Qin Yue’s words were indeed correct. Wu Jiang’s death was imminent because Chen Laoda had destroyed humanity and massacred and imprisoned innocent civilians. The living were used as bait, and once used up, they were turned into jerky for storage. Just mentioning him made people grit their teeth, their hearts filled with hatred, wishing to kill him quickly.

Chen Laoda had accumulated a lot of resentment. Now, the three major bases had joined forces to besiege him. Elite experts were dispatched to trap Chen Laoda and his group inside Xining Prison.

Xining Prison was surrounded on all sides. It was difficult to escape even before the apocalypse. After the apocalypse, fearing the entry of zombies and mutated animals from outside, they naturally made some adjustments. Whether one wanted to go out or come in, it became extremely difficult. Moreover, the supplies inside Xining Prison were disposable, with no production line or land for cultivation. Once the supplies ran out, they had to come out.

As a result, Chen Laoda and the others became trapped, unable to escape.

For about half a month, the two sides were deadlocked. The atmosphere inside Xining Prison became more chaotic as Chen Laoda’s subordinates began to lose control. Unable to endure any longer, Chen Laoda gathered his subordinates and solemnly declared that they could not let themselves be slaughtered like this. In the current chaotic world, the government seemed nonexistent, and the law was no more. In the apocalypse, who hadn’t killed someone to survive? If killing was a crime, then everyone would die!

“Brothers, we’ve finally managed to live a good life. We eat well, dress warmly, command respect, and have countless women to warm our beds. We no longer have to fear being arrested and thrown into jail. We’re enjoying a rare good life! But today, someone wants to destroy our home. They want to seize our territory, plunder our food, and take our women. They are shameless and unscrupulous scoundrels who want to ruin our good life! Brothers, are you willing to go out with me to defend our home?”

Chen Laoda’s passionate words stirred the fighting spirit of countless people. “Willing! Willing!! Willing!!!”

“Brothers, follow me to go out and kill those shameless rats who want to destroy our home!”

“Kill! Kill!! Kill!!!”

Wu Jiang watched the fervent crowd around him. Even Chen Li, wielding a large knife and leading her newly recruited “little white face,” shouted loudly. The killing intent was overwhelming!

He couldn’t help but sneer inwardly. These people were too naive or had been too fortunate for too long, thinking that the stinky rats living in the prison could contend with the superhumans nationwide. They weren’t afraid of death without a burial ground.

He had to find an opportunity to escape.

Although Chen Laoda was powerful and somewhat cunning, he had been flattered for too long, thinking he was invincible. He had no self-awareness and even wanted to challenge the unbeatable. It was ridiculous.

Wu Jiang decided that after Chen Laoda and the others rushed out, he would find the right moment to escape. He wasn’t ready to die yet and didn’t want to end up in a dire situation. He had a good plan in mind, but Chen Li didn’t give him a chance. Although Chen Li had liked Wu Jiang’s face for a while, it became tiresome over time. However, Wu Jiang’s Phoenix-type ability was indeed powerful. How could they afford to lose him at this time?

At this moment, she grabbed Wu Jiang, who was trying to sneak to the back of the group, and said, “Husband, we are a married couple. Don’t be like birds in the same forest that fly away when disaster strikes. As long as my father wins this time, the whole world will be ours! Husband, as long as you contribute well, I will give you credit and reward you in the future!”

Wu Jiang, like a little chick, was brought to the front row, thanks to Chen Li. With her blessing, he stood behind Chen Laoda, clearly in the position of his trusted minister.

Wu Jiang: ……..

However, faced with Chen Laoda’s fierce and praising gaze, he dared not say a word more and could only wait for another opportunity.

Wu Jiang followed Chen Laoda out, carefully lowering his head, trying to reduce his presence. It was currently early in the morning, and the sky was not yet fully bright. Under the hazy sky, it seemed like ferocious beasts were lurking.

