Chapter 41
“Isn’t the captain’s partner that ugly, fat Shen Tang that everyone in the city despises p>
“Yeah, I saw her last month. She’s all flabby, with skin as dark as coal. Her face is covered with acne and pustules, and she exudes a rancid stench that made me nearly throw up back then p>
“The captain must have terrible luck to marry that ugly fat woman p>
“I heard that vicious and ugly female frequently takes the captain’s money to gamble. She’s maliciously sly; how could she possibly have good intentions for seeking out the captain p>
“Are you Shen Tang, really p>
The Beastmen scrutinized the suddenly appearing female with dangerous curiosity, “Could she be seeking protection, making up lies to deceive us p>
This female was indeed very plump, with squinting puffy eyes, a flat fleshy nose, and crooked teeth, quite unattractive even among ordinary people, but still better than that fat woman Shen Tang.
At least her skin looked tender and smooth, fairer and cleaner than most of the females in the city.
Shen Tang was exasperated, nearly forgetting how bad her predecessor’s reputation was. These Beastmen still held outdated stereotypes about her.
Reluctantly, she took out her Light Computer, opened her personal information page, and showed it to them, “I really am Shen Tang. I recovered to C-level spiritual power and went with the army to the pollution zone. Some accidents happened later, and I ended up nearby… I saw this deserted factory and thought of hiding here from mutant creatures, and accidentally ran into you p>
A nearby Beastman rubbed his eyes, confirming he wasn’t mistaken, “Oh my god, it really is Shen Tang. There’s no way her personal information on the Light Computer can be faked p>
“How did you become… not so ugly anymore p>
“All the acne on your face is gone, your skin looks so good, how did you do it p>
“You don’t even look as fat as before, it’s so strange p>
Everyone exclaimed in surprise, their spirits seemingly less depressed.
“Stop, stop, stop.” Shen Tang quickly interrupted, “None of that is important, I’m here to get you out, and, where’s Lu Xiao now? I need to find him p>
“The captain is on the first underground level,” a young, gentle-looking Beastman replied.
Shen Tang was surprised, “Underground p>
“Yes, this deserted factory was invaded by mutant creatures and became their lair. We cleared the surface layer of mutant creatures after arriving here, but later discovered a whole underground world, a deserted underground hive lab p>
“We haven’t been to the deepest underground level yet, but there’s said to be a terrifying mutant creature down there. Every night we hear roars from below, and the captain doesn’t allow ordinary members to go down p>
The Beastman spoke, rubbing his arms with a look of fear on his face, “It’s said that the illegal lab used hundreds of S-level pollution species to create that monster, even the captain can’t match it p>
“To prevent that monster from escaping, the captain and Beastmen above the Fifth Rank are suppressing it on the first underground level p>
“Shen Tang, you say you’re here to help us, but how can you help us single-handedly?” a tall, lanky, gray-haired Beastman sneered.
What use is a single female coming over? Without any support squad, it seemed more like she was here to be a burden rather than to help.
“Don’t think we can save you; we’re barely surviving ourselves, stuck in this desolate place, waiting for death!” The Beastman growled, eyes red and voice hoarse, seemingly on the brink of madness.
Their current situation came to mind, and everyone fell into a slump again, despair filling the air.
Forget about breaking through the encirclement, they were so hungry now that they barely had the strength to walk.
Shen Tang opened her mouth, insisting, Take me to see Lu Xiao first p>
She had system-rewarded supplies in her space, enough to help these Beastmen through the crisis, but she dared not take them out rashly.
Human nature couldn’t withstand the test. These starving Beastmen could turn into a pack of wolves anytime; a female without the power to protect herself taking out so many supplies was unpredictable.
The others assumed Shen Tang was eager to find Lu Xiao for shelter and didn’t think further.
Someone went to inform Lu Xiao.
About half an hour later, Shen Tang saw that tall, familiar figure.
Lu Xiao’s frame was a bit thinner compared to when they first met, but he was still tall, as sturdy as a pine tree, calm and composed, with undiminished authority.
Especially his deep gray-green eyes, sharp and intimidating, carrying an invisible pressure, making people instinctively straighten up and pay attention.
“Why are you here?” Lu Xiao’s normally emotionless and stern face showed a trace of surprise seeing Shen Tang.
It was unclear whether he was surprised to see her at the deserted factory or the changes on her.
Lu Xiao clearly recalled her obese and bloated body from their last meeting. In just half a month without seeing her, her skin became fair and delicate, and she just didn’t seem as bloated anymore.
“I’ll explain the reason later. First, gather all the surviving Beastmen and tell me the current situation. I have something important to communicate,” Shen Tang’s voice carried a hint of urgency.
Lu Xiao’s sharp brows slightly furrowed. He didn’t know what this female wanted showing up out of nowhere, and based on previous experiences, would never trust anything this vicious female said.
But this time, Lu Xiao’s cold gaze met Shen Tang’s determined eyes and paused briefly. He then turned to the adjutant beside him and commanded, “Bring everyone back and do a headcount p>
“Yes p>
Once everyone returned, Lu Xiao quickly assessed the current status of the squad.
By the night before last, their supplies were completely exhausted, and no Beastman had eaten since.
There were originally 107 Beastmen when they set out; two were lost to an ambush on the way. They arrived at the factory with 105 Beastmen, but after combating mutant species and the toll of the past half month, only 69 Beastmen remained.
The survivors all carried moderate or worse injuries and were in a constant state of hunger and dehydration, barely able to withstand another wave of mutant attacks.
They could withstand at most another three days, but death by attrition awaited.
Despair permeated everyone’s hearts, Lu Xiao showed no emotion, but his fists hanging at his sides slightly loosened, the fingertips cold.
“You shouldn’t have come here,” Lu Xiao looked at Shen Tang, his voice devoid of emotion, “Outside is full of mutant creatures surrounding this whole deserted factory, wanting us to die of exhaustion inside. Our forces have long since run out of water and food, we can’t take you out alive p>
“But I can take you out alive,” Shen Tang met his eyes with a bright smile.
Lu Xiao momentarily showed a stunned expression.
What?
Everyone turned to look at Shen Tang’s audacious claim, wondering if this female was driven mad? How could she even joke in such circumstances?
Without explaining more, Shen Tang directly took out 100 crates of pure water and 100 crates of high-energy compressed biscuits from the System Space. However, she first stored them in the Light Brain Space and took them out from there, avoiding suspicion.
The supplies instantly covered half the ground.
Shen Tang looked at the stunned and frozen crowd, smiling slightly, “These are the supplies I brought this time. It’s not much, but it should be enough to get you through this immediate crisis p>