A Night of Desperation

Chapter 130: Wish (4)

For Guan Cao’s words, Yu Hong carefully listened to what was useful, while disregarding the rest as he focused on his own tasks.

Unfortunately, when he asked about Tang Haitao, Guan Cao was also unsure of the situation.

After training for a while, Yu Hong ate some nutrient paste, bid farewell to the exhausted Guan Cao, and then stepped out to check on Li Runshan and the others.

Outside the cave, Li Runshan had already dug a simple foundation. He was sitting with Aisena, eating nutrient paste while explaining something to her.

Meanwhile, Zhou Xueguang was tending to the newly relocated breeding boxes. He walked around the yard with a furrowed brow, seemingly deep in thought.

“Old Li.” Yu Hong descended the stone steps, surveying the surroundings. “Give me a hand with something.”

“What’s up?” Li Runshan seemed to have quickly adjusted from his friend’s departure. He stood up and walked over.

“It’s about leg techniques again.” Yu Hong considered for a moment. “I already have a heavy-style leg technique for increasing combat power, but I’m still missing one that enhances speed.”

During his training, he had realized early on that if he had a technique that boosted movement speed, he could significantly cut down travel time in many situations.

“Movement speed?” Li Runshan looked puzzled. “Isn’t that just running? Just run more.”

“Speaking of which, ever since you finished teaching me leg techniques last time, we haven’t sparred in a long time. How about a match?” Yu Hong mused.

“…It’s fine, but your strength has increased too much now. At most, we can just exchange moves. If we really fought seriously… probably only enhanced individuals could match you.” Li Runshan hesitated before quickly responding.

“Then let’s just practice techniques. My actual combat experience is still lacking. Old Zhou, you should help guide me too,” Yu Hong said seriously.

He didn’t think that just because he had saved the two of them, he was now invincible. At least until he had a way to counter many advanced weapons, he wouldn’t consider himself strong enough.

And in this era, where even high-tech weapons often proved ineffective, his current abilities were far from sufficient.

“I have actually seen enhanced individuals who fight with a style similar to yours,” Zhou Xueguang said as he approached, a trace of recollection in his expression.

Now, neither Li Runshan nor Zhou Xueguang held back any knowledge. After carefully discussing Yu Hong’s leg techniques, they combined their insights and provided him with a set of practical combat leg techniques.

After all, the basic survival leg techniques alone were far from enough. In many complex situations, Yu Hong often had to rely on his hands instead.

But according to Zhou Xueguang, true masters of leg techniques rarely needed to use their hands—just a few kicks would be enough to end a fight decisively, as leg strength far surpassed that of the arms.

With the two of them assisting him, Yu Hong quickly compiled all the detailed moves of a practical leg technique and recorded them on paper.

What followed was relentless practice—there were no shortcuts.

He planned to integrate these recorded moves into his technique during his next enhancement session, further refining his combat system.

Now that the two biggest problems in the safehouse—energy and water—were resolved, he felt much more at ease.

His plan to extract and utilize the Black Mark was also moving forward.

The key focus remained optimizing and enhancing his techniques. Once his mark was completed, Yu Hong intended to strengthen his technique again.

His previous technique refinement had given him a significant advantage—otherwise, when he encountered the Evil Shadow ‘Behind Person’ (Intermittent Man), he wouldn’t have even been able to touch his opponent.

After strengthening his leg techniques, he still needed a specialized internal energy cultivation method to accelerate his inner energy growth.

Right now, he was accumulating inner energy slowly through the auxiliary training of his leg techniques. For Yu Hong, this was far too slow.

Recognizing the effect of inner energy on the Black Mark and its imprinting process, he decided to use his existing knowledge and experience to develop a simple yet effective inner energy cultivation method. Once he had the foundation, he could integrate and enhance it into a dedicated internal technique.

According to the fundamental principles of Black Mark enhancement, he had already cultivated inner energy for a considerable time and had built a solid understanding of it. Based on this foundation, he could now conceptualize a feasible pure inner energy technique.

If he had tried this at the beginning, when he knew nothing about inner energy, it would have been impossible. But now, with a foundation in leg techniques and a deeper understanding of inner energy, he finally had the groundwork to construct a dedicated internal technique!

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Baihe City

United Army Enhancement Division Female Soldiers’ Dormitory.

Little Stutterer carefully handed over her Enhancement Red Value Detector to the female soldier who had come to collect it.

“…When… will you… return it to me?” She was reluctant to let go, hesitating for a long time.

This was a treasure that Yu Hong had given her. It had even saved her squad’s lives before. Beyond its function, its significance was irreplaceable.

“Don’t worry, it will be examined by the higher-ups first, but rest assured, your contribution to the military might save many elite comrades who would have otherwise died on missions. Also, you won’t have any tasks for a while to ensure your safety.” The person receiving it spoke sincerely.

“…Understood.” Little Stutterer nodded. If it could help save more people, she would let it go despite her reluctance.

Once the research institute fully analyzed and mass-produced it, that would be the best way to utilize the Enhancement Red Value Detector.

“Don’t worry about it. With Captain Xue’s connections, no one will dare to pull any tricks.” Ou Li, standing behind her, approached impatiently. “Besides, Institute Five is right in the city. You can always check on the progress yourself.”

“…Alright.” Little Stutterer stepped back unwillingly, exchanged a salute with the female soldier, and watched as she turned and quickly left the dormitory.

That female soldier exited the dormitory doors and soon got into a camouflage military vehicle parked by the road.

Inside the vehicle sat two people.

