Apocalypse: the Most Ruthless Person

“What if… could it be that Lei Youliang would also take people to the camp to scavenge equipment?”

Wu Lue raised the question.

If this had been a moment ago, someone would have definitely jumped up and sneered at Wu Lue’s question, because many people thought the guys from Kuanzhuang were useless. But now everyone kept quiet and restrained, having just been severely criticized, they couldn’t just act arrogantly!

Zhang Su thought for a moment, nodded and said, “We can’t rule out that possibility, and we can just use this opportunity to see what they’re thinking. If they’re really bold enough to run to the camp to scavenge equipment, then we won’t need to be polite!”

“Great, I really can’t stand that guy Lei!”

Lu Yubo clenched his fist immediately, even somewhat hoping that Kuanzhuang would show up at the camp.

“Let’s not study Kuanzhuang anymore. Let’s discuss tomorrow’s actions. Luezi, go bring Xin Qi and the other two over. We need to ask them about some details!”

Quickly, the three of Xin Qi were brought over. When they learned that Zhang Su planned to clear out the camp, a million anxieties filled their hearts but they answered the questions very cooperatively because they were definitely going to bring them along, and if there were any issues due to inaccurate information, they would be the ones to suffer.

After dinner, they spent about two hours finalizing all the plans and details. There were no extra nighttime activities, everything returned to normal, with those who needed to stand guard doing so, and others resting as needed.

Early the next morning, Zhang Su’s alarm went off at six, and he got up before the sky even began to brighten.

The chefs got up even earlier, at five-something, to start preparing breakfast. Today was an extremely important day, and they needed to have a hearty meal before setting out for battle!

Delicate shredded meat noodles, with an egg in each person’s bowl, providing both carbohydrates and protein, finished off with a couple of green bok choy, not at all inferior to the pre-disaster living standards, everyone enjoyed a comfortable meal.

“The people arranged last night, come with me to set off!”

After breakfast, Zhang Su didn’t stop for a moment, walking off his meal en route. As for what to do if they needed to relieve themselves after breakfast, they could just squat by the roadside; no one was watching.

To ensure the flexibility to attract zombies, they deployed ten cars this time, excluding the two RVs and the truck imprisoning 003. Due to the cold weather, they couldn’t ride motorcycles, but they equipped one small electric scooter on the vehicles.

The convoy grandly left Celestial Horse Island, but in truth, not many people went; counting Xin Qi and his two companions, it only amounted to fifteen or sixteen people!

“Damn, it’s cold…”

One of the trucks’ air conditioning was broken, not blowing any air, and the driver, Qi Xiaoshuai, was wrapped tightly. Luckily, knowing the problem with the vehicle beforehand, he was prepared with a hot water bottle in his arms, or else it would have been unbearable.

The impact of severe cold on humans is no less than that of zombies, manageable when staying indoors, but once working outdoors, the harsh cold increases all sorts of risks, putting great pressure on everyone because the truly cold times hadn’t even arrived yet; the current low temperatures were merely due to an abnormal climate.

But when the abnormal persists, it becomes normal…

If this winter continues to stay below minus twenty degrees, it will be an immense test for everyone.

Ten vehicles drove down the road, with white exhaust spurting from their tails. As the temperature dropped, even the roadside wildgrass became even more fragile. As the vehicles’ winds brushed past, they snapped, scattering across the road.

The road remained as smooth as ever, and when approaching Kuanzhuang, Zhao Dezhu, riding with Zhang Su, said, “Hey brother, want to take a detour around Kuanzhuang and see what that rascal Lei Youliang is up to?”

Zhang Su looked towards Kuanzhuang, which was silent, showing no signs of anomaly, and shook his head, “No need for that, he can definitely see us heading north. As long as he’s not an idiot, he’ll know what we’re up to. He clearly knows what choice to make; I just hope he doesn’t act foolishly.”

The time they spent interacting wasn’t long, but from a few things Lei Youliang had done, Zhang Su knew he was cunning, a clever person, but whether he could judge the timing and comprehend the situation was unknown.

As for the camp, instructions had already been given; if Lei Youliang attempted to cause trouble on Celestial Horse Island, the elite guards left behind would show him what winter’s chill means. Plus, with 003, who always wanted a little snack, it was impregnable.

From the bottom of his heart, Zhang Su hoped the fighters of Kuanzhuang could show allegiance to Celestial Horse Island, as they would be a strong force, but loyalty was a must, and from the current situation, there were no signs of it.

