Chapter 71: Acquiring the Sect’s Powerful Weapon

The two-story house appeared modest from the outside, but standing at the doorway, all one could see was a cavernous darkness. To the group, this shadow was monstrous, as if at any moment another formidable third-tier zombie might leap forth and devour them all. Du Yun had regained some strength by now; unwilling to weaken the leader’s combat power, she insisted on walking herself, flanked closely on all sides by the leader and his companions, who guarded her at the center.

Behind them trailed Dong Iron Hammer and his son, along with Peach and the others, as well as two young men who seemed to be Dong Iron Hammer’s staunch supporters, keeping vigilant watch around them. At the rear shuffled those who had sidled up to Dong Iron Hammer’s group but weren’t particularly loyal—among them were Mediterranean and the stout woman brandishing a shovel. They eyed the ominous little house ahead with palpable dread, too afraid to enter yet equally reluctant to remain outside alone. Huddled together, they quivered in terror.

Yet the dark house offered the group no threat, nor did it yield any reward—only thick, impenetrable shadows and fear. They searched both floors thoroughly; aside from ubiquitous bloodstains and countless mangled corpses, not a single weapon was found.

“What on earth is going on?” Skinny Monkey fixed Dong Iron Hammer with a stern gaze. Dong Iron Hammer had claimed there were weapons here and had led them to this place. Now, apart from a deadly zombie that had escaped, there was nothing. Why had they risked so much for nothing?

“I—I don’t know!” Dong Iron Hammer stammered. He had only known the location of the arsenal, not where things were hidden. Terrified by the third-tier zombie and the carnage, his mind had turned to mush; he couldn’t think at all.

“You don’t know? After everything we went through, you dare say you don’t know?” Strongman’s eyes blazed as he grabbed Dong Iron Hammer’s collar, shouting, “You confidently led us here and now claim ignorance? We were nearly torn apart by that zombie, and you say you don’t know!”

Agitated, Strongman’s grip tightened. Dong Iron Hammer cried out but dared not fight back, his throat aching as he coughed violently. Seeing this, Dong Iron Hammer’s son rushed forward to help, joined by the two loyal supporters who surrounded Strongman.

Skinny Monkey, unwilling to let Strongman suffer, hurried to block them. Others joined in, trying to mediate. Peach was so frightened she sobbed uncontrollably. The scene devolved into chaos.

Du Yun paid no mind to their squabble. She focused intently on the layout of the house. It was small, each floor holding a single corridor and four rooms. Upstairs, two rooms appeared to be dormitories, and two were offices. Downstairs, there was a gatehouse, a kitchen and dining room, a toilet, and what seemed to be a storeroom.

There were many corpses inside—at least thirty or forty. Judging by the tattered uniforms, they were soldiers. For an entire squad to be in a small house with only two offices seemed odd. Where was the anomaly?

“Stop arguing!” Du Yun suddenly shouted. A thought flashed through her mind, and she strode quickly toward the storeroom where the most and messiest bodies lay.

The leader, concerned for Du Yun’s safety, followed without glancing at the others. Strongman and Skinny Monkey, sensing Du Yun was onto something, abandoned their quarrel and hurried after her. The rest, seeing this, forgot their disputes as well, carefully stepping around the chilling bodies as they followed.

“Clear the corpses,” Du Yun said at the storeroom door, her scalp tingling at the sight of the piled bodies. She had been a young woman in peaceful times; no matter how tough, so many corpses were hard to face. She steadied herself, then spoke.

“So many…” the alluring woman, Red Plum, muttered, only to receive a slap from Dong Iron Hammer, leaving her stunned.

“Don’t talk nonsense. If you don’t understand, keep quiet!” Dong Iron Hammer was frustrated; his scuffle with Strongman had shown him the true strength of these four. The leader and Du Yun could fight terrifying third-tier zombies—no need to question their abilities. Even Strongman, who seemed unremarkable, was far stronger than Dong Iron Hammer himself, who couldn’t even resist in his grasp.

Recognizing his own limitations, Dong Iron Hammer abandoned any ideas of using the group; the journey was perilous, and his chances of survival were better with them. It was wiser to cooperate.

With Dong Iron Hammer taking the lead, the others obediently began moving corpses. Du Yun and her companions examined each zombie closely. After some sorting, they found four or five second-tier zombie corpses, though two had already had their crystals pried out. They managed to retrieve three fingernail-sized crystals.

“Look, there’s a lid!” After clearing the bodies, a two-meter-square cover appeared before them.

“Open it up—be careful, there may be zombies inside!” Du Yun warned. Everyone took their positions, ready for battle. Strongman and Skinny Monkey each took a side and carefully lifted the lid.

Inside, sure enough, there was a zombie—just one. The sudden opening and the sight of so many living people stunned it. In that brief moment, the leader’s machete and Du Yun’s arrow struck—one sliced its neck, the other pierced its forehead. In an instant, the zombie was dead.

“Search!” At the leader’s command, Strongman and Skinny Monkey sprang into action, entering the underground space. At the end of the room, they finally discovered rows of weapons.

“These will do!” The leader surveyed the energy weapons hanging on the wall. They were lightweight, but sufficient for the time being. His lips curled upward as he gestured; he, Strongman, and Skinny Monkey swiftly began selecting weapons.

Du Yun, unfamiliar with such arms and unburdened by weight, simply took a large bag and picked up whatever they chose.

Soon, the leader’s group had selected all the guns, energy packs, and ammunition. Only then did Dong Iron Hammer’s group get their turn; they didn’t know how to choose, so they followed the leader’s instructions, each taking a weapon and matching ammunition.

“Take more energy packs and bullets,” the leader whispered to Du Yun when no one was looking.

“Alright!” Du Yun nodded, and as they departed, she lingered at the rear, casting a glance at the arsenal meant for the entire security force. A faint smile curved her lips; she waved gently, then walked away.

Had anyone arrived at the arsenal at that moment, they would have found every single weapon inside vanished without a trace.