One was a woman in a black suit, with long hair tied into a ponytail and sharp facial features—Qiu Yanxi, the wife of Wei Hongye.

“You got it?” Qiu Yanxi looked at the device in the soldier’s hand, her expression slightly tense.

“Yes.” The female soldier wiped her face, peeling off an entire layer of artificial skin to reveal a completely different face.

“Everyone saw it—Institute Five officially took the detector.” She smiled and handed the device to Qiu Yanxi.

Qiu Yanxi took it, sighing softly. The image of Yu Hong’s familiar yet now distant face flashed in her mind.

“We couldn’t get the Luminous Grass, but this is a decent alternative. If the higher-ups hadn’t left early, we wouldn’t have had a chance at this.”

Yu Hong had saved them, but now, with the Black Disaster approaching, he was as good as dead in the wild. If they didn’t take his technology, someone else would—someone far less considerate.

Compared to others, they had at least ensured Little Stutterer’s safety. Other people wouldn’t hesitate to use force on her to get what they wanted.

Instead of letting others take it, it was better for them to act first. This way, they could protect Little Stutterer and also help her husband rise in rank at the New Aurora City.

“Madam, we should head back. The last batch of ships leaves tomorrow. We need to prepare,” the soldier reminded her.

“…Alright.” Qiu Yanxi nodded, pushing aside her thoughts.

The military vehicle slowly started and drove down the increasingly desolate streets.

The Next Day

Baihe Port

A total of six ships were set to depart for New Aurora City. Massive cargo ships, fully loaded with migrants, started their engines one after another, slowly sailing toward the open sea.

Before long, the first five ships gradually left the port, disappearing into the distance.

At the dockside, the final cargo ship was still boarding passengers.

Under the watchful eyes of the United Army soldiers, a long line of migrants steadily made their way up the boarding ramp.

Among them was Wei Hongye’s family, accompanied by two other research institute families of the same rank. They chatted idly as they slowly moved forward, their expressions carrying a hint of unease.

Not far behind them were the families of key personnel from their research institute, including Cyclops and other high-ranking members. Further back stood a group of well-informed small-time merchants, people with just enough influence to secure spots on this final ship by trading their stockpiled resources.

Beyond them, a crowd of clueless onlookers watched the scene unfold, completely unaware that they were the ones being abandoned—the last group left behind.

A Moment of Departure

HOOOON!

The loud blast of the ship’s departure horn echoed across the port.

Wei Hongye’s family stepped onto the boarding ramp.

Wei Shanshan, unable to resist, turned her head back toward Baihe City, a hint of confusion flashing in her eyes.

“Mom, what kind of place is New Aurora City? Will it be safer than here?” she asked.

“A lot of important people moved there ahead of us. It’s definitely much safer,” Qiu Yanxi reassured her with a gentle smile.

“But… with so many powerful people there, won’t we end up at the bottom?” Wei Shanshan couldn’t help but worry.

“That won’t happen. Your father has already made preparations. Trust him.” Qiu Yanxi’s smile remained soft.

With the Enhanced Red Value Detector in their possession, all they needed was a bit of additional research to carve out a place for themselves in the new city.

“…Alright, I guess.” Wei Shanshan lowered her head, still troubled.

Whoosh.

Suddenly, a faint wind whistled through the air.

At first, it was barely noticeable, but within seconds, it grew louder and louder—an unnatural, eerie gust that sent a chill through the crowd.

Then—

“Oh my god!! What is that!?”

A terrified scream pierced the air from someone standing at a high vantage point.

“To the right!! Look to the right!! The ships that already left!!”

“The sea!! Look at the sea!!”

“Holy shit!!”

Cries of alarm erupted, filled with sheer terror.

Just as Wei Hongye’s family turned in confusion—

BOOOOM!!!

A deafening explosion shattered the air, shaking the ground beneath their feet.

A towering wave of water surged up from the ocean, sending shockwaves rippling outward.

Right before everyone’s eyes—

Out in the deep waters beyond the port, a massive cargo ship—over 300 meters long, pure white in color—was suddenly and violently struck midsection by an enormous black creature emerging from the sea.

The impact shattered the ship instantly.

A horrifying crack split through the air as the entire vessel snapped in half, breaking apart as easily as a child’s cardboard toy.

MOOOOOO!!

A monstrous bellow echoed across the waters.

A massive black beast surfaced briefly, revealing a grotesque head covered in countless black horns.

Then, with a gentle dive, it vanished beneath the waves—only to reappear moments later, turning sharply, its 300-meter-long body trailing thick black smoke as it surged toward the next ship.

BOOOM!!!

The cargo ship that Wei Hongye and the others were about to board was also completely shattered at that very moment.

At the edge of the port, the massive vessel was sent flying by the impact, its immense weight crashing onto the empty plaza and roadway beyond the docks.

Countless shards of metal debris exploded in all directions, piercing through the stunned crowd. In an instant, the air was filled with a gruesome spray of blood.

At the same time—

On the opposite side of Baihe City, the sky darkened.

Flocks of enormous, multi-eyed birds flapped their wings, their razor-sharp beaks gleaming as they dove toward the city center.

SKREEEEEE!!

A deafening, piercing cacophony engulfed the city.

The so-called City of Hope, already abandoned by more than half its population, was now drowning in despair.

With the upper-class elites gone, they had silently taken with them the United Army’s finest soldiers, along with a vast amount of weapons and equipment.

Those left behind… stood no chance against the invading Black Disaster creatures.

And so—

Baihe City was finished.

(End of Chapter)

(Tl Note :- I hope little stutterer is fine )