Chapter 929: Population Increase
Zhang Yi left the Operations Command Center, and Zhu Zheng arranged a car for him.
He called Baili Changqing and learned that Baili Changqing was currently training.
Upon hearing that Zhang Yi wanted to meet him, Baili Changqing immediately said he would come right away.
The two met at their usual spot, Cipher Bar.
Just over half an hour later, they were in a private room at Cipher Bar.
However, this time, Zhang Yi also experienced the treatment Gao Changkong had received before.
Complimentary drinks, plus a VVVIP-level membership card.
At this moment, he was clearly the biggest celebrity in Blizzard City.
Zhang Yi didn't feel particularly strongly about this - fame comes quickly but fades just as fast.Still, he had to admit it felt pretty good to enjoy the perks.
When he met Baili Changqing, the man knew the protocol and first asked Zhang Yi if he could talk about what he'd been doing recently.
Zhang Yi said casually, "Went out to sea. Telling you the specific mission details wouldn't be useful anyway."
This was true.
The Divine Source held little significance for Baili Changqing as a deputy captain.
Even if obtained, it wouldn't be used on him.
"Tell me if anything interesting has happened in the Jiangnan Region recently."
Zhang Yi clinked glasses with Baili Changqing and drank half a martini.
"You've been gone way too long!"
Baili Changqing took a deep breath, seeming quite emotional.
"While you were away, we didn't get any complex missions - spent most of our time training in Blizzard City."
"However, there is one thing that's had quite an impact."
He rubbed his chin.
"Recently, Blizzard City started large-scale recruitment, bringing in large numbers of survivors from outside. The population here has already reached 3 million!"
Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow. "They solved the resource problem?"
Without sufficient resources, it would be impossible to sustain such a large population.
Food and energy were the two core issues.
Baili Changqing said, "There have been improvements in that area, thanks to the Deng Group and the Research Department."
"Anyway, you can see new people entering the city every day now. Even the number of superhumans has increased!"
He spread his hands: "This is the normal development pattern in the apocalypse. After the chaotic period, regions inevitably stabilize."
"Slowly, humans will adapt to the apocalypse, survive, and eventually grow stronger."
Zhang Yi nodded: "That's good news."
"Everything else is pretty much the same, nothing particularly unusual."
Baili Changqing said.
Zhang Yi understood the current situation but didn't gain much more insight.
However, Baili Changqing's words made him curious about Blizzard City's current state.
Five months was enough time for earth-shaking changes to occur in Blizzard City.
It was even possible that more powerful superhumans had emerged.
After all, he wasn't the only one making progress - everyone else was working hard too.
And there might be new, powerful superhumans appearing.
Zhang Yi checked his watch. There was still some time before Liang Yue would arrive in Blizzard City, so he picked up a bottle of alcohol and asked Baili Changqing to drive him around the city.
Baili Changqing nodded, and the two left the bar.
Baili Changqing drove while Zhang Yi sat in the passenger seat, window open, letting the icy cold wind blow against his combat suit.
The strong liquor warmed his throat, keeping his body cozy.
Baili Changqing drove Zhang Yi around Blizzard City.
Indeed, the population had grown significantly.
Compared to the previous desolation, the place now bustled with activity.
When they reached the buildings in Zone E, Zhang Yi happened to see a group of ragged survivors who had just been brought there by soldiers.
But abruptly, Zhang Yi spotted a flash of red light that instantly made his drowsy eyes snap open.
The survivors were lining up to receive some fruits from a staff member.
Red fruits, blood-red.
"Isn't this... the blood vine's fruit?"
Zhang Yi's gaze sharpened.
But Baili Changqing said quite naturally, "Yeah, although the original blood vine was destroyed, we managed to salvage some root sections and brought them back."
"Unexpectedly, the Research Department used technical means to cultivate it into a new type of food crop."
Zhang Yi glanced at Baili Changqing: "That plant is toxic."
Baili Changqing chuckled: "Don't underestimate the professionals' methods! That issue was dealt with long ago."
"What about the blood vine's energy source? I remember the original blood vine used corpses to obtain energy and bear fruit."
Baili Changqing rubbed his nose.
"Well... Zhang Yi, you have to understand that our top priority right now is keeping more people alive. So..."
He gave Zhang Yi a meaningful look.
Zhang Yi immediately understood.
They couldn't bear cannibalism.
But if they used deceased bodies as fertilizer to produce food, that was more acceptable.
Most importantly, it also avoided prion infection.
"Fair enough, but I'm not eating it."
Zhang Yi said.
"I don't eat it either. This stuff is only provided to survivors who recently joined Blizzard City, the people in Zone E."
Baili Changqing said casually.
Suddenly, Zhang Yi's communication device transmitted Liang Yue's voice.
"Zhang Yi, I've arrived at Blizzard City. Where are you?"
Zhang Yi smiled slightly, "Wait at the subway station for a bit. I'll be right there."
Zhang Yi looked at Baili Changqing: "Let's go, take me to the subway station."
Baili Changqing asked, "Not staying in Blizzard City a while longer? Your friend really enjoys coming here. Honestly, the service industry here is booming now. And many of the workers are former celebrities!"
He said with a suggestive expression: "After all, that's about all the value they can provide now."
Blizzard City had too many people - they couldn't expect everyone to remain celibate.
Thus, this oldest profession still needed practitioners.
Only now, this industry had become openly accepted. Everyone was just trying to survive, which was understandable.
"I don't need it."
Zhang Yi waved his hand.
He usually got carsick and didn't like buses. Private cars suited him better.
Baili Changqing pursed his lips: "If you change your mind next time, come find me. I'll show you around."
Zhang Yi laughed heartily: "You keep that for yourself!"
The two shared a smile that men understood, and Baili Changqing stepped on the gas, driving toward the subway station.
Soon after, Zhang Yi arrived at the subway station.
Liang Yue stood on the steps waiting for him, wearing a silver-gray combat suit with Dragon's Roar held in her arms.
As soon as she saw Zhang Yi, she quickly walked over. Though her tone remained somewhat cool, her eyes clearly showed unconcealable worry.
"Weren't you supposed to return quickly? Why were you gone so long? And why couldn't we contact you? Do you have any idea how worried we've been!"
"Had a little unexpected situation. I'll explain everything in detail when we get back."
Zhang Yi smiled and put his arm around her shoulders, waving goodbye to Baili Changqing with his other hand before guiding her into the subway station.
Author's Note