Rotting Land: Survive-Chapter 393 - 391: The Final Test (Part 1)

Returning to the base, the staff on duty quickly brought out the prepared hot water and new clothes.

Zhang Zhicai had specifically instructed this before leaving, anticipating the possibility of team members getting caught in the rain during the operation.

In the post-apocalyptic world, catching a cold was no small matter. Although there were no actual cases proving that a weakened human body could be infected by the zombie virus, it’s always good to be prepared.

The group took turns bathing while the rest were responsible for collecting rainwater. These were free resources, and missing them meant who knows when there would be another opportunity.

An hour later, when everyone gathered again, the weariness from earlier was washed away by the warm water. After a few simple exchanges, the survivors immediately returned to business, discussing today’s main event.

"How’s it going? Old Zhao, did you get the building blueprints?" Getting straight to the point, this was undoubtedly what Xu Renjie was most concerned about.

Old Zhao didn’t act coy after hearing the question. He reached for the notebook he carried with him and patted it lightly, saying, "It’s quite lucky; initially, we didn’t find it, but then... sigh, it’s all here."

Removing the notebook wrapped tightly in a plastic bag, Zhao Yunhai carefully wiped away the condensation that formed on the surface due to temperature difference, then lifted the cover and pressed the power button.

The usual "da-da-da-da" sound of the WIN7 startup greeting played, sounding much more pleasant now than when nestled in the study room.

Quickly clicking open the folder under the D drive directory related to the city’s ancient building blueprints, Zhao Yunhai immediately spotted his previous browsing record: Yuhuan Gymnasium.

"Here it is!" Enlarge the blueprint, Zhao Yunhai pointed to the black-and-white structural diagram in the center of the screen and said.

"Hmm!" With a tacit nod, Xu Renjie then followed up, "In your opinion, is it feasible to enter the gymnasium from underground?"

As soon as the words fell, almost all the survivors present turned their gaze towards Zhao Yunhai, which was enough to show how important this matter was to them.

Taking a deep breath, Zhao Yunhai scanned the crowd with his eyes, then explained slowly, "I’ve looked it over. The plan is absolutely feasible, but the problem is..."

With the movement of his finger, the touchscreen notebook displayed the corresponding movement of the architectural blueprints.

"Everyone, take a look. We enter from here, then follow this pipeline, and turn left at this position to get into the gym. It’s just that..."

Noticing Zhao Huilong’s tense expression, Xu Renjie anxiously followed up, "But what?"

’Remember the isolation trench we saw on the first day? We exit from here, and that’s what we’ll be facing. But according to the blueprint, there’s a circular iron door on the periphery of this trench, and only by opening it can we get out.’

’I thought it was something serious, but it turns out to be a broken iron door!’ Wang Qiang pouted with some disdain, apparently feeling that old Zhao was making a mountain out of a molehill: ’We can just bring a crowbar and pry it open.’

"No way!" Before Wang Qiang could finish, Wang Zhongyu immediately waved his hand to veto: "Using a crowbar might break the lock, but it will definitely alert the guards inside the base! So..."

"Hmm!" Nodding appreciatively towards Wang Zhongyu, old Zhao immediately concurred, "Exactly! What Wang Zhongyu said is precisely what I mean. After all, our operation this time requires us to be sneaky, so we can’t make any noise. If we alert those inside the base, the mission itself loses its meaning."

"Damn, have to break the door but can’t make a sound, this... this." Shaking his head with a bitter smile, Wang Qiang really couldn’t think of a solution that would be perfect.

The discussion quickly hit a deadlock, and everyone’s spirits sank to rock bottom.

"Well~" Suddenly, Tang Xiaoquan lifted his previously lowered head, glanced at Zhao Yunhai, and then said lightly, "Uncle Zhao, I have a question, what about the jeep you guys took? Why did it appear 7-8 kilometers away from the school?"

Wang Qiang, Xu Renjie, and others also had the same question.

"This~ sigh~" With a silent sigh, Tang Xiaoquan brought it up, triggering a wave in Old Zhao’s just-calmed state of mind.

After all, today’s fiasco, to a certain extent, was inextricably linked to his "foolish decision."

Honestly recounting the incident of encountering Zhao Huilong on the road, old Zhao’s regret was apparent. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

While annoyed at Zhao Huilong’s actions, the others still offered old Zhao enough comfort and understanding.

"Uncle Zhao! You can’t be blamed for this; it is Zhao Huilong who is too despicable."

"Yeah! Who would have thought that guy could be so ruthless. I treated him as a friend back then! Uncle Zhao, don’t blame yourself, it’s not worth it to fuss over such a scumbag."

"Right, right! If we knew this, we should have left him to be fodder at the City Management Bureau! Oh well, justice was served; he got what he deserved!!"

Everyone voiced their criticisms of Zhao Huilong’s vile behavior, but Tang Xiaoquan remained silent.

He kept fiddling with his bangs on his forehead, and after some deliberation, he slowly spoke, "Uncle Zhao, you said Zhao Huilong was avoiding Wei Dazhuang’s pursuit when you mistakenly encountered him?"

"Yes!" Still mired in self-blame, old Zhao spoke with a hint of weakness: "He said he was undercover at the base but was discovered by Wei Dazhuang, so the latter was chasing him down until we saved him."

"I see!" Returning to silence again, Tang Xiaoquan twirled his bangs faster and faster, his eyes darted around, and finally, after nearly a minute of weighing his options, he suddenly lifted his head, then decisively said, "Perhaps we have a way to open that iron door."

"Ah?" Wang Qiang was the first to exclaim in surprise, and subsequently, the rest of them also looked at Tang Xiaoquan, puzzled and curious.

"Xiao Tang! You have a way to get into the gymnasium?" Old Zhao was noticeably uncertain as well.

To this, Tang Xiaoquan responded with a faint smile, "Yes, but it requires taking some risks, and the success rate isn’t 100%."

This statement from Tang Xiaoquan was incredibly candid, with neither exaggeration nor any intention to show off.

After all, this concerned the life and death of the entire team; he dared not make a presumptuous guarantee.

"Let’s hear it! What’s your plan!" Xu Renjie was not concerned about the so-called success rate; as a soldier, he knew well that nothing in this world is 100%.

So as long as there’s feasibility, he wouldn’t hesitate to give it a try when necessary.

The living room fell silent immediately, with a dozen pairs of eyes all focused on Tang Xiaoquan, everyone waiting quietly for his next words...(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to vote for recommendations and monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. For mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)