Chapter 28 (1/2)
Chapter 28
”Put down the gun.” Zhou Rong emphasised every word, his rifle pointing at Feng Wentai.
Lu Hui was bleeding like a pig, rolling about on the floor in pain. As for the other three special force soldiers, they each had a machine gun locked onto one bodyguard each. The safety of every gun was off, and each had their finger on the trigger.
”I'm going to count to three. Put the guns down, and no one will die.” Zhou Rong's eyes swept past the faces of the bodyguards, and he spoke slowly. ”However, if someone shoots first, you're all going to die. I guarantee that you'll end up like paste.”
”One…”
”Two…”
Before he could say three, a bodyguard all the way in front trembled as he put his gun down to the ground.
The small little handgun, when compared with the machine guns that could shoot 900 rounds per minute, felt way less significant. There was not even a need to mention the bulkiness of the gun, how it was nearly half the height of a human. That colossal lethality was extremely oppressive.
When one took the lead, others would follow. The other two bodyguards too surrendered, placing the guns at their feet with trembling hands.
Zhou Rong said, ”Kick them over.”
The three people all kicked their guns into the central area. Zhou Rong shot a look towards his back. ”Chuncao.”
The girl placed the machine gun on her shoulder before walking forward to retrieve the handguns. She then unloaded the magazines into the pocket of her uniform.
The tense and explosive atmosphere had finally vanished. The men in the corridor, in great trepidation, opened the doors, and the women too looked outwards, observing the situation out there nervously.
Guo Weixiang's and Ding s.h.i.+'s guns were still pointed at the Feng group. However, Zhou Rong had let go of his rifle, raising both his hands up high. He turned towards the ordinary citizens, his frosty gaze sweeping past every fearful face.
”Tomorrow,” He spoke, his voice carrying out across the s.p.a.ce. ”We'll leave the factory and lead everyone down south, to the main shelter in Nanhai.”
”Before the catastrophe, we, Squad 6 of Unit 118 came from B Military Zone to T City for a covert operation. Due to the mission objectives, we were all injected with a drug to control our pheromones. After the catastrophe, we've been leading everyone up north in our escape, and there was no chance and no need to explain our origin to everyone, until today.”
”However, what I hope everyone would understand is, we will treat everyone in this group equally, whether you're male, female, old or young… After the catastrophe happened, laws and regulations no longer exist, and we have now descended into a dark society where it's now the law of the jungle. However, in this group where there's less than forty of us, we'll still uphold all the laws, duties and rights of human society here.”
”During the journey to the south, we will meet even more survivors: male, female, old and young, the weak and disabled. There will be Alphas, and there may even be Omegas.” Zhou Rong paused slightly, ”But no matter how much more the group expands, we will still have the same standpoint, which is to provide mutual protection, help, support, and let the spark of our survival continue.”
He looked at the varied expressions in front of him, then pointed at the machine guns Guo Wei Xiang and the rest were carrying. ”These guns are here to protect you. Their muzzles will always point outwards, and may everyone please bear witness to this.”
There was a long silence, and no one spoke.
Finally, someone started clapping.
The survivors all started responding. They all applauded, and the applause only got louder.
Zhou Rong bowed his head, acknowledging the ground. He quietly instructed Chuncao, ”Ask Dr. Zheng to come over and take a look at those two bodyguards. We don't want them to actually die.”
He was referring to Wan Bin and Lu Hui. Chuncao responded, ”Mn.”
The Wan fellow was still sprawled on the ground, nearly bleeding dry — if he was not an Alpha, he would probably have died from blood loss already. That scene was truly impactful, and even Zhou Rong, who had been in all sorts of situations, had a bit of twitching in his eyes.
He could see the differences in the knife wounds on Wan Bin's body: they were mostly not wounds received in a fight.
Those were wounds left deliberately, painfully and torturously.
Si Nan was standing far away in a corner. His lips were pressed tightly together. His dagger was in his hand, hanging by his side.
Zhou Rong met his eyes, and a strange feeling suddenly welled up within him. Words suddenly appeared in his mind, ”The target is potentially anti-social, and is very destructive. He has committed several first-degree murders…”
”… and is very cold blooded and his actions are hard to predict. Don't attempt to use any sort of stimulus to restore his sanity…”
Zhou Rong gave a very slight start.
”Captain Zhou,” Dr. Zheng hurriedly came forward.
Zhou Rong turned his head only to see that Dr. Zheng's expression looked rather awful. His forehead was covered with sweat, and he whispered, ”That pregnant lady w.a.n.g Wen… She was alarmed by the gunshot, and she's going into premature labour…
According to Zhou Rong himself, when he was young, he was scared of nothing. He would crash through all obstacles, and he had a fearlessness such that he could even carry a time bomb and detonate it amongst terrorists. If not because of being forced to become more sedate in his later life due to work requirements, he could even have f.u.c.ked a hole out of the sky.
But he had never seen a pregnant woman gone through a difficult labour before.
Zhou Rong quickly got people to tie up Feng Wentai and his unlucky bodyguards, then shoved them into the garage behind and locked them there. Wringing his hands, he then headed up to the dorms. It was a mess, and a few older women were surrounding the bed. w.a.n.g Wen's hair was extremely dishevelled, and she was groaning lightly.
”Isn't she supposed to be screaming in agony?” Zhou Rong was perplexed. ”Don't you need hot water, scissors and cloth, and shout at her to push?”
Dr. Zheng's response was rather blunt. ”Captain Zhou, you've watched too much TV. Her current situation is very dangerous, quick, get some people to boil some water to disinfect the bandages. Maintain the lighting, maintain the temperature in the room… Hurry, quick, go! She's already going through more frequent contractions!”
”…” Zhou Rong was abashed. ”I've really only watched <the grand=”” mansion=”” gate=””> before.”
Zhou Rong quickly got people to prepare the needed items, boiling water and disinfecting them, and carried an electric heater and a diesel generator as well. D. Zheng was not an obstetrician, and faced with an early labour, he was also not very experienced in many of the procedures. The women then each interjected with their own labour experience, encouraging and cheering on w.a.n.g Wen. Some even ran to the kitchen, preparing soup for her to drink after the birth.
All the survivors had been mobilised. Even the males who were standing on guard like night duty cops were all eager, anxiously discussing the matter. It felt as though that this new life that was about to be born in the dark winter night carried along with it a hope that was both subtle and remote.
”You can do it, you can!” Dr. Zheng was all sweaty. He raised a hand, pointing at someone. ”More light, make sure there's enough light!”
Zhou Rong quietly took a few steps away the group. He looked around and frowned, ”Where's Si Nan?”
Out of nowhere, Guo Weixiang felt as though he had suddenly turned into a father, and was expected to know where his child was. Tiptoe-ing, he looked up and down the corridor, then spoke unconcernedly, ”He's probably back in his room.”
”I'll go take a look.” After tossing his words at him, Zhou Rong left them.
”Si Xiaonan?”
The door to his room was tightly shut. Zhou Rong knocked a couple of times. ”Comrade Xiao Si?”
No response came from within.
Zhou Rong had all keys to the single rooms in the dormitory. After a bout of hesitation, he unlocked the door and entered.
Si Nan was lying on his side in the single bed. The moonlight shone through the windows, casting a cold gleam on his back.