"Hey, hey!"

Zhou Le and Xiaolin trotted up to the fifth floor.

The layout of the fifth floor wasn’t complicated. A large self-service restaurant was divided into four suites. Liao Youzhi and his several wives occupied the second-largest one, while the largest suite belonged to the Alliance’s laboratory, indicating that Liao Youzhi also understood the importance of scientific research.

Gong Chengming, being all by himself, lived in the smallest suite. Although the smallest, it was still over a hundred square meters. Another room served as a dedicated meeting room.

The two-meter-wide corridor was illuminated by every other energy-saving lamp, with the faint sound of a generator coming from deep within. The temperature on the fifth floor was noticeably warmer than the fourth, reaching a comfortably warm fourteen or fifteen degrees, and the hygiene was excellent — not a trace of any foul odor, but rather a faint fragrance in the air.

The partition walls were not your ordinary mobile homes. No one knew where the Survivor Alliance found these soundproof partitions, which were quite elegant and substantial. Not only were there energy-saving lights on the walls, but they were also adorned with some artwork and green plants.

Those unaware might think the greenery was made of plastic, but a closer look would reveal that the potted plants and succulents were alive, flourishing vibrantly at over ten degrees, adding a touch of vitality to the post-apocalyptic world and making it less lifeless than downstairs.

"This really is paradise..."

Looking at the tranquil environment, Xiaolin couldn’t help but sigh. Although living on the third floor was much better than the second, compared to this, it was undoubtedly a slum.

"Stop chattering. Come on, let’s wait over there..."

Zhou Le had been to the fifth floor, knew the layout, and led Xiaolin towards the conference room, only to spot a burly figure emerge at the corner.

"Hello, Deputy Leader."

The person was none other than the Survivor Alliance’s deputy leader and Vanguard Corps leader, Gong Chengming.

"Ah, Xiaozhou and Xiaolin, are you going to find Leader Liao?"

Gong Chengming asked, hands on hips.

"Yes, today we discovered a horde of zombies at North Second Ring Road, numbering about three to four thousand. We suspect someone deliberately lured them onto our territory, so we intended to report it to the leader."

Zhou Le spoke respectfully. Despite saying it was a report for the leader, he relayed most of the information to Gong Chengming. Compared to Liao Youzhi, he had more fondness for this hands-on Gong Chengming. If he could, he’d rather report to Gong Chengming.

"Another zombie horde?"

Upon hearing this, Gong Chengming frowned, recalling the last unpleasant incident about a week ago. Why would it happen again?

"Yes, Deputy Leader, when we were scavenging for resources in the village, I heard a car drive by on North Second Ring Road. When we came out, the road was blocked by the zombie horde!"

Xiaolin said excitedly, seizing the chance to perform. Since this wasn’t the first time it happened, the credibility of the news they brought was higher.

"Hmm..."

Gong Chengming rubbed his chin, frowning in thought, countless ideas flashing through his mind. Finally, a thought struck him, and he pointed towards the leader’s residence, saying, "This is very important. You need to report the details to the leader right away. He’s already gone back, so don’t go to the meeting room!"

"Okay, thank you, Deputy Leader. We’ll head off now."

"Go ahead."

Gong Chengming waved them off, turning around without hesitation and headed towards the stairs, his steps seemingly more hurried than before.

Zhou Le and Xiaolin naturally didn’t notice Gong Chengming’s slight abnormality. After turning down the corridor, they saw two members of the Guard Team on duty outside the residence’s entrance.

As the leader of the Survivor Alliance, the living quarters naturally had a certain dignity. The ornate double doors were surprisingly exquisite. The two sturdy and fully armed guards stood at attention.

Many thought the two guards at the door were purely for show. If the defenses below were breached, the two remaining guards would be of little use, only set up to signify the leader’s special treatment.

But these matters were not Zhou Le’s concern. He nodded and bowed as he approached the entrance, proactively placing his weapon in a nearby storage bag, saying, "Thank you for your hard work. We have urgent matters to report to the leader. Please inform him."

One guard glanced at Zhou Le, showing a perfunctory attitude. He knocked on the door three times, turned around when the lock clicked open, and stepped inside.

As the door opened, Zhou Le felt a gust of warm air hit his face. It was already over ten degrees, and yet the temperature difference from inside was palpable — it must be at least twenty-five degrees. Wouldn’t it be hot? he couldn’t help but gripe inwardly.

Along with the warm air came melodious music, the elegant and undulating sound of a piano.

Zhou Le and Xiaolin exchanged a glance, filled with envy, marveled at the leader’s luxurious lifestyle, and noted the excellent soundproofing of the room.

Imagining the leader’s nightly revelries with the wives, if the soundproofing wasn’t good, Deputy Leader Gong Chengming might be very displeased.

Lost in thought, the door opened again, and the guard appeared, nodded towards the door, without uttering a word, truly economical with his words.

Zhou Le and Xiaolin dared not complain, nodding and squeezing through the door.

As they entered, the music ceased, and they realized it wasn’t a device playing tunes but a woman in a qipao playing at the piano in the corner.

Her smooth calf extended from the slit of the qipao, her bare foot pressed on the sustain pedal, her pink sole smooth and delicate, enough to make anyone’s heart race with a desire to visit a brothel.

The qipao woman saw them enter, paused her fingers, closed the piano cover, slipped on slippers, walked over to Liao Youzhi, kissed him lightly, and turned towards the inner room, leaving only a seductive back view.

The room was quite hot, and it felt even hotter looking at the alluring figure.

For many in the Survivor Alliance, there was always a mystery about the temperature source.

Anyone who’d been to the fifth floor noticed that the temperature gradually decreased from the fifth floor downward, indicating the heat source was on the fifth floor. If it were a powerful heating device, setting aside whether the electricity could handle it, it would make a loud noise, but no one heard a thing.

If the heating was through burning, it would be easier to detect and absent any signs, leaving many perplexed but only to the extent of puzzlement, without venturing to find out.

"You two, stand at the door and speak. What’s going on?"

On the living room sofa, Liao Youzhi sat with a beauty in his lap, wiping a detailed rifle. He wore a black mask as usual, though given how the beauty in his lap was adjusting his mask, it seemed he wore it only for Zhou Le and Xiaolin.

It made sense; who would wear a mask at home for no reason?

The coffee table had an open box of bullets, shining in brass, an opened bottle of grape wine with three crystal glasses, and rare fruits on a platter. Though merely the most common apples and oranges from before the disaster, being able to eat fruit in this environment meant more than 99.99% of the world!

Both Zhou Le and Xiaolin were quite nervous, as Liao Youzhi exuded a murderous aura that even the gentle beauty in his arms couldn’t dispel.

"Leader, today when we were scavenging for resources around North Second Ring Road, we encountered a horde, it seemed..."

"What?" Liao Youzhi interrupted before Zhou Le could finish, glaring with righteous indignation, furious, "Again? Explain, what’s going on?"

Zhou Le was startled, thinking he hadn’t finished...

"That horde looked to be about four to five thousand..."

While Zhou Le nervously reported to Liao Youzhi, Gong Chengming had already gathered the Vanguard Corps members and reached the underground garage, leaving the Survivor Alliance headquarters without another word.

With so many eyes inside the Survivor Alliance, he needed a suitable place to speak.