"Iâll clear the way ahead and take most of the pressure. You all follow behind me and take a smaller part of the pressure," Wen Yu said, staring into Li Quanâanâs eyes. Seeing the astonishment there, he added, "For every extra person, a few vines will be distracted. The more people there are, the less pressure Iâll face upfront. As for who makes it out alive, that will depend entirely on individual ability."
Wen Yu casually sipped his liquor, patiently waiting for Li Quanâanâs reaction.
In reality, whether he led the charge or brought up the rear made no difference to Wen Yu. He would be attacked by the vines regardless of his position. However, the phrase âleading the chargeâ sounded better and, more importantly, would be more readily accepted by these cannon fodder.
"This... Brother Wen Yu, can I say no?" Li Quanâan hadnât yet grasped the gravity of the situation; instead, he felt Wen Yuâs proposal was even riskier.
Besides, if many people died, would he still maintain his current status?
"You canât say no, and we donât have much time. I have to leave within two days at most. If Mayor Li still doesnât grasp the situation by then, heâll be dooming everyone, including me."
"People can go crazy when theyâre about to die."
Seeing Li Quanâanâs hesitation, Wen Yu threatened him directly.
Li Quanâanâs expression was unsettled.
He was even considering mobilizing everyone to eliminate Wen Yu.
"However, I believe Mayor Li is a smart man. When your scouting party returns, Mayor Li will understand the true situation."
Wen Yu drained the remaining liquor in his glass and said directly to Li Quanâan, "Mayor Li, arrange a place for me to stay first."
Li Quanâan didnât want to discuss the matter further. He immediately waved over Bai Xiaoâan, who was nearby, saying, "Go, arrange a decent room for Brother Wen Yu and his war pet."
"Understood, Mayor Li." Bai Xiaoâan led Wen Yu directly upstairs. Cyclops, having devoured an entire basin of mutant beast meat, licked its lips and followed Wen Yu.
...
On the quiet staircase, Bai Xiaoâan walked close beside Wen Yu. In the silent corridor, only their footsteps were audible.
"Um... Brother Wen Yu, my name is Bai Xiaoâan. Iâm Mayor Liâs secretary," Bai Xiaoâan began.
"Mm," Wen Yu responded, his tone indifferent.
With his experience, Wen Yu could tell at a glance that this boy was deliberately trying to get closer to him. But what was there to say to a mere ant?
Perhaps Wen Yuâs response gave Bai Xiaoâan some courage, as he spoke again, "Brother Wen Yu, I heard you came from Mudanjiang City. Could you tell me about the situation there?"
Only then did Wen Yu turn to observe Bai Xiaoâan more closely. He looked to be around 13.4 years old, fair-skinned and clean, with a slender, frail build. More importantly, Wen Yu could tell from Bai Xiaoâanâs breathing and footsteps that the boy hadnât even undergone his profession change yet.
"The situation in Mudanjiang City isnât good. You donât need to concern yourself too much with it. Youâll be doing well enough if you can just survive here in Hualin Town."
Wen Yuâs words were harsh. As soon as they left his mouth, Bai Xiaoâanâs face turned deathly pale.
Seeing Bai Xiaoâan fall silent, Wen Yu had no inclination to concern himself with a strangerâs feelings. He asked impatiently, "Which floor?"
"The sixth floor," Bai Xiaoâan replied, a little flustered.
"Alright, letâs hurry then." Wen Yu also sensed that his tone had been a bit harsh; the pressure from the mutant vines was indeed immense. He softened his voice slightly. Towards women and children, Wen Yu would, on certain occasions, show a faint trace of kindness.
Before long, Bai Xiaoâan led Wen Yu to an office on the sixth floor. It was evident that Mayor Li had put considerable thought into the room arranged for Wen Yu.
The spacious room contained a large sofa, big enough for Wen Yu to rest on. Additionally, the office had an attached private bathroom. Although its functionality was questionable in these circumstances, it was, at least, a private space. Behind the enormous desk stood a large leather chair.
Wen Yu nodded in satisfaction. He turned to Bai Xiaoâan and said, "Go back and thank Mayor Li for me. Tell him Iâm very satisfied with these arrangements. Also, if Mayor Li has made his decision, he can come here to discuss countermeasures with me anytime. Mm, within the next two days."
Bai Xiaoâan nodded, turned, and headed out.
"Oh, right. Youâre Bai Xiaoâan, arenât you?" Hearing Wen Yu speak, Bai Xiaoâan turned back and acknowledged him.
"Hereâs some advice: improve your strength in the next two days. At the very least, you need to undergo your profession change."
"Understood. Thank you, Brother Wen Yu." Bai Xiaoâan looked at Wen Yu with a complicated expression.
From Wen Yuâs earlier words, the clever boy had already deduced that significant changes were likely coming to the camp soon.
"Mm, go on back then." Seeing Wen Yu lean back on the sofa and Cyclops sprawl out on the large desk, Bai Xiaoâan closed the door and departed.
...
The banquet in the camp had concluded, and the sky was gradually darkening.
Outside, Lin Hu staggered back. The vehicle and the other professionists who had set out with him were nowhere to be seen, and Lin Hu himself was covered in wounds.
His F-Class protective suit was torn to shreds. Fortunately, the wounds inflicted by the mutant vines werenât deep, allowing Lin Hu to just barely make it back to the camp.
The guards on duty in the distance saw the blood-covered Lin Hu and immediately rushed over.
"Quick, go find Mayor Li! Itâs an emergency!"
Lin Huâs injuries werenât fatal. Aside from excessive blood loss, he hadnât lost consciousness. He took the basic healing potion handed to him by someone nearby and downed it in one gulp, feeling somewhat revitalized.
"Take me to Mayor Li."
Lin Hu had just escaped death, and his mind was still a bit muddled from the ordeal. Now that he was safe, he realized some things couldnât be said in front of so many people, so he headed directly for Mayor Liâs room.
Inside the room, Li Quanâan looked at the blood-soaked Lin Hu and asked with a grave expression, "How bad is the situation?"
Lin Hu took a large gulp of water and said to Li Quanâan with a solemn expression, "Itâs very bad. Wen Yu was completely right. The exit from Hualin Town is blocked; we simply canât break through. Moreover, those mutant vines have already begun to spread into the town. Iâm afraid it wonât be long before..."
Mayor Liâs expression grew increasingly grim. He stood up and began to pace back and forth in the room. "Do you think this Wen Yu is trustworthy?"
Lin Hu thought for a moment, then said directly to Li Quanâan, "Whether heâs trustworthy or not, given the current situation, we must break out. If we stay here, Iâm afraid none of us have many days left."
Hearing Lin Huâs words, Li Quanâan nodded heavily.