Chapter Thirty-Two: Ready to Set Out

Rebuilding Civilization

Xie Han also noticed that the base possessed two heavy road-clearing machines, but their rental fees were astonishing. The deposit alone required 2.5 tons of food, and the daily usage fee was 500 kilograms. Damn it, if someone had that much food, who would risk their life to hunt for more? They could live comfortably for years. However, Xie Han felt tempted—he wondered if the machines would ever be up for sale.

It seemed worth considering. Perhaps when he leveled up his gene grade a bit more, he could bring over ten or so tons of rice from the modern world. He doubted they wouldn’t trade for that. Feeling satisfied, Xie Han returned the palm computer to its owner and left with a sly smile, as if the heavy road-clearing machine was already his.

The modification of the minibus was nearly finished. All the windows had been sealed; only Yang Huaiyuan's work on the engine remained. Judging by his progress, he was installing the final components. Xie Han walked over, examined the work, and found nothing unusual, but asked with some concern, “How’s the modification going?” Yang Huaiyuan sensed his worry and replied, “Don’t worry, Captain. I still want to stick with you for my meals!”

Once the last part was installed, the next step was to fit the engine back into the minibus. The task was simple; in less than half an hour, not only was the installation complete, but the whole vehicle had been tested. Yang Huaiyuan led Xie Han onto the minibus, started it, and listened to the engine’s sound. Soon, Yang Huaiyuan smiled with satisfaction. “Captain, the engine’s perfect.” Xie Han could tell too—the fierce roar was unmistakable.

Seeing everything finished, Xie Han paid their wages promptly, generously adding an extra compressed biscuit for each worker.

Back at their residence, dinner was ready; everyone was waiting for Xie Han and Yang Huaiyuan to return. Taishan’s dozen subordinates had arrived as well, leaving barely any space to stand in the suite. The news that Xie Han planned to hunt had already spread through Taishan, and though Qi Feiwu and the others were worried, everyone born in the apocalypse knew hunting was essential. Survival required risk.

Dinner was cured meat and rice. After the meal, Taishan and his men left with smiles; tonight, they’d have no activities and needed to rest early to restore their energy.

The steamed buns meant to be distributed never arrived by seven at night, but no one cared. With rice available, who would hope for those dubious black buns? Only the bespectacled man was pitiful; he spent the entire day holed up in his room, and now even his future meals and drinks were uncertain. Xie Han maliciously wondered how such a grown man survived on two buns a day.

At night, due to limited space, only Qi Feiwu had a bed; the others lay on sofas or the floor. Once everyone was asleep, Qi Feiwu quietly got out of bed, poked Xie Han, who lay nearby, and whispered, “I know you’re not asleep. Be careful tomorrow. If there are too many zombies, forget it. We can eat less—there’s no need to risk it.”

Truthfully, Xie Han couldn’t sleep. It was only a little after nine; resting so early felt unnatural. “Are you worried about me?” He sensed Qi Feiwu’s soft hand and his heart skipped a beat. He’d had girlfriends before, but couldn’t explain why his heart reacted now. Did he like Qi Feiwu?

Qi Feiwu’s face burned; had the room not been pitch dark, she would have hidden under her blanket. “Who’s worried about you? I just don’t want you to die and leave us all starving,” she replied, her words belying her feelings. She knew she had to maintain some distance; she couldn’t admit it so directly.

Qi Feiwu returned to her bed. Xie Han felt pleased, letting out a silly chuckle. The sound reached Qi Feiwu’s ears, making her blush even more. Perhaps it was time for him to consider romance.

At five the next morning, Xie Han and Xu Qiang departed without disturbing the still-sleeping Qi Feiwu and the others. Taishan and his men were already waiting downstairs. Xie Han handed each man two compressed biscuits. Water was no issue; everyone carried their own bottle. Xu Qiang’s rotary submachine gun was left for Chu Tianhe, who would be responsible for the group’s safety once Xie Han and Xu Qiang, the main combatants, left.

They reached the base’s gates, where many people had already gathered, checking their modified vehicles one last time. As the morning siren sounded, more people assembled, seeking out their teams. Within about ten minutes, over three thousand hunters were ready.

The rental officials arrived punctually. Six military vehicles, escorted by hundreds of soldiers, reached the gate and began distributing weapons according to the registration records.

Xie Han received weapons and gave one each to Taishan and Xu Qiang; the other eight were left for Taishan’s group to distribute. Xie Han wasn’t fond of submachine guns; instead, he favored the Star of Explosions, whose thunderous roar and immense impact could turn a zombie’s head into pulp with a single shot. That exhilarating feeling always brought a rush of adrenaline.

This hunt was different from previous ones; rather than everyone scattering at once, they waited quietly after receiving their weapons.

Taishan remarked, puzzled, “Something’s odd today. Normally, everyone would already be rushing out.” He’d also noticed the machine guns mounted on various vehicles. Upon closer inspection, his eyes widened. “Damn, what’s going on? There must be at least a thousand machine guns.” Now, every vehicle was armed to the teeth.

Xu Qiang’s brows twitched, but as a special forces soldier, his composure was beyond ordinary. He glanced around and murmured, “This isn’t an ordinary hunt.” His body trembled—not from fear, but from excitement at the coming action. For a soldier, such operations were truly worthy challenges.

Minutes later, a middle-aged man, escorted by a dozen subordinates, climbed atop the most prominent heavy road-clearing machine. Beside him stood the blond youth whom Xie Han deeply resented.

“Captain, this man’s not simple…” Xu Qiang recognized the blond youth’s face and realized the middle-aged man must be his leader. To have convinced so many people to act together after only a day required terrifying power. Xu Qiang didn’t know how he’d done it, but it was clear that both strength and charisma were essential; this man would surely rise quickly in the base.

Xie Han shared the sentiment. If this mission succeeded, the man’s prestige would multiply; those following him were all elite. If he succeeded again, it wasn’t impossible that they’d become his subordinates. The thought made Xie Han uneasy about the man’s finesse—such subtlety inspired admiration.

Xie Han expected the man to deliver an inspiring speech, but instead, he simply stood atop the road-clearing machine, surveyed the crowd, and let his gaze linger briefly on Xie Han’s conspicuous minibus. Then he called out, “I’ve already consulted with the base leadership. This time, they’ll only take twenty percent of the hunt’s proceeds. So, let’s wish ourselves a victorious start. Now… move out…”

As his voice fell, the heavy road-clearing machine’s engine roared to life, joined by the cacophony of other engines. Led by the road-clearing machine, over a hundred vehicles rolled out of the base, followed at the rear by twenty mighty Dongfeng Menglong trucks.