…

“Youliang bro, you’re really something! Celestial Horse Island already headed north to Qing County. Judging by the posture, they’re definitely aiming for the military camp. What should we do?”

Within Kuanzhuang, a little fan of Lei Youliang’s looked at him admiringly and said.

When Zhang Su led the convoy past the provincial highway, Kuanzhuang already got the news, which was exactly as Lei Youliang had anticipated!

“No rush!”

Lei Youliang lit a cigarette, looking through the smoke towards Qing County with confidence, “Let the bullets fly for a while first; when we act as the oriole, we should have the mindset of one!”

“The Cyan Dragon Corps was almost four hundred strong at its peak; my god, I can’t even imagine how many supplies are stored in the military camp!”

“We’re definitely going to make a big haul this time, haha!”

“Let’s hope that the guys from Celestial Horse Island can clear the road smoothly. Once we seize the military camp, well well, then it’ll get interesting!”

The group from Kuanzhuang, fueled by Lei Youliang’s grand plan, brimmed with confidence, envisioning a near future. Their aspirations weren’t actually that great, as they just wanted to be on equal footing with Celestial Horse Island.

But not everyone agreed with Lei Youliang; some didn’t like this behavior, such as Yang Liehuo, who sat gloomy in a corner.

He couldn’t agree with Lei Youliang’s proposal. In his view, they should either openly head to the camp, personally lure the zombies away, and then forage for supplies, or legitimately collaborate with Celestial Horse Island to meet everyone’s needs.

Doing it sneakily like this wasn’t proper…

Unfortunately, his personal will couldn’t sway the collective decision. During the planning phase, he repeatedly voiced his opposition, but all got voted down after raised hands were counted.

“Go ahead, I’m not feeling well today, and I’ll rest in the village for the day. Don’t count me in for the supplies; wishing you success.”

Saying this, Yang Liehuo stubbed out his cigarette and stood up, leaving the room under the astonished gazes of everyone.

“Hey, Youliang bro, Uncle Huo, he…”

“Uncle Huo seems really angry.”

Lei Youliang watched Yang Liehuo leave the room, his face showing no emotion, although his heart felt cold. After hearing his subordinate’s words, he gave a wry smile and said, “Uncle Huo’s just a bit stubborn in thought, it’s fine. Letting him stay in the village to think things over isn’t bad. No need to dwell on it, everyone.”

But in reality, no one really took it to heart, except for himself…

…

Swish, swish.

The convoy drove past the church’s flower fields, with the cold wind scattering the already withered flower stalks, leaving a mess.

Very soon, the vehicles entered the county town of Qing County, then Zhang Su reduced the speed as they headed toward the military camp. From their current viewpoint, they couldn’t see any groups of zombies for the time being, but as they got closer, they needed to be even more cautious.

Turning at the southern fork of Qing County towards the camp, there were six different vehicles parked, including vans and pickups.

Seven or eight people gathered at the head vehicle, discussing animatedly. Occasionally, they gestured over a map, pointing towards the camp, evidently planning something.

A slim man with big earmuffs sat in the back of a pickup, holding a submachine gun with one hand and a binoculars, scanning around. When he looked in the direction of Qing County, he obviously froze.

“Boss, someone is coming from Qing County!”

The man with the big earmuffs said nervously, “Damn, a big group, seven, eight, nine, a total of ten vehicles! Boss!”

“I’m not deaf, I can hear!”

The man seated in the driver’s seat of the first vehicle pushed open the door and got out.

He wore a slightly youthful Nike down jacket that didn’t quite fit his age, with tactical gloves on his hands. He was burly, heavily built, viewed things with his right eye, while his left eye was covered with a black cloth, possibly either blind or emulating a pirate captain, allowing him to adjust to darkness without becoming effectively blind.

Everyone on site stopped their discussion, instinctively gripping their weapons, eyeing the approaching vehicles warily.

As time went by, people shifted from initial joy at seeing their kind to being alert when encountering them.

“Such a group of brothers, where are you from, and where are you headed?”

When the leading FJ Cruiser pulled to a stop ten meters away, the one-eyed man raised an eyebrow and asked with a fairly normal volume.

Sitting in the car, Zhang Su had noticed from afar that they were plotting something, no doubt related to the Cyan Dragon Corps, and since an exchange was inevitable, they might as well meet sooner.

“We came from Niuquanzi Town, and as for where we’re headed… our purpose should be the same as yours!”

Zhang Su opened the car window and pointed towards the Cyan Dragon Corps camp. The cold wind blew into the warm cabin, making a few of them shiver involuntarily.