At this time, people were most tired and vulnerable. Chen Laoda chose to act at this time, showing that he had studied some military strategies from reading two books.

……

This night, Chen Laoda suddenly launched an attack. First, he sent earth-type ability users to turn the temporary residence of the joint forces of the three major bases into sand, instantly engulfing a group of people. Then, he had fire-type ability; users threw fireballs, igniting all the makeshift tents and earth houses, causing people to roll on the ground in flames. Before the fire could be extinguished, water-type ability users unleashed a rain of arrows, mixed with the power of lightning, that could burn people to a crisp, increasing the damage exponentially.

In an instant, the temporary base of the joint forces of the three major bases fell into chaos. Chen Laoda was overjoyed, thinking that these joint forces were not much. Seeing victory in sight, he laughed heartily, shouted “attack,” and charged with his men.

However, after a fierce battle, Chen Laoda also discovered a problem. Why were there so few people in the joint forces of the three major bases? Just as he was puzzled, countless arrows shot from the darkness, and many fell around Chen Laoda, screaming!

“Oh no, we fell for a trap!”

“Chen-Ge, what should we do now?”

As dawn approached, the dim sky revealed a faint light of dawn.

Taking advantage of this light, Wu Jiang indeed saw people standing all around, hidden by the darkness. They held weapons, and in their hands, powerful abilities were condensed, rushing menacingly towards them!

It’s over; they were surrounded!

Wu Jiang had survived until now due to his abilities and his ability to read the situation. His greatest strength was his ability to observe and understand people. When he decisively pushed down the wooden ladder from the ten-story building, it was because he knew that if the guy tied to it really followed Qin Yue over, he would die! Would he die, or would Qin Yue die? He only took a second to consider before he had an answer.

In the end, the guy tied to the ladder indeed fell to his death, and Wu Jiang was fortunate enough to survive.

The apocalypse is inherently cruel, and the key to survival is making the right choices. He had indeed lived through it using this method… Was he going to die here today?

No, he would make a contribution and redeem his sins. Moreover, staying by Chen Laoda’s side was already a last resort.

At this moment, the people Wu Jiang was on guard against had changed from the joint forces of the three major bases to Chen Laoda and his daughter Chen Li. He believed that no matter which one he took down, it would be enough to make amends. All he needed to do was fabricate another forced reason. What was there to worry about?

The first rays of sunlight shone down in the early morning. Captain Li, with luck on his side, shouted loudly, “Chen Laoda has committed many crimes, and his death is not to be regretted. But I believe many of you were forced into this. As long as you drop your weapons and surrender immediately, we can be lenient, handing out lighter punishments. Those who resist will be killed without mercy!”

Chen Laoda immediately shouted loudly, “Originally, we were living well in Xining, with no worries about food and clothing and no threat of zombies. It’s you, it’s you who don’t want us to live good lives! How many brothers have you killed among us? Now, you act like saints and want to spare our lives. Do you really think we’re fools? Brothers, don’t believe the words of these deceitful people! Kill them! If we kill them, we can continue to live our good lives!”

Chen Laoda was indeed a master of strategy. In just a few words, he positioned himself as the victim, portraying himself as so noble, as if he were truly defending his homeland.

Captain Li chuckled. “Do you think you’re living a good life in Xining Prison? Let me tell you the truth. Now, after the joint forces of the three major bases have been established and communication has been restored, we have made basic contact with major bases worldwide. Survivors from all over the world will unite to fight against zombies and the zombie virus! The world is in chaos, and the environment has undergone tremendous changes. Soil and water pollution have destroyed the growth of countless crops. Even some supplies will rot and spoil due to their expiration dates… Do you think you can live peacefully for a lifetime by robbing others? Everyone should listen, disarm, and surrender. I can guarantee with my life that I won’t kill! Not only won’t I kill, but I’ll also take you back to the safe zone.”

With these words, the people around Chen Laoda indeed became restless. A few timid ones had already thrown down their weapons and raised their hands, saying, “… I, I surrender!”

