TL: Moonlit

On the way to the research institute with Zhu Baizhang, Wen Qingling had been pondering over this question.

Xiao Hen was stunned when he saw the four people from the research institute. When he looked at Wen Qingling and saw him still struggling with the arrangement of their human relatives, he couldn’t help but pull him over for a hug.

Thinking about his indifference towards human life at that time and seeing the four intact people in front of him, Xiao Hen couldn’t help but laugh. This was truly the kindest little zombie he had ever seen.

Wen Qingling shrugged him off with a face that said, “Don’t touch me.”

Xiao Henda was in a good mood. “Who told me they were thrown to feed the zombies?”

Wen Qingling replied, “If they weren’t fed to zombies, how could they be here?”

Xiao Hen nodded. “Fair enough.”

Zhu Baizhang, upon hearing that the four of them were Meng Lianhong’s assistants, nodded and said, “Since you were Meng Lianhong’s assistants, you should be able to catch up with my research progress. Show me the current research results so that I can determine at which stage we are.”

The four research assistants almost knelt before Wen Qingling. They indeed needed an expert in virus research to lead them, but they never expected that Wen Qingling would bring back such a big shot in the research field.

Shao Fei, who had admired Meng Lianhong the most, stammered, “Mr. Z-Zhu, how come you’re here? Didn’t your rescue plan fail? How did the City Lord find you? You don’t know, but when we learned that you were infected, everyone at the Virus Research Institute was depressed for a long time…”

By this time, Zhu Baizhang had already gone through the experimental records, and his gaze towards them changed. “Are you really Meng Lianhong’s research assistants?”

His tone was filled with disdain, clearly showing a severe lack of trust in their professional level.

The four assistants felt somewhat embarrassed. In peacetime, with their qualifications and professional level, they wouldn’t even be able to enter the research institute, let alone participate in such an important research project. But now, in the post-apocalyptic era, where professional talents were scarce, being chosen as Meng Lianhong’s research assistant was already a result of their family’s influence.

Under Zhu Baizhang’s arrangement and command, Xiao Hen placed the brought research equipment in order before leaving with Wen Qingling.

Before leaving, Wen Qingling briefed Zhu Baizhang about his urgent research findings, allowing him to prioritize and focus on researching two crucial formulas:

One was to maximize the utilization of blood anemones so that they could save as many zombies as possible using the least amount of blood anemones.

The other was the zombie virus vaccine, which was the most coveted item for humans. Once they had control over the vaccine, the civilized zombies would also have a say, and they could trade for whatever they wanted from humans.

Wen Qingling needed a large number of crystal nuclei to enhance his own strength. Besides crystal nuclei, he could also enhance his strength through death, but the latter was too brutal. Who would casually go and die? Even for the sake of increasing his strength, it was not feasible.

In addition to Wen Qingling himself, there were three other civilized zombies in the base who also needed crystal nuclei to improve their strength. Originally, there should have been four, but He Lin couldn’t retain his abilities due to the different transformation process. All things considered, crystal nuclei were indeed a good thing.

Wen Qingling did have the ability to save zombies, but there were too many zombies in the world for him to save them one by one. Moreover, he couldn’t ask humans to stop hunting zombies, just as he couldn’t demand that zombies worldwide stop eating humans. It was survival of the fittest. As long as it didn’t happen in Ling City, he had no control over it. He would protect his own zombie subordinates, but if they were not his subordinates, whether they lived or died had nothing to do with him.

Wen Qingling wanted to meet Shi Chong’s uncle, so Xiao Hen drove him to the outskirts of the city.

Xiao Hen asked, “Do you have any ideas?”

Wen Qingling did have some ideas. “I’ll observe the person first and confirm if he’s worthy of my actions.”

Xiao Hen smirked, knowing that Wen Qingling had the ability to read others’ thoughts, so his judgment would be accurate.

Xiao Hen’s delay caused a lot of anxiety for Ji Rong and the others who were already waiting in the car, standing outside to catch some fresh air.Shi Yun marveled at the wandering zombies around and said, “I heard about it even in Central Mega City. Ling City is known as the ‘City of Zombies,’ the place with the most zombies. Can people really live here?”

