Chapter 229 - 135: F-6 Area

Chapter 229: Chapter 135: F-6 Area

The atmosphere at the morning assembly point seemed no different from yesterday’s. The square was still filled with the stench of sweat and dust, and the same crowd was lining up to receive their equipment and route maps. Xu Mo and Zhang Yun walked up to the registration desk. After verifying their ID cards, a staff member handed them a map.

"Sector F-6," the staff member said without looking up. "The route and observation points are on the map. A word of caution: the terrain in that area is wide open, but it’s close to a water source. Stay vigilant."

Xu Mo took the laminated map and unfolded it. Zhang Yun leaned over to look as well.

Sector F-6 was located northeast of Jiang City, more than fifteen kilometers as the crow flies from Sector G-2, which they had patrolled yesterday. The patrol route marked on the map was nearly a straight line cutting across a field. The borders lay one or two kilometers out on either side, marked "River" and "Abandoned Lumber Yard" beyond them. Within the sector, only a few scattered circles representing observation points were drawn, much sparser than the markings for Sector G-2.

They exchanged a look, and in each other’s eyes, they saw a flicker of understanding mixed with a deeper-seated doubt.

’We’ve been reassigned.’

’From the relatively complex terrain of Sector G-2 to this wide-open, harvested farmland.’

No explanation was given, but the intention was self-evident: to move them away from the area where the incident had occurred, away from the zone that might still harbor unknown dangers. As for who was responsible for that sector now or what the situation was, that was information above their pay grade.

"Looks like things in G-2 aren’t over yet," Zhang Yun said in a low voice. Her tone was flat, but her eyes held the same gravity as Xu Mo’s.

"Let’s just focus on what’s in front of us," Xu Mo said, folding the map. His tone was equally calm. ’Being transferred from the core area was both a form of protection and a signal—the trouble we encountered yesterday was probably bigger than we’d anticipated, so big that it required the immediate physical isolation of those who were on the scene.’

The two collected their walkie-talkies and armbands and set out on the new route. This time, they instinctively adjusted their formation.

"I’ll take point today," Xu Mo said.

Zhang Yun glanced at him, didn’t object, and nodded. "Alright."

Xu Mo took the lead, his steps steady. The Iron Bone Realm brought not only strength but also a preternatural awareness of his body and his surroundings. He didn’t let his guard down just because they’d been moved to open ground. On the contrary, Xu Mo’s gaze constantly swept the distant horizon in front of him and to his sides.

’In a place like this, danger either wouldn’t come at all, or it would approach at high speed from a great distance, leaving an even shorter window to react.’

Zhang Yun followed about ten meters behind Xu Mo, equally vigilant, but she focused more of her attention on their flanks and rear, and on coordinating with him. Her grip on the Type 56 semi-automatic rifle was steady, her gaze sharp.

Leaving the assembly point’s perimeter, they stepped onto the dirt road leading to Sector F-6. Unlike the desolate and dilapidated Sector G-2 from yesterday, this area was filled with signs of "production." The land on both sides of the road was scorched black, with the roots of some wheat stubble still remaining. The air carried a faint scent, a mixture of char and earth.

As far as the eye could see, the land was like a vast, flat, brown carpet that had been scorched by fire, stretching all the way to the horizon. Only in the far distance were there a few low ridges, possibly the remnants of field banks or irrigation ditches.

The sightlines were indeed extremely clear. Any moving object over half a meter tall could be spotted from hundreds of meters away. For defending against ground threats, this was practically ideal terrain.

"This place is a little less stressful," Zhang Yun said from behind, her tone unreadable.

"Not necessarily." Xu Mo didn’t turn around, his gaze fixed on the winding, silvery ribbon in the distance that reflected the sky. "See that river? It’s the border marked on the map. The water’s edge is always more trouble than dry land."

Zhang Yun looked in the direction he indicated and nodded. In a post-apocalyptic world, bodies of water were a paradise for mutated creatures. Who knew what kind of damn things were hiding beneath that seemingly calm surface. Fortunately, their patrol route only skirted the river for a short stretch and didn’t require them to stick close to the bank.

The two made their way forward, alternating between the field banks and the burnt, empty clearings, following the map until they reached the first observation point—a water pump house used for irrigation.

Xu Mo jumped onto a low wall and raised his binoculars. The vast, scorched fields stretched out before him. Apart from a little ash kicked up by the wind, there were no signs of activity. The distant river flowed quietly, its surface glinting under the sun, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Farther away, on the opposite bank, there seemed to be similar scorched fields and the outlines of some low-lying vegetation.

"F-6, Point A, all clear," he reported matter-of-factly into his walkie-talkie.

"Copy that," the reply from the command post was succinct.

Climbing down from the pump house, they continued along the designated route. The next leg of the journey was exceptionally calm, so calm it was almost monotonous. The only sounds were the crunch of their boots on the scorched earth and gravel, and the empty, mournful whistle of the wind blowing across the vast plains.

In this kind of environment, a person’s senses would naturally relax. But Xu Mo’s attention remained in a state of even, outward-focused vigilance. The mental focus granted by the Iron Bone Realm allowed him to maintain this state for long periods without feeling fatigued.

After walking for about two kilometers, they approached the midpoint of their patrol route, which was also the section closest to the river. A bridge had once crossed the river here, but it had long since collapsed, leaving only a few broken concrete pylons sticking out of the water.