Apocalypse: the Most Ruthless Person

Pfft, pfft!

Three corpses fell to the ground, a cold wind blew past, chilling their faces, as Zhang Xin and seven others stood dumbfounded at the scene in front of them.

This was the right smell…

The ruthless force Zhang Su had when he took people to slaughter zombies in the garden back then — this was the smell, it was still him!

Even those who didn’t believe Zhang Su led zombies to massacre other camps started to believe…

“Ah!”

Suddenly a scream shattered the silence.

“Shut the hell up!”

Zhang Xin’s reaction was quick this time, turning around to fire a few bullets at the neutral guy who screamed!

Bang, bang, bang…

Those indecisive people who didn’t take sides, thinking neutrality could please both ends, met a tragic fate.

“Oh man, you and Old Tan were too fast, couldn’t leave one for me and Xiaochen?”

Zhao Dezhu was holding a gun, just getting off the car, face full of frustration — this ended too quickly.

“Yeah, Brother Su, not cool.”

Chen Hanzhou nodded, agreeing with Zhao Dezhu’s point.

“Leave what? They’re all armed… know how to seize the chance yourself, right?”

Zhang Su slung his gun, smiling at Zhang Xin whose fierce look hadn’t faded: “Old Zhang, do you owe me a big favor?”

“Whew… hahaha, damn it, damn!”

After eliminating the only threat, Zhang Xin’s chest heaved. His mental fortitude couldn’t compare to Zhang Su’s, his heart racing, swearing to relieve his feelings.

“Trying to play dumb?”

Zhang Su glanced slyly at Zhang Xin.

“No, no!” Zhang Xin waved his hands, sheathing his weapon, took a deep breath and said, “Ever since the third team formed, this bastard has been opposing me openly and secretly, always couldn’t find the right chance to deal with him. Brother Zhang, you really helped me big today!”

“I thought you guys were playing good cop, bad cop. Good thing you killed the right people, but… your enemies are dead, how to explain when you get back?”

Zhang Su pointed at the corpses on the ground. Such coincidence might raise suspicions.

Zhang Xin chuckled coldly: “I’ve long wanted to kill him, thought of dozens of schemes and plans. Many know that Old Yan and I don’t get along. Even if we act collectively, we’ll divide into two factions during detail allocation. They failed their task, what can I do?”

“That’s right, Vice Captain Yan arrogantly charged forward and fell into an ambush. Captain Zhang brought us to rescue, but it was too late!”

A quick-witted team member echoed loudly.

Zhang Su couldn’t help but chuckle. Indeed, those who survive the apocalypse had their tricks. He sniffed, chuckled in a manner akin to Jim Carrey, and said to Zhang Xin: “Since I helped you eliminate a big enemy, Old Zhang, should you show some gratitude?”

“Brother Zhang, just say it, whatever you want, as long as I have it, it’s yours!”

Zhang Xin was generous, pointing to the road: “Why don’t you take a car, it’d make my story more believable!”

“Well, that would seem impolite. Fine, I’ll take that FJ Cruiser.”

Zhang Su’s calm stance shattered instantly. Getting cars was easy, good cars hard, those combining stability, off-road ability, and capacity were even harder!

“Uh, still you… haha, fine!”

Zhang Xin was taken aback but didn’t mind. Lowering his voice, he asked: “Brother Zhang, where did Duan-whatever and that researcher really go? No outsiders now, just tell me the truth. I really don’t want to run anymore, it’s too dangerous outside.”

“They really left.”

Zhang Su’s expression turned serious, said dismissively: “Even if they wanted to stay in my camp, I wouldn’t agree. Look at my people, none are freeloaders. Scientists have use in your place. I specially asked them, said they need specific equipment for research. I don’t have those high-end gadgets. With me, it’s just eating!”

No idle people, a very valid reason.

Zhang Xin nodded, sighed deeply: “Okay, at least it’s a decent story. I can report back with that. Brother Zhang, not planning to bring me over to your place for a visit? Though we’re not close friends, we’re old acquaintances, I’m treating you as one. At first, I really wanted to pull off something big with you!”