Ji Rong laughed and said, “Didn’t you see Boss go in? There’s a base inside, and from now on, we’ll all be part of the base.”

Shi Yun sighed, “I never expected Ling City to have such a great charm, attracting all four of you, especially Xiao Hen. He was able to leave Central Mega City behind, which is truly surprising. Xiao Jiang even agreed to let him go. It’s unbelievable.”

Ji Rong: “…”

He Lin: “…”

Shi Chong: “…”

It’s probably not that he agreed, otherwise, Boss wouldn’t have escaped so frantically.

An off-road vehicle drove out of Ling City and stopped beside Ji Rong and the others. Xiao Hen and Wen Qingling got off the vehicle.

Xiao Hen led Wen Qingling over and introduced, “Let me introduce you. This is the leader of the Civilization Base, Wen Qingling.”

Wen Qingling looked at him and was not satisfied with the introduction, “I’m not the leader, I’m the City Lord.”

He always felt that the title of “leader” lacked the authority of a city lord. That’s why even the intelligent civilized zombies called him the city lord, but there were always people who refused to recognize his position as city lord.

Xiao Hen was helpless and introduced again, “In the future, Ling City will be rebuilt as a civilized city, and this is the future City Lord.”

Wen Qingling was satisfied.

Xiao Hen continued, “And this is Shi Cong’s Uncle, Shi Yun.”

Listening to Xiao Hen’s introduction, Shi Yun behaved like a child playing around. When he looked at the future City Lord, he realized that the City Lord was quite young. Wen Qingling was already young, and with his youthful appearance, he looked even younger.

Shi Yun proactively extended his hand, “Hello, I am Shi Chong’s Uncle. I will trouble you in the future.”

Wen Qingling stared into Shi Yun’s eyes, shook his hand, and said, “No trouble. I won’t be taking care of you.”

Shi Yun was taken aback, not fully understanding.

Ji Rong anxiously communicated with his boss through eye contact, asking if things hadn’t been settled yet. How should they arrange Uncle Shi Yun?

Wen Qingling said, “Send Mr. Shi to the Xiang County Base.”

Shi Chong also looked at their boss. With the threat of the Undead outside, his uncle was just an ordinary person. He was a bit worried about placing him in a base without sufficient security.

Xiao Hen remained silent, waiting for Wen Qingling to continue. He knew that Shi Yun’s character was absolutely reliable, and he didn’t believe that Wen Qingling couldn’t see that.

As expected, Wen Qingling continued, “Before the civilized city is built, the relatives outside may need to be sent to Xiang County first. I will arrange for a team to stay in Xiang County to try out your concept of ‘peaceful coexistence.’ I will give them a chance to be ‘close to me and Ling City’. After that, it depends on the future development.”

Xiao Hen didn’t expect Wen Qingling to be willing to try so quickly. He had thought it would take more time to change his mindset, but it seemed that he had overestimated it. Or rather, Wen Qingling had an instinctive bias and trust towards what he considered “his own people.” If Xiao Hen was still human, Wen Qingling would definitely refuse and suspect him of having ulterior motives.

Upon hearing this, Shi Chong also breathed a sigh of relief. As long as his uncle’s safety could be guaranteed, he would be a little more at ease.

The team Wen Qingling sent to the Xiang County base consisted of regular soldiers. Wen Qingling believed in their self-discipline. Even if they lived among humans, there would be no problem.

The soldiers got off the blue pickup truck, dressed in uniform zombie outfits, carrying weapons. They lined up in a row after getting off, standing upright and wearing neat camouflage uniforms, along with identical automatic rifles. They appeared to be highly disciplined.Wen Qingling said, “Leave professional matters to professionals. In the future, the military of the civilized city will be entrusted to you.”

Xiao Hen was surprised, “You trust me with such an important military force?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Xiao Hen realized he had asked a silly question. All the civilized zombies were loyal to Wen Qingling. As long as Wen Qingling wished it, he could control all of them. Even if Wen Qingling distributed all the power, he wouldn’t be afraid of anyone betraying him.

Wen Qingling stared at him for two seconds, “Ji Rong, He Lin, and Shi Chong are your right-hand men. You can also delegate work to them. You will handle all the affairs of the civilized city on my behalf.”

