Chapter 463: Recruitment

Chapter 463: Recruitment

Bian Junwu’s expression remained stoic.

In his usual flat tone tinged with indifference, he said, “For the upcoming operation against the zombie horde in Tianhai City, we’ll need your cooperation.”

“Understanding each other’s abilities is crucial. That’s why I’m telling you now—my power isn’t limitless. Overusing it will accelerate my death.”

Zhang Yi nodded, fully aware that Bian Junwu had left something unsaid.

As the leader of the Jiangnan District’s dispatched team, Bian Junwu wasn’t worried about Zhang Yi using his powers against him.

First, Zhang Yi wouldn’t dare oppose Jiangnan District.

Second, Bian Junwu’s current state meant he had little fear of death.

While speaking, Bian Junwu put on his tinted tactical glasses.

“Right now, I’m almost blind. I rely entirely on this visual aid to see. From my perspective, you’re just a blurry red silhouette.”

Zhang Yi nodded again.

Bian Junwu placed his hands on the table and revisited an earlier topic.

“Would you be interested in coming to the Jiangnan District? Your abilities have great potential. You might even advance to Epsilon-level someday.”

“Staying in a small place like Tianhai City will only limit your future.”

Zhang Yi wasn’t particularly drawn to Bian Junwu’s offer.

He smiled and replied, “I’m not an ambitious person. I don’t dream of making a name for myself or achieving great things.”

“I just want to survive in this post-apocalyptic world with the people around me and wait for the world to reset.”

He thought to himself: If I go to Jiangnan District, I’ll end up like them—constantly running missions, fighting and risking my life. Why bother inviting trouble?

“Don’t be in such a hurry to refuse,” Bian Junwu pressed.

“Life in Blizzard City is far better than here.”

“In Blizzard City, people can live as they did before the apocalypse.”

“There are cities, streets, bustling night markets, and even comfortable apartments!”

“You can’t experience these things in Tianhai City no matter what.”

A vivid image appeared in Zhang Yi’s mind—a prosperous city enclosed by steel and concrete walls, with vendors lining the streets and people happily shopping.

Parents held their children’s hands, couples laughed and chatted, and even the constant snowfall seemed like a festive decoration.

For a brief moment, Zhang Yi yearned to see such a scene again.

But he only smiled at Bian Junwu and turned his gaze to the lifeless snowy plains outside the window.

Then he asked, “Could it be more comfortable than my current shelter?”

Zhang Yi wasn’t going to fall for such childlike persuasion tactics.

In an apocalypse, if Blizzard City in the Jiangnan District truly housed a large population, maintaining a high standard of living would be impossible.

Some major bases did offer comfortable environments, but only for a select few.

Seeing that Zhang Yi remained unmoved, Bian Junwu added, “Tianhai City isn’t a safe place. It’s right by the East Sea. If the ice and snow ever melt, this place will be the first to flood.”

“Moreover, there’s a chance enemies could come from across the sea.”

“The central regions are the safest. Have you considered this?”

These points made Zhang Yi frown slightly, falling into momentary silence.

He could disregard human threats but couldn’t ignore the forces of nature.

The Ice Age was caused by cosmic fluctuations, and if Blue Star’s temperature returned to normal someday, the coastal Tianhai City would indeed be submerged.

But that was a concern for the future.

Thinking too far ahead was pointless. After all, the last Ice Age had lasted millions of years!

Zhang Yi frowned and replied, “Who can say for sure what will happen in the future? Let’s deal with it when the time comes.”

Seeing Zhang Yi’s resistance, Bian Junwu merely smirked slightly and didn’t push the topic further.

Solving the zombie crisis in Tianhai City was the priority.

He only needed to plant a seed in Zhang Yi’s mind. When the time was right, perhaps Zhang Yi would choose to head to Jiangnan District on his own.

After all, Bian Junwu’s days were numbered.

Finding a promising Delta-level talent to fill the gap in the investigation team after his death would be ideal.

The two then shifted their conversation to the zombie horde.

Zhang Yi didn’t hold back, sharing everything he knew about the zombies and rat swarms.

After all, they were here to help resolve the crisis. Zhang Yi had nothing to lose from the horde’s early eradication.

Bian Junwu finished his glass of warm water and stood up slowly.

“I’ve said all I needed to. We won’t bother you further. I’ll contact you if necessary.”

With that, he turned to leave the room.

Zhang Yi followed him. “Why don’t you stay for a meal? You’ve come all this way.”

