Chapter 261: Is There Really No Way to Communicate with Bone Wings?
Zhuang Wan, who had come to check out the RV, also loved it—so much so that she was tempted to join the trip.
Traveling in the apocalypse was an incredibly harsh and grueling ordeal, with countless people losing their lives on the road.
But every time Su Tao had to travel, it somehow felt like an enjoyable experience.
Just look at this RV—turn on the air conditioning, wrap up in a cozy blanket, enjoy a cold drink, and watch TV. Tsk.
Just thinking about it felt comfortable.
Su Tao said, “Come along then. There are still four open spots.”
Zhuang Wan thought about it for a moment but ultimately shook her head.
“No, I can’t. I don’t feel at ease leaving Taoyang behind. I need to guard things here for you so you can take your team without worries.”
Beside her, Chen Yang tilted his head up, looking at Su Tao with eager anticipation. He might as well have had “Pick me! Pick me!” written all over his face.
Zhuang Wan flicked him on the forehead. “Don’t even think about it.”
Su Tao studied Chen Yang for a moment before saying, “Wanwan, why don’t we let Chen Yang come along?”
Teenagers in their rebellious phase tended to grow even more restless the more you tried to hold them back.
It might be better to take this opportunity to let him see the real world. Sooner or later, he’d have to face the dangers of the apocalypse.
Besides, leaving the spots empty would just be a waste.
Chen Yang immediately cheered.
Zhuang Wan sighed and agreed, then pulled her son aside to give him a long lecture—telling him not to cause trouble, not to be a burden to Su Tao, to listen and behave, and so on.
Su Tao turned to Shi Zijin. “Are you attending the Alliance Summit? I still have three spots left.”
She remembered that Dongyang’s remaining two spots had gone to Xing Shuyu and the Minister of Public Affairs—none were reserved for Shi Zijin.
Shi Zijin nodded. “Yes, I’m attending, but I have my own spot.”
Su Tao was surprised.
Shi Zijin smiled and explained, “The Southern Alliance Summit sends me a special invitation every year. It’s separate from Dongyang’s allocations.”
Only then did Su Tao realize—Shi Zijin was well-known in the South. It would be strange if the summit didn’t invite him.
That kind of reputation and influence… truly enviable.
Seeing her slightly jealous expression, Shi Zijin chuckled.
“You’re holding 12 invitations in your hands—what’s there to envy?”
Su Tao sighed. “How can I not be envious? Even though I have 12 spots, none of the invitations are under Taoyang’s name. They’re all mixed between Dongyang, Wutai, and Leopard Path. This year, Taoyang has no official representation at the summit.”
Shi Zijin caught onto something. “Leopard Path?”
Su Tao didn’t hide anything and nodded. “Lei Xing gave me his team’s spots before he went on his mission. He said none of them wanted to go. Now, I have more invitations than I know what to do with. If I’d known, I wouldn’t have taken them.”
Shi Zijin said, “If you ever need more invitations for the Alliance Summit, just let me know. I have some connections with President Zhuo of Xindu—it wouldn’t be hard to get you more spots.”
Su Tao didn’t realize that President Zhuo was actually the second-in-command at Xindu Base.
If she had, she would have realized that Shi Zijin’s so-called “connection” was none other than Jiang Jinwei’s new husband.
She waved her hands. “No, no, this year’s turnout is already big enough. I doubt many people will want to go next year either.”
Preparations for the journey continued in an orderly fashion.
Su Tao specifically asked Pei Dong to send her a detailed map of Dongyang, which she handed to Old Mei and his apprentice to study. She wanted their input on the best approach to gradually expand her influence.
Eighty crystal cores might seem like a lot, but once spent, they’d disappear in an instant. She had to plan carefully and use them wisely.
Wu Zhen’s greenhouse was full of strawberries, and Su Tao planned to have them harvested and stored in Lin Fangzhi’s space before departure. She hoped to sell them for a good price in Xindu.
Pineberries had originally been brought from Xindu by Jiang Jinwei, who had spoken about them as if they were priceless. If they sold for a high price there, it would be a waste not to cash in on the opportunity.
