Chapter 435: New Directions
The following morning, the lovers woke up refreshed and filled with energy as usual.
After freshening up, they went to the apartment across from theirs for breakfast like always.
"Are you going fishing today?" Li Yunjia asked her eldest son once they were done eating.
Lu Zhen looked at Leng Pan lovingly before turning to his mother.
"Yes, we should not pass up a chance to stockpile food no matter what." He said solemnly.
"Baby, about those weapons..." his voice trailed off because both of them remembered how their discussion about weapons had ended last night.
"I will take some samples from the advanced weapons left behind from ancient earth. I believe our researchers can use them as reference to create something better." Leng Pan finally said shyly.
"You have advanced weapons?" Lu Hao asked curiously.
"Yes, in the high-tech mansion inside the space bangle, there is a room filled with weapons. I didn’t take them out before to avoid drawing attention to ourselves, but I don’t think it’s necessary to hide anymore." Leng Pan replied seriously.
"That’s good. I will join the research team to see if we can create something good. I have been playing with the idea of nano wires or other weapons made from nano materials. I believe it would be effective against both aliens and zombies." Lu Tao jumped to volunteer.
"That’s good, with your ability in computers, you will do great." Uncle Li praised his nephew for his initiative.
Uncle Li’s praise made Lu Tao puff his chest out.
"Of course I’ll do great," he said confidently. "I’ve been bored staying inside anyway. If I don’t find something meaningful to do, I might start picking fights with zombies just for entertainment."
"Don’t even think about it," Li Yunjia shot him a warning glance, though there was a faint smile on her lips.
Lu Tao scratched his head and laughed awkwardly. "I was just joking... mostly."
Leng Pan observed their interaction quietly, a faint warmth settling in her chest. Moments like this that were simple, lively, and filled with family affection were rare in the apocalypse.
Yet, somehow, their family had managed to preserve them.
Yet beneath the warmth, she didn’t forget what was important.
Weapons.
The battle with the aliens had exposed a critical weakness.
Humanity’s current weapons were barely enough to hold the line, let alone push back.
If the next wave was stronger, brute force and teamwork alone wouldn’t be enough.
And the swords used in battle were basically useless against aliens with armored skin.
So, they needed an edge.
"I’ll go into the space after breakfast and bring out a few samples," Leng Pan said, her tone turning serious again. "Not too many. Just enough for the research team to study without attracting unnecessary attention."
Lu Zhen nodded. "We’ll set up a restricted lab area. Only trusted people should have access."
"That makes sense," Uncle Li agreed. "The fewer people who know, the better."
"Mmm...after all, if the wrong people find out, it will be hard to explain where those weapons came from. Especially if those people have memories of the last apocalypse." Li Yunjia added solemnly.
Lu Hao, who had been quiet, suddenly spoke.
"I want to help too."
Everyone turned to him.
"I don’t understand technology as much as Lu Tao," he continued slowly, "but I can test weapons. My lightning can simulate high-energy output. If something reacts well to my power, it might work against aliens."
Leng Pan didn’t really understand what he meant, but as long as it could help the apocalypse, she didn’t care what they did.
They were family, and she could trust them. So, Lu Hao could help if he wanted.
Lu Zhen smiled faintly. "Looks like everyone is finding their role."
Lu Tao leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms.
"Then I’ll design the weapons, Second Brother will test them, and Big Brother will... what? Supervise?"
Lu Zhen gave him a calm look. "I’ll make sure you don’t blow up the base."
Lu Tao immediately shut up.
The table erupted in soft laughter.
After breakfast, the group split into their respective tasks.
Lu Zhen, Lu Hao, and Assistant Yao prepared to head out for fishing again. This time, they brought more equipment, additional nets, containers, and even a few large barrels to store live fish temporarily.
Meanwhile, Leng Pan retreated to her apartment.
Once the door closed behind her, her expression changed.
With a flick of her wrist, she activated the space bangle and disappeared.
Inside the space, everything felt calm and untouched by the chaos outside.
The air was fresh, the ground fertile, and the distant mansion stood like a silent guardian of secrets.
Leng Pan didn’t linger for long outside the warehouse where she usually appeared.
She headed straight toward the high-tech mansion.
The moment she stepped inside, the familiar humanoid voice of Zee greeted her.
"Welcome, Commander Leng."
The mansion was the same as the last time she was here.
She headed straight to the room at the end of the corridor and pushed the door open.
Rows upon rows of advanced equipment lined the walls, machines, tools, and weapons far beyond the current era.
Before her were weapons from ancient Earth.
Products of a civilization far more advanced than this one.
Her gaze swept across them.
There were energy rifles, compact plasma launchers, and blade weapons enhanced with energy cores.
And even experimental devices she had only seen once before.
Everything looked like something out of a sci-fi movie.
She exhaled slowly.
"If these are introduced too quickly, it might cause chaos..."
She couldn’t just hand over everything because she understood that power without control was dangerous.
Especially in the apocalypse, where human greed was just as deadly as zombies.
After a moment of consideration, she selected a few items.
A compact energy blade, a prototype wrist-mounted energy emitter used to disrupt superpowers for the enemy.
And a disassembled core unit from a mid-range energy weapon.
"These should be enough for now."
She packed them carefully into a bag, then turned to leave.
But just as she reached the door, she paused.
Her gaze drifted toward another section of the room.