The morning light was dim.
Under the watchful eyes of everyone, Qin Shilei solemnly accepted the commander-in-chief's uniform, insignia, and letter of appointment transferred from Kong Zhendong.
Although Kong Zhendong appointing Qin Shilei directly as commander-in-chief was irregular, the soldiers below did not pay attention to this. They merely applauded madly, expressing their excitement.
The soldiers had also discussed this privately last night.
"I heard the commander-in-chief is going to appoint Qin Shilei as the commander-in-chief?"
"Yes, I can't believe they're letting someone who isn't from the military lead us. Is this really proper?"
"It's the apocalypse now, special circumstances call for special measures. What's so surprising about that?"
"Exactly. Qin Shilei is the number one person on Blue Star, how could a mere commander-in-chief be beyond him?"
"I also agree that City Lord Qin should be our commander-in-chief. Not only is his strength unrivaled, but he has also saved me three times. Now, he has even established Hope City. Only by following such a city lord can we survive the apocalypse."
Although there were some rigid and stubborn individuals who proposed different opinions, they were quickly silenced and unable to retort.
"If you're so capable, why don't you do it? This is a decision made by the higher-ups, why are you, a mere company commander, worrying about it? If you have the guts, go out and kill all the remaining zombies in Nanzhuang City."
The ceremony concluded!
Qin Shilei raised his hand and waved, "Attention, everyone. Depart!"
Immediately, the people of Hope City formed ranks and rushed towards Nanzhuang City.
Although the vast majority of zombies in Nanzhuang City had been annihilated yesterday, there were still scattered zombies wandering within the urban area.
They were now going to thoroughly clear out the zombies inside and then expand the city walls to their maximum extent.
To deal with any potentially powerful mutated zombies, top experts like An Qian and the others were all dispatched.
Qin Shilei, on the other hand, headed towards the camps of the other three legions with Kong Zhendong.
Above the Storm Legion.
Kong Zhendong pointed to a room on the fifth floor of a building and said, "The office of Chen Pengfei, the commander of the Storm Legion, is right there."
"Alright, Uncle Kong, you stay here for a moment, then come down later."
Qin Shilei finished speaking and teleported into the room.
Looking around, he found no one.
"Is Chen Pengfei not at work yet?"
Qin Shilei frowned and had no choice but to push the door open and walk out.
"Who." The two guards outside the door heard the sound of the door opening and immediately aimed their guns at the entrance.
Before they could even get a clear look at the person opening the door, they felt a lightness in their hands. The semi-automatic rifles they were holding were snatched away by the newcomer.
"Don't move. If you move again, I'll shoot." Qin Shilei, holding a rifle in each hand, pointed them at the chests of the two men.
Under the threat of the dark gun muzzles, the two men had no choice but to halt their right hands, which were reaching for their waists.
"Where is your legion commander, Chen Pengfei?" Qin Shilei asked coldly.
The two remained silent, showing no intention of answering Qin Shilei.
Qin Shilei put away one of the rifles and took out a red booklet. "I was sent by the commander-in-chief. Quickly take me to find your legion commander."
One of the men carefully examined the booklet and then replied, "The legion commander hasn't appeared for the past few days. We don't know where he is."
So cautious!
Qin Shilei pondered for a moment and then said, "Take me to find another high-ranking official in the legion."
Since the cowardly Chen Pengfei was hiding, he would have to find the other high-ranking officials in the legion to locate him.
The two guards exchanged glances, and one of them nodded and replied, "Alright, I'll take you."
Qin Shilei knocked out the other with a hand chop and threw him into the room. "Let's go, he's fine."
The man's expression changed, but he still walked ahead to lead the way.
Qin Shilei was also wearing a military uniform now, and with a guard leading him, no one they encountered on the way stopped or questioned them.
The man led Qin Shilei out of the building and towards a two-story building on the far northeast corner.
As they entered the small building, Qin Shilei became increasingly suspicious.
"Are you sure your high-ranking officials are here? Why haven't I seen a single person working?"
The man remained silent, lowering his head and continuing to walk forward.
"Stop." Qin Shilei pointed his gun at him and shouted.
The guard reached out, twisted open the door of a nearby room, and attempted to dart inside.
But his movements were no match for Qin Shilei's speed. As his right foot lifted, a blood-red long sword was already placed at his neck.
"Very well, I presume a trap has already been set outside."
Qin Shilei smiled and said, "I didn't see you give any signals on the way here. How exactly did you notify them?"
The guard said coldly, "Just surrender. A trap has indeed been set outside. You cannot escape."
He paused, then added, "So you can die with understanding. The two of us were ordered to guard the commander's office. We received a death order: if we ever led someone away, we were to bring that person here. Those we encountered on the way would notify others to arrange the trap."
"..."
Qin Shilei couldn't help but admire the staff of the military department.
Not only did they make the legion commander leave his usual office, but they also specifically arranged for two guards to man the door. Once the guards were taken hostage, they would subtly lure the newcomer into the trap.
"It's a pity. No matter how brilliant a plan is, it's still overshadowed by absolute power."
Qin Shilei sheathed Blood Soul and said, "Let's go. Let's see what kind of trap you've set for us."
When he walked out of the small building, he found it heavily surrounded.
More than thirty meters away, soldiers holding deadly weapons were layered around, and further away, several tanks were aimed at the building. Several helicopters were flying towards them from overhead.
"Halt! You are surrounded. Disarm and surrender immediately," a military officer shouted sternly from the crowd.
Qin Shilei, too lazy to waste words, teleported beside the officer and held Blood Soul at his neck.
"Take me to find your legion commander."
The officer was stunned. How did this person suddenly get held hostage?
But he still threatened defiantly, "Give up on that idea. The cannons are already aimed here. Even if you kill me, you will be buried with me."
"Is that so?" Qin Shilei said calmly, "Do you think my teleportation just now could evade the bombardment of artillery shells?"
"Commander Xu, he is Qin Shilei, our Blue Star's number one expert. An unparalleled master whom even artillery shells cannot kill."
Suddenly, someone recognized Qin Shilei and said in surprise.
Upon hearing that the person holding him hostage was Qin Shilei, Commander Xu's defiance crumbled.
The trap they had set was only for experts like Lu Tiangang. As for Qin Shilei, they might as well go to sleep.
"Were you sent by the commander-in-chief?" Commander Xu asked.
"Yes."
He was now the commander-in-chief, and he had sent himself. Qin Shilei's statement was not wrong.
"I am a soldier and I will resolutely uphold the leadership of the commander-in-chief. I will take you to see our legion commander now."
Commander Xu was quite forthright. Knowing he was no match, he immediately betrayed Chen Pengfei and returned to the legitimate leadership of the commander-in-chief.