Chapter 39: Visitors from the Base

Standing atop the wall of the fuel storage station, Wang Ji faced the wind, watching a convoy of vehicles carrying supplies slowly head south. This base had been forcibly assigned by Wang Ji to those prisoners who bore guilt, including Lin Xue and her group, who spent an entire day meticulously cleaning it from top to bottom. The whole facility now appeared immaculate, and people passing by began to show smiles on their faces, gradually stepping out of the shadows to embrace a new life.

Yet, the scars left behind after the battle could never be completely erased. Wang Ji ran his fingers over the bullet holes in the wall, glanced at his hands, and murmured, “Over four hundred and seventy lives... Chengming, tell me, do you think I’m a good man or a bad one?”

Li Chengming regarded the young man before him with genuine admiration. Ever since he first encountered Wang Ji at the Hope Camp, he had witnessed his rapid growth and the mysterious power backing him.

“Captain, you’re a good man, without question. Look at them!” Li Chengming turned and pointed toward the ordinary people inside the base, those who had once been toyed with and manipulated by Ye Rongsheng.

“If not for you, Captain, they would still be suffering unspeakable torment!” The memory of that warehouse made Li Chengming grit his teeth as he spoke.

“Yes, if I hadn’t come, they’d still be enduring pain. But to save them, I had to kill over four hundred seventy others.” Wang Ji paused and forced a bitter smile. “I once swore to protect those around me. I never imagined I’d save so few, and kill so many.”

Li Chengming stepped forward, anxious. “Captain! You can’t think like that. Think of all the people you’ve rescued at Hope Primary School, and those here at the base! Besides, everyone you killed deserved it.”

Wang Ji glanced up at the sky, exhaling deeply before speaking. “Don’t worry. In troubled times, the principle of ending violence through war is something I understand.” He composed himself. “By the way, how much longer until all the fuel is transported?”

Li Chengming thought it over. “Given our truck efficiency, at least three or four more days. Captain, why don’t you head back to the base first? I can watch over things here.”

Wang Ji shook his head. “It’s fine. How are Zhao Wu and Liu Shanye doing?”

Li Chengming grinned. “Captain! They’re doing great. They’ve been clamoring to see you since this morning.”

Wang Ji smiled as well. “Alright, I’ll go see them soon. Say, do you think it’s appropriate if I add another platoon for Zhao Wu to lead?”

Li Chengming hesitated, lowering his head. “Captain, to be honest, based on the results of this action, I fully support your policy of cultivating elite troops. But for now, we can’t really be called elite.”

Wang Ji nodded approvingly, glad that Li Chengming could see things clearly. Even though their two hundred-odd men had ample weapons and advanced training, they were not yet elite soldiers; time had been too short, and they needed more trials by blood and fire.

“That’s true. For now, let them work alongside Mouse and gain experience. I hope you all grow quickly. When we return, I’ll try to provide even more resources.”

Li Chengming saluted excitedly. “Thank you, Captain! We won’t let you down again.”

Back at the rest area of the fuel storage station, Zhao Wu and Liu Shanye finally got to see Wang Ji. Liu Shanye, like a lost child reunited with his parents, grasped Wang Ji’s hand tightly.

“Boss, we finally found you! If we count it up, you’ve saved us several times now.”

Liu Shanye called to his family, who knelt to the ground. “Come, everyone, bow to our benefactor. We’ll never repay your kindness, even if we work ourselves to the bone!”

Wang Ji quickly pulled them up, smiling. “Such a grand gesture—I dare not accept it. This time, it was pure chance that brought us together and allowed me to save you.”

“Don’t say that, Captain. You truly rescued us.”

Zhao Wu grinned, clasping his fists and bowing in thanks, as the men and their families behind him followed suit.

“Captain! I heard you’re now a real soldier, commanding a vast territory at the camping base. We’ve all been longing to join you.”

Liu Shanye gazed at Wang Ji with eager eyes.

“Yes, Boss, you can’t leave us behind—this whole family depends on you.”

Wang Ji looked at their hopeful faces and smiled. “Don’t worry. We’ve survived together so many times. We’ll share fortune as well. In a couple of days, when the fuel is transported, we’ll go back together.”

“See? I said the boss would never abandon us.” Having witnessed Wang Ji’s rapid progress, Liu Shanye and the others had privately worried that he might no longer look after them.

“Uncle Zhao Wu, we’re short-handed at the camp now. Why don’t you take your old subordinates and join Mouse’s group? Get into training—I believe you’ve still got what it takes!”

Zhao Wu and the young men beside him looked thrilled. This time, they had witnessed firsthand the fighting prowess and excellent equipment of the Independent Company, and had long been envious.

Hearing Wang Ji’s words, Zhao Wu thumped his chest. “As long as you don’t mind these old bones, Captain, my life is yours!”

