Chapter 549: Western Transit Station

Lu Tao’s words changed the atmosphere around them.

Leng Pan sat up beside Lu Zhen and tightened her hold on the communicator. "How long ago did the northern wall fall?"

"Less than five minutes," Lu Tao replied, but explosions and gunfire almost drowned out his voice. "The giant zombies filled the trenches with corpses, then used the bodies to reach the wall. One of them tore through the damaged section before the soldiers could reinforce it."

"Where are you now?" Lu Zhen asked as he pushed himself upright.

"I am near the eastern training grounds with Lu Hao, Su Yan, and Shade. The civilians are still safe, but the zombies have entered the northern residential area."

Leng Pan helped Lu Zhen stand before asking, "What happened to Ouyang Jin’s group?"

"They formed a second defensive line three streets from the wall. Commander Han is with them, but Captain Wei found the command subject and collapsed before he could identify its exact location."

Lu Zhen looked through the opening Leng Pan had created beyond her space.

Smoke still covered Tayi City, but Assistant Yao’s captured aircraft remained intact on the western transit station. Vanish, Sonny, and the alien prisoner were waiting beside it.

"We are returning now," Lu Zhen said. "Keep the civilians away from the underground shelters. The burrowing unit might have created more tunnels beneath the base."

Lu Tao released a relieved breath. "Hurry. Second Brother keeps asking whether he can leave the training grounds and fight."

"Tell him to remain there until we arrive."

"I already did. He said you were not here to order him."

Lu Zhen’s expression became colder. "Tell him those words will still exist when I return."

Lu Tao became silent for a moment before replying, "I will explain that part to him."

The communication ended.

Leng Pan turned Lu Zhen around and examined the bandages on his back. More blood had soaked through them during the crash.

"You cannot enter another battle like this."

Lu Zhen pulled a clean coat from his space. "The northern wall has fallen. We do not have time to remain here while I rest."

"I did not tell you to rest. I said we need to stop the bleeding before you fight."

"It can wait until we reach the aircraft."

"It has already waited through the alien vessel, the Primary Passage, and a crash. Sit down."

Lu Zhen looked toward the opening leading outside. "Leng Pan..."

She met his gaze. "Do not use that tone with me. You promised to protect your life as seriously as you protect mine. If you walk into another battle while your back is bleeding, you will break that promise."

His resistance weakened.

Leng Pan pointed toward the chair beside the house. "Sit down and remove your shirt. I will not take long."

Lu Zhen obeyed, although his eyes remained on the view of Tayi City. "The base might not have much time."

"Neither will you if the wounds continue opening."

She removed the damaged bandages.

The injuries had deepened, but the spiritual spring water had prevented infection. Leng Pan cleaned the blood and applied more medicine before wrapping fresh bandages around his torso.

Lu Zhen watched her face while she worked. "You are angry again."

"I am worried. There is a difference."

"You become very quiet when you are worried."

"If I speak freely, I might say something unkind."

"I would rather hear it than watch you pretend everything is fine."

Leng Pan secured the bandage and rested her hands on his shoulders. "Every time you are injured, you say it is acceptable because I remained safe. Do you understand how unfair that is? I do not feel safe while watching you bleed."

Lu Zhen reached back and pulled her around the chair until she stood before him. "I understand. However, when danger appears, I do not stop to compare whose life matters more. I only see the woman I love standing in front of it."

"And I see the man I love doing everything possible to place himself between us."

His hands settled around her waist. "Then we both have a terrible habit."

Leng Pan looked down at him. "We should change it."

"We should fight beside each other instead of trying to stand in front."

"That is what I have been telling you."

"I am agreeing now."

"You also agreed earlier."

Lu Zhen lifted one of her hands and kissed the inside of her wrist. "Then I will keep agreeing until my wife believes me."

A trace of amusement appeared in her eyes. "Words will not save you if you tear these bandages."

"What will happen if I do?"

"You will enter my space, and I will not let you leave until you heal."

Lu Zhen slowly smiled. "Earlier, I was supposed to be tied to our bed. Your punishment has become less interesting."

"That arrangement still applies after the battle."

"I am suddenly very motivated to survive."

Leng Pan leaned down and kissed him. "Survive without worsening your injuries, and I might allow you to negotiate the details."

"That is the most generous offer I have received today."

Little Vine appeared beside them and struck Lu Zhen’s knee with a leaf.

He looked at the plant. "Were you listening to a private conversation?"

Little Vine turned away and pretended to examine the spiritual spring.

Leng Pan chuckled before helping Lu Zhen put on his clean shirt and coat.

They left the space near the western transit station.

Assistant Yao immediately approached them. "The aircraft suffered minor damage from the explosion, but it can still reach Qinghe Base."

Vanish looked at Lu Zhen’s pale face. "Can you fight?"

"My wife treated the wounds."

Sonny glanced at Leng Pan. "That was not an answer."

"It is the only answer you need," Lu Zhen replied before entering the aircraft.

The alien prisoner stared toward the crater where the Primary Passage had once stood. "Do you understand what you destroyed? That Passage required decades of preparation."