Doomsday Stewed Salted Fish C40.1

Hey, first of all, thanks for reading my lousy Machine Translation. To be honest, I’d really like it if you guys corrected the mistakes I made. But please speak nicely and politely. My heart is not strong enough to read your too-harsh comments. Have a nice day. 🙂

Chapter 40. (1/2)

Despite the soothing broadcasts playing repeatedly across the base, chaos reigned.

For ordinary people, facing the monsters was akin to being a fish on the chopping block, utterly powerless.

Being torn apart by monsters was a fate far more terrifying than drowning in a flood or burning in a fire.

The ten bomb shelters could only accommodate five million people. Even though some were willing to sacrifice their chance for survival for the sake of others, many more tried desperately to break into the shelters to secure their own lives.

The base had anticipated such scenarios and deployed police to prioritize the rescue of women and children.

While the ability users and their families in the inner ring entered Bomb Shelter No. 1 in an orderly fashion, chaos continued in the second ring. Meanwhile, the million-strong army in the outer ring was already prepared to face the beasts.

Marshals Lu Sheng and Wang Shu led 500,000 soldiers stationed inside the base walls as the first line of defense should the beasts breach the base.

Marshals Li Zhen and He Tao commanded 500,000 soldiers in the fourth ring as the second line of defense.

Young generals Lu Ya, Wang Lichuan, He Qing, and Li Wei led 50,000 emergency-recruited retired soldiers and 100,000 ordinary troops with conventional weapons outside the second ring, forming the final line of defense for 15 million people.

As Lu Sheng stated, they would not abandon Jiangnan Base or its millions of residents until the last moment.

They prepared for the worst and gave their utmost effort.

Time ticked by slowly, and the night remained as dark as ink, unchanged. Only the million-strong army stood ready, and chaos persisted within the base.

At midnight, when everyone should have been asleep, not a single person in Jiangnan Base could close their eyes.

**Bomb Shelter No. 1.**

Each bomb shelter was further divided into five sections. Gu Fan now gathered with the descendants of the Lu, Wang, Li, He, and Sheng families.

Mayor Sheng and Sheng Xi were present, but in front of them stood an elderly man in his seventies—the head of the Sheng family, Sheng Heqing, a tri-elemental A-level powerhouse.

Seeing Sheng Xi, Lu Yao ran to him with tears in her eyes, and Sheng Xi comfortingly embraced her.

Among the five major families, only the Sheng family had their heads in the shelter, while the other four families’ heads remained outside to fight.

However, each of the other four families left behind several A-level powerhouses to protect their children.

A giant electronic screen hung on the northern wall of the section, scanning the five rings of the base. The screen displayed images of soldiers standing resolute and unwavering and of the two million ordinary people scrambling desperately for survival.

The camera shifted several times, and suddenly, it began scanning the faces of each soldier.

Among the 500,000 soldiers in the first line of defense, Gu Fan recognized Lu Sheng, Lu Ying, and some Lu family soldiers she had interacted with before.

In the 500,000-strong second line of defense, Gu Fan only recognized Xu Yun, whom she had healed of burn scars, but she saw the same determination in those unfamiliar faces.

In the third line of defense, Gu Fan saw Lu Ya, He Qing, and the retired Lu family general Zou Shan, who had helped her sell pills.

For soldiers like Zou Shan, who had lost a leg, a healthy soldier was assigned to push their wheelchairs.

As the camera continued to move slowly, a commotion arose from the neighboring section.

After the commotion subsided, Gu Fan received a call from Xinghe.

She answered.

Xinghe said, “Gu Fan, your level is too low to help out there. Stay safe inside; we’re heading up.”

Taishan added, “I’ll handle their defense. Don’t worry.”

Qingteng said, “I’ll handle the healing.”

Fenghuo chimed in, “I’ll roast some monster meat for them. Don’t worry, I’ll save some for you. See you later.”

Meng Lianying jokes, “Gu Fan, I’m a little jealous. My cousin never cooked for me.”

Gu Fan couldn’t help but laugh.

Xinghe reassured her, “Don’t worry; we’ll meet again.”

A burst of static sounded from the other side before the call ended.

—

At 1:00 AM, the time the base predicted the beasts might arrive.

The beast horde hadn’t arrived yet, and the base’s chaos had subsided.

The 150,000-strong army outside the second ring had grown silently. Two thousand mercenaries joined them, and behind them was a sea of people—men and women, old and young—who either didn’t qualify to enter the bomb shelters or qualified but gave up their spot. At this moment, they held kitchen knives, metal pipes, tools, and anything that could serve as weapons, waiting resolutely.

The battle hadn’t yet begun. Some were ready to sacrifice their lives, while others watched silently, tears streaming down their faces.

Among the five major families, including the Sheng family, young people volunteered to join the defense forces.

Some were accepted, while others were forcibly held back.

Suddenly, Lu Sheng’s voice came from the big screen: “The beasts are here. Close all bomb shelter entrances. No one is allowed to enter or exit.”

Bang! Bang! Bang! The screen showed footage of the bomb shelter entrances closing.

The final solo shot was of Lu Sheng.

The old marshal, clad in battle armor, wore a determined expression. His deep eyes seemed to look through the screen at everyone: “Fight for the base, fight for humanity. In this battle tonight, I wish you victory. Even in defeat, this battle will deter other beasts. Continue the eradication plan; the end-times struggle is one we must win.”

Lu Sheng’s words were interrupted by thunderous beast roars echoing through the screen.

When Lu Sheng finished speaking, the camera turned to the base’s walls.