Otherwise, things can’t be done, and troubles will keep coming.

After drinking some water, Guan Zhongjin finally felt a bit better.

He finished the leftover food on the table, then sat on the stool in a daze, with an indescribable look in his eyes.

"This Old Ghost has done too well in brainwashing these people; I’m afraid replacing him won’t be easy..." Guan Zhongjin pondered silently.

......

Heading North.

Before nightfall, they arrived at a county on the northern outskirts of Chang City.

Meiling Forest Park.

With so many vehicles and people, choosing a suitable campsite had its requirements.

First, it can’t be in a densely populated area before Doomsday, as this likely means more zombies.

Second, it must accommodate all the vehicles and preferably have a wall as a barrier.

Third, it would be ideal to replenish water supplies and be near a main road for easier travel the next day.

Ultimately, there weren’t many options, so they ended up at the parking lot of Meiling Forest Park.

This parking lot was large enough, surrounded by walls, and Li Yu was satisfied because water could be obtained here.

Before Doomsday, a water pipe connected the park’s deepest spring to this area.

Turning on the faucet, rusty black water came out initially, but after five minutes, clean water flowed.

They, of course, wouldn’t drink the water directly, but it’s fine once boiled.

Sunset.

Behind them lay Meiling Forest Park, separated by iron bars; they could see lush, dense trees.

The occasional bird song broke the desolation slightly.

Li Yu brought out a chair from the RV, leaning back to watch the sunset.

Around, Luo and others were filling water for the vehicles, while Dapao drove the flatbed carrying the tank to the parking lot entrance.

The parking lot didn’t have a gate, just a security booth and two twisted barrier poles.

On another side, Old Bi controlled a drone circling Meiling Forest Park, surveying the area.

The twilight seemed shrouded by clouds, casting an oppressive feeling.

Li Yu looked at the distant sky, a hint of concern in his eyes.

Looks like it’s going to rain.

After finishing the essential tasks, everyone began dining.

After setting the night shift, everyone returned to their cars to rest.

In the parking lot, there were two small buildings, but they housed several rotten corpses, stinking under the hot sun, to the point that even the walls absorbed the stench.

So they had to rest in the cars.

Night fell quietly; beside the security booth, Dapao and a few others continued their watch on the tank.

"Just heard some sounds upfront; Dapao, it might be coming from your direction," Li Tie stood atop the central building, saying through the walkie-talkie.

Dapao shined a flashlight towards the source of the sound.

A squirrel jumped onto a tree, disappearing quickly under the beam.

"Nothing, just a squirrel. No zombies found," Dapao reported back via the walkie-talkie.

By sunset, they had scouted within a kilometer, clearing out all zombies found.

Up till now, no zombies spotted.

Given the wilderness, and being over ten kilometers from the nearest county, zombies were scarce.

Though they were numerous, attractive to zombies from afar.

But due to the distance, nightfall meant it would take a few hours for zombies to arrive.

Li Yu wasn’t on duty tonight, with so many people, no need for him.

Still, he stayed in light sleep; he could wake at any movement.

As time passed, Dapao’s shift ended, switching to Xiao Jun and his team.

At 2 AM.

Suddenly, zombie growls sounded around, waking Li Yu immediately.

He quickly stepped out of the RV.

Seeing Xiao Ding beside the RV operating the drone, whom he knew from Luotianyan, where they survived together.

"Director Li." Xiao Ding acknowledged upon hearing the sound, looking at Li Yu.

Li Yu nodded slightly; he had a deep impression of Xiao Ding, mainly because Xiao Ding resembled a character from a pre-Doomsday military drama—simple expression, short stature, but strong will and combat ability.

Li Yu stood by, looking at the drone in his hand.

Outside the security booth stood dozens of zombies, while Xiao Jun was shooting them with a crossbow.

With few zombies and wall protection, without rain, they posed no threat.

But letting zombies howl would disturb rest, so Xiao Jun shot them down with a crossbow.

After a glance, Li Yu relaxed slightly.

Then patted Xiao Ding’s shoulder, kindly said, "Thank you."

Xiao Ding chuckled, exposing large teeth, with a gap in between, appearing innocent under dim light.

Li Yu smiled lightly and boarded the RV.

These zombies posed no great issue; Xiao Jun could handle them.

Later at night, occasional zombie roars continued.

But after a few minutes, silence returned, likely Xiao Jun and team cleared them with the crossbow.

The next morning at dawn.

The sun didn’t rise.

Yet Li Yu’s biological clock habituated him to wake.

Gloomy skies greeted him stepping out of the RV, seeing Third Uncle stand on a rock watching the sunrise.

"Today’s weather doesn’t feel right," Third Uncle remarked.

Li Yu gazed at the horizon, checking his watch.

Half-past seven.

Usually, the sun would be up by now.

Today it’s obscured by clouds.

Half an hour passed, the sun finally emerged.

Yet clouds loomed over the horizon.

To reach Nanyang, two routes lay ahead.

One northwest, via Ezhou to Xinyang, finally Nanyang.

The other northeast, via Lu Zhou, west to Xinyang, ending at Nanyang.

The first route was shorter, but crossing Dabie Mountain made it harder.

Also, near Long River, possibly hosting more zombies.

The second route was longer, but its flatter terrain eased travel.

According to the original plan, they followed the first route; Zhong Chuchu’s group also passed this path.

But with changing weather, uncertain rain expectancy.

"Let’s stick to the plan. Cross early, avoid Long River; aiming for Macheng today!" Li Yu advised, looking at the map.

"Alright." Third Uncle checked Macheng’s map, nodding.

......

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