Chapter 441 The Return of Darkness (Part 4)

Xiao Yunzhao's innocent words did not arouse the young man's suspicion.

It's almost six o'clock, almost time to get off work.

The young man had made plans to have dinner with his friends, and kept urging Xie Tu, "Please show me your ID card and driver's license."

The two people did not have ID cards and were considered "unregistered residents" here.

Xie Tu remained calm, taking out his combat uniform and pistol from Yun Zhao's bag and placing them on the table.

"I'm sorry, we are currently on a classified mission and cannot disclose our identity information."

The young man's impatient expression instantly froze on his face.

His eyes were fixed on the combat uniform and pistol on the table, and his throat seemed to be blocked by something, so he couldn't make a sound for a long time.

Recently, unusual phenomena have occurred across the country, causing a huge uproar online.

A few days ago, a friend of the young man suddenly collapsed and convulsed. After being taken to the hospital, his family was not allowed to visit him, and he was not allowed to disclose the news.

People in the group are saying it might be some kind of infectious disease.

Could it be another biological or chemical weapon deployed by a neighboring major power?

This clothing is clearly not made of ordinary material; it's probably used for protection against viruses or something similar.

The man had a cold and stern face, a powerful aura, and a rugged appearance that made him look like a soldier.

Could it be some kind of special operations unit, specifically sent to investigate these matters?

In an instant, the young man thought of many things, his face turned from red to white, and a fine layer of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. "Then... I won't charge you rent, and you don't need to sign a contract. Just remember to drive the car back."

He didn't even consider common sense questions like why he would be carrying a child while on a classified mission.

Xie Tu calmly put away his gun and combat uniform. "Thank you. There are instructions from above. I hope you can keep this a secret."

The young man nodded vigorously, like a chicken pecking at rice, "Of course!"

So Xie Tu drove away in a pink Beetle from the dealership without spending a single penny.

Once she got into the car, Xiao Yunzhao felt much more comfortable.

She chose the car; the pink one is even prettier than the bright red one from before.

Her little feet wobbled back and forth.

Recalling the car dealership owner's expression earlier, I realized that acquiring resources through other means seemed more fulfilling than outright robbery.

"Although you are poor, you are still somewhat useful," Xiao Yunzhao commented.

"Thank you for the compliment," Xie Tu replied without changing his expression.

To avoid upsetting her, Xie Tu opened a box of strawberry milk and strawberry cookies and handed them to her while driving.

Xiao Yunzhao ate cookies and drank milk, then asked, "Where do we go to play now?"

Xie Tu: "Let's find a quiet, open area where there aren't many people, and I'll invite you to watch the Phoenix show."

Fire Phoenix: [...]

Xiao Yunzhao: "What is the Phoenix performance?"

The little bluebird was also very curious, and it tilted its head and squatted on Xie Tu's head.

My body has shrunk, and I'm too short to squat down, so I can't see anything.

Once inside, the little bluebird used Xie Tu's head as its foothold.

Xie Tu: "You'll find out soon enough."

The car drove out of the city.

Throughout the journey, Fire Phoenix remained unaware of her own people.

This polluted area is so vast that it exceeds the total area of ​​Nanjing and includes Zhenjiang and other places, making it one of the largest polluted areas.

The sentries who entered the contaminated area all shared a consensus.

—In situations where the circumstances are unclear, do not break the rules arbitrarily.

The sentries of the Dawn Reinforcements, dressed in combat uniforms and carrying guns, would be very conspicuous if they appeared on the street.

They may have already found a place to hide.

Xie Tu's goal was clear: to gather everyone caught in the contaminated zone before the real danger arrived, and to minimize casualties.

Only then did we discuss the contaminated area.

Xie Tu drove westward according to the car's map and arrived at the villa area on General Avenue.

The pink Beetle didn't stop and drove towards General Mountain.

There are hardly any people around.

At six o'clock in the evening, the sky gradually darkened, and the sky was tinged with a deep gray-blue.

The villas in the distance looked particularly desolate in the twilight, with sparse and weak lights shining from the windows.

A trace amount of dark matter floated in the air.

—The pollution concentration has reached 33%.

Xiao Yunzhao, who was leaning against the window, scoffed softly and raised her hand slightly. The cyan fluorescent spiritual strands quickly went towards the dark matter floating in the air and devoured it completely.

Xie Tu glanced at it, said nothing, and parked the car in an open area.

Then, the fire phoenix flew out of the window, flames erupting from its body, and its form rapidly expanded in the air, instantly illuminating the twilight sky.

Not long after.

A phoenix engulfed in flames hovered above General Mountain.

Its body is enormous, and when its wings are spread, they almost cover half the sky. It emits a clear cry that pierces through the clouds and travels far away.

Xiao Yunzhao proudly raised her head, "You brought me here just to watch this silly big bird circle in the sky?"

She too has a phoenix.

“My little bluebird is much prettier than this fiery creature.”

The little bluebird heard this and proudly raised its head.

The little guy didn't even look at the fire phoenix above its head. It flapped its wings, got off Xie Tu's head, and jumped into its host's arms.

Xie Tu opened the car door and got out, without refuting what was said.

After all, even Fire Phoenix herself doesn't object.

Praising the little bluebird as prettier than it will only make this fool happy.

"It's better to let others find us than to search aimlessly."

Xie Tu replied, "Let's wait here. Sentinels should arrive within a few hours."

The existence of the Fire Phoenix seemed to be a signal, a declaration.

Ordinary people cannot see the spirit entity, but the sentinels who do see it, once they know its location, will immediately try to rush to its location.

But Xiao Yunzhao was not one to stay put.

There's nothing here in the middle of nowhere.

She couldn't sit still for more than a few minutes. Her legs dangled from the edge of the seat, and her toes occasionally kicked the car door, making a soft "thump-thump" sound.

In the sky, the fiery phoenix continued to circle, sending signals to the city.

For most people, the sight of a phoenix in flight is a rare treat.

But Xiao Yunzhao subconsciously felt that she seemed to see such scenes often and didn't find them strange at all.

She was very comfortable in the contaminated area.

Why go to the middle of nowhere to suffer when there are so many good places to eat and have fun in the city?

Xiao Yunzhao declared, "I'm not watching anymore, I want to eat delicious food and sleep in the princess bed!"

Xie Tu rubbed his temples, trying to keep his tone calm: "The timeline here is wrong. The city is not safe. We must regroup with the others as soon as possible."

Before she could refuse.

Xie Tu walked around to the passenger side, opened the door, took out some snacks from his backpack and gave them to her, then said, "Once we find the person, let them find the ingredients, and I'll cook you hot pot."

The two had originally planned to eat hot pot before being caught in the contaminated area.

When they came in, the pot and the car were gone.

I wonder if she remembers me now.

"Hot pot?" Xiao Yunzhao looked up at him, holding a bunch of snacks, clearly not remembering what happened before she came in.

Xie Tu turned his head and said, "Mm."

*

More than an hour later.

As darkness fell completely, movement finally came from the foot of the mountain.

Fire Phoenix relayed a message: "Ah, they've found us. The sentries from Dawn Base."