After all, once those 80 crystal cores were spent to acquire over 8,000 square meters of land, there would be plenty more expenses ahead.
Not to mention, upgrading to Level 7 would require 12 million federal credits… Just thinking about it made Su Tao feel like she had a mountain on her back.
Lin Fangzhi’s space was nearly full, with just enough room left to park the RV.
Su Tao genuinely loved the vehicle and had even spent two nights sleeping in it.
She had also moved Xuedao’s food and supplies into the kitchen’s storage cabinets.
Xuedao was coming along on the journey, too.
Meanwhile, White Sesame seemed to sense that she was leaving again. For several nights, the little cat clung to her while sleeping. If he woke up and didn’t see her, he’d cry anxiously.
Ding Heyu’s wife, Qiu Yin, adored White Sesame and eagerly volunteered to look after him.
Taoyang had everything she needed—so much so that she almost didn’t want to leave. The only problem was loneliness. She wasn’t familiar with most of the people here, and her social anxiety made it difficult to connect. Having a cat to keep her company would be perfect.
Since White Sesame didn’t resist her, Su Tao gladly agreed.
Originally, she had planned to ask Old Mei to look after White Sesame, since he had done so before, and the cat was familiar with him and Liu Panpan.
However, lately, Liu Panpan had been in a terrible state. Ever since she fainted, she had been silent, withdrawn, and visibly unwell.
Old Mei had tried several times to talk to her, but she deliberately avoided him, as if she didn’t want to face anything at all.
Su Tao sighed. “We’ll take it one step at a time. I’ve already instructed Yun Lan to keep a strict watch over Taoyang. If there’s any sign of Bone Wings, I’ll return with Major Shi immediately. In the meantime, please look after Liu Panpan.”
If Liu Panpan suddenly appeared in front of Bone Wings, all that awaited her was death.
A mother and child reunion wouldn’t bring tears—it would bring bloodshed.
Old Mei nodded solemnly.
Shi Zijin, on the other hand, preferred the idea of using Liu Panpan as bait to lure Bone Wings out, making it easier to eliminate him.
But that method greatly increased Liu Panpan’s chances of dying.
To Shi Zijin, sacrificing one to save thousands was a decision he would make without hesitation.
Su Tao, of course, knew what he was thinking.
She simply couldn’t bring herself to do it.
Liu Panpan wasn’t the one at fault. In the end, she was just another victim of the apocalypse—a mother who loved her child, yet had been tormented by fate until she was unrecognizable.
If she ended up dying by her own child’s hand, wouldn’t that be far too cruel?
Old Mei, who considered Liu Panpan his goddaughter, was unwilling.
Su Tao also didn’t want to go through with it.
Shi Zijin, seeing her distress, reassured her, “We don’t have to use her as bait to catch Bone Wings. I have other ways.”
Su Tao didn’t want Liu Panpan to die, but she also didn’t want Shi Zijin to bear an even greater burden.
She pursed her lips and asked, “Is there really no way to communicate with Bone Wings?”
Shi Zijin shook his head. “The chances are very low. It’s too uncontrollable. We can’t risk sending someone to try and communicate with it. Besides, based on your prediction, it even killed its own mother. Who else could possibly reach it? Who could restore its sanity?”
Su Tao fell silent.
Just then, her communicator suddenly rang—it was Qi Yunlan calling.
“Boss, have you seen the news? The serial killer from Hekang has escaped to Dongyang. Someone even took a picture of him, and now there’s a nationwide manhunt. Should we put up wanted posters in Taoyang too? Also, I heard a rumor that this serial killer isn’t human but a zombie. I don’t know if it’s true. Should we prepare in advance?”
Su Tao was stunned. “A photo?”
Qi Yunlan’s voice turned serious. “Yes, and it’s pretty clear. He’s a good-looking young man—you’d never think he was a psychotic killer. A lot of our tenants have seen the news and are feeling uneasy. We need to reassure them.”
“…Everyone has seen the news already? Send me the link!”
She’s gonna have a heart attack