Chapter Twenty-Five: The Third Young Master of the Jiang Family

The sky gradually darkened, with the twilight spreading like a vast piece of silk, quietly covering the earth. Along a winding path, a group of people marched with an aggressive air.

"Third Young Master, the final tracking coordinates indicate they should be in this vicinity," a middle-aged man behind him said, bowing his head respectfully toward the youth in front.

The youth was Jiang Yunjie, the Third Young Master of the Jiang family. Though barely in his twenties, his face bore a heroic look, and his eyes revealed a ruthlessness that could not be underestimated.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yunjie frowned and sneered, "Uncle Chen, it seems you really are getting old. You couldn't even keep an eye on a few people? And we lost several of our Jiang family mercenaries in the process."

As he spoke, he suddenly turned, drew a pistol, and pressed it against the middle-aged man’s forehead. His tone was chilling, "Uncle Chen, you have served the Jiang family for many years; you surely know the consequences, don't you?"

The middle-aged man was Chen Jing, a veteran steward of the Jiang family for many years. Now over forty, his brow carried an air of calm and wisdom. Since the apocalypse storm swept through, the head of the Jiang family had carefully arranged for him to be by the young master’s side, shadowing his every move to ensure his safety.

Remaining unflustered, he looked firmly into Jiang Yunjie’s eyes and said in a deep voice, "I ask the Third Young Master to give me one more chance. This time, I will certainly wipe them all out."

"Hmph!" Jiang Yunjie snorted and lowered his pistol. "Continue moving. We are entering the village."

Immediately, he agilely vaulted into an infantry fighting vehicle. With a command, the formidable force of dozens of men and two infantry fighting vehicles drove into the village.

Old Man Sun’s ancestral home stood out starkly in the night. The front door was wide open, and the flickering candlelight inside cast moving shadows against the walls.

A flicker of cruelty crossed Jiang Yunjie’s eyes as he laughed, "So, this is where you’ve been hiding. Hahaha!"

He jumped off the vehicle and shouted, "Listen up, those inside! I am Jiang Yunjie, Third Young Master of the Jiang family! If you know what’s good for you, come out quietly, and I might leave your bodies intact." Yet, after a long moment, there was no response from within the house.

Growing impatient and frustrated, Jiang Yunjie roared, "Move aside, all of you! Let me test the power of this 'toy.' I just got this light tank from my father, and you shall be its first sacrifice."

With that, he gave an order. "Boom!" The tank’s barrel fired with a thunderous roar, and a wisp of white smoke rose. A massive hole was blasted into the center of the house, sending dust and white fog swirling everywhere.

"Why is there so much white fog? A few of you, go and check it out," Jiang Yunjie said, puzzled. The mercenaries quickly donned their masks and stepped into the fog.

What followed was a burst of intense gunfire. After a while, the shooting ceased, and the mist began to dissipate. The mercenaries emerged and reported respectfully, "Third Young Master, there is no one alive inside—only zombies. We have taken care of them."

***

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yunjie was furious. He turned to the steward, Chen Jing, and roared, "Chen Jing! Are you trying to play me? It’s all zombies in there—where are the people?"

Chen Jing remained calm and replied respectfully, "Third Young Master, please calm your temper. Allow me to go in and assess the situation." With that, he entered the house to inspect it.

A moment later, he walked out composedly and said to Jiang Yunjie, "Third Young Master, they must have escaped. We found the bodies of the second team inside."

Chen Jing then added in a grave tone, "There is something strange here. Zombies usually wander aimlessly without any organized pattern; they would not gather in one place like this. If I am not mistaken, that person has appeared."

Jiang Yunjie narrowed his eyes and asked, "Uncle Chen, are you referring to the person Jiang Li encountered at Base 8 who could control zombies?"

Chen Jing nodded, his gaze firm.

Hearing this, Jiang Yunjie threw his head back and laughed excitedly, "Hahaha! Excellent! What Jiang Li couldn't finish, I will! Once I capture this person and present them to my father, he will surely praise me. This will finally be my chance to shine in front of my eldest and second brothers."

Having said this, he regained his composure and asked the steward respectfully, "Uncle Chen, can you tell where they have fled?"

Earlier, because of the failure at the base, Jiang Yunjie had treated Chen Jing poorly. But now, realizing that Chen Jing could bring him benefits and assistance, his attitude underwent a 180-degree turn to one of extreme deference.

Chen Jing turned to look into the distance and pointed, "They must be fleeing toward Ning’an City."

Jiang Yunjie grew even more excited and laughed, "Oh? You mean they are running into a pile of zombies? Interesting. What a bunch of fools. This is like a lamb walking into a tiger’s den—they are seeking their own deaths!"

He then ordered, "Everyone, move out toward Ning’an City!"

The following afternoon, the Jiang Group’s forces surged into Ning’an City like a turbulent tide. The infantry fighting vehicles smashed through everything in their path, crushing zombies as if they were nothing, unstoppable and invincible.

——————

Our group had traveled through the night, exhausted, and finally arrived in Ning’an City at noon, when the sun was at its peak.

Guided by Xu Hanfeng, we moved like castaways searching for a harbor, hiding on the roof of an old residential building. There was an attic on the roof that offered an expansive view, acting as a natural watchtower—perfect for scouting the activity below.

We reorganized our group, and while some sat and others lay down to rest, a sudden, thunderous roar shattered the air, jolting us all awake.

"What is that sound? It’s so loud," Jiang Hanchuan said, sitting up abruptly. His sleepy eyes were filled with alertness as he looked toward Xu Hanfeng.

At this, Xu Hanfeng moved with agility, rising quickly to approach the window. Seeing this, the rest of us crowded around. On the street below, a group of well-equipped soldiers was marching in formation, with two infantry fighting vehicles rumbling past like steel beasts.

My eyes widened as I exclaimed, "Good grief, they even have tanks? How are we supposed to compete with that?!"

Xu Hanfeng, however, remained calm. He squinted as he observed them carefully and said in a low voice, "Those are infantry fighting vehicles, also known as light tanks—advanced equipment from abroad. It seems there is a deep and intricate connection between the Jiang Group and the Federation."

The survivors behind us, upon hearing our conversation, became like ants in a pan, their anxiety and fear spreading rapidly.

"We are only flesh and blood; how can we fight against these armored vehicles?"

"Indeed! What are we going to do?"

"Should we just surrender?"

Some asked with trembling voices, and others began to agree.

Seeing this, Luo Yucheng and Mu Wanqing stood up immediately, soothing the people’s emotions with soft, gentle words.

"Everyone, don't be afraid. We will find a way," Luo Yucheng said softly, her eyes filled with determination and courage.

Mu Wanqing followed up, "That’s right. While we cannot fight them head-on, we can use our wits. We must stand together. We already escaped once; surrendering means death anyway!" Her words acted like a shot of adrenaline, gradually calming the panicked survivors.

Yet, outside the window, the infantry fighting vehicles continued to roar, as if declaring to us the cruelty and ruthlessness of the war ahead.