Chapter 72: Chapter 69: Obedient to Every Word, Filming on the Front Lines

At the urging of Cheng Zhan and his men, Chen Yanyan followed Lin Feng’s orders and backed the Level 13 armored RV out from under the tarp tent.

A beautiful woman reluctantly stepped out of the luxurious RV in the parking lot and boarded a business van used for a film shoot.

Between Lin Feng’s warnings and a little intimidation, Jiang Yun’er reluctantly left the safety of the service area.

She was afraid she would die on the front lines.

Of course, this was a fear for those unfamiliar with the situation on the front lines. Anyone who had participated in a few battles would understand that killing a single Black Spine Zerg wasn’t actually difficult. As long as you were equipped with heavy firepower, you could take one out in a matter of seconds.

But Black Spine Zergs never acted alone. Even a Reconnaissance Squad would have three or more of them. And now, during this period of relative peace and consolidation, the Black Spine Zergs mostly moved in packs, patrolling the edges of their territory.

To kill one, you had to face the relentless pursuit of a dozen others. The longer it took, the more Black Spine Zergs would join the chase, and you might even attract attacks from the Cyan-winged Zergs in the sky.

That was the real danger. Moreover, the more people you had, the more Zergs you attracted, which was why even a force as powerful as the military found it difficult to capture a live specimen.

Otherwise, Hu Fei would have gone directly to the military for help instead of being so deferential and brown-nosing Lin Feng, an obscure new Awakener.

This was because Lin Feng’s individual Combat Power was too high, and he wouldn’t be constrained by the military’s red tape.

The military didn’t dare waste its few Superpower Bullet Awakeners on capturing live Zergs; they were tactical assets capable of turning the tide in local engagements.

Their Superpowers were indispensable for the holding actions along the fortress line.

Of course, the military coveted Lin Feng himself even more.

However, since he had already joined the State Guard, it was awkward for the Thirteenth Division to openly recruit him.

They couldn’t brazenly poach him, but they weren’t about to let such a talent go to waste.

That was why they had built a lone Fortress at the highway service area. It served as an outpost to support the main front by drawing the Zerg Race’s fire and tying up their forces.

And now, Jiang Yun’er’s publicity stunt had become the cover for a mission to scout the Nest. Forget killing Zergs—just surviving would be a challenge.

But as long as Lin Feng was willing to help, the superstar’s Zerg-killing Awakening would still be a piece of cake.

The key was whether Lin Feng was willing.

On the road, driving behind the military jeep, Chen Yanyan asked:

"Didn’t Major Cheng say we just had to rescue Jiang Yun’er? Should we have her get in this vehicle later, so we can take her with us when we make a run for it?"

Lin Feng glanced at the business van in the rearview mirror, then at the military jeep ahead, a cold smile touching his lips.

"Of course we’re taking her."

"If Jiang Yun’er actually dies in front of us, you and I will be the scapegoats offered up to appease the powers behind her."

"Of course, the chances of that are low. It’s more likely the Thirteenth Division would use it as leverage to coerce us into joining them, to become expendable grunts in their holding actions."

"But we can’t just help the superstar complete her publicity stunt so easily. We need a few more twists and turns. Then, once I tell her the truth, she’ll listen to our every word and help us generate propaganda and build our reputation in the future."

"We need our own media channels. Otherwise, we could win a war against the Zerg Race and no one would ever know."

"That is the ultimate goal of getting close to Jiang Yun’er."

"Through her, we will tell the world’s survivors that humanity can defeat the Zerg Race, and that I... am their great savior."

"Only then can we make our name in a single stroke. We will announce to the world that our existence is hope itself."

Chen Yanyan nodded, once again impressed by Lin Feng’s foresight. She had thought he was just lusting after the woman’s beauty, never expecting such a profound strategy behind his actions.

She then teased:

"In that case, you’d better ’satisfy’ her well. After all, the best way to conquer a woman is to fill all the emptiness inside her."

Lin Feng gave an embarrassed cough and shot her a look.

Soon, escorted by military jeeps at the front and rear, the convoy, consisting of the armored RV and three business vans, arrived at the suburban front line.

This was already the Suburban Area of Wu City and the edge of the Zerg Race’s territory. Large swaths of Hai City’s own suburbs were now completely occupied by the Zerg Race.

