Chapter 530: Snapped
And as if to prove what Zhang Tie said was true, before his voice faded away, a deafening explosion just a few streets away suddenly rose.
Dozens of manholes were blown into the sky.
Immediately after, flames that looked like an evil dragon baring its fangs rose up.
“It’s Black Shirt Alley.” Zhang Tie’s brows were furrowed to the point that they formed black creases. “The spirit energy pipes and underground drainage pipes over there are connected to the area where the explosion was. The flames must have turned into streams of fire with the help of sticky, flammable substances. They’re spreading out nonstop through areas we can’t see.
“If this continues, half of Leprosy Village might end up in a sea of fire, and even if the villagers aren’t burned to death or killed by the explosions, all our resources are going to be burned. We’ll die of starvation or thirst. We might even end up in confusion and kill each other!”
Wild Wolf narrowed his eyes as he stared at the bewitching, rainbow-colored flames not too far away.
The more enticing the color of a flame was, the more gene medicine, chemical substances, and crystal fragments were contained in them.
This also meant that the acidity, poisonous nature, and corrosive nature released by the flames were stronger.
Forget about the weak normal villagers, even superhumans would have a hard time surviving in the smoke to perform rescue operations and provide reinforcements.
“Besides, we’re not just facing flames. We have to face terrifying monsters as well,” Zhang Tie said gravely. “The people who call themselves secret police of Dragon City might be bad, but they shouldn’t be lying. Some highly intelligent monster must have snuck into Leprosy Village and gathered soldiers here to set up that Deification Capsule pharmacy.
“Before the internet went down, we saw the news from the outside world. Over the past few days, all of Dragon City was in chaos because of those Deification Capsules.
“And after the robbers took the Deification Capsules and snatched lots of resources once they gained supernatural abilities, it was only logical for them to sneak into Leprosy Village, since we’re in the deepest parts of Golden Tooth Lair.
“Now, a monster with intelligence on par with humans and a few crazy robbers are hiding around us and carrying out their scheme.
“Once they succeed, Leprosy Village is going to be their first sacrifice.
“Wild Wolf, think. Right now, Leprosy Village is in a mess. Many people who lost their homes were forced to squeeze into a small space. Many villagers were injured by the explosion, burned, and hit by the debris. Their immune systems are really weak.
“What would happen if the monster released the zombie virus or Blood Flower spores in large quantities in Leprosy Village?
“Some time ago, news about the zombie horde returning to the outside world popped up, and you looked through it carefully as well. Do you want to see the same tragedy happen here?”
Wild Wolf thought about this and finally said, “We’re descendants of zombie virus infectees. We’re born with unique antibodies and powerful immune systems. We won’t be affected so easily.”
“Who knows? Even if the antibodies in our bodies can fight against naturally-formed zombie viruses, can we win against the biochemical weapons created in labs?” Zhang Tie said coldly. “Since the monster is smart enough to create something as terrifying as the Deification Capsules, modifying the zombie virus and Blood Flower spores to specifically target deformees like us who have really unstable genes isn’t impossible for it, right?
“Alright, fine. Even if the monster can’t do it, how would the world outside look at the current Leprosy Village?
“I don’t think I even need to indulge in any alarmist talk. We can already tell from the methods used by the secret police.
“Over the past few decades, even though the outside world has been ignoring or even looking down on us, they never crossed the line and came into Leprosy Village to slaughter us.
“But today, the secret police officers seem to be fine with using every method at their disposal to kill just one criminal. They don’t even care if one hundred villagers die together with them.
“Such brutality clearly shows that this isn’t a decision made by some commander at the frontlines. It’s a decision made by someone ranked much higher.
“You’d know if you thought about it carefully. Right now, humans are fighting against the monsters in a battle that will decide our destinies. And the monsters have brought a squad of soldiers into the lair. The higher-ups must deal a heavy blow and crush the squad completely so that they won’t be of use.
“That’s why these secret police officers are acting so arrogantly, brutally, and are so agitated. They must have received permission from someone ranked very high up.
“Dragon City must win this war no matter what price it has to pay, and Leprosy Village is clearly the price that it has to pay!”
“Enough.” When Wild Wolf saw Zhang Tie getting increasingly more worked up and starting to swing his morningstar-like arms, he interrupted him coldly. “I know that Leprosy Village is about to turn into a battlefield between the monster and the secret police. If the villagers continue staying here, they will die without a grave.
“But over the past few decades, Leprosy Village and the lair have stayed out of each other’s way. Even though a number of villagers have left Leprosy Village to earn a living in the lair, if a few ten thousand villagers charge out of Leprosy Village, we’ll cause a ruckus, and it’ll alert the gangs.”
