Meng Lao Er glanced back at the father and daughter who were walking silently with their heads down, and couldn't help but sigh again.

But since they were already there, the Meng brothers had no choice but to accept the reality that Zhao Gang would be taking care of the child.

They just hoped for good luck today, and that everyone would return the way they came.

As for the harvest... with a child in tow, I have many concerns and dare not expect much.

Feeling rejected, Zhao Xiaoxiu could only try to shrink herself into her bundle so as not to cause trouble for the adults.

But her living father obviously didn't think so.

"What is this place?" Zhao Gang asked curiously, pointing to a stone tablet.

The stone tablet resembled a concrete structure at the entrance of the scenic area, with words written on it.

Meng Lao Er said irritably, "Isn't it written up there? Huangshan, can't you read it yourself?"

"Speak properly," Meng Laoda nudged his younger brother with his elbow. "Watch your step."

Meng Lao Er looked down and saw a vine that had somehow reached his feet. He quickly swung his knife and cut it in two.

Taking a deep breath, Meng Lao Er's agitated mood, which had been volatile all morning, finally calmed down.

"The locals call it Yishan (pronounced Tongyi). It used to be a famous scenic spot. We're going in through the main gate now. Gangzi, be careful. The scariest thing here isn't the mutated plants and animals, but the ghosts."

"A ghost?" Zhao Xiaoxiu couldn't help but peek out, her eyes filled with a thirst for knowledge.

Meng Lao Er's heart softened immediately.

Seeing that no mutated plant had managed to enter Zhao Gang's body after they had been walking for so long, they felt a little more at ease about his strength.

He shrugged, half-jokingly saying, "The meteor shower happened during summer vacation, and the scenic area was packed with visitors, so..." There were more ghosts than mutated animals.

No sooner had he finished speaking than Boss Meng, who was leading the way, suddenly stopped and reminded everyone to be careful.

"Second brother, get the gun out," Meng the eldest ordered.

Meng Lao Er made a shushing gesture to Zhao Xiaoxiu, picked up the detection gun, stepped forward, and turned on the detection light.

The indicator light on the nozzle flashed, changing from a green light for safe concentration to a yellow light for moderate concentration.

The concentration of the virus in the vicinity only increases when mutated animals or ghosts approach.

Just as the Meng brothers were on tenterhooks, Zhao Gang suddenly spoke up: "35 degrees east, 1.2 meters high."

Meng Lao Er was stunned for a moment, then immediately pointed his gun at the location Zhao Gang had indicated.

Before he could even see what was there, he felt a cool breeze blowing in front of him and instinctively pulled the trigger.

After a gunshot rang out, something fell down in the lush bushes ahead.

Meng Laoda signaled everyone to stay put, then crouched down and crept over. After walking less than fifteen meters, he spotted a ghost with its head exploded.

Its head was blown off by Meng Lao Er's shot, and its body was still struggling, but it no longer posed a threat.

Meng Laoda turned around and gave Zhao Gang, who calmly cut down the reeds that were trying to entangle the cub in his arms, a deep look, and reported:

"A ghost, a precise headshot, threat eliminated."

Meng Lao Er couldn't believe it, "My marksmanship is that accurate?"

Meng the Elder strode back carrying the ghost head, threw it at his younger brother's feet, and said, "Finish it off."

Meng Lao Er, unwilling to part with his ammunition, picked up the long stick he carried with him and smashed the head flat with a few blows.

Only then did the group feel relieved and continue on their journey.

After that, we didn't encounter any more ghosts. After all, there were many hunters from the outskirts of Yishan, and the ghosts had been mostly eliminated.

Mutant hyenas are social animals, and they always mobilize in large numbers for every action.

A group can range from ten to thirty individuals.

The Meng brothers dared not be overconfident and confront the enemy head-on, after all, they only had one gun.

So the brothers' strategy was to first search for and locate the hyenas, and then lie in wait for any that were alone.

When the two brothers arrived yesterday, they had already determined the approximate range of the hyenas.

It's still early. The hyenas will come to the artificial lake in the park to drink and play around noon. Boss Meng found a relatively secluded spot, and the three adults and one child planned to stake it out.

The Meng brothers were exhausted after climbing up the mountain.

After leaving Meng the eldest to keep watch, Meng the second immediately plopped down on a rock.

Open the kettle lid, take a big gulp, so refreshing!

"Brother." Meng Lao Er handed the kettle to his older brother.

Meng Laoda took the water and drank some to regain his strength. He handed the rest of the water back to his younger brother. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught sight of Zhao Xiaoxiu, who had been put down from Zhao Gang's arms, and frowned.

Zhao Gang keenly noticed his gaze and looked up at him.

The unwavering determination and unquestionable gaze in those dark eyes made Boss Meng's heart skip a beat.

Gangzi seems to have changed a bit.

"Dad," Zhao Xiaoxiu called softly. When her father turned around, she handed him the neatly folded baby bag and gestured for him to put it in his backpack.

Zhao Gang knew that the baby's bed sheet was tattered, so he unzipped his backpack and put her baby inside.

Then he took out a water bottle and nutrient solution, and told her, "Eat your fill."

Zhao Xiaoxiu had already guessed that her father might want her to do something extraordinary, so she obediently drank her fill of water and then half a packet of nutrient solution.

Zhao Gang was not satisfied and gestured for her to finish drinking it all.

Zhao Xiaoxiu: "There won't be any left after you finish drinking it tonight."

"Yes, you can drink it," Zhao Gang assured him, patting himself on the shoulder.

Zhao Xiaoxiu scanned him up and down. Today, those tentacles were well-behaved and didn't come out at all.

She licked her lips; the taste of roasted tentacles was truly unforgettable.

After drinking the remaining half of the nutrient solution in one gulp, Zhao Xiaoxiu let out a burp, her lower abdomen noticeably bulging.

Zhao Gang reached out and poked it, then nodded in satisfaction.

My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!