"Long, assign a hundred people, split into groups of four for mutual vigilance, and extend the gun line."

"Yes!"

"Er Long, take fifty people and follow Zhu Xiang to cut off the source of the infection. We absolutely cannot let these things cause a secondary infection."

"Understood."

"The rest of you, go with Huang Sheng and Wu Zhihong. Temporarily bury the infected bodies after cutting them. These things will swallow each other and grow stronger; we can't let them easily find food."

"Yes!"

Cheng Ye hadn't expected his first time commanding would go so smoothly, without a hint of awkwardness.

It was even easier than organizing a picnic for forty people during his college outings, without worrying about who hadn't finished their mobile games, who had dietary restrictions, or who had cleanliness issues...

The three hundred people at Celestial Essence Mall were like soldiers in a game, executing commands without question.

Ultimately, it's because on one hand, everyone worked together seamlessly, and on the other hand, because...

"After the Pioneer Corps disbanded, many people were allocated to Zone B-7."

The dampness in the air was overwhelming, and Elder Song couldn't help but cough twice, "Like in the Chaoyang Electronics Factory District where you live, Inspector, most of them are veterans of the Pioneer Corps. We've undergone defensive training against infection tides in the wilderness. As long as we haven't forgotten our skills, we can spontaneously find the connection point and join forces to defend, even without anyone commanding us!"

"The Pioneer Corps..."

Cheng Ye suddenly paused, something came to his mind, "Did my father also serve in the Pioneer Corps?"

"He was the first Inspector of the Pioneer Corps."

Elder Song quickly nodded and replied, "And it was when he was as young as you. Coincidentally, your grandfather passed away unexpectedly, and he joined the Pioneer Corps as an Inspector, swearing to avenge your grandfather. He stayed for two and a half years before leaving and returning to the inspection station."

Revenge?

Cheng Ye felt a strange sensation rising within him.

With Cheng Long's abilities, was it really to seek revenge outside?

Or did Cheng Wu leave Cheng Long with such a mess that he couldn't even return to the inspection station, forcing him to hide in the Pioneer Corps until he had trained enough to protect himself before he dared to return?

If that's the case, then Cheng Long's beginning was more disastrous than mine!

"I just heard shouting over there... was it a Fusion Body?"

Celestial Essence Mall had already defended against four waves of ordinary infected bodies. Initially, everyone was a bit tense, but then they realized that these monsters, although tougher, were easier to deal with than mutant beasts due to their lack of intelligence.

"It was a Fusion Body. I couldn't handle it alone and had to come ask for everyone's help."

"Inspector Cheng, this isn't about us helping you, it's... you protecting us!"

Cheng Ye wanted to say more about the dangers of the Fusion Body, but Elder Song unexpectedly interrupted him.

"Having the residents of the electronics factory district rallying for you proves they've fully accepted you. I guess you didn't run away when facing that monster, did you?"

"Uh... no!"

Cheng Ye was slightly taken aback; he indeed hadn't run away.

After repelling the Fusion Body, he immediately pursued it, not adopting a passive stance of point defense.

Then everyone started firing, shooting at the Fusion Body, unleashing a battle cry so intense that merely recalling it now sent shivers through his soul.

"Running is us assisting you."

"Killing is you protecting us."

"That's the fundamental difference, Inspector Cheng; you cannot confuse this crucial point. It concerns the belief, it concerns..."

Elder Song patted his heart, his lips barely moving, with his voice so low only the two of them could hear:

"Why we fight at all!"

...

Boom.

The iron rolling shutter doors of Celestial Essence Mall lowered back down, shutting out the gazes of thousands.

Cheng Ye turned and looked at the already neatly lined-up three hundred people, feeling a rush of emotion.

This was truly a grand spectacle!

He had seen extras filming in Hengdian and similar scenes before.

But the eyes of these extras never had this nearly tangible, mixed aura imbued with iron and bravery, almost forming visible sharpness.

But.

Facing the Starfish Infected Body, the three hundred people at the mall had almost no protective gear. Everyone could only mimic his previous method, covering exposed areas of their body with scraps of cloth.

Weapons were even more scarce—most handguns were severely worn, with each person carrying only two magazines, scrounged from other mall personnel.

If these bullets were used up without clearing the infection tide in B-7, they would have to charge with cold weapons.

However, for Inspector Cheng Ye, this wasn't a big issue.

He quickly operated the Defense Communication, rapidly pinpointing two emergency supply points for ammunition in Zone B-7.

One was located at the western end adjacent to Zone B-6, and the other near the border of Zone A-11.

Even though the hidden volume of ammunition was unclear, it would at least prolong the time before their firepower was exhausted.

"Let's go, head toward B-6 for equipment and ammunition!"

"Yes!"

At Cheng Ye's command, three hundred voices answered in unison.

The efforts of the predecessors ensure comfort for the successors.

The significance of the Pioneer Corps extended beyond just broadening Happiness City's boundaries under radiation exposure; it was in fostering a militia capable of immediate combat readiness.

Like embers hidden within a stove, once the vent is opened, it can reignite!

However, just as the team turned out of the district, Cheng Ye's eyes suddenly narrowed, spotting the Fusion Body that had escaped!

The creature clung to the wall of a small building several hundred meters away, casting a long glance at the team before decisively fleeing at high speed.

Clearly, after suffering a setback, it knew its strength wasn't enough to confront this army head-on.

"Has it gone to another zone?"

Cheng Ye took out a map, glanced at it, and noted that just less than a kilometer ahead past the small building lay Zone B-3.

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