Wang Ji saw their eager expressions and suppressed the emotion stirring within him, turning to Liu Shanye.

“Old Liu, to be honest, little Six is managing logistics now and is overwhelmed. If you come back, he’ll finally get a breather.” Wang Ji looked around and smiled. “All of you—there aren’t many people I can trust in this world, but you returning makes you my family.”

Everyone was moved, gathering around Wang Ji and once again feeling the warmth of life.

“Captain! The leader of the Tiger Gang requests an audience.”

Wang Ji stood up upon hearing this, greeted everyone, and left the rest area for the temporary military camp.

“Captain!” Cui Dazhou stood respectfully at the entrance, accompanied by a nervous youth of about sixteen or seventeen.

“Sit. No need to be anxious—there are no outsiders here.” Wang Ji took his seat behind the table first.

Cui Dazhou smiled, pulling the youngster to sit beside him.

“So, you’re heading back to the base soon. Is there something you need from me?”

Cui Dazhou smiled. “Yes, Captain Wang, we’ll be leaving shortly. But before we go, there’s something I must ask of you.”

“What’s the matter? Are you short on supplies?”

Cui Dazhou stood, pulling the youth with him, and bowed sincerely. “Captain, I beg you to take this boy under your wing, let him learn from you.”

Wang Ji looked at them in surprise. “What’s your relation to him?”

“Captain, to be honest, he’s my son, Wang Yong. He’s taken his mother’s surname since childhood. When the catastrophe struck, his mother tragically died. The base was so chaotic, I never dared announce he was my son.”

Cui Dazhou’s face turned bitter. “Times are hard, and I live every day with my life hanging by a thread. If he’s lucky enough to be with you, even just to earn his keep, it’d be some comfort to his mother.”

Hearing this, Wang Ji smiled. “Sit down first. To be honest, following me isn’t necessarily safe, Dazhou, you need to understand that.”

Cui Dazhou’s face brightened. “No matter! Captain Wang, the boy might look unreliable, but he’s got some guts.”

“Oh? Wang Yong, you heard him. Are you really so brave?” Wang Ji smiled.

Wang Yong straightened his back, raised his chin, and spoke loudly, “Reporting, Captain! When fighting for turf in the base, I once took on five guys alone, and won every time!”

“You rascal, be humble when speaking to the Captain! The Captain’s strength—he could take on fifty men without breaking a sweat!” Cui Dazhou smacked Wang Yong on the back of his head.

“Dad…” Wang Yong rubbed his head, smiling wryly.

Wang Ji saw their genuine affection and sensed that Cui Dazhou was truly committed, even sending his own son to Wang Ji’s side—a clear sign of absolute loyalty.

“I happen to need a runner. Wang Yong, from today, you’ll work by my side.”

“Thank you, Captain Wang! You brat, hurry and thank the Captain—this is your good fortune.”

“Uh… thank you, Captain.” Wang Yong realized and saluted excitedly.

Wang Ji waved his hand. “When we return to the base, you’ll register with the camp’s secretary, but for now, this will do.”

“Alright, I won’t take up more of your time, Captain.” Cui Dazhou stood to leave. “Wang Yong, stick with the Captain, okay? If your dad’s not around, he’s your father!”

Wang Yong’s eyes grew hot, and for the first time, he showed genuine emotion in front of his father.

“Dad…”

“Don’t be sentimental. I’m off! Captain!” Cui Dazhou turned and strode out, leaving behind a suave silhouette.

Wang Ji came over and patted Wang Yong’s shoulder. “Don’t worry, you’ll see him soon enough. Go find Li Chengming, get yourself some gear, and prepare—we’re heading out to hunt mutants.”

Wang Yong wiped his eyes resolutely and dashed off.

…

Ten kilometers from the fuel storage station, several soldiers in camouflage moved swiftly through the forest. The sword-shield dragon insignia on their arms marked them as members of the Independent Company.

Their leader brought them to a small riverside and halted. After orienting himself, he signaled, and the soldiers dispersed to keep watch and replenish their energy with food.

“Test the equipment and radios!”

A soldier carrying a backpack-sized device hurried over, produced a palm-sized wireless radio, and handed it to the team leader, then fiddled with a pad.

“Captain! Signal test complete—stability grade A, strength grade A.”

The captain switched on the radio, tuned it to the Independent Company’s dedicated channel.

“Wolf One calling headquarters!”

“Wolf One calling headquarters!”

After a few seconds, the radio’s green light came on, and a steady male voice sounded.

“Headquarters here!”

“Headquarters here! Wolf, report!”

The captain broke into a smile. “Reporting, headquarters, Wolf has reached the designated spot. Communication signal stable, grade A, strength grade A!”

A few seconds later, the radio spoke again.

“Excellent! Continue northward, test signal range and stability, then report to the captain at the fuel storage station.”