Chapter 145: Riverside Port and Survivor Forces

Seeing his team hiding behind abandoned vehicles, Lin Feng activated his psychic abilities. As expected, the small town ahead was teeming with insects, each boasting a life value above 50, from level 7 Red Beetles to hundreds of Black Spinal Bugs. Surprisingly, Lin Feng also detected human survivors within two to three kilometers, including dozens of enhanced humans and a few awakeners.

Could they be puppet humans controlled by parasitic hosts of the insects? Unfortunately, psychic sensing only revealed life values as light points, reflecting energy within the organisms, unlike appraisal skills that provided detailed descriptions.

Behind him, several Tier 2 awakeners followed Lin Feng's gaze toward both sides of the bridge. One whispered, "These are the river ports, with numerous logistics warehouses and shipping companies storing containers. There's a shipbuilding company on the left."

"This area is vast, stretching over ten kilometers."

"It could serve as a temporary camp."

Lin Feng raised an eyebrow, nodding, "Let's check it out. We might find some usable cargo ships."

After the mass exodus, most vehicles, especially crucial ones like ships, were taken, leaving only abandoned, fuel-less cars behind. Even if there were ships, they probably had no fuel.

Lin Feng's primary interest lay in the psychic bright spots, potentially human survivors. If they were indeed survivors, they could provide valuable local insights about the opposite riverbank. If not, they needed to be neutralized to prevent them from alerting the queen.

Parasitic hosts could directly communicate with the insect queens, as Lin Feng had seen in Jia City.

Without the Land Cruiser battleship's protection, Lin Feng could handle dozens of Tier 2 insects himself with his Flying Tiger Armor and electromagnetic cannon, but his subordinates couldn't.

Many weren't even awakeners.

Lin Feng didn't want a repeat of the perilous situation in Jia City.

Better to be cautious and avoid repeating past mistakes.

Hearing Lin Feng's plan, the team nodded, although Shen Jie was surprised. Lin Feng had never shown fear before, and with gene assimilation, Shen Jie could sense the town's situation through chemical cues in the air.

No Tier 2 insect scent lingered; even the Black Spinal Bugs were few, under a thousand. The seven Tier 2 awakeners could easily handle them with shotguns.

No need for Lin Feng and himself to intervene.

Yet, the sergeant's cautious advance puzzled Shen Jie.

As they silently descended the bridge, Lin Feng noticed Shen Jie deep in thought and explained:

"Without fleet support, if surrounded by insects, we can't retreat as easily as Jia City. We might escape, but the soldiers would suffer heavy casualties."

"And across the river, a large insect nest exists. Why haven't they expanded into Chang City?"

"It's unusual."

Shen Jie nodded, pointing ahead: "There are signs of recent human activity, fresh within days."

Following his direction, they saw discarded snack wrappers outside the port fence.

Footprints led over the wall into the container area.

Lin Feng smiled slightly, addressing his team: "Gear up and stay alert, no accidental discharges."

Besides Tier 2 awakeners, the rest wore lv7 Red Armor from the research institute, resistant to Red Beetle attacks.

While vulnerable to Black Spinal Bug bites, they could easily withstand handgun and rifle bullets.

Lin Feng worried they might panic and accidentally kill survivors.

Upon command, Shen Jie stepped forward, slicing the wire fence with his arm blade. The team entered the port.

Under a gantry crane lay hundreds of standard containers in various colors.

Nearby, trucks awaited cargo placement.

Further in, storage warehouses temporarily held goods for transport.

Lin Feng focused on a coal pile, essential for power plants, steel mills, and chemical factories.

Coal, a low-value commodity, traveled by rail or bulk shipping.

Thousands of tons of coal didn't interest Lin Feng; his true goal was the metallurgical industry linked to coal.

Coal and steel often transported together, especially with a neighboring shipyard, both as raw materials.

The Federation's steel production wasn't low, but reduced demand and environmental concerns curtailed capacity expansion.

Halting industry wasn't simple.

Excess domestic production shipped abroad, often as finished steel.

Besides, other container goods held potential value.

If lucky, they might find tons of grain, easing future management of Jin City's 100,000 survivors.

Visible granaries were emptied, but neglected ports could be apocalyptic goldmines.

Following Lin Feng, the team navigated a thousand containers, finally reaching a logistics office with human presence.

Without Lin Feng's psychic sensing, finding the survivor-held building in the vast port would be challenging.

To avoid panic, Lin Feng took a few Tier 2 awakeners, leaving the main force with Shen Jie, hidden nearby.

As they approached, the patrolling survivors noticed the newcomers, quickly alerting others.

Near the entrance, armed survivors with pistols and shotguns warily questioned:

"Are you Wu City's retreating defenders?"

Lin Feng frowned, refuting:

"Wu City's line isn't breached, where's this talk of retreat? We're here to assess the northern insect invasion."

"Are you survivors or remnants hiding from the Federation?"

The survivors exchanged glances, noting the advanced armor and weapons, unlike ordinary soldiers. A blue-uniformed middle-aged man emerged, holding a shotgun:

"We fled from the north. Insects reached the river towns but didn't cross into Chang City."

"We set up a temporary camp, gathering port supplies, occasionally hunting insects."

Lin Feng nodded. The man wore a security uniform and was an early Tier 1 awakener.

