Chapter 390 - 362: Newcomers
’Another Miracle Card.’
Qin Ziwen’s feelings were mixed. On one hand, it was undoubtedly a good thing. On the other, he truly couldn’t afford to maintain it.
Words appeared on the small orb of light from his Home:
[Stage Type: Cooperative Survival]
[Time Limit: 90 Days]
[Objective: Survive on this map for 90 days to proceed to the next stage.]
[This map includes one additional novice Tuiyuan and 702 new people. At the map’s conclusion, bonus rewards will be granted based on the number of surviving novice Lords of the Homeland.]
After scanning the information, Qin Ziwen glanced down at the bonfires burning in the Gated Community. He turned to his brother and said, "Go upstairs. Check your Home and see if those residents from the Urban Village came over with us."
"Yes." Qin Ziwu broke into a run, quickly heading upstairs.
Inside the Gated Community, people on their balconies had started lighting torches and bonfires one after another. The growing light pushed back the surrounding darkness.
Above the Gated Community was a vast, vaulted rock ceiling that stretched from north to south, its end nowhere in sight.
The area surrounding the Gated Community, aside from their own complex, now included the school building by the east gate and a newly appeared building with off-white exterior walls to the west.
A conspicuous red cross was emblazoned on the very top of the building.
Several LED signs on the roof read: Jiang City Renkuan Private Hospital.
The newly added structure was a section of a hospital building.
The building was pitch-black inside, and the initial chaotic sounds had died down.
Many people were hiding behind the glass of the windows, observing secretly.
The earlier screams and the cacophony of arguments had gradually faded.
However, with his enhanced hearing, Qin Ziwen could still faintly make out sounds coming from inside, though they were much quieter than before.
Qin Ziwu hurried back. "Brother, they’re all here. The residents from the Urban Village came through with my Home."
Qin Ziwen turned to his brother. "Good. Go and get them settled first."
There weren’t many people from the Urban Village, only about two hundred, mostly able-bodied young adults they had recruited as labor.
Since the Gated Community had limited rooms and they were all occupied after the school building was integrated and the spaces were reassigned, these new young adults had been settled into Qin Ziwu’s Home.
Specifically, Room 601, Unit Two, Building Eight.
They had used some Expansion Cards to enlarge the space and built numerous wooden bunks.
It was a bit crowded, but it was manageable for daily living.
After Qin Ziwu left, Qin Ziwen said to Jia Liangcai, "In a little while, send some men to make contact with the people in the hospital. See what the situation is."
"Yes, My Lord."
Qin Ziwen then looked over his left shoulder at Du Yu. "Old Du, take Red Hare and scout the immediate area. Don’t go too far."
"Yes, My Lord."
"Biansheng, take some men downstairs and set up security. Prevent anyone from using the chaos to cause trouble."
"Yes, sir."
With his orders given, Qin Ziwen surveyed his surroundings. ’Cooperation and survival,’ he thought, recalling the map’s description.
’The difficulty won’t be low.’
’If it were just about food scarcity in an underground cave, they wouldn’t have called it a survival mode.’
’There must be other hidden dangers.’
Downstairs in apartment 402, Zhao Pu’s eyes glazed over for a moment as he made out the red cross signifying the hospital.
A buried memory resurfaced. He’d heard of Renkuan Private Hospital. It was a private hospital that had popped up in the last few years, supposedly with powerful backing. It was built by a medical investment group, had state-of-the-art facilities, and had poached quite a few specialists.
A few of his old classmates worked there. He’d heard the salary, benefits, and commissions were all quite good.
’I wonder if any acquaintances survived inside.’
At that thought, Zhao Pu turned and instructed Shuhuan, "You’re to stay home. Don’t go anywhere until we have a clear picture of this new environment."
Zhao Shuhuan nodded obediently.
...
Cao Biansheng led his team downstairs. In the Gated Community’s courtyard, a few large bonfires were still burning, but the residents who had been gathered around them had long since fled back to their homes.
Cao Biansheng called out several names. "Yuan Ming, Jin Hao, Jiang Shan—you three take twenty of our brothers to the East Gate. If you run into danger, fall back to the nearest Home. I’ll take the South Gate."
The men split up. Cao Biansheng took the remaining twenty men to the closest entrance, the South Gate.
This was just a reconnaissance and patrol mission, not a beast-clearing operation, so there was no need for a large force. Too many people would just make it harder to disperse if necessary.
Arriving at the South Gate, Cao Biansheng held out his fish-oil torch. By its light, he could see that just beyond the boundary of the main gate lay a stretch of hard, rocky ground.
The ground was uneven and full of potholes.
The sound of hooves approached from behind as Red Hare, with Du Yu aboard, passed them.
"Instructor Du, be careful out there. Do you have enough torches?"
"I’m just doing a quick sweep of the area. One is enough. Don’t leave the Gated Community for now." Du Yu held the reins in one hand and a Long Spear in the other.
A bracket mounted on the side of Red Hare’s neck held a lit torch.
Red Hare was incredibly fast. With a clatter of hooves, it carried Du Yu over a hundred meters away in the blink of an eye.
Tearing his gaze away from the retreating figure, Cao Biansheng gave his orders. The team was to spread out, maintaining five meters between each man, fanning out left and right from their position at the South Gate.
"Brother Cao, I saw what looks like a new building to the west of the Gated Community. You think it’s gonna be like Hongding Mansion?"
"Don’t jinx it. Shut your mouth." Cao Biansheng was exasperated. He was hoping the newcomers would be normal people, for a change.
’Killing them is a real pain,’ he thought.
About twenty minutes later, the sound of hooves drew near.
Du Yu returned on Red Hare. His expression was grim, and he remained silent.
Red Hare shot past them like a gust of wind.
’Looks like Instructor Du found something,’ Cao Biansheng thought.
Upon returning to the Home, Du Yu and Red Hare went to report to Qin Ziwen immediately.
"My Lord, I’ve conducted a preliminary sweep of the surrounding area."
"Our location appears to be a junction within a cavern system. There are five tunnels nearby. About seven hundred meters to the south, I found water. I can’t be sure if it’s an underground river or a pool, as the torchlight was too limited to see clearly, but the water’s surface was calm... Also, I sensed something in the water. It felt very dangerous, so I didn’t investigate further."
"The other tunnels vary in size, and I haven’t explored them in depth yet. However, during my scouting, I noticed a lot of insects in the area."
"Insects are normal. We’re underground, after all."
Du Yu said, "These insects are huge—generally over half a meter long. I suspect the local insect life has undergone widespread mutation."
Qin Ziwen fell into thought at his words. ’Universally gigantic insects? An underground insect kingdom?’
"Alright. Go and make the necessary preparations. Now that we’re here, it won’t be long before we attract the attention of the native inhabitants."
To this place’s original inhabitants, they were undeniably intruders.
’I just don’t know how forcefully these natives will test us.’
Besides, it had been a while since they’d arrived. ’Why hasn’t the main hospital building sent anyone over to make contact? They’re certainly taking their time.’
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