Dragon Transformation in the Apocalypse

Chapter 17 Shocking Change, Evacuation

After returning to his dormitory, Li Chenglong first took out his rechargeable desk lamp and then carefully cleaned and maintained the QBZ191 lamp hanging on the wall. Then, remembering he needed to take a shower, he fetched a bucket of hot water for Li Xue and Yun Lan so they could mix it with cold water to wash up. He then filled a bucket with hot water for himself, quickly took a shower, and went to sleep. Not long after lying down, Li Chenglong dreamt of a massive horde of zombies and zombie beasts attacking, with countless buildings engulfed in flames that turned the sky red. Suddenly, a mysterious man wearing a mask and a black cloak appeared, speaking to him in a very strange Chinese language, saying, "The test is about to begin," before disappearing. Then, Li Chenglong saw several enormous spaceships descend into the sky, from which emerged many monsters that resembled both insects and lizards. These monsters casually waved their hands, creating hurricanes that collapsed buildings, and spewed flames that turned areas within several kilometers into a sea of ​​fire.

"No!" Li Chenglong woke up with a start, finding himself drenched in cold sweat. Yun Lan and Li Xue, dressed in their clothes, knocked on the door. "Brother, Brother Long, how are you? What happened?" Li Chenglong opened the door and welcomed them in. He took a sip of water to calm himself and slowly recounted his dream. Yun Lan and Li Xue remained silent for a while before Yun Lan said, "What you think about during the day, you dream about at night. You must have been too stressed these past few days. A good rest will make you fine." Li Xue added, "Sister Lan is right, Brother, you should rest well." Li Chenglong stood up and stared out the window. "Our growth is a bit slow. We need to get stronger quickly. Long Ling said level five is a watershed moment; we should reach level five as soon as possible." Then he turned to Yun Lan and Li Xue and said, "Alright, it's already one in the morning. You two should go to sleep. Tomorrow morning, Yun Lan and I will lead the supply search team. Li Xue, you stay at the hospital and practice your skills." The two women nodded and left.

Recalling the scenes in his dream, Li Chenglong felt there must be some meaning behind them, but he couldn't quite figure it out, so he went back to sleep. At seven in the morning, Li Chenglong had just woken up and was about to wash up when there was a rapid knocking at the door. Hearing the knocking, Li Chenglong sensed something was amiss and quickly opened the door, whereupon Zheng Yong rushed in. Zheng Yong was holding a radio and said, "Captain Li, listen to this broadcast! Kyoto has fallen!" Li Chenglong immediately grabbed the radio and heard several channels broadcasting the same news. At that moment, Yun Lan and Li Xue, having also heard the knocking, came over.

All that could be heard was the male announcer on the radio speaking in a somber voice: "To all compatriots in China, at midnight on January 11, 2024, Chinese time, Kyoto was suddenly attacked by a large number of zombies and zombie beasts. Although all the soldiers at the Kyoto and Donghai bases fought bravely, they were still outnumbered. By 7:00 AM this morning, most of Kyoto had fallen into the hands of the zombies, and the soldiers at the Kyoto and Donghai bases had to abandon their positions and evacuate Kyoto. The supreme commander of the Xia Kingdom, the beloved Commander-in-Chief Feng Ke, unfortunately sacrificed his life while leading the troops of the two bases on the front lines. Deputy Commander-in-Chief Li Zhiqiang issued a 'Letter to the People of the Xia Kingdom' through all public communications. The following is its content..."

Li Chenglong listened for over twenty minutes, growing increasingly alarmed and saddened. He couldn't help but recall the scene when he was received by the Commander-in-Chief years ago. Back then, he had received a Special Merit Award, and the Commander-in-Chief happened to come to offer his congratulations. He heard about Li Chenglong and his Xiaolong detachment's Special Merit Award and Collective First-Class Merit Award. The Commander-in-Chief warmly shook hands with each of them and had a thirty-minute conversation with Li Chenglong, Yunlan, and others. In Li Chenglong's memory, the Commander-in-Chief was a kind, elegant, and charismatic old man, yet also decisive and efficient. He never imagined he would pass away like this.

