Zombie Apocalypse: Reborn With A Farming Space Chapter 878 878: The Herders ( 11 )

Li Sikai pondered briefly before murmuring, "Vice Commander Wen mentioned his brother broadcast a message over the radio the day Red Cliff Base got attacked."

"Is it possible this spot is the Red Cliff Base, with him as the fleeing one?" Gao Bohai remarked.

This realization hit them, prompting a slide down the cliff to the iced-over river below. Ice concealed it, yet chain tracks remained visible. Pursuing those marks revealed a direction toward the city.

Drawing that inference, Gao Bohai grabbed his phone and tapped in a sequence of digits. Several rings passed before the line connected.

"Bohai, what's the matter?"

"Ruiyue, we've located the Red Cliff Base."

"How on earth did you track it down?" Yuan Ruiyue inquired, surprise evident in her tone.

"Following the herders to the black crystal mine site, we surveyed the surroundings on arrival and discovered this is the Red Cliff Base," Gao Bohai clarified.

"Moreover, we spotted signs of a vehicle fleeing the base along the river. The tracks head cityward. No need for you and your group to rush over."

"Red Cliff Base lies in the western border region. Consult the map, trace the river, and investigate spots where Wen Hanyu might head."

After brief silence, Yuan Ruiyue questioned, "What's the status over there?"

"The whole base lies in ruins, leveled flat. Relay to the survivors they shouldn't bother coming. The organization now controls this area."

"Got it."

Once the call ended, Gao Bohai and Li Sikai rejoined their team, relaying the key findings.

Zhang Yuan messaged their Captain, then announced moments later, "Captain instructs us to hold position here awaiting his command."

"Vice Captain, our battle suits shield against the chill, but camping exposed outdoors isn't feasible," Yin Yusheng pointed out.

Zhang Yuan hadn't responded yet when Chen Wenwu suggested, "Why not carve a shelter into the cliff face? It'd conceal us from foes and provide warmth."

"We'll follow Wenwu's plan," Zhang Yuan approved with a nod.

The team descended the cliff, aided by Di Hansheng who kept them hovering in the air.

Thick ice blanketed the cliff, forcing Chen Wenwu and Su Ruanyi to collaborate in excavating a cavern large enough for everyone.

With just two women in the group right now, they created a compact cave specifically for the females.

By completion, lunchtime had long passed. Everyone entered the cave, ignited two campfires, and began preparing meals.

Though their Captain ordered them to wait, battle timing remained uncertain. Thus, Xiao Qi generously extracted plentiful ingredients from his space.

One fire simmered a hearty braised beef stew laced with glass noodles, while the other roasted mutton alongside grilled onions, carrots, spring onions, potatoes, and tomatoes.

This beef and mutton came from mutant beasts hunted in Jinxing City close to Green Lake Base. The creatures' savage nature allowed only a handful of live mutant cow and lamb pairs to be transported back. Others perished or suffered severe injuries.

At that time, their Captain selected the fittest survivors among them and presented those to his fiancée. Remaining live mutants went to Green Lake Base for reproduction.

They hadn't questioned the Captain's motive for gifting live mutants to his fiancée initially. Yet witnessing Sister-in-law endlessly produce mutant meat revealed her space's extraordinary ability.

With fresh recruits now aboard, veteran members assisted Jiao Lizhi in concealing her space's secret.

As team members savored lunch, beyond the demolished high wall, crowds of ordinary folk got ushered into a vast underground cavern at the base's heart.

The cavern's entry yawned as a hole over 50 meters wide. Steep walls held multiple ladders. Nearby, laborers hauled up barrel after barrel brimming with black crystals.

Commoners advanced toward the pit when guards approached.

Positioned steps ahead, a guard jabbed a finger their way and demanded, "These the lambs from the farm?"

Escorting guards nodded; their leader responded, "The Herders instructed to notify if lambs dwindle. They demand 20% output hike by month's end."

Hearing that, the foreman swore quietly and grumbled, "They expect these frail lambs to spike output that high?"

"See them? Mostly frail and ill. Exposure to black crystals lets them endure five days tops."

His words sparked panic among the commoners. One woman mustered bravery, stepping forward to confront their escort leader.

"S-sir, what does he mean? Weren't we headed for jobs? Why this place?" she stammered, eyes wide with terror as she scanned around.

The guard eyed her coldly and stated, "Mining crystals here is your task."

Finished, he addressed the foreman: "I merely passed the Herders' word. Lodge complaints with them directly."

With that, he spun away, his squad trailing.

Witnessing his departure, commoners lunged to pursue, only to get halted by guards after mere steps.