Chapter 18: A Double Blessing

In the days following Wang Ji's awakening, he took Haozi and Li Chengming out during the day to scavenge for supplies in the wilds, coupling their search with training. At night, he tutored them in theory, seamlessly blending practice and study. Under this regime, Haozi and Li Chengming’s military skills improved rapidly.

The team’s combat capabilities became visibly stronger. The men, who previously only knew how to fire blindly with their guns, gradually learned the intricacies of tactical cooperation and proper shooting angles under Wang Ji’s strict guidance. Wang Ji’s own abilities—his extraordinary physical prowess and marksmanship—ensured that every expedition yielded greater results. Within a few days, the team’s ammunition and rations improved significantly, and Wang Ji had won their deep respect.

Yet what Wang Ji valued most, the X System, was still accumulating crystal cores. Even when the count reached one hundred, the system showed no sign of activation, causing Wang Ji some concern. After all, the X System was his greatest advantage in surviving the apocalypse; his rapid growth in strength directly resulted from it.

“It seems I need to speed up the collection of crystal cores. How many will it take to reactivate the X System?” This thought weighed on Wang Ji one morning as he emerged from his tent.

Suddenly, Xiao Liuzi came running from afar, stopping before Wang Ji and panting, “Boss! Good news! Boss Liu at the market told me to let you know—the matter you discussed with him has finally come through. He wants you to come to the shop!”

Wang Ji’s face brightened at the news. Pushing aside his worries, he said, “Great! Come with me.”

“Haozi, I need to take care of something at the market. You and Old Li, carry on with the usual tasks today!”

“Got it, boss!” Haozi, still bleary-eyed, emerged from the tent just in time to see Wang Ji and Xiao Liuzi already walking away.

They passed through the cold, desolate refugee district and reached the market street, where early risers were already gathering in search of opportunities. The market was always the liveliest place in the camp.

Wang Ji ignored the vendors hawking their wares and, with Xiao Liuzi in tow, headed straight for Liu Hai’s shop. Within minutes, they arrived at the storefront, surprised to find people inside so early.

Wang Ji didn’t dwell on it, striding in with a casual air—only to recognize a familiar face and pause before regaining his composure.

“It’s you?!”

At the head of the group inside was Long, the same man Wang Ji had previously frightened away with nothing but a look. Long had never let go of that humiliation, and now his expression darkened as he stepped forward.

“Hmph! Boss Liu, your shop certainly does a roaring trade. Do you let just any stray dog in?” Long said with a sneer.

Wang Ji seemed not to hear him, his face blank for a moment before settling into calm. Yet inside, a small figure in his mind was laughing triumphantly—he had just received a notification from the X System.

[Ding. Sufficient crystal core energy detected near the Commander. Absorb now?]

Liu Hai, seeing Wang Ji, was momentarily taken aback by how quickly he had arrived. But Long was a major client—one he couldn’t afford to offend. If the deal went through, he stood to earn at least ten crystal cores, a precious commodity. According to his brother-in-law, military researchers had discovered something remarkable about these cores.

Forcing a smile, Liu Hai greeted him, “Ah, Brother Wang! An honored guest indeed! But now’s not a good time—could we perhaps meet a little later…?”

Wang Ji, now certain that Long carried a large number of crystal cores, flashed Liu Hai a smile. There was no way he would leave now.

“What a coincidence to run into Brother Long. I was just here to see Boss Liu myself…” As he spoke, Wang Ji pretended to browse the goods, sidling up to Long until he was within range for the X System’s absorption. Silently, he gave the command.

In an instant, every crystal core Wang Ji carried—and those on Long as well—was drained by the X System.

“Hmph. Boss Liu, are we going to do business or not?” Long complained irritably.

Liu Hai hurried to placate him. “Of course, Brother Long, of course. We’re going right away. My brother-in-law is already waiting.”

Then, turning to Wang Ji, he said, “Brother Wang, your matter is settled. My brother-in-law says that at the latest, the day after tomorrow, Second Company Commander Cao will meet you at Dinghai Tower. Be ready!”

With that, Liu Hai returned to curry favor with Long.

“Fine, then. Now that everything’s settled, I’ll be on my way,” Long said, leaving first with a satisfied smirk.

Long’s real purpose in contacting Liu Hai was to arrange a meeting with the Second Company’s commander to buy a batch of arms. In the current situation, all military assets were under the direct control of the battalion commanders, with strict daily quotas and paperwork. But Second Company Commander Cao Muhua was an exception. Since the polar night, he had changed drastically, ruling his men with an iron fist and, it was rumored, preying on women.

Within the camp, many resented him, but Battalion Commander Chen Yikai suppressed dissent for the sake of internal stability. Cao Muhua grew bolder, even extending his reach into the armory.

