Chapter 693 - 564: Suddenly Awakened!

"So far, I’ve seen metal, petrochemical, venom, and flame, but from my understanding, this guy’s ability is the most defiant—controlling air pressure is just too powerful!"

Xie Yanshan nodded continuously, but then expressed doubt: "However, the ability it shows doesn’t seem directly related to liquefied gas. Mr. Zhang, why did you give it this name?"

"Sniff sniff... Why is there no smell anymore?"

Zhang Su raised his nose to smell, shrugged with a puzzled expression: "Yesterday, it was emitting a scent of petroleum liquefied gas, so I named it this straightforward name, but now it’s gone? Sniff sniff..."

The room is warm, and the nose is clear; any smell would be easily noticeable. Despite much effort, all there is is the usual laboratory smell.

"I get it, maybe its ability is to manipulate liquefied petroleum gas to form a protective shield, then control the liquefied gas to create air pressure, which makes sense!"

Xie Yanshan tried to defend the leader’s previous inference.

"It’s possible, no worries, once we dissect it, it’ll be clear!"

Fu Weijun took a pair of gloves from his pocket, seemingly ready to start work right away but suddenly remembered something, turned to Zhang Su, hesitated with trepidation, then made up his mind.

"Mr. Zhang, research on the Corpse Transformation Inhibitor is at an impasse. I want to ask, when will there be an opportunity to retrieve equipment from the island?"

Technological development relies on the microscopic world, and with current hardware, breakthroughs are challenging.

Upon hearing Fu Weijun’s question, Xie Yanshan sighed and took off his glasses to wipe them.

Zhang Su was also depressed. Facing two researchers, he couldn’t provide scientific equipment, akin to having a genius at home but unable to afford books for learning—it’s quite distressing.

"You surely know why all the divisions retreated to Celestial Horse Island. The situation in the city is hard to describe; it’s likely been overrun by zombies. Moreover, we’re about to start fortifying Chuhai River to prevent a northern advancement of zombie hordes!"

Survival issues are the top priority.

Not only Fu Weijun and Xie Yanshan feel this, Zhang Su himself is quite interested in exploring Beihai District’s coast. He is fascinated by the maritime anomaly recorded in Liao Youzhi’s notebook. But he can’t share this with anyone; letting Fu Weijun and the others know would lead to endless disturbance.

Fu Weijun nodded understandingly, then pondered aloud: "There are more zombies gathering in Qin City District, does that mean fewer zombies elsewhere, and might Beihai District be relatively safe? Could circumventing the city and entering Beihai District be feasible?"

"Your idea has merit..."

Zhang Su didn’t immediately dismiss the notion because the other party is highly intelligent and wouldn’t propose ideas blindly. Thus, he started seriously considering it.

Meanwhile, the other three individuals in the room were also deeply contemplative, and Duan Wuhu, seated, occasionally nodded as if reaching some conclusion.

"Your perspective isn’t wrong from a singular direction, but it doesn’t hold upon scrutiny. Zombies concentrating in one area would logically decrease numbers elsewhere, but this world isn’t just about Qin City and its surrounding counties. There might be zombies migrating from other places to Beihai District."

Fu Weijun nodded in acknowledgment: "Yes, indeed, Mr. Zhang, your considerations are comprehensive. However... I realize the request is demanding, but if there’s hope, I implore you to look into Beihai District. Only witnessing it firsthand can verify the situation."

"You’re right, seeing it yourself is the only confirmation. That..." Zhang Su aimed to conclude this conversation, pointing towards another room to ask: "Where are those three people we captured?"

"Those three have been cooperative, I’ve confined them to the vacant warehouse. Would you like to check on them?"

Duan Wuhu promptly stood up upon hearing Zhang Su’s inquiry.

"As long as they’re cooperative, leave them for a couple of days, ensuring they have adequate food and drink without mistreatment. Just don’t share any information, and restrict their movements," Zhang Su instructed and then asked: "I thought I heard Xiaoliu’s voice just now, has the treatment shown effects?"

"Well... I’m sorry, I got caught up in the mutated zombie research and forgot to report the treatment outcomes."

Xie Yanshan apologetically tapped his forehead, then quickly continued: "We’ve treated seven injured individuals recently, namely... Liu Tianji and Ke Zhiyu’s conditions are the best. Yu Jiaohua’s outlook is grim, while Qiu Hui’s condition is somewhat unusual, and the remaining three show no special reactions, their conditions are stable."

Having heard Zhong Xiaoshan’s report on Yu Jiaohua and Guo Fenfang, Zhang Su felt helpless upon hearing Yu Jiaohua’s grim prospects: "Given the limited resources, you’ve done well. So... what’s unusual about Qiu Hui’s condition?"

Failing to revive someone is heart-wrenching, successful treatment is pleasing, but the real concern is the "abnormality."

Fu Weijun was initially facing the mutated zombie, discussing injuries redirected his wheelchair towards Zhang Su and stated: "Qiu Hui swings between being a zombie and human, her state is extremely unstable. In her irrational moments, she’s immensely strong, and the ropes creak loudly, but she doesn’t recall her madness when lucid."

Zhang Su rubbed his temples: Resolvable was fine, dire situations could be managed—it’s just this unpredictable pendulum swing that’s troublesome. Should he act, his conscience twinges; letting others know would be problematic. Inaction leads to constant resource expenditure for surveillance.

"Where is she? I’d like to see."

"You want to go now? Uh, well..."

"I don’t need your company; I’ll go alone."

Zhang Su noticed Fu Weijun and Xie Yanshan were eager to research the liquefied gas zombie; he also wanted quick results.

"No problem, Brother Zhang, I’ll accompany you. We’ve moved Qiu Hui to the room at the end."

Duan Wuhu reached the door, his curiosity about the mutated zombie satisfied, losing interest in the remaining research.

Zhang Su nodded, then followed Duan Wuhu out of the apartment.

"Qiu Hui’s case is quite unique; fearing major issues, we’ve transferred her to the small room. Frankly, she seems recoverable, unlike Sister Yu Jiaohua, who may not make it through today. Come."

Duan Wuhu took out a key, speaking somberly as he unlocked the door.

"I heard you were exceptionally brave that day, driving into the horde. If it weren’t for you, more would have suffered, Teacher Duan, that’s a huge accomplishment!"

Zhang Su praised Duan Wuhu.

Duan Wuhu rotated the key, chuckling and shaking his head: "Actually, I didn’t foresee the car would flip over—it was so thrilling, ha ha ha."

Saying this, he pushed the door open.

"Hey, it’s quite atmospheric!"

Following Duan Wuhu inside, Zhang Su noticed the room was slightly colder due to the heating pipes ending, seeing a person strapped to a stretcher bed at the center, evoking a strong horror movie vibe despite the light.

Pop.

Duan Wuhu switched on the light, shrugging: "Look at our current lives, compared to horror films from before—they seem trivial now, haha!"

Conversing, the two approached Qiu Hui’s stretcher bed.

Zhang Su observed carefully; Qiu Hui’s expression was calm, breathing steady, her skin color normal. Besides missing a leg, everything was fine, with no emotional fluctuations, just like a sleeping person.

"She looks alright."

Zhang Su scratched his eyebrow, pondering whether to awaken Qiu Hui, as lying there revealed nothing.

"Tsk..." Duan Wuhu displayed a strange expression: "Brother Zhang, have you heard Zhang Yu’s songs? I’d rather see her sleeping peacefully than her waking crazed and agitated! You wouldn’t believe it... hey!"

Just as Duan Wuhu was about to recount Qiu Hui’s past madness to Zhang Su, the woman lying there suddenly opened her eyes.