Volume One: Mutation Chapter Forty-Two: Vigilance

Shen Bin offered a few words of comfort, then instructed several soldiers to assist the laborers in packing their belongings. He himself led most of the group to escort Yang Meng and his companions, loading the remaining supplies and usable equipment from the water plant onto the vehicles. During this process, Shen Bin’s men discovered several firearms hidden on Yang Meng and his group. Who knew how long they had concealed them? Likely, they intended to use them for an ambush once an opportunity arose, but the sharp-eyed soldiers spotted them instantly. Yang Meng attempted to resist but was subdued by another round of beatings before finally giving up.

Before the convoy departed, Shen Bin cast a lingering glance at the generator. If only there were more space on the truck, he would have taken it along as well.

“Lord God of War! Are you really not coming back with us? When I arrived, the district chief repeatedly mentioned his wish to have you as a guest,” Shen Bin extended the invitation once more before leaving.

“Please thank him for his kindness, but I still have matters to attend to and no time to visit right now. I will certainly drop by when the opportunity arises,” Liu Cong declined politely.

Seeing Liu Cong’s firm resolve, Shen Bin abandoned the idea and led the convoy back. As the vehicles passed by Liu Cong and Liu Qingqing, the people in the purified water plant crowded at the windows, waving goodbye to the pair, their faces radiant with joyful smiles, as if leisurely days were finally upon them.

Once the convoy was gone, Liu Qingqing relaxed her expression, no longer trying to maintain the image of a celestial maiden, and smiled brightly. “Brother Liu, where are we headed next?”

“I’ll take you somewhere, but it’s not entirely safe at the moment. It might be a bit dangerous, so you’ll need to prepare yourself mentally,” Liu Cong said with a smile, wrapping his arm gently around her waist.

“I’m not afraid with you by my side. I’m sticking with you, and you’re not allowed to abandon me,” Liu Qingqing replied playfully.

Looking at her radiant smile, so beautiful it seemed almost otherworldly, Liu Cong suddenly had an idea. “Qingqing, how about we find you a traditional long gown—something from ancient times? I think you’d look even more like a fairy in one.”

“No way! Why would I wear something so thick in this heat? Besides, it would look strange to wear so much,” Liu Qingqing protested.

“What heat? Are you even sensitive to it anymore? Besides, everyone nowadays is wrapped up tightly. You’re the odd one out, wearing so little,” Liu Cong countered. He wasn’t exaggerating; due to the changing climate, some areas had grown much more humid, foggy days were frequent, and to avoid exposure to the black rain, people worldwide wore long sleeves and pants, covering themselves thoroughly. Hardly anyone wore summer clothing anymore, unless they had nothing else.

“No!” Liu Qingqing refused.

Pretending not to hear, Liu Cong took her hand and soared into the air, planning to stop at a city along the G15 route to gather a few traditional outfits for Liu Qingqing. He was eager to see how she would look in them.

As Liu Qingqing flew beside him, holding his hand, she admired the scenery while channeling energy from his touch to cultivate herself. The two, hand in hand, drifting across the sky, truly resembled a pair of immortals.

Liu Qingqing’s constitution was still weak, unable to absorb too much energy for now, so Liu Cong slowed their flight. After about an hour, they finally caught sight of a city in the distance.

From the city’s appearance, Liu Cong could tell it had been subjected to at least three black rain events. Where once it had been bustling, it was now desolate beyond imagining. Broken glass littered the ground, abandoned vehicles crowded the pitted streets. Liu Cong held Liu Qingqing’s hand as they walked through this empty city.

“A city this big, turned into this... It’s just like a movie. Brother Liu, did everyone here die?” Liu Qingqing’s gentle nature made her sad at the sight of such devastation.

“The majority died; only a few may have escaped. Qingqing, to survive in the apocalypse, you must be strong, understand?” Liu Cong’s voice grew stern.

“Yes, Brother Liu. I understand.” Liu Qingqing nodded.

“Let’s look for a clothing store first!” Liu Cong said with a smile.

Liu Qingqing blushed, but offered no further resistance. Since Brother Liu wanted to see her in a traditional gown, she would oblige.

“Then go ahead and look. If you find one, I’ll wear it.”

Liu Cong surveyed their surroundings, searching for a commercial street. They were in the city’s central area, so such places shouldn’t be sparse.

After circling around, they finally found a shop specializing in traditional attire. But upon entering, they saw clothes scattered across the floor, all covered with dust, and hardly any seemed wearable.

“Let’s check inside; there should be a storeroom or something,” Liu Cong said, pulling the giggling Liu Qingqing with him.

The shop had a counter facing the entrance, with a spiral staircase leading upstairs. As they climbed, they channeled energy into their eyes, making the darkness as bright as daylight.

“A corpse!”

At the stairway, they saw a pile of bones. It was not a skeleton, but a heap, because the bones of the upper and lower body lay in separate places. Clearly, the person had been torn in half before death, their upper body still poised as though crawling down the stairs.

They stepped over the bones and reached the second-floor counter. The glass was still intact, though coated with gray dust. Through it, they could see rows of elegant traditional gowns neatly displayed.

“Pick one for yourself?” Liu Cong smiled. Not knowing how to choose the right size, he let Liu Qingqing decide, lest he simply pick the most ornate white gown.

Liu Qingqing shot him a glance. “It’s so dirty, how am I supposed to take anything?”

Liu Cong feigned sudden realization. He had been too lost in his imagination of Liu Qingqing dressed in the gown. He quickly cleared the dust from the room.

Liu Qingqing took out each garment and held it against herself, finally choosing the very white gown Liu Cong thought looked best. “Turn around! No peeking!”

“Huh? Aren’t you going to the changing room?”

“It’s too dark in there. You hold the light for me, I’ll change here,” Liu Qingqing blushed, unwilling to admit the pile of bones scared her.

“Oh, alright.” Liu Cong obediently turned his back, hands behind him cradling a ball of fire. The rustling sounds behind him stirred his imagination, and the black flames in his hand began to flicker.

“I’m done changing!” Liu Qingqing whispered.

Liu Cong turned around, momentarily stunned. Liu Qingqing’s silky hair flowed over her shoulders, the ornate traditional gown draped elegantly, concealing her figure yet subtly outlining her curves. If she had looked like a fairy before, now she possessed a truly exquisite aura, as if she had stepped straight out of a drama as an immortal maiden.

“You look beautiful!” Liu Cong praised.

Liu Qingqing lowered her head shyly, letting him admire her.

“From now on, you should wear this. Anyway, summer clothes are no longer suitable, and this looks wonderful,” Liu Cong smiled.

“Alright, I’ll do as you say,” Liu Qingqing replied.

---

In the waters near the G15 defensive line, the sea gradually began to stir. Waves crashed and rolled toward the coastline. The surface first dipped strangely, then suddenly rose, repeating several times before surging explosively, the sea level climbing dramatically.

Beep!—

A piercing alarm sounded, and all of G15 sprang into action.

In the conference room, Zhang Chu stared solemnly at the analysis chart on the electronic screen, immediately concluding that the sea level was rising abnormally.

“Give the order at once: all units to maintain highest alert and await instructions!”

“Yes!”

The G15 defensive line stretched like a crouching dragon, its length seemingly endless. In ancient times, delivering a message across such a distance would have been arduous and slow. But now, thanks to advanced technology, within seconds, every soldier along the line had received the alert and began preparations. Each took their position according to the rehearsal, watching the surging sea with tense anticipation, awaiting further orders.

After a while, a voice came through their earpieces.