CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: STRENGTH (THIRD UPDATE)

The survivors outside the Donghua Grand Restaurant are engaged in labor.

They are reinforcing the walls, expanding the courtyard.

With so many people present, Ye Fan couldn’t build a Red Alert wall, but this base was too simple and certainly couldn’t withstand a zombie attack, so he had to get the survivors to work.

He told the survivors that there was a base being built nearby and once it was completed, he would take them there, which greatly boosted their enthusiasm for labor.

Among them, Ye Jian Country was also working along, and despite Ye Fan’s objections, he could only let him be.

However, the survivors didn’t dare let Ye Jian Country do heavy work. Whatever was needed, they just had him oversee it. After all, Ye Jian Country’s identity was now different; his son was the leader here, an officer.

Just thinking about this, the survivors gave Ye Jian Country and his wife even more warm and bright smiles.

Just as work was in full swing outside, a huge military vehicle arrived at the gate.

The survivors paused their work and looked outside the gate.

This huge jeep was the first of its kind they had ever seen, all in green, with a large machine gun mounted on it, clearly indicating the vehicle’s identity.

Ye Jian Country came to the gate to see who was arriving in the vehicle.

The car door opened, and soldiers disembarked one after another.

Six Army Soldiers, each holding semi-automatic rifles, got out, along with three Conscripts, each holding Type-36 submachine guns.

Seeing these people, the survivors couldn’t help but cheer.

They wondered what had happened to some of Commander Ye’s men. With fewer soldiers in the restaurant, they felt a bit uneasy. In these times, not having soldiers nearby was never reassuring.

But unexpectedly, five had left, and in the blink of an eye, nine had arrived.

No, not nine, but twelve.

When two Logistics Support Troops, each with a gun at their waist, and a Flamethrower Warrior carrying a large oil can and a flamethrower got out, their spirits were even more lifted.

Oh, and there was a huge military dog!

No one knew where Commander Ye had obtained such a breed of dog, each surprisingly large and looking incredibly fierce.

Ye Jian Country looked at the two Logistics Support Troops and thought these two might be officers.

Because they weren’t holding the main weapons; shouldn’t that be how officers looked?

Could it be that his son’s superior had arrived?

In Ye Jian Country’s mind, his son might just be a small squad leader, a platoon leader, with certainly many superior officers to report to.

He didn’t dare neglect, so he hurried to meet them and said to one Logistics Support Troop, "Comrade, you are...?"

The Logistics Support Troop snapped to attention and saluted Ye Jian Country: "We are here to report to Commander Ye Fan!"

Ye Jian Country froze for a moment, a bit flustered not having been saluted before, and asked excitedly yet nervously: "Comrade, are you also under my son’s command?"

"Yes!"

"So... how high-ranking is my son?"

The Logistics Support Troop was at a loss for words.

Based on the authority granted by the system, they weren’t allowed to disclose information about Ye Fan.

But faced with the question, an answer was necessary, so the Logistics Support Troop hesitated for a moment: "Commander Ye Fan... is particularly high-ranking."

After speaking, they moved away from Ye Jian Country, and the twelve soldiers marched in unison indoors and proceeded to the second floor to report to Ye Fan.

The surrounding survivors looked at Ye Jian Country with eager eyes once more.

A particularly high-ranking officer!

Now there’s hope!

********

Looking at the twelve soldiers and the dog in front of him, Ye Fan was very satisfied.

The Red Alert Soldiers were always full of spirit and fighting enthusiasm; sending these soldiers out into a real army would still make them elite.

Of course, a star promotion is still needed; without it, their combat effectiveness is a bit lacking.

Ye Fan understood the situation of the Army Soldiers and Conscripts; they were the main combat forces and needed no further questioning.

What he was asking about were the Logistics Support Troops and the Flamethrower Warrior.

Among the two Logistics Support Troops, one had an honest appearance yet had an officer’s demeanor.

"Commander, Logistics Team Leader Huang Jian reporting, and Mess Officer Zhang Chengming reporting!"

Hearing the honest youth claim to be the Logistics Team Leader, Ye Fan was taken aback: "How come you two are different?"

"Yes, Commander, I am the default first-birthed member of the Logistics Support Troop, the default Logistics Team Leader. Compared to ordinary mess officers, I am skilled in more cuisines and my culinary skills are somewhat better."

"Is that so? That’s excellent, what cuisines are you proficient in?"

"Proficient in three types inside, with some knowledge of two others, and capable of making simple Western dishes."

"What about ordinary mess officers?"

"Ordinary mess officers currently have no problem cooking large pot meals, and can make simple stir-fry dishes, equivalent to chefs in ordinary small restaurants."

"Good, then the two of you will be responsible for the company’s meals based on the physique, activity level, etc., of our Red Alert Soldiers, distinguishing from the meals of ordinary survivors, ensuring everyone eats well and has the energy to fight."

"Rest assured, Commander, this is our mission and task, and we guarantee to complete it!"

Ye Fan nodded in satisfaction and looked at the flamethrower warrior.

The flamethrower warrior snapped to attention and saluted: "Reporting, sir, Flamethrower Warrior Wang Aiyu reporting for duty!"

"Alright, tell me about your situation."