After a long 20-minute silence, Li Chenglong took several deep breaths. He said sadly, "Do they all know about this?" Zheng Yong said quietly, "They probably do. Listening to the radio is their daily routine, and it seems the survivors are in an uproar. What should we do now? This news is too much of a shock." Li Chenglong slapped his cheeks hard to compose himself. "Company Commander Zheng, the situation is changing rapidly. We've reached a critical juncture. Let's act immediately and calm everyone down first." Zheng Yong immediately agreed and left. Li Xue said worriedly, "What should we do? Even Kyoto's strong forces couldn't hold out. The Commander-in-Chief has sacrificed himself. Can we survive?" Yun Lan also stepped forward and hugged Li Xue's shoulders, offering comfort.

Li Chenglong said firmly, "We will definitely survive. Let's go downstairs first and then make plans." The three of them quickly ran downstairs. Downstairs, chaos reigned. More than 1000 survivors had heard the unbelievable news on the radio, and the atmosphere was tense. Even the 200-plus guards were somewhat panicked. Li Chenglong used his supernatural ability to amplify his voice so everyone could hear him. "I believe everyone who heard this news is like me, filled with shock and fear of zombies. To say I'm not afraid would be a lie; to be honest, I'm a little scared too. But what can we do? What's coming will come. It's up to us to do what we do. I'll teach you a saying: 'So what?' Unreasonableness prevails, and reason is thrown aside. I believe that if we unite, we can definitely overcome this difficulty. As long as you believe in me, I will fight to the last breath to protect you all!" Li Chenglong said to everyone, slightly easing the tension.

At this moment, Hao Dahai rushed over again and whispered, "According to the investigation of several speed-type ability users, a large group of zombies and mutant beasts is heading towards us. There are at least three or four thousand of them, and their energy is enormous. It feels like there are at least several level four leaders, and possibly even level five. According to the estimates of several speed-type ability users, they will reach us in at most two hours." Li Chenglong's face darkened, and he immediately gathered Yun Lan, Li Xue, Zheng Yong, and a few others for a meeting. Li Chenglong said, "There are too many zombies coming. Our two hundred-plus people can't hold them off at all. I suggest we retreat immediately." Zheng Yong nodded, "I also agree to retreat, but where should we retreat to?" Li Chenglong opened the map in his backpack: "Qing'an Town. There are two reasons. First, Qing'an Town is relatively close to here, so it's easy for us to reach. Also, Qing'an Town has a small population, so there will definitely be fewer zombies there. Second, Qing'an Town is not on the zombies' route, and it is backed by Partridge Mountain. If we can't stay in Qing'an Town, we can go directly to the mountains to hide."

Zheng Yong and the others nodded. Li Chenglong called out, "Yun Qian, immediately inform the survivors of this news. Have them finish packing within thirty minutes, and then refuel the buses and trucks I asked you to prepare a few days ago. Take all the necessary, easily portable supplies." Yun Qian nodded and immediately went to make the arrangements with her assistant. Li Chenglong then added, "Yun Lan, go and use the storage space to store the generators and other large equipment, so that more people can sit on the vehicles." Yun Lan accepted the order and left. "Company Commander Zheng, I'll give you more than half of the superhumans. Li Xue, Wu Gang, Hao Aiguo, and the stronger ones are also assigned to you. You'll lead all the garrison troops, riding in military vehicles as escorts, and leave with them." Zheng Yong asked, "Then what about you?" Li Chenglong laughed, "We don't have enough time. If we want everyone to evacuate safely, someone has to stay behind to hold off the zombie army for a while. And only I can accomplish this task. Alright, Company Commander Zheng, hurry up and make the arrangements; time is of the essence." Although Zheng Yong wanted to say something more, hearing Li Chenglong's words, he quickly left.

The survivors learned from Yun Qian that the zombie army was coming, and immediately panicked, rushing to pack their belongings. Li Chenglong sat on the steps of the hospital building, his finger to his lips, lost in thought. At this moment, Wu Gang and Zheng Aiguo walked over: "Boss, I heard that the zombie army will arrive here in a little over an hour. Then Company Commander Zheng said that you want us to lead most of the ability users and the survivor team to leave together, right?" Li Chenglong turned his head and looked at the logistics personnel and twenty or thirty guards who were loading supplies onto trucks in the distance, and said: "Yes! I want you and Xue'er to leave together. You two will soon reach level three, and your strength is not bad. With you and Li Xue as the main force of ability users, it will be enough to protect people from evacuation." Wu Gang shouted: "I don't want to, Captain, we're not leaving. Your decision is unreasonable, whether it's for the ability users who stay to resist the zombie army or those who leave. We absolutely disagree, and we absolutely won't leave!" Li Chenglong thought about it and realized that it was indeed unreasonable for him to let those ability users stay behind, so he said: "Wu Gang, go and notify all combat-type ability users to assemble in the parking lot in 15 minutes."

