Chapter 66: Zhang Xiong Appears

Jiangbei Military District Headquarters buzzed with crowds, a living testament to humanity's resilience after the cataclysm. As the largest survivor base in northern Jiang, having absorbed the strength of two smaller southern military districts, Jiangbei Base stood as the most formidable stronghold in the south. Within its walls, complete industrial facilities and manpower had been assembled, and once the surrounding aberrants were cleared, a safe zone was established to begin cultivating crops and raising livestock. People still bore the desolate air of survivors, yet hope thrived in the wake of disaster.

At the heart of the base, where the military leaders made their homes, layers of checkpoints revealed a life starkly different from the outer city. Here, much as before the disaster, hospitals, schools, and security offices functioned as usual, people walked the streets in proper attire, their faces alight with smiles.

Such was the character of Jiangbei Base: the inner city controlled more than eighty percent of the resources. Military bigwigs and leaders of armed factions enjoyed privileges and comforts, while the outer city was left to the common folk, scraping by on arduous labor just to keep hunger at bay.

The Zhang family were prominent members of the base’s upper echelon. The patriarch, Zhang Zhenbei, held a high position in the military district, commanding a division and a reinforced brigade. It was through years of careful management that the Zhangs could stand on equal footing with the district commander himself. Their residence was cordoned off within its own security perimeter; the core members dwelled in villas, with several ten-story residential towers nearby housing the rest of the family.

Today, Zhang Tingfang was in high spirits, her bright smile making her heavy makeup all the more awkward—though she seemed oblivious, greeting everyone she passed with enthusiasm.

“Old Yu! Hurry and prepare the supply vehicles. We’re leaving for F City today!” she instructed Yan Song energetically upon returning downstairs.

Yu Bo nodded with a blank face and left to prepare the supplies. He was the very man who’d met Wang Ji briefly in the small town, and after parting at the bank, he had successfully escorted Zhang Tingfang to F City’s military district, and then on to the relocation here. Credited for his service and with no small amount of ability, Zhang Tingfang kept him as her aide. Yet he remained sullen: not only had he failed to learn any news of his family, but he also found Zhang Tingfang’s demands nearly inhuman.

A few days earlier, news from the Northern Capital Military District reported that the director of the F City camp had fallen on the road, and a new appointment was needed. Zhang Zhenbei seized this lucrative opportunity, and Zhang Tingfang, after much effort, obtained her father’s consent—controlling such a large base was a prospect she had never imagined, her excitement barely contained.

“Everyone, pack up quickly! We leave for F City this afternoon—I’ve already been granted command of the F City camp!” Zhang Tingfang exclaimed upon returning to her suite, waving the stamped order.

Her feeble husband rushed over to flatter her, “Darling, you did it! I always said you’re the most capable—truly a modern-day Mulan!”

Other close relatives crowded around, heaping her with praise, fully satisfying her inner vanity.

...

“Wang Ji, look!” Long Qianwen nimbly slipped into the passenger seat, showing off a bouquet of delicate, vibrant flowers. Ever since she’d mastered the power within her and encountered Wang Ji, the spark between them had rekindled her girlish innocence.

Wang Ji smiled indulgently, recalling a dreamlike scene, and said, “Such beautiful flowers. When we get back to the base, I’ll plant a garden just for you.”

Long Qianwen curved her lips into a smile. “No way! Look at the world now—who has time for gardening?”

“Don’t worry, the base is safe,” Wang Ji said, glancing at the sun and wiping his brow before looking back at Professor Li Cong, seated behind.

“Professor, you must be tired. Let’s rest a bit before we continue,” Wang Ji said, pulling the armored off-road vehicle—a product of his last remaining energy points—to a stop.

They had left the mountain region behind and entered inhabited lands, but the roads were rough. Li Cong, prone to motion sickness, was utterly exhausted by the jolting.

“I’m fine, really… I can manage. Wang Ji, you should hurry back,” Li Cong replied weakly, his face ashen.

Long Qianwen, noting his pallor, frowned. “Grandpa Li, half an hour’s rest won’t hurt, right, Wang Ji?”

“Yes, let’s rest and eat before moving on.” Wang Ji parked, helping Professor Li out of the vehicle.

“Ah, the air is so fresh after the disaster—if only it weren’t so hot,” Li Cong said, breathing deeply, the fresh air easing his nausea.

Wang Ji quickly took out dried meat, lit a fire, and began roasting it, setting a pot to simmer some broth. Soon, the aroma of food filled the air. Long Qianwen sat beside him, swallowing hungrily, every bit the little glutton.

At last, as the meat was nearly done, Long Qianwen cheered, pulling out her knife, ready to eat. Suddenly, Wang Ji’s expression shifted. He glanced ahead.

