Apocalypse: The Primordial Pearl Recognizes Its Master, Starting with Infinite Space

Inside Chang Chengye's underground office at the official shelter in Guangzhou.

Han Xiaoyang stood at the table with his hands at his sides, his voice low, reporting the intelligence he had just received.

"You mean... the people from Shanshui Garden have started clearing out the zombies in our direction?" Chang Chengye leaned forward slightly against the back of his chair, his fingers tapping the table unconsciously, his eyes narrowed into slits, flashing with a cold light.

"Yes...yes, Mayor Chang," Han Xiaoyang answered cautiously, his back tensing slightly. "Judging from their route, they are indeed heading towards the city center, which is our area."

This is definitely not good news.

The number of survivors gathered at the Mountain and Water Garden Shelter has now exceeded 200,000, of which at least 20,000 are awakened superhumans.

Even after successfully absorbing Wang Gang's team, their total population barely exceeded 100,000.

Although there are still many scattered survivor strongholds throughout Guangzhou, the number of zombies is much larger. It has taken them a huge amount of effort and resources to gather 100,000 people.

It's important to know that, according to my memories from my previous life, the official shelters in Guangzhou only reached their peak size of 500,000 people in the second year of the apocalypse.

"Send men to keep a close eye on them." Chang Chengye's voice wasn't loud, but it carried a chill. "I need to know the movements of every team, the areas they're clearing. Find out if they're simply clearing out zombies, or... if they have another purpose."

He paused for a moment: "If they keep cleaning like this, it won't be long before we're face to face."

Han Xiaoyang nodded quickly: "Yes, I'll arrange for someone to go immediately."

"And another thing," Chang Chengye added, emphasizing his words, "continue to recruit as many people as possible, no matter who they are, use whatever means necessary. I have a feeling that we and Shanshui Garden... will have a tough battle sooner or later. We need to prepare in advance."

"Understood! I'll take care of it right away!" Han Xiaoyang didn't dare to delay and quickly left the room after responding.

The office fell silent again.

Chang Chengye leaned back in his chair, his fingers ceasing their tapping, a cold smile playing on his lips as he murmured, "...If it weren't for this batch of heavy weapons and ammunition sent by the military, I really wouldn't be very confident facing you. But now..." A cold glint flashed in his eyes, "...the outcome is still uncertain."

Shortly after, footsteps were heard outside the door, followed by a soft knock.

"Come in."

Wang Gang pushed open the door and entered. A trace of lingering hostility still lingered on his face, but when facing Chang Chengye, he immediately adopted a respectful expression, cupping his hands in a salute: "Mayor Chang."

"Oh, it's Wang Gang." Chang Chengye's coldness softened slightly, replaced by a more peaceful expression.

He was relatively polite to Wang Gang. On the one hand, he had just absorbed Wang Gang's team and needed time to digest its power; on the other hand, Wang Gang himself was indeed powerful, with the A-level third-tier [Metalization] ability, which combined offense and defense, making him a rare and formidable general.

At the third level, the threat of ordinary firearms has been greatly reduced, let alone such a powerful superpower.

"I heard... that group from Shanshui Garden has started heading towards the city center?" Wang Gang asked bluntly, his eyes brimming with hatred.

Yesterday, he killed the Jiang family father and daughter, which vented his pent-up anger for many years. However, the real culprit who killed his son—the Mountain and Water Garden, especially Li Ya—remains a thorn in his side.

Chang Chengye nodded, his tone certain: "That's right. I've already sent people to conduct close surveillance. Don't worry, I understand your intentions."

He leaned forward slightly, adopting a sincere and open posture, "If there's any news that might be useful to you, I'll have someone inform you immediately."

Upon hearing this, Wang Gang's face immediately showed gratitude. He clasped his hands in a fist salute again, his voice becoming even louder: "Thank you, Mayor Chang! Rest assured, I, Wang Gang, will follow you from now on, absolutely loyal and steadfast, through thick and thin, without hesitation!"

Chang Chengye's smile deepened, and he waved his hand, his tone unusually friendly: "Oh, Brother Wang, you're too kind. What's with all this talk of loyalty? We're all in the same boat now, cooperating to survive and thrive in this apocalyptic world!"

His words were gentle, but the scrutiny and calculation deep in his eyes never disappeared.

Having received the promise, Wang Gang left satisfied.

Around noon, Han Xiaoyang hurried to Chang Chengye's underground office again, bringing the latest surveillance intelligence.

After listening to Han Xiaoyang's detailed report, Chang Chengye's finger slowly moved across the unfolded map, and he pondered, "Their formation of advancing side by side and supporting each other is indeed secure, and it's very convenient for them to support each other. However..."

"Each squad doesn't seem to have many people, which gives us an opportunity to concentrate our forces and take them down one by one."

At this moment, he desperately needs someone to advise him on the details.

This reminded him of the meticulous Zhang Hui.

"Where's Zhang Hui? Is he still busy coordinating supplies with the military?" Chang Chengye asked, looking up.

Han Xiaoyang nodded: "Yes, most of the time is spent in the warehouse area and the handover point."

"Didn't you do anything else?" Chang Chengye pressed, feeling that Zhang Hui had been acting strangely lately.

A hint of embarrassment flickered across Han Xiaoyang's face. He hesitated for a moment before saying, "Well... in the last two days, he... he also helped the young master find a few women."

"Him? He's helping Chang Hao find women?" Chang Chengye was taken aback, clearly surprised. "Isn't he always someone who doesn't get involved in these kinds of things? Weren't you the one who always made the arrangements?"

These words made Han Xiaoyang even more embarrassed. It was precisely because Zhang Hui "snatched the job" and had a discerning eye that the woman he found was so satisfactory to Chang Hao, which made Han Xiaoyang's previous incompetence seem even more apparent.

Han Xiaoyang had no choice but to bite the bullet and lower his voice, saying, "I heard from the servants... it seems that the young master saw Zhang Hui's sister by chance a few days ago and got the idea..."

Upon hearing this, Chang Chengye instantly understood—Zhang Hui had been forced to resort to the trick of "shifting the blame."

His face darkened, and he slammed his hand on the table: "That bastard! Doesn't he even understand the principle of 'a rabbit doesn't eat the grass near its burrow'? He's just causing me trouble!"

He took a deep breath, suppressing his anger, and ordered Han Xiaoyang, "Go, first call that good-for-nothing Chang Hao here! Later, call Zhang Hui and Wang Gang over too!"

"Yes." Han Xiaoyang accepted the order and withdrew again.

A short while later, Chang Hao pushed open the door and came in, looking very excited.

Immediately afterwards, Chang Chengye's suppressed anger and reprimands rang out from inside the room. Although they couldn't hear clearly through the door, the familiar rhythm and volume made the guards on duty outside the door exchange smiles.

They were used to it by now; they would find it strange if Young Master Chang didn't get scolded one day.

The cursing stopped just before Zhang Hui and Wang Gang arrived.