“I once set up a high-powered signal receiver in that area. So far, there has been no related distress signal received. All the military supply depots along the route into Kunming City have long since been deserted. All signs indicate: the 75th Infantry Division has been completely wiped out.”

These words utterly extinguished any remaining hope among those present. A brief silence fell over the conference room. Although reason told them that what they had just heard was true, emotionally, it was hard for anyone to believe and accept what had already happened.

“So, the news from the American Congress was all fake?”

A staff officer, wearing a brigadier general’s insignia on his chest, couldn’t help but exclaim, “The epidemic reports they sent over indicated that this was nothing more than a large-scale bacterial infection. While the virus carried by the infected would pose some threat to residents in the area, it was all supposed to be within controllable limits. That’s precisely why we sent the 75th Division to evacuate all residents from Kunming City. But… but why did the situation suddenly turn out like this?”

“The reality is far more serious than we imagined.” Henry Clark brushed the mud off next to his colonel’s insignia and took a small data recorder from the folder at his side. “There are some things you’ll understand once you see them for yourselves.”

The images projected onto the big screen by the amplifier showed the assault squad fighting their way out of the city. As they watched the bloody and brutal scene, everyone’s eyes revealed utter shock and astonishment. Especially the part where a mutant, riddled with bullets, remained completely unharmed—this left all the officers present in disbelief.

“They… they actually can’t be killed?” a major general shook his head, exclaiming in astonishment, “How… how is this possible?”

“These infected are not immortal.” Henry Clark said grimly, striding forward and pointing at the frozen image on the screen. “As long as you attack their heads and hearts, these things will die just the same.”

“But their individual combat ability is truly astonishing.” The major general stared intently at the screen, his brows tightly furrowed. “For the assault squad to suffer casualties even when they had an overwhelming numerical advantage… it seems the situation has developed far beyond our expectations.”

“It’s not beyond expectations—it’s just extremely hard to control.” Henry Clark gave a bitter smile as he switched the screen to the scene where a dead soldier was revived. “The virus parasitizing their bodies has an incredibly terrifying reproductive ability. Anyone killed or bitten by them will turn into a new mutant in a short time. I think this is the fundamental reason why the 75th Division was completely wiped out. With the public completely unaware and unable to resist, a single mutant is enough to turn an entire city into a hell of death. You have to realize… the permanent population of Kunming is a full six million!”

The conference room was deathly silent. Apart from the “shh-shh” sound of the player running, not a single other noise could be heard. It was as if even people’s normal breathing was being forcibly stifled by invisible hands, leaving them no choice but to hold their breath.

“Six… six million!”

The major general opened his mouth, murmuring in a trembling voice, “You mean there are as many as six million of these terrifying creatures?”

“That’s just a rough number.”

The colonel forcefully unbuttoned the collar of his combat uniform and took a deep breath. “After all, Kunming City is already deserted. These monsters will gradually spread to surrounding cities. I’m afraid… the actual number of mutants is far greater than we imagine…”

“Copy all the data immediately and send it separately to the State Council, the Military Commission Office, and military research institutions.”

Seated at the head of the conference table, Eric Bennett suddenly stood up and said loudly, in a tone that brooked no argument, “In addition, issue the highest-level alert in all cities around Chengdu. Order police and security personnel to begin evacuating citizens according to emergency plans. All units under the group army are to enter combat readiness on the spot. From now on, all cities within military jurisdiction will be placed under martial law.”

This was nothing short of a bolt from the blue. All the attendees were so shocked and stunned that they could barely utter a word.

To implement martial law without authorization from the Military Commission was tantamount to initiating a rebellion.

“The situation is critical; we can’t afford to worry about that now.” Eric Bennett said grimly, sweeping his stern gaze around the room. “If we don’t prepare our defenses before these monsters arrive, Chengdu will end up just like Kunming—a city of the dead, forever. I believe that once the Supreme Military Commission receives the detailed report, they’ll require us to take the same action.”

“I have a request—”

Suddenly, Henry Clark, who was sitting to the side, spoke up. “The 64th Mobile Unit suffered casualties in Kunming City. I’d like to select suitable personnel from the current soldiers to fill the gap.”

“Oh?” At this, Eric Bennett raised his eyebrows. “Who do you have in mind?”