68: Military modernization expands territory; twin cities build foundations and build up strength.

Chapter Seventy: Armament Innovation to Expand Territory, Building Foundations in Twin Cities to Sharpen the Edge

The news of the mass production of long-acting inhibitors exploded in Dawn City like a thunderclap, instantly igniting everyone's fighting spirit.

In the factory workshops, the roar of machine tools continued day and night. Alloys refined from the remains of Mutants were forged into components for the Second Generation Scale Armor Power Armor. This new armor featured double-layered alloy plates on the chest and abdomen, capable of withstanding the claw piercings of Level 4 Mutants. The flexible design at the joints maintained the soldiers' mobility. The production line for Heavy Sonic Resonance Cannons was also operating at full capacity; the barrels were thickened and lengthened, extending the range directly to five hundred meters, specifically designed to deal with large-scale charging Mutant swarms.

In the command center, Lin Zhou spread out a detailed map of the Chuanbei Region, his fingertips tracing over Yunan County to the east of Qingyang County and Linshui County to the west. These two county seats were not far from Dawn City. Reports from the Reconnaissance Squad showed that both locations had small-scale survivor settlements. The Mutants there were primarily Level 1 and Level 2, making the threat controllable. They were perfect targets for territorial expansion.

“Now is a window of opportunity to accumulate strength.” Lin Zhou pointed at the two marked spots on the map, his voice resonant and powerful. “The Skeleton Serpent's deep-sea base is temporarily dormant. We must seize this chance to reclaim lost territory, gather survivors, and establish the second and third human bastions!”

Wang Hu was the first to step forward, patting his chest as he volunteered. “Commander, the First Armored Regiment requests to go to war! We’ve just re-equipped with the second-generation armor and want to test the power of these new toys. Leave Yunan County to us!”

Chen Hao followed closely behind. “Linshui County is mountainous, and the Mutants there are cunning. The Reconnaissance Special Operations Regiment is skilled in mountain warfare; we will go to provide support!”

Lin Zhou nodded, his gaze sweeping over everyone. “Remember, the primary goal is to protect survivors; clearing out Mutants is secondary. Logistics units will follow in two columns to set up temporary resettlement points and transport food and medicine. Additionally, each team will be equipped with thirty long-acting inhibitors to establish a mobile defense perimeter. We must achieve zero casualties!”

Two days later, the two teams were fully equipped and set out.

Wang Hu’s First Armored Regiment, riding in modified armored vehicles, marched grandly into Yunan County. On the county streets, abandoned vehicles were jammed tight, and several Level 1 zombies were wandering about. At Wang Hu’s command, the heavy sonic cannons fired first. Waves of energy swept through, instantly shattering the zombies into pieces.

“Everyone, dismount!” Wang Hu, wearing the brand-new second-generation armor and carrying a bone-spike long saber, charged at the front. The armor's visor automatically locked onto targets. He slashed open a pouncing Level 2 Frenzied Fur Species; the dark green body fluids that splashed across the armor's surface left not even a single mark.

The soldiers formed small squads and cleared the Mutants street by street and alley by alley under the cover of the long-acting inhibitor's purple light curtain. Survivors hiding in basements and on rooftops heard the commotion outside. Initially watching warily, they finally couldn't help but open their doors when they saw the Dawn City insignia on the soldiers' epaulets.

“It’s the reinforcements from Dawn City!” A middle-aged man ran out of his house crying, followed by a group of gaunt elderly people and children.

Wang Hu stopped and shouted into the loudspeaker, “Folks of Yunan County, we are the army of Dawn City! From today on, this is our home! We will build houses for everyone, distribute food, and teach you how to fight the Mutants!”

Cheers instantly echoed throughout the entire street.

On the other side, Chen Hao’s Reconnaissance Special Operations Regiment ran into trouble in the mountain forests of Linshui County. The Mutants here hid deep in the dense woods, specifically picking off lone soldiers in ambushes. Seeing this, Chen Hao immediately changed tactics, having his team members disperse and hide, laying sonic traps along the Mutants' necessary paths.

Late at night, moonlight filtered through the gaps in the leaves. Several Sharp-Claw Speciess quietly crept toward the soldiers' hiding spots. Just as they stepped into the trap range, the sonic waves erupted instantly, causing the Sharp-Claw Speciess' movements to suddenly slow down. The soldiers lying in ambush immediately opened fire, cleanly and efficiently taking out the enemies.

After three days of fierce fighting, the Mutants in Linshui County were completely cleared out. Survivors spontaneously formed stretcher teams, following the soldiers to treat the wounded and transport supplies.

When the news reached Dawn City, Lin Zhou immediately launched the new city construction plan.

Yunan County was designated as Shuguang New City, serving as the frontline against Mutants from the east. Engineers tore down abandoned buildings and used steel and cement to reinforce the city walls. Heavy sonic cannons were mounted densely atop the walls, and ten long-acting inhibitors were placed at the city gates, forming an indestructible line of defense.

Linshui County was renamed Qiming City, relying on the local mountains and farmland to develop agriculture and animal husbandry. Personnel from the Research Team brought barren-resistant grain varieties and high-quality livestock and poultry seedlings. Survivors rolled up their sleeves to reclaim wasteland and build farms. In just one month, green seedlings sprouted in the fields of Qiming City, and the sounds of chickens and ducks came from the farms.

The establishment of the two new cities expanded Dawn City's sphere of influence threefold, with the number of survivors exceeding twenty thousand. Good news also poured in regarding armaments: five hundred sets of Second Generation Scale Armor Power Armor were mass-produced, equipping three armored regiments; eighty Heavy Sonic Resonance Cannons were manufactured and deployed on the walls of the three cities. Even more surprising, the Research Team had analyzed low-altitude flight technology from the wreckage of the Skeleton Serpent's aircraft, and the development of the Falcon Attack Aircraft had entered its final stage.

That day, Lin Zhou stood on the walls of Shuguang New City, gazing at the distant fields. Golden sunlight spilled over the land; as the wind blew, waves of rice rolled, carrying a refreshing fragrance.

Wang Hu and Chen Hao stood behind him, looking at the scene before them with faces full of gratification.

“Commander, if we keep up this momentum, it won't be long before we can form a true grand army and completely wipe out the Skeleton Serpent's nest!” Wang Hu said excitedly.

Lin Zhou nodded slightly, but his gaze turned toward the far east, in the direction of the sea.

The sea breeze seemed to carry a salty, damp scent as it blew against his face. He knew that the peace was only temporary. The Skeleton Serpent's deep-sea base was like a time bomb that could detonate at any moment.

“Our road is still very long,” Lin Zhou whispered, his fingertips gently stroking the carvings on the city wall. “But as long as we are united in heart and mind, there is no enemy we cannot defeat.”

As the sun set, it stretched the shadows of the three men very, very long.

The lights of the three cities lit up one by one, like three brilliant stars emitting a dazzling light in the darkness of the apocalypse.

Thousands of miles away on the deep sea, upon that mobile offshore platform, the Man in the Suit was looking at the three cities on the screen, his lips curling into a cold smile.