Volume One Mutation Chapter Forty-One The Convoy

Liu Cong and Liu Qingqing had spent some time exploring the outdoors. As they prepared to return to the Purified Water Plant, they happened upon a long convoy of vehicles making its way down a narrow road. On a whim, they decided to stop and wait by the roadside for the convoy to pass.

The lead vehicle was a dark green off-road truck, heavily armored with custom steel plating, even the side windows covered in wire mesh, giving it the look of a steel beast. As it drew near, Liu Cong could hear the deep rumble of its engine.

The lead car came to a halt right in front of them, and the rest of the convoy followed suit. The passenger door of the off-roader opened, and a man in his early thirties stepped out. He walked up to the pair, recognizing the young man as the "God of Slaughter" from the videos. But when he saw Liu Qingqing’s face clearly, he froze for a moment.

“Greetings, Lord God of Slaughter! I am Shen Bin, head of security for Base Seven. I have orders to transport prisoners here,” Shen Bin said respectfully, raising his hand in salute.

It was no surprise to Liu Cong that Shen Bin recognized him; after all, those people had watched plenty of his monster-slaying videos. But when had he acquired the title "God of Slaughter"?

Without changing expression, Liu Cong asked, “Why do you call me the God of Slaughter?”

“Lord, after the battle at Safe Zone Sixteen, the military bestowed this title upon you. All of us in the armed forces believe you are truly worthy of it!” Shen Bin replied, his tone full of awe. To see the legendary God of Slaughter from the videos standing right before him was exhilarating.

Liu Qingqing looked on in astonishment. She could tell that this soldier—clearly of high rank—held her big brother Liu in great respect, and her curiosity about what had happened at Safe Zone Sixteen only grew.

“I understand. Let’s head to the Purified Water Plant first,” Liu Cong said, ushering Liu Qingqing into the back seat of the off-roader. Shen Bin returned to the front passenger seat, gave a few orders over the radio, and the convoy set off again for the water plant.

“Brother Liu, why do they call you the God of Slaughter?” Liu Qingqing couldn’t keep her curiosity in check, asking in a low voice.

“Maybe because I fought with those mutated creatures. Honestly, I don’t know how I ended up with another title,” Liu Cong replied helplessly.

Though their voices were quiet, the two men in the front heard every word. Shen Bin turned around and said, “Lord God of Slaughter, other places are envious of Safe Zone Sixteen. Because of your intervention, not a single person was lost fending off the corpse tide. Some places suffered heavy casualties when just a few Tier-2 mutants broke through their lines. Your battle lifted the morale of all us soldiers sworn to protect our homeland.”

Hearing this, Liu Qingqing’s curiosity was piqued even further. Outwardly, she maintained her ethereal, aloof demeanor, but Shen Bin, sensing her interest, handed her an iPad. “Miss Liu, here’s the video from the Safe Zone Sixteen battle. You might like to watch it.”

Liu Qingqing accepted the iPad and glanced at Liu Cong. “Brother Liu, may I watch it?”

“Go ahead. It’s not like the video is some rare treasure,” Liu Cong replied, a little resigned.

Shen Bin added, “Indeed, Miss Liu. The military broadcast the God of Slaughter’s battle live worldwide. Anywhere there’s internet, people have seen this video.”

Liu Qingqing fiddled with the iPad, her fingers lingering; it had been so long since she’d used any electronic device. She tapped the screen and started the video. The camera showed a black, seething mass of corpses stretching to the horizon, covering the entire land. Having only ever seen a handful of zombies, Liu Qingqing was dumbstruck by the sheer scale. Even through the screen, she could feel the terror of that corpse tide, not to mention the mutated creatures—much larger than ordinary zombies—roaming within it. The aerial shot couldn’t capture the full extent of the horror, but the camera never strayed from the enormous white serpent. When the giant snake raised its body and howled at the sky, Liu Qingqing felt her very soul tremble.