Lin Feng checked the landmarks and the odometer, realizing that overnight the Zerg Race had expanded their territory a full three kilometers further inland.

At this rate, they would reach the outskirts of Wu City in less than ten days. By the seventh day, the soldiers in the fortresses would be able to spot the activity of Zerg Red-Armored Beetles directly through high-powered binoculars.

Time was growing short.

Lin Feng watched the earthen mounds on both sides of the highway. Hearing the roar of the vehicles, nearby Red-Armored Beetles quickly scrambled into their burrows.

They were getting smarter. If there were too many vehicles or people around, they would flee, unlike when they first landed in Hai City and killed everything on sight.

The convoy came to a halt. A few soldiers disembarked from the lead jeep and gestured for everyone to get out and prepare.

This was the edge of the expanding Zerg territory. As long as they didn’t make a major disturbance, no Black Spine Zergs were likely to appear for the time being.

It was safe to film here.

Lin Feng had Chen Yanyan stay in the RV to discreetly man its weapon systems. He then activated his Red Profound Armor, tightened his grip on the Level 17 Grenade Cannon, and hopped down from the vehicle.

Cheng Zhan walked over, his eyes curiously assessing the armored RV’s modifications. It was the first time he had seen such a strange custom vehicle; it looked like a biomechanical hybrid.

Machine gun ports bristled menacingly from the front, back, and sides.

Compared to the RV, Lin Feng’s own armor seemed less impressive.

"Nice vehicle," Cheng Zhan commented. "It’s tougher than our jeeps, but the firepower is too weak. Can’t compare to a tank."

"Machine guns have limited effectiveness against Black Spine Zergs. If this mission goes smoothly, I’ll get you a couple of large-caliber Mortars to mount on the roof."

Lin Feng nodded his thanks.

"Then here’s to a successful mission for you, Brother Cheng!"

’The RV already had three concealed Machine Cannons,’ Lin Feng thought, ’but you could never have too much heavy firepower.’

The two exchanged a few more words as the film crew emerged from the business van behind them, with Jiang Yun’er in tow.

The superstar had changed into a military-style outfit. Her hair was tied back in a crisp, neat ponytail, and the standard-issue camouflage vest she wore was form-fitting, accentuating her curvaceous figure.

Her fair, beautiful face had been deliberately smudged with dirt, and a few streaks of camouflage paint were daubed on her cheeks, giving her an exceptionally fierce and capable look.

As she walked, her ample chest bounced, and from his taller vantage point, Lin Feng could even see the deep cleavage.

The promotional video of her killing Zergs was mainly intended to recruit men from the rear areas. A little titillating, eye-catching appeal was considered necessary.

A soldier from the jeep handed Jiang Yun’er a large-caliber rifle equipped with a grenade launcher and began explaining how to use it.

The film crew followed close behind her: two cameramen shouldering large, professional cameras, and other staff members carrying tripods, boom mics, and light reflectors.

They looked very professional.

Too bad this was the front line.

Lin Feng said a silent prayer for them. ’There was no outrunning a Zerg while carrying all that equipment.’

He watched as the star of the show, Jiang Yun’er, followed a soldier’s guidance, climbing over the guardrail to the right of the emergency shoulder and stopping before an earthen mound in the wooded area.

"The Red-Armored Beetles are in there."

"Miss Jiang, you’ve only been enhanced seven times, so you need to kill another seventeen Red-Armored Beetles to complete nine enhancements. After that, kill one Black Spine Zerg, and your mission for today will be complete."

"Of course, you could also just kill the Red-Armored Beetles. That way, you can return safely."

Lin Feng sat on the guardrail, listening to the soldier’s explanation. ’Looks like they gave Jiang Yun’er a choice,’ he thought. ’Too bad her entire purpose for coming here is to safely complete her full Superpower Awakening.’

Seeing the superstar raise her rifle and glance back at him, Lin Feng gave a subtle, almost imperceptible nod to reassure her.

She then told the soldier she was ready.

A soldier pulled a few live chickens from the trunk of a vehicle, slit their throats, and tossed them near the Wormhole. With the spray of fresh blood and the chickens’ dying squawks...

Pairs of antennae began to poke out from the entrance of the hole.

The staff members on site all swallowed nervously.

They unconsciously took a few steps back.