Zombie Apocalypse: Reborn With A Farming Space Chapter 877 877: The Herders ( 10 )

A few moments afterward, Jin Xuyan and Jiao Lizhi caught the muffled sounds of a discussion drifting from outside. Upon recognizing the tongue those speakers used, the pair traded meaningful looks.

Guards typically spoke in the Thirteen Colonies' dialect, yet this group employed the Tsardom Kingdom's language. That detail by itself revealed Borislav Morozov had to be one of the outsiders present.

As though verifying their suspicion, a voice rang out: "General Morozov, we've already pushed the crystal mining to its limits. To boost production further, you'll need to dispatch additional miners."

"Aren't there slaves bred right here in the city? Simply dispatch them to the mine," came a reply in a female tone.

The man sighed deeply, frustration evident as he clarified, "Lady Morozov, those individuals are groomed as sacrificial offerings. Without clearance from the First Elder, we dare not lay a hand on them."

"Furthermore, those black crystals emit intense radiation. Ordinary folk touching them directly last no more than three months at best. The frail ones perish in just ten days."

"Once they drop dead, just ship in replacements. Why make such a fuss?" the woman snapped back furiously.

"Lady Morozov…"

Before the man could complete his sentence, a sharp interruption sliced through: "Enough!"

After a brief silence, the voice pressed on, "I'm in charge of this mission right now. No need to worry about the First Elder—I'll handle any questions from him. March those lambs straight to the mine."

"Understood."

By the time the group departed, Jin Xuyan had already relayed a message to his squad mates.

Outdoors, Zhang Yuan got the update and announced, "The Captain reports a shift in our strategy."

"Vice Captain, what's the issue?" Zhou Huajian inquired.

"Watch the base closely. Should a convoy depart, we tail them. They're hauling survivors to a crystal mine—we must pinpoint its whereabouts."

At those words, Chen Qianfeng raised a concern: "Vice Captain, if we all leave, what happens if the Captain and Sister-in-law require backup?"

Zhang Yuan pondered briefly before deciding, "Cheng Rui, Cheng Yue, Yu Fuyun—you three remain to support the Captain. Everyone else, come with me to locate the mine."

"Understood," the team affirmed with nods.

After waiting 20 minutes, a convoy of trucks emerged from the hidden base. Zhang Yuan gave the signal, and Feng Yun summoned several vehicles.

Du Beiye had upgraded these cars for icy terrain, ensuring no skids. No one knew her exact method, but now they boasted mini-missiles and whisper-quiet engines.

The squad hopped into the vehicles and shadowed the truck fleet discreetly.

To conceal their presence, headlights stayed off. Night vision goggles proved a lifesaver, letting them navigate the path clearly.

Nearly an hour's drive brought them to the factory district, where they held position outside among nearby structures.

Over an hour passed before the trucks rolled out from the factories, now loaded with more than 3,000 individuals.

Glancing at his map, Qin Luzi reported, "Vice Captain, scanning the civilians reveals 67 mutants in total."

Zhang Yuan nodded in response: "Stay on their trail."

En route, Qin Luzi sketched the path via his mental map. After over 6 hours of driving, they hit the western frontier zone.

The sight before the team left them dumbfounded.

Battle scars littered the landscape—shreds of flesh dusted with dirt and wriggling maggots. Farther off stood collapsed barriers and rubble heaps, resembling a demolished base in outline.

The group parked their rides in a concealed spot. Surveying the terrain, Feng Yun indicated a ruins-shadowed area: "Vice Captain, fewer sentries guard that section."

Zhang Yuan and the others peered where he gestured. Xiao Qi cross-checked with his map and noted, "Brother Feng, that's likely the cliff edge."

"Let's investigate," Zhang Yuan commanded.

Exiting the vehicles, the members watched Feng Yun stow them in his space.

Dark clouds hung low that day, and rising winds scattered snowflakes. The team yanked up masks to shield faces, exposing just their eyes.

Di Hansheng remarked mid-stride, "Thank goodness Sister-in-law supplied these outfits. Without them, forget fieldwork—we couldn't even step outside without freezing solid."

The others murmured agreement.

Conserving stamina, they fell silent. Chen Wenwu brought up the rear, steadily channeling his power to erase their tracks.

As the team's sole ice mutant, winter suited him perfectly. Surrounded by frost and flakes, his ability use dropped to its lowest since awakening.

Thus, despite hours of exertion from dawn, fatigue eluded him.

Twenty minutes on, they reached the cliffside.

True to expectations, no patrols lingered there. While comrades scouted infiltration routes, Gao Bohai and Li Sikai probed the precipice rim.

Soon, Gao Bohai called out, "Sikai, check this out."

Li Sikai approached, crouching down. Inspecting the cliff face closely, he declared, "Wheel tracks are visible here."

Gao Bohai scanned the vicinity: "No fight damage around. Survivors must have fled the conflict this way."