Chapter 698: Red Maple Base

The military outpost closest to Red Maple Base had been abandoned during the first year of the apocalypse.

However, Commander Shen’s people had repaired its teleportation array several months ago. The outpost was mainly used as a resting point by military teams traveling between distant bases.

Chu Miao and Ye Xuan arrived there less than an hour after leaving the meeting.

Pei Ming, Gu Fan, and Yang Leo traveled with them. Commander Shen had also assigned twenty soldiers to assist with evacuating survivors if the situation worsened.

As soon as the teleportation light disappeared, the soldiers guarding the outpost hurried forward.

The officer in charge saluted Ye Xuan before reporting, "The vehicles are ready. We have also prepared additional fuel, weapons, medical supplies, and emergency rations."

Ye Xuan glanced at the six military vehicles parked outside the building and nodded. "Has the observation team sent another report?"

"They contacted us ten minutes ago. More zombie groups have appeared, but none have moved within Red Maple Base’s patrol range."

Chu Miao walked toward the largest map hanging on the wall. "Where are they gathering?"

The officer pointed at a town northwest of Red Maple Base. "Here. The town was evacuated early in the apocalypse and has remained empty since then. Mountains block the view from the south, so the base’s scouts would have to pass through this narrow road to discover the zombies."

"Do their patrols use that road?" Gu Fan asked.

"Not anymore. A landslide blocked part of it last month. Their vehicles can’t pass, so Red Maple Base shortened its patrol route."

Yang Leo studied the map before muttering, "The zombies even chose a blind spot. They are becoming more troublesome every day."

"Zombies with human memories would understand basic geography," Pei Ming replied. "They might also have scouts watching the base’s patrol teams."

The officer nodded. "Our observation team suspects the same thing. They haven’t used drones at a low altitude because they are afraid of being discovered."

Ye Xuan pointed at a second road leading around the mountain. "We will take this route."

"That road is longer," the officer warned. "It will add nearly two hours to the journey."

"It will also take us closer to the gathering point," Ye Xuan said. "We need to see the horde before entering Red Maple Base."

No one disagreed.

The group entered the vehicles and left the outpost a few minutes later.

Ye Xuan drove the first vehicle while Chu Miao sat beside him. Pei Ming and Gu Fan sat in the back, leaving Yang Leo to travel with the soldiers behind them.

The road was in poor condition, and abandoned vehicles appeared from time to time. Most had already been pushed aside by military teams, but there were still places where they had to slow down.

Chu Miao looked out the window at the dry fields on either side of the road. "How many people live in Red Maple Base?"

"According to the latest record, nearly thirty thousand," Pei Ming answered from the back seat. "The population increased after two smaller settlements nearby were destroyed."

"And their defenses?"

"They built two concrete walls around an old industrial park. The base also has over three hundred ability users and around eight hundred armed guards."

Chu Miao turned away from the window. "That should be enough to handle a small horde."

"If their ability users are willing to fight," Gu Fan said.

There was something in his tone that made her look at him.

Gu Fan explained, "I visited Red Maple Base during a supply exchange three months ago. Most of the powerful ability users belong to the base leader’s private team. They receive better food and housing, but they rarely leave the inner district unless a mission offers enough crystal cores."

"What about defending the base?"

"They would probably fight if the walls were attacked. After all, they live there too."

Pei Ming leaned back in his seat and added, "The ordinary survivors might not last long if the outer wall falls. The inner district has another gate, and I doubt its guards would allow everyone inside."

Chu Miao understood the situation.

Red Maple Base wasn’t the worst settlement they had encountered. Its residents had food, shelter, and some degree of protection. However, the division between ordinary survivors and powerful ability users was obvious.

If danger came, those with strength and influence would protect themselves first.

"What is the base leader’s name?" she asked.

"Zhou Qiang," Gu Fan replied. "He awakened a metal ability and reached level six. He was part of the factory’s management before the apocalypse."

Chu Miao nodded thoughtfully. "That explains why he thinks he can manage everything."

Gu Fan coughed to hide his amusement.

Ye Xuan briefly glanced at his wife before returning his attention to the road.

My wife hadn’t even met Zhou Qiang, yet she already disliked him.

Then again, after listening to the man speak to Commander Shen, Ye Xuan didn’t have a good impression of him either.

They drove for nearly three hours before the communication device rang.

Ye Xuan answered it through the vehicle’s speaker.

The leader of the observation team spoke in a low voice. "Instructor Ye, we have counted at least forty-three thousand zombies inside the town. More are still arriving."

"Highest level?"

"We have identified several level-six zombies and two that may be level seven. There could be stronger ones inside the buildings."

"Any intelligent zombies?"

"We haven’t seen one clearly, but the ordinary zombies are too organized. They enter the town in groups and remain in assigned areas instead of wandering."

Ye Xuan looked at the road ahead. "Has their movement changed since you sent the last report?"

"Not yet."

"Continue observing. Do not approach the town."

"Yes, Instructor."

After the call ended, Pei Ming leaned forward between the front seats. "Forty-three thousand isn’t enough to destroy Red Maple Base."

"No," Ye Xuan agreed. "But the gathering has only begun."

The map from City S suggested that several hundred thousand zombies would be used against each medium-sized base.

If small groups continued arriving throughout the day, the number inside the town could increase rapidly.

Chu Miao checked the time. "We should reach the observation point before dark."

They continued along the mountain road.

Two hours later, the convoy stopped beneath a rocky slope covered by withered bushes. The military observation team had hidden its vehicles beneath camouflage covers and set up a temporary camp inside a shallow cave.

Its four members came out to meet them.

The team leader handed Ye Xuan a tablet showing footage captured by a high-altitude drone.

The abandoned town was filled with zombies.

They stood inside streets, courtyards, warehouses, and damaged buildings. Some were packed so closely together that the ground could barely be seen.

Despite their numbers, the town was strangely quiet.

There were no aimless roars or fights over territory.

The zombies simply waited.

Chu Miao enlarged one section of the footage.

A level-six zombie stood on top of a bus. Whenever a new group entered the town, it raised one arm and pointed toward a particular street.

The arriving zombies followed its direction.

"It is directing them," Pei Ming said.

Gu Fan frowned. "Is that one of the generals?"

"No." Ye Xuan studied the zombie. "It is following orders too."

"How can you tell?"