Chapter 1 Recruitment

Just then, a shout came from the distant square.

A group of people were gathered around a middle-aged man with glasses standing on a high platform, dressed in a suit and leather shoes. Several armed police officers maintained order around him.

"Let's go and see!"

Zhang Ji and Zhang Zhishan also curiously crowded over. His tall and burly figure towered over the crowd, creating a sense of pressure that made the surrounding people give way.

Several police officers couldn't help but put their hands on the handles of the guns at their waists.

The middle-aged man with glasses in the suit glanced at Zhang Ji, and his eyes lit up.

He withdrew his gaze, cupped his fist towards the crowd below the stage, and said loudly:

"Fellow villagers of the West District of Xichuan Town, my name is Lü Wencai, and I am the district chief of the West District of Xichuan Town. I believe you are all familiar with me."

"The tragedy in Xichuan Town these past two days has saddened me deeply. Every night, ferocious beasts of unknown origin attack the town, and the recording equipment that is turned on is found to be completely damaged the next morning."

His face was sorrowful and helpless, and the crowd below discussed among themselves.

Because some of them had also tried to record videos with their mobile phones and cameras, but when they looked at them the next day, they couldn't see anything, as if an invisible force was blocking everything.

Zhang Zhishan opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something, but Zhang Ji poked him with his elbow, and he obediently closed his mouth.

On the stage, Lü Wencai continued:

"Xichuan Town is now isolated and helpless, cut off from the world. We must unite to save ourselves. If we continue in this chaos, Xichuan Town will perish."

"Although the strange fog covers everything, trying to trap us in Xichuan Town, our scientific researchers have still discovered some clues and found a possible route to leave the town."

"As long as we can get out, we can find rescuers or lead everyone out of Xichuan Town."

His voice was loud, and more and more people gathered around, and everyone was greatly encouraged.

Zhang Ji's eyes also lit up.

Lü Wencai continued: "But at present, our manpower is not enough to explore that route. Therefore, we are now recruiting explorers to join us. Those who are willing to join the expedition team, please sign up here."

"I am willing to join the expedition team!"

"Me too, I am willing too!"

"Count me in!"

The crowd below the stage raised their hands enthusiastically, including many women.

Zhang Zhishan looked at Zhang Ji and asked, "Do you want to go? Don't worry about me, I can take care of myself."

Zhang Ji was still hesitant.

Zhang Zhishan said loudly: "Son, don't forget that you are a soldier, and you once made a promise to the country and the people: if there is a war, you will be called back!"

"Now, Xichuan Town has reached a critical moment of life and death. If you don't contribute your strength, who will? Although it is not a war now, it is better than war."

"The strange fog is the biggest enemy of all of us. Are we going to wait for the strange fog to lock us in Xichuan Town and slowly kill each other until we are all dead?"

Zhang Ji's body shook, and meeting his father Zhang Zhishan's burning gaze, he nodded seriously and said, "Okay, I'll go!"

Zhang Zhishan smiled proudly and said, "The strange fog is terrible and ruthless, turning us into beasts and making us commit suicide, but as long as we are still human, we have to live a human life, we have to resist, and we have to find hope!"

"If you can really find a way out and find rescuers, then you will be the great hero of our Xichuan Town, the child that your father is most proud of!"

Zhang Ji's heart was shaken, and he turned around and wrote his name on the registration form.

"Okay, I'm going back!" Zhang Zhishan said with a satisfied smile, "Tonight, I'm still going to the Niu Niu Le Farm. I'll lock myself inside so you don't have to worry."

"Tonight, you have to protect yourself, don't let anything happen..."

His eyes were slightly red, and he lowered his head to wipe away tears, because this trip was definitely full of dangers. Once he spent the night outside and turned into a fierce beast, the consequences would be unpredictable.

Zhang Ji's throat choked up, and he squeezed out a smile and said, "Dad, I'll be back!"

Zhang Zhishan hammered Zhang Ji's sturdy chest, said, "Good boy, don't embarrass me," then waved his hand and turned to leave, his figure quickly disappearing into the fog.

On the stage.

Many people signed up, and soon there were enough twenty people.

Zhang Ji was tall and burly, and with a word from District Chief Lü Wencai, he was directly appointed as the squad leader.

A staff member took them to the Xiqu District Office compound and distributed some flashlights, daggers, ropes, water, and dry food.

At this time, other staff members arrived with teams, apparently the recruitment of the expedition team was not just at the square.

Soon, the office compound was filled with more than a hundred people, a sea of heads.

"Zhang Ji, Brother Zhang!" Someone shouted from the crowd, the voice was familiar.

Zhang Ji looked in the direction of the voice and found that it was Zhao Zigang. He hadn't seen him for two days, and he looked much more haggard. His eyes were a little red and swollen, as if he had been crying.

He strode over and gave Zhang Ji a bear hug, and said excitedly: "It's good that you're okay. Many people have disappeared. I was worried about you too... I'm relieved to see you now."

Hearing his words of concern, Zhang Ji felt a warmth in his heart and smiled, "Is your family okay?"

Zhao Zigang's eyes turned red, and he choked up in a low voice: "My daughter is gone. There was only a pool of blood left in the room, and this ribbon."

In his palm, he held a pink ribbon.

Zhang Ji sighed in his heart and patted him on the shoulder.

Zhao Zigang forced a smile and said, "It's okay, I can handle it. Now I just want to leave Xichuan Town as soon as possible and find my wife. She's gone back to her hometown. Xichuan Town has become like this. I don't know if anything has happened in her hometown."

Zhang Ji nodded and said, "Then join my team, I am the captain of the third squad."

His squad was the third squad.

Zhao Zigang grinned and said, "I'm a squad leader too, brother. I'm the captain of the fifth squad."

Zhang Ji was surprised and punched him in the chest, saying, "Take care of yourself!"

"You too!"

He returned to his fifth squad.

At this time, someone blew a whistle, calling the captains of the five squads to a meeting in the conference room. District Chief Lü Wencai spread out a map of Xichuan Town and pointed to the far west.

"Everyone, this is the route we discovered that may allow us to leave Xichuan Town. It used to be the Xichuan Expressway, but now it is surrounded by fog and forest."

"There are five forks here that may lead outside the town, so we have recruited your five squads to explore separately."

Lü Wencai said solemnly, "The fog is covering everything, and mobile phone communication devices are out of order. This trip must follow orders in all actions. You five are the captains, and I will assign each of you an expert. On this trip, you must listen to the expert's advice and not be reckless."

"Return to Xichuan Town before dark."