Chapter 29: Doomsday Instance? The Zhao Family's Hostility!

After a while, the fire was rekindled, and Gu Lang looked at the old man coldly.

“Speak. What do you sell? And where are you from?”

The old man shivered from the cold, clearly having spent a rough night in the warehouse. He warmed himself by the fire as he trembled and began to speak.

“Sir, you may not know this, but even in the apocalypse, goods can be traded—perhaps even more profitably than before. Most survivors don't dare venture outside, so people like me are invaluable…”

“Get to the point! Just answer what Gu Lang is asking!” The little girl bared her teeth, fierce as a kitten.

The old man dared not disobey.

“In simple terms, I barter goods, selling here and there. I come from Dawn City, one of the three major safe zones—I'm with the Zhao family.”

Dawn City? The Zhao family?

Gu Lang was surprised; he hadn't expected that family structures had already formed in the apocalypse.

In his memory, when the apocalypse first began, everyone was barely surviving. How could families have arisen? Yet, thinking about Zhang Family Village, it was hardly an exception.

The old man's earnestness made him seem honest. If true, then this family was extraordinary—there were even merchants, suggesting a significant scale.

“When the apocalypse broke out, not everyone became zombies. Some local tycoons and powerful figures already had villas and walls, some even had guns, so they were relatively safe.”

The old man spoke with deep emotion and continued, “These people had food and drink, becoming the new landlords. Over time, survivors flocked to them, including Chosen Ones. After a while, the safe zones became operational.”

“Of course, it's only the early days of the apocalypse; these families have just formed, many things are still imperfect, but plenty of people have gathered. I came here to trade goods, but was separated from my partner midway—now I can't return…”

Having understood, Gu Lang suddenly realized the old man was heading the same way as himself—the target was Dawn City. The old man was a local; keeping him close might prove useful.

But Gu Lang wasn't about to help for free.

“I can help you get back, but what can you offer me?”

Gu Lang chuckled, staring into the old man's eyes.

Under Gu Lang's gaze, the old man felt uneasy.

“Sir, you must be a Chosen One. I wouldn't dare lie to you. Right now, I only have two things left. I can give them as a deposit, and when we reach my family, I'll give you more supplies!”

Gu Lang nodded decisively.

“Good. It's a deal!”

He took two dark, round objects from the old man's hands—hand grenades!

Gu Lang's eyes widened; it seemed the old man was telling the truth. To acquire grenades was no ordinary feat.

Gu Lang carefully placed the grenades in his storage bag—life-saving tools.

He then ordered everyone to pry open the warehouse door and carry the sailboat to the water.

During this, Li Muwan whispered cautiously in Gu Lang's ear, “Sir Gu Lang, are we sure we can trust him? If he turns on us in the safe zone, wouldn't we be in even greater danger?”

In the apocalypse, human hearts are more frightening than zombies.

Gu Lang sneered. “I'm not worried. We're strong enough. If the safe zone proves too powerful, we'll simply leave. If not—we'll just take what we need!”

The old man didn't hear, but seeing Gu Lang's expression, he couldn't help but shiver.

“Sir, how are we to return? It's at least three hundred miles between the two places.”

Gu Lang pointed to the warehouse.

“There’s a boat inside. Go fetch it.”

“Me?” The old man pointed at himself—wasn't this asking for his life?

But Gu Lang's eyes were icy, and the old man had no choice but to obey.

Soon, a small boat was pulled out—not large, but finely crafted.

“Gu Lang, there's fuel inside. Drifting downstream three hundred miles will be enough,” the zombie queen reported with delight after checking.

Gu Lang nodded calmly; the plan seemed feasible.

“Let’s go. Bring some provisions, and let’s board.”

Soon, the boat was launched, Gu Lang stood at the bow, holding a map.

The old man stood beside Gu Lang, speaking respectfully.

“Sir, this is the map—it covers Ancheng and Dawn City. It’s accurate. We should arrive by tonight!”

Gu Lang glanced at him; originally, he’d considered eliminating the old man, but he was useful and connected to the Zhao family—he had no choice but to keep him for now.

“Good. Prepare yourself. Later, take me to Zhao Family Castle.”

To complete his mission, he’d have to communicate with local survivors—there was no avoiding it.

Thus, as night fell, the boat finally reached shore—the outskirts of Dawn City.

“Hide the boat, and lead the way.”

Gu Lang ordered. The group worked busily, concealing the boat in the reeds along the bank.

“Sir Gu Lang, Zhao Family’s castle is right here in the suburbs—just three or four kilometers away.”

The old man trembled as he spoke, leading the way.

Gu Lang’s expression was cold; he was already prepared to use Ice Spike if the old man tried anything.

The group moved quickly.

Along the way, they encountered several zombies, but dispatched them with ease. The outskirts were sparsely populated; zombies were few, and the journey was safe.

Soon, a manor-style villa appeared before them.

“Wow! It’s huge! And so many people alive?”

The little girl’s eyes widened.

At the villa gate, people came and went—all survivors.

“Sir Gu Lang, it’s safe here—I don’t smell blood,” Li Muwan whispered.

Gu Lang finally nodded and led the group inside.

The manor was spacious and bustling. In the center stood a large bus, modified into an RV.

“Savior! The lord’s residence is right ahead, let me take you,” the old man said, pointing at the bus.

The bus was battered, but cleverly converted.

Gu Lang nodded, quietly gripping his steel blade.

Inside, there was a burly middle-aged man and several followers—they, too, were Chosen Ones.

Gu Lang glanced around—astonishingly, the burly man was Silver-ranked.

[Name: Zhao Kaitian]
[Rank: Silver (Just Starting Out)]
[Charisma: 20]
[Speed: 20]
[Strength: 35]
[Intelligence: 20]
[Skills: Unknown…]

“I’ve heard you saved our man. Whatever you want, just say it. The Zhao family never owes a debt.”

Zhao Kaitian was forthright, then pointed nearby.

“How about this? Repaying you with goods is too mundane. Soon, the Apocalypse Instance will begin—why not let me take you along?”

Apocalypse Instance?

Gu Lang frowned; what was that supposed to mean?

Seeing his confusion, the old man hurried to explain.

“It’s a nickname. Actually, it’s the military district nearby—special zombies keep appearing, like monsters in a game, endlessly respawning. Occasionally, powerful mutant zombies emerge, and after defeating them, they drop special items. So we call it an instance.”

Gu Lang understood at last—no wonder this place could thrive. There were monsters to hunt.

“Very well. It’s an honor to follow the lord and broaden our horizons,” Gu Lang replied, going with the flow. He thought it would be quick to train his wife here. The key was, the monster hunting grounds and his mission location overlapped—two birds with one stone.

With that, Gu Lang departed.

Back in the villa, Zhao Kaitian’s eyes turned cold, his demeanor shifting.

“Heh! A flock of fat sheep…”