In the name of supernatural powers

Chapter 148: Lonely and Brave
At the foot of the mountain, next to the submerged old temple.

Zhang Like had already led a team that had docked thirty motorboats, enough to accommodate the Special Counter-Strike Detachment and its reinforced platoon in one go.

However, when he saw that there were less than a hundred people in the evacuation team, his face visibly stiffened, and Zhang Like could not find any familiar faces among them.

At this moment, Lu Zhao was somewhat afraid to meet Zhang Like's gaze.

Zhang Like then did not get angry or question, but stood at attention, saluted, and reported the situation.

"Report: All residents of Ant Ridge have been evacuated, and a citywide evacuation is underway. Please take a boat and proceed to the city center for evacuation."

The evacuation team boarded motorboats, but the thirty boats were not even half full.

When we arrived, the mountain path was packed with people; when we left, those around us were no longer alive.

Leaving the flooded riverbed, we arrived at a roadside where more than a dozen military trucks had been waiting for some time.

They then transferred to trucks and headed towards the city. Along the way, the entire Ant Ridge area was deserted, and half a day was enough time for everyone to reach the city.

Upon arriving in the city, I finally saw some people.

The entire city was in chaos, with people fleeing for their lives, carrying large bags and bundles. Along the way, police and public officials were maintaining order, and whistles, shouts, and even cries could be heard constantly.

Children were separated from their families, and mothers were calling out their children's names.

Lu Zhao and his group stopped at the municipal building, where they would have to part ways.

Zhao De was going to oversee the evacuation, and while there was still some time, he went to gather up all the emergency food supplies, such as instant noodles, available in the city.

Ding Shoujin was picked up by specialized medical personnel and was able to leave Fangshi directly by helicopter. Judging from the style of the helicopter, it appeared to belong to the Ant Ridge Border Station.

It must have been requisitioned.

As federal officials at the commissioner level, and with no obligation to remain in place, they naturally need to be given priority in evacuation.

Before leaving, Ding Shoujin invited, "Lu Zhao, come with me."

Lu Zhao glanced at his other comrades and shook his head, saying, "Thank you for the invitation, Commander Ding, but I cannot leave the army right now."

Ding Shoujin didn't insist, saying, "Then be careful."

The helicopter took off and left.

Wang Tong came over and extended an invitation, saying, "The roads are all blocked now, and all the planes have left, let's leave on foot together."

"They can also help maintain order along the way."

Lu Zhao nodded and said, "Okay."

The group then drove out of the city, and before they even left the city, they saw the road blocked by vehicles.

There was no one left in the car; everyone got off and left on foot.

They traveled light and, being first-tier superhumans, caught up with the last group in just half an hour.

At the crossroads leading out of Fangshi, the Fangshi cadres were distributing emergency supplies: a bag of instant noodles, two bottles of water, a lighter, and a fever reducer for each person.

And some miscellaneous items.

Seeing these supplies, Lu Zhao had a vague sense of unease.

This evacuation was not planned; it seemed to be an emergency response undertaken out of necessity.

But the Federation has used nuclear weapons, and Wuhou has arrived. Is there still no way to solve the problem?

They didn't send off the last group of people until Lu Zhao and his group got close.

The leader was a middle-aged woman, the head of the propaganda department of Fangshi. She greeted Lu Zhao and the others and asked, "Comrades, which unit are you from?"

When Lu Zhao and the others identified themselves, the propaganda officers were filled with respect upon learning that they were soldiers who had just been withdrawn from the front lines.

After a brief conversation, they decided to travel together.

The group began walking along the highway, which was also the emergency evacuation route planned by the city. The highway was unlikely to be flooded, and the terrain was flat, making it ideal for evacuation.

When allowing people to evacuate on foot, the most important considerations are the number of people to be evacuated and safety. If there are too many people, it is impossible to cramm them all into vehicles, and if vehicles are moving too fast, accidents are more likely to occur.

Hiking is undoubtedly the most cost-effective and safest activity; as long as the distance between people is controlled, there shouldn't be any major problems.

It was drizzling in the mountains, but not outside Fangcheng, which was one of the few pieces of good news.

Half an hour later, Lu Zhao and the others caught up with the main group.

An hour later, the main force was only six kilometers away from Fang City. Their movement was very slow; it would take another ten hours to reach the next city.

A distant, ethereal cry came from behind, carrying the oppressive force of a higher life form, making one's heart tremble.

The crowd began to stir, panic, and even scream.

As time went on, the roars of the giant beast behind them grew louder and clearer.

Meanwhile, the unrest among the crowd became increasingly apparent.

Those who walked fast kept pushing those who walked slowly, and some people simply left the highway and fled through country lanes.

Officials tried to stop them but couldn't, and could only let them leave using their clever tricks.

This is not a wise move; on the highway, you are at least the last to be flooded, while on country roads, you are easily trapped by floods.

Moreover, once a violent conflict breaks out, no one will protect them.

Soon, federal officials came to Lu Zhao and others for help, needing them to fill in and maintain order.

The team of 100 people was broken up and sent to different sections of the road to maintain order.

Zhang Like patted Lu Zhao on the shoulder and said, "Remember to contact me when communications are restored."

It's estimated that it will be difficult for them to reunite after this separation.

Lu Zhao nodded and said, "I will."

Zhang Like left, but was stopped by Lu Zhao after only two steps.

"Old Zhang, Liu Qiang is dead."

Although it is an honor for soldiers to die for their country, and Liu Qiang, as a border guard, died a worthy death, Zhang Like handed him over on the spot because he was worried about him.

Zhang Like turned around, his face showing no resentment or anger, only weariness and helplessness.

"This is not your fault. It is an honor for him to sacrifice his life for his country as a soldier."

He turned back two steps, patted Lu Zhao on the shoulder, and comforted him, "Don't worry, no one will blame you. Blame this messed-up world."

"The mission is urgent, we'll talk later."

After saying that, Zhang Like turned and quickly left.

Lu Zhao clenched his fists, his head unconsciously lowering slightly.

He was unwilling to accept it; his chest felt like it was burning with fire.

At that moment, Lu Zhao realized that he was actually the least 'soldier' ​​person.

He could risk his life to carry explosives, but he couldn't calmly accept the sacrifice of his comrades.

Another half hour passed, and Lu Zhao was at the back of the group, where he could faintly hear the roar of battle.

Lu Zhao stopped and looked back at the city in the distance.

Giant waves surged up and crashed into the steel jungle.

At this rate, at least half of them won't be able to escape.

Lu Zhao paused for only one second.

The next moment, he resolutely turned around, and with one step, two steps, three steps, he started running, his pace getting faster and faster.

In the end, it turned into squeezing out all the strength and running wildly without looking back.

The teacher gave Lu Zhao three chances to save his life, but told him that there were nine more life-threatening calamities ahead.

Lu Zhao had no idea when his death calamity would come, nor when it would pass.

But even if he reinforced his platoon and all the officers and soldiers died in battle, it wouldn't guarantee the safety of the people in the city.

That would be Lu Zhao's fatal fate.

He walked in the opposite direction from the fleeing crowd, his gaze fixed on the distant giant waves.

Every step he took was tearing apart the cocoon that bound him.

(End of this chapter)