Looking at the mountain of Rot-Walker corpses piled up outside the window, Su Wan’s brow furrowed once more.
She called Feng Mu over and pointed at the Rot-Walker corpses outside the window, asking,
“How should we handle these corpses...?”
“Do we need to organize a team to burn them?”
A flash of surprise crossed Feng Mu’s eyes, but he quickly lowered his gaze.
He shook his head and said respectfully, “Master, we don’t need to handle the Rot-Walker corpses.”
Su Wan raised her eyebrow.
Although the weather was extremely cold, if they didn't deal with such a massive pile of corpses, who would?
Feng Mu walked to the window and calmly explained to Su Wan:
“The Aberrants will handle the Rot-Walker corpses for us.”
“Aberrants?”
Feng Mu nodded and pointed down at the ground.
“The carrion bugs that live deep within the Non-Safe Zone feed specifically on rotting flesh. To them, Rot-Walker corpses are the ultimate feast.”
The scene from when she first arrived in the Apocalyptic Plane immediately flashed in Su Wan’s mind.
Back then, Ah-Lan had killed several Rot-Walkers outside the fire door.
But by the time Su Wan finished treating Ah-Hao’s injuries and went back outside, the corpses were already gone.
At the time, she had assumed Ah-Lan had disposed of them.
“Carrion bugs look like centipedes, but they are much thicker and pitch-black all over. They crawl incredibly fast, whether underground or on the surface.”
“The largest ones can grow up to two or three meters long, while the smaller ones are about the thickness of an arm.”
Su Wan listened quietly, picturing the creature in her mind.
“They usually stay underground and aren't picky eaters—they'll eat rotten flesh, decayed bones, anything—but their absolute favorite is Rot-Walker corpses,” Feng Mu continued.
“There is a special energy in the flesh of Rot-Walkers that serves as a highly nourishing supplement for carrion bugs.”
Feng Mu paused, a slight smile playing at the corners of his mouth as if recalling something amusing.
“So, we don’t have to worry about the Rot-Walker corpses at all.”
“They don’t attack living people?” Su Wan asked.
Feng Mu shook his head.
“Carrion bugs never approach living people, even those who are severely injured and drawing their last breaths on the ground.”
Su Wan nodded.
These Aberrants were certainly much more “orderly” than those that devoured anything, dead or alive.
However, looking at the dense pack of Rot-Walker corpses, Su Wan couldn't help but wonder just how many carrion bugs it would take to clean up so many bodies.
At the thought of massive, pitch-black centipede-like insects swarming over the corpses like a tide, Su Wan felt her scalp go numb and a wave of disgust rise in her chest.
“However—” Feng Mu changed the subject, lowering his voice slightly.
“Even if the carrion bugs can’t drag all of these Rot-Walker corpses away, they will completely disappear once the Death Tide passes.”
“The corpses will all turn into ash-gray powder in the mists of the Death Tide.”
Su Wan fell silent for a moment, then nodded.
The rules of this world truly had everything laid out.
Every link was interconnected, and every role had its place.
After saying this, Feng Mu's expression grew serious again.
He stood up and walked over to the calendar hanging on the wall.
“Master, calculating the time for the weekly Death Tide...”
He tapped his finger on the calendar. “There are less than four hours left.”
During the Cold Wave, the Death Tide was unaffected.
On the night Su Wan had just returned to Blue Star, the Death Tide had still arrived on schedule.
This time, however, all the living people were hiding inside the shelter, so the Death Tide did not affect them at all.
Su Wan’s brow furrowed slightly.
The Rot-Walkers had only just retreated, and now the Death Tide was coming again.
This world truly gave no one any room to breathe.
Su Wan withdrew her gaze from the mountain of corpses outside the window and let it fall on Feng Mu.
“The Cold Wave will be over soon.”
“What are your plans for you and the City Defense Force soldiers under your command?”
Feng Mu was slightly taken aback, then straightened his posture.
“Master, communication was actually restored a day ago.” His voice was low, carrying a complex tone.
“After the peak of the Cold Wave passed, the Outer City Defense Force branch sent a signal inquiring about our situation.”
Su Wan raised her eyebrows slightly but did not speak.
“At that time, I was organizing and commanding everyone to deal with the Rot-Walkers, so I didn't have the communications soldier reply.”
Feng Mu paused, “And—”
He looked up to meet Su Wan’s gaze, a flash of openness in his eyes.
“After these past two weeks, most of the City Defense Force soldiers have grown attached to and dependent on the Terminal Station.”
“Living here, they don't have to worry about the cold wind, the Death Tide, or whether they will survive tomorrow.”
“The people here treat them like human beings, not like tools to be driven around at will.”
Feng Mu's voice grew heavier. “A large majority of the soldiers are already unwilling to return to the Outer City.”
Su Wan listened quietly, without interrupting.
“The few soldiers who still want to go back only do so because they have family and friends left in Panshi City and can't bear to leave them behind,” Feng Mu continued.
Su Wan nodded.
Feng Mu took a deep breath, looking at her for direction.
“Master, how do you think... we should handle this?”
Su Wan leaned against the window frame, tapping her finger twice, having already made up her mind.
“Those who wish to stay can become tenants of the Terminal Station.” Her voice was not loud, but it carried an unquestionable certainty.
“Register them, have them sign contracts, and assign them rooms. Treat them exactly the same as the other tenants.”
“They have rich combat experience, which is a valuable asset for the Terminal Station.”
“When the Terminal Station expands its security forces in the future, they will serve as the backbone.”
Feng Mu nodded, listening intently.
“As for the soldiers who still want to go back—” Su Wan paused, “you will lead them back.”
Feng Mu’s eyebrows twitched slightly, but he didn't speak.
“Once you return, report to your superiors that during the Cold Wave, these soldiers encountered a massive Rot-Walker attack while executing a mission in the Ruin Zone. After a bitter battle, the Rot-Walkers were repelled, but the City Defense Force suffered heavy casualties.”
“As for the exact number of casualties, use your own discretion. As long as the figures are reasonable, Pei Su won't look too deeply into it.”
Feng Mu's pupils contracted slightly as he immediately understood.
This was to erase the “identities” of the soldiers staying at the Terminal Station, making them disappear from the City Defense Force’s records.
“This subordinate understands,” he said, his voice steady.
“You can also apply for a pension fund,” Su Wan said, a faint smile touching the corners of her lips.
“According to the City Defense Force's standards, how much is the pension for each deceased soldier?”
Feng Mu thought for a moment. “For a regular soldier killed in action, the pension is two thousand Star Coins. If they die while executing a dangerous mission, it will be increased accordingly, but it won't exceed five thousand at most.”
Su Wan let out a soft snort.
Five thousand Star Coins for a life.
This was the standard of the City Defense Force.
Rate on N.U.