Fifteen minutes later, thirty combat-type ability users lined up in two rows in the parking lot. Li Chenglong wasted no time and immediately said, "As you all know, in an hour, a zombie army of up to three or four thousand will arrive at this hospital. To ensure our personnel's evacuation and slow down the zombie army's speed, some of us need to stay behind. But you must understand, staying behind means a near-certain death; I cannot guarantee your survival. Anyone willing to stay, please step forward." As soon as he finished speaking, all thirty awakened individuals stepped forward in unison. Li Chenglong was somewhat moved by this sight; it seemed his long-term efforts had finally paid off.

"If that's how it is, then I'll call roll. Those whose names are called, leave immediately and join the evacuating garrison to protect them as they leave the hospital and head to Qing'an Town. Those who stay, prepare yourselves. I, Li Chenglong, assure you, as long as I live, I will absolutely not let any of you lose your lives." Li Chenglong said solemnly, "Yun Lan, Li Xue, Liu Dongliang, Yun Qian..." Li Chenglong called out 20 people in a row. Apart from Yun Lan and a few others, most of them were newly recruited Level 1 ability users. As soon as he finished speaking, Wu Gang and Hao Aiguo's faces lit up with joy, and they said in unison, "We swear to live and die with our captain! We swear to live and die with this position!"

"I don't want to!" Yun Lan, Li Xue, Yun Qian, Liu Dongliang, and the others all said. Yun Lan, her eyes red, said, "You disappeared back then. I searched for you for so long, and I finally found you. I don't want to leave you." Li Xue also said, "Brother, I don't want to leave you." Seeing that Yun Qian and Liu Dongliang still wanted to speak, Li Chenglong immediately stopped them: "Alright, that's enough. Yun Qian, you are the logistics captain. The logistics support for the entire team will depend on you. Director Liu Dongliang, you are familiar with every household in Qing'an Town. You will be their guide. We don't know what kind of dangers the survivors will face on their evacuation route. We need a strong fighting force. So Yun Lan and Xue'er, you must go with them. Moreover, the main equipment and valuable supplies such as generators are with you, Yun Lan. Many of the others are only at level one. Even if you stay, you can only help us a little."

Yunlan was about to say something more when Li Chenglong shouted, "Yunlan, can you complete the mission? Believe me, I will definitely come back alive and reunite with you. Okay?" Seeing that Li Chenglong had gone this far, Yunlan knew she couldn't change his mind, and her eyes filled with tears. "Don't forget what you said." She then pulled Li Xue and the others away. Li Chenglong looked at the ten people standing there. "You are true warriors. Don't die so easily. Alright, time is short, let's start preparing immediately."

More than forty minutes had passed, and the supplies were mostly loaded onto the vehicles. Over a thousand survivors began boarding buses and trucks. Yun Qian, wanting to ensure as many people as possible could get on board, instructed everyone to travel light. Two military vehicles were filled with members of the garrison; one led the way for the survivor convoy, while the other brought up the rear. More than twenty superhumans were scattered across the trucks and military vehicles to cover the entire convoy and facilitate their attack.

At this moment, Zheng Yong led a group of men over: "Team Leader Li, all fifty of us brothers have decided to stand with you on your last shift at the hospital. Don't say anything more, we've already made up our minds!" Li Chenglong looked at these men and simply said, "Thank you for your kindness." About ten minutes later, everyone finally boarded the vehicle. Wang Yousheng shouted through a megaphone, "All members of the garrison and the superpowered team, salute Team Leader Li and Company Commander Zheng!" All the soldiers and police on the vehicle solemnly saluted. Li Chenglong, along with three platoons of soldiers and superpowered individuals, said, "Have a safe journey, salute." Yun Lan and Li Xue were already in tears, turning their heads away, unable to bear watching. The survivors on the vehicle applauded, some also shedding tears. "Let's go!" With a shout from Wang Yousheng, the convoy slowly drove out of the hospital, heading towards Qing'an Town.

Li Chenglong watched them leave, then turned to look at the more than sixty people present: "Do you regret it?" Everyone present burst into laughter: "If we regretted it, we would be here." Zheng Yong stepped forward: "Please give the battle instructions, Captain Li." Li Chenglong nodded and began the battle plan.