Chapter 55: Crimson Hair and the White Night

At the entrance of the covert base, chaos reigned, the smoke of battle lingering in the air. Southward, the road was strewn with bodies, some of which stood out starkly. These corpses bore signs of beastly mutations—grotesquely enlarged, several times the size of ordinary mercenaries. Even in death, they radiated a lingering menace.

A man in a white laboratory coat clutched a wound on his face as he walked over to Ren Chang, casting a wary glance at the devastation around him and lowering his voice.
"Chief Ren, the Level Three genetic serum is inherently dangerous. That girl Liang may have escaped, but she won't get far before it kills her. As for Li Ran—he took a bullet, he won't make it much farther either."

Ren Chang's arm hung limp at his side as he glared fiercely at the man.
"Dr. Li's research data—it's been taken, hasn't it?"

Sensing Ren Chang's anger, the man bowed his head and whispered, "Yes... The data is gone."

"Then brace yourself for the leader's wrath!" Ren Chang turned and strode into the base. "Team Three, continue the pursuit! Send someone to F City to inform the leader at once!"

The mercenaries, still shaken, exchanged uncertain glances. The captain of Team Three emerged, dispirited, and led the remaining members into a vehicle, heading off in the direction where Long Qianwen had fled.

"Grandpa Li, we've made it out! Hold on, we'll come back for vengeance!"

After fleeing ten kilometers nonstop, Long Qianwen parked the vehicle by a riverbank, rummaging through her bag for supplies to tend Li Ran's gunshot wound in his abdomen. Her battle suit was tattered, exposing smooth skin marred by savage wounds. Gritting her teeth, she extracted the bullet by the river and hastily bandaged herself.

She glanced bitterly at the scales on her arms, feeling the violent tearing within her body, but forced herself to gather emergency supplies, packing them up. Then, carrying Li Ran on her back, she headed toward the forest.

Fortunately, after the cataclysm, most humans had fallen prey to beasts. Abandoned villages dotted the landscape, wild vegetation had grown rampant, and the woods offered natural cover for Long Qianwen’s escape.

...

Outside the camping base, a rundown hidden village stood. After several sweeps by hunting parties from the base, the area was stripped bare, and few dared to linger there.

A convoy of modified jeeps was parked inside a relatively intact house, with mercenaries scattered around, keeping watch.

Wu Gang, accompanied by a bald subordinate, stood respectfully before a red-haired woman, reporting the latest findings from F City.

"In summary, our operatives at the F City refugee base are gone, and all progress has stalled?" The red-haired woman sat on the only chair in the room, idly toying with a dagger, her tone slow and languid.

Wu Gang’s expression tightened as he bowed his head. "Yes, Leader. Wu Gang failed in his duties—please punish me."

After a moment of playing with the dagger, a dazzling smile appeared beneath her black mask. "Interesting. Wu Gang, this Wang Ji you mentioned—he's neither one of ours nor from IAG. Who exactly is he?"

Wu Gang replied with a bitter smile, "It's precisely because we can't uncover his background. And given your previous instructions to ensure the stability of F City's refugee base, we couldn't use extreme measures."

"Enough. The fault isn't yours. Since it's an accident, I'll meet him myself." The red-haired woman rose and stretched.

Everyone in the room lowered their gaze, not daring to look at her tall, commanding figure.

"Wu Gang, do you know where Wang Ji is now?"

"Yes! He’s likely still dining at Dinghai Pavilion," Wu Gang answered.

Interest sparkled in the red-haired woman's eyes as she smiled. "Perfect. I’ve been craving a decent meal—the food on the road has been atrocious. Wu Gang, lead the way. We're going to find Wang Ji. The rest of you, replenish supplies at the base."

"Understood!"

Wang Ji had come today by invitation, heading straight for his usual spot at Dinghai Pavilion.

He expected Cao Muhua to have something important to discuss, but instead was introduced to a mysterious man.

"Mr. Bai, you say you're from IAG?"

Wang Ji picked up his teacup, eyeing the inspector with suspicion.

The inspector, surnamed Bai, seated across from him, curved his scarlet lips in a smile beneath his cloak.

"That's right! IAG—International Biogenetic Research Center."

Wang Ji frowned, uncertain of the man’s intentions. He didn’t want to tangle with such a formidable organization, so he replied in a low voice, "I’ve heard your department doesn’t have the best reputation, notorious for unspeakable deeds. If there’s nothing important, I’ll take my leave."

He stood, preparing to go.

The inspector laughed loudly. "Captain Wang! I've observed you for a long time. You’re not like those rabble. Besides, IAG’s ideals aren’t something they could understand. Some sacrifices are necessary for humanity’s glorious evolution!"