After Zhang Su left Phoenix International, Zhang Xin indeed thought a lot. Without comparison, there’s no harm. Previously, leading a group to show off in the community seemed significant. But seeing Zhang Su’s team’s capabilities, feeling confined wasn’t an option. Wanted to expand but lacked skill.

Zhang Su smiled, shook his head: “Old Zhang, I know you’re a man of your word. But I must ensure my people’s safety. If you want to join, you’re welcome. If just visiting, forget it.”

“Eh, really, Brother Zhang, tell me about your place! You know, not going to your camp, at least let me sit in the car?”

Zhang Xin seems intrigued.

Zhang Su nodded towards the RV: “Let’s go, and tell your men to keep watch around. It’s not safe here!”

“You guys stay alert around, keep an eye out!”

Zhang Xin instructed as he followed Zhang Su into the RV.

“Damn, this car is badass, but I feel like I’ve seen it somewhere… is it the one parked at Yihe Car Shop?”

Zhang Su grabbed a bottle of orange juice from the fridge and tossed it to Zhang Xin, nodding: “Yes, you’re quite informed!”

“Damn it, before the outbreak, I just picked up an American version of Patrol at Yihe Car Shop, sent it to Tang City for modifications, but never got to enjoy it… zero down payment, didn’t even pay a month’s installment, haha!”

Zhang Xin laughed cunningly, reminiscing past events seemed like a dream, suddenly uninterested, waved: “Brother Zhang, what’s the situation there?”

“What situation…”

Then, Zhang Su shared basic info about Celestial Horse Island.

Upon hearing Zhang Su’s camp’s management style, Zhang Xin lost interest and said: “You all are fully armed, no place for fun?”

“A place for fun? Leisure? No, like before, give you a bar, a KTV, massage combo, okay…”

Zhang Su rubbed his temples, feeling Zhang Xin was a bit off.

However, Zhang Xin then uttered something even more absurd.

“Hell, aren’t these normal things? The alliance has Flower Street for business. Many women in logistics earn points there, doing various jobs, prices vary, but I never go. They come to me eagerly, can’t keep them away!”

Recalling his glory, Zhang Xin felt proud. To him, the apocalypse was already sufferable. With stability comes enjoyment. Plus, as a minor cadre, he should exploit his position for fun!

“Not only Flower Street, but other entertainments too. Play chess, drink some tea for elegance, or play mahjong, black boxing for fun. They’re for relaxation, or else continuous zombie slaying would drive anyone nuts!”

Zhang Su listened, stunned for a moment. Celestial Horse Island had no unified entertainment, but high freedom for personal time. Everybody’s mental state was good. Survivor Alliance’s approach clearly didn’t suit Celestial Horse Island.

“You city folks really know how to play…”

“I know Brother Zhang, you’re unlikely to join us at the alliance. But if bored, come to the city for some fun. Whether trade or enjoy, we’re honest, never cheating anyone.”

Zhang Xin promoted Survivor Alliance.

“External business too? Didn’t you secure the north of Qin City, where to do transactions, South City? East?”

Zhang Su was surprised, pondering, having left the city for two months, was it danger-free now?

Zhang Xin shrugged: “Don’t mind the nonsense on broadcasts. Survivor Alliance only set headquarters at Lego Mall, conveniently north of Qin City. Far from commanding the north. Not even cleared the Third Courtyard! Just the largest, strongest force in the north!”

“To sustain, we must exchange with others. Brother Zhang, if you visit the alliance, find me, I’ll recommend some skilled beauties, plus get commission, give you half as bonus, haha!”

Mentioning this, Zhang Xin’s former shrewd merchant side resurfaced.

Zhang Su rubbed his face, indeed learned something today. Unexpectedly, some safe zones already have so many tricks, but he wasn’t interested. In his view, at least two thousand people, with a well-defined fighting unit, complete logistics plans, lead to commercial behavior development, without losing cohesion.

Thinking about population, he blurted: “Do you know the current survivor groups in Qin City? Numbers?”

“Such info only core officers have, a squad leader like me doesn’t get it. Outings don’t involve many other forces. But from conversations, left in the city, there may be just over a thousand people!”

“Over a thousand…”

Zhang Su pondered, shook his head internally. A city of eighty thousand residents, now with just over a thousand, how desolate would that be?