Volume One Mutation Chapter Twenty-Four The Noodle Shop
After the meeting ended, Liu Cong borrowed a satellite phone from Zhou Kang and called the Second Chief.
“Chief, I’ve killed the snake. The No. 16 safe zone has been restored. What should I do next?”
“We’re fully aware of the situation over there. But there’s one thing I haven’t told you yet. Everything that happened outside the No. 16 safe zone has been broadcast via satellite to all surviving humans worldwide. It wasn’t to show them how powerful you are, but to give them hope—a possibility that all this could someday end. In these chaotic times, people need a hero like you as a spiritual anchor. Only then can they see hope for survival.”
“That’s fine. I never intended to hide anything.”
“I’m truly gratified to hear that. I have another meeting to attend, so I won’t keep you. Stay where you are for now and await further instructions.”
After hanging up, Liu Cong rubbed his aching head. Suddenly, he realized: if they were still alive, Gu Yan and Jiang Hao might have seen him as well. Thinking of this made him feel sorrowful. The disaster had lasted a year, and he wondered whether his mother, far across the ocean, was safe.
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Outside the towering walls, bodies were loaded onto trucks, blood staining the wide beds crimson. Once the vehicles were full, they carried the corpses to the side of the white serpent, dumping them there until a mountain of bodies formed around the snake.
Standing atop the serpent, Liu Cong sliced off a large chunk of flesh with his sword and placed it in a freezer box carried by soldiers. The chief had instructed him to collect samples from the white serpent for research.
“I wonder if this meat is edible,” Liu Cong muttered, eyeing the massive snake’s body.
A soldier carrying a box responded boldly, grinning, “Chief, someone like you shouldn’t worry about having meat to eat.”
“I’m more concerned that you all won’t have meat. If this monster’s flesh is edible, I won’t burn it—just keep it frozen, and it’ll last a long time. What a pity,” Liu Cong said, shaking his head.
“You’re truly kind, Chief,” the young soldier replied, touched. “But even if the meat’s edible, I doubt many would dare eat it. These mutated creatures are terrifying.”
“Do you usually get to eat meat?”
“Meat? These days, having rice is a blessing. You have no idea how many people starved to death hiding from monsters, and many places don’t even have rice. We’re lucky here.”
Liu Cong fell silent, then turned to look at the sky. “Do you believe this? One day, I’ll wipe out all these monsters, and then every one of you will be able to eat your fill.”
The group exchanged glances. The young soldier stared at Liu Cong’s back and said earnestly, “We all believe you can do it.”
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Hundreds of soldiers spent eight hours gathering the bodies. Daylight faded to night. All the mutated creatures’ corpses were piled beside the white serpent, forming a second, immense black snake—a spectacular sight. With a handkerchief covering his nose, Liu Cong approached the heap. Once everyone else had retreated into the city, he ignited the pile. Black flames danced and spread like phantoms.
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Before long, the heap became a blazing dragon of fire, even the massive white serpent gradually melting away. From atop the city walls, soldiers cheered, chanting rhythmically, “Sword Immortal! Sword Immortal!” Their voices drew the attention of all around.
Covering his face, Liu Cong shot up into the sky and landed back inside the safe zone. In truth, he was modest and unaccustomed to such enthusiastic praise.
Returning home, Liu Cong changed into loose, comfortable clothes. His residence was meticulously arranged; not only was it cleaned daily by staff, but his wardrobe was filled with well-fitting garments. He couldn’t help but marvel at how, even in the apocalypse, they had managed to collect so many clothes—it was remarkable.
Dressed anew and wearing a mask, Liu Cong strolled through the narrow but lively streets. Perhaps the night in this post-apocalyptic world made people reluctant to be alone, for the roads were crowded, giving the impression of a bustling marketplace.
Wandering amid the crowds, the lively scene reminded him of ordinary life before the cataclysm, filling him with a nostalgic warmth. Turning a street corner, he spotted a noodle shop called “Blue Province Ramen.” Pausing, he recalled the taste from his memories and, unable to resist, went inside. He found an empty corner, sat facing the wall, and removed his mask.
“Boss! One bowl of ramen, please!”
“Sir, we require payment first…” A young woman in an apron approached, but upon seeing Liu Cong’s face, she covered her mouth in astonishment, her eyes wide.
“Shh,” Liu Cong pressed a finger to his lips.
“So, it’s payment first, right? What do you accept—money?” Liu Cong smiled, seeing her still stunned.
“No, no, we don’t take money!” she blurted.
A burly man at the next table overheard and joined in, “Hey, little sister, why aren’t you charging? Are you still taking cash these days?”
His Northeast accent was comical. The young woman raised her brows, hands on her hips, and scolded, “Eat your noodles! Eating doesn’t shut you up!” She glanced at Liu Cong’s smiling face, blushed, and hurried into the kitchen.
Soon, she brought out a large bowl of noodles, placing it gently in front of Liu Cong. “Cash isn’t used anymore. Money is useless now. The government issued new laws—people earn credit points through labor. We run the shop, and customers pay with credit points. Once enough are accumulated, they can be exchanged with the government for goods—lots of good things!”
“Oh? What kind of good things?” Liu Cong asked as he ate, curious.
“Houses, food, even satellite phones! With enough points, you can apply to move to one of the top ten safe zones!” Her eyes sparkled as she spoke, evidently dreaming of better things.
Liu Cong paused. Was there something special about the top ten safe zones?
Noticing his confusion, the young woman looked astonished. “Oh heavens! Did the government lie to us? You don’t even know what the top ten safe zones are like?”
Embarrassed, Liu Cong explained, “I was unconscious for a long time. Only woke up a few days ago and spent most of my time on the road, so I haven’t learned much about these things.”
Relieved, the young woman patted her chest. Liu Cong glanced at her and instinctively looked away.
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“I was so scared! I thought the government was deceiving us. If even you can’t get in, nobody from our safe zone could ever live there!”
“What’s so good about it? You seem eager to move. Isn’t it nice here?”
“What’s nice here? They say people in the top ten safe zones eat meat every day, can shower with running water, even swim! They’ve kept many living animals there, maybe even cats. I used to have a cat, but we got separated. I wonder how it is now…” Her face clouded with sadness.
Unsure how to comfort her, Liu Cong shifted the topic. “You’re quite skilled. These noodles taste just like the ones I had before.”
Her eyes curved into crescents, her teeth white and bright as she smiled. “Of course! Our family makes the best noodles. I hand-knead every batch myself.”
Seeing her radiant smile, Liu Cong felt his spirits lift. After finishing, he asked, “How do you pay with credit points?”
“You don’t need to pay! You saved our entire city!”
“Oh, alright—but please tell me anyway. I’m just curious how the payment works.”
The young woman pointed to his wrist. “Is that the government-issued watch? You can pay with it—just scan, or you can set up a transfer.”
Enlightened, Liu Cong fiddled with the watch, discovering it automatically connected to the shop’s network and prompted him for payment.
Seeing him about to pay, the young woman waved her hands anxiously. “No, no, you don’t need to!”
Liu Cong smiled helplessly. “Alright, thank you for the noodles. I’ll come again.”
He donned his mask and left the shop, turning the corner as the bright-eyed girl watched him go.
When Liu Cong’s figure disappeared, the young woman reluctantly returned inside. Suddenly, the shop’s register beeped: “Ding! Points credited: ten thousand.”
She rushed to the doorway, but only saw crowds on the street—Liu Cong was nowhere to be found.