RIACMET chapter 160

 

Da Jun and Xiao Liu drove ahead for a while before turning at an intersection.

According to the address that Chen Shanmin had given them, their destination was a private residence in the development zone of a small town just up ahead.

According to the map Liang Xiaoyan had provided, Jiang Wenwen’s location wasn’t far either.

Since Chu Yi was leading the group, and a driver switch was necessary, Jiang Nian volunteered to drive.

His teammates didn’t agree, and in the end, Uncle Li took over.

Chu Yi sat back and pulled out a specially modified, silent thermal imaging drone. Together with Liao Yu, he scanned the area, scouted ahead, and monitored the surrounding situation.

Everything was ready, and Uncle Li slowly drove forward.

Jiang Nian remained in the passenger seat, comparing the map to the landmarks along the way. After a while, he asked,

“Brother Chu, should we release some of your men when we’re close to arriving? That way, we won’t have to worry about falling into a trap or them escaping. We can coordinate from both the inside and outside.”

Confidence was one thing, but caution was still necessary.

“I think Xiaonian’s suggestion makes a lot of sense,” said Uncle Li, the first to agree—and the others followed.

Jiang Nian added:

“The important thing is that we’re strong enough to do more than just show off by shoving a gun in someone’s face. We have to strike first. They wanted to surprise me, so I’ll surprise them more.”

Now wasn’t the time to act weak and play the pig to eat the tiger. Even if this was just short-term manipulation, it could affect Brother Jing once news of it leaked. If people misjudged because of that, it would be a huge loss.

Bottom line, they couldn’t let anyone control them, not even a little!

Based on what Chu Yi knew about Brother Jing, if things went wrong this time, he would never be able to walk out and enjoy life again.

Everyone chuckled, and Chu Yi nodded.

“All right. You keep watching the map. Liao Yu and I will monitor the situation outside. Once we’re close, we’ll look for a chance to release them.”

He might talk casually, but he was always cautious when it came to taking action.

Chu Yi had Liao Yu control the drone while he called the team’s temporary on-site captain to explain the general plan.

If they dropped their mental shielding, people in spatial zones could hear their voices, sense the interior conditions, and even communicate directly.

However, talking to yourself in public was just weird.

Phones and walkie-talkies worked fine indoors and out, which was way more convenient. As far as Chu Yi knew, many supernatural spaces cut off communication once people entered.

After the call, Chu Yi grabbed his walkie-talkie and adjusted the channel. As they got closer, he began searching for a good place to release the men.

“There are no zombies in this area, and no other living things either.”

Liao Yu was puzzled as he watched the drone feed. The thermal imaging showed nothing, and the regular visuals were still, too. The atmosphere felt deathly cold.

Chu Yi glanced at the screen and explained,

“Too many zombies would attract the base’s attention. Nancheng Base regularly patrols this area. If the other side doesn’t want to be exposed, they’d definitely clear out the nearby zombies.”

Too many people had either died or turned into zombies. Many ghost towns were now completely deserted. The base wouldn’t waste manpower on pointless searches unless there were signs of zombie gatherings.

As for the survivors still roaming outside, the base only invited them into shelters; they didn’t force anyone.

Most patrols relied on drones, so as long as people hid carefully, they wouldn’t be found.

“…”

As the sky gradually darkened and they approached the area, Jiang Nian said in surprise, ”

“The route they’re taking isn’t the one Chen Shanmin gave us. If we continue to the edge of the map, we’ll reach a church.”

They had already passed the turnoff to the development zone.

That was probably why Chen Shanmin had Da Jun and Xiao Liu wait at the intersection.

Li Liang glanced out the window and casually said,

“Don’t worry, we’ve got a regiment.”

Chu Yi: “…”

Was this kind of overconfidence contagious?

The car in front began to slow down, and Uncle Li reminded them,

“We’re almost there. There’s a sharp turn up ahead with some low-rise houses and dark alleyways. We can release them now.”

