Volume 1, Chapter 60: Plotting Against the Arsenal

Listening to the reports from the two, Lin Ye tapped his fingers lightly on the tabletop. After a moment of silent contemplation, he spoke: "Your considerations are thorough, but we must secure the financial center as quickly as possible. That is a strategic location we desperately need; the longer we drag it out, the greater the variables become."

He stood up, walked over to the holographic sand table, and locked his gaze on the financial center sector: "Since manpower is insufficient, we will change our tactics."

"Xie Jin, take two infantry squads, coordinate with the sniper team of the Snow Leopard Commando, advance from the ground, clear out the remaining zombies, focus on securing the first-floor lobby and the underground parking garage of the financial center, and establish a temporary defense line."

"Chen Feng, take the remaining Snow Leopard members, utilize the Apache attack helicopters for aerial support, provide suppressing fire against the high-rise buildings, and simultaneously deploy smoke grenades and flashbangs to drive out any hidden zombies."

"As for the utilization of the survivors..." Lin Ye paused, a cold glint flashing in his eyes, "Select twenty physically robust and highly obedient survivors to form an auxiliary squad, responsible for transporting ammunition, tending to the wounded, and supporting logistics. Issue each of them a pistol and five rounds of ammunition, strictly for self-defense. Retrieve the firearms and ammunition once the mission is completed."

"Remember, our objective is to swiftly secure the financial center, not to exterminate every single zombie. As long as we clear the key passage and establish a safe zone, subsequent clearing operations can be carried out gradually."

Xie Jin and Chen Feng exchanged glances and replied in unison:
"Understood, Marshal!"

"The operation is set for eight o'clock tonight. Taking advantage of the cover of night, the zombies' activity levels will decrease," Lin Ye glanced at the time. "Go and prepare now."

The two saluted and quickly left the command room to begin deploying their operations.

An Ruoran stood off to the side, her eyes filled with admiration:
"Master, you are truly amazing..."

Lin Ye offered a faint smile and reached out to gently ruffle her hair:
"Go tell Mu Qing to come see me at seven o'clock tonight."

"Yes~" An Ruoran nodded obediently and turned to leave.

Inside the command room, Lin Ye stood alone before the sand table, his gaze deep and profound.

The financial center was merely the first step.
Next, the forces he would have to face were the various factions entrenched in Donghai.
The Aurora Sanctuary, the remnants of the government forces, and even... that hidden "Zombie Mother Entity" that had yet to show itself.

"Liberate Donghai City within half a year..." Lin Ye murmured to himself, "Time is running out."

***

Meanwhile.

The Aurora Sanctuary.

Located at the stadium center about a kilometer away from Morning Light Residential Area, the main entrance was piled high with abandoned vehicles, sandbags, and a defensive line constructed of barbed wire. Several rotting zombie corpses hung upon the three-meter-high wire mesh fence, exuding a nauseating stench.

On the ground, dozens of zombie remains riddled with bullet holes lay scattered in all directions, making it clear that a fierce battle had taken place here not long ago.

Inside the stadium, the basketball court had long since been converted into a temporary living area. Densely packed survivors huddled together inside crude tents and makeshift bedding on the floor, the air thick with a mixed stench of sweat, mold, and excrement.

"Did you hear? Long Tianxiang took dozens of people out this time, but only half of them came back. The rest all perished out there..." A skeletal man lowered his voice, gloating light flickering in his eyes.

"Hah, serves them right!" A disheveled woman nearby sneered. Her clothes were tattered, revealing bruises and scars on her exposed skin. "Those beasts would be better off all dying out there!"

"Shh! Keep it down!" An elderly man anxiously looked around, terrified of being overheard by the armed patrols.

"If they hear us, we'll get the whip again..."

Hearing this, several surrounding survivors instinctively shrank their necks, casting fearful glances at the armed guards patrolling not far away.

These so-called "survivors" were worlds apart from the members of Lin Ye's Dawn Base.
They were sallow and emaciated, their eyes numb. Some were even swollen from prolonged starvation, swaying unsteadily as they walked.

"With so many people dead this time, Long Tianxiang certainly won't let this rest..." A middle-aged man analyzed in a low voice, "He's probably already plotting his revenge."

The others nodded in agreement; they knew Long Tianxiang's personality all too well.
Vindictive, ruthless, and vicious.

...

The second-floor conference room of the stadium.

Long Tianxiang sat at the head of the table, his expression so dark it seemed water could drip from it. His fingers tapped rhythmically against the tabletop, producing a steady *tap, tap, tap* sound.

Standing on either side were several trusted subordinates, all of them dejected, not daring to draw a strong breath.

"Brother Long, are we just going to let this go?" A dark-skinned young man couldn't help but speak up, dissatisfaction evident in his tone.

"Yeah, Brother Long!" Another burly man with a face full of flesh chimed in, "We suffered such a heavy blow this time. If we don't get payback, who is going to respect us from now on?"

"Exactly! We've got to wipe out those bastards!"

Several of the subordinates began shouting over one another, and the conference room instantly descended into chaos.

"Will you all shut the fuck up!" Long Tianxiang slammed his hand down on the table and roared.

Instantly, everyone fell dead silent.

Long Tianxiang took a deep breath, forcibly suppressing his anger, and said coldly, "Revenge? With what? Do you think not enough people have died yet?"

He stood up, walked over to the window, and stared in the direction of the distant Cloud Villa faintly visible in the distance, gritting his teeth as he spoke: "You all saw their firepower. A single magazine of bullets turned Hu彪's men into a sieve! They didn't even last a few seconds!"

"Acting rashly is tantamount to suicide!"

The subordinates looked at each other, recalling the horrifying scene from yesterday, and couldn't help shivering.

"Then... Brother Long, what do we do next?" a tall, thin man wearing glasses asked cautiously.

Long Tianxiang narrowed his eyes, wearing a grave expression. "Every single bullet we fire is one less we have, so we must minimize ammunition waste as much as possible. As for our next plan..."

He turned around, walked back to the table, and lowered his voice. "I received intelligence that ten kilometers away, there is a military factory. The warehouse is stockpiled with massive amounts of weapons and ammunition, and there are even armored vehicles!"

"A military factory?!" Everyone gasped, flames of greed instantly igniting in their eyes.

"That's right," Long Tianxiang sneered. "As long as we take that place, never mind a single villa—the entire Donghai City will be ours!"

The bespectacled man pushed up his glasses and cautiously said, "Brother Long, the defense at the military factory is heavily fortified. I'm afraid we won't even be able to get past the gates. Plus, there are hordes of zombies along the road. The risk is too high, I'm worried..."

"Hmph, I have my own methods." Long Tianxiang confidently pulled out a crumpled map, pointing at a red line drawn on it. "This underground drainage pipeline leads directly inside the military factory. We can slip in completely undetected!"

He swept his gaze across the crowd, madness flashing in his eyes:
"We strike in three days. Who is willing to take the lead?"

The subordinates looked at one another. Despite the fear in their hearts, driven by greed, they gritted their teeth and raised their hands.

"Very good!" Long Tianxiang nodded with satisfaction. "Remember, this operation must succeed; failure is not an option!"