"Yes, sir. I am currently equipped with a primary weapon - the flamethrower, and a secondary weapon - the Type 23 pistol. The flamethrower comes with three oil storage tanks, each capable of single or triple launch modes depending on battlefield needs. It weighs 20 kilograms, has a total length of 850 millimeters, a caliber of 14.5 millimeters, and a maximum range of 40-45 meters. It can cause massive damage to clusters of infantry or zombie units! The internal fuel is a special oil and cannot be extracted for automotive use."

Looking at the oil storage tanks and flame gun behind the soldier, Ye Fan knew that once this powerful unit hit the battlefield, it represented destruction.

As for extracting oil from the flamethrower, Ye Fan hadn’t considered it. Firstly, it wouldn’t be enough for much, and even if running low on fuel, he must ensure his firepower.

"Can all of you upgrade stars?"

"Yes, sir. Whether it’s a logistics support member or a flamethrower warrior, they can all upgrade stars, essentially tripling their initial cost, and post-upgrade abilities improve."

"Great, now everyone take your positions, I’m going to check out my vehicle first."

Ye Fan led the soldiers downstairs. Amidst the awe and flattery of the survivors, they made their way outside to the Fierce Dragon Vehicle.

Compared to the Fierce Tiger, the Fierce Dragon was larger, with a considerable length added.

The Fierce Tiger could hold eleven members, whereas the Fierce Dragon could support fifteen.

Especially the machine gun on top of the vehicle, which made Ye Fan extremely excited.

Traffic in Chengguan Town wasn’t too severe, but the lack of his own vehicle made his upcoming actions inconvenient, making this vehicle’s arrival quite timely.

"Wang Hu, Li Biao, you two come over, you’ll be driver and machine gunner."

Wang Hu and Li Biao immediately ran over and took the driver and co-driver positions.

Ye Fan also got in the vehicle to experience it for a while, the spaciousness, the improved seat comfort, with a row behind that could accommodate ten soldiers.

However, he didn’t immediately drive out to hunt zombies or rescue his sister, as it was already late; these matters could wait until tomorrow.

Back on the second floor, the soldiers’ meals were separated from those of the survivors in the evening.

Although separated, the survivors’ meals were slightly better than before, and they had no complaints.

Ye Fan lay there, calculating when Xu Haoran and the others would return.

If there were no accidents, they should be back by ten tonight.

Before heading to Lingshui, Ye Fan planned to gather the troops and make a stable arrangement, waiting for Xu Haoran and the others to return first.

********

What Ye Fan didn’t know was that Xu Haoran and his team were in the midst of a bloody battle.

In the villa area of Prosperous Mountains and Rivers, Xu Haoran and the conscripts were defending the Su Family Sisters and Gao Dongliang in retreat.

On the streets inside the villa area, more than thirty people were pursuing them.

Gunfire roared, the battle was incredibly intense!

Two conscripts led the Su Family Sisters to hide around a villa’s corner, while Xu Haoran rolled out, single-firing his suppressed submachine gun!

Whish-Whish-Whish-Whish~~~!

Four pursuers were instantly headshotted.

He rolled back again as a series of bullets sparked behind him, none hitting him.

The pursuers took advantage and rushed forward, as four three-star conscripts leapt out, prostrate-shooting, taking down their targets!

Ratatatatata~~~!

Several more fell to the ground.

Xu Haoran picked up binoculars and spotted more trying to encircle them in the distance. Looking at those he was protecting, he gave a direct order: "Retreat! We must ensure the safety of those the commander-in-chief instructed us to protect."

The four three-star soldiers and the one-star ones who upgraded during combat started to rapidly withdraw while protecting the Su Family Sisters.

Xu Haoran pulled out a grenade, threw it, and amidst the towering flames, the enemy dared not pursue further.

Taking this opportunity, they left the villa area, moving through the city park and heading toward the amusement park.

The Su Family Sisters felt some self-blame: "If it weren’t for rescuing us, the vehicles and supplies wouldn’t have been left behind."

Gao Dongliang was also ashamed, after witnessing the combat prowess of the soldiers, feeling like a burden.

Xu Haoran’s face was stern: "Doesn’t matter, when the commander-in-chief arrives, retrieving the items or eliminating those from Daqing Mountain Prison will be a piece of cake."

"Commander-in-Chief? Ye Fan?" Gao Dongliang asked.

"Correct."

Gao Dongliang was somewhat skeptical. He believed more soldiers could reclaim the items, but thought he knew Ye Fan well enough to doubt he was that formidable.

The Su Family Sisters were slightly doubtful too: "Is Brother Ye that strong?"

Xu Haoran glanced at them: "The commander-in-chief is known as the cold-faced killer, and he told me himself he could shoot down planes, how strong do you think he is?"

The other retreating conscripts displayed faces of deep trust and admiration.

The Su Family Sisters were captivated, filled with anticipation.

Gao Dongliang looked at these soldiers with overwhelming combat skills, rubbed his eyes, starting to question whether one’s fighting ability and intelligence were inversely proportional.

He didn’t know, but this expression was deeply scorned by the Red Alert Warriors.

This scrawny chubby’s combat skills and intelligence probably couldn’t even match a fraction of the Commander-in-Chief’s.