Xiao Hen: “…”

Xiao Hen: “If I handle everything, what will you do?”

Wen Qingling raised his chin, “I’ll be the City Lord.”

Everyone present: “…”

Isn’t your role as City Lord a bit too much in name only?

Wen Qingling felt a bit guilty. To avoid being seen through, he tried to act like a boss who was in control of everything. Even after experiencing over two years in the apocalypse, he was still a young person who hadn’t reached the age of 21. If it weren’t for the apocalypse, he would still be studying in school. He had no experience in how to manage a city, let alone how to manage an army.

The current affairs in the base are being managed by Jiang Lan and Wen Zheng. They have been handling many things without a comprehensive perspective. Wen Qingling urgently needs capable individuals to help him take care of everything, and currently, Xiao Hen is the best candidate.

Xiao Hen noticed that Wen Qingling was lacking confidence and trying to hold on stubbornly. He couldn’t help but laugh, “I’ll take care of the military side, and as for other matters, if you need my help, don’t worry, we’re all here.”

Wen Qingling glared at him, “I am the City Lord, I am in charge of the military force, what is there for me to worry about?”

Anyone who disobeys him will be dealt with directly. That’s how confident he is.

Ji Rong and the others were all trying hard to suppress their laughter. The imposing Wen Qingling, who leaked a bit of arrogance, finally showed some vitality and no longer appeared unapproachable.

The three vehicles headed towards Xiang County without any worry that Chang Boheng and Wen Chu would refuse. When they last came, they were eager to establish a good relationship with Wen Qingling. This time, Wen Qingling gave them an opportunity, and Chang Boheng and Wen Chu were not fools, they wouldn’t miss it.

As soon as they arrived at the Xiang County base, Chang Boheng came out with a group of people to greet them. When they saw the team of soldiers dressed in camouflage uniforms, they knew they were genuine soldiers by their posture, not a makeshift army.

Chang Boheng and Wen Chu warmly welcomed them, and along the way, they received numerous curious glances. The people in the base were a bit puzzled. Wen Qingling and Xiao Hen had left only a few days ago, was it because they ran out of crystal nuclei and came back to earn more? Did Undeads appear in the base again?

Chang Boheng led them to the conference room, where the important members of the base were gathered. Wen Qingling got straight to the point, “I’m sending someone over to temporarily stay in the Xiang County base. Is that alright?”

Chang Boheng and Wen Chu looked at Shi Yun. They shook hands and got to know each other. Knowing that he was Shi Chong’s uncle, Chang Boheng and Wen Chu assured Wen Qingling that they would take good care of Mr. Shi.

Wen Qingling’s intention didn’t need to be explicitly stated. They all understood that as long as the Xiang County base had a connection with Wen Qingling, it would receive his protection. They had no reason to refuse.

Wen Qingling said, “I’ll leave ten people with you. They are from my base and will help you deal with the threat of the Undead. You can rest assured with them. But I hope you can trust them more. Their understanding of the Undead is stronger than anyone here.”

Chang Boheng and Wen Chu both said, “You can rest assured, we will trust the people you leave behind.”

Wen Qingling nodded, “There may be more people coming in the future.”

Chang Boheng said, “No problem, just let us know if you need anything.”

Wen Qingling looked at him, finding him so easy to talk to. He must have a request, “What do you need?”

Chang Boheng and Wen Chu exchanged a glance and then said, “We do have a request. If anyone in the base gets infected, we hope Dr. Wen can lend a hand. We will definitely pay a generous fee for the treatment.”

Wen Qingling agreed, which relieved the important members of the Xiang County base. With this assurance, they could be more daring in their actions and no longer feel hesitant.

Shi Yun didn’t say a word throughout the process. He had been observing, observing Wen Qingling and the attitude of these people toward him. He felt strange. Shi Chong had brought him here, but he hadn’t been allowed into Shi Chong’s own base. Instead, he was entrusted to another base in such a conspicuous manner. How could he not find it strange? What’s even more puzzling is that they asked Dr. Wen for help if someone gets infected. Could Dr. Wen really treat infected individuals?

The news brought back by Ling City was all sealed by the higher-ups, unknown to ordinary people, and Shi Yun was a member of the “unknown,” so now his mind was filled with question marks.