Chapter 8, Parting Ways.

They quickly finished their discussion, but Wang Zongchao suddenly spoke up: "Then I wish the five of you a smooth return to the main divine space, and by the way, I would like to say goodbye in advance"

Wang Zongchao smiled and pressed him down, saying: "Don't misunderstand, I am not leaving because of the possibility of contracting the T virus. Nor am I being forced away by you all. I ask, if I wanted to stay, who among you could stop me?"

Wang Zongchao waved his hand, indicating that he does not smoke. He usually refrains from both smoking and drinking. He is certainly aware that Zhang Jie wants him to give up on someone like Zeng Rong, who is a waste, but since he has saved a life, he will not have any regrets.

Wang Zongchao raised his severed right arm, and the bandage at the wound site, aside from a slight seepage of medicinal fluid, was also splattered with considerable amounts of dark, congealed blood

At this moment, all the mercenaries gathered around, and Matthew took the lead to ask: "How is it outside? Can the road we came from still be traversed?"

Hahaha... Suddenly, Zeng Rong burst into wild laughter, tears streaming from his eyes. Then, he stood up abruptly and said fiercely, "That's right, aside from Brother Wang, I know you all have long looked down on me. I can't afford to associate with you all! Now, even if someone begs me to stay, I won't! What are zombies? I'm so fat, I could crush them!" Now, even if someone begs me to stay, I won't! What are zombies? I'm so fat, I could crush them!

It seems that, in his eyes, Wang Zongchao, who has likely been infected with the T virus and must confront the Creepers, can already be considered a dead man!

Matthew said helplessly: "Alright, I understand. Kaplan, activate the defense system of that laser corridor, and you all stay inside; after all, that is the safest place. Hold on as best as you can, and if we are still alive, we will report your situation to the company... Even if they want to abandon you, we will strive to disclose everything here to the outside world, forcing them to send a rescue team under pressure"

It is clear that they want to abandon you, so why must you shamelessly squeeze together with others like quails? Do you not even have the courage to venture out and forge your own path?

Is this the blood of a zombie? Everyone immediately realized what this meant

Matthew was taken aback by these words and after a long pause said, "What do you mean? There is no time for jokes right now." He was about to explain the subsequent arrangements to them, but unexpectedly, the other party had no intention of leaving with them at all

"With your numerous bites and scratches from zombies!" Zhang Jie let out a cold laugh, as he spoke, he played with the heavy Desert Eagle in his hand, the threat evident in his demeanor

Looking at the other party's eyes filled with murderous intent, Wang Zongchao smiled gently and said, "Do not take it so seriously; such things will happen sooner or later. When we face death, every aspect of human nature is magnified infinitely. Whether it is strength, belief, positive or negative traits, they will all emerge, and in their most authentic form. If you take these too seriously, it will be impossible to face them with a calm mind. Those who lose their composure find it difficult to survive on the battlefield; I believe you understand this principle."

Brother Wang put himself in danger to save me, and now even if he turns into a zombie and eats me, I would accept it. Whoever wants to exclude him can come at me! Mu Gang glanced at the Desert Eagle in Zhang Jie's hand, and there was a clear hesitation in his eyes, but he still mustered the courage to stand up

Everyone looked at him in astonishment, not knowing what he meant

The female protagonist shook her head and said, "There are those ghostly things everywhere outside, they are waiting for us on that road, it is impossible to get through."

"Who would ask you to stay?" Almost everyone thinks this way. In reality, this little chubby boy has always given the impression of being nothing more than a burden, and even without being infected by a virus, he has always been overlooked by others

The reason I do not wish to stay is that your approach relies entirely on the defense system of the Flame Empress. Once she decides to kill you, or if her energy is depleted, you will undoubtedly face death surrounded by a multitude of zombies and crawlers! According to the storyline, two of those narrative characters ultimately escape the hive through their own strength. If they can do it, then I certainly can as well!" When Wang Zongchao said this, his tone was devoid of any passionate fervor, instead carrying a sense of calm inevitability. According to the storyline, two of those narrative characters ultimately escape the hive through their own strength. If they can do it, then I certainly can as well!" When Wang Zongchao said this, his tone was devoid of any passionate fervor, instead carrying a sense of calm inevitability.

"You have already completely cauterized and closed the wound, and the gauze is infused with medical alcohol and other medications, which can effectively disinfect and sterilize. It should not be..." Zhan Lan hurriedly advised, but the more she spoke, the less confident she became.

