The intense explosion sound seemed like a signal of some kind.
Immediately after, raging flames erupted from the other three directions of Future City, dyeing half the sky red.
"Xiao Jun, there's a dense swarm of zombies coming from the south of Future City. The numbers are simply uncountable."
"Xiao Jun, it's the same on the west side."
"Xiao Jun, the Lone Wolf Group was initially planning to engage the zombies on the east side, but they retreated en masse after seeing the numbers."
These reports were coming in from the little sisters Xiao Jun had stationed in the other three directions to observe the situation.
The glow of the fires grew larger, accompanied by sounds of heavy objects hitting the ground.
Chen Gang had invested heavily this time, preparing abundantly, while the Bloody Clothes Gang and Lone Wolf Group had also contributed considerable resources.
Xiao Jun, however, did not participate. He simply said one thing: he would guarantee that not a single zombie would appear in the north of the city, leaving the other three speechless.
In their hearts, though, each of them was speculating about what tricks Xiao Jun might have up his sleeve.
Twenty minutes had passed, and Li Qianwan had returned to Xiao Jun's side.
"Don't worry, once this is over, I'll reward you for sure. Just name your price."
Li Qianwan was satisfied. As long as she survived the upcoming battle, she would never again have to endure the life of eating Fanzihuan every day.
Thinking of the last time she went upstairs to mooch hot pot, she felt it was a bit inappropriate, but tears of weakness still streamed down her cheeks.
"Notify everyone to prepare for battle."
The zombie assault on Future City had been going on for half an hour. Even without looking, Xiao Jun knew the devastation the city must be facing.
Two more little sisters came running swiftly.
"Leader, the first wave of fire attacks and the second wave of aerial bombardment have inflicted heavy casualties on the zombies. But their numbers are simply too vast. The vanguard has already engaged several of our groups."
Despite the mental preparation, this was the first time they'd faced such an enormous zombie horde charging at them. The brave ones could still fight back normally, but the faint-hearted had trembling hands gripping their weapons, only retaliating when forced to.
The Lone Wolf Group, in particular, had crumbled at the first assault.
The people they had recruited were a mixed bag, so even with a force of a hundred thousand, they were just a rabble, unable to withstand the test of battle.
Around Lone Wolf himself, a thousand-strong group was covering his retreat.
These were the elite of the former Lone Wolf Group, at least second-tier mutants, with nearly a hundred third-tier mutants and four fourth-tier mutants.
"Boss, where are we retreating to? There are just too many zombies," a fourth-tier mutant asked in a hushed voice.
"We're heading north, to find Xiao Jun. Only he has the ability to save us."
In this critical moment, Lone Wolf placed his unwavering faith in Xiao Jun, more than he had in Future City, which had tens of thousands of people.
After all, Xiao Jun had previously said he would guarantee that not a single zombie would appear in the north of the city.
"Yeah, let's go find Leader Xiao Jun. He's like a brother to the boss, right? Going to him is the right move."
The fourth-tier mutant immediately understood. No wonder Leader Xiao Jun had caused a ruckus last time, killing several of their subordinates, yet the boss had buried the hatchet with him. He had been waiting here all along.
Now, Leader Xiao Jun's territory also had a force of several thousand, and rumor had it, the Harem Gang alone had hundreds of third-tier mutants.
Of course, this was just a rumor. What was known for certain was that the thousand little sisters in Xiao Jun's Harem Gang had all reached the third tier today.
Ever since the news of the zombie assault on Future City had been released, cigarette sales had experienced another small surge. Toward the end, all of Xiao Jun's low-grade cigarettes had sold out, and even three thousand high-grade cigarettes had been sold.
The first to arrive at Xiao Jun's territory was not Lone Wolf, but Guo Yu.
As soon as the war broke out, Guo Yu immediately led his men to Xiao Jun's side.
They were delayed a bit due to the chaos in the city, but it wasn't too late.
"Xiao Jun, where do you want me?" Guo Yu eagerly asked to join the fight as soon as he arrived, not even acting like a Future City resident, but rather as one of Xiao Jun's subordinates.
As for the five thousand men under his command, they were more than happy to be led to a safe place. Even if Chen Gang later inquired about it, Guo Yu had been the one leading them, so they wouldn't know anything.
"Go up front and block the way. Don't let anyone through randomly. If anyone dares to force their way in, kill them."
Before the zombies arrived, Xiao Jun aimed to unite all forces.
After the zombies came, anyone who dared to disrupt Xiao Jun's deployment would be met with death.
There would be no favoritism shown, even to compatriots. Dead friends are better than poor friends.
"But if they're from Future City..."
"Don't worry, Jiang Yue will go with you. She'll decide. If she can't decide, she'll inform me."
Guo Yu led his men to guard the front, which was the only path left open, meant for allowing other humans to enter.
But not everyone would be allowed in. Otherwise, letting in those who couldn't contribute and only caused trouble would be a nuisance.
The second group to arrive was Lone Wolf's.
He had already abandoned his hundred thousand followers, as their role in the upcoming battle had been arranged beforehand. There was no need for him to command them personally.
His own life was what mattered most.
"Stop, what are you doing?" Guo Yu immediately stepped forward upon seeing the group of nearly a thousand approaching.
"I'm Lone Wolf, and I'm here to see my brother, Leader Xiao Jun."
Lone Wolf was thick-skinned, simply declaring this outright.
Guo Yu was well aware of the history between Lone Wolf and Xiao Jun. When did the two become brothers? How could he not know about this?
Since Lone Wolf was a major figure in Future City, Guo Yu hesitated.
Jiang Yue also came forward, worried that Guo Yu might be at a disadvantage, as the approaching thousand-strong group seemed quite formidable.
She had already arranged for someone to notify Xiao Jun. They just needed to stall for a bit.
"Lone Wolf Leader, perhaps you could wait for a moment. Xiao Jun will be here soon."
Seeing Jiang Yue, the manager of the Harem Gang who handled all major and minor affairs while Xiao Jun was merely the nominal leader, Lone Wolf calmed down.
Soon, Xiao Jun arrived.
"Leader Xiao Jun, what about me?" Lone Wolf immediately sidled up to Xiao Jun with a fawning smile, acting like a close brother.
"Is this a thousand men?"
"Yes, yes."
"All elites from your group?"
"Uh, Leader Xiao Jun is truly perceptive."
"One third-tier mutation crystal per person."
"..."
The conversation had reached a dead end.
Although Lone Wolf knew Xiao Jun would definitely try to rip him off, this was too much.
Moreover, he hadn't settled the score from the last time Xiao Jun had conned him out of thirty mutation crystals, and now he was asking for another thousand?
"Leader Xiao Jun, if I had a thousand crystals, I'd already be at the fifth tier. Do you think that's possible?"
"We've done business before. The zombies are right behind us, time waits for no one. How about you give me a reasonable number, and we'll call it even."
Xiao Jun glanced behind him. The zombies were still quite far away.
"Here's a fair price for you: one hundred crystals. But your men have to stay on the front lines and follow my arrangements."
"How about eighty?"
"Get lost."
Without another word, Lone Wolf took out one hundred third-tier mutation crystals from his spatial storage and handed them to Xiao Jun.
Xiao Jun gave him a surprised look. This guy was impressive. No wonder he could become the leader of a major power despite his cowardly appearance. His money-making skills were formidable.
It hadn't been that long, yet he could readily produce one hundred third-tier mutation crystals just like that.
"Guo Yu, move aside quickly. Let my brother Lone Wolf's men in."