Chu Yi turned to Jiang Nian.

“Each group has ten men. How many should we release?”

Jiang Nian did the math and said,

“Twenty groups. The more people, the safer it is. Ideally, there would be one psychic in each group.”

That’s only 200 people total—not even a big number.

“All right.”

Chu Yi had no objections.

Uncle Li gradually slowed the car down and stopped it near a barricade.

Jiang Nian could sense supernatural energy fluctuations around Chu Yi. Then, he glanced in the mirror.

Fully armed soldiers suddenly appeared in the open space, like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. Moments later, they scattered into alleyways and roadside shadows.

“…”

Meanwhile, Xiao Liu noticed the car behind them slowing down and falling back. He couldn’t help but say,

“Brother Jun, look! What’s taking them so long back there?”

“They probably realized they’re on the wrong route. Don’t worry. They’ll catch up soon.”

Da Jun looked back but didn’t think much of it. He didn’t think Jiang Nian would back out now.

Xiao Liu slowed down a bit and continued.

“Xia Weiwei said Jiang Nian and his dad don’t get along. Tell me—how did Chen Shanmin trick him into coming here?”

Da Jun shook his head.

“No idea. No matter how bad things are, they’re still a father and son. That pretty boy has been a mess ever since Cheng Jing disappeared. Of course he fell for it. Still, it’s kind of shady of Chen Shanmin to use his ex-wife’s son as leverage just to save Chen Yue. Aren’t they both his kids?”

Of course, he didn’t pity Jiang Nian. He was just enjoying the show. Without Cheng Jing’s protection, Jiang Nian’s soft, pretty face would soon be reduced to a dirty rag—and he couldn’t wait to see it happen.

Xiao Liu curled his lips.

“Jiang Nian doesn’t even have the same surname. It was just a few seconds of fun that made him. Chen Yue’s his real son. I’d do the same thing. But seriously, does S Base actually have a way to slow down the zombie virus?”

Originally, capturing Jiang Nian was just a condition Xia Weiwei had to meet to bring her boyfriend’s family into S Base.

Now that Chen Yue has been infected, Jiang Nian is their only ticket into S Base. On top of that, Xia Weiwei’s father promised to give them a new medicine developed by S Base that could slow the virus’s spread.

As long as the infection could be delayed and some shred of humanity preserved, there’d still be a chance for recovery. So how could Chen Shanmin and his wife not be desperate?

“…”

After a moment of thought, the squad guessed:

“Capture Jiang Nian, then force Cheng Jing to surrender. With his evolved brain powers, Xia Weiwei’s dad’s professional mutation trait, and the new drug, the odds aren’t bad. Tch, we’re just doing this for the points. Who cares?”

It wasn’t until this mission with Xia Weiwei that they realized just how little of a threat Cheng Jing posed to Jiang Nian.

“Exactly.”

Xiao Liu nodded, then asked in a vulgar tone,

“Hey, Brother Jun, weren’t you into Jiang Nian? Once he’s caught, you can do whatever you want. If Jiang Wenwen doesn’t let you, just use Jiang Nian instead.”

Da Jun snorted as the image of Jiang Nian flashed in his mind. He asked with a grin:

“Are you joining me or not?”

Ever since he saw Jiang Nian with his group at the grocery store and heard Xiao Liu and Liang Xiaoyan mock him, he’d wanted to mess the guy up.

There was no reason. If anything, it was probably the way Cheng Jing looked at him that pissed him off.

His plan was simple: record Jiang Nian being tortured and send the video to Cheng Jing.

“Forget it, bro. I’m not into guys. Besides, he’s not worth the effort. I’m more interested in Liang Xiaoyan’s schoolmate.”

Xiao Liu refused with a smirk. Jiang Nian was for Brother Jun, and Li Shuhui was his. Besides, if no one else wanted to play with Jiang Nian, it’d be a waste not to have some fun.

“… ”