There was only one staff mber left inside.
"Zhu Yan-jie, what’s happening outside?"
She hurriedly stood up.
She had heard the commotion outside, but since she was the only one on duty today, she didn’t dare leave her post recklessly, afraid of missing critical information.
Jin Zhuyan didn’t waste ti explaining.
Instead, she imdiately instructed the other person to activate both the base’s broadcast system and the external radio transmitter.
With just three sentences, she succinctly conveyed the crisis unfolding in the base.
Before she could even finish speaking, the young woman on duty paled in horror and bolted outside.
Once Jin Zhuyan finished, she pressed the loop playback button before hastily leaving.
The mont she got into the car, she slamd the accelerator and sped away.
Straight toward the base’s rear exit.
A large base like this couldn’t possibly have only one entrance.
Though the back gate was rarely used, it had always been there—specifically for ergencies like this.
As their vehicle roared to life, familiar faces had already turned into ravenous zombies, tearing into others with frenzied savagery.
Those still alive, faced with the sight of their friends and loved ones, couldn’t bring themselves to fight back.
They could only scream in agony, helpless as they were mauled, blood pouring from their wounds.
The entire base had descended into chaos.
"Mom! How can we just abandon Dad and run away? I can’t believe you!"
Shen Yan’s voice was hoarse from crying, his fists pounding against the car window in fury.
His hands were bloodied from the impact.
Jin Zhuyan ignored him, steering the car onto a deserted path, avoiding everyone in their way.
Ahead lay barren fields, and beyond them, a stark, treeless mountain.
The mont they reached the foot of the mountain, the car screeched to a stop.
Jin Zhuyan stepped out and flung open the back door.
The second it opened, Shen Yan shoved past her, trying to run back.
But Jin Zhuyan’s voice cut through like steel.
"Take one more step, and I’ll kill myself right here."
Shen Yan whipped around—only to see Jin Zhuyan pressing a gun to her own temple.
His pupils trembled violently. "Mom, what are you doing?! Have you lost your mind?!"
Jin Zhuyan’s gaze was unwavering, her voice heavy with emotion.
"Ah Yan, your father and I only have you. The base is lost today. Countless lives will be taken. But as Shen Tianlei’s son, do you understand what you’re ant to carry?"
Shen Yan froze.
Jin Zhuyan continued, "Going back now won’t help anyone—it’ll just an one more corpse. Do you want their sacrifices to be in vain?"
Her eyes reddened.
Shen Tianlei and the others had charged into the fray to buy ti for the rest of the base.
But now, the battle was over. Even if Shen Yan returned, nothing would change.
"What you *must* do now is go to Yun City. Find Xiao Xiao and the others. That Zombie King is a scourge that must be destroyed—but not yet. Not like this. You and I are no match for it alone. We need allies."
Her voice softened. "Ah Yan, I know you can do this. Don’t I?"
Truthfully, she didn’t want him seeking revenge.
She just wanted him to live.
But if she didn’t say this, he’d never leave.
And in this apocalyptic world, survival without strength was impossible.
To grow stronger, there could be no comfort—only challenge, risk, and relentless struggle.
She knew her son. Playful, reckless on the surface—but beneath it, sharp-witted and decisive.
If he set his mind to it, he could rise to greatness.
As Jin Zhuyan’s words sank in, Shen Yan’s head dropped, his teeth sinking into his lower lip.
His fists clenched, tears streaming unchecked.
"But... but Dad—!"
He’d always called him "old man," cheeky and irreverent.
But he loved him. Loved him fiercely.
To him, his father was a hero.
He’d never imagined they’d part like this—without even a goodbye.
Jin Zhuyan didn’t answer. Instead, she gripped his shoulders, her eyes filled with pain and resolve.
"Ah Yan. *Live.*"
Then she was back in the driver’s seat, slamming the car into reverse.
Shen Yan: !!!
He sprinted after the vehicle.
"Mom! Where are you going?!"
Why wasn’t she letting him in?
Wasn’t she coming with him?
Inside the car, Jin Zhuyan wept silently, her jaw clenched as she spun the wheel and accelerated away.
Shen Yan lunged—but the car was already peeling off, leaving him behind.
"Mom! I’m still here!!"
The car didn’t stop.
He ran like a madman, but the distance only grew, the vehicle shrinking into the horizon.
When it vanished completely, his legs gave out.
He crashed to his knees, screaming into the scorching silence.
"JIN ZHUYAN!!"
No answer ca. Only the rciless glare of the sun.
Shen Yan buried his face in his hands, his body wracked with sobs.
"Why... why leave alone...?"
His voice shattered.
"Mom... it’s just now..."
The words spilled out, drenched in despair.
After a long mont of hesitation, he resolutely stood up and sprinted toward the direction of Ren City Base.
However, the distance to Ren City Base was still vast.
Even if he ran the entire way, it would take at least an hour and a half on foot.
By the ti he finally arrived, panting and drenched in sweat, sneaking back into the base, the place was already overrun with zombies and corpses.
Blood stained every surface.
Crouching behind a corner, he scanned the area, searching for any sign of Shen Tianlei and Jin Zhuyan.
Suddenly, the sound of a violent struggle reached his ears.
His eyes sharpened, and he swiftly dodged the nearby zombies, rushing toward the commotion.
When he arrived, he saw Tong Zhan gripping Jin Zhuyan’s shoulders, forcing her head down as he sank his teeth into her neck.
Beside her lay Shen Tianlei’s lifeless body, a knife buried deep in his chest. Blood gushed from the wound, pooling crimson on the ground.
The mont she was bitten, Jin Zhuyan’s body convulsed violently, yet she didn’t utter a single sound.
Shen Yan bit down on his lip so hard it bled, his eyes bulging, his nails digging into his palms—yet he felt no pain.
A surge of blood welled up in his throat and spilled from his lips.
His gaze locked onto Tong Zhan’s face, as if searing it into the darkest recesses of his mory.
He fought back the overwhelming urge to charge forward.
*Don’t move!*
*I can’t die!*
*Not yet—I have to avenge them!*
Wiping the tears from his eyes, he spun around and bolted back toward the outskirts of the base.
As he ran, silent sobs wracked his body.
Tears stread down his face, scattering like drops of rain in the wind.
Yun Xiaoxiao and the others had set out the mont they received the ssage, pushing their speed to the limit.
But in the end… they were still a step too late.
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