His excitement grew as he approached Wang Ji, saying, "Captain Wang, don’t you want to witness the dawn of the new human era with me?"

Wang Ji’s gaze flickered over the inspector's arm, and he replied with a slight smile, "If that future is built on the blood of innocents, I cannot accept it."

"You...!" The inspector hadn’t expected Wang Ji’s blunt stance. He studied Wang Ji’s calm face, then suddenly laughed again.

"Fine! Our paths diverge. I won’t force the issue. I came today to discuss business. Please, sit and finish your tea."

Wang Ji glanced at the silent Cao Muhua and smiled, taking his seat. "Alright, when it comes to business, my doors are always open."

The inspector, grinning, poured Wang Ji fresh tea. "I’ve heard you possess a perfect genetic serum, free of side effects?"

Wang Ji’s expression cooled. The effect of his physical enhancement capsules was similar to genetic serums, and the explosive improvements among his men had attracted attention. But the X System’s password was a secret he feared others probing.

"Hmph! Whether I have a perfect genetic serum is none of your concern."

The inspector observed the unnatural shift in Wang Ji’s expression and chuckled as he sat back down.

"No, no—though it's not my concern, I'm shamelessly hoping to buy one from you. In these chaotic times, pursuing strength is only natural."

Wang Ji sneered, "I heard IAG’s genetic serums are among the world’s best. Why buy from me?"

The inspector touched his gloved right hand and murmured, "Your perfect serum spares people much suffering. If you’re willing to sell, I’ll meet your price with utmost sincerity!"

Just then, the door swung open and a tall woman in tight leather strode in, her masked face revealing a seductive smile as she spoke, her voice light and alluring.

"I’m also very interested in Captain Wang’s perfect genetic serum. Why not sell it to me? I’ll pay more than he will!"

The inspector sprang to his feet, his voice tense. "You! Red-haired siren, what are you doing here?"

She laughed, "White Night Saint! This isn’t IAG territory. I come and go as I please. I doubt Captain Wang will turn me away." She poured herself a cup of tea, winking flirtatiously at Wang Ji.

White Night’s face darkened as his gaze swept over Cao Muhua, then he sat down, saying, "Red-haired, whatever your association intends, today’s matters are between Captain Wang and me. Please leave us in peace."

She smiled at Wang Ji. "I said, I come and go as I please. Besides, business goes to the highest bidder. Captain Wang, surely you don’t mind?"

Wang Ji watched the two sparring and smiled lightly. "Heh, you come and go as you wish, and I can leave if I please. Besides, did I ever promise to sell you the genetic serum?"

As he finished, the red-haired woman’s face showed surprise and curiosity, while White Night remained silent. For a moment, the room was quiet.

"Heh..."

The red-haired woman’s lips curled in a wicked smile. Swaying her slender waist, she sidled up to Wang Ji.

"Wang, dear—look, I really want the genetic serum. How about a thousand crystal cores?" Seeing he remained unmoved, she pressed closer. "Or perhaps you’d like a night with me—any way you please."

She bit her crimson lip, breathing fragrant whispers into his ear.

Wang Ji subtly shifted aside, standing up with his usual composure.

"I’ve made myself clear. The value of a perfect genetic serum far exceeds your meager offers. Ten thousand crystal cores per vial, and then maybe."

White Night was the first to protest at Wang Ji’s exorbitant price. "Captain Wang, that’s not how business is done. You must leave room for negotiation."

Hmph.

Wang Ji snorted internally, about to reply, when a soldier from the Independent Company burst in, saluting.

"Captain! There’s a suspected zombie attack in the east—our men have been bitten!"

"Zombies!" Wang Ji was startled, recalling the swarms from movies.

"What’s the situation?" Wang Ji ignored the guests and asked directly.

The soldier caught his breath. "Captain! The wounded are being brought back. Details have been sent to your computer."

"Alright, I’ll head there immediately." Wang Ji made his decision without hesitation.

As Wang Ji prepared to leave, the red-haired woman called out,

"Hey, Wang! Remember, ten thousand crystal cores—we’ll buy!"

Wang Ji ignored her, heading out. Xiao Yong quickly brought the car around.

Seated in the back, Wang Ji opened his tablet, accessing the urgent report from the intelligence center. The first item displayed information on the suspected zombies.

Videos and images showed humanoid monsters with ragged, oozing corpses that looked terrifyingly similar to those in movies.

The report listed key features, deepening Wang Ji's unease.

He immediately contacted the lieutenant escorting the wounded, arranged a meeting point, and gave instructions.

"Xiao Yong! We're heading east, toward TY County."