Long Qianwen, chewing a mouthful of roast, noticed his face and mumbled, “Wang Ji, aren’t you eating?”

Wang Ji shook his head and stood. “A powerful animal is approaching us—wait, no, there are people with them.”

Long Qianwen sprang to her feet, eyes wide. “Who’d dare challenge us?”

“I’ll check it out. Stay alert here,” Wang Ji said, dropping his roasting fork and grabbing his chainsaw sword before heading off.

Long Qianwen, anxious, called after him, “What about the meat, Wang Ji?!” She stomped her foot, then offered Professor Li an awkward smile. “Let’s eat in the car, Professor!” Gathering the food, she stowed it in the trunk, pulled Li Cong along, and started the vehicle to follow Wang Ji.

Meanwhile, Wang Ji sensed a group of large animals approaching—over a dozen, one of them especially formidable. Stranger still, there were people among them. Less than a kilometer away, he soon found them and, camouflaged atop a tree, observed.

He saw over a dozen giant wolves flanking a massive rhinoceros, each animal mounted by a rider, the one atop the rhino particularly prominent.

It was Zhang Xiong, leading a squad of wolf riders in search of Wang Ji.

Wait, isn’t that Wang Yong? And soldiers from the Independent Company? Wang Ji thought, delighted to recognize his own people.

He was about to reveal himself when Zhang Xiong, atop the rhino, narrowed his eyes and bellowed, “Who’s there?!”

At his shout, several wolf riders charged toward Wang Ji’s perch.

Wang Ji, surprised, leapt down from the tree, slung his chainsaw sword onto his back, and announced, “I am Wang Ji!”

“Captain!” Wang Yong exclaimed, sliding off a giant wolf and rushing over. “Are you alright?”

Wang Ji clapped Wang Yong on the shoulder, smiling. “I’m fine! You’re impressive, finding me first.”

“Haha, Captain, it was all thanks to Leader Zhang and the others,” Wang Yong said sheepishly. He respectfully introduced everyone: “This is Zhang Xiong, leader of the Rhino Base, and Captain Ren Lijun. These are Leader Zhang’s men. Without them, we wouldn’t have found you so quickly.”

After the introductions, Wang Yong turned to Zhang Xiong. “This is our company commander, Leader Zhang. Thank you so much!”

Zhang Xiong slid down from the rhino, approached Wang Ji with curiosity, and extended his hand. “Captain Wang, I’ve heard much about you!”

Wang Ji chuckled awkwardly, wondering when his reputation had spread so far. “The pleasure is mine, Leader Zhang. You seem extraordinary yourself—are these animals under your control?” He could sense that Zhang Xiong’s mental power was considerable.

Zhang Xiong’s eyes gleamed. “It’s just a little trick. I think you’re the real expert.” There was a fierce desire for combat in his tone.

Wang Ji recognized the look—it reminded him of Long Qianwen’s fighting spirit during their sparring matches, and he winced inwardly.

“You’re too kind, Leader Zhang. By the way, how did you come looking for me?” Wang Ji asked.

Wang Yong quickly recounted their encounter and how, upon hearing of Wang Ji’s exploits, Zhang Xiong volunteered to help in person, which deeply moved Wang Ji.

“Brother Zhang, a drop of kindness will be repaid a thousandfold. If the Rhino Base ever needs anything, come to our Independent Company at the camp—we’ll fulfill your requests!” Wang Ji said, clasping his hands in thanks.

Zhang Xiong laughed heartily. “Brother Wang, you’re straightforward—I like that. Let’s send someone to finalize the details later. For now, though, I have a small favor to ask: would you spar with me?”

Suddenly, an armored off-road vehicle screeched to a halt nearby, and a clear, strong voice called out, “Who’s so bold? Spar with me first!”

Wang Ji’s scalp prickled at the sound—Long Qianwen, riding a gust of wind, had lunged at Zhang Xiong.

Taken off guard by the sudden attack from a lithe young woman, Zhang Xiong could only defend himself. But he was no match for Long Qianwen; in short order, she had given him a pair of black eyes.

“Stop, Qianwen, stop!” Wang Ji cried, darting to her side and grabbing her wrist, thus saving Zhang Xiong’s nose from further harm.

“Did you… did you see that?” Wang Yong asked Captain Ren Lijun in shock.

Ren Lijun stared at Wang Ji and Long Qianwen as if he’d seen a ghost.

“Ow, that hurts!” Zhang Xiong cried, clutching his swollen eyes as he staggered to his feet.

Wang Ji, embarrassed, approached and handed him a bottle of potent healing spray. “Brother Zhang, are your eyes alright? Qianwen’s my friend—she can be a bit heavy-handed. It was a misunderstanding, I assure you!”