Chen Laoda threw a fireball at them, heading straight for one person’s head. Fortunately, the person reacted quickly and rolled on the ground to escape.

“You betrayed all the brothers of our Xining base. If I don’t kill you today, how can I face so many brothers?”

“Chen Laoda, I’m sorry. I don’t want to die with you. I didn’t betray all the brothers of the Xining base. I just want to survive. They want your head. Only if you die can we be saved.”

That was the reason.

As long as Chen Laoda and his trusted followers died, these unknown individuals could escape punishment.

Wu Jiang thought the same way. So, as more and more people began to betray him, he had already condensed wind-type abilities in his hands, aimed at Chen Li.

He dared not touch Chen Laoda; killing Chen Li alone would be more than enough.

And killing Chen Li was, of course, to express his loyalty to the organization.

Qin Yue and Li Ming stood far aside, watching Wu Jiang’s changing expression and his actions, seeing the undisguised, strong killing intent beneath his calm face.

Li Ming gritted his teeth and sneered, “Wu Jiang hasn’t changed at all. I really misunderstood him before.”

Qin Yue raised his eyebrows indifferently, “Being too clever can be a disadvantage. Wu Jiang will eventually get into trouble. Harming others will eventually harm oneself.”

“Yue-Ge, don’t you hate him?”

“Hate? I should thank him. If it weren’t for Wu Jiang, how could I have triggered my spatial abilities?”

Qin Yue used to hate Wu Jiang, especially for pushing down the wooden ladder. He couldn’t understand. They grew up together and were brothers for more than twenty years. Even if he didn’t help, how could he take the opportunity to push him into hell? However, when he saw Jiang Nian and learned that Jiang Nian had also been abandoned by her best and closest friend, the resentment and incomprehension turned into indifference. This indifference was not about accepting or forgetting. It wasn’t about having a broad mind or understanding Wu Jiang. Instead, Qin Yue completely treated Wu Jiang as a calculating and guarded passerby. If something happened, he would not hesitate to kill him or abandon him. For him, Wu Jiang had become dispensable.

Just like Yao Xiaoyue had become someone to be guarded against and vigilant against by Jiang Nian. The trust and feelings from the past had disappeared at the moment of betrayal.

As expected, Wu Jiang couldn’t bear it any longer and took the first step to attack Chen Li! Chen Li was caught off guard, and in the midst of evading, a wind blade slashed her neck, splattering blood everywhere! In panic, she covered it with her hand but couldn’t stop the blood from flowing…

Having succeeded in his move, Wu Jiang immediately retreated. Although Chen Laoda had lost his humanity, he genuinely loved his only daughter. Seeing his beloved daughter fall, he immediately roared and launched an attack against Wu Jiang!

“Back then, I saved you out of goodwill and even promised my daughter to you. Yet, you stabbed me in the back, and now you’ve killed my daughter! Today, I’ll dismember you!”

Wu Jiang said, “Back then, you saved me, but your daughter wasn’t someone I willingly married. It was you who forced me, and Chen Li’s private life is chaotic. She has had at least nine men around her! Over the years, I advised you to stop and do good, but not only did you not listen, you also made things difficult for me. I’ve long looked down on you. If it weren’t for being forced, how could I have stayed in Xining?”

Chen Laoda kept saying a few words and immediately ordered his men to kill Wu Jiang and clean up the mess!

Captain Li seized the opportunity and led his men to charge!

…

This battle lasted for most of the day. The forest land outside Xining Prison was either burned by fire or turned into a muddy pit. It was either charred or covered in sharp ice. The ground was stained with blood, and corpses lay everywhere!

When Jiang Nian came to scavenge with Wang Cai, it happened to be the moment when Chen Laoda, unwilling to be humiliated, chose to self-destruct!

