In those days of Plants vs. Zombies

Chapter 617 Before the Storm

"That's how it happened. The young princess of the Ice and Snow family was kidnapped by Redemption Road and then taken to War Zone 59."

Van Deerek put down his coffee cup and shared some exciting news with several administrators.

"The person in charge of directing the entire rescue operation is none other than General Cen Qing, the current Chief of the General Staff of the Federation Army."

One of the homeowner representatives who attended the meeting was Van Deere, who happened to have some free time recently.

Entrusted by Zhao Hansong, he represented the War Courts of the 59th War Zone at that meeting and learned a lot of intelligence from it.

Not long after returning to courtyard number 5909, Van Deerk hurriedly summoned several available administrators to discuss their next plans and arrangements.

"Not long ago, Lord Azure Arrow Shadow of the Aomori Rangers also visited Courtyard No. 5976. Their goal as rangers is also to redeem the Heavenly Path."

Zhao Hansong took a sip of hot tea and continued, "A legendary ranger personally issued a summons, preparing to launch an unprecedented large-scale hunt against the members of Redemption Road in War Zone 59. As an ally, the World Communist Party has also provided them with considerable support, but..."

Amidst the fragrant tea, a faint layer of frost settled between his brows: "With so many forces and factions involved at once, the future of War Zone 59 is likely to become unsettled."

"If there's no peace, then there's no peace. We homeowners... we'll just go with the flow."

Jiang Xuantong tore open the colorful wrapping paper, took out the candy inside, and stuffed it into the small mouth of the corpse puppet in her arms.

She opened another bottle of soda water for herself and sipped it slowly: "Anyway, the muddy waters of Zone 59 have never been cleared up."

"Old Zhao, what do you think? Should we make a move or not?"

There were already quite a few empty vodka bottles piled up beside Alexei. He casually picked up a new one, skillfully bit off the cork with his teeth, and let the amber-colored liquor flow down his throat like water.

“I plan to contact a few homeowners with trunk-level or branch-level yards; these young people might be interested in this.”

Zhao Hansong put down his teacup and looked up at his three friends: "This wave is one that we may not be able to avoid even if we want to."

His fingertips tapped lightly on the table, his voice low but clear: "Who was abducted by the Redemption Road? It was the young princess of the Federation's top noble family. She is a fuse. Once lit, the entire Federation will explode. War Zone 59 is a powder keg right now."

Alexei paused in his pouring motion, the amber liquid swirling slightly at the bottle's opening: "Old Zhao, you mean... we absolutely have to get involved in this mess?"

“Alexei, you know that since we are in the 59th theater of operations, we have no other choice.”

Van Deerek picked up his coffee cup again; the liquid inside had long since gone cold, just like his tone at that moment: "Chief of Staff Cen Qing personally took charge; he represents the will of the entire military. His Excellency Cangcui Jianying's visit to the Political Commissar signifies that the Rangers have chosen to intervene in this matter."

"Well, the Empire is also making moves. They've dispatched a large force that's heading towards the southwest district of Abandoned City No. 59, without any attempt to hide it from other forces."

Jiang Xuantong shook the half-finished soda can in her hand, her expression becoming somewhat mysterious: "Speaking of which, has anyone else noticed that we've been hearing wolf howls a lot lately?"

"They are wolf riders from the Howling Moon Hunting Pack."

With a solemn expression, Zhao Hansong sprinkled a handful of tea leaves into his cup: "The intelligence provided by Lord Cangcui Jianying mentioned that the Xiaoyue Hunting Group seems to be searching for someone throughout the war zone, which is probably also the work of Redemption Heavenly Road."

"The Howling Moon Hunt? Those werewolf zombies gnawing on bones in the wasteland?"

Alexei chuckled and wiped the wine stains from the corner of his mouth with his rough hands: "Just what big shot has Redemption Road kidnapped this time that has made these wolf cubs, whose sense of smell is even more keen than hyenas, go to such lengths?"

"Who else could it be? It can only be that little white wolf girl, the apple of the eye of the Great Hunter Lord Howling Moon."

Van Deerek shrugged. As clever as he was, he could naturally guess why the Howling Moon Hunters had become so frenzied.

Alexei's eyes widened: "So, does that mean the Path of Redemption also binds the people of the Empire?"

"It's pretty much a done deal. This 'Redemption Path' is really bold."

Jiang Xuantong pinched the little face of the corpse puppet in her arms and replied without looking up, "First the Federation, then the Empire, and now the Aomori Rangers and the Howling Moon Hunters. Are they trying to tear a hole in the sky, or do they want to turn this war zone into a mass grave to bury all forces?"

"Who knows what those criminals are thinking? It's just a branch; do they think they can cause any trouble?"

Van Deerek rubbed his forehead and downed the now-cold coffee in one gulp.

"Let's inform all the homeowners in the group about this so that everyone can prepare accordingly."

Zhao Hansong picked up his enamel mug, his Adam's apple bobbing as if he had swallowed a heavy piece of lead: "Don't forget, we don't just represent ourselves, but also the courtyards we've cultivated for so long."

The administrators knew that from this moment on, the peace of Zone 59 would be completely shattered.

They too will be swept into the vortex of the times, facing a chaotic and unknowable future.

If even a canopy-level courtyard is like this, one can only imagine how it is with other courtyards in the same war zone.

But perhaps, there will always be a courtyard that plays an unexpected role in this impending storm.

······

"Captain, look at this request! The destination is still War Zone 59!"

In a cheap apartment in the metropolis, several bronze-level modern enthusiasts huddled together, their eyes glued to the commission displayed on their computer screens.

This commission was issued by the renowned Ice and Snow Family. Rather than a commission, it was more like a bounty for the Redemption of the Heavenly Path.

The commission has no time limit and the content is very simple: to wipe out the criminal group "Redemption Road". Any modern person who captures or kills its members will receive a substantial reward.

The commission, once released, stirred up a wave in the metropolitan modernist circles, attracting thousands of modernists to Zone 59 to cause trouble for the Redemption Road.

The military enthusiast scrolled down the page with the mouse, and Sen and Nan Mengwei quickly moved closer. Kazan leaned down, and all eight pairs of eyes focused on the astonishing reward figure.

"Just taking down a low-level henchman will net you 10,000 world points..."

The military enthusiast's throat was a little dry, and his voice even trembled at the end.

Mori gently stroked his fanny pack, his eyes gleaming with disbelief.

Nan Mengwei gripped her wand tightly, lost in the wonderful fantasy of having acquired so many World Points.

Even Kazan, the devout ascetic, couldn't help but swallow hard.

"Should we take this job?"

After a long silence, Sen finally spoke softly, asking the military enthusiast a question.

Nan Mengwei clapped her hands excitedly: "War Zone 59! Can we go to Courtyard 5905? I miss the homeowner and Sister Euphemia a little."

"If it's on my way, I'd like to go."

The military enthusiast shifted his gaze from the staggering numbers to the ever-shining neon lights of the metropolis outside the window, a hint of nostalgia in his voice: "After all, courtyard number 5905 was our savior."

"Then take it!"

Sen slammed his hand on the table, causing the instant noodle cup to fall off: "For the world! And to see my savior!"

Kazan cracked his knuckles and loudly echoed, "Agreed!"

"Okay, that's settled."

The military enthusiast took a deep breath, his fingers hovering over the keyboard: "I accept the mission, everyone, prepare to depart, target—Sector 59!"

With the crisp click of the Enter key, the words "Connection successful" scrolled across the screen, announcing the start of a new journey.