Detachment of Women, The Tide Rises.

Following Jiang Yue's instructions, the team moved forward like a zombie harvester machine, swiftly moving in one direction and eliminating any zombies they encountered.

Halfway through, they ran into two second-order zombies, both easily dealt with by Xiao Jun, yielding two advanced care packages.

Unlike what the other young ladies thought, Xiao Jun noticed something unusual. The number of second-order zombies had increased.

Coupled with the increased yield of care packages this morning, Xiao Jun suspected that last night's zombie rain must have also undergone some changes.

The number of second-order zombies should have increased significantly. For the surviving humans, this could be another disaster.

Currently, there probably weren't many people who could kill second-order zombies. This was an opportunity for some, yet a lethal threat to most.

Luckily Xiao Jun came along today. If it had been Wan Qianya, the team would have definitely suffered losses after continuously encountering second-order zombies.

"No need to specifically look for care packages now. Let's just kill our way through. The number of second-order zombies has increased, so advanced care packages must have increased too. We'll just trigger the big ones directly," Xiao Jun said to Jiang Yue.

He also started observing his surroundings.

First-order zombies didn't require his intervention. He just had to watch out for any second-orders.

Following Xiao Jun's words, Jiang Yue made corresponding adjustments. The team no longer went down small paths, proudly killing their way down main roads.

As it turned out, Xiao Jun was right.

Within an hour, they encountered three more second-order zombies. The numerous advanced care packages also yielded many great items - much more cost-effective than basic care packages.

After resting for a bit, Xiao Jun generously took out over thirty self-heating pots. Within minutes, the aroma of hotpot filled the air.

"Smells so good!"

Many of the young ladies started salivating. After eating packed lunches day after day, even birds would fly out of their mouths. Now there was hotpot - who would still eat packed lunches?

The four new young ladies each received a self-heating pot, wolfing the contents down.

How did they not know that this stuff was so delicious before?

Not far from their rest stop, another group of people were also resting. Although Xiao Jun noticed them, he didn't pay much attention. As long as they minded their own business, there would be no trouble. If they dared make trouble, he would just kill them all.

...

"Boss, look over there. So many juicy young ladies!"

"What are you hollering about when I have eyes too? Why do I need you to tell me?"

This bunch had been idle hoodlums before the apocalypse. The apocalypse had instead given them opportunities to unleash themselves.

Relying on brute force, they quickly obtained their first care package, and even luckily found a steel knife inside.

After that, the few also smoothly looted and even raped stranded young ladies.

"Skinny Monkey, you gotta see the situation clearly. Are those chicks people we can afford to provoke? With your monkey face ogling them, they might just chop you up later."

Although they never received much education and lusted after beautiful women, at least one of them still had a clear head.

This man was called Chen Qingli, the gang's number two. He had been a university student and was said to have decent grades.

Later at university, his girlfriend cheated on him so he beat the couple to death in a dormitory rage. He fled until reaching Star City, also quite ruthless.

Such a murderer would have soon been caught, awaiting the law's judgement. Yet the apocalypse happened.

Relying on his ruthlessness, he gained a foothold among the hoodlums, even becoming number two. He was now a first-order Variant.

"Bro, then what do you say? With so many chicks, don't you want to sleep with them? And the hotpot, don't you want to eat it?"

"We'll have it all once we take them out."

The rest understood not provoking the women directly, but Skinny Monkey still looked down on them. Women - they're just there to be used.

"Moron."

Chen Qingli scolded.

"If you wanna die alone, don't drag us brothers down with you."

"But I have an idea that may let us reap big rewards."

The dozen-odd men all looked over, even the boss included.

Who didn't want to embrace soft girls while eating steaming hotpot? Hearing Chen Qingli had a way, who wouldn't be moved?

"First, we spread word about them, exaggerating a bit. Tell the other survivors this group has tons of food, and they're all female university students."

They understood spreading rumors, but why emphasize they were female university students?

Skinny Monkey asked directly.

"University students, moreover female ones, easily gives the impression they have kind hearts."

"Later when more people come, conflicts will inevitably erupt. We just need to sit back and reap the rewards."

...

Xiao Jun didn't expect that less than 100 meters away, a group was already plotting to swallow his team up.

Eating their fill, it was time to work again.

Using the same morning tactics, the young ladies also maintained ample vigor.

Jiang Yue had already helped the four new ladies successfully advance during the break. Of course it wasn't free - she would tally it on their tabs for them to repay later.

Xiao Jun once again slayed a second-order zombie. The ladies adeptly surrounded the care package while keeping watch of their surroundings. Yet Jiang Yue approached Xiao Jun.

"Bro Jun, something feels off. The people tailing us seem to be increasing," Jiang Yue said with furrowed brows.

Xiao Jun also frowned. People had started following their team that afternoon, but since they were few and only tailed from behind, Xiao Jun hadn't minded.

But now there were probably over a hundred people.

"Should I go ask what they're up to?"

It felt very unsettling to have a crowd watching from behind as they fought, almost like they were waiting to ambush.

If they suddenly attacked mid-battle, things would turn bad for everyone.

"Mm, be careful. I'll keep watch," Xiao Jun nodded, his frown not easing. Instead he lit a cigarette, inhaling deeply until his tightened brows relaxed.

No matter their intentions, he would warn them once. If they still followed, he would directly kill them.

Soon Jiang Yue returned, her exquisite face also scrunched up, cutely.

"Bro Jun, these people somehow heard we have a lot of food here. They want to ask us for food," she said.

What?

Xiao Jun wondered if he had misheard. This was the apocalypse. They wanted him to give them food?

Were these people dreaming?

By now the crowd behind was clamoring. Perhaps because Xiao Jun's team hadn't moved for a while, or they felt their numbers were enough.

"Ladies, we're all Chinese compatriots. How can you bear to watch your big sister starve to death?"

"Yes, yes! Have pity on my child, only eight years old. His dad was eaten by zombies while scavenging. We mother and child haven't eaten in three days."

...