Chapter 312: The Reappearance of Bone Wings
5 AM, Dongyang Base City Gate Checkpoint
Three or four guards meticulously checked the identities of people entering and exiting the city, comparing them with wanted posters.
As the shift change approached, fatigue set in among the guards. Two of them, standing close together, struck up a conversation to stay awake.
“Wasn’t there talk about some psychopathic serial killer from He Kang escaping to Dongyang? It’s been days now, and we’ve done fingerprint and blood tests, checked every face against the wanted posters, but we haven’t found anything suspicious. Do you think the intel was wrong?”
His companion yawned, forcing his eyes open as he shook his head.
“Who knows? But we should stay alert. I heard this fugitive might actually be a zombie disguised as a human. Not the usual kind either—this one is mutated. It has bizarre abilities, like an Awakened, and is extremely good at blending in. It’s also just as smart as us. Otherwise, how could He Kang have fallen so quickly? Even their base leader’s son fled to Changjing.”
Hearing that, the other guard shuddered and suddenly felt much more awake.
Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a familiar face in the crowd entering the city. It was unmistakably the person from the wanted poster they had been searching for day and night!
But when he focused on the figure again—it was gone.
He immediately shouted to his companion, “We’ve got a situation over there! Two of you, come with me!”
The three of them, weapons in hand, sprinted toward the spot. They practically searched every person in the area, but no suspect was found.
*
Su Tao had only slept for four or five hours the previous night. By 6 AM, she was already up, listening to Zhuang Wan report on daily operations and the latest updates from Taoyang.
“Everything in Taoyang is running smoothly. The research team from He Kang safely arrived last night with no casualties. Mr. Shen asked me to express his gratitude to you.”
Su Tao was pleased. “This mercenary group called ‘Po Zhu’ really has some skills. I expected at least a few injuries in the best-case scenario. This is great. Make sure they get the rest of their payment as soon as possible.”
Zhuang Wan hesitated. “Actually, about ‘Po Zhu’—after escorting Mr. Shen and his team to Taoyang, they had a change of heart. They no longer want the final payment. Instead, they want us to take in someone for them.”
Su Tao frowned slightly. “We had a contract. You can’t just change the terms of payment like that.”
Zhuang Wan sighed. “I told their leader, Captain Duan, the same thing. But he sincerely hopes to meet with you when you return.”
“Apparently, the person they want to send here is Captain Duan’s teacher. He was a team leader for over ten years, an expert in combat and marksmanship. But last year, he fell ill with severe chronic pain. No treatment has worked, no matter where he’s been taken. Captain Duan just wants to find him a good place to live out his days in peace.”
Su Tao asked, “Did Dr. Zhong check him?”
Zhuang Wan shook her head. “Captain Duan didn’t bring him along, but he described the symptoms. Gao Yi suspects it’s a severe case of spinal inflammation. His healing abilities can’t cure it, and our current medical facilities aren’t advanced enough. There’s hope if we send him to Changjing.”
“Then why not send him there?”
“Captain Duan said they have enemies in Changjing.”
Zhuang Wan sighed. “Boss, why don’t you meet Captain Duan when you return? He seems like a man of loyalty and integrity. Plus, his teacher is a valuable asset—he’s highly skilled in military operations. He single-handedly built ‘Po Zhu’ from the ground up. If we take him in, he might even help us establish Taoyang’s own defense forces.”
Su Tao was moved by that. “Alright, arrange for them to stay in Taoyang temporarily. I’ll meet them when I get back.”
“Got it!” Zhuang Wan responded, then gently reminded her, “Boss, it’s already October. Shouldn’t we start planning this month’s housing projects? Also, the cafeteria is getting a bit cramped. Maybe we should expand it?”
Su Tao rubbed her forehead. “Yeah, yeah, I know. The schools in Dongyang aren’t even finished yet. I’m already squeezed dry. By the way, how many people are in Shen Wencheng’s research team? I need to build their dorms today. Also, have him talk to Old Mei about designing their lab.”
“Thirty-two people. Boss, you’re working so hard!” Zhuang Wan said enthusiastically, then quickly added, “Also, about the training ground—”
Su Tao hung up the phone.
Before heading to the trade fair, Su Tao noticed Shi Zijin looking unusually serious. Her heart skipped a beat.
If something could make him worry, it had to be serious.
“Is something wrong in Dongyang?” she asked.
Shi Zijin pinched the bridge of his nose and spoke in a low voice.
“Last night, Dongyang’s guards reported a sighting of the Bone Wings. But despite searching all night, they haven’t found it. I’m worried it has already infiltrated the city. The old commander is organizing a full-scale sweep, and security around Liu Panpan has been tightened.”
Su Tao’s heart pounded. “With all the strict entry checks, it still got in?”
Shi Zijin said grimly, “It might not have entered through the gate…”
Su Tao went pale.
Damn it. She had forgotten—it could fly.
At the same time, she felt extremely relieved that Taoyang had built its protective shield early on. Whether it could fly or burrow underground, it wouldn’t be sneaking into Taoyang anytime soon.
“Are you heading back?” she asked.
Shi Zijin apologized, “Yes. I have to leave by this afternoon. I’ll have Kaiyu stay with you.”
Su Tao waved him off. “No need to feel bad. This is serious—you have to go. Take Jian Kaiyu with you too. I can handle things here on my own.”
Shi Zijin had hoped to at least stay half a day longer, but before he could argue, the old commander called him—ordering him to return immediately.
The Bone Wings had been spotted in the city.
And it had killed a four-year-old boy.
Su Tao felt a sense of dread rising inside her.
Sure enough, the next second, Director Guo called. His voice was heavy as he delivered the news:
“The child’s name was Yang Yang. He was from the orphanage.”
His teacher had noticed he was missing the previous night and searched for him all night. Then, early this morning, they heard about a child’s body found on the streets. Principal Miao ran over, crying, to confirm it.
It was him.
Su Tao punched the wall, overwhelmed with anger and sorrow.
It was Bone Wings.
It was taking revenge on Liu Panpan.
It was taking revenge on everyone.
It was taking revenge on the world.
Poor Yang Yang…
He had thought he’d finally found a good mother to rely on.
But that mother not only used him as a replacement—she had also signed his death warrant.