When the video ended with Liu Cong’s battle against the white snake and the burning fields of corpses, she finally understood why even a high-ranking officer like Shen Bin treated her big brother Liu with such awe.

While the video played, Liu Cong was lost in thought, planning his next steps, unaware of the profound silence that had fallen over the car. Only the sound from the iPad filled the space. Liu Qingqing was completely absorbed, as were the two soldiers in the front, who had watched the footage countless times and could picture every moment in their minds just by hearing it.

“Brother Liu, you’re incredible!” Liu Qingqing exclaimed, tears brimming in her eyes after watching the whole video. The image of Liu Cong standing in midair, shielding tens of thousands of people with his back, facing hundreds of thousands of mutated creatures alone, would be forever etched in her memory.

Liu Cong returned to himself and gently wiped away her tears. “The reason I let you watch this video is so you’ll understand the true state of humanity now. When you and your father were trapped, the whole world was suffering through the same ordeal. Right now, humanity’s struggle isn’t just to survive, but also to face the overwhelming numbers of mutated creatures. We must make every moment count, become stronger, so we can protect more people.”

“Mm. Brother Liu, I’ll train hard and fight by your side,” Liu Qingqing promised.

Liu Cong shook his head with a smile. “You’re not ready yet! Maybe after a few more days of training, you’ll be able to handle ordinary zombies by yourself. But facing more powerful mutants will take much longer.”

Blushing, Liu Qingqing asked, “How much longer will it be before I can help you?”

Liu Cong stared out the window, not answering directly. “Time! What I need most now is time. I just hope there’s enough.”

Liu Qingqing only half understood, but she didn’t press him further.

Shen Bin had been listening intently to their conversation. When he heard that Liu Qingqing could train, he grew excited and turned to speak several times, but always stopped himself. Seeing his discomfort, Liu Cong said, “If you have something to say, just say it.”

“Lord God of Slaughter, can Miss Liu really train?” Shen Bin asked.

Liu Cong understood what he meant and replied, “Qingqing’s situation is different from yours. Her physique is special, and my energy can strengthen her body. That won’t work for you.”

Shen Bin, unconvinced, protested, “How do you know if you haven’t tried? If Miss Liu, a young woman, can handle it, surely we soldiers—hardened through countless trials—can manage it too!”

Liu Cong sighed, “If you don’t believe me, I’ll let you experience it for yourselves. Have your men stop the convoy. No need to get out—just stay where you are.”

Shen Bin obeyed without hesitation. Once the vehicles were still, everyone in the convoy felt a faint current envelop their bodies, trying to force its way inside. Sharp stings sprang up everywhere, and their mouths and noses seemed sealed off from the air—they couldn’t breathe.

Liu Cong monitored their reactions, only withdrawing the energy when everyone had reached their limit. The soldiers emerged from the ordeal gasping for air, feeling as if they’d narrowly escaped death. Shen Bin was no exception.

“I’m sorry, Lord God of Slaughter. That was presumptuous of me. With so many men, is there truly not a single one who can withstand it?” Shen Bin managed a wry smile as he heard the reports coming in over the radio.

“You heard their reports yourself. To strengthen the body, you must be able to accept my energy within. Of everyone I’ve met, only Liu Qingqing has that ability,” Liu Cong replied. Suddenly, he remembered the big dog. Was it attracted to Liu Qingqing’s special physique? At the time, he’d only found it odd and hadn’t thought much of it, but now it seemed there might be a connection between the dog’s lingering and her unique constitution.

Unfortunately, he had killed the dog and couldn’t investigate further. Had he known, perhaps he could have captured it and discovered more people with special physiques. Liu Cong felt a twinge of regret for his earlier actions.

Shen Bin sighed as well, abandoning the idea and ordering the convoy to continue toward the Purified Water Plant. Yang Guang and several other workers had already opened the gates, eagerly awaiting the convoy’s arrival.

As the convoy entered the compound, the people there rushed over, their faces full of joy. In times of danger, nothing brings more reassurance than the arrival of the military—except, of course, for Liu Cong, who was in a league of his own.