Chapter 536: Fighting on Two Fronts

The transport vessel turned toward the abandoned quarry while the first zombie army continued rushing toward Qinghe Base from the north.

Commander Han looked from one threat to the other, and a trace of helplessness appeared in his eyes. "We do not have enough ability users to fight both sides."

"We will not divide them equally," Lu Zhen replied as he studied the moving red lines on the alien communicator. "Most of Qinghe Base’s fighters should defend the northern wall. The Dominion Squad will stop the transport vessel from recovering the gate anchor."

Commander Han frowned. "Your team cannot fight an alien ship alone."

"We do not need to destroy it immediately. We only need to keep it away from the anchor until the explosives are in place."

"The quarry has not been prepared," Commander Han reminded him. "We were still moving explosives there when the western gate opened."

Ouyang Jin checked the military frequency before explaining, "Three trucks reached the quarry, but the soldiers could not unload everything before the guardian units appeared. The explosives should still be inside the vehicles."

Lu Zhen looked toward the gate anchor’s location. "Then we will use what is there."

Leng Pan handed the infant to his mother after confirming that the silver light had disappeared from his eyes. The woman held the child close and repeatedly thanked her, but Leng Pan only asked one of Commander Han’s soldiers to escort them to the eastern training grounds.

When she returned to Lu Zhen’s side, he reached for her without saying anything.

His fingers moved over her arms and shoulders as he checked for injuries. After finding a shallow burn near her collarbone, his expression became colder.

Leng Pan looked down at the mark and assured him, "It does not hurt much."

"That does not mean it should be ignored."

"We have a zombie army approaching and an alien vessel trying to recover a gate. This might not be the best time to apply medicine."

Lu Zhen removed a small bottle from his space and placed it in her hand. "Then you can apply it while we discuss the plan."

Leng Pan glanced at the bottle before looking into his eyes. Concern remained hidden beneath his calm expression, and she knew he would continue thinking about the injury if she refused.

She opened the bottle and applied the medicine. "Satisfied?"

"Not yet."

Before she could ask what else he wanted, Lu Zhen touched her cheek and leaned forward to kiss her forehead. His lips remained there for a moment longer than the situation required.

Lu Tao looked away with great consideration.

Ouyang Jin pretended to be studying the northern wall.

Commander Han cleared his throat and examined a broken building that had suddenly become very interesting.

Leng Pan placed one hand against Lu Zhen’s chest and looked up at him. "Are you trying to make everyone forget that we are in the middle of a battle?"

"I am making sure my wife knows that she should return safely."

She smiled and adjusted the collar of his damaged coat. "You should do the same. I have no intention of returning home alone."

Lu Zhen covered her hand with his and lowered his voice. "You will never have to."

A warning from the alien communicator interrupted them.

[Undead Unit One entering attack range.]

The base’s northern weapons began firing.

The first shells crossed the sky and exploded among the zombies, throwing soil and broken bodies into the air. However, the horde did not slow down. The zombies behind trampled over the fallen ones and continued rushing toward the wall.

Commander Han pressed his radio and ordered, "Northern teams, follow the planned firing sequence. Do not waste ammunition by attacking the same section. Earth ability users should prepare the first trench."

A deep vibration passed beneath Qinghe Base.

Beyond the northern wall, the ground split open in front of the approaching horde. The first rows of zombies fell into the trench, but those behind them continued moving until their bodies began filling it.

Lu Tao stared at the scene displayed on the alien communicator. "They are using the fallen zombies to create a bridge."

Captain Wei, who remained on Shade’s back, looked toward the northern wall and said, "They are not doing it by accident. Something is giving them orders."

Lu Zhen studied the horde. "Can you locate the command subject?"

"The signal is hidden among thousands of zombies. I would need to get closer."

"You are in no condition to approach them," Commander Han replied firmly. "You have already done enough."

Captain Wei touched the metal device connected to his head. "This thing might kill me whether I rest or not. I would rather use it while I still can."

Commander Han wanted to refuse, but a roar from beyond the northern wall ended their conversation.

Several massive zombies rose above the horde.

They were taller than the ordinary mutated zombies, and thick bone armor covered their heads, shoulders, and chests. Each one carried a large piece of metal that had been torn from abandoned vehicles.

The giant zombies threw the metal toward Qinghe Base.

One piece struck the northern wall and damaged a defensive weapon. Another flew over the wall and crashed into a residential building.

The soldiers on the northern side called for reinforcements.

Commander Han looked at Lu Zhen. "I need to go."

"Take Captain Wei with you," Lu Zhen advised. "Keep him behind the wall and use his connection to find the command subject."

Commander Han nodded before turning toward Shade. "Will the wolf allow me to ride with him?"

Shade looked at the commander and bared his teeth.

Commander Han stopped walking. "I will find another vehicle."

Captain Wei patted Shade’s neck and said, "He might be concerned that you are too heavy."

Commander Han stared at him. "You were nearly controlled into destroying this base, but you still have the energy to insult me?"

"It might be my last opportunity."

Commander Han shook his head before helping Captain Wei into a military vehicle.

After they left, Lu Zhen turned toward the Dominion Squad. "Assistant Yao, Vanish, Sonny, and the prisoner will remain in the aircraft. They will stop the transport vessel from reaching the quarry. Ouyang Jin will take Silk, Blaze, Janna, and ZaiZai to the northern wall. Lu Hao, Lu Tao, Su Yan, and Shade should stay inside the base and protect the civilians."

Lu Tao immediately protested, "Why am I being left behind?"

"Someone needs to monitor the alien communicator and tell both groups if the enemy changes its movements."

"I could do that from the quarry."

"You could also be killed by the transport vessel."

Lu Tao opened his mouth to argue, but Lu Zhen continued, "Mother would blame me."

"She would blame me first."

"She would blame both of us, and I would still have to listen to her after you were dead."

Lu Tao thought about his brother facing their mother alone and finally accepted the decision. "Fine, but you should bring the gate anchor back if you can."

Leng Pan stared at him. "Do you still want to collect it after it nearly opened a passage into my space?"