Long, having made this connection, hoped to acquire a cache of arms at a bargain. He had prepared four hundred first-grade crystal cores, even resorting to treachery in the wild to swallow up another armed squad.

“Once I have my weapons, Wang Ji, your days are numbered. Just don’t leave the camp,” Long thought as he strode away, already relishing his rise and the prospect of settling old scores.

Meanwhile, Wang Ji, barely containing his joy, returned to the tent area feeling as if he’d been reborn. He let out a hearty laugh.

“Boss? Did it work out? You seem happy!” asked Xiao Liuzi.

Wang Ji, sensing the familiar X System interface in his mind, grinned. “Absolutely! Tell everyone—we’re eating meat tonight!”

“Yeah!” Xiao Liuzi dashed off to spread the good news.

Wang Ji, meanwhile, slipped into a quiet corner and sat down, entering the simulated space.

“Welcome back, X System.”

[Welcome, Commander!]

Their exchange might have looked comical to an outsider. Settling into the virtual space, Wang Ji continued, “X System, show me my current status.”

Ding!

Host: Wang Ji
Title: Novice Butcher
Level: Level 1 Warrior
Strength: 40
Spirit: 50
Agility: 35
Stamina: 100/100
Status: Excellent
Advancement: Level 1 gene unlocked
Energy points: 3

Overjoyed at the detailed information, Wang Ji voiced his questions, “What is a Level 1 gene lock?”

[The gene lock is the standard for assessing physical potential in the universe and forms the basis for determining a warrior’s rank. Upon unlocking the Level 1 gene, the Commander’s abilities meet the criteria for a Level 1 warrior.]

“I see. How do you unlock the gene lock? Can anyone do it?”

[In theory, all living beings can unlock gene locks, but they must meet the necessary physical requirements. Otherwise, the shock of unlocking can cause collapse and death.]

“What are the basic requirements?” Wang Ji’s interest was piqued—could he help Haozi or Li Chengming unlock their own Level 1 gene locks?

[Level 1 gene lock requires strength, spirit, and agility all to reach 30, with at least one attribute exceeding 40.]

Wang Ji suddenly recalled that when he broke through, his stats hadn’t met those conditions.

“How did I succeed then?”

[The Commander’s successful unlocking of the Level 1 gene lock involved considerable luck. At the time, inspired by an S-class protocol, your stats were 23, 30, and 20, with only a 17% success rate. Attempting with low stats is not recommended!]

Wang Ji stifled a shudder—in retrospect, his success had been largely a matter of luck; otherwise, his body would have collapsed during his high fever.

“All right, X System, are there any items that can unlock genes?”

[Ding! Querying permissions… Permission granted.]

[Ding! There is a Level 1 Gene Activation Agent, materialization requires 10,000 energy points. Its effects are as follows…]

While Wang Ji was immersed in the X System, on the other side Long, led by Liu Hai, arrived at a heavily guarded building in the camp.

“You’re late!” A burly sergeant in uniform confronted them.

Liu Hai hurried forward, offering a cigarette. “Sorry, Shi Ming, we were delayed on the way.”

“Don’t get too familiar. This is the military, watch your conduct,” snapped his brother-in-law, Zhang Shiming, impatiently.

Liu Hai could only laugh awkwardly and signaled to Long.

Long wouldn’t dare put on airs here. At Liu Hai’s cue, he stepped forward with a wide grin, slipping half a pack of cigarettes into Zhang Shiming’s hand.

“Good day, sir. Sorry, I had a stomach ache and needed a break. Will this do?”

Zhang Shiming accepted the cigarettes and finally smiled. “See, our Brother Long knows how to handle things. Did you bring the goods?”

Liu Hai retreated, grinning.

Long seized the moment, following Zhang Shiming through the gate and producing a heavy pouch of crystal cores from his coat.

“Don’t worry, it’s all here!”

Zhang Shiming glanced at it. “Wait here. I’ll go inform Commander Cao.”

“Sure thing!”

Composing himself, Zhang Shiming headed upstairs to a lavishly decorated suite. From inside, he heard muffled noises—low cries of pain from a woman, mixed with the harsh breathing of a man. After a few minutes and a final shriek from the woman, silence returned.

Zhang Shiming waited another two or three minutes before daring to knock.

“Commander, the man you requested is downstairs!”

With a clang, the door opened. Out stepped a well-groomed man in a bathrobe, drying his face with a towel. He sprawled barefoot on the living room sofa.

A disheveled, alluring woman emerged from within, her legs trembling as she walked. She set a cup of hot tea beside Cao Muhua.

Zhang Shiming kept his head bowed, not daring to speak or even glance at the beautiful woman.

Cao Muhua sipped his tea, eyes closed, and after a long moment, exhaled deeply.

“Let him up!”