Chapter 395: Chapter 262: Underwater Laboratory

Flood Zone, Xiushui City.

An oddly shaped vehicle, neither quite a boat nor quite a car, glided over the water’s surface.

Surrounding it were rooftops rising and falling at varying heights above the water.

“Woo—”

The deep sound of the steam whistle reverberated, causing the fine drizzle to ripple slightly before falling back onto the water.

This time, although the weaponized train hadn’t undergone major upgrades, its appearance had dramatically changed.

On the 16-meter-wide train body, on either side, were the two “horns,” the Alps Hammer, and a large white arc-shaped ring encircled the body, protecting it like ribs.

These circular rings covered the entire train.

Whenever violent waves swept in, the outer rings would rotate, ensuring the train within traveled steadily.

This was the final version of the anti-roll cage researched by the factory director and others.

The enormous anti-roll cage had almost used up the entire bone material of a blue whale, with the most critical part of its spine integrated into the train’s chassis, enhancing the train’s resistance.

Now, if the armed train encountered the whirlpool again, even if it couldn’t escape, there was no need to worry about the currents tearing it apart.

Inside the train, Glasses turned to look at the command platform at the highest point; under the bright lights, a large shadowy black area appeared.

“Don’t look at me, just proceed with your salvage operation as per usual.”

The voice carried a hint of laziness, yet it was like a shot of adrenaline to everyone.

“Understood, electromagnetic weapon plan, first salvage operation begins.”

“Underwater personnel, please prepare.”

“… ”

On the outer deck, looking at the surging waves outside, the Second Priest and Third Priest, clad only in shorts, turned angrily to question the fully armed Lao San.

“Why do we have to go underwater again? Wasn’t the data center salvaged already?”

Lao San smiled as he fixed the recording equipment to their chests with a strap. “The train conductor said that you two did well last time. This time, you must keep up the good work. But this time, we aren’t salvaging the data center; this time, it’s the electromagnetic weapon.”

The Third Priest said stiffly, “Can’t someone else go? Last time in the water, it was a close call for me…”

Lao San patted him on the shoulder and offered him the butt of a cigarette that was almost burned out, “What close call? Wasn’t it just that you were almost eaten by a crocodile? I’ve already taught that crocodile a lesson; it won’t appear again. Besides, only you two have underwater experience on the entire train. If you don’t go, who will?”

Seeing the unabashedly threatening tone of Lao San, along with the rifle pressed against his lower back, the Third Priest cursed inwardly.

Beside him, the Second Priest felt his face stiffening from the wind and rain and couldn’t wait any longer before chiming in.

“He’s strong in combat, but I’m just a puppet controller. Once I go down, I won’t be able to come back up.”

“Exactly, we need you to control the puppets. There are many ’puppets’ down there for you to control.”

Lao San said with a smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

“But…”

Lao San’s expression suddenly turned cold, “Stop whining like a bunch of old ladies. Give them a hand!”

Two members of the combat team immediately kicked at them.

With a splash, the Second Priest, weaker in physique, was kicked directly into the water before he could react.

The Third Priest clung to the mechanical arm of the train, staring in terror at the abyss-like flood below, “There’s something down there, pull me up, pull me up!”

“Pull your damn leg!”

A loud curse erupted from the train.

The Third Priest looked up, just in time to see Lao San’s ferocious face and an enlarged rifle butt descending upon him.

Everything went black before his eyes.

Watching the two fall into the water, Lao San sneered from the train.

The train conductor had said that the Second Priest had some temporary utility, so they should work the Third Priest to death.

Anyway, since he didn’t share the same heart with the train, if he couldn’t be used alive, then he might as well be killed; might as well make good use of him while he’s still alive.

“Keep an eye on them. If they come back empty-handed, open fire!”

After instructing them, Lao San quickly slipped out of the carriage, running through the newly repaired armed hall to Carriage 1, and then entered the engine room.

To ensure the strength of the engine room, there was only one official entrance located behind the Alps Hammer, so if you wanted to enter the engine room at other times, you had to go through the corridor of Carriage 1.

The second floor was also inaccessible, as it was the train conductor’s quarters.

Just entering the engine room, he saw on the panoramic screen a swarm of Water Ghosts, their armpits membraned and eyes crimson, frenziedly charging forward.

Judging from their appearance, they were all Tier One Zombies.

The tumultuous current not only failed to impede them but even boosted their speed by thirty percent.

Just as the Water Ghosts were about to crash into the camera, a dark shadow flashed past, piercing through a Water Ghost at the edge of the frame, sending it flying back.

“Wow, this fish spear sure packs a punch, even Tier One Zombies can be skewered!”

Lao San found an empty command console to sit down at, watching the live broadcast on the screen with great interest.

But the remaining Water Ghosts continued to surge with relentless fury, raising their hands, and the fins below unfolded like blades, their crimson eyes betraying a ravenous hunger for flesh.

“It’s over, it’s over, should’ve known to give them a knife.”

A tense Lao San slapped his thigh in frustration.

The screen suddenly trembled wildly, bubbles mingling with dark red spreading in the water.

The lighting was chaotic, making it impossible to discern details clearly.

But quickly, a blinding blue light blossomed underwater, electric tendrils entwining around each Water Ghost like an octopus.

With the intervention of the electric light, the scene soon stabilized.

The previously aggressive Water Ghosts now floated lifelessly in the water as if frozen in place.

The owner of the camera hesitated for a moment, then swam over, stuffing a red crystal into the mouths of the zombies. After repeating the process, these zombies seemed injected with new energy.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep