The cellar had been dug by Du Laoda early on. These successful gang leaders all believed in having multiple hideouts; the previous natural disasters had heightened their sense of impending crisis, so they always made extra preparations.
This cellar, rather than being a mere cellar, was more like an underground sanctuary. It was spacious, and thirty to forty people wouldn't feel stifled inside, as clever air exchange devices had been installed.
With food, drink, and all necessities prepared, hiding in the cellar for three to five days was no problem.
Old Zhu lit several candles as thick as a child's arm. The cellar was brightly lit. With so many people gathered together, it provided a sense of security.
Old Zhu climbed the ladder and moved the cellar door to cover the opening.
The door sealing the cellar was cast from pig iron and was very heavy.
With the stiff limbs of zombies, they wouldn't be able to open it. Once the door was closed, they would be safe.
Although the servants were scared, seeing their masters so calm, they gradually put aside their panic and unease.
At this moment, Du Lanxing suddenly cried out, "Sister, where is Sister? Where are you?"
Old Zhu's heart skipped a beat upon hearing this. "That's not right," he said. "Wasn't the eldest young lady with you?"
Du Lanxing said aggrievedly, "We were together at first. We got separated when we were going down the ladder. I thought she was definitely coming down behind me, but who knew she wasn't here."
Upon hearing this, Madam Du also became anxious. "Could Lanyue have gone back to get something and gotten trapped upstairs?"
"Madam, young lady, please don't worry. I'll go up and take a look, and you'll know," Old Zhu said quickly.
"Old Zhu, please be careful yourself," Madam Du instructed.
"Don't worry, Madam. I'll bring the eldest young lady back safely."
Old Zhu climbed back up the ladder. With great effort, he slowly managed to move the heavy manhole cover.
He peered out. The courtyard was still quiet. It seemed the zombies hadn't entered the city yet.
So, he quickly crawled out of the hole. Then, he pulled the cover back into place and secured it. Only then did he hurry to search the courtyard for anyone.
"Eldest young lady, eldest young lady."
He shouted a few times at the top of his lungs, but there was no response.
He searched in various courtyards but found no trace of the eldest young lady.
How strange? Where could the eldest young lady have gone?
Certain that the eldest young lady was not at home, Old Zhu had no choice but to go out to search.
As soon as he exited the courtyard gate, he saw a fine horse galloping past the street corner. A young lady was riding it, speeding away.
Huh?
Isn't that the eldest young lady?
Old Zhu was startled.
He had taught both the eldest and second young ladies to ride horses, so he recognized the familiar figure at a glance.
It was Du Lanyue, riding towards the Bafang Inn. She and her younger sister had learned riding from Uncle Zhu since childhood. In this critical situation, she couldn't afford to maintain the demeanor of a pampered young lady. She directly took a horse from the stable and sped towards the Bafang Inn.
Just now, when Uncle Zhu mentioned that zombies were about to land on the island, the first person she thought of was Gu Qingcheng.
Gu Qingcheng was from out of town. He could only hide in the inn, with nowhere to go. And how could an inn be safe? It certainly wouldn't be able to withstand the impact of zombies.
Thinking of this, her heart clenched. She took advantage of the general chaos, when no one was paying attention to her, and slipped away quietly, intending to notify Gu Qingcheng.
As for how she would explain herself to her family later, Du Lanyue didn't have time to think about it. Saving Gu Qingcheng's life was the most important thing now.
The Bafang Inn wasn't far. In the past, when Gu Qingcheng escorted her, she always wished the journey were shorter and they would arrive home quickly.
But today, she wished the journey were longer. While riding the horse, she felt it was the longest journey she had ever taken on horseback.
Why isn't it here yet?
Du Lanyue forcefully patted the horse's flank.
Stimulated by its owner, the horse quickened its pace. The "clop-clop" of its hooves echoed on the street.
People looked up, their vision blurred for a moment, and saw a person and a horse flash past.
As news of zombies about to land on the island spread, the pedestrians on the street became fewer. The common people were in a panic, hiding everywhere.
Seeing this, Du Lanyue's heart grew heavier.
She finally arrived at the Bafang Inn, quickly dismounted, and ran into the front desk.
She grabbed a flustered waiter and asked, "Have you seen young master Gu Qingcheng?"
"Young Master Gu? Yes, I saw him. He was quite impressive. He just took the people from the nearby area to the river to encircle and eliminate the zombies."
"What? He went to fight zombies?"
Du Lanyue couldn't help but laugh and cry. This guy, why didn't he hide? Instead, he stepped forward?
Doesn't he know how dangerous this is?
She cursed inwardly, but then thinking that Gu Qingcheng hadn't cowardly hidden but had instead rallied everyone to encircle and eliminate the zombies, Du Lanyue's heart fluttered, and her admiration for him grew.
"Hey, young master Gu is a good person. He's not some spineless coward who runs when scared. Miss, it's dangerous outside now. You should hurry back! Leave this kind of thing to us men," the waiter kindly advised.
"Thank you, I understand. You also take care."
Du Lanyue left the inn and turned to jump back on her horse.
But she wasn't heading home. Instead, she galloped towards the river.
Just as she mounted her horse and left, Uncle Zhu, who had finally spotted her, chased a few steps, shouting loudly, but he couldn't keep up with the horse, and his voice didn't reach Du Lanyue's ears. He still couldn't stop her.
Uncle Zhu was helpless. He could only move his trembling legs and continue to chase Du Lanyue.
He could tell now that the eldest young lady was heading towards the river.
What's going on? Isn't that walking into a trap?
The riverbank was where the first wave of zombies would arrive.
Uncle Zhu's scalp tingled. He took a breath and could only continue to run with all his might.
Thousands of people had gathered by the river. It was noisy everywhere.
Bonfires were lit along the sides for kindling. Ordinary people held hoes, cleavers, sickles, and dung forks as weapons.
Gu Qingcheng was at the front, directing.
He asked those who knew archery to stand with him at the forefront by the river, preparing to deal with the zombies with a wave of fire arrows.
The second line of defense was next to them, a safety barrier built from firewood.
Behind this defense line was the wall of flesh and blood formed by ordinary people.
Gu Qingcheng estimated that half the zombies would be killed after the first line of defense, and at least two-thirds would be killed at the second defense line. The number of zombies the common people would have to face would likely not exceed three hundred.
With the added bonus of the zombie antidote this time, Gu Qingcheng felt much more at ease. Even if he were bitten or scratched by a zombie, there was still a chance of survival.
Unconsciously, everyone listened to Gu Qingcheng's words. Following his instructions, they began to arrange themselves, and the situation slowly became orderly.
Du Laoda and the others looked at Gu Qingcheng's performance, and admiration couldn't help but show in their eyes.
They had originally thought Gu Qingcheng was weak and relied on his family's influence. But now, seeing Gu Qingcheng's fighting spirit surge and his imposing aura, they dared not underestimate him.
"They're here, the zombies are here," someone exclaimed.
Just as Gu Qingcheng had finished arranging the formation, someone cried out.