Shen Feng and Chu Chaoyan packed their belongings and prepared to depart. They did not bring many attendants, only twenty to thirty soldiers, and then set off into the sky. These soldiers had previously followed Shen Feng in fighting mutated birds, so they were skilled in piloting gliders. With the help of strong winds, they could fly into the sky.
However, in the north, everyone was already struggling to survive. Both those in villages and cities were almost all fleeing south. The north had now become a place of desolation, with nine out of ten houses empty.
Almost everyone had realized that the North China Plain had become a paradise for locusts. Every spring, locusts of all sizes would appear across the land. These locusts had black spots, and if someone was caught alone, they would even eat people. If they didn't encounter people, the locusts would devour all the plants on the ground, eating leaves if available, and crops if there were no leaves.
Furthermore, these locusts migrated frequently, moving wherever there was water and vegetation. The entire north was relatively dry, so the locusts would migrate to these areas, and the entire north gradually became a paradise for locusts. Locusts were often frozen to death in winter, but this year's winter did not kill them. Instead, the locusts learned to build nests and survive the winter. By the transition from spring to summer this year, the locusts had become increasingly rampant, and the entire north had become their habitat.
If only the North China Plain were affected, the situation would not have been particularly severe. However, these locusts had flown into the Northeast region, causing devastating damage to the Songnen Plain. Fortunately, Harbin had stored a large amount of grain, otherwise, the Northeast would also be in a state of flight.
Gong Changfa found He Qiuan and said earnestly, "The locusts in the North China Plain and the Northeast region must be cleared out. If these locusts are not removed, the people under our command will not even be able to feed themselves."
He Qiuan had also heard about the situation of the people below. Many people were already affected by the locusts, and many farmlands had been eaten by them. If this situation continued, Yan Jing and the Northeast would likely fall into chaos.
"We really need to deal with these locusts now. It's just that we don't have any ability users with area-of-effect abilities under our command. Even if we wanted to drop bombs, we don't have enough ammunition to cause casualties. We should ask for support from ability users," He Qiuan said in a deep voice.
He Qiuan now controlled a vast territory and was known as the Sage of Youyun. The meaning was simple: the Hai River Plain in the North China region and the Northeast region were his core areas. He had a population of five million under his command, and Taiyuan was also under his control. His strength in the north was the strongest. However, with a larger territory came greater pressure, as locusts were rampant within his territory, and if not controlled, these insects would only become more severe.
He Qiuan also understood that ordinary means were useless against a large number of insects. For example, firearms and artillery were completely unable to deal with insects. Guns and cannons were very effective against zombies and mutated beasts, but they were much more difficult to deal with locusts that could move in the air.
Therefore, to deal with the overwhelming number of locusts, the help of ability users was essential, especially those with a large area of effect.
Gong Changfa lowered his head and thought, saying, "I've already considered which ability users around us could help us. But after careful consideration, only Yue Hengyi in the Taihang Mountains seems capable of lending a hand. Should I go find him tomorrow?"
"No problem. Although his reputation among many people is not good, his strength is indeed undeniable. He controls gravity, and its range of influence is very large, making it very simple to deal with insect nests. It's just that I don't know if he will help. Bring more gifts, and you must persuade him to act!" He Qiuan said earnestly.
Gong Changfa prepared many reasons and set off, bringing a carload of gold. With this gold in hand, he would have more confidence.
When Gong Changfa arrived at the Taihang Mountains, after a little inquiry, he had already found Guanyin Mountain Village. After all, there was an organized presence here. Not only had a new city been built here, but the surrounding roads were also maintained. However, to pass through, one had to pay a toll.
Gong Changfa found Yue Hengyi and directly stated his purpose: "Brother, the reason I've come to find you this time is to ask you to come out and help us fight. I will give you ample compensation. This carload of gold and jewelry is actually a meeting gift for you. As long as you help, we will provide any urgently needed supplies you have."
Yue Hengyi pondered after hearing the other party's intention. He wanted to agree to the matter, as Guanyin Mountain Village was indeed short of food. If he could obtain the other party's supplies, his people would not go hungry. However, Yue Hengyi was worried that his wife would not agree.
Bai Fengying was petty and always worried about him leaving her. Thus, whenever Yue Hengyi wanted to go out, Bai Fengying would question him thoroughly. After returning from the island country, Yue Hengyi had basically not gone out much.
