CH 44

Chapter 44: Uninvited guests

The pair ends up staying in Z City's military district for a total of ten days. After the Hummer is repaired, Long Zhanye took it upon himself to instruct Huo Zaiyuan in long-range shooting. As a result of his attentive teaching, Huo Zaiyuan's aim improved day by day. Although he has yet to reach Long Zhanye's ease of scoring a hit every time he picks up a gun, he is at least able to score a 90% accuracy rating, which is admirable in itself. At night, he enters his space and focuses on planting fruits and vegetables. Consequently, he feels that the days staying in this building passes rather comfortably, with nothing much to stress over.

At the same time, the mass of over a thousand zombies gathered beneath the balcony has been whittled down to less than half courtesy of Huo Zaiyuan's target practise for the last few days. The sight of quieter growling coupled with motionless bodies lying on the ground is a sight unnerving enough to scare people, but all he feels upon seeing that is a sense of satisfaction. Because it just proves that his marksmanship is improving.

According to their discussions, they intend to remain in this stronghold for a month before departing. However, there are always unexpected circumstances that force one to change their plans. One morning, a loud, violent explosion suddenly booms out, startling awake the sleeping Long Zhanye and the meditating Huo Zaiyuan.

With extreme speed, the duo dashes for the window only to see two large trucks outside the tightly closed steel gates of the military district. A heavily muscled man is standing on the roof of one of the trucks, lobbing grenades over the perimeter wall, the resulting explosions sending zombies and dead corpses flying here and there.

"Who are these people?"

A few more grenades were thrown over the wall, followed by a series of booms. There aren't many zombies left on the ground floor near the gates.

"Driving a huge truck and attacking the military base. There's no doubt they are here to loot the place. Throwing a few grenades in to gauge the situation inside. No matter how you look at it, these are no good people." Narrowing his eyes, Long Zhanye watches as the man standing on the vehicle's roof moves over to the perimeter wall in preparation to open the steel gates. "Little Yuan, I think we had best find a place to hide for a while."

"Hide where?" Huo Zaiyuan turns to face him.

Wouldn't it be better if they quickly left this place instead? Why choose to hide?

"My dear little Yuan, these group of people are not good Samaritans. From where they are to here, I believe it wouldn't take them more than ten minutes. We are currently on the second floor. Besides the perimeter wall, there is only the steel gates barring their way. Therefore, we'll hide for a while, maintain the status quo." Draping an arm over Huo Zaiyuan's shoulders, he patiently explains. Suddenly, he pauses and looks deep into Huo Zaiyuan's eyes. "If there really is any danger, remember to hide in your space. Don't worry about me."

"What are you saying?" Huo Zaiyuan glares at him as he allows Long Zhanye to pull him along in search of a place to hide.

The both of them decides to hide in one of the less conspicuous rooms on the second level, where one can still see everything happening on this level by peering between the junks stashed within. Huo Zaiyuan can't help praising Long Zhanye in his heart. A soldier indeed.

Although this is a junk storage area, there are multiple areas to attack and defend from, and if someone notices them, they would be able to take cover behind the piles of junk lying around the room.

Just as soon as they manage to hide properly, a group of eight big men reach the second floor. The one bringing up the rear is chewing on a cigarette in his mouth, at the same time carrying another person on his back.

"Boss, this terrain is not too bad. It seems those monsters were all gathered on the first floor." A man with multi-coloured hair and the attitude of a delinquent calls out to the heavy-built muscled man leading in front as he plays with a pistol in his hand.

"Tsk, it would be best if that's the case." The apparent leader scoffs coldly, arriving outside the doorway to the canteen. Looking over his shoulder, he orders his subordinates. "All of you go search each room and see if there's anyone in this building."

"Understood."

"What if there is someone?"

"Drag them back here."  The big man replies, taking over in carrying the last unconscious man from the one with a cigarette in his mouth. "Then kill them."

Huo Zaiyuan who is hiding quietly is originally rather calm, however, when he gets a clear view of the person who is currently being supported, his expression changes drastically.

"Little Qing…"

(Author's note: The secondary couple's shou appears ~ )