Chapter Five: Saving a Life (Part Two)

“Where is this? Why am I here? Who are you?” The driver’s mind was clearly in turmoil. Despite his weakness, he fired off a rapid series of questions without even a word of thanks upon waking.

Zhao Qiang smiled gently. The surgical shadowless lamp had been removed, and under the soft lighting, he appeared calm and unhurried. “So many questions. Which one would you like me to answer first?”

“Just pick one,” the driver replied weakly. He hadn’t expected the other party to joke at a time like this, but under the circumstances, he had no choice but to accept, especially since these people had saved him.

As usual, Zhao Qiang sat down on a chair, settling into a comfortable posture. “This is my territory. We are the ones who saved you. We are your rescuers. Does that answer your question?”

The regenerative abilities of the New Humans were light-years ahead of those from before the catastrophe. Yet compared to Zhao Qiang and his team, who had undergone special training, the driver’s recovery was still far behind. The driver struggled to climb out of bed, burdened by an urgent mission. He didn’t know how long he had been unconscious, but judging by his wounds, it had been a lengthy ordeal.

How much time was left? I must deliver the message before my brother’s operation begins! He strained to rise, but searing pain from his wounds drenched him in cold sweat, and every attempt failed.

“If I were you, I wouldn’t move,” Zhao Qiang said with a smile as he watched the driver’s futile efforts, choosing not to intervene.

“You don’t understand. I have to get to Changsha Prison as soon as possible, or everything will be too late.” After several failed attempts, the driver’s strength was finally spent, and he collapsed back onto the bed.

Hearing the mention of the base, Zhao Qiang’s interest was piqued. This injured man was a mystery. He drove a military-grade Tiger armored vehicle, but after consulting Wang Baoquan, Zhao Qiang learned that no unit stationed in the Changsha region was equipped with Tigers. If he were active military, why was he unarmed and helpless amidst a horde of zombies? Moreover, he was searching for their base, and his tone suggested the safety of the base was at stake.

The thought flashed briefly through Zhao Qiang’s mind. He discreetly signaled his team to remain patient while calmly asking, “Changsha Prison? What’s your business there? If you need, I can try to contact them for you.” He patted the radio fixed to his shoulder.

“No, I have to tell them myself,” the driver said. The Jianglu faction was about to launch a raid on Changsha Prison. As the younger brother of the organizer of this attack, he had secretly come to warn them. Although all humans should not fight among themselves, more than anything, he didn’t want humanity to be isolated when Jianglu faced difficulties in the future.

“Why?” Zhao Qiang’s lazy expression remained unchanged.

“My name is Deng Lei. I’m from Jianglu Machinery Factory. I came from Xiangtan with a very important message for Changsha Prison. I’ve already delayed too long. If I can’t tell them directly, something terrible will happen!”

Zhao Qiang analyzed Deng Lei’s words and asked, “Why not contact them by radio?”

“Believe me, if I could have, I wouldn’t have risked coming here.” Deng Lei gasped, trying again to sit up. Cold sweat trickled down his forehead. “Please, take me there. If we’re late, it’ll be too late.”

Deng Lei? Zhao Qiang recognized the name. On the day the sun rose, the first voice heard on the radio was this very name. This was clearly documented in Old Meng’s report. Having confirmed his identity, Zhao Qiang finally made a decision. “Sorry, I can’t take you there.” Then, he pressed the call button on the radio. “Old Meng, come to the infirmary.”

Deng Lei looked at Zhao Qiang in disbelief. Before losing consciousness, he had been surrounded by terrifying Smashers tearing apart his Tiger tank. He had thought death was certain, but now he had woken to find himself saved. The people who rescued him had clearly repelled the Smashers. They had the means to take him to Changsha Prison—so why refuse?

“Welcome to Changsha Prison.” A familiar voice sounded in Deng Lei’s ear. He recognized it clearly as the same voice from the radio—the voice of Changsha Prison itself.

Opening his eyes, Deng Lei saw a rugged middle-aged man with a face hardened by resolve—almost identical to the man he remembered. Yet for a moment, he could hardly believe his eyes. “Who are you?”

“Meng Longwei.” Old Meng’s introduction was surprisingly simple. “If you’re from Jianglu, you should know my name.”

Deng Lei’s face lit up with joy, then dimmed again. “You’re Old Meng? I’m Deng Lei.”

“I heard you have something to tell us?” Meng Longwei showed little surprise. From his perspective, Deng Lei’s news was unlikely to be good.

“Yes!” Deng Lei exhaled heavily. “Old Meng, take your people and leave here immediately. If you’re late, it’ll be too late!”

“Why?”

“My brother, Deng Sen. I don’t know his exact motives, but he has decided to launch an assault on this place in two days.”

Though they had prepared for the worst, Deng Lei’s message stunned everyone present. The most dreaded scenario was unfolding. According to Deng Lei, Deng Sen planned to deploy every tank and armored vehicle from Jianglu Machinery Factory to assault the base. The assault was set for three days later because Deng Sen needed time to gather sufficient fuel.

No one would survive.

Deng Lei had witnessed firsthand how zombies from Jianglu Machinery Factory were annihilated under the relentless crushing of tanks and armored vehicles. He could not imagine anyone now could withstand such an onslaught—even if the vehicles lacked ammunition.

Even if people inside could shelter within the prison’s structures to avoid being crushed, the damaged defenses could not be restored quickly. Whether facing tanks or zombies, the inevitable outcome was the same: all would perish in despair and terror.

“All combat personnel, return to your posts immediately! This is not a drill. I repeat, all combat personnel return to your battle stations at once! This is not a drill!” The piercing alarm echoed through the prison, the broadcast breaking off the conversation in the infirmary.