The greatest difference between him and ordinary people lies in his will. Ordinary people may hesitate to take risks to save others, and after saving someone, they might regret the high cost they paid or feel remorse if the person saved is unworthy. However, Wang Zongchao is different; he either does not engage in an action at all, or if he chooses to act, he commits fully, wagering his life in the process

Zhang Jie let out a "hum" but remained silent. It was as if he tacitly acknowledged his words, yet also seemed to recall events from the past

Everyone listened to their conversation about finding a way out, each with their own thoughts. Zhang Jie crushed his cigarette and stubbed it into the ground, saying fiercely: "If someone were to design me like an umbrella, I wouldn't mind killing him first"

The expressions on everyone's faces were grim; the mere presence of zombies had nearly made their hearts leap from their chests. Considering the even more terrifying crawlers, which were five thousand times worse (as can be inferred from the reward points), the thought alone made their heartbeats seem to slow down. Seeing that a few of them had already caught their breath, Zhang Jie took out a few cigarettes to share with Zheng Zha and Mou Gang. Li Xiaoyi immediately objected, seemingly wanting to display his composure as he said, "Brother Zhang, could you give me one too?" Zhang Jie noticed that a few of them had already caught their breath, and took out a few cigarettes to share with Zheng Zha and Mou Gang. Li Xiaoyi immediately objected, seemingly wanting to display his composure as he said, "Brother Zhang, could you give me one too?"

"The use of the word 'should' is excellent! Truly befitting of a writer. Although the probability of infection is low, it is not entirely impossible," Wang Zongchao replied with a hint of sarcasm.

Zeng Rong was instantly stunned, and Zhan Lan, feeling somewhat reluctant, said softly: "In fact, there is an antidote for the T virus on the platform. If you follow the mercenaries back, you can obtain the antidote. This is also your only way out."

Wang Zongchao shook his head and said, "Has this guy become brain-dead after staying in those countries that boast about human rights? To cover up certain matters, making some people disappear or die is simply a tactic employed by the upper echelons."

Zeng Rong remained silent, merely breathing heavily, while Wang Zongchao had already spoken coldly.

"What gives you the right?" Upon hearing these words, Zeng Rong's face immediately flushed and his neck grew thick.

Taking advantage of the moment when those people had left, Zhan Lan said, "Let us discuss how to persuade them to allow us to stay."

A few people gathered together and carefully reviewed what they were going to say. In reality, there was not much to explain; the more they spoke, the more likely they were to make mistakes. Therefore, the reasons they came up with were concise and difficult for the other party to find flaws in.

The anti-hero Ryan, with a panicked expression, exclaimed: "No, they can't do this. Are they planning to bury us alive down here?"

Zhan Lan said softly: "We should be safe now. In a while, the seven of us will propose to stay behind; they should not strongly oppose it. If we endure until the time is up, we will be truly safe."

What he said is a fact. Although Zhang Jie’s Desert Eagle poses a threat to him, in close quarters, it is mostly Zhang Jie himself who ends up dead. During the rescue of Mou Gang and in the laser corridor, his ability to dodge bullets has been fully revealed.

Our orders are to bring back the Flame Empress motherboard while sealing off the entire hive from the outside world. Do you remember the passage between the building and the hive? If we cannot return there within three hours, the passage between the building and the hive will be completely sealed off... Damn Umbrella, I finally understand why such orders were given; it is all for those damned things scattered everywhere..." Matthew shouted in a low voice, his mood utterly terrible... Damn Umbrella, I finally understand why such orders were given; it is all for those damned things scattered everywhere..." Matthew shouted in a low voice, his mood utterly terrible.

Zhang Jie nodded and said: "You are right, but you are mistaken about one point; there are six people left, not seven." After saying this, he pointed at the chubby boy, Zeng Rong, and said, "You cannot stay!"

Wang Zongchao spoke: "Aside from my combat ability still being intact, I can accompany you, while the others have decided to hold their ground here. You probably already know that the four of them are merely ordinary people. It is fundamentally impossible for them to keep pace with you; following you would only hinder your progress! Moreover, Zhang Jie must stay behind to protect them. As for Zeng Rong, he must go out immediately to obtain the antidote from the company, otherwise he will end up like those zombies."

However, I am not accustomed to entrusting my life and death to others, especially to an intelligent program that previously wanted to kill us. If there is truly no other option, then so be it, but as long as there is a choice, I will only choose the path of survival that I carve out with my own hands!" Wang Zongchao shook his head and expressed his thoughts. His words left Zhan Lan at a loss for words; she realized that this man before her was someone whose inner thoughts and actions were absolutely beyond her comprehension, and one could even say that they were not from the same world.

At that moment, a sudden knocking sound was heard, accompanied by the female protagonist's cries from outside: "Open the door! Hurry up and open the door!" Zhang Jie disregarded the reactions of the mercenaries and opened the door for himself. The female protagonist and the young man who had spoken with Wang Zongchao and others stumbled in. The zombies behind them reached out their hands, unwilling to let go, resembling a group of evil spirits trying to drag people back to hell. Zhang Jie fired several shots from his Desert Eagle at their arms, severing them from their bodies. The zombies behind continued to reach out, unwilling to relent, like a horde of demons attempting to reclaim their prey. Zhang Jie fired several shots at their arms again, ensuring a clean separation. He then slammed the door shut, isolating those disgusting creatures outside.

