Chapter Fourteen: The Storm Approaches

After successfully transporting a batch of supplies, Wu Jue's standing among the group rose once more. Everyone was evidently more convinced by his leadership. The newly acquired resources were enough to sustain the people for several days, and so, in the days that followed, everything gradually settled into order. Wu Jue followed his plan, training the group each day and teaching them the basic martial arts techniques from Daling Temple to strengthen their bodies.

Every few days, he ventured into the ruins to search for usable supplies, while also taking in more survivors. Slowly, their ranks swelled, and the underground vault seemed on the verge of overflowing with people.

Xiao Yang discussed with Wu Jue that they ought to find an opportunity to search for a new refuge, for this place alone was no longer sufficient for their growing numbers.

Little Han, under Wu Jue's guidance these past days, had made rare progress in lightness skills, especially combined with his driving expertise. With just an electric scooter, he could move freely throughout the city. He volunteered eagerly, saying, "Leave the task of scouting to me. I can get a full picture of the city center within two days."

Wu Jue replied, "It's too dangerous for you to go alone. I'll go with you."

At this moment, Xiao Yang produced two pairs of skates for the two of them. "Try my new invention—super elastic flywheels. I used the instruments you brought to develop the technology. I hadn't expected the Tianzhu Clan's technology to be so advanced; their warships are made from special alloys, with both elasticity and strength. With a few modifications, I was able to create these."

Little Han was thrilled and insisted on trying them. He put them on, but after only two steps, his body shot upward, nearly crashing headfirst into the ceiling. Fortunately, Wu Jue was quick and caught him before he hurt himself.

After familiarizing himself with the skates, he mastered their capabilities and set off. Originally, Xiao Yang had prepared a pair for Wu Jue as well, but Wu Jue felt his own lightness skills sufficed and declined for now.

Just as they were sending Little Han off, Xiao Yang received a distress signal over the radio. A few companions who had been sent out to search for water sources were attacked by unknown entities and were in imminent danger, urgently needing rescue.

Wu Jue said, "Perfect timing. I'll go. We'll split up."

Taking the radio, Wu Jue left with Little Han, each heading to their respective tasks. Wu Jue sped toward the site of the incident.

This group had originally set out to find and restore the city's water supply system. With the growing number of survivors, relying solely on supermarket water was insufficient. Among them was an employee from the water plant, who had volunteered to repair the city's water supply, but trouble had arisen unexpectedly.

Wu Jue hurried to the scene and found two corpses on the ground, their bodies mangled and bloody—apparently, companions who had ventured out for water. The remaining survivors were trapped inside a shop, staring out in terror through the glass window. Seeing Wu Jue, they frantically gestured to him.

Wu Jue instinctively sensed a presence of extreme danger lurking nearby, watching them hungrily. Could it be that the zombies had evolved, becoming even more formidable monsters?

Unconsciously, Wu Jue drew his steel blade from his waist and gripped a Beretta pistol. It was the first time since learning to use firearms that he felt the urge to rely on it for survival. Perhaps the tense atmosphere made him feel a rare sense of fear.

Suddenly, a shadow burst from the alley beside the shop, lunging ferociously at Wu Jue. Thankfully, Wu Jue was ready; he swung his steel blade in a wide arc. With a crack, it struck something hard—the shadow landed atop the blade, biting down on the steel with sharp teeth.

Only then, through the creature's horrifying gaze, did Wu Jue discern its form: a gigantic black rat, exuding the fetid stench typical of zombies. Its limbs clung tightly to the steel blade, gnawing at it with prominent teeth.

Alarmed, Wu Jue realized this monster rat was infected by the virus. He feared the steel blade would soon be bitten apart. He tried to shake it off, but failed; the rat reached out with its claws to scratch him.

Helpless, Wu Jue released the blade, pushed the rat away, and swiftly raised his Beretta. With a bang, he shot a bloody hole through the rat's forehead.

The ugly creature tumbled off, still unwilling to die, uttering a few shrill cries and struggling before finally lying still.

Wu Jue had barely caught his breath when two even larger rats burst from the alley. Their fur had completely transformed into a blood-red hue, exposing sharp teeth and claws, as if seeking vengeance for their fallen companion.

Such terrifying mutations! Without hesitation, Wu Jue aimed at their heads and fired a rapid volley.

His marksmanship, honed under Xiao Yang's guidance, was quite skilled, but these two mutant rats were much more agile than the dead one. They twisted in midair, parrying bullets with their teeth. Sparks flashed in the air as the bullets ricocheted away, shattering the glass window beside them.

Wu Jue hadn't expected the rats to evolve to such an extent; ordinary attacks were clearly ineffective.

With the shop window smashed, the two rats split up—one lunged at Wu Jue, the other charged into the shop toward the hiding survivors.

He could not let them succeed and harm his people. Wu Jue dashed into the shop, firing in quick succession at the mutant rat.

The rat dodged nimbly, evading the bullets, then joined its companion, attempting a joint assault.

Wu Jue rolled into the shop, grabbed the three survivors, and hurried toward the back. "Did you check—are there any other exits?"

The three replied hastily, "No, it's a single room. Only the window and the main door."

"Then climb out the window, don't hesitate!" Wu Jue moved a row of cabinets under the window for them to climb.

He turned back to face the two mutant rats that had forced their way in. Their blood-red eyes glared, growling as if ready to strike at any moment.

Wu Jue calmly surveyed the shop, and after a brief standoff, suddenly sprang forward. He raised two cabinets, stacking them and pushing them forcefully.

The two rats tried to flank him, but the cramped space and the two-meter-long cabinets blocked their path, pinning them against the wall.

One rat struggled toward the door to escape, but Wu Jue drew his pistol and put a bullet through its head.

The remaining rat squealed, scratching at the cabinet and gnawing with its sharp teeth. It seemed about to bite the cabinet in two, but Wu Jue fired again. The rat dodged, and the bullet struck its left eye, blood pouring forth as its screams grew more intense.

Wu Jue thought now was not the time to spare mercy; since one shot hadn't finished it, he prepared to fire again. Suddenly, he realized the gun was out of bullets.

The giant rat unleashed its monstrous strength, flipped itself, and jumped out through the window.

Wu Jue rushed after it, watching as it fled, seemingly unlike ordinary infected zombies, retaining some cunning.

Could these mutated creatures be bred by the Tianzhu Clan, used to hunt them?

Confused, Wu Jue wanted to pursue, but Xiao Yang's voice came through his headset, asking for a status update.

After reporting, Wu Jue unexpectedly learned that the companion whose leg he had amputated after a bite was now running a high fever. Xiao Yang suspected he might be mutating into a zombie and needed Wu Jue to return and handle it personally.

Left with no choice, Wu Jue abandoned the pursuit, regrouped with the three survivors who escaped the shop, and returned to the underground chamber.