The sound of an explosion echoed, scattering fragments that fell to the floors below.
The entire atmosphere inside the Lego Mall became tense, with ordinary members whispering among themselves, the scene quickly turning chaotic. The Survivor Alliance had previously been lax in managing ordinary members, who did not have a strong sense of organizational discipline.
"Stop the noise, everyone settle down!"
"Keep calm, the leader will handle everything properly!"
"Find a place with cover and sit down."
Dozens of combat personnel promptly stepped out under the direction of their small leader to maintain order and stabilize the situation.
Zhang Xin, Liu Yao, and Yang Xinqi, among others, learned through the walkie-talkie that Zhang Su was all right, which greatly relieved them.
The sacrifice of Liao Youzhi and Gong Chengming had brought about invaluable peace; if Zhang Su were to encounter trouble now, that peace would instantly be broken. None of them wanted to see that happen; from the bottom of their hearts, they wished for Zhang Su’s safety.
"Was your old boss nuts? Planting bombs in his own place, is he out of his mind?"
Liu Yao glanced with a twisted expression at Wu Baokang nearby.
"How on earth would I know? Damn, Liao Youzhi himself played with bombs, didn’t need us to lift a finger, hell, come on, let’s go check out what’s going on!"
"Let’s go, hey, you guys keep watch down there, nobody make trouble!"
"You too, take care of everyone’s mood, avoid conflicts..."
Liu Yao and Yang Xinqi gave instructions before sprinting upstairs.
Earlier driven downstairs, Ma Huihui was miserably tidying up the bed; upon hearing the explosion upstairs, she was dumbfounded, unaware of the specifics, only feeling a warm liquid spreading in her underwear and then turning cold!
A sense of relief surged in her heart; suddenly she thought that doing business in the Soul-Devouring Cave wasn’t so bad, living with a king is hardly bearable!
"Uncle, my arm is broken, I’m done for, all my skills are in my hands, how will I live now, I still want to pursue Su... um..."
Lying on Gong Chengming’s bed, blood dyed the beige sheets, Pang Dakun saw his right arm gravely injured, tears fell continuously, lamenting, when suddenly something was stuffed in his mouth, almost choking him.
"Take your medicine, save your strength, stop talking!"
Zhang Su looked at Pang Dakun impatiently; he could confirm the guy wasn’t in life-threatening danger, but his yammering was extremely loud, making it impossible to hear the people outside talking.
"How is Dakun, is Dakun alright, Pan Ru found a medical kit, can it be helpful?"
Zheng Xinyu rushed in, pretending to inquire, knowing well Pang Dakun’s injury didn’t require a medical kit, but the Zombie Thalamus matter couldn’t be easily exposed.
"Brother Zhang, here’s something found over by the hospital, it’s well stocked!"
Pan Ru followed Zheng Xinyu, handing over a hefty silver case.
"Thanks, just needed this!"
Zhang Su took the medical kit, thanked her, then inquired, "Where are Zhuzi and the others, I told them not to fight the fire, haven’t they listened..."
He faintly heard intense firefighting efforts over by the laboratory.
"Yeah, everybody is trying to rescue... don’t move, hold still!"
Zheng Xinyu stood by the bed, opened the medical kit, neatly lined with many professional tools, unsure of their use; she took out alcohol and cotton balls to clean Pang Dakun’s forehead wounds.
"Xinyu, about those explosives?"
Zhang Su was about to ask Zheng Xinyu to keep an eye on Pang Dakun when he suddenly remembered the plastic bombs.
"Sakura wrapped it up nicely... You go busy yourself, with all that commotion from the explosion, folks are probably all coming up."
Zheng Xinyu gestured towards the door.
Zhang Su nodded, patted Zheng Xinyu’s shoulder, then said to Pang Dakun, "Don’t get so worked up, have your sister-in-law wrap more bandages around your hand, you’ll be fine!"