He was genuinely worried they might request to stay.

However, their attitude showed that while they envied Zhang Yi’s shelter, they weren’t overly covetous.

Clearly, the living conditions in Blizzard City were also quite good.

After all, they were high-level superhumans.

“No need. We have our own rations, and we still have tasks to complete,” Bian Junwu politely declined Zhang Yi’s invitation.

The two entered the quiet living room.

The investigation team and the shelter residents hadn’t interacted much, and the atmosphere was somewhat tense.

When the two emerged from the small room, both groups seemed to breathe a sigh of relief.

Bian Junwu addressed his team, “We’ve rested enough. It’s time to move out!”

The team members immediately set down their teacups and stood.

“Thank you for your hospitality!”

They expressed their gratitude to Zhang Yi and Zhou Ke’er.

As Wu Di passed Zhang Yi, his eyes gleamed with fighting intent.

“Zhang Yi, let’s spar next time we meet!”

Bian Junwu’s high regard for Zhang Yi had piqued Wu Di’s interest.

Given Bian Junwu’s implication that Zhang Yi might join their team, Wu Di naturally wanted to gauge his strength.

Zhang Yi smiled faintly but didn’t reply.

Bian Junwu shouted, “Now’s not the time for nonsense!”

Wu Di scratched his head sheepishly and quickly followed his team out.

Zhang Yi and the others watched them depart.

As their vehicle left the shelter, the residents began to chatter.

“Those people have such an intimidating presence!”

“Yeah, you could feel it from a distance. They’re completely different from anyone we’ve met before.”

Zhang Yi took a deep breath and murmured, “Thankfully, they’re not enemies. Otherwise, we’d be in serious trouble.”

Of the seven, Bian Junwu’s terrifying power alone was unmatched in Tianhai City.

Even Zhang Yi would be killed instantly if caught off guard.

However, with proper preparation, the current defenses of the Dimensional Gate could withstand Bian Junwu’s attacks—based on what they’d seen of his power today.

The rest of the team’s strength was also evident. Even Kong Sheng, who wasn’t a high-ranking member, had easily defeated Chaoyu Base’s second-in-command, Chen Jingguan.

The full extent of their team’s power was unimaginable.

Zhang Yi believed that the seven of them could destroy a base without much difficulty, especially with the formidable Jiangnan District backing them.

Just then, Yang Xinxin’s cool voice reached Zhang Yi’s ears.

“But for only seven people to handle the zombie horde, it won’t be easy.”

“That’s not exactly good news.”

Everyone turned to look at the brilliant young woman in the wheelchair.

Zhang Yi leaned forward, his gaze serious.

“Xinxin, what do you think?”

Yang Xinxin wheeled herself to the group. Her intelligent eyes glimmered with insight.

“The Jiangnan District didn’t send them to eliminate the zombie horde in one go. They’re likely the vanguard. Once they locate the source of the horde, larger forces will probably move into Tianhai City.”

“When that happens, the entire city’s balance of power will shift, and we’ll inevitably be affected.”

Zhang Yi nodded. “That’s certainly possible.”

Fatty Xu asked worriedly, “Do you think they’ll drive us out of the shelter?”

In Tianhai City, Zhang Yi’s team dominated, controlling both the West Hill and Lu River Districts.

But that was only because their opposition was weak—small factions stationed in Tianhai City.

The Jiangnan District’s strength, however, was on another level.

Beyond their advanced weaponry, they had numerous powerful superhumans and resources. Destroying a shelter wouldn’t be hard for them.

Zhang Yi frowned. “Probably not.”

His tone, however, betrayed uncertainty.

Given their team’s strength, even if the Jiangnan District stationed troops in Tianhai City, they should show some respect.

Not all conflicts in the apocalypse were resolved through violence. Sometimes, diplomacy and relationships mattered.

Yang Xinxin interjected, “If that happens, it wouldn’t be the worst outcome. The worst-case scenario is that the investigation team determines the horde is too vast, and eradicating it would come at an enormous cost.”

“In that case, things would get really complicated.”

Everyone felt a chill run down their spines.

No one truly knew how many zombies lay beneath Tianhai City.

If every corpse turned into a zombie, the horde could number in the tens of millions.

At that scale, the Jiangnan District’s likely response was self-evident.

Zhang Yi took a deep breath. “If that’s the case, then we must do everything we can to help them resolve the zombie crisis!”