“We have a new companion, a mutant who woke up just over a month ago. They’ve been staying at the Coastal Base, specifically in the dormitory area of the Coastal Central School. We want to take them out, but we can’t find a legitimate reason to enter the dormitory area. Can you help us come up with a valid excuse to get in? We need at least four slots… no, three would suffice.”
“Awakened mutants at the Coastal Central School?” Jiang Huan exclaimed, “How is that possible? Aren’t mutants all coming from zombies? Based on what you’ve told me before… Could it be that mutants can also be created directly from humans?”
“There’s no such precedent,” Shen Shanwu said. “And it’s unlikely to happen in the future.”
“How did he manage to get into the school?” Jiang Huan asked, only realizing after he spoke that he had asked a rather foolish question. Shen Shanwu would either refuse to answer or provide a method so unconventional that a regular person wouldn’t even think of it – something like teleportation or invisibility. If it was something like that, there was no point in discussing prevention.
“…Before I met you again, I always thought our Coastal Base’s security was impenetrable, like a fortress. But now, why do I feel like we’re no different from a sieve? If my grandfather found out, he’d probably be so frustrated he’d faint.”
Shen Shanwu smiled, “No, the security along the coast is very tight, even mutants can’t get in.”
The living proof of the opposite of that statement was sitting right there in the room, so Shen Shanwu quickly added, “I’m an exception among exceptions, not applicable.”
“So you mean, your new companion might have been inside the base from the beginning?” Eliminating other possibilities, the remaining answer made Jiang Huan’s pupils involuntarily contract, “…Locked up a zombie in some part of the school dormitory area for a long time?”
“Mhm,” Shen Shanwu nodded. “That’s what we’re thinking too.”
Since the incident at the Saint Harmony Hospital, humans had been suspecting that mutants had a unique way of sensing each other, otherwise, it couldn’t explain how the highly classified human research within the hospital was exposed.
If it hadn’t been for the mutants breaking into the hospital overnight, no one would have realized the hidden depths within that seemingly unremarkable small clinic.
Having heard Shen Shanwu’s words, Jiang Huan’s initial shock subsided quickly, and he became more certain of this inference. After a moment of contemplation, he calmly nodded and said, “I understand. You mentioned needing three spots, including yourself. Where are the people located? Do you need me to go outside the city to pick them up?”
“No need for that, we only need a legitimate reason to search the dormitory area,” Shen Shanwu replied, dropping any pretense at this point. “Do you have any ideas?”
Upon hearing this, Jiang Huan lowered his gaze, crossed his legs, and half-sat on the edge of the bed, deep in thought. “The school dormitory area, three people…”
“Could you get a maintenance worker identity?” Shen Shanwu suggested, “Like… a filter inspection and repair?”
Jiang Huan shook his head, “The filters are regularly replaced by a dedicated department. It’s a crucial task and a lucrative job. That department reports directly to the Base Chairman, and I can’t meddle in that.”
“Alright then, how about repairing water pipes? Cables? Door locks?”
Jiang Huan shook his head for each suggestion, ruthlessly stifling Shen Shanwu’s budding career as a maintenance worker, “I’m not in an administrative position, and I don’t know anyone in those areas. Your identities are quite sensitive, and I can’t act recklessly. If we leave any evidence, the consequences could be unimaginable…”
Shen Shanwu feigned a look of disdain, “Jiang Huan, I’ve misjudged you. After all these years, you haven’t managed to gather any connections.”
Jiang Huan couldn’t exactly say that most of his energy had been spent reminiscing about Shen Shanwu for all these years. He cleared his throat, trying to salvage whatever remained of his dignity, “You know, my influence mainly centers around the mercenary team…”
His implication was clear: giving the order to arm and attack someone was no problem, but giving the order to arm and fix a plumbing issue was out of the question.
Shen Shanwu began to doubt the accuracy of the Prophet’s premonition. Was it really suggesting that Jiang Huan could be of assistance? Or was it hinting at the new mutant’s self-sufficiency and determination, escaping on their own tonight?
“However… I have a rather straightforward method,” Jiang Huan said, his two fingers slowly rubbing against each other. As he spoke, a gaze filled with the unique aura of someone in a superior position emerged, exuding a strong sense of authority.
This piercing gaze made Shen Shanwu’s lower abdomen tighten instantly, his Adam’s apple bobbing unconsciously up and down. “Why do I have a feeling that it won’t be a gentle solution…?”
“I am the captain of the Shanhai Unit of the Coastal Base, and I’ve held the honorary rank of Major General for many years. Why wouldn’t I put such a prestigious identity to good use? …Perhaps it could even spare you from reciting your self-criticism.”
Shen Shanwu was startled, “What are you planning to do? Lead soldiers with guns to surround the entire school and order them to leave?”
“…”
Jiang Huan felt that his plan, while straightforward, hadn’t gone to the extreme that Shen Shanwu had suggested. The next morning, he skipped the morning meeting, sat in the cafeteria, leisurely accompanied Jiang Tong for breakfast, and then tidied up to personally send him to school.
Lu Jingzhi speculated that Jiang Huan might have realized that he had been too harsh with Jiang Tong last night, leaving an indelible psychological shadow on the child. Therefore, today, he was deliberately showing more gentleness and closeness in his actions, aiming to heal the scars in Jiang Tong’s heart.
It seemed that Prince Tong’s status remained unshakable.
Unlike other parents who would stop at the school gate and watch their children enter the classroom on their own, Jiang Huan didn’t do that. He strode directly through the school gate, leading Jiang Tong towards the direction of the teaching building. It looked like he wanted to personally escort his child to the seat before feeling at ease.
Yao Wuque wasn’t sure what the captain was up to. Having just finished writing a three-thousand-word self-critique that left his brain nearly dried up, he didn’t dare to act rashly. He obediently followed behind the two, not daring to ask anything, pretending he didn’t exist.
Upon entering the school’s main gate, about a hundred meters ahead was an intersection. Going straight led to the teaching area, turning right led to the dormitory area, and the left path followed the school’s perimeter, circling around the cafeteria, training field, and gymnasium, ultimately leading to the back mountain.
It was at this intersection, which every student passed through upon entering the school, that the unexpected occurred. Accompanied by a terrified scream from a girl, a man wearing a mask suddenly appeared out of nowhere. The man had a strong and tall physique, as if he had been lying in wait for a long time. As soon as he saw his target approaching, he forcefully pushed aside the obstructing girl and rushed out with aggressive steps.
Caught off guard, the girl was shoved so hard that she almost fell to the ground. She was about to voice her complaint, but a gleaming silver light flashed by the corner of her eye, turning her expression of grievance into a scream of terror.
In the midst of the turmoil not far away, Jiang Huan had his arm around Shen Shanwu’s shoulder, engaged in a conversation with him. As the scream erupted, he instinctively tightened his grip around Shen Shanwu’s body and raised his head to look. However, in the very instant his gaze lifted, a shadow lunged at him. The sharp blade of a dagger had already plunged into his abdomen. Accompanied by the sound of flesh being pierced, a crimson stream of blood soaked through his clothes, gushing out.
Jiang Huan let out a low groan, staring at everything in disbelief.
The masked assailant successfully executed the attack and wasted no time, releasing the dagger and swiftly fleeing the scene.
“Captain!!” Jiang Tong screamed in horror, his voice breaking. He was small and not very strong, attempting to support Jiang Huan’s limp body by stretching his arms, but he was immediately overwhelmed and knocked to the ground. The gushing blood stained his eyes crimson. “Help!” He cried hysterically, “Someone, come quickly!”
Yao Wuque had already rushed out with bloodshot eyes before Jiang Huan even collapsed, his determination to ruthlessly and brutally punish the assassin evident in his demeanor.
Shen Shanwu pressed down on Jiang Huan’s continuously bleeding wound and urgently shouted, “Yao Wuque, someone is chasing the assailant. Hurry and go get the security to seal the school gates! Call for a doctor!”
Indeed, there were two people hot on the heels of the masked man. Yao Wuque clenched his teeth and regained his composure, turning to run toward the main entrance of the school.
Fifteen minutes later, half of the Shanhai Unit had sealed off the dormitory area. In a certain teacher’s office in a building across from them, Jiang Huan’s face was slightly pale. He was shirtless, surrounded by doctors and nurses who were bandaging his wound. The stabbing wound appeared more severe than it actually was – despite the blood, it was a superficial cut, just slicing through some flesh. An experienced doctor quickly assessed the situation and decided that stitches were unnecessary.
“Why is there so much blood for such a small wound?” The young nurse muttered softly as she went out to dispose of the bloodied clothing.
Of course, she had no way of knowing that just behind her, a certain boy leaned against the wall, his pocket concealing an empty blood bag. Shen Shanwu stood quietly in a corner of the office, arms crossed over his chest, his face as dark as ink.
“Captain.” Wu Fengge rushed into the room. “We have already verified with eyewitnesses and confirmed that the criminal entered the dormitory area and hasn’t come out since. We have secured all the entrances and exits, and we’ve advised the remaining students and teachers in the dorms to lock their doors and not open them without proper notice.”
Shen Shanwu’s expression remained somber as he listened to the update. The situation had taken an unexpected turn, and he couldn’t help but feel a sense of unease.
“Mhm.” Jiang Huan nodded. He took a sip of hot water and his gaze inadvertently met Shen Shanwu’s. They exchanged a look, and despite the warning in Shen Shanwu’s eyes, Jiang Huan chose to ignore it. He used his eyes to signal whether they could proceed with the search.
Shen Shanwu’s expression turned sour. He was frustrated and had no outlet for his anger. This mess had been caused by him bringing Jiang Huan here, and the injury was incurred in the process of protecting them as mutants.
With a resigned sigh, Shen Shanwu nodded slightly to Jiang Huan and then left the room. He went to the restroom, took out adult clothes from his backpack, changed into them, and then called out for Wolf Dog. He instructed the animal to blend into the Shanhai Unit that had already reached the dormitory area and guide him there.
“You seem to have a unique connection with restrooms.” Wolf Dog couldn’t help but comment. “Either you’re in the restroom or on your way there, but the funny thing is you never actually use it.”
Shen Shanwu allocated the three spots he had requested from Jiang Huan to Wolf Dog, the Prophet, and Milk Tea. It was almost the same lineup as their previous rescue team, with the exception of the Executioner being replaced by the Prophet.
As soon as Shen Shanwu left Jiang Huan, he issued the order for the team to conduct a search. The four of them blended in with the group led by Zhong Yin. On the surface, Lu Jingzhi assigned tasks to each group, but in reality, Lu Jingzhi was following the Prophet’s hand signals. Once the team of mutants decided on the specific building to search, Lu Jingzhi would then issue instructions to the others, ensuring a cover-up operation.
The audacious assassin who dared to attack Major General Jiang in broad daylight clearly doesn’t take our Shanhai Unit seriously. Today, even if we have to dig up the entire school, collapse every dormitory building, we must find that person!
However, Xu Ye, who was tasked with playing the role of the assassin, had rejoined the team under Wu Fengge’s coordination. He even received a task to search two floors of the dormitory. He rubbed his waist and stretched his back, working diligently.
“This building is the teachers’ dormitory,” Shen Shanwu said. All four of them wore sunglasses and masks as they continued walking through room after room.
The Prophet’s sensing ability had become quite clear, accurate within a radius of five meters. He headed straight for the door of a room on the ground floor that was furthest inside. He stopped in front of it, gesturing to Milk Tea. She promptly took out the key borrowed from the dormitory supervisor, aligned it with the room number, and opened the door.
Teacher dormitories usually had double rooms, and this one was no exception. The bedding on both beds was neatly folded, and there were several folders piled on the desk. A half-filled cup of cold tea sat on the table, and next to it was an open lesson plan. The room was full of signs of daily life and didn’t look anything like a hiding place for a zombie.
Wolf Dog, being the fastest, had already circled the entire room in less than two seconds. He had checked the bathroom and even under the beds and inside the wardrobe. He turned to look at the Prophet in confusion, saying, “No one here. Not even an ant, let alone a person. Could they be in the neighboring room?”
“No, it’s definitely this room.” The Prophet took two steps forward, closing his eyes to sense for a moment. He walked slowly around the room and finally stood by the bookshelf, saying with conviction, “Right here.”
The other three leaned over to look, but the bookshelf contained only books. Six layers of wooden boards separated the top from the bottom, and every layer was tightly packed, leaving no room for even a cat to hide.
Since the person wasn’t in the bookshelf, they must be behind it. Wolf Dog immediately pushed the bookshelf, but all that was left behind was a solid wall. He carefully felt around for a while but didn’t find any hidden doors. Milk Tea went outside to observe the layout of the floor and the thickness of the walls, confirming that the wall was genuine and not hiding any secret passages.
“Could he be invisible?” Wolf Dog was truly puzzled, and Milk Tea silently observed the ceiling, thinking that if the new companion was like the Executioner and could ignore gravity, the Prophet kept trying to locate the new companion’s position, but the answer was always here, without any movement.
By chance, Shen Shanwu glanced at the lesson plan on the desk and found a familiar name on it. “…One of the people living in this dorm room is my homeroom teacher.”
He picked up the page with the name signed on the lesson plan. “Tao Han.”
The author has something to say:
Xu Ye: Actually, my hand trembled and the stab went off course, do you believe it?
35: Believe you, my foot! Not listening to me, go and write a self-critique!
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![The Rebirth of the Last Days and Return to [Fang] Hao](https://www.freenovels.net/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/image_2021-09-11_143139.png "The Rebirth of the Last Days and Return to [Fang] Hao")
