Chapter 003: New World

Mushrooms like pine mushrooms in the mountains can also mutate, I wonder if the taste will be better. Ren Chu sat there with a cigarette in his mouth

The mountain basin originally had no tall trees, only some low shrubs; however, overnight, more than a dozen shrubs transformed into towering trees several meters high

Power outages and insufficient medical supplies could lead to the infection and death of many individuals. We have brought a considerable amount of medicine, and everyone will huddle together in the mountains for a while, after which we will reassess the situation.

Ren Chu was speechless; indeed, this is the truth. Medicines and table salt are the most essential supplies. It seems that General Yun has thought this through in detail

Originally, there were some feelings of uncertainty and hesitation, but now there is no need to think so much. Just live on, grow stronger, and see what the new world is really like, which is quite good

Yun Zong picked up some hard branches and sat at the entrance of the cave, using a small knife to whittle them down into sharp points, one by one. Aunt Zhang was digging a pit at the cave entrance with a dagger, clearly intending to create a trap

Sitting with the perverse feels uncomfortable, as Ren Chu hugs her knees, pretending not to hear. President Yun said: "No matter how much money you earn, it is of no use; managing so many relationships is futile. It is like a spider, laboriously spinning its web, only to have everything vanish in the face of a storm."

Ambitious individuals can indeed achieve great enterprises, leading to the emergence of many formidable figures, which naturally results in numerous killings and conflicts. Therefore, before the situation becomes clear, it is best for us to hide in the mountains

Ren Chu swallowed hard. If there were snakes here, it seemed inappropriate to reside in this place. President Yun turned on the flashlight and said while illuminating the cave: "It's not very dark."

Yun Zong reprimanded: "Use your brain, this is an escape. Naturally, you must carry the most precious items. Do you know what is most precious? Medicines, salt. Are you going to bring your house while escaping? Get to work."

Ren Chu was so frightened that he dropped the wisteria. Jia Lan said, "Even if it is just passing by, a snake will choose a familiar path, and on its return journey, it will still come this way"

Less than half an hour after they left, a group of people arrived at the mountain cabin. The stove inside was still hot to the touch, the aroma of meat lingered in the air, and there were large animal bones with remnants of meat that had not been completely cleaned off. The group exchanged glances with one another, indicating that someone had been living here

This place is not sufficiently secluded; those entering the mountains can easily find it along the mountain path. After we have eaten our fill, we will continue deeper into the mountains

Ren Chu brought in the packaged mountain raccoon meat for the last time. As soon as he entered, he heard gunshots in the distance. In the vast mountains, the sound of gunfire can travel a great distance.

Mr. Yun is wearing high-top leather boots, with the well-crafted legs of his riding pants concealed within the boot shafts, and he is dressed in a Tang suit on the upper body. His hair is shaved on both sides and at the back, leaving a circle of upright short hair on the top of his head, commonly referred to as a "cannon head." With his large sunglasses, Mr. Yun certainly does not resemble a child from a good family.

Ren Chu said: "There is a cave deep in the mountains, which is very secluded"

Walk upward, then turn and walk downward, crossing the babbling stream. Ren Chu lifted the wisteria, revealing a concealed cave before him

Ren Chu led three individuals deeper along the mountain path. In the depths of the mountain, there were no roads; this area was not a tourist attraction, which was located on the other side. Only within the tourist area were there well-constructed, even paths.

Jialan took out a sharp knife and chopped a thick branch nearby, inserting the knife into the branch with the tip facing up, burying it on the snake's path, and said: "It is not small in size and is very likely a mutated snake."

Yun Zong said: "Initially, we should have fired continuously to thoroughly intimidate those who are not honest. This piecemeal approach is the least effective, comparable to the oil-adding tactic in military strategy; only a fool would use such a method. You two, speed up the progress and finish before dark"

Jialan stated: "Since leaving home, we have encountered over twenty attacks. Those people do not even think; no one organizes the removal of the bodies, which will soon lead to the outbreak of infectious diseases, and there may even be an epidemic."

Ren Chuchang gazed in the direction of the cave, and Yun Zong asked, "What are you thinking about? Don't you not have a girlfriend?"

Yun glanced sideways at Ren Chu and said: "Is there a difference between the apocalypse and the new world? Those who are fearful see it as the end of days, having lost everything they once had. The brave, however, see the future; perhaps what we face is a world filled with endless possibilities, a new world, I have arrived."

The skin of the mountain raccoon was removed, and the meat was cut into large pieces and packaged. Upon seeing Yun and the others bringing up three bicycles, Ren Chu grinned.

Yun Zong entered, and Ren Chu waved his hand to let Aunt Zhang also go in. He then pushed one bicycle after another into the cave, placing them at the edge of the basin. The basin in the mountains is not large, only a few hundred square meters, but the mountain peak on the side where the cave is located is steep and difficult to climb. Without going through the cave, it is nearly impossible to discover the basin in the mountains.

Ren Chu said: "Beyond the cave is a small mountain basin; I have been there."

Ren Chu was momentarily taken aback. After killing the mountain cat, a surge of heat flooded his mind. Ren Chu felt that his strength had increased somewhat, and the Devouring Heaven and Earth system had acquired the ability to identify food. It seemed that General Yun was not lying, nor was there any need to lie.

Yun Zong, with no regard for his image, leaned against his backpack and said: "This is indeed a paradise, and as long as there is food, I have no intention of leaving."