“Our lives are at stake. Are we supposed to be afraid of those gangs who have been oppressing us all this while?” Zhang Tie said angrily. “We’re not trying to take over their place and occupy the lair. We just want to run away and hide from the fire in the village because our home is about to turn into a battleground!
“At the end of the day, we’re also Dragon Citizens. Why can’t we go out? Who gave them the right to lock us up in this place where we’re bound to die together with the monster?!”
“Calm down, Strong Arm.” Wild Wolf’s eyes were slowly dyed with bloodthirst as he saw that the flames were getting stronger not too far in the distance. He sucked in a deep breath. “You know that I hate those gangs that have been oppressing us all this while more than anyone else. I also hate the mega corporations who have been exploiting us.
“However, Leprosy Village is far weaker than the monsters or the mega corporations. To make sure that as many villagers as possible can survive, unless it’s absolutely necessary, we can’t become completely hostile toward the gangs and the mega corporations supporting them.
“Listen to me, go and mobilize the villagers to provide reinforcements in Black Shirt Alley and control the fire. Half an hour ago, I asked Pearl to cross the bridge and search for the gangs to communicate with them in hopes that they will provide us a path of survival and clear out an area so that the villagers can seek refuge in the lair for the time being. Judging by the time, Pearl should be returning.”
“I’m back.”
A hoarse voice that belonged to a woman came from behind them. There was indescribable grief and fatigue in it.
The two men turned their heads around and saw a woman with a graceful figure and a beautiful face. She did not seem to have gone through any mutations.
However, once she removed her hood, they saw a third eye on her forehead. It had no iris or pupil.
It was like a completely white pearl that shone with a mysterious and unfathomable light.
She was another powerful subordinate of Wild Wolf—Pearl Bai Shan.
“How is it, Pearl?” Zhang Tie asked anxiously. “What did the gangs say? Did they agree to clear out an area for us and let the villagers seek refuge there for the time being?”
“I don’t know.” Bai Shan shook her head with a grim expression. “I didn’t see the person-in-charges. They wouldn’t even let me cross the bridge.”
“What?!”
Wild Wolf and Zhang Tie were both stunned. “That’s impossible. Even though normal villagers seldom go out, we’re Wild Wolves. We receive the weapon refinement deals from the gangs and even do all sorts of dirty work for them. We’re quite close, and many of the higher ups in the gangs know us. They know you too!”
“The middle rank gang members I know were not around.” Bai Shan frowned. “When I reached the bridge, the armed forces of the gangs were already digging trenches outside and building street barricades. They have dragged over a large number of spider-shaped fighting vehicles and runic symbol fighting crabs. They have also set up a lot of rocket launcher and anti-air machine gun bases at high spots. They’ve completely surrounded the village.
“They’re fully armed, as if they’re about to face a powerful enemy. All of them are in motorized armor as well, so I couldn’t see their faces.
“I stated my identity and wanted to cross the bridge as a messenger of Wild Wolves to look for their leader, but they refused to acknowledge me. They just fired at my feet as a warning and said that Golden Tooth Lair, including Leprosy Village has entered the highest state of alarm and must be fully fortified.
“And while the lair is fully fortified, everyone must keep to their positions. The gangs have the right to carry out the strictest judgment onto whoever dares to leave their posts or run away during battle.”
“That’s…” Zhang Tie widened his eyes and shouted in anger. “What the heck does that mean?!”
“I think they’re worried that the monster and its claws will bring out a large number of Deification Capsules and mingle among the villagers. Then, they will use the chance to spread chaos to the entire lair.” Bai Shan sighed. “Right now, the chaos is restricted solely to Leprosy Village. As long as they keep close watch over the place and not allow anyone out, they can maintain order in the lair. If I were the leader of the gangs, I’d do the same.”
“What about us?” Zhang Tie was so angry that he laughed. “Are we going to die for the sake of protecting the interests of the gangs?”
“Pearl, what else is there?” Wild Wolf was good at observing other people’s expressions, and he saw that something was off based on Bai Shan’s expression. “What else did you see?”
Bai Shan did not know how to begin. Her pearl-like third eye became dim.
“What is it, Pearl?” Zhang Tie glared at her. “The situation is terrible enough as it is. Why are you still holding back? What else happened? Speak up!”
Bai Shan hesitated for a while before she sighed and said, “Wild Wolf, I received a piece of news while I was on my way back. You have to remain calm.
“Someone… saw Ms. Mulian. She… might be dead.”
Crack! Crack!
While standing on the balcony, Wild Wolf had been able to keep calm even when he heard about the old village chief being killed, saw the continuous explosions and fires raging, and was informed about a highly-intelligent monster lurking in Leprosy Village.
But at that moment, when he heard that Su Mulian might have been killed, he finally snapped. Explosive power surged out from his legs, and it blasted the balcony until intersecting cracks spread all over the balcony. They were a terrifying sight to behold.