Chapter 658: He Left Last Night
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Nighttime.
Bai Yifan took charge of cooking, happily preparing a table full of dishes.
Using his Gold Ability, he transformed the bronze sword into a delicate and exquisite dagger.
The only unchanged aspect is that no matter how much the bronze sword’s form is altered, the handle always bears the emblem of the Sun God Bird.
Bai Yifan found it not particularly unsightly, so he didn’t dwell on it.
The main reason is that, during the day, he had a fight with the Zombie King, which made him feel quite pleased with himself, thinking he’s still quite formidable.
While cooking, he utilized all sorts of culinary skills.
Not surprisingly, the Base Commander came over to mooch a meal when it was time to eat.
Unlike before, his face looked a bit troubled, missing his previous mischievous smile, replaced with a trace of heaviness.
"I can’t go to Kunlun Mountain in the next couple of days; the two big serpents in the river are acting up. I have to deal with them. I’ll leave tomorrow morning, so just wait for me a few days, and we’ll head to Kunlun Mountain then."
The Base Commander fiercely grabbed a piece of braised pork and quickly ate his bowl of rice.
His stern brow and eyes resembled Leng Yebai, both equally cold when serious.
"Big serpents?"
Bai Yifan touched the bronze dagger tied to his leg, momentarily wondering why the Base Commander had to handle such creatures.
Seemed a bit overkill when he might just stab them to death with a single dagger.
"Yeah, they are reportedly close to transforming into flood dragons, but no one has seen them firsthand. The situation is rather thorny," the Base Commander squinted slightly, continuing, "For some reason, they started devouring zombie fish in large quantities. At this rate, they’ll certainly become zombie serpents, and unless stopped, the consequences would be unimaginable."
Mutant animals consuming zombie animals don’t necessarily turn into zombie animals, but their nature sure undergoes dramatic changes.
Even if they don’t become zombie animals, mutant animals consuming zombie animals will have their temper increasingly influenced by the zombie virus, turning more and more savage.
Over time, consuming zombie animals becomes ordinary behavior, an addiction.
The "big serpents" the Base Commander mentioned were also known to the Bai Family, rumored to reside in the river, rarely seen and never leaving the water.
If they transform into zombie animals, the long river becomes their territory, potentially coming ashore, adding to Shanghai’s calamities.
"I’ll go with you."
Leng Yebai peeled a shrimp and placed it in Bai Xiqin’s bowl, his voice calm yet resolute.
"I’ll go too!"
Bai Anhai also peeled a shrimp, placing it in Wang Yiyun’s bowl.
Though Bai Anhai felt fearful of zombies, he still wished deep down to grow stronger and protect his family.
After all, he’s the head of the family.
"No way, I have to go alone." The Base Commander lightly shook his head, glancing at Leng Yebai with a smile, "Don’t worry too much about me. If I can fight, I will; if I can’t, I’ll flee. Nothing will happen. My strength speaks for itself!"
"I’m coming with you."
Leng Yebai repeated matter-of-factly.
"Tsk tsk tsk, didn’t expect to enjoy my son’s favor after all." The Base Commander laughed with two clicks of his tongue, "If you’re determined to come along, fine, let’s set off together tomorrow morning. Be prepared; you’re in charge of my meals."
"Alright, that’s settled then. Xiao Leng and I will help you." Bai Anhai decisively included himself.
The Base Commander looked at Bai Anhai’s determined eyes and could only nod helplessly.
Reluctantly agreed.
The Base Commander cheerfully ate his meal, occasionally serving Leng Yebai a dish.
Leng Yebai accepted without declining, eating expressionlessly.
Father and son rarely appeared so warm.
After the meal, the Base Commander half-lay on the sofa, chatting with Bai Anhai, mainly discussing Leng Yebai.
The Base Commander had heard these things many times but never tired of hearing them again and again.
Night deepened.
The Base Commander yawned, bid farewell to the Bai Family, and headed towards the base building.
After seeing the Base Commander off, the Bai Family went to sleep, readying for the journey the next day.
Even though Bai Anhai and Leng Yebai planned to help at night, the Bai Family still felt uneasy about them going alone.
When a family isn’t together, it always feels odd.
So when Leng Yebai said he’d go too, the Bai Family already imagined going together.
The next day.
Early morning.
As usual, it was hot.
In July and August, it’s the hottest time.
Not even stepping off the bus, they could see the cracks on the ground outside, dry without a trace of moisture.
Bai Xiqin glanced at the time, realizing it’s only six o’clock in the morning.
"Let’s go! Though we said we’d leave at seven, let’s head to the base building earlier and wait for the Base Commander."
Bai Anhai stretched lazily, sitting in the front passenger seat casually.
Bai Yifan stomped on the accelerator, making the bus shake violently before driving towards the base building.
Once the bus left, the corner returned to silence.
The green garbage truck was nowhere to be seen, gone off by Uncle Wang.
The bus was driven away as well.
Only where the bus and garbage truck used to be parked showed fewer cracks, indicating something had shielded the ground from the scorching sun.
The bus traveled freely along the way; everyone in the base knew the Base Commander’s son was aboard, so no one stopped the large bus from roaming around.
The bus pulled up right next to the base building.
At this point, the base building seemed deserted, occasionally spotting one or two Superpower Users entering and exiting.
Just as the bus stopped, Song Hongfei emerged from the base building, trailing a large suitcase.
The hefty suitcase scraped along the ground, its sound carrying far, apparently filled with heavy items.
Seeing Song Hongfei approach, Bai Yifan promptly opened the door for him.
"This is for Xiao Niu, and this is for you."
As soon as he came up, Song Hongfei pushed the suitcase toward Bai Xiqin and handed an envelope to Leng Yebai.
Everyone froze momentarily.
What’s going on?
Leng Yebai’s face turned dark as he examined the letter.
For a long time, Leng Yebai stared at the letter without saying anything, filling the bus with a chill.
"He left last night."
Finally, Leng Yebai uttered those words.
"He went to hunt the big serpents?" Bai Yifan’s eyes widened.
Weren’t we supposed to go together?
"Uncle Song, do you know why the Base Commander didn’t want us to help hunt the two big serpents in the river?"
Bai Yifan asked Song Hongfei.
Song Hongfei heard Bai Yifan’s question and was baffled, "Big serpents? The two serpents in the river close to evolving into flood dragons? The Base Commander already killed them yesterday!"
"What? Then where did Uncle Leng go now?"
Bai Yifan sneaked a glance at Leng Yebai’s grim face, feeling uneasy.