"Understood, Uncle..."
Tears streamed down Pang Dakun’s eyes, pouting.
"Let’s go, Pan Ru, let’s see how we can help with the lab!"
Zhang Su beckoned Pan Ru to leave together, temporarily not wanting her to know about the Zombie Thalamus.
As they stepped out of Gong Chengming’s room, Zhang Su heard a commotion of footsteps from the stairs, spotting Zhang Xin and the others appearing nervously not far ahead.
"Whoa, Brother Su, you’re all covered in blood..."
"I’m fine, come on, let’s check out the lab!"
Zhang Su signaled, leading the way to the lab.
Only now did everyone realize it was the laboratory that had exploded; deep down, no one was keen to go. First, the explosion was unpredictable, a repeat might be unbearable; then, the blast site was a lab, the very place they studied Corporation Transformation Powder, who knows what mess could ensue.
Yet the boss charged ahead boldly, with some brothers inside fiercely fighting the fire, backing down wasn’t an option.
A group followed Zhang Su to the lab entrance; looking inside, they were dumbfounded.
The flames were all put out by the rescue efforts, but the wrecked lab was practically a write-off, covered in white firefighting foam and scorched marks.
Judging by the main door, one might think the bomb was immensely powerful, but the floor was largely intact, indicating whoever planted the bomb was skilled, aiming to destroy the lab without affecting other areas.
"Damn, big brother, we’re screwed!"
Zhao Dezhu somehow had a simple fire mask and a large fire extinguisher, looking like a biochemical warrior, speaking in a muffled voice.
"Once the fire’s out, come out; leave inside for now!"
Zhang Su called for everyone to leave the lab.
Clang.
Zhao Dezhu tossed the extinguisher aside, removed his mask, took a deep breath, and angrily said, "The bomb wasn’t particularly powerful, mainly meant for an ignition; damn, those researchers are nasty!"
"How could they do such a thing? It has to be Liao Youzhi’s doing!"
Yuwen joined them, hearing the son-in-law’s guess, couldn’t help shaking his head, then said to Zhang Su, "Mr. Zhang, can we pause the personnel activities? The issue here is more urgent."
Zhang Su nodded with hands on his waist, saying, "Okay, we can do the tally later; hurry and salvage the lab, pack useful items and ship them to Celestial Horse Island. Old Yu, I leave this to you!"
"No problem, Mr. Zhang, where are you off to?" Yuwen knew Zhang Su didn’t plan to stay, but was curious where he’d head next.
Zhang Su had an understanding with Yuwen, patted Li Zongkai’s shoulder, said, "I’ll meet with Little Eagle Association and Apocalypse Corps first. Old Li, don’t come with us, stay and keep order, assist Old Yu."
"Alright, no worries here!"
Li Zongkai and Yuwen exchanged glances, nodding in agreement. Both were mature, capable of handling current issues with ease.
"Won’t you all eat lunch here before leaving? I’ve... already informed the chef."
Zhang Xin tried to persuade them to stay.
Zhang Su rubbed his forehead, smiled helplessly, "Eating can wait; we need to finish first to unwind. Tell the chef to take a break."
"Hehe, Brother Su, come eat at mine; everyone knows preschool meals are great, haha, some should just be considerate and not freeload!"
Liu Yao looked pointedly at Yang Xinqi.
Yang Xinqi glanced at Liu Yao, not bothering to argue, knowing it wasn’t the time for joking!
Afterward, Zhang Su assigned a few brothers to stay, then comforted the Lego Branch survivors before leaving.
Moments before the explosion at Lego Mall, a gunshot shattered the peace at Tongrui Auto Park.
"All you Apocalypse Corps scumbags, get your asses into Dasan 4S shop quickly, or this old man’s fate will be yours!"
Speaking was a man wielding a handgun proudly, beside him lay a silver-haired elder shot in the head, blood staining his hair, eyes round in unshed emotion.