The Base That Astonished Tang Qiqiang

Tang Qiqiang’s expression darkened as well. If it weren’t for Xue Feng’s words, he might never have noticed something like this.

“Is the evolution of these zombies going to continue indefinitely?” Tang Qiqiang couldn’t help but ask.

If that were truly the case, humanity would inevitably face its end.

“That remains to be seen. Further research is needed,” Nie Xiaoyue replied calmly, her gaze even tinged with excitement.

For a scientist, nothing brings greater joy than a major discovery.

Especially when it comes to zombies and crystal nuclei—Nie Xiaoyue had never ventured into this field before.

It was something humanity had never encountered.

This filled Nie Xiaoyue with energy and enthusiasm.

Human research had, in recent decades, begun to slow. Many fields had stagnated for decades, unable to progress further due to the limitations of basic technology.

The smallest particle humanity could discover was the quark.

Existing technology couldn’t break through to analyze quarks any further.

But what stood before Nie Xiaoyue now was a new world, never before discovered.

It might even challenge humanity’s previous understanding of reality.

“All right, this isn’t the place to talk. Let’s head upstairs,” Xue Feng said.

Nearby, zombies were constantly howling, making conversation all but impossible.

“Right—later, reinforce the iron cage and add a defensive measure. If this zombie evolves into a mutant, the cage might not hold it,” Xue Feng reminded Nie Xiaoyue.

Ordinary zombies couldn’t possibly break through the iron cage.

But mutants were different.

Who knew what strange abilities they might possess?

“Understood,” Nie Xiaoyue nodded.

She’d already considered this, planning to continue her research to see under what conditions zombies might mutate.

Was it possible for all zombies, or just a select few?

Xue Feng returned to the office, calling Shen Ruoyan over as well.

Now, before Xue Feng sat Tang Qiqiang, Zhao Weisuo, and Shen Ruoyan.

Shen Ruoyan and Zhao Weisuo took seats on the nearby sofa.

Tang Qiqiang, however, remained humble, only sitting down after Xue Feng invited him.

“Old Tang, do you have people who know how to grow vegetables and fruit?” Xue Feng asked directly.

“Yes, quite a few. My wife can too,” Tang Qiqiang answered quickly.

After the apocalypse broke out, they’d been trapped in their residential compound.

Some had tried growing cucumbers and similar crops at home.

It had worked—fruit had actually grown.

But the area and quantity were far too limited.

“That’s good. Next time I go scavenging, I’ll bring back some seeds. The land we’ve set aside can be planted, so starting tomorrow, have the fields prepared. I’ll leave this task to your wife—how does that sound?” Xue Feng said.

“No problem—thank you, sir!” Tang Qiqiang was deeply grateful.

This essentially meant his wife would hold a management position, giving her influence within the base.

“Then I’ll upgrade your wife’s status to C-level personnel,” Xue Feng nodded.

He then asked Shen Ruoyan how best to arrange the new arrivals.

The elderly, women, and children would work the fields; how should the able-bodied adults be assigned?

“We have plenty of weapons now, but we lack combat personnel. It’s time to strengthen that aspect,” Shen Ruoyan had long had a plan.

Earlier, manpower had been insufficient—some plans couldn’t be implemented.

“Go into more detail,” Xue Feng grew interested.

Shen Ruoyan smiled and began to elaborate.

First, train the newcomers brought by Tang Qiqiang, and familiarize them with the base’s arsenal.

They needed to become qualified warriors, not just people holding guns.

Next, increase patrols around the base.

Any change in the surroundings had to be detected immediately.

It wasn’t enough to stay inside the safe house.

Otherwise, when other survivors or powerful mutants attacked, it would be too late.

If the enemy breached the base, it would cause massive destruction.

Destruction was always easier than construction.

“Keep the enemy outside the gate, then,” Xue Feng mused, recalling the phrase.

“Exactly,” Shen Ruoyan nodded.

Xue Feng was about to assign Tang Qiqiang to handle this.

After all, these were Tang Qiqiang’s people, and he held authority among them.

But then Xue Feng noticed Shen Ruoyan wink at him, signaling with her eyes toward Zhao Weisuo.

He immediately understood Shen Ruoyan’s intention.

She wanted Zhao Weisuo to train Tang Qiqiang and his group.

A safeguard of sorts.

Should Tang Qiqiang’s group cause internal strife, Zhao Weisuo could detect it at once.

It wasn’t that Shen Ruoyan distrusted Tang Qiqiang.

But in the apocalypse, human nature was complex.

She’d already been betrayed by someone she had rescued, so how could she easily trust a group of strangers?

“All right—the training is yours. Take them out for drills and patrols,” Xue Feng said to Zhao Weisuo.

“No problem,” Zhao Weisuo nodded, a smile tugging at her lips.

To her, weak men were subordinates.

And she excelled at training them.

After all, Zhao Weisuo had once been in charge of a base herself.

Her former profession was a teacher.

But after the apocalypse erupted, her combat talents shone.

A woman leading them?

Tang Qiqiang’s brow twitched; he doubted her capability.

His years as a mercenary had taught him women weren’t suited for combat.

Despite what films showed—female mercenaries were rare on real battlefields.

This was a job for those who licked the blade—what woman would volunteer for that?

It was all for ratings—casting beauties in action roles.

“Rest assured, sir. I’ll cooperate fully and obey all orders,” Tang Qiqiang quickly pledged.

He made a point of saying he’d follow orders.

Tang Qiqiang wasn’t foolish; he knew Zhao Weisuo was there to monitor the group.

To him, it seemed unnecessary.

With Xue Feng’s powerful abilities overseeing the base, neither he nor his brothers would dare harbor any ill intent.

Especially since Xue Feng had saved their lives.

Tang Qiqiang considered himself no ingrate.

Yet he understood Xue Feng’s reasoning—anyone, in the apocalypse, would be cautious about trusting others.

But could a woman really lead their training?