleared them out?" Luo Yong speculated.
"I think so," Zhao Guangnian reflected for a moment but still seemed puzzled, "But why would they only clear out the Mutated Vines? The number of zombies and mutated animals doesn’t seem to have decreased."
After listening, Ying Yiming’s gaze deepened: "Perhaps it has something to do with this." He took out a green Crystal Core, identical to the one Ye Qiu had previously shown, "But we won’t know the exact situation until we get to Hu Province Base."
Li Lewei hated herself for not finishing the book when confronted with such mysteries. She knew that the Crystal Cores were mentioned in the book as being capable of enhancing a person’s superpower, but what exactly was this green Crystal Core from the Mutated Vine? Is it beneficial or harmful to the human body?
And what was the ending of the novel? Did the apocalypse come to an absolute end, or did Ying Yiming and his group manage to coexist peacefully with the zombies? Why didn’t she recall any description of the Mutated Vines?
This feeling of losing control wasn’t pleasant; Li Lewei’s complexion became somewhat unsightly.
Everyone thought her pallor was just fatigue from the long journey and didn’t take it seriously. Instead, they quickened their pace, hoping to reach the Hu Province Base for some much-needed rest soon.
"This wall isn’t any lower than the walls at our base, is it?" The group saw the massive scale of Hu Province Base from afar and were stunned by its enormity.
Li Lewei felt a tinge of confusion. Was the scale of Hu Province Base mentioned in the book? It only seemed to say that a year after the apocalypse, it was cleared by waves of zombies and mutated animals. How powerful must that wave have been to clear such a large base?
The time should be about due, right?
"Do you have ID Cards?" Ying Yiming and his team were stopped outside, and Zhao Guang interrogated them. He almost stood guard at the entrance every day and was very clear on which squads belonged to the base.
"No, we are from Jiang Province Base, and we’ve come with matters to discuss with your base’s authorities," Ying Yiming answered honestly.
"First, we must conduct an inspection."
"An inspection?" Li Lewei frowned, feeling displeased.
"Everyone who enters the base must be inspected, just in case someone is carrying the Zombie Virus," Zhao Guang explained politely to them.
"We are all Superpower Users, how could we possibly carry the Zombie Virus?" Li Lewei complained discontentedly, growing irritated at the thought of soon meeting Ye Dong, "We are here on a mission from the national leaders, how can you detain us for twenty-four hours?"
After listening to her, Zhao Guang’s politeness faded, and he said sternly, "Miss, first, being a Superpower User doesn’t mean one can’t be infected with the Zombie Virus. Second, due to the apocalypse, state institutions have all disappeared. You just claim to be sent by national leaders and that’s it? Third, who said detecting the Zombie Virus requires a twenty-four-hour quarantine now?"
Zhao Guang’s colleagues laughed, "Our base has invented a very advanced device. A quick scan can tell whether or not someone is infected with the virus, it only takes at most three minutes to handle."
Listening to the guards’ laughter, Li Lewei’s face turned red, and her distaste for this place increased.
However, since they had come to someone else’s territory, they had to follow the rules of the hosts. Moreover, the conditions weren’t too harsh, and Ying Yiming and his team had no reason to refuse. Their feelings were somewhat mixed though, as they hadn’t expected to find technology here that even the most resource-rich Jiang Province Base lacked, which was a blow to their sense of superiority.
However, they had left Jiang Province Base over half a year ago, and perhaps by now, such technology had been developed there too. Thinking this way, everyone felt slightly better.
"Can you take us to meet your leaders now?" Ying Yiming asked.
"Mr. Duan and Miss Ye are both very busy right now. If you have business, you can make an appointment, and we will report it to the higher-ups."
"We are sent by the state. Is this how you conduct affairs? Can you bear the consequences if you delay important matters? And who are Mr. Duan and Miss Ye? What about Hu Province’s governor and party secretary?" Luo Yong asked sternly.
"Sorry, but Mr. Duan and Miss Ye are currently in charge of the base, there’s no one else. Since you’re here, do things according to our rules, and don’t talk to us in a superior tone," the guide said with an unpleasant tone.
Ying Yiming gestured his teammates to be quiet, and he apologized, "If that’s the case, then please help us make an appointment with Mr. Duan and Miss Ye as soon as possible."
"Of course. Now follow me, I’ll take you to your accommodations. But our base offers foreign visitors only two days of free lodging. After two days, if you want a better place to stay, you’ll have to exchange Crystal Cores and food for it."
Hearing that they even had to pay for their accommodations, Ying Yiming’s teammates became even more agitated. They had thought they would receive a warm welcome at a small base, but it turned out the hosts didn’t take them seriously at all.
But Ying Yiming asked very calmly, "How many people share one of the free accommodations? And what’s the difference if we pay?"
"The free ones accommodate four or six people per room, just like the dorms at a university. If you spend Crystal Cores, it depends on how much you spend. There are hotels in the commercial district, and as long as you have Crystal Cores, you can buy anything."
Li Lewei scoffed, "Can fresh fruits and vegetables also be bought?" Who else in the world could eat fresh fruits and vegetables anytime and anywhere but her?
Just as she waited for the other party to falter, she heard the person confidently say, "Of course you can!"