Chapter 245: The Phoenix Man Who Soared Before the Apocalypse (50)

Young Master Huo looked utterly heartbroken. “Out of everyone here, I’m the only one with a strength-type supernatural ability. Even you awakened a long-range attack ability. I just missed one outing, and something this tragic happened? Have you forgotten the friendship we built while digging for Core Crystals together?”

Su Mingyue immediately clutched her chest, her face full of relief.

She had completely forgotten about that. At one point, she had even envied Young Master Huo.

But now, thank goodness she didn’t awaken a strength-type ability…

After all, compared to long-range attacks, close combat was just too miserable.

Su Mingyue was secretly delighted but tried hard to keep a straight face. She patted Young Master Huo on the shoulder in comfort. “Don’t worry. Even though I’ve awakened an ability, it won’t affect our friendship. We can still happily dig for Core Crystals together.”

“Hi, tui~ Traitor.” Young Master Huo clutched his chest like a tragic beauty. “Don’t think I didn’t see the gloating in your eyes.”

“Wuwuwu, Young Master Shen, I’ve got it so rough.” Young Master Huo turned to Shen Xiuyan with a pitiful expression and wailed, “Why am I the only one who has to fight zombies hand-to-hand…”

Shen Xiuyan couldn’t help it—he burst out laughing.

Maybe this was just fate.

Seeing that it was about time, Shen Xiuyan called for everyone to get ready to depart.

As the people who were taking the bus boarded, each one of them was left speechless.

The first person to get on couldn’t hold back a gasp.

“Holy crap, how much stuff did they find? Did they move an entire supermarket in here…”

“Hey, hurry up, don’t block the way.” Someone behind him gave him a push.

The first person stumbled forward, dazed. “Don’t push, don’t push, let me see where I can sit first…”

The people behind him were confused, but as soon as he stepped fully into the bus, they wore the exact same stunned expression.

Everyone who got on after them reacted the same way. Aside from sharp intakes of breath, no one could say a word.

Brother Lei stood at the back, counting heads. Once he confirmed everyone was on board, he climbed in himself.

As soon as he got on, he made a statement. “This time, Young Master Shen led us to clear out a supermarket. It was fully stocked, and we couldn’t help but take a little extra. The road ahead might be a bit tougher, so please bear with it. If there aren’t enough seats, squeeze in where you can.”

“Squeeze what? There’s still room! If you ask me, we could fit even more.”

“Hahaha, Old Wang, give it a rest. If we load any more, this bus is going to be seriously overloaded.”

“Exactly. There’s barely any space left to sit, and who knows how much stuff is crammed into the cargo hold underneath. I’m pretty sure we’re already way over capacity.”

Everyone was overjoyed inside. Looking at the bus packed to the brim, they couldn’t help but feel thrilled.

Back in the day, they never could’ve found this much stuff.

A supermarket? That kind of place, packed with people and surrounded by zombies? They wouldn’t have dared to even think about it.

But this time, they’d reaped the rewards thanks to Shen Xiuyan.

As they looked at the bus full of supplies, everyone began to imagine a hopeful future.

Maybe following Shen Xiuyan was the best decision they’d ever made…

With that hope in their hearts, they set off once again.

Two days later, the bus began winding its way through rugged mountain roads.

Everyone swayed with the bumpy terrain, like they were riding bumper cars.

The kids couldn’t take it anymore and threw up into bags several times.

Even the adults were looking pale.

The place Young Master Shen mentioned was way too remote.

Just from the road alone, they strongly suspected that no vehicles ever passed through here.

And they weren’t wrong. This area really didn’t see much traffic. After all, people from Dashan Village rarely made trips to the county even once a year.

But it was precisely this harsh environment that made the place so appealing.

The more isolated it was, the safer it would be.

Maybe this was the end of their journey.

Though everyone looked exhausted, there was a spark of anticipation in their eyes.

Eventually, they reached a point where the bus could go no further due to its size.

Shen Xiuyan had everyone stop. He got out to check and saw that if they wanted the bus to continue, they’d have to dig out a path.

That would be a massive undertaking.

So he called everyone together to discuss it. In the end, they decided to take a few people ahead in off-road vehicles to scout the village first.

The rest would stay behind and rest.

After all, they were deep in the mountains. Even finding a single zombie out here would be difficult.

And so, two off-road vehicles headed toward Dashan Village.

Inside the village, it was eerily silent.

Shen Xiuyan paused as he drove in.

It was way too quiet.

Something felt off. His instincts immediately went on high alert.

Everyone else in the car wore the same serious expression, eyes scanning the surroundings.

But after looking around for a while, all they saw were five or six zombies wandering aimlessly near the village entrance.

Shen Xiuyan spoke into the walkie-talkie. “Forget it. Let’s go check out my house first.”

“Got it.”

The two vehicles drove one behind the other toward Shen Xiuyan’s home.

His house was located at the foot of the mountain, at the northernmost edge of the village.

The cars sped along, their engines roaring through the still air above Dashan Village.

Suddenly, Shen Xiuyan, with his sharp eyes, spotted a head peeking over the wall of a courtyard.

It looked like the sound of the vehicles had drawn someone’s attention.

Soon, more heads began popping up one after another, all watching curiously.

At last, Shen Xiuyan relaxed. It looked like nothing major had happened—there were still plenty of living people here.

He didn’t stop and quickly arrived at his front gate.

Shen Xiuyan knocked.

A moment later, a head appeared above the wall.

“Who… who is it?” The voice trembled with fear.

Shen Xiuyan called out, “Dad, it’s me.”

The man on the wall strained his neck, standing on a ladder to get a better look.

When he finally caught sight of Shen Xiuyan, his eyes widened in shock.

“It’s Xiuyan! Xiuyan’s back!” Father Shen hurried down the ladder and shouted into the house, “Er Wa! Wife! Come help move the stuff—Xiuyan’s back!”

From inside came the clatter of startled movement, as if everyone had been caught off guard by his return.

Then came the sound of hurried footsteps. “Oh no, hurry, move it! It’s too dangerous outside. Don’t let the kid get bitten by a zombie!”

“Son, don’t worry. Dad’s moving the stuff blocking the door right now.”

For safety’s sake, Father Shen and the others had not only bolted the door but also piled heavy objects against it, sealing it up tight.

They hadn’t expected Shen Xiuyan to come back, and now the three of them inside were sweating buckets trying to clear the way—but they hadn’t made much progress.

Seeing this, Shen Xiuyan quickly called out, “Dad, Mom, no rush. Take your time. I’ve got a car. It’s safe.”

“Alright, alright.” Hearing that, the people inside finally relaxed, but their hands didn’t slow down one bit.