Chen Laoda had already reached the fifth level as a dual-system ability user. He shouldn’t have despaired and self-destructed, but his daughter had died, and his trusted followers were dead. Surrendering meant a grim fate. He knew that surrendering might not end well. At that time, he would be at the mercy of others. Rather than that, he might as well take a few more people with him on his way out… The energy fluctuations from the self-destruction were enormous. Massive winds lifted boulders, and fallen leaves became sharp as flying knives. Seeing this scene, everyone immediately realized what was happening and exclaimed, “Not good; Chen Laoda is going to self-destruct. Run!”

A self-destruct from a level five ability user was no joke.

Just as the word “run” was shouted out, before many could react, there was a deafening “boom!”

Silence fell all around!

…

…

Jiang Nian blinked, and the air around her seemed to freeze. She felt like she was in her own space, enclosed in a perfectly square glass bottle. Wang Cai lay on the glass, staring out with his dark, big eyes.

The scene outside was filled with flying debris and leaves, mixed with splattering blood and dismembered body parts. Even her ears seemed to be ringing. In an instant, Chen Laoda was shattered, leaving only a pool of blood.

With just one glance, a hand covered Jiang Nian’s eyes. The other hand was tightly around her waist, a firm grip. His breath was somewhat unstable as he whispered heavily in her ear, “Being so reckless, do you want me to become a widower before getting married?”

Jiang Nian immediately responded, “No, I can’t bear to lose your treasure.”

Qin Yue paused, making a soft hum. Just hearing it softened him quite a bit.

Li Ming stood behind the two, thinking that the stern-faced Yue-Ge, who always had a one-track mind, was unexpectedly susceptible to throat infections. His conduct as a husband was not quite proper.

…

Xining Prison, once thriving, is now annihilated by Chen Laoda’s self-destruction. His followers were dead, and he could no longer cause trouble. Amid the debris, Li Ming saw Wu Jiang. The man was lying in a pool of blood, convulsing, struggling to grab Li Ming’s trouser leg, seemingly trying to beg for his life. But when he clearly saw that the man in front of him was Li Ming, his eyes widened in terror.

Li Ming looked down at him, expressionless. There was no pleasure or sadness; there was just a bit of helplessness as he shook a severed arm fragment in front of the man. “Yue-Ge didn’t die either. Why did you do this back then?”

Wu Jiang stared with wide eyes, refusing to close them even in death.

Before Jiang Nian could step into Xining Prison, she was dragged back by Qin Yue.

This man appeared solemn on the surface, carrying an air of restraint, coldness, and abstinence. However, his kisses were extremely intense, starting with gentle touches and progressing to fervent kisses, bit by bit nibbling, invading her mouth, and not letting go.

Jiang Nian’s cheeks were flushed, and her breath trembled.

He held her tighter, and the kisses became even harder to part with.

Qin Yue was afraid. If he hadn’t found Jiang Nian in time, if he hadn’t arrived promptly, if Jiang Nian had been injured by Chen Laoda’s self-destruction, even if he dug Chen Laoda out of hell, he wouldn’t be able to ease his hatred.

Even if there were a hundred or a thousand Chen Laodas, they couldn’t compensate for one Jiang Nian!

Jiang Nian patted him, comforting him. “Alright, I’m fine. Don’t be angry.”

Qin Yue’s breath was heavy. His mouth tasted sweet, like candy. “Today, my whole life was almost ruined.”

“…Huh?”

“Niannian, you promised to marry me and to be with me for a lifetime. If you break that promise, my life will be over.”

Jiang Nian smiled and said, “Don’t worry. I promised to take responsibility for you, and I will be responsible for your entire life. I won’t let you be alone.”

Qin Yue’s heart tightened, staring at Jiang Nian.

Looking up at him, Jiang Nian held his hand and kissed the back of it. “Sweetheart, be good.”

Qin Yue: “…”

Qin Yue: “Then let’s get married when we go back.”

Jiang Nian: “Okay.”

Qin Yue pulled her hand, pulling Jiang Nian into his embrace once again, his thin lips pressed against her delicate earlobe.