Chapter Ninety-Seven: Saving Lives and Healing the Wounded

Cao Fusheng looked at Chu Wei, who had suddenly become alert, with an expressionless face. This woman had previously appeared weak and barely holding on. That wasn’t an act. But now, she was like a startled rabbit, suddenly sharp and lively—almost making him think she was experiencing a final surge of life before death.

The root of it all lay in the phrase Shen Dong had instinctively uttered: “Thrown into a deadly situation to survive, trapped in a lethal ground to be reborn.”

Cao Fusheng had heard this before. As a commander, he had some familiarity with the ancient military classic, *The Art of War*. Not that he was an expert, but he had read it many times.

That phrase came from the chapter on “Nine Grounds,” meaning that only when placed in a situation where death seems inevitable can one summon the strength to resist and find a way to live.

But why did it frighten Chu Wei so deeply? Was there some hidden meaning behind it?

“It’s not like that, Captain Chu. I just responded to your words, how did it scare you half to death? You look like you nearly lost your soul,” Shen Dong said, confused, not understanding what had happened.

Chu Wei regained her composure and calmly asked, “How do you know that phrase?”

“Come on! Why wouldn’t I know? Do you think I’m uneducated? That’s from *The Art of War*! Am I too learned for you?” Shen Dong replied exaggeratedly.

Chu Wei scanned the group, her gaze passing over Cao Fusheng and the others, seeing only confusion on their faces, no other expressions or actions.

Only then did she realize she had been overthinking.

“No... it’s nothing. I was just curious, sorry for making a fuss... cough, cough...” she muttered.

Han Shuqing glanced at Cao Fusheng, then hurried over to gently pat Chu Wei’s back, helping her clear her breath.

“Quiet, a vehicle is coming,” Cao Fusheng said, sharpening his hearing to the maximum. His ears twitched slightly. About several dozen meters away, he caught the sound of a noise-reduction armored vehicle approaching.

They were coming from the entrance where they had previously entered the city.

Hearing Cao Fusheng’s serious whisper, the group instantly held their breath, pressing against the shadowed wall, unwilling to utter a word.

At this moment, encountering survivors without a fight was already very fortunate.

In this post-apocalyptic era, defending against both humans and predators was equally arduous.

“Their vehicle is still parked outside the city. Looks like they’re on foot now, but where are their people? ZZ City is full of the undead—like the eighteenth level of hell. Maybe we should turn back,” one said.

“No, don’t forget our mission: save the dying and heal the wounded! We need to find as many survivors as possible and help them. Ideally, get them to join our camp.”

“Right, right, this is the task given to every squad by the envoy. The more people we bring back, the bigger the reward.”

“That’s true. Enough to get you two beauties to keep you company for a while,” someone teased.

Cao Fusheng closed his eyes, emptying his mind, focusing intently on their conversation. Judging by their voices, it was a squad of about a dozen or so.

His initial judgment was that they had been sent by a settlement to search for survivors, intending to offer aid.

He needed to observe a bit longer. If these people truly meant to save and help, then meeting them might be worthwhile.

The primary concern was Chu Wei’s injury. If they could receive treatment from this group, it would be a fortunate and effortless gain.

“But our settlement already has so many people. Why does the leader keep taking in more survivors?” one asked.

“Don’t ask questions you shouldn’t. If we could understand the leader’s plans, wouldn’t that make us the leader ourselves?”

“Heh, true, but even if we find those people, will they be willing to come with us? No telling how many there are, and they just took down such a big monster—it might be tough to get along.”

“First, we have to find them. If we can’t, there’s nothing we can do but return empty-handed. I wasn’t keen on staying in ZZ City anyway—it’s too dangerous.”

They were still some distance from where Cao Fusheng and his group were hiding, so only Cao Fusheng could clearly hear the conversation. The others were unaware.

Cao Fusheng thought about it: the reason they came in a vehicle was likely because they didn’t plan to enter the city center, just patrolling the outskirts.

“Snap!”

A pebble kicked by Cao Fusheng clattered sharply in the desolate darkness, immediately alerting the group intent on saving survivors. They raised their guns and began cautiously advancing toward the sound.

“Captain Cao... what are you—”

“Someone’s coming. They might be able to help Chu Wei. But you all should be ready to fight back, just in case,” Cao Fusheng said.

His vision and hearing far surpassed the ordinary. Shen Dong and Gao Yi were well aware of this; perhaps they hadn’t noticed what Cao Fusheng did, so they had no doubts.

“Little Wei!” Han Shuqing cried out as Chu Wei suddenly fainted, her head dropping.

Han Shuqing was deeply concerned for Chu Wei’s life, remembering Cao Fusheng’s earlier words.

If this had been before Cao Fusheng took on the intelligence mission, he might have abandoned the unconscious Chu Wei on the spot—she was a burden, unable to fight.

No one would bring along a powerless outsider in such a hostile environment.

But now, if he couldn’t extract information from Chu Wei, he would die. That was why Cao Fusheng’s heart burned with urgency.

Reluctantly, he stepped out and happened to encounter the squad advancing with their weapons ready.

About six or seven men came forward; the others stayed behind.

The leader was a tall, dark-skinned man, over six feet tall, slightly taller than Cao Fusheng.

All of them carried firearms—standard-issue weapons from the old era’s military.

In an instant, Cao Fusheng judged that the camp these men spoke of was no ordinary settlement like the lonely gathering spot they had known.

It was at least a large settlement, and a formidable one at that.

“We need help! Please, help us! Someone here has internal bleeding and has been unconscious for too long!” Cao Fusheng spoke urgently.

The dark-skinned man hesitated before asking, “Are you the ones who fought that monster on the little path earlier?”

“Yes.”

“Why are there so few of you? Come with us. We have a secret gathering point outside the city in another direction. There are medics with our team who can help.”

“Let’s go. Gao Yi, carry Chu Wei.”

Cao Fusheng silently signaled to his companions: if these people showed any sign of ill intent, they would strike immediately.

Yet curiously, despite seeing weapons in Cao Fusheng’s group’s hands, the newcomers made no demand to disarm them, as if they took for granted that Cao Fusheng’s group posed no threat.