Not only Jiang Qifeng, but also the four sisters who doted on their younger brother, all cast complicated glances over Jiang Fan.
At this moment, they not only regretted it, but were also filled with lingering fear.
Because they witnessed Jiang Youtian locking his biological parents and younger sister outside, intending to let the demon beast devour his loved ones.
Although the situation was critical at the time, and Jiang Youtian acted for the greater good, if the same thing happened to them, would Jiang Youtian also choose the greater good and leave them to die?
Jiang Fan turned to look at Yang Xiaoqiang and the others, and walked up to them.
"Thank you so much. If you hadn't saved my parents and sister, they would probably be food for the monsters by now."
Yang Xiaoqiang looked at the boy whose face still had a touch of childishness, smiled, and put his hand on the boy's shoulder.
"You saved us too."
Jiang Fan's pupils dilated slightly, and the next second, just like Yang Xiaoqiang, a knowing smile appeared on his lips.
At this moment, Zhou Xiaoyan put her arm around Jiang Fan's shoulder, her eyes constantly scanning his face.
"Well, I originally thought you were too ugly to be seen because you were covering your face, but I didn't expect your face to be prettier than the two girls in our studio."
Upon hearing this, both Yao Lingling and Miao Xi looked at Zhou Xiaoyan as if he were an idiot.
After glancing at Jiang Fan's face, she couldn't help but sincerely agree that Zhou Xiaoyan was right.
Look how fair her little face is, neither of them can compare.
"Stop fooling around, let's get back to the point." Yang Xiaoqiang forcefully steered the conversation back on track, looking at Jiang Fan and continuing, "The situation is terrible right now, what are your thoughts and plans?"
Jiang Fan looked up at the scene on the screen; the outside of the shelter could be described as hell on earth.
"If I'm not mistaken, nearly two hours have passed since the beast tide broke out, but during this time, telephone communications have still not been restored. It's as if the entire Fortress No. 31 has been completely cut off from the outside world. Therefore, I judge that this is definitely not a simple beast tide incident."
Yang Xiaoqiang frowned. "You mean, someone is manipulating it?"
"Mm." Jiang Fan nodded.
Lan Shengxue spoke up at the opportune moment, "I agree with Jiang Fan's analysis. If nothing unexpected happens, this beast tide was caused by humans."
Jiang Fan looked at Old Wu, " Uncle Wu, does your Police Bureau have any way to request support?"
Old Wu shook his head and sighed, " Xiao Qian and I have tried everything, but it's still no use."
Even the Police Bureau couldn't get any backup? Jiang Fan fell into deep thought.
Old Wu's gaze swept around the shelter. Some people huddled together in twos and threes, trembling, their faces filled with doubt and fear about survival. Many others had injuries, and those who had lost family members were constantly shedding tears.
"There's only one shelter in Ancheng, and there are only so many people here. Those who haven't had time to hide in the shelter are probably either already food for the monsters or hiding somewhere waiting for rescue." Old Wu became more and more anxious as he spoke, wishing he could rush out to save people immediately.
Jiang Fan also saw this. " Uncle Wu, calm down. Now is not the time to act impulsively. I know you, as a public official of the Police Bureau, want to fulfill your duties. But given the current situation, it's completely beyond the capabilities of an ordinary person like you. Going out now would be tantamount to suicide; it would be utterly pointless."
"I know." Old Wu sighed again. If he hadn't known this clearly, he would have rushed out long ago.
Thinking of this, Old Wu suddenly looked up at Jiang Fan, moved his lips as if to say something, but after struggling, he ultimately couldn't bring himself to say it.
He wanted to send Jiang Fan, Late-Stage First-Rank Martial Artist, out to rescue people. But Jiang Fan was still a child, and a peerless genius whom their Fortress No. 31 rarely produced in a century. Was it worth risking such a genius, the seed of humanity's future, for the sake of some ordinary people?
Jiang Fan had noticed Old Wu's hesitant expression and roughly guessed what he was thinking. However, he didn't have the heroic ideal of risking his life to save more people. Besides, his family was still there. What if, while he was away, the monsters broke through the shelter's gate and stormed in?
Lan Shengxue said, "My family has special equipment for restoring communications. If we bring it and install it, we might be able to contact the outside world."
Upon hearing this, everyone's eyes turned to Lan Shengxue.
"Are you serious?" Jiang Fan's eyes lit up, and he thought to himself, "As expected of a powerful family from Fortress No. 1, they even have such good stuff."
Lan Shengxue nodded, "It's in my family's safe. When I first came here, Grandpa was worried about my safety, so he made all the necessary preparations. At the time, I even teased Grandpa, saying that bringing communication devices was a bit much, but now it seems that old ginger is spicier, and Grandpa was indeed farsighted."
At this Xu Dai stepped forward, "Miss, let me go. I'll go with Li Zhe."
As if in response to Xu Dai's words, Li Zhe stepped forward and stood beside him.
Lan Shengxue shook her head, "Only I can open the safe, it's no use you guys going."
"Then we'll go with you."
"You should stay here and protect my grandfather and my sister."
"But--"
"Alright, no more 'buts,' that's it." Lan Shengxue interrupted the two, her face clearly showing that she had made up her mind.
Xu Dai and Li Zhe dared not disobey Lan Shengxue's orders, but they could not stand by and watch their master take such a risk.
"Miss, how about letting Li Zhe go with you, and I'll stay here to protect the old master and the second young lady?" Xu Dai suggested.
Lan Shengxue shook her head. "I've trained in Phantom Gale Leg, so I'm quite fast, and even if I encounter a monster I can't handle, I can escape danger as much as possible. But bringing you along would be a burden."
Xu Dai and Li Zhe did not feel in the slightest that Lan Shengxue's words were an insult to their strength; Lan Shengxue was simply stating a fact.
Just as the two were getting anxious but couldn't think of a good solution, Jiang Fan's voice rang out.
"I'll go with you."
Lan Shengxue looked at Jiang Fan with suspicion, "You?"
"Hmm." Jiang Fan looked at Lan Shengxue with a serious expression and said:
"Firstly, I'm faster than you and won't be a burden. Secondly, I need to protect my family, so I need to ensure the communication equipment is brought back safely and that I can re-establish contact with the outside world as soon as possible. Thirdly—I need to find someone."
As Jiang Fan spoke the last sentence, his brows furrowed. Such a big thing had happened, so why was there no sign of the Crazy Old Man? Even if he had been seriously injured and was no longer as strong as before, a lean camel is still bigger than a horse, and the Crazy Old Man shouldn't have stayed out of the loop.
After carefully analyzing Jiang Fan's words, Lan Shengxue finally nodded.
"Then let's go together."