Chapter 151: The Bounty Plan

The gentle knock on the door interrupted the tender moment between Qin Yu and Qing Li. Qin Yu slipped out of Qing Li’s embrace and stood to open the door. Outside stood Xia Cheng and Zhao Meng. Qin Yu raised an eyebrow, then stepped aside to let them in.

“Xiao Yu, we came to see if there’s anything you need us to do,” Zhao Meng spoke first.

Qin Yu sat beside Qing Li, glanced at Zhao Meng, and teased, “Can’t find anything to do?”

Zhao Meng shrugged, scratched her nose, and grinned, “We’re just worried you might need help.”

Qin Yu returned the smile, then looked at Qing Li and asked, “Li Gege, do you have any tasks for them?”

Qing Li smiled indulgently and said, “You.”

Qin Yu pouted, unimpressed. “Li Gege isn’t cooperating.”

Zhao Meng cleared her throat lightly, “Xiao Yu, stop showing off your affection!”

Qin Yu glanced at her and laughed, “We’re even then.”

“All right, let’s get down to business!” Zhao Meng declared earnestly.

“Fine, I do have something I need you to do,” Qin Yu said.

“What is it?” Zhao Meng asked curiously, blinking.

“Well, I’ve developed an antidote for the poison. Qing Li has tested it, and it’s ready for use. You’ll use these antidotes to issue bounties, exchanging them for crystal cores,” Qin Yu explained.

Upon hearing this, Zhao Meng immediately became serious. “What kind of zombie poison can the antidote neutralize?”

“Currently, it works on low-level zombie venom. I’ve also developed one for second-level zombie poison, but Qing Li hasn’t examined it yet, so its safety is uncertain,” Qin Yu continued.

“Then for now, we’ll only use the low-level antidotes for the bounties,” Zhao Meng replied.

“Yes, that’s my thought too. It’s not just about the unknown effects of the second-level antidote; the research institute is still working on that stage. If we suddenly present the second-level antidotes, it might raise suspicion,” Qin Yu said.

At that moment, Qing Li spoke up, “Yes, indeed. Let’s hold off on the second-level antidotes for now.”

Zhao Meng nodded, then walked over and took Qin Yu’s arm. “Xiao Yu, let’s decide on this then. I and Xia Cheng will handle the bounty posting. How many crystal cores should one antidote be worth?”

Qin Yu looked at Qing Li, signaling him to answer. Qing Li received the glance and thought briefly before saying, “No low-level cores. Only accept second-level or higher. One antidote for 20 second-level cores, 10 third-level cores, or one fourth-level core.”

Zhao Meng nodded in acknowledgment. Then she turned to Xia Cheng. “What do you think?”

Xia Cheng nodded, “Sounds good.” There was a trace of worry in his expression, which Zhao Meng recognized as concern about Qianxiao. She frowned slightly, hoping that keeping busy might ease Xia Cheng’s worries.

Qin Yu and Qing Li exchanged a glance, aware something had transpired between Xia Cheng and Zhao Meng. But since they didn’t speak of it, neither would they ask.

“Xiao Yu, then we’ll take our leave,” Zhao Meng said, feigning casualness.

Qin Yu nodded, replying, “Okay,” and watched them depart.

After Zhao Meng and Xia Cheng left, Qin Yu turned to Qing Li. “Li Gege, about Xia Cheng...”

Qing Li reached out to stroke Qin Yu’s hair. “I trust they can handle it themselves.”

Qin Yu nodded, then gently took Qing Li’s hand from her head and held it in hers. “Li Gege, please take good care of yourself. We’ll deal with everything once you’re better, alright?”

Qing Li clasped her hand in return, smiling faintly. “I’m fine. The base is tense right now; we need to be prepared.”

Qin Yu pursed her lips, hesitating before asking, “Li Gege, is the disappearance of those mutated animals connected to you? And what about the injuries you have?”

Qing Li shook his head, smiling but offering no answer.

Qin Yu waited, but Qing Li only smiled and said, “Yu’er, it’s nothing. It’s all in the past.”

Seeing Qing Li unwilling to speak, Qin Yu sighed softly. “If you don’t want to talk about it, that’s fine. Just take good care of yourself.”

Qing Li smiled and nodded. “Thank you for understanding, Yu’er.”

Qin Yu’s cheeks flushed slightly at his words. She gazed at him, her eyes full of tenderness.

“By the way, Yu’er, has anything happened these past few days? Has the military come looking for you?” Qing Li asked.

Qin Yu shook her head. “No, nothing. Everything’s been normal, just like usual.”

Qing Li nodded, relieved. He yawned quietly, and Qin Yu quickly said, “Li Gege, you should rest. I’ll check on the antidotes.”

Qing Li, clearly tired, no longer resisted and nodded before lying down to rest.

Qin Yu carefully covered him with a blanket, then gently kissed his forehead before turning to leave.

Meanwhile, at the center of the base, the military official Hu He wore a grave expression as he examined a document before him. Standing nearby was a middle-aged man in uniform, head bowed, awaiting orders.

After a long moment, Hu He took a deep breath. “Go post a bounty and see if any squads can go to the city to rescue those trapped there.”

The middle-aged man responded with a “Yes” and prepared to leave.

“Wait!” Hu He called out, stopping him. “Don’t say it’s a rescue mission for the city. Just say it’s an operation! The team must consist solely of psychics above third level! And the reward will be a military title.”

The man nodded and turned to leave.

Hu He looked down at the document in his hand. It read: “The city is under a massive zombie assault. Requesting support!” The time noted was early this morning.

Hu He recalled the attacks by mutated animals outside the base a few days ago. Though it was unclear why those creatures suddenly vanished, it was, in any case, fortunate for the base.

However, whether the city’s zombie attack was related to the base’s mutated animal assault was something to ponder. People in officialdom always tended to overthink things.

Of course, Hu He’s suspicion was not unfounded, as the two attacks were indeed connected—but that story remained untold for now.

Back to Qing Li: after falling asleep, he dreamt of a sea of corpses. Amidst that ocean of decay, a figure grinned with a ghostly smile.

Suddenly, Qing Li shot awake, sweat beading on his forehead. He gasped violently, eyes wide with terror.

“A sea of corpses?” Qing Li murmured, a trace of confusion lingering in his voice...