After the convoy entered the base rest area, someone immediately couldn’t wait to ask the reception staff: “We heard that the northern bases already have a zombie virus vaccine, is that true?”
When the reception staff heard this question, his expression turned helpless.
In the past two months, people had been coming north one after another after hearing news about the vaccine.
There were convoys of more than a dozen people, and convoys of hundreds of people; almost all of them had stopped here to rest and reorganize, and he had already explained it countless times.
“If there really were a zombie vaccine, we wouldn’t still be holed up inside the base.”
Many people in the convoy had come here precisely for the zombie virus vaccine, and upon hearing this, they immediately became anxious:
“But before, there were northern convoys that went to our base, they said…”
“Don’t be anxious, I know what you mean. There really are rumors about a virus vaccine, but right now it truly hasn’t been developed yet, and we haven’t used it either.”
“The one you heard about, the one that developed the vaccine, should be the largest base in the north, the Beizheng Base.”
“There are still close to ten million surviving people there now, all kinds of top-tier talents are there. If a vaccine really came out, it would definitely be them who developed it first.”
“But at present, we really haven’t heard any news from that base announcing the successful development of a vaccine. You should also calm down a bit.”
That was what he said, but the people who had traveled thousands of miles to get here—who among them could actually calm down.
Ordinary people had no connections and could only ask a few questions. Those who truly had strength and held abundant supplies had already found channels to obtain more information.
In the convoy, the wealthy man surnamed Sheng had once done business in the north before, and at this base he was lucky enough to reconnect with old contacts.
As soon as he sent the gifts over, the other party disclosed some exclusive inside information to him.
The vaccine did indeed exist, but the general public was still unaware of it.
That type of vaccine had requirements on the body. After injection, if one was infected by the zombie virus, there was only a one-in-seven probability of not undergoing mutation.
The effect wasn’t very good, and it was difficult to produce and difficult to preserve, so the quantity was extremely limited.
“Ordinary people shouldn’t even think about it. That one is currently circulating internally and is still in the trial stage.”
The wealthy man Sheng was unwilling to give up and pressed on: “Is there no other way to get the vaccine ahead of time?”
The acquaintance hesitated for a moment and said: “I have a relative doing research in a secret base next to the Beizheng Base. According to him, there’s another new vaccine with slightly better effects, but that one—no amount of money can get it. There’s only one way if you want to get it.”
“That is to join their special team and carry out some high-risk work, and then you can get that vaccine for free.”
The wealthy man Sheng had originally still harbored some hope, but upon hearing the last sentence, he immediately shook his head and gave up.
Executing the most dangerous missions for the base—what else could that be, if not entering zombie-infested cities to search for things.
That kind of mission was a nine-deaths-one-life situation; even if you got the vaccine, what use would it be.
At his side, there was only a pair of grandson and granddaughter left. How could he bear to let them take such risks, not to mention that they didn’t have that kind of ability either.
One could tell just by thinking about it that the entry requirements for that kind of special team must be extremely high.
Then there was no way.
The wealthy man Sheng returned to the convoy and told his grandson and granddaughter that they would rest here for two days, then head to the Beizheng Base.
“We still have to keep going forward? How much longer do we have to travel, Grandpa?”
The granddaughter was the same one who had previously gone to deliver things to Wen Jiuzhe.
Along the way, she had been frightened and anxious. Ever since she personally witnessed a zombie attacking someone to death, she would have nightmares just from hearing zombie sounds, and couldn’t even sleep well.
“Soon. If everything goes smoothly, we’ll arrive in another half a month.” The grandfather patted his granddaughter’s hand to comfort her.
The grandson was more concerned about the vaccine and asked about related news.
The wealthy man Sheng waved his hand, signaling there was no need to say more. “Let’s talk about it after we reach the Beizheng Base. That vaccine probably can’t be obtained at this stage.”
The convoy leader who represented the New Fourth Base came over to find the base’s senior management at this time.
The other party revealed a piece of information to him.
“The Beizheng Base has been recruiting capable people to be incorporated into special action teams. Those with good physical fitness, strong abilities, or a particular skill.”
“If you have that kind of ability, you can give it a try. This team has to carry out some dangerous missions, but as long as you join their special action team, the Beizheng Base will provide everything, including the latest vaccine.”
“Team members can bring their family into the safest area of the base to live, and can also receive free medical treatment.”
