Apocalypse: the Most Ruthless Person

When Xiao Xuejian saw Zhang Su deep in thought and silent, he waited for a while and then continued, “The scale of other camps and shelters isn’t too large, generally ranging from thirty to two hundred people. For example, the Water Bear in Beihai District has about seventy to eighty people. This is the information we’ve gathered ourselves.”

The emphasis here is that this information is not hearsay; it’s accurate intelligence that we’ve obtained through effort. I’m telling you this because I’m being straightforward.

Zhang Su shook his head with a smile, “Seventy to eighty people is quite a lot. How many people do we have here…”

Xiao Xuejian smiled without saying a word after hearing this. Yes, there aren’t many people, but why not mention everyone has an automatic rifle or that the camp is guarded by Type 99 tanks? Camps capable of this are rare in the entire Qin City!

“What’s in these boxes?”

Zhang Su got the information he wanted and pointed to the last few boxes with a question.

“These two boxes contain some common medicines. According to the medical team in the Alliance, during cold weather, the human immune system weakens, and headaches or colds are inevitable. Taking some painkillers makes people feel much better. We’ve also prepared some nutritional supplements, like vitamins A, B, C, D, E, F, G, haha…”

Then this box contains canned goods, pickled vegetables, and other food. Director Gong said that Leader Zhang, you likely don’t lack food here, but the taste might suffer due to the conditions, so these would make everything taste better.”

Xiao Xuejian took out a few cans from the box, labeled “Side Dish” and “Clean Plate.” Though they were already frozen, the enticing colors couldn’t be hidden, and once thawed, they’d be delightfully tasty.

“Damn, these tech and preserved goods, which we used to disdain, are now truly rare delicacies.”

Zhang Su felt quite moved as he took a can from Xiao Xuejian’s hand and looked at it. The string of Chinese characters on the label made him feel nostalgic. Just then, out of the corner of his eye, he noticed a few villagers from West Camp Village peeking around the corner of the wall, guessing they were preparing to move to Madian Village and were unsure if they should come out upon seeing visitors.

He discreetly waved to them from a distance, then put down the “Side Dish” and beckoned Xiao Xuejian, walking to the other side of the tank.

Xiao Xuejian knew there was something Zhang Su wanted to say privately and wasn’t surprised. He immediately followed.

“Captain Xiao, let’s be honest. Right now, no one can hear us. Tell me the real reason you’re here for this trip.”

Zhang Su took out a pack of cigarettes and offered one to Xiao Xuejian.

Xiao Xuejian politely took a cigarette, lit it for both of them, and whispered, “A few days after we left Leader Zhang, we didn’t continue with our investigations in Qing County. We went straight back to the Alliance headquarters. Along the way, Director Gong couldn’t stop praising you, Leader Zhang. He meant no harm, he just genuinely wants to be friends with you, hoping for mutual visits in the future.”

The sincerity was clear in his words; there was no fabrication at all.

Zhang Su exhaled a puff of smoke, smiled slightly, and said, “Captain Xiao, from start to finish, you’ve only mentioned Director Gong and never your Leader Liao Youzhi. It seems these gifts have nothing to do with Liao Youzhi?”

Xiao Xuejian paused slightly while raising the cigarette to his mouth, lowered his arm, and said seriously and in a deep voice, “Leader Zhang, you’re truly sharp. You’re right, I’m here on behalf of Director Gong to extend an olive branch to Celestial Horse Island.”

The meaning was clear by this point. Zhang Su couldn’t help but ask, “How many people are in your Alliance now?”

“Uh…” Xiao Xuejian didn’t expect the conversation to jump around so quickly. He thought for a moment and said, “There should be fewer than four hundred people. If several small surrounding teams join us, we’ll surpass four hundred, maybe just over five hundred, but all of this is temporary.”

Zhang Su secretly shook his head. Why is it like a curse that once the number reaches three or four hundred, internal power struggles begin?

First, there was the factional fighting in the Cyan Dragon Corps that led to their downfall, and now the Survivor Alliance is starting too. This is even more intense, as the second-in-command has come outside to form alliances and found me.

“Let’s get to the point, Captain Xiao. I want to know what Director Gong really means. If you don’t understand what I’m asking, let me put it another way: what does Director Gong want me to do for him?”

Zhang Su wasn’t aware of the current seafood market, but the quantity of those materials was significant. The second-in-command of the few major forces in Qin City could only provide them, but they wouldn’t give them away so easily without expecting something in return!

Come to think of it, if Gong Chengming indeed didn’t have any requirements, Zhang Su would directly accept everything and do nothing in return. In the apocalyptic world where rules haven’t been established yet, don’t bring in those social mores.

Xiao Xuejian took a deep drag on his cigarette, his expression turning stern, and said, “Liao Youzhi is extravagant and militaristic! He has