Appraisal confirmed he was a regular human.

Relieved, Lin Feng lowered his guard, asking:

"Why call us Wu City's retreat? Have you seen others from across the river?"

Observing Lin Feng's advanced armor and formidable weapons, the man realized resistance was futile, sighing:

"I'm Chen Hai, former security captain in Taicheng, retired years ago."

"Are you looking for yesterday's patrol? Some are dead..."

"But they brought it on themselves..."

Hearing "yesterday," Lin Feng's eyes narrowed, interrupting Chen Hai:

"The Thirteenth Division left Wu City's defense to me, including the remnants and resisting the insects..."

"Any reluctant soldiers were dismissed yesterday noon."

"So those you encountered aren't mine, don't worry."

Chen Hai, visibly relieved, perked up:

"That's good, that's good..."

Lin Feng glanced at the containers:

"I need supplies, food, and steel. In exchange, I can relocate you to safe Jin City or enlist you, providing food, shelter, and insect-fighting opportunities."

Chen Hai swallowed hard at Lin Feng's casual tone and generous offer, knowing Lin Feng's power didn't necessitate such terms.

He quietly asked:

"May I ask your awakening level?"

Lin Feng turned, smiling:

"I'm a Tier 2 awakener, and so are they."

Chen Hai gasped; no wonder he sensed no presence among them.

They couldn't be mere enhancers; Tier 1 awakeners wouldn't have such disparity.

Hearing Lin Feng, Chen Hai decided:

"I hope you can evacuate the survivors, especially women and children. As for us, we wish to join your fight."

Lin Feng nodded, asking:

"Do you have pre-apocalypse inventory lists?"

A Tier 2 soldier approached, offering Chen Hai a cigarette, signaling the main force.

Shen Jie emerged with the troops.

Seeing over a hundred armed soldiers, Chen Hai's limbs went numb, nearly dropping his cigarette.

He broke into a sweat, realizing the consequences of defiance.

Taking a deep breath, Chen Hai promptly replied:

"Yes, yes! In the second-floor office, I'll fetch it."

Following Chen Hai, the team entered the building.

On one side, ten young men in military uniforms lay bound, bruised and unconscious.

But some faces were recognizable.

Lin Feng recalled the discharged soldiers; he hadn't reclaimed their Red Armor.

Despite bulletproof armor, they were subdued by external survivors, indicating poor combat skills.

Hearing the commotion, some awoke, recognizing familiar faces among the battalion, calling for help.

Chen Hai hurried over, handing over the list, explaining angrily:

"These guys barged in while we were out hunting insects, pretending to be rescuers, then revealed their true colors, abusing women and declaring new rule..."

"Luckily, we returned in time, dealt with a few, and regained control."

Lin Feng nodded stoically.

His team's gazes turned cold, losing initial sympathy.

Examining the complex codes, Lin Feng massaged his brow:

"Any port staff left? We need to match these lists to containers."

Chen Hai shook his head:

"The staff left with ships or drove away, but we've roughly figured it out over the past half-month."

"Not much food, just a dozen boxes, three of imported snacks, some soybeans, and spoiled fruit."

"Steel is at the western port, linked by rail, under another state-owned company."

Lin Feng nodded; nearing noon, he instructed:

"Rest, have lunch, we'll work in the afternoon."

Shen Jie nodded, leading the team to rest.

Chen Hai summoned women from the second floor, including children:

"Men patrol and hunt insects; women handle logistics. They've pinpointed inventory numbers and corresponding containers."

Lin Feng shrugged, handing the list to the women, asking:

"How many of you? Any boats?"

Chen Hai hesitated:

"Eighty-six in total, forty men, the rest women and children. No fuel, so we're stuck."

"Several boats, but drained of fuel. We searched the port, found about a hundred pounds of diesel, but no one can sail."

"We planned to flee if insects crossed the river; for now, we have food, water, and can hunt and awaken..."

"So we haven't left."

"Yesterday's incident almost made us flee..."

Lin Feng shook his head at Chen Hai's rambling, asking the women:

"Anyone been next door? I need a guide to the steel."

A dirty-faced girl stepped up:

"I know, I snuck over there before!"

Lin Feng smiled; the western port was much larger, over ten kilometers. Finding steel would be challenging.

The girl's aura matched the footprints outside the wire fence.

"Where are your parents? Let them come too."

Lin Feng asked gently; the girl looked down, silent.

Chen Hai explained:

"Chengcheng got separated from her parents while fleeing. We found her while scavenging the county's security bureau."

Lin Feng sighed:

"What's your name?"

The girl replied softly:

"Jiang Chengcheng, eight years old, third grade."

Lin Feng nodded, comforting:

"Your parents are likely alive, maybe in Jin City. Ask Uncle Chen to help search."

"For now, help us find the steel, okay?"

Jiang Chengcheng wiped her eyes, nodding firmly.

Lin Feng summoned a dozen soldiers.

Together, they headed out.

Once they found the steel, they'd use it to produce shotguns on-site.

After marking the rest, they'd wait for the fleet to arrive at dusk, synthesizing vehicles and transporting survivors.

Lin Feng patted the girl's head, speaking calmly:

"Let's go!"

A notification flashed before him:

"Jiang Chengcheng, lv7/9"

"HP 35, Physique 38, Spirit 45"

"Superpower: Danger Sense"

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