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Of course, it healed so quickly because it was only a minor wound.

If a knife were plunged into Chu Changge's stomach, Gu Mian estimated Chu Changge wouldn't heal as quickly; he might even die. So, he didn't conduct an experiment involving such a thrust.

However, to compare the effectiveness of Gu Mian's skill, Fatty had also cut Chu Changge and applied a band-aid. As a result, Chu Changge still had an open wound on his hand that hadn't scabbed over.

Gu Mian sat in the tent on the roof of the Spirit Car, observing his skill panel.

Now, the 'Master Healer' skill had risen to level three. When medical items were used, the healing effect was tripled.

This could just about count as a health recovery skill, though its efficiency was a bit slow. However, if it reached level one hundred, perhaps it could heal someone on the brink of death until they burst from over-healing.

To reach level four would require five Attribute Points. Considering he obtained three Attribute Points for every five instances completed, he'd probably never reach level one hundred in this lifetime.

Gu Mian sighed at this thought. He figured he'd acquire other skills in the future; something like 'Resurrection' would be amazing.

He looked out through the tent and saw Fatty squatting beside a patch of greenery, holding a pot.

The sky had completely darkened.

In previous years on New Year's Eve, every household would be brightly lit. Televisions would broadcast the distinctive Spring Festival Gala, and the ceaseless popping of firecrackers would give you a headache.

A walk down the street at night would inevitably lead to encounters with people—mostly adults setting off firecrackers, some followed by chattering children in new clothes.

Giant fireworks would occasionally light up the night sky, making children cheer and jump for joy. The ground would be littered with the red casings of spent firecrackers, and the air would be thick with the smell of gunpowder.

Even though cities had regulations prohibiting fireworks and firecrackers, people always found ways to set them off.

Gu Mian's impression of New Year's Eve was that it was loud and chaotic, yet brimming with life. Even the most listless individuals seemed to reawaken during the New Year. Gu Mian would also get caught up in the atmosphere and, on a whim, cook a sumptuous New Year's Eve dinner for himself: a table laden with different flavors of instant noodles.

Even though the mere sight of instant noodles made his stomach ache, Gu Mian would still happily watch the Spring Festival Gala while eating every single flavor by himself.

Unfortunately, this year, there was no Spring Festival Gala, and even the noisy crackle of firecrackers was gone.

In the past, despite the ban on fireworks, people would defiantly show off their stashes. This year was different. Not a single person dared to bring out firecrackers; even houses with lights on were few and far between.

The entire world seemed dead.

The wind howled, somewhat chilly; even the air drawn into the lungs felt cool.

Fatty was starting a fire. The lighter in his hand produced a flame that quickly ignited the dry twigs, and a small fire sprang to life.

This small fire illuminated the immediate surroundings, seeming to reach even slightly farther areas.

Not far away, a shadow seemed to flicker.

Seeing this, Gu Mian quickly climbed down the ladder. This Spirit Car had been modified long ago; a ladder had been installed for his convenience.

The front of the Spirit Car had even been meticulously painted by Fatty. As long as the rooftop speakers didn't play a dirge, no one would ever guess it was a Spirit Car.

Gu Mian climbed down from the Spirit Car, squatted beside Fatty, and asked, "What are you planning to make?"

Fatty replied, "Stir-fried Crispy Pork, Hot and Sour Shredded Potatoes…"

As he spoke, he glanced at Gu Mian. "Anyway, our New Year's Eve dinner tonight will be better than what most people in the world are having. This is a meal that will make everyone else envious."

Fatty said this with a boastful tilt of his chin, looking very proud.

But his good mood was short-lived, as Gu Mian's next words deflated him, "I don't think you'll be able to cook that meal."

"What do you mean?" Fatty was astonished.

Not far away, Chu Changge looked in a particular direction, touching the band-aid on his hand. "There are people here."

Gu Mian recalled this place was called Huangming County.

Dominate the world had only provided a few outpost markers, just four or five. After all, channels for information were scarce, so marking even that many was quite an achievement.

While driving, Gu Mian had worried about running into bandits; given his luck, anything was possible, even the road collapsing beneath them.

However, their journey here had been unexpectedly smooth, as if life had decided not to trouble him this time.

But what was fated to happen would happen. On this New Year's Eve, they finally encountered what could only be described as highway robbers.

Not far away, a small, shadowy figure stood on some steps, surrounded by several people who appeared eager to please.

"Second Brother, three more have entered our turf. Our men have blocked both ends of this road. No matter which way they run, they won't escape."

"Mm," the shorter man nodded, then patted the burly man beside him. "Thanks for your hard work, Xin. But these three have a car. Tell the brothers to be careful."

Xin nodded. "Don't worry, Second Brother. We've set up roadblocks; they couldn't escape even if they had wings. Remember those guys who tried to break through in that beat-up minivan? Their vehicle was wrecked, and they were killed in the end."

He glanced towards Gu Mian's group as he spoke, "There are only three of them. From what I can see, apart from that big fatty, the other two look frail. They'll definitely stop for us obediently."

Hearing this, Second Brother nodded slightly. "Even if they stop obediently, don't leave them any way out. Don't feel sorry for them and let them go. You know how this world is now. If we leave an enemy alive who might seek revenge, the consequences could be unimaginable."

"Even if they seem completely harmless now, if we meet them again and they're stronger than us, they'll surely hunt us down and kill us all. So, we must eliminate them completely, root and branch, while they're unable to fight back."

"Don't worry, Second Brother," Xin said. "The brothers all get it. There are plenty of pitiful people out there; these three are no different. We won't let them go just because they seem cooperative."

Only then did Second Brother speak with satisfaction, "If they're cooperative, give them a quick death. We're not unreasonable people, after all."