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

Within this cold and rigid framework, "social" activities were beginning to emerge within the shelter.

In the inner city area, Su Yun led an internal affairs team composed of members with pure support or management abilities, such as Qi Wei, Shen Xiyuan, and Bai Xin, to re-plan and open a small-scale "commercial street".

Despite the snow falling outside the window and the shop being deserted for the time being, the fact that "business cannot stop" is itself a gesture, symbolizing the return of order and normalcy.

Not far away, the "Talent Recruitment Office," led by twin sisters Jiang Yingxue and Jiang Yingyue and assisted by Bai Xin, also put up a sign and started working. Although the recruitment standards are currently strict, it is, after all, a path to advancement.

The makeshift hospital that Shen Xiyuan is in charge of officially began receiving patients today after its framework was erected yesterday.

Although the equipment is rudimentary and the actual operating room is still under construction, basic diagnosis, debridement, and fever management can already be carried out.

All the doctors and nurses who were on duty in the first batch were awakened individuals who used their superpowers to assist in treatment; those who had not yet awakened but had a medical background were temporarily placed in a warmer underground area, waiting to be added after they gained superpowers.

At this time, a long queue had quietly formed outside the hospital, with people seeking medical treatment and medicine. The only currency used for transactions here was still zombie crystal cores.

The cold, steel order and the tiny, everyday human warmth intertwine in this frozen, post-apocalyptic city, both contradictory and symbiotic.

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Inside Chang Chengye's private study in the core area of ​​the official Guangzhou shelter.

The heating was on full blast, almost too hot, a stark contrast to the snow-covered world outside the window, where breath turned to ice.

The thick velvet curtains were only slightly ajar, letting in a little bit of cool, white sunlight.

In the center of the study, Chang Chengye and Chief of Staff Chen Jianhua sat on either side of two large leather sofas.

Zhang Hui stood quietly behind Chang Chengye, like an emotionless sculpture.

On the other side, on a separate single sofa, sat a young colonel with a straight posture and a resolute face. He was Song Jiangtao, an instructor from the Special Forces Brigade of the Yangcheng Military Region. He had sharp eyes and silently observed everything.

In the corner, Chang Hao slumped listlessly in an armchair, his fingers unconsciously rubbing his knuckles, his eyes occasionally drifting towards the door, then secretly glancing at his father and Staff Officer Chen.

He was strictly ordered to "only look, not speak," and such occasions were both boring and stifling for him.

But he knew in his heart that he was the only heir of the Chang family, and his father had brought him along so that he would be "subtly exposed" to these power struggles and deals.

Chang Chengye sat upright, his back straight as a pine tree, his hands folded on his knees, his face expressionless, like a statue with profound composure.

Only he himself knew the anxiety and scheming deep inside his heart.

Just yesterday, he had been secretly discussing with his confidants how to deal with the suddenly rising Tianshui Garden, when a once-in-a-century extreme cold blizzard suddenly descended, freezing all his expansion plans in the swaddling clothes.

Nowadays, ordinary people simply cannot spend long periods of time outdoors.

Even warriors who have awakened superpowers will have their combat effectiveness greatly reduced and their movements slowed down in the frigid temperatures of minus thirty degrees Celsius without professional cold-weather gear.

As a typical southern city, Guangzhou has mild winters, so neither the government nor the people there usually stockpile heavy winter supplies.

Currently, food and clean drinking water are only enough to sustain the needs of several thousand people in the core area for three days, and warm clothing is in extremely short supply.

All of this made it difficult for him to sleep for several nights in a row.

After the bloodshed subsided, he used the banner of "officialdom" to recruit survivors and superhumans everywhere, and his forces expanded rapidly, making him believe that he could achieve hegemony.

However, reality soon gave him a resounding slap in the face: the strategic supplies in major shopping malls in the city seemed to have vanished into thin air, followed by this blizzard that was enough to freeze everything.

The entire city, along with his ambitions, seemed to have been thrown into an ice cellar.

"Comrade Chen Jianhua," Chang Chengye began slowly, breaking the somewhat somber silence in the study, his tone maintaining just the right amount of politeness and distance, "I wonder what urgent matter brings you here so early in the morning, braving the wind and snow?"

In the Chinese system, the military and the government have always been separate entities, with a clear distinction between them.

The fact that military personnel suddenly took the initiative to visit, especially since it was a chief of staff personally making the visit, was certainly not without reason.

Chen Jianhua adjusted his glasses, his expression gentle and sincere: "Comrade Chang Chengye, I've come here primarily for Professor Tang Guohua. According to our information, Professor Tang and his daughter should currently be at your shelter?"

Chang Chengye's eyes shifted almost imperceptibly, and several thoughts flashed through his mind in an instant.

He nodded, a look of recollection on his face: "That's right. On the day the blood rain fell, Professor Tang happened to be at the city hall with his daughter on business when they were attacked by zombies. The situation was extremely critical. It was my men who risked their lives to rescue them and have kept them here ever since, ensuring their safety."

He emphasized the word "rescue" slightly, stressing the "gratitude" owed to his side.

"I really have to thank Mayor Chang. Professor Tang is an important academician of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and a visiting expert of the Academy of Military Sciences. He is a national treasure."

Chen Jianhua smiled, but his tone gradually became serious. "To be honest, the Kyoto General Military Intelligence Bureau has issued the highest-level emergency order, commanding our department to find and bring back Professor Tang to lead the research and development of a zombie virus vaccine and antidote serum. This matter concerns the survival of China and human civilization, and it cannot be delayed."

Chang Chengye's brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

He knew perfectly well that his shelter lacked proper laboratory facilities, and keeping a top scientist who harbored resentment and was only nominally friendly with him was of little use except as a decoration and an occasional consultant.

But would he just let them go for nothing? Absolutely not.

However, Professor Tang seems to be a valuable asset in his portfolio.

"Protecting scientific research talents is our inherent responsibility." His smile remained unchanged, even showing a hint of satisfaction. He turned to Zhang Hui behind him and instructed, "Xiao Zhang, go and invite Professor Tang over. Tell him that the military leader is coming to pick him up in person."

Zhang Hui understood immediately, bowed slightly, and quietly left the study.

For the next half hour, the study was filled with only perfunctory small talk between Chang Chengye and Chen Jianhua, with the conversation revolving around the weather, zombies, and the "difficulties" of their respective shelters.

Zhang Hui disappeared without a trace, as if a stone had sunk into the sea. Chen Jianhua's expression gradually darkened.

He had just tried to contact Professor Tang directly, but the other party's phone was switched off.

How could he not understand? Chang Chengye didn't want to release him easily; he was deliberately delaying and waiting for a higher price.

If it were before the orderly end times, he might have had the patience to slowly maneuver with this cunning old fox in officialdom.

But now, time is life, and even more so, an opportunity for the continuation of civilization—Commander Peng personally issued a death order: within seventy-two hours, the final shelter selected by "Project Fire" must be transferred and completely sealed off.

Professor Tang Guohua is one of the core scientists who are at the top of the list and must be included.