After a long while, the cold voice finally spoke: "Understood. We will not deliberately restrict your and your friends' freedom, but please note one thing: the Company dislikes being threatened." Zheng Zha smiled and replied, "No one is threatening the Company. Aren't we equal negotiating parties? Nothing more than that."

The voice fell silent, and a moment later, the phone automatically hung up.

Zheng Zha let out a breath. He looked at the others and said, "Let's go. We'll wait for the aircraft on the roof of the tower, grab something to eat, and rest. Haha, don't all stand there dumbfounded; follow me up to the rooftop."

The group stopped looking at the corpses on the ground and followed Zheng Zha into the Company tower. As a former security guard, Alice was naturally very familiar with the building. Not long after they walked in from outside, a squad of over twenty guards rushed out. Perhaps they had received orders, as their weapons were not aimed at the group; only about a dozen guards secured the main entrance to the tower.

The rest followed Zheng Zha and the others toward the elevator entrance.

Several minutes later, everyone, including the guards, reached the top floor of the tower. The aircraft had not yet arrived, but a large round table had been set up in an open area. Various canned goods and packaged foods were already opened on the table. It was clear that managing to set out so much under the current circumstances was the absolute limit of what the guards could manage.

Zheng Zha was not polite; he walked straight to the table, sat down without ceremony, grabbed a can, and began eating and drinking heartily. Seeing him, the other men sat down around the table one after another. Perhaps the first bite felt a little forced, but afterward, everyone began to devour the food. After working non-stop for a day and a night, with the sky gradually lightening, the hunger in their stomachs could no longer be contained; everyone sat down and ate continuously.

"Clap, clap, clap!" A sound of applause came. A young man, accompanied by the massive bulk of the Licker, slowly walked up to the group. He clapped his hands and said, "Truly worthy of being a carrier of the highly evolved T-Virus strain, eating even T-Virus contaminated food with such relish."

Zheng Zha didn't look up and retorted, "Do you believe I could cut your head off right now and use it for a game of soccer? Don't think the thing behind you can protect you, and don't think those guards can protect you. Did you happen to miss what happened at the tower entrance earlier? If not, I don't mind recreating it right in front of you."

The smile on the young man's face froze. He forced a dry laugh twice: "Just kidding. I am perfectly clear about the strength you and your companions possess. However, I am very curious. For T-Virus carriers as powerful as you, why would anyone still dare to hunt you down? I suspect the helicopters that pursued you must have encountered trouble, as I haven't received any updates. Could you tell me who those people were?" This man certainly hadn't received the news relayed from the upper echelons of the Company, so he only knew that the six helicopters had gone to attack the Akuma Reincarnation Squad but was unaware that the Akuma Reincarnation Squad had already annihilated all six armed helicopters. Zheng Zha was too tired to say more. He tilted his head back and finished the entire can of meat before speaking, "You can ask the Company leadership about these matters. For now, don't bother me again, understood?" The man's lips twitched. His eyes were filled with suppressed rage, but upon seeing Zheng Zha's arm move slightly, he fearfully took a large step backward before turning sharply and walking away.

Zheng Zha watched him depart, then turned to the group and said, "Everyone listen to me quietly. After the plane arrives, our own people will pilot it. Cheng Xiao, can you fly a helicopter?" Cheng Xiao quickly shook his head and replied, "Do you think I'm some kind of super-agent? I'm just a regular military doctor. Have you ever seen a military doctor who could fly a helicopter? This isn't some wish-fulfillment novel; people like that don't exist."

The mercenary, Carlos, interjected, "I can fly a helicopter, but my piloting skills might not be the best. If you don't mind, perhaps I could pilot it later?" Zheng Zha nodded repeatedly in agreement, "Alright, you pilot the helicopter, and fly directly towards the checkpoint at the city's exit. That’s all; we just need to reach the checkpoint."

Carlos nodded. While waiting for the helicopter, everyone quietly continued eating. Suddenly, Xiao Honglu gently tugged at Zhan Lan's sleeve and simultaneously pointed at Zheng Zha, who was still focused on his food.

Zhan Lan understood and nodded. She silently connected the consciousnesses of the two of them.

Xiao Honglu spoke first: "Zheng Zha, I think we should plan how to proceed if the aircraft crashes. If we end up more than one hundred kilometers from the checkpoint, I suggest all team members stick together and find a strong, defensible location to await the Akuma Reincarnation Squad. Whether fighting or defending, they will face one major problem: a nuclear strike. They will prioritize that above all else; if they absolutely cannot achieve their objective, they would rather destroy everything than let other factions acquire it, especially if they believe other powers are involved. After our helicopter crashes and you stop answering their calls, a nuclear strike is very likely." "In such a scenario, I don't think the Akuma Reincarnation Squad would waste much time trying to wipe us out entirely. They are more likely to negotiate with us and complete the mission together. In fact, we still don't know the mission of the Akuma Reincarnation Squad. It’s probably to kill key plot characters or perhaps take them away. I refuse to believe their mission is something like preventing a nuclear attack, as that’s too far-fetched. If their mission truly involved stopping a nuclear launch or similar, they wouldn't have been so ruthless in exterminating the Umbrella Company mercenaries. Therefore, I believe their mission is most likely to kill or abduct plot characters." "In other words, we should be able to coexist peacefully. Once we deliver the plot characters to the checkpoint, we can leave them to their devices—either kill us or take them. In any case, there is a high probability that we can coexist."

Zheng Zha sighed and replied, "Peaceful coexistence is impossible. Although I haven't seen them, a terrifying pressure and killing intent emanate from that direction. I can clearly sense that the Akuma Reincarnation Squad clearly intends to kill us all. There is no possibility of peaceful coexistence on that front. You continue."

Xiao Honglu sighed and went on, "Alright, even if we cannot coexist peacefully, we can at least hold our ground there. We don't need the outcome of 'all of us die without exception.' As long as we make them realize that attacking and wiping us out would cause significant damage to their own strength, we gain bargaining power. Then, we can negotiate with them, perhaps yielding temporarily, letting them complete their mission first, as long as all our team members survive. Otherwise, they can take the nuclear strike along with us."

Zheng Zha asked curiously, "Then why not find a place to fortify right here? With the power of the Umbrella Corporation, wouldn't our chances of survival be higher?" Xiao Honglu shook his head and said, "I am gambling, too. None of us can be sure if the Akuma Reincarnation Squad possesses weapons of mass destruction or similar skills and magic. If they do, our only option is to flee. Gathering in one place would only play into their hands—one weapon or one skill, and we’re all wiped out. So, if escape is truly impossible, such as being over a hundred kilometers from the checkpoint, then we gamble on fortification. But if we are very close to the checkpoint, I would rather choose to split up and head there, as our chances of survival would be greater then." Zheng Zha thought for a moment and finally agreed to the plan, but at the same time, he asked with curiosity, "Must we split up? Can't we use some method or trap to lure them into an ambush? Then rely on our coordinated combat to resist or achieve victory? This method of splitting up to flee feels too passive, which isn't like you."

Xiao Honglu ran a hand through his hair and managed a bitter smile, "Do you think I want to? In the face of absolute power, wisdom and scheming are as ridiculous as a joke. For example, when you look at a rabbit in a cage, do you try every possible scheme and trick just to let it escape so you can kill it? No, you just use your strength to pull it out of the cage. So-called wisdom and tactics are only useful when the strength difference is small or when other aspects are greatly in our favor. For example, your contact with the Umbrella Corporation—that was a tactic, but was it useful? The six armed helicopters already demonstrated whether that tactic was useful or not." "So, when it comes down to it, we will split up and flee."