Chapter 28: Complications

Yu Yue nodded subtly. "After absorbing that pan-energy crystal yesterday and getting some sleep, I woke up an Evolver this morning. My core ability is 'Sonic Affinity,' which allows me to hear many strange sounds."

"A Manipulator, of all things." Su Huan was genuinely surprised.

He had originally expected Liang Kuan or Yu Jing to be the first to evolve, never imagining that the timid Aunt Yu would lead the pack.

Su Huan walked around the table and chairs to Yu Yue's side, inspecting her ears. Becoming an Evolver always brought about some physical changes—like the iron-colored tint in Qi Xiaoba’s eyes or the restrained luster in Wan Xing’s. Su Huan’s own changes were even more pronounced, manifesting as red light or lightning.

Yu Yue's ears had become more slender and were set higher on her head, with the contours of the cartilage clearly defined. While not as exaggerated as elven ears, they appeared incredibly delicate. Thanks to the evolution, the fine wrinkles at the corners of her eyes had vanished, and her skin had brightened by a shade. Though these were minor adjustments accompanying the evolution, combined, they made her look at least ten years younger.

Seeming to sense Su Huan’s gaze, Yu Yue combed her hair unnaturally, the tips of her ears turning red.

"A normal person can hear sounds in the range of 20 to 20,000 Hz, so you can hear many things we can't. But you'll have to observe for yourself what those sounds signify. After all, we can't hear them." Su Huan explained, squinting as he looked her up and down. Being able to hear special sound waves was just a secondary perk; her primary ability should be the capacity to control them. Otherwise, this type wouldn't be classified as a "Manipulator."

"Anything else?"

"I think I can gather some of the sounds I hear, and I can also emit high-pitched and low-frequency sounds myself."

Su Huan picked up a glass shard from the table, took a glance at Aunt Yu’s fair, delicate neck, and asked with mild curiosity, "Is this something you did?"

In his past life, he had encountered someone who could hear various sound waves, but hearing them and utilizing them were two different things.

"Yes..."

The fine down on Yu Yue’s ears stood on end. Her thin, arched brows were knit together, and her fingers twisted together like a child's. She was always nervous under Su Huan’s gaze. It was only after she stole a glance at her daughter sitting nearby that her emotions eased slightly.

Su Huan looked intrigued. "It seems there’s quite a bit of offensive potential. What degree can it reach?"

"The attack power is very weak right now. At most, it can cause someone to have tinnitus for a moment."

"That’s quite good." Su Huan said with satisfaction. A complete team isn’t necessarily a gathering of many powerful individuals, but rather a group of people with various skills working in coordination. Firepower suppression, area control, long-range support, sensory tracking—different specialties form a well-rounded squad.

When Su Huan had first selected his people, he prioritized those who could operate the armored train, with ease of control as a secondary factor. The matching of evolutionary abilities was like opening a blind box; he hadn't expected Yu Yue and the others to have particularly suitable talents. To have drawn a sound wave manipulator was already a top-tier result.

"Really?" Yu Yue hadn't expected to hear the words "quite good" from the demanding Su Huan. She lifted her rounded chin and gathered her courage to ask, "Then what can I do?"

Su Huan looked at Yu Yue’s soft lips, lost in thought. High frequency, vibration... perhaps... "Could you be a sniper?"

"Oh, me?" Yu Yue’s brows unknitted, and she happily clasped her hands behind her back. Suddenly remembering that her daughter and others were present, she quietly reined in her movements.

Watching her mother act like a young girl after just a couple of compliments, Yu Jing sighed inwardly and asked, "Is it because sonic abilities are better suited for long-range performance?"

Su Huan turned his head and said seriously, "Yes. If she can control sound waves, she can easily obtain battlefield information, such as terrain, enemy positions, and so on. Paired with a sniper rifle, she will be an important combat asset for the team."

Yu Jing thought about her mother’s personality; if she were forced onto the battlefield with a knife, she would definitely be terrified and hide behind her. Being a long-range sniper was quite good—important and safe.

"Huh?" Yu Yue suddenly let out a soft exclamation. The group looked at her, puzzled.

"Mom, what is it?" Yu Jing went to her mother’s side and held her hand.

Yu Yue tilted her head and said uncertainly, "I heard two explosions. The sound was similar to the ones this morning."

Su Huan and Yu Jing exchanged a look. Su Huan raised an eyebrow and asked, "In which direction?"

Yu Yue extended a finger, pointing outside the left side of the train carriage. Su Huan’s expression turned cold instantly. That was the direction of the water plant, something Yu Yue couldn't have known about.

Su Huan narrowed his eyes. "Xiaoba, go to the cab and tell Liang Kuan to speed up, but watch the road conditions. Wan Xing, go to the supply carriage. Yu Jing, you stay here. Tell me if your mother hears anything else."

After speaking, Su Huan walked toward the second observation carriage. Ascending the stairs to the second floor, he looked out the window. Since it was morning, the mist outside had dissipated significantly. Although it was still an overcast day, he could see things in the distance.

On both sides of the tracks were mostly low-rise buildings under six stories, enclosed by metal fences. There weren't many cars on the road, which looked as if it had been cleared. There were quite a few ruptured corpse cocoons; he assumed that must have been the work of the Fanxing Property group.

The glass was coated with condensation, making the view somewhat blurry, so Su Huan simply walked through the rear door directly onto the third carriage. The hot, humid air surged in, quickly soaking his gray T-shirt and making it cling to him.

Standing there, he could just see the water tower under the gloomy sky in the distance. The train beneath his feet continued to move. Ten minutes later, at 10:22, it finally came to a stop, and the water tower shifted from the left side of Su Huan’s field of vision to directly in front of him. It was only about a kilometer away.

It had been 42 minutes since Gao Zhe had departed with four workers and two trusted subordinates carrying the explosives. It wasn't that he didn't want to send his own people. Liang Kuan was the driver and couldn't easily leave the train; Qi Xiaoba was a strategic asset and had trouble walking, so he couldn't leave either. As for Yu Jing and Wan Xing, it went without saying—sending them would be like throwing meat buns at a dog. Even without risk, complications would inevitably arise.

When the apocalypse tore away the constraints of civilization, women also became a vital resource. That was why, even when Gao Zhe repeatedly violated the rules, Su Huan had never killed him. He needed a powerful enforcer who knew how to keep a respectful distance.

Suddenly, a figure stumbling back toward the train was reflected in Su Huan’s pupils. Footsteps came from behind him as well; Liang Kuan walked up, dragging Hu An with him.

Su Huan draped an arm over Hu An’s shoulder, pointed at the distant figure, and asked with a faint smile, "Tell me, what kind of news do you think he’s bringing back?"

Hu An looked at the uniform the man was wearing, his heart sinking. He swallowed hard. "Brother Su, perhaps there’s been some sort of misunderstanding..."

The man saw Su Huan on the train and ran even faster, regardless of the mud on his legs. Reaching the base of the train, he panted heavily and shouted, "Boss Su, they’ve broken the deal!"