Chapter Fourteen: Target! The Domed Fishery

Raw Meat Town lay over four hundred kilometers from the Domed Fishery, and the main highway covered less than a quarter of that distance. There used to be an expressway leading directly to the destination, but in the early years of the plague of the undead, most highways became impassable, clogged with abandoned vehicles and battered by years of neglect and the passage of the undead, leaving them in such ruin that no vehicles could get through. Only a few segments in the Upper District were still maintained, but those, too, were severed in the middle to isolate the Lower District, serving only the needs of the privileged.

Zheng Nanfang had always been curious—for all the distance he’d traveled since arriving, there were hardly any roads that could be called proper. With such a grand title as the “Last Road Carnival Rally,” he’d assumed the organizers would have built or at least marked out a route. Only today did he learn that wasn’t the case at all. The committee gave only a starting point and a finish line; the rest of the course was pieced together from the racers’ own experience and guesswork. Choosing and planning a route was part of the test.

The Domed Fishery was a perfect example. Beyond the short stretch of highway out of Raw Meat Town, the rest was navigated by nothing but instinct and experience. Local toughs like Hong Xiangcai and West Wind had a vague idea of the way, but for newcomers like Zheng Nanfang, the only option was to burn fuel and hope for the best.

The car convoy sped through the night, all hoping to make as much headway as possible under cover of darkness. But the distance was merciless; no matter how hard they pushed, far was far, and racing against time changed nothing. By dawn, they hadn’t even finished the highway segment.

The Domed Fishery stood at the border between the southern Lower District and the wastelands, and according to Tang Suan, it was the only place in the entire southern Lower District with a living water source. The first year the Hive appeared, the world’s climate and natural environment transformed drastically—rivers dried up, lakes and seas vanished, and the few inland lakes that survived became lifelines, fiercely contested by survivors.

Hong Xiangcai didn’t know much about the power structure at the Fishery, only that it produced vast quantities of aquatic goods and had formidable aquaculture techniques. Though it straddled the Lower District and the wastelands, it maintained steady trade with the Upper District. The Deep Blue Clinic had also dealt with them, but the distance and lack of refrigeration equipment meant that partnership had been short-lived.

Zheng Nanfang’s information was limited. He’d expected the Deep Blue Clinic and the Hoarse Manor to harbor suspicions, but both of those major players accepted his story without question. Perhaps it was the aura of mystery already surrounding the Domed Fishery—if the Hive appeared there, it seemed only fitting.

The weather was foul that morning. The highway region had become a desert, and with sandstorm season in full swing, the convoy unanimously decided to camp where they were and wait for the first wave of storms to pass before continuing.

Both groups were well-prepared, with ample water and food. Zheng Nanfang’s status had shifted from captive to guide, and he found the easy living rather delightful. As for the three nurses’ defection, Hong Xiangcai said nothing—after all, as Tang Suan had pointed out, the Deep Blue Clinic could easily spare them, especially now with the Hive’s protective mystique. Even if Zheng Nanfang demanded three more, Hong Xiangcai wouldn't bat an eye.

“Boss, since the Fishery is so mysterious, what’s your plan?” Stuffed and satisfied, Zheng Nanfang sidled up to Hong Xiangcai, hoping to glean some information. As the guide, he was nervous about what lay ahead—the others had strength in numbers, while he was alone, and had to look out for himself.

Hong Xiangcai was in the middle of chatting with Hu Bi, but stopped when Zheng Nanfang approached. “What do you want to know?” Hong was open, adopting an all-knowing air and smiling. “I heard from Tang Suan you’re quite capable. What’s on your mind?”

Zheng Nanfang yawned. “Capable is relative. I can hold my own in a fight, but this doesn’t seem like a simple brawl. Our convoy’s pretty conspicuous—are you really just planning to drive straight into the Fishery and split up to search for the Hive?”

“It’s normal to have doubts if you don’t know the Fishery,” said Yu Xiuzhu, who drifted over at some point and offered to play the role of local expert.

“I’m all ears,” Zheng Nanfang said, signaling Tang Suan to join them—he himself knew little of the Lower District, and some things would just go over his head.

Hong Xiangcai and Yu Xiuzhu didn’t mind the company; the four of them sat together inside the makeshift fortress formed by their vehicles, chatting idly.

“The Fishery covers a vast water area, and years of renovations have made the land installations quite extensive. So your claim that the Hive is there but the Fishery knows nothing is believable. Their power is mysterious, true, but only in that sense. Judging by their output, their numbers shouldn’t be excessive; they trade widely and are likely well-armed, and that’s the main threat.

“The Manor has done business with the Fishery before—we had a refrigerated truck at the time. I went along two or three times, and each time the pickup spot and personnel were different; we never got inside the Fishery. But given the size of their domain and their numbers, there’s no way they can patrol everywhere at all times.

“The core of the Fishery is the aquaculture zone, which is the water area. Most of their fighting strength will be concentrated there. As for the periphery, it won’t be heavily guarded—there’s no need.

“So, if the Hive is in the Fishery but the Fishery itself is unaware, it must be somewhere distant from the core. That distance gives us a safety buffer.

“Besides, the Fishery is a trade hub, with all sorts passing through—we’re not especially conspicuous.”

Yu Xiuzhu explained all this at a measured pace, finishing with a scholarly smile. “Besides, we’re not going to start a war—we’re only looking for the Hive. If we keep a low profile, we might find it without the Fishery ever noticing.”

“You’re optimistic,” Zheng Nanfang replied. In truth, he could only call it optimism—after all, the point was simply that the Fishery was vast and sparsely manned.

“Optimism is the beginning of all successful endeavors.” Yu Xiuzhu smiled, then asked, “The Fishery isn’t much trouble for now, but what about the convoy tailing us—is that your group?”

“No,” Zheng Nanfang shook his head, “just a passing acquaintance.”

“We need to keep a low profile at the Fishery. If those acquaintances of yours make trouble, it could ruin everything,” Hong Xiangcai said, smiling coldly. “If you can’t handle it, we will.”

“Do as you like,” thought Zheng Nanfang. He wanted to ask: even if you find the Hive, then what? Have you ever been inside one? Do you know that every Hive is different? Some are simply geological anomalies—just odd terrain. Others are deadly, with enough radiation to kill everyone outright.

But he swallowed the words. Just mentioning the Hive in casual conversation with Hu Bi had already caused enough trouble. If they learned how much he really knew, things would get much worse.

He sighed and shook his head, grinning wryly.

“What’s wrong?” asked Hong Xiangcai.

“I came to Raw Meat Town just to race. Looks like that’s not happening now.”

“I really don’t get it—what’s so great about that damn race? Trying to get yourself killed?” Hong Xiangcai raised an eyebrow. “Do you know how high the death rate is?”

“No idea. I’ve never raced before.”

“Then what’s the point? The Upper District isn’t worth all that trouble.” Hong Xiangcai dismissed it, and Yu Xiuzhu agreed.

Zheng Nanfang ignored them. Who were they to talk—what was so special about the Hive? He didn’t feel like arguing; since he couldn’t race now, there was nothing left to debate. He simply asked Tang Suan to fetch his medicine.

Hong Xiangcai watched as Zheng Nanfang tilted his head back and swallowed the pills, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. As if offhand, she asked, “What medicine are you taking?”