Chapter 424, Ghosts, and Unexpected Benefits
The battle was simpler than expected.
Zombies fell one after another, and the air reeked of blood.
Compared to clearing out commercial streets and central roundabouts, the number of zombies here wasn't even close to what they had faced in a single alley back then.
Let alone causing any real threat.
Soon, the battle was over.
All the zombies that charged forward were thoroughly killed.
Blood and severed limbs covered the entire road.
After confirming no new zombies were approaching.
Wu Heng took two steps forward and cast [Battlefield of the Dead]. The fallen zombies turned into skeletons and stood up, shaking off the remaining flesh from their bones.
"Clean the battlefield and clear the debris on the tracks."
Clattering sounds filled the air~!
The skeletons began moving, clearing away meat chunks, torn fabric, and other debris from the tracks.
...…
Once the tracks were cleared.
The train continued moving toward the platform ahead.
This was a small station, with a building labeled 'East District Station.'
"It's noon; let's have everyone disembark, get some fresh air, and continue on our way," said Qi Hancai.
If the journey went smoothly, stopping wouldn't matter much.
But since they had already stopped, they might as well scavenge the station.
They could also rest for a bit.
Get some fresh air.
After all, for safety reasons, the train's interior had been sealed tightly.
Meanwhile, Wu Heng's released specters returned from different directions.
A shared vision appeared in his mind.
Survivors?
The vision revealed a survivor using a walkie-talkie to relay some kind of message.
After viewing the vision.
Wu Heng turned to Qi Hancai, "Have everyone rest and eat something. Let's head inside and check on this survivor."
"Survivor? Here?" Qi Hancai was surprised.
"They probably noticed the zombie activity and came to investigate," Wu Heng explained as he led skeletons into the building.
Qi Hancai followed, holding a walkie-talkie, instructing others to take a break, and entered alongside him.
Survivors from the train got off to stretch their legs and inspect the train's condition.
...…
Inside the waiting room.
In the smoking area near a window.
A survivor in a puffer jacket and backpack was talking into a walkie-talkie nonstop.
"Damn, there's a heavily modified train here, covered in iron plates, with a battering ram at the front."
"No, it's not a human train. Damn, it's a train full of skeletons. Damn it, these monsters are advancing technologically."
The man crouched under the window, occasionally peeking out and exclaiming into the walkie-talkie.
A puzzled voice came through the device, "Calm down, what exactly did you see? A train and what else?"
Lowering himself further, the man explained, "A modified train rolled into the station, and around it are skeletons wearing armor and holding weapons."
"Skeletons?"
"Yeah, human skeletons. All the flesh is gone, just bare bones."
The walkie-talkie went silent for a moment.
Then came a hesitant question, "Are you sure?"
"Positive. They're dangerous. I even saw flying skeletal dragons. I need to leave…."
Knock, knock, knock~!
Before he could finish speaking.
A sudden knock on the door echoed.
The abrupt sound made the man's heart race, his vision blurring from the shock.
He experienced dizziness and a momentary blackout.
"Come back; let's leave this place. The station's no good," came the voice of a companion through the walkie-talkie.
Simultaneously, a woman's voice called from outside the door, "Survivor, right? We just arrived here. Come out and chat for a bit."
The man shook his head, trying to regain composure.
Taking a deep breath, he spoke into the walkie-talkie, "Yinghui, I love you. Don't wait for me to return."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
The man turned off the walkie-talkie and stepped out.
Opening the smoking room door, he saw a man and a woman outside, surrounded by dozens of pale skeletons.
Some skeletons wore armor and carried melee weapons.
Others held rifles and submachine guns.
Skeleton special forces?
It was even more shocking than the earlier vision.
"You… you're humans?"
...…
Qi Hancai scrutinized the man.
He didn't seem too malnourished.
"Of course, we're human," Qi Hancai replied and added, "What were you sneaking around for?"
The man quickly said, "I noticed the zombies moving in one direction and came to check it out."
Being able to communicate normally gave him hope.
Perhaps he wouldn't die here.
Qi Hancai continued, "Your shelter is nearby?"
The man hesitated but nodded.
Glancing back at Wu Heng, Qi Hancai said directly, "Alright, you can leave. We've taken over this place. In the future, if you have gold or special materials, you can come here to trade for food."
The man frowned, thinking for a moment, "Are you the ones from Old Factory Shelter who announced they'd be coming a few days ago?"
"Yes," Qi Hancai nodded.
"You actually came!"
"Yep. We're heading to 'Anhui City Station.' Got any intel on it?" Qi Hancai asked, folding her arms and staring at him.
The man said, "I know a little. If I tell you, will you let me go?"
Qi Hancai raised an eyebrow, "Depends on whether it's useful."
The man's eyes darted, considering his words, before speaking slowly, "I heard there are ghosts in 'Anhui City Station,' the kind that never stop haunting you once they latch on."
Qi Hancai froze, her brows furrowing, "Explain in detail."
"I don't know much. Just that a shelter mentioned it on the radio, warning people to be cautious near the station. They lost many people and were forced to relocate their base. Later, there was no news from that shelter."
Ghosts?
The main station had mentioned ghosts.
They were here too?
Seeing the woman's silence, the man cautiously asked, "Can I go now?"
"Got anything else to share?"
"No, if I knew more, I'd tell you. It's no loss to me," the man emphasized.
"Alright, you can leave. Tell your people, if they want to trade, they can contact us."
The man hesitated, "We wanted to get a vehicle from here."
Qi Hancai glanced toward the station interior, "We didn't see any extra engines. Even if there were, they're our spoils now. If you want one, bring something we need to trade."
"Got it. I'll relay the message back."
Qi Hancai added, "This place will be closed for some time. If you want to trade, contact us on the radio. Don't come recklessly; we can't guarantee your safety."
"Understood!"
The man nodded and cautiously walked away.
Frequently glancing back to ensure they weren't planning to attack him.
Once outside the gate, he bolted toward the distance.
...…
Wu Heng wandered around the hall.
Despite its abandonment.
Basic facilities like supermarkets and rest areas were still relatively intact.
Seeing Qi Hancai return.
"He's gone?"
"Yes, a local shelter resident. Told him to bring gold or supplies if they want to trade in a couple of days," Qi Hancai said.
"Good, as long as they're no threat to us."
Qi Hancai glanced at the armed skeletons, "Unless an artillery brigade shows up, who else could threaten you?"
Wu Heng entered the supermarket to inspect the scattered goods, "Let everyone in. Take anything edible or useful."
Qi Hancai pulled out the walkie-talkie to issue orders.
Several survivors eagerly entered and began scavenging supplies.
No matter how limited train space was, food and drinks were priorities.
Qi Hancai asked, "What about this station?"
"Have the skeletons guard it for now. We'll decide later," Wu Heng replied.
"Alright!"
Wu Heng assigned tasks to the skeletons.
The others scavenged supplies.
After everything was gathered and the train re-inspected.
Everyone boarded again, continuing toward Anhui City Station.
...…
Inside the train car.
Wu Heng sorted through the gold and silver jewelry scavenged from the corpses.
Qi Hancai, sitting on the floor, said, "That man mentioned something earlier. He said there's a ghost in 'Anhui City Station' that haunts you relentlessly. I suggest we set up a market at the station before it and avoid this ghost."
Wu Heng paused.
"A ghost?"