Zhang Jie and a few others entered the main control room, while Kaplan silently activated the defense system, creating a somber atmosphere among the mercenaries. Alice turned to Philip beside her and asked, "Do you think they can survive?" Philip shook his head, remaining silent, leaving it unclear whether he meant no or that he did not know.

Then he continued: "You definitely cannot return to the main god space before the outbreak of the T virus. Rather than having to deal with you after you become a zombie and endanger others, it is better to let you leave with the mercenaries right now"

Both sides looked at each other through the window, their gazes carrying a sense of farewell. Watching Wang Zongchao and the mercenaries ultimately depart, Zhang Jie spoke with a tone of lesson: "Did you see that? If it weren't for that guy Wang Zongchao insisting on showing off by trying to save someone, how could he, being the strongest in combat, be the first to die?"

The female protagonist is indeed a decisive person, no longer engaging in pointless arguments about the current situation. She picked up the bag containing the Flame Empress costume and walked into the main control room. It seems she is going to restart the main computer. Except for Wang Zongchao and his group, everyone else followed her into the main control room

Upon hearing Wang Zongchao speak plainly, Zheng Zha, Mou Gang, and others displayed expressions of embarrassment. As ordinary citizens, they were quite averse to the idea of sending someone to their death. However, it was indeed necessary to ensure that he did not remain; not only would this course of action fail to save him, but it would also implicate themselves.

The transmissibility of the T virus is extremely strong, and by the late stages of the third biochemical incident, it surprisingly evolved to become airborne. Although it is not that severe at present, infection is almost inevitable if one drinks water contaminated with the T virus or if a wound comes into contact with T virus pollutants. This includes corpses submerged in water containing the T virus and individuals bitten by zombies.

Zhang Jie cast a disdainful glance at him and said, "You little brat, trying to smoke like others? Don't think I can't smell it; apart from the scent of milk, do you really think there's even a hint of smoke on you? Just stay put, and if you don't want to die, stick closely to us." Li Xiaoyi had nothing to retort and was left speechless by the scolding. Mou Gang comfortingly patted his head and said, "Kid, you might as well be honest." Li Xiaoyi impatiently brushed his hand away, causing everyone to chuckle at their exchange.

Matthew fell silent for a moment, while Zhan Lan interjected: "Captain, everyone, you are all aware of our physical condition. There is no way we can keep up with your pace while fleeing like this. Rather than becoming those zombie monsters, don’t you think it would be better for us to stay quietly here, waiting for the possible arrival of the subsequent rescue team? This is our only way to survive, isn’t it? If the captain insists on having us follow along to our deaths, then I have nothing more to say." If the captain insists on having us follow along to our deaths, then I have nothing more to say.

However, they secretly breathed a sigh of relief, as the act of killing a companion still challenged their moral boundaries too much

Everyone felt a chill in their hearts, especially when considering that Wang Zongchao, who had already been injured, might turn into a zombie. This was not all; thinking of his terrifying combat power, if he were to transform into an even stronger vengeful evil god or something similar...

At the moment when the atmosphere was momentarily tense, the mercenaries stepped forward. Wang Zongchao and the others exchanged glances and all approached.

Zhang Jie first spoke to Matthew, who was walking ahead: "Apart from Wang Zongchao and Zeng Rong, the five of us will stay."

Zhang Jie looked deeply at Wang Zongchao, put away the Desert Eagle in his hand, took out a pack of cigarettes from his clothes, and handed over one, saying: "You are very strong, but it is still better to do fewer things."

Is that really the case? The power of lasers is something we can all witness. As long as we stay in the control room of the Flame Queen, she will actively eliminate zombies and crawlers to protect herself. " Zhan Lan advised again, feeling quite fond of this iron-willed man. She understood very well that if he could survive, it would be a great help to her. In comparison, the risk of him turning into a zombie was worth taking.

However, he is certainly not the kind of person who helps anyone indiscriminately. If the earlier act of saving Zeng Rong while going down the stairs was merely a matter of convenience, then the subsequent rescue amidst the horde of zombies was because Wang Zongchao believed that the individual still possessed some integrity. When falling behind on the stairs, he did not plead with others to assist him, and after being rescued, he actively requested to run on his own, not wanting to be a burden. If it were not for this, although Wang Zongchao could have easily brought him down the entire flight of stairs, it would have been impossible to save him again later. The reason for saving him amidst the zombies was indeed because Wang Zongchao felt that this person still had some backbone. When falling behind on the stairs, he did not plead with others to assist him, and after being rescued, he actively requested to run on his own, not wanting to be a burden. If it were not for this, although Wang Zongchao could have easily brought him down the entire flight of stairs, it would have been impossible to save him again later.