Chapter 329 - 165: A Helping Hand

Chapter 329: Chapter 165: A Helping Hand

Zhou Jianguo sighed and continued:

"Then the trouble started. We didn’t have enough food; the small plots we farmed weren’t nearly enough. We were short on supplies too—medicine, bullets, clothes, everything. What was most deadly were those Mutant Beasts. They’d come and harass us every so often. Sometimes a few, sometimes a whole pack. We couldn’t beat them, and we couldn’t hide, so we just had to endure."

He looked up at Xu Mo, his eyes red-rimmed.

"Over the past year, we’ve gone from five or six hundred people down to just three hundred and twelve. Half of them died in the jaws of those Mutant Beasts."

Xu Mo was silent for a few seconds.

’He could imagine the hardship. A group of ordinary people without Superpowers, decent weapons, or even sturdy defenses, just struggling to survive in the apocalypse. When the Mutant Beasts attacked, they could only use their bodies of flesh and blood to fend them off. When food was scarce, they could only tighten their belts. When someone was injured and became infected, they had to personally send their own family members on their way. It was a miracle they’d survived this long.’

"I understand," Xu Mo said simply.

Zhou Jianguo wiped a hand over his face and forced a smile.

"Sorry, you had to see me like that. Let’s not talk about it. Mr. Xu, where did you come from? Are you just passing through, or...?"

he asked cautiously, his eyes filled with hope.

Xu Mo looked at him, not answering immediately.

’He knew what Zhou Jianguo was thinking. An extraordinarily powerful person had suddenly appeared here, likely sent from a large-scale shelter. If such a place truly existed—safe, organized, and with resources—it would represent the greatest hope imaginable for the people of Linhai Town.’

"I’m from Jiang City," Xu Mo said.

"Jiang City?" Zhou Jianguo paused, exchanging a look with the people beside him. They all shook their heads. "Never heard of it..."

"A large-scale shelter," Xu Mo said. "It’s to the northwest, about a thousand kilometers from here."

Zhou Jianguo’s eyes widened.

"A... a thousand kilometers?"

Xu Mo nodded.

"I’m on a mission to Ming Pearl Port. Just passing through."

Zhou Jianguo’s mouth fell open, but he didn’t know what to say. The others beside him were also stunned, and the way they looked at Xu Mo grew even more complex.

A thousand kilometers!

What did a thousand kilometers mean in this post-apocalyptic world? It meant crossing countless zombie-infested territories and facing innumerable dangers. To be able to drive a thousand kilometers alone and arrive here... this man’s power was even more terrifying than they had imagined.

"Ming Pearl Port..." Zhou Jianguo repeated in a murmur. "Never heard of it either."

"It’s a large-scale shelter by the sea," Xu Mo said. "We’ve lost contact with it, so Jiang City sent me to check on the situation."

Zhou Jianguo fell silent for a moment, then heaved a long sigh.

"Mr. Xu, you are a true hero," he said, his voice filled with sincere admiration. "Traveling so far alone... we wouldn’t even dare to dream of it."

Xu Mo didn’t reply. He simply raised his teacup and took another sip.

Then, Xu Mo made his request.

"Leader Zhou, I’d like to stay here for the night to rest. While I’m at it, could you spare some gas for my car?"

Upon hearing this, Zhou Jianguo nodded eagerly:

"No problem, no problem at all! Please, Mr. Xu, stay as long as you like. We have gas, too. Not a lot, but we have more than enough to fill up your tank!"

As he spoke, he ordered the lanky young man to make the arrangements.

Xu Mo waved his hand dismissively.

"My tank is still more than half full. I’m just topping off while I’m here. Better to be prepared."

Zhou Jianguo nodded repeatedly and again ordered someone to prepare dinner and lodging.

After a moment’s thought, Xu Mo added:

"There’s no need for food. I have my own rations."

Zhou Jianguo was taken aback. "That won’t do!" he said hurriedly. "You’ve helped us so much. If we don’t even offer you a meal, we couldn’t live with ourselves!"

Xu Mo shook his head.

"Your own supplies are tight. Taking the gas is enough."

Before Zhou Jianguo could say anything more, Xu Mo had already risen to his feet.

"Take me to my car."

Zhou Jianguo personally escorted Xu Mo back to the square, where the lanky young man was already waiting with a few others. They opened the SUV’s fuel cap and began siphoning gasoline from a drum with a hose. Their practiced movements showed they had done this many times before.

Xu Mo stood to one side, watching, his gaze occasionally sweeping over the surroundings.

At the edge of the square, a few children were hiding behind a corner, peeking at them. The oldest was no more than ten, the youngest only four or five. They were all sallow and emaciated, dressed in tattered clothes. But there was something in their eyes—curiosity, and a faint, hidden longing.

Xu Mo looked away.

Standing beside Xu Mo, Zhou Jianguo followed his gaze and sighed.

"They’re all orphans. Their parents are gone, so they’re all that’s left."

Xu Mo remained silent for a few seconds before speaking:

"Leader Zhou, there’s something I must warn you about."

Zhou Jianguo quickly turned his head. "What is it?"

"That pile of zombie corpses outside," Xu Mo said, pausing for effect. "You have to burn them."

Zhou Jianguo paused for a second, then nodded.

"Right, right, we’ll take care of it later."

Xu Mo looked at him and shook his head.

"Not later. As soon as possible. Today would be best."

Zhou Jianguo was confused. "Mr. Xu, are you worried the corpses will attract other zombies? Don’t worry about that. We’ve dealt with this many times. As long as—"

"It’s not about attracting zombies," Xu Mo cut him off. "It’s about attracting mutation."

"Mutation?" Zhou Jianguo asked, not understanding.

Xu Mo’s gaze fell upon the group of children.

"I discovered a large pile of zombie corpses before I arrived. You discarded those as well, didn’t you?"

At his words, Zhou Jianguo nodded.