Chapter Forty-Seven: Departure, Black Iron City!

Black Iron City was an exceedingly remote place, shrouded in snow and ice year-round. The reason was its altitude—the entire city was built atop the summit of a great mountain. Thus, the apocalypse had little effect here; it was a city unlike any other.

In the city center, within a luxurious villa, a white-haired middle-aged man sat, his brow furrowed.

“You’re saying that in the neighboring city’s safe zone, the three great families of Dawn City were wiped out overnight?” he asked.

At his side stood a black-haired man with a scar running across his face.

“Lord Gold, our informants were scarce to begin with, and most have perished in the recent turmoil. What we know is pieced together from the faintest of clues,” the scarred man replied. “But the three great families are not dead—they’ve merely been swallowed up. Now only the Zhao Family Fortress remains, and all survivors have gathered there.”

Gold let out a light chuckle. “It doesn’t matter who rules among the three families. In this world now, it’s every man for himself—conflict and pillage are natural. As long as they're strong enough and have enough survivors, we can work together to resist the corpse tide. By my calculations, we have only two days before it hits.”

The scarred man nodded eagerly. “Exactly! I’ve already sent a team there—they should have arrived by now. If they know what’s good for them, they’ll join forces with us.”

Gold stood from his executive chair and gazed through the window at the frozen landscape. “Two days to abandon their home, bring their families, and survive out here in the snow. I doubt they’ll be willing.”

The scarred man sneered. “Lord Gold, among the team I sent, there’s a true Silver-level combatant!”

Gold started in surprise. “Even I am only a high Silver. You sent one of our city’s three precious Silvers?”

“It’s worth the risk if it means we can withstand the corpse tide,” the scarred man insisted.

…

In the conference room of a caravan at Zhao Family Fortress, the atmosphere was tense.

“That’s how it is: if you’re willing to come with me, I can guarantee all your people will survive the coming corpse tide. Otherwise…” Across from Gu Lang sat a middle-aged man, his eyes cold and calculating.

“You’re Sun Hai, right?” Gu Lang replied. “Naturally, Black Iron City’s position atop the snow-capped mountain gives it the advantage against the corpse tide. But we need time to prepare.”

Gu Lang smiled, offering no argument. One man could hardly withstand the corpse tide alone. With the three great families still around, Dawn City had been secure enough. But now, all their strongest had been turned into zombies by Gu Lang’s hand. They could still fight the corpse tide, but at the risk of exposure. If others discovered Gu Lang could command the undead, they would surely rise against him.

Of course, that was only part of it. Outside Black Iron City, in a factory, was a supply of SPC serum. That was Gu Lang’s true aim.

“Very well, I’ll go with you. It’s safer in the apocalypse surrounded by others,” Sun Hai said with a low laugh, turning to leave the caravan.

Li Muwan, standing beside Gu Lang, frowned. “Master Gu, these people are clearly strong-arming us. If we follow them, we may end up as cannon fodder.”

Gu Lang sneered. He was well aware. “I know. When Sun Hai approached me this morning, I knew he was up to no good. But his stats are high—all three attributes over one hundred fifty. It’s not worth fighting him outright. And who knows what even stronger Chosen might be lurking in Black Iron City. We should play along for now.”

Li Muwan nodded, her trust in Gu Lang unwavering. “I’ll go tell everyone to pack up. Let’s depart now!”

Soon, the Zhao family’s people were on the move—a great throng, well over a thousand strong. These were all the survivors of the three great families. Seeing so many, Sun Hai stood at the front of the procession and breathed a sigh of relief.

“With so many to use as cannon fodder, Black Iron City can preserve its strength in the corpse tide,” he mused, though his expression betrayed nothing.

“Master Gu, I’m curious—how did the three great families become one? And from what I see, you and the lady are the only two Silvers left.”

Gu Lang immediately slipped into character. “Naturally. The three families killed each other over the military district. All their Silver-level fighters died, and I just happened by and took over the Zhao fortress.”

He did not lie—there was no need. With so many survivors, anyone could confirm the truth.

“Is that so? You are indeed a hero, Master Gu,” Sun Hai praised him, for deeds like this were respected in the apocalypse.

“By the way, how do these corpse tides form? Have you experienced one before?”

Gu Lang began seeking information—know yourself and the enemy, and you’ll never lose.

“It’s simple: it’s a migration of the undead. No one knows the cause, but each time, thousands upon thousands of zombies surge across the land, impossible to escape,” Sun Hai replied, a shadow of fear crossing his face. “We survived one before. Black Iron City was nearly overrun. That’s why we seek alliances.”

“I see…”

Gu Lang nodded, but inwardly he wondered: could it be connected to the SPC factory? He had learned a great deal from Li Qingfeng—the serum strengthened people, and perhaps it did the same to zombies. If there were Golden-level zombies with intelligence, would they not seek out the serum? All these questions would have to wait until they reached the factory.

“Beyond this next city, you’ll see only a great mountain—Black Iron City is at the summit,” Sun Hai said, watching Gu Lang with a wary eye. Gu Lang and his companion were both Silver-level; in this new world, that made them rulers of their domain. Sun Hai’s forced invitation unsettled even him.

Along the way, he tried to put Gu Lang at ease. “There are no survivors in this city; Black Iron City took them all in. But there are still plenty of resources. We have enough time to scavenge for supplies.”

Gu Lang had no objections; he, too, wanted to look for Silver-level zombies to capture.

They soon reached the city. Before them, in the central square, hundreds of zombies wandered aimlessly—all of them mere Bronze-level.

“Master Gu, from here we’ll split up. Each team has an assigned scavenging task; we can’t just wander about. Let’s meet back here afterward,” Sun Hai said, pointing to the center of the square before heading off to the left.

Gu Lang looked around, then gave his orders. “Find a room and stay inside, all of you. Some of our stronger fighters will remain behind. Li Muwan, come with me—we’re going to gather supplies.”

Once they were away from the crowd, Li Muwan finally voiced her doubts. “Master Gu, are we really going up the mountain? Once we’re there, we’ll be at their mercy.”

Gu Lang dismissed her concerns. “Don’t worry, I’m well prepared.”

With that, Gu Lang reached out with his mind, activating his skill to send a message across the void.

“How’s it going? Is the zombie horde keeping up?”