Chapter 249: Chapter 42 Separation_1
"My name is Wen Yu, Sequence Number 2. And yes, a War God," Wen Yu retorted upon hearing Kuangliu’s words. "It seems my title has given you all a lot to talk about. I assume there are also Azure Dragon and Black Tortoise...?"
Kuangliu smiled at Wen Yu. "They certainly exist, but they aren’t easily mobilized. In fact, they’re even more special than the Vermilion Bird War God. Of course, if you were to join the military, none of this would be a secret to you!"
"Let’s not discuss this for now." Wen Yu shook his head, as Kuangliu tried to recruit him again, clearly intending to end that line of conversation.
Seeing Wen Yu’s expression, Kuangliu instantly understood he wasn’t interested in joining the military and decisively ended the topic.
"Let’s go. We’ll head back to the Assembly Site first," Kuangliu said, gesturing towards the military vehicle with a "please" motion.
Wen Yu nodded and got into the front passenger seat.
Accompanied by the engine’s roar, the military vehicle sped towards the Yanjing Assembly Site.
「...」
The vehicle wasn’t slow, but it was definitely slower than the three of them traveling at full speed. This was possibly due to certain regulations at the Yanjing Assembly Site, or perhaps for other reasons; Wen Yu didn’t inquire further.
"By the way, what about the matter I entrusted to you?" Wen Yu asked while sitting in the front passenger seat, playing with Cyclops.
Kuangliu, keeping his eyes on the road, found a moment to reply, "Sun Xuewei is currently an officer in a female fighters battalion. When I found her and told her the military would offer her protection, she refused."
Wen Yu nodded. "Why?"
"She said she couldn’t abandon her sisters in the battalion."
"Well, as long as she’s willing. Take me to see her later. I have some things to give her and a few words to say. If this is her own wish, I’ll respect her choice," Wen Yu said with a light sigh, some thoughts forming in his mind.
Like father, like daughter...
「...」
As the military vehicle drew closer to Yanjing City, the full panorama of the Yanjing Assembly Site gradually unfolded before Wen Yu’s eyes.
The city wall, already thirty meters high and still being heightened and widened, was constructed entirely from alloy. Even from a distance, one could sense the wall’s solidity and imposing presence.
Seeing Wen Yu staring intently at the city wall, Kuangliu explained, "After the military learned of the Demon Tribe’s existence, the higher-ups collectively decided to build this wall. It’s very sturdy and also has some special functions."
"However, I estimate this outer wall probably couldn’t withstand attacks from powerful experts at Level 6 or above," Kuangliu said, shrugging at Wen Yu.
Wen Yu said, "Humans always seem to have a knack for confining themselves within walls because it gives them a sense of security. That’s what you think too, right?"
Hearing Wen Yu’s words, Kuangliu nodded. "Of course, this wall isn’t entirely useless. As time goes on and the Academy of Sciences develops new composite materials, the wall will undoubtedly be upgraded. As for how effective it will be then, who can say."
"And remember, this is just the outer wall!"
Wen Yu nodded.
This was only natural. The so-called walls served one primary function: division and isolation! Whether it was separating monsters from humans, or humans from other humans... One had to understand that wherever there were people, there would be complex social dynamics, and likewise, class distinctions would arise.
"Let me give you a brief overview of the Yanjing Assembly Site," Kuangliu said.
"The entire Yanjing Assembly Site is divided into three areas."
"The first area, separated by the outer wall, is the outer city zone. It’s mostly inhabited by refugees and laborers. Of course, the headquarters of some hunter groups are also located in the outer city zone, but those are generally weaker groups."
"The second area is the inner city zone, separated by an inner wall. It primarily consists of military barracks, essential infrastructure like power stations, and the Academy of Sciences. Some powerful factions are also based there. Residency requirements for the inner city zone aren’t high; anyone with sufficient strength can enter."
"The third is... Central City." Kuangliu paused for a moment before continuing.
"Central City," he said, "is home to people who held high positions before the apocalypse—various official aristocratic families and the like. And yes, their current influence in the military is substantial."
Upon hearing Kuangliu’s words, Wen Yu immediately understood.
To put it bluntly, those "VIPs" living in Central City were just a large group of well-connected officials. Before the apocalypse, these interest groups controlled the country’s politics, military, and economy. Even after the apocalypse, their influence within the army hadn’t diminished. They had formed a vast network of interests, which, coupled with their internal military connections, allowed them to enjoy privileges unattainable by others, even in this post-apocalyptic era!
Wen Yu nodded in understanding, and Kuangliu seemed to have no desire to elaborate further.
From the back, Xiao Xue chimed in indignantly, "Those people are just parasites, always demanding the best of everything! If Commander Lin weren’t concerned that eliminating them would cause unrest in the military, they would have been dealt with long ago! Central City, Hmph!"
Seeing Xiao Xue’s indignant expression, Wen Yu couldn’t help but laugh. "Don’t tell me you two don’t belong to this privileged class."
Kuangliu nodded. "We do, naturally. Lin Haifeng—Commander Lin—is my father. Anyone who could reach such a position before the apocalypse would certainly have connections with the influential figures in Central City. In fact, my mother was from one of those aristocratic families, though she passed away when I was very young."
Kuangliu’s expression was very calm; perhaps the early loss of his mother meant he had few memories of her.
"Then, judging by your tone, you’re quite dissatisfied with them," Wen Yu observed.
"Definitely. Because of them, three-fifths of the military personnel are the type who accept deployments but ignore direct commands. This makes the work for both my dad and me very challenging!"
"They understand nothing—not the terror of the Demon Tribe, nor the insignificance of us humans. Day after day, they just cling to their delusions of grandeur, constantly daydreaming. Some even strongly advocate surrendering to the Demon Tribe, as long as their own interests are preserved!"
"There’s a saying: the older one gets, the more timid they become. And that’s even more true for these ’esteemed’ high-ranking individuals!" Kuangliu’s tone grew increasingly discontented.
"Those people have no idea how much the world has changed. They stubbornly cling to their outdated ways of thinking, believing the military is all-powerful and that nuclear weapons are the most terrifying things in existence—the idiots..."
Hearing Kuangliu’s rant, Wen Yu asked jokingly, "Aren’t nuclear weapons the most terrifying thing?"
"They are for now," Kuangliu replied. "But in a few years, professionists will be the most terrifying."
"Tsk, tsk. I have to agree with that," Wen Yu said.
「...」
After discussing these rather unpleasant topics, it took less than five minutes for the outer wall of the Yanjing Assembly Site to come into view.
Outside the steel-forged city wall, several squads of soldiers were guarding the gate.
Upon seeing the military vehicle’s license plate, the soldiers immediately organized their personnel, clearing away the survivors flussoing in and out near the city gate.
Then, from a distance, they saluted the military vehicle.
According to Kuangliu, this vehicle was his personal, exclusive transport. Given Kuangliu’s influence, the soldiers naturally recognized it.
Without reducing speed, Kuangliu drove the vehicle straight through the lines of saluting soldiers and into the Yanjing Assembly Site.
Wen Yu, listening from the side, smacked his lips. "You sounded like you despised the privileged class, yet this seems to be a privilege too."
Kuangliu stated calmly, "I’ve contributed so much to this place. Enjoying certain privileges is only right and fair."
"Greater ability means greater responsibility. At the same time, the benefits and privileges one gains should also rightly be greater!"
"True," Wen Yu nodded in agreement, gaining a new perspective on the military’s way of thinking.