Ren Chu said: "No, I slept very soundly"

Ren Chu finally asked, "Is the situation this serious? Has the military not come out to maintain order?"

Jialan took out the saw and easily cut through a large tree. Ren Chu swung the bone-cutting knife and began to chop. The heavy bone-cutting knife was now of great use, being almost as effective as an axe

Yun Zong saw the cigarette box in front of the table. He walked over, picked up a cigarette, lit it, and said: "The world has changed, the apocalypse has arrived. Power outages, communication disruptions, and interruptions in water and gas supply. In the midst of summer, the ground is littered with corpses, and the city has become the most terrifying place.

Jialan said with a hint of disappointment: "Those struck by a meteor of fire will faint, and the longer the duration of the unconsciousness, the greater the benefits obtained. Unfortunately, too many people become deranged upon suddenly acquiring special powers, believing that having strength allows them to act as they please"

Ren Chu felt a wave of fear; if it had not been for President Yun's suggestion to leave quickly, they might have been shot. As the second gunshot rang out, Jialan remarked, "A police handgun, not very powerful, but quite loud"

After graduating, I stayed in this second-tier city. Six or seven years have passed in the blink of an eye. During these years, Ren Chu only returned home once, and after having a quarrel with his father, he never went back again

Having felled four large trees in succession, there was enough timber to construct a wooden house. After cutting the trunks, they were split open. Jialan began digging holes to set the posts for the dwelling. Ren Chu approached, ready to offer assistance, but Jialan rolled her eyes and directly scared him away.

Ren Chu could not help but glance at Jia Lan. The handsome yet somewhat wicked General Manager Yun was quite popular among the beautiful women in the company. Meanwhile, Ren Chu and the other male employees enjoyed speculating about Jia Lan's measurements and preferences, but no one dared to ask her out. After all, she was the ambiguous female bodyguard of General Manager Yun, and only someone with a few screws loose would develop feelings for Jia Lan.

Ren Chu carried a large bag of mountain raccoon meat, with Aunt Zhang's bicycle slung over his shoulder. Aunt Zhang, in turn, carried Ren Chu's hiking backpack and crossbow. The group slowly advanced through the rugged jungle.

Ren Chu observed that the once familiar environment had changed, with many trees growing exceptionally tall, and in the jungle, small squirrels, about the size of a dog, could be seen leaping about.

The gunfire rang out again, and Aunt Zhang said: "The continuous gunshots surely indicate that the situation could not be controlled; it must be a novice, lacking experience in intimidation"

Ren Chu said, "What business is it of yours"

Ren Chu corrected: "The end of days"

Jialan helplessly shot a glance at Yun and said while holding a short knife: "If we don't find a way to set up a place to stay now, we'll have to camp out tonight, and we didn't bring a tent."

Ren Chu felt that his outdoor survival experience was quite rich, yet he was completely baffled by this scene. As for Jialan, that was understandable; it was said that she had a background as a mercenary. But Yun Zong and Aunt Zhang were so adept at setting traps—had they practiced?

Jialan said: "The direction of the cabin in the mountains"

Yun Zong said: "We will have a meal and then set off. Do not harbor any illusions, and do not waste any time. When we enter the mountains, we will see that some people are also heading into the mountains."

Ren Chu still had a dark expression on his face. Jia Lan said, "Ren Chu, think about such a large mountain cat; you should realize that there is a serious problem. Have you fainted?"

Jialan said: "A snake has passed through here"

Jialan took out another knife from mhetushucom.com, received the flashlight from Yun and was the first to enter. Soon, Jialan joyfully said: "The environment is excellent and very safe"

With nothing much to do, Ren Chu sliced the mountain hare meat into thin pieces and laid them on a nearby branch, each piece resembling a fresh flower. Dipping his finger into the sap at the edge of the branch, Ren Chu tasted it, finding it slightly sweet. The system of the Devourer of Heaven and Earth indicated that the sap from this tree was drinkable, and indeed, it made no difference.

Ren Chu remained silent, and Jia Lan estimated that Ren Chu's anger had not yet subsided. She finally understood why Ren Chu had suddenly taken leave a few days ago; it turned out that she had been pinched on the buttocks by President Yun, which was indeed quite shocking.

Ren Churen could not help but ask: "Knowing that we are going into the mountains, why didn't you bring a tent"

Yun rolled his eyes and then smiled as he said, "I am just concerned about you. I have always wanted to bring you and Jialan together, but unfortunately, it seems you are not interested in that."

Over two thousand kilometers away from home, it is basically impossible to return after the transportation has been interrupted. My mother passed away many years ago, and Ren Chu has a poor relationship with his stepmother. It cannot be said that they are enemies, but they certainly do not see eye to eye, each considering the other a thorn in the family.

Yun Zong leaned against the wall and said: "They should mobilize, but suddenly gaining such powerful special abilities, do you think people will still behave themselves? Moreover, this power will grow stronger with each act of killing; we must prepare for the worst."

Aunt Zhang rubbed her waist and changed the subject, saying: "I am so tired, I need to take a break. We have been fleeing on bicycles for dozens of kilometers, and I haven't suffered like this in many years. This is scarier than the war-torn regions of Africa"

In fact, this should also be considered my hometown. Smoke billowed from Ren Chu's nose. The cigarette was taken away, and Yun sat beside Ren Chu, holding a cigarette, took a puff, and said: "Isn't there a very relaxed feeling?"