As anyone approached the residential complex, they were immediately driven away by the security personnel.
The residents living near the Forsino complex had all moved out. The surroundings were utterly silent, not even a single car was seen.
This place had become a typical no-man's-land.
As soon as Cheng Xiaofan and Meng Xizi stepped out of the car, the security personnel surrounded them aggressively.
"Who are you? Get out of here immediately!"
"Some people are truly fearless, daring to come here!"
"Are you blind? Haven't you seen this place is sealed off?"
"Leave now, or we'll open fire!"
Seeing that the security personnel had even drawn their guns, Cheng Xiaofan couldn't help but smile faintly. The security here was indeed very strict.
However!
The moment they spotted Meng Xizi, they were so terrified that they hastily put away their guns.
"Your Majesty the King, why are you here?" one of the supervisors asked hurriedly.
Meng Xizi said, "I'm accompanying the Esteemed Master here to take a look."
What was this "Esteemed Master"?
The supervisor blinked in confusion, then his gaze fell upon Cheng Xiaofan.
Upon noticing Meng Xizi's respectful demeanor towards this young Chinese man, he immediately realized that this person must have a formidable background.
Otherwise!
His Majesty the King wouldn't be so deferential in front of him.
*Snap!*
The supervisor snapped to attention, standing at a perfect salute.
He declared loudly, "Welcome, Esteemed Master!"
Cheng Xiaofan merely nodded slightly.
He calmly asked, "Are you the person in charge here?"
The supervisor immediately replied, "Yes, my name is Witt!"
"I am at the Esteemed Master's command at all times!"
Cheng Xiaofan smiled slightly and asked again, "Mr. Witt, do you know where the chef lives in the complex?"
Witt replied instantly, "I do!"
"Very well!"
Cheng Xiaofan said, "Then please, Mr. Witt, lead us to his home to take a look!"
Upon hearing this, Witt's face turned pale with fear.
He stammered, "What? Esteemed Master, to his home?"
"This complex is off-limits, and we have to go to his home?"
Meng Xizi immediately took out a detoxification pill.
He handed it over, saying, "This is a pill refined by the Esteemed Master."
"Once you take it, you won't be infected by the virus!"
"This..."
Witt looked at the pill in Meng Xizi's hand, his face full of disbelief.
Could this thing, resembling a rat dropping, actually work?
But!
It was something handed to him by His Majesty the King.
He couldn't refuse it.
Nor could he refuse to take it.
Witt braced himself, took the pill, and swallowed it on the spot.
Meng Xizi instructed, "Open the gate and lead us in!"
Hearing this, Witt was on the verge of tears.
He said, "Your Majesty the King, can I leave a suicide note for my family?"
"Bastard!"
Meng Xizi understood his meaning immediately.
He roared indignantly, "Do you dare to doubt the effectiveness of the Esteemed Master's pill?"
"I, as the king of a nation, am not afraid. Do you think your life is more valuable than mine?"
Witt, terrified, quickly said, "I apologize, Your Majesty the King. I misspoke. I have no doubt whatsoever about the efficacy of the Esteemed Master's medicine!"
"I will lead you in now."
When he saw that besides the king, several ministers were also present, he dared not utter another word. His hands trembling, he took out his keys and unlocked the heavy iron lock on the gate.
Before entering, everyone put on protective suits.
Even though they had taken the detoxification pills, it was still possible for the virus to contaminate their clothes.
Only Cheng Xiaofan, protected by his dragon's energy, could prevent the virus from approaching within a meter of him. He didn't need to wear a protective suit at all.
Led by Witt, the group immediately entered the complex.
It was early summer, and the weather was already quite hot.
But as soon as they stepped inside the complex, the air suddenly turned cool.
The coolness was strangely unsettling, sending shivers down everyone's spines.
The bright sunlight seemed to dim instantly.
The landscaping within the complex was quite well-maintained.
Yet, not a single bird could be seen here.
Not even a flying insect.
"Mr. Witt," Cheng Xiaofan said with a slight smile, noticing Witt's extreme nervousness, "how many people normally lived in this complex?"
Witt replied quickly, "Reporting to the Esteemed Master, over nine hundred people resided here. But last night, more than six hundred died. The remaining people were out working."
After walking a short distance, Witt pointed to Building 15, Unit 2, and said, "The chef lived on the third floor of this building."
Cheng Xiaofan nodded and said, "Alright, lead us up!"
Witt was hesitant to go up, but seeing Meng Xizi by his side, he didn't dare to say anything and led them upstairs.
The buildings in this complex were not tall and had no elevators. Going upstairs was entirely on foot.
Upon reaching the third floor, the door was unlocked. With a gentle push, it creaked open.
As Cheng Xiaofan stepped inside, a blood-soaked, fetid smell immediately assailed his nostrils.
In the living room lay five people: two adults and three children.
Cheng Xiaofan recognized the chef among them. The five bodies were shriveled, their seven orifices bleeding, their faces purplish, and their features contorted beyond recognition.
What was even more terrifying was that small black blisters kept appearing on their skin, accompanied by popping sounds.
Ordinary viruses wouldn't afflict people in such a manner. This was a typical prehistoric virus, Cheng Xiaofan could tell. Within a few hours, these five people would turn into mere skeletons.
"Let's go, we'll check out other homes!" Cheng Xiaofan said to Meng Xizi and the others.
Leaving the chef's apartment, he casually pushed open the door of the neighboring unit.
Again, as soon as they entered, a scent of blood and decay hit them.
*Gag!* Meng Xizi couldn't hold it in and vomited on the spot.
His vomiting triggered bouts of retching from the others.
"Esteemed Master, I apologize, I lost control!" Meng Xizi said, wiping his mouth with a handkerchief, his face full of embarrassment.
Cheng Xiaofan ignored him for the moment and focused his gaze on the corpses in the living room. The situation was generally the same as in the chef's home: bleeding from the seven orifices, shriveled bodies, and constantly appearing blisters.
After checking several more houses, the scene was a carbon copy.
"We're leaving here," Cheng Xiaofan said grimly as they descended the stairs. "These corpses must be disposed of as quickly as possible, leaving no trace behind. This includes disinfecting the air."
Meng Xizi's face was grave. "I will immediately dispatch special forces to handle these matters upon my return."
Cheng Xiaofan shook his head and said, "Human intervention might not be thorough enough. Let nature take its course."