This time, Gong Changfa stated his purpose, and Bai Fengying appeared. She didn't know how she heard the news and directly came forward, saying to Gong Changfa, "Yue Hengyi will not go with you. Find someone else to help, and don't waste your time here."
Gong Changfa looked at Yue Hengyi and asked, "Is this matter decided by you, or by your wife? Give me an answer."
Yue Hengyi sighed and said to Gong Changfa, "Actually, it's inconvenient for me to leave Guanyin Mountain Village. The reason is very simple: if I leave, no one will guard this city. Before, my family was attacked, and if Brother Shen Feng hadn't happened to come by, something bad might have happened. I can only stay here. You should find someone else. Take back all the gifts you brought. I cannot accept gifts without merit; I would feel uneasy accepting your gifts for no reason."
Gong Changfa then offered a suggestion: "If you are worried that the city will encounter danger after you leave, why don't I find a few ability users to guard your city? Then you can go out and fight with us. The North China Plain is severely affected by locusts, and there are many locust nests that no one can clear. Only you can save the common people by coming out!"
Bai Fengying suddenly said to Yue Hengyi, "Don't forget Miss Qin, whom you brought back earlier. If she leaves your care, she might be in trouble."
Yue Hengyi also looked at his wife with a complex expression, then said to Gong Changfa, "I'm afraid I can't help with this matter. You should find someone else. I can't leave here now. Moreover, I am unwelcome in the hearts of many people. I killed too many people before, so in their eyes, I am a bad person. I will not be welcomed if I appear before them, so it is more suitable for you to find someone else."
Gong Changfa was very helpless upon hearing this answer and could only say, "Perhaps your idea, or your entire family's idea, is to stay in the mountains until the end of the apocalypse. But I want to remind you of one thing: before the apocalypse ends, no place is safe. Even if you hide in the Taihang Mountains, you may eventually encounter danger. I'll leave these words here for you to consider carefully."
The reason Gong Changfa said this was because he realized that Yue Hengyi was now tied down by his wife. He was clearly being asked to go out and achieve great deeds, and if he made enough contributions, his reputation in the hearts of many people could be changed. Unfortunately, Bai Fengying would not let Yue Hengyi go out.
Yue Hengyi understood Gong Changfa's meaning, but he could only reply, "I also know that hiding in the mountains is useless. But my family is in this situation. They are most worried that something will happen at home after I go out, so I can only stay at home."
Gong Changfa thought for a moment and said, "Since you refuse to come out of the mountains no matter what, then I have no choice but to leave. However, please accept the gifts I brought. I will go to Yuzhou later. Shen Feng has many ability users under him, and I will ask for his help. I need him to send even ten of his disciples."
The reason Gong Changfa made this decision was that Shen Feng had the largest number of ability users in the country. Previously, Shen Feng had sent his disciples to fight. Each of his disciples was an ability user, and after growing up, they were not only powerful but also reliable.
Although Yan Jing was very far from Yuzhou, this was the only place where support could be obtained.
Yue Hengyi refused to accept the gifts brought by Gong Changfa no matter what, so Gong Changfa, feeling helpless, had to take a carload of gold jewelry to Yuzhou, preparing to seek aid.
However, when Gong Changfa arrived in Yuzhou, he heard that Shen Feng and Chu Chaoyan had led their people to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This was because many mutated butterflies had appeared in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, and if these butterflies were not cleared, they would continue to affect the Chuan-Yu region.
Gong Changfa's original intention was to ask Shen Feng for help. He had heard that Shen Feng had previously summoned a typhoon to the Chuan-Yu region, successfully causing rainfall, which ultimately led to the locusts being drowned and the locust disaster in Yuzhou being eliminated. The locusts in the north were currently caused by a lack of water, so it was natural to ask the successful person to deal with it.
Unfortunately, when he arrived in Yuzhou, he discovered that Shen Feng was also facing the threat of mutated insects and had already gone to the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. This meant he was too late and could not get Shen Feng's help.
So, Gong Changfa had to find Chang Jianyi and say earnestly, "Madam Chang, the north has now become a hell. The number of locusts is too great, and people are suffering from famine. Even if they catch and eat the insects, they will be poisoned to death! Please, Yuzhou, help us."
"It's not that we are unwilling to help, it's just that we don't have enough people. Even if we want to help, we can't," Chang Jianyi gave her answer.
Gong Changfa lowered his head and thought, then suddenly said, "Since you are unwilling to help, please at least agree to a transaction. We will use a large amount of grain to purchase ability potions. Please agree. As long as you agree, we will accept any price you offer."