Chapter 67: Xuedao Will Take a Fatal Blow for You—That Is Its Mission
One moment, she saw the dark, pitch-black back of Black Sesame, and the next, her vision was filled with fragmented innards.
Su Tao was startled. When she focused again, her vision returned to normal—it was still the back of Black Sesame.
What just happened?
Why did it feel like she could see through Black Sesame’s perspective, almost as if she had become it?
Shaking her head, Su Tao thought she might just be tired. After feeding the little ones, she hurried off to bed.
There was still work to do at night.
In the middle of the night, Master Su got up and rushed to the construction site. She first laid ivory-white, glossy tiles around the fountain. Even at night, they reflected the bright moonlight, creating a clean and beautiful scene.
For the rest of the area, she used antique-style long bluestone bricks, giving the space a grand and sophisticated feel.
With the new tiles laid, the view from the main gate made Taoyang look completely revitalized—more and more like a pre-apocalypse community town.
Su Tao also bought ultra-bright streetlights from the public facilities store. Just two in the central park made it as bright as day.
Su Tao began selecting a suitable spot to build a small gas station.
Currently, Taoyang didn’t have much open space left. After looking around, she found that the best spot was behind the water room.
After purchasing two fuel dispensers, she built a garage next to them, which could accommodate two vehicles.
The total cost came to 50,000 Federal Credits.
The remaining money was just enough to expand and renovate a two-bedroom, one-living-room apartment.
After completing the construction, Su Tao was once again broke.
She could only hope that the newly built two-bedroom unit would quickly attract a suitable tenant.
Before going to sleep, Su Tao tested the fuel dispenser. It was very convenient—unlike the real-world fuel pumps before the apocalypse, there weren’t so many restrictions. She just had to pull out the fuel nozzle and insert it into the gas tank.
In half a month, when she went on a trip with Shi Zijin and the others, she wouldn’t have to worry about running out of fuel.
Before leaving, she could fill a few barrels and take them with her.
She also planned to pack plenty of food and supplies into the car.
Her only worry was that Shi Zijin might sneak away without taking her along.
That awful man.
*
The next day, Su Tao announced the “Taoyang Gas Station Usage Policy,” stating that tenants with vehicles could apply for gas station access through Zhuang Wan. However, the fuel was only for personal use and not for resale.
For those without vehicles, access would not be granted for now, to avoid unnecessary trouble from reselling fuel at high prices externally.
As soon as this news spread, Guan Zining couldn’t sit still and came running to ask her, “Can you really build a gas station? What else can you build—a plantation? A farm?”
Su Tao thought for a moment: “Not at the moment, but maybe in the future.”
As the system upgraded, more shops would unlock. At level 5 and beyond, there might be agricultural and livestock shops available.
Guan Zining stared at her for a while and said,”I have a feeling that the old commander might want to meet you.”
Su Tao was stunned: “Why?”
Guan Zining explained: “What Dongyang lacks most right now is water and fuel, and you happen to have both.”
Sure enough, three days later, as Guan Zining predicted, Pei Dong personally came to invite Su Tao to the Dongyang Military District.
Su Tao left a note for Zhuang Wan and got into Pei Dong’s car.
On the way, Pei Dong asked, “I heard from Major General Shi that you want to leave the base with them? Can I ask why? You’re not someone who would take risks for no reason.”
Su Tao hesitated for two seconds and said, “If I said my goal is the same as Major General Shi’s—to find building materials—would you believe me?”
Pei Dong was taken aback, then said, “If you say so, I believe you. I’ll speak on your behalf.”
Su Tao leaned against the back of the driver’s seat, tilting her head to look at her: “Sister Pei, you’re so good to me.”
Pei Dong chuckled: “Sit properly, we’re almost there.”
After getting out of the car and passing through layers of security and identity verification, Su Tao finally met this legendary figure of Dongyang—Xing Hongwen.
Su Tao had heard his story since she was very young. Back then, Dongyang was just a small county. When the zombie virus outbreak occurred, it quickly fell. Xing Hongwen was ordered to rescue survivors, but he got trapped in the besieged city. After holding out for three difficult months, he miraculously repelled the zombie horde.
Since then, Xing Hongwen led the local survivors, balancing construction and defense. His two decades of tireless work nurtured talents like Pei Dong, Shi Zijin, and Lexi.
Though Dongyang wasn’t perfect, it became a sanctuary for thousands, a ray of hope in the apocalypse.
Calling him the savior of Dongyang’s people wasn’t an exaggeration.
Su Tao respected him greatly. She maintained all the proper manners and etiquette during their first meeting.
Xing Hongwen waved for her to sit: “Good child, don’t be so formal. I won’t beat around the bush. The reason I invited you here is to ask if Taoyang can help provide some water resources and fuel to get us through this difficult time. Of course, I, Xing Hongwen, am not someone who takes advantage of others. You’ll receive fair compensation. You can think of this as a collaboration or a transaction.”
Su Tao considered it for half a minute and said, “I promised Sister Pei and Major General Shi long ago that I’d provide water for free. As for fuel, you can just send people to Taoyang to purchase it regularly. I was born and raised in Dongyang. You could say I grew up under your protection. This small help doesn’t count as a collaboration or transaction. You don’t need to be so polite—no compensation needed.”
Hearing this, Xing Hongwen was deeply moved: “How old are you?”
Su Tao replied, “I just turned eighteen this year.”
Xing Hongwen felt his eyes welling up. The place he had guarded for twenty years had raised such a good child.
In the end, Su Tao still received benefits from the old commander.
First, he gifted her three crystal nuclei from evolved zombies.
Second, she would be the first to receive the newly developed crystal energy weapons from Changjing in half a month.
Third, and most importantly, with Pei Dong advocating for her, Su Tao successfully gained permission to go on the mission with Shi Zijin.
On the way back, Pei Dong couldn’t help but remind her:
“Always remember to take Xuedao with you, wherever you go. Don’t be fooled by its age. It has been trained since childhood—not only is it familiar with Gu Mingchi’s scent, but it also recognizes the scent of those criminals who escaped from Dongyang. Additionally, its hearing and smell are excellent, helping you avoid many dangers. Even if… even if danger strikes, it will take a fatal blow for you. That is its mission.”
Hearing the last sentence, Su Tao felt as if her heart had been pierced.
She truly couldn’t bear it. After raising Snowknife for these days, it had become one of her furry kids, just like Black Sesame and the others—it was her precious treasure.
She had to be extra careful to avoid harm to anyone around her, including her beloved furry companions.
The ever-busy Pei Dong dropped her off at Taoyang before heading back.
Su Tao looked around stealthily, checking if Shi Zijin was nearby, and then quickly ran into the apartment building.
Although she had obtained the old commander’s approval, she hadn’t informed Boss Shi. She had taken a “do first, explain later” approach.
It would be best to avoid him for a few days until his anger subsided, then she could explain and soothe him properly.
Her plan seemed good, but as soon as she reached the third floor, before even getting to her door, she was blocked in the stairwell by a certain boss who had been waiting for quite a while.
Shi Zijin didn’t get angry. He leaned against the wall, and the hallway light stretched his shadow, adding an extra touch of charm to his already handsome appearance.
His smile was hidden in the shadows, “You’re back?”
Su Tao stopped in her tracks, remained silent for two seconds, and said, “Sorry, wrong floor.”
With that, she turned and bolted downstairs.
