Volume One: Mutation Chapter Fifty-Seven: Departure

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With the war over, the warriors of G15 once again donned their thick isolation suits to clear away the bodies beneath the city walls. If these corpses weren’t dealt with promptly, they would soon rot and stink, making the task even more unbearable. No one wanted to handle a pile of reeking flesh, so no matter how grueling, the bodies had to be collected now and burned.

Everyone was busy, except for Liu Cong and Liu Qingqing, who lingered idly. Liu Cong seemed indifferent, but Liu Qingqing felt extremely uncomfortable under the scrutinizing gazes of those passing by, and she pulled Liu Cong into a room to hide.

Liu Cong found it amusing and teased, “What’s the matter? In broad daylight, you’re dragging me into a room in front of everyone. Aren’t you afraid they’ll gossip?”

“Let them talk, it’s not like they haven’t before. I just feel embarrassed that everyone else is working and we’re the only ones idle,” Liu Qingqing replied with a hint of annoyance.

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. They wouldn’t ask a little fairy like you to work! Even if you wanted to, they wouldn’t let you.”

Liu Qingqing lay on the bed, her voice tinged with melancholy. “I feel so useless. I can’t do anything, and all I can do is hide behind you.”

Liu Cong comforted her, “Everyone has their own purpose. Don’t underestimate yourself. Your unique constitution allows you to cultivate with me, so you’re starting far ahead of others. This period of quiet is merely preparation for future greatness. One day, these people may need you to protect them.”

Beep-beep!

Suddenly, Liu Cong’s phone rang in his pocket. He checked it and saw a message from Zhang Chu: “Brother, I wanted to find you, but heard you’re resting. Once you’re done, come to the command room. There’s a new directive from above.”

Liu Cong showed Liu Qingqing the message and said wryly, “See? Us coming back to the room in broad daylight has indeed caused misunderstandings. Now they don’t even call, just text instead.”

Liu Qingqing glanced at the message, her cheeks instantly flushing red.

“That Uncle Zhang, even at his age, he’s still so improper, always thinking about silly things, hmph!”

“Haha!”

Liu Qingqing’s shy expression was adorable, making Liu Cong laugh. “To prevent further misunderstandings, I think we’d better head over right now!”

The two made their way to the command room, and it was clear that Zhang Chu was momentarily stunned upon seeing them.

He then wore a peculiar smile and said, “Brother, you arrived so quickly. At noon, I’ll have the kitchen prepare something nourishing for you. Young people need to take care of their health, you know.”

Liu Cong retorted, “I’m fit as can be. I don’t need it. Save it for yourself!”

Liu Qingqing blushed so deeply her neck turned red, silently cursing Zhang Chu for his lack of propriety.

“Hahaha! Alright, if you don’t want it, I’ll eat it myself later,” Zhang Chu laughed.

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“Enough joking, let’s get to business. What’s the new directive?” Liu Cong asked seriously.

Zhang Chu didn’t answer immediately, but glanced at Liu Qingqing, as if hesitant.

“Uncle Zhang, say whatever you need to. Qingqing isn’t an outsider.”

“Alright, I’ll be direct. Chief Zhang wants me to take you to Safe Zone No.1. As for the purpose, he didn’t say; most likely, we’ll learn once we’re there.”

“Safe Zone No.1?” Liu Cong was surprised.

He had heard many discussions lately about the top ten safe zones. The only thing certain was that their locations were scattered and well-hidden throughout China, each operating like an autonomous enclave, gathering a multitude of elite talents from various fields to develop independently.

The conditions were excellent, but entry was extremely difficult. To date, not a single photo of the top ten safe zones had leaked online—a testament to their mystery.

Liu Cong had always known he would eventually encounter these places, but he hadn’t expected it to be so soon, and to the most prestigious Safe Zone No.1.

Zhang Chu nodded. He wasn’t surprised when he received the news; after the missile incident caused such a stir, the higher-ups were bound to demand an explanation from G15.

“Yes, Safe Zone No.1. And we’re leaving today. If you’re free, we’ll board the plane after lunch.”

Zhang Chu made it clear: the directive was for him and Liu Cong only; no mention of a third person. Liu Qingqing understood.

Though she knew Liu Cong had to leave for that mysterious Safe Zone No.1 without her, Liu Qingqing felt a pang of sadness, but mostly reluctance to part.

“Zhang Chu, I’m willing to go to Safe Zone No.1, but I want to bring Qingqing with me,” Liu Cong said, frowning.

“Brother, this…”

“Uncle Zhang, Qingqing isn’t ordinary, as you know. She can cultivate. I intended to tell the Chief about this in person, so I must take her with me,” Liu Cong insisted.

Seeing Zhang Chu’s hesitation, Liu Cong smiled, “Uncle, we’re only going to meet the Chief, not to stay. He won’t mind.”

Zhang Chu finally relented, “Alright, bring Miss Liu with you. Get ready, and after lunch, we’ll depart.”

Throughout the conversation, Liu Qingqing bit her lip in silence. Once outside, she tugged at Liu Cong’s sleeve and whispered, “Brother Liu, is it troublesome for you to bring me? I can stay here and wait for you.”

Liu Cong laughed, “Don’t talk nonsense! How could you cultivate without me? Besides, I’m not lying. Once the Chief learns you can cultivate, he’ll be more than delighted! If I didn’t bring you, he’d probably scold me.”

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Hearing his easy assurance, Liu Qingqing didn’t know how much to believe, but her heart felt as sweet as honey.

At noon, after a simple meal in the canteen, they headed to the command room to assemble.

Seeing Liu Cong and Liu Qingqing traveling light, Zhang Chu laughed, “Brother, you and Miss Liu really aren’t bringing anything? What if we have to stay a few days? You’d better fetch some spare clothes.”

At his words, Liu Cong and Liu Qingqing exchanged glances and burst into laughter.

Zhang Chu felt vexed, not knowing why they found it funny. “Brother, I’m kindly reminding you to bring spare clothes. Is it really that amusing?”

“Ahem, Uncle Zhang, cultivators don’t need to change clothes. One set lasts ten years without getting dirty, so there’s no need for spares,” Liu Cong explained.

Only then did Zhang Chu realize he’d made a blunder; his well-intentioned advice was unnecessary. He felt a bit like his kindness was wasted and muttered, “Alright, if that’s the case, let’s depart directly.”

Zhang Chu shouldered a tactical pack, bulging with unknown contents, which caught Liu Qingqing’s curiosity as she glanced at it repeatedly.

They reached a high platform, where, in the distance, a helicopter waited on the landing pad—a model unfamiliar to them, bristling with heavy weaponry on both sides and beneath its hull. Its massive rotors whirled fiercely, sending gusts of wind their way.

Upon seeing Zhang Chu approach, a tactically helmeted crew member jogged over, took Zhang Chu’s pack, and stowed it in the helicopter.

Zhang Chu boarded first, followed by Liu Cong and Liu Qingqing. Inside, apart from Zhang Chu already seated, there were two heavily armed soldiers sitting upright with guns in hand.

One soldier, despite his military helmet and tactical goggles, was unmistakably foreign due to his distinctive hair color and pale skin.

Once Liu Cong and Liu Qingqing were aboard, the crew member who’d taken Zhang Chu’s pack closed the hatch firmly from outside. The cabin became much quieter after the heavy thunk.

It was Liu Qingqing’s first time on a helicopter, so she found everything novel, glancing around with curiosity.

As the helicopter slowly lifted off, she wanted to peer into the cockpit, but with two strangers nearby, she restrained herself, sitting quietly and maintaining her cool, ethereal composure.