Chapter 246 - Emergency surgery
The world had gone strangely quiet.
Yunfeng, half-unconscious and barely hanging on, was supported between Lu Zhi and Muchen as they rushed through the empty streets.
The air was thick with the scent of damp concrete and something metallic—blood, or perhaps rust from the abandoned cars left haphazardly along the road.
Behind them, Hana carried Yuki close to her chest, the child’s small fingers clutching her jacket in silent fear, while Kailun and Qiu Yue brought up Zei from the rear, constantly checking for signs of pursuit.
The city was eerily still, as if holding its breath.
Somewhere in the distance, a siren moaned and died, its echo swallowed by the oppressive silence.
No other soul walked these streets—only them.
Thankfully, it seemed this part of the city had been evacuated in a hurry. The stores were abandoned with their lights still flickering weakly, casting long, wavering shadows across the cracked pavement. Houses stood open like time capsules left mid-motion—a half-eaten meal on a dining table, a child’s toy abandoned on the sidewalk, a car door left ajar with keys still dangling from the ignition. A perfect hiding place, if only for a little while.
"There," Muchen said, pointing at a narrow townhouse nestled beside a bakery.
The windows were intact, the door was unlocked, and judging by the fine layer of dust inside, no one had been here for a few days. It was safe enough.
They moved quickly. Lu Zhi kicked the door open wider, his grip tightening around Yunfeng’s waist as they maneuvered him inside.