“You should know, right now it’s extremely difficult to obtain admission slots for the Beizheng Base. If you go there now without sufficient contribution points, you can only get a temporary residence permit for half a month.”
Quite a few people in the team were tempted, the captain included.
His wife had liver problems and often needed to go to the hospital before the apocalypse. After the apocalypse, there were no such conditions anymore, and her condition had grown more and more serious.
He was a scavenging team captain at the New Fourth Base and could be considered a capable person, but the points he earned still weren’t enough to exchange for sufficient medicine. If he could join this special action team of the Beizheng Base…
Seeing his hesitation, the base senior management said, “If you have this intention, you can sign up now. You came at a good time—there will be an assessment not long from now. In a couple of days, our base will organize everyone to go to the Beizheng Base to participate in the assessment.”
“Right now, more than five hundred people from our base have already signed up.”
The captain was startled. “So many people?”
The base senior management said, “That’s not even considered many. Besides our base, several other bases also have people signing up. In total, more than ten thousand people will apply, and only a little over a hundred will be selected.”
The team captain instantly felt that he had no hope. He knew himself well—he had some ability, but he wasn’t top-tier.
It seemed this team would only select top talents.
While feeling disappointed, the captain couldn’t help thinking of Wen Jiuzhe.
He had a very deep impression of Wen Jiuzhe. Over the past two-plus months on the road, there had been several critical situations where Wen Jiuzhe had taken the initiative to help. Each time, the captain couldn’t help but marvel at his skills and courage.
If it were Wen Jiuzhe, perhaps he could successfully pass the assessment and join that team.
The captain hesitated for a moment over whether he should go inform Wen Jiuzhe of this news.
The other party hadn’t entered the base and was still outside.
“No rush. Go back and think it over carefully.” The base senior management said with a smile.
There were also disputes between bases. If the people they recommended could be selected into the team, it would bring many benefits to their base as well.
The base senior management arranged for several people from the team to stay in a safe zone relatively close to the base gate.
“For these few days, you’ll temporarily stay here. The people living here are all like you, coming from the south and the southeast.”
“There are also more than a dozen people who have already decided to go take the assessment. Those few are them.”
The squad leader led several of his team members past a small house. Following the direction pointed out by the guiding staff, they saw several men sitting or standing in the courtyard.
They all had buzz cuts, with a bandit-like air about them, and on their arms were blue-black lion head tattoos.
Noticing their gaze, those men looked over, sizing them up with unfriendly expressions.
One burly man glared at them viciously a couple of times, looking like he had a bad temper.
The squad leader and the others quickly walked past, not paying much attention to these unfamiliar people.
While a team of over a hundred people each used their own means to inquire about information inside the base, several kilometers away from the base, Wen Jiuzhe was stewing a big goose in an iron pot.
The goose had been driven over by Xue Ling an hour earlier.
More accurately speaking, the goose had chased after Xue Ling all the way over.
After declaring that she would guard Wen Jiuzhe so he could sleep peacefully, Xue Ling went to wander around the surroundings, checking for potential dangers.
Since she had volunteered to take on the task of patrolling the territory, Wen Jiuzhe didn’t stand on ceremony and lazed about, lying languidly in the car waiting for her to return.
He hadn’t been lying there long when Xue Ling fled back.
Excitement could vaguely be seen on her bluish face, and the goose following behind her was even more excited, its body swaying as it spread its wings and honked loudly, occasionally stretching its neck to try to peck the Xue Ling ahead of it.
Fortunately, Xue Ling’s skin and flesh were tough now; even after being pecked, no mark was left.
Seeing the two of them in a chase drawing near, Wen Jiuzhe rolled out of the car and subdued the arrogant goose.
He firmly grabbed the goose’s neck and beak, laughing as he said, “You ran pretty fast just now when you were being chased by the goose. When you usually chase me, are you not putting in any effort?”
Xue Ling: “?”
Who do you think I lured the goose over for, and you still dare to laugh at me?
She struck instantly, knocking away Wen Jiuzhe’s hand that was restraining the goose, and the goose seized the chance to viciously peck Wen Jiuzhe.
Xue Ling: “Ga ga.”
Haha, serves you right.
“Hiss.” Wen Jiuzhe hissed in pain and grabbed the goose again.
“You’re even helping it peck me, whose side are you on?”
Xue Ling couldn’t be bothered to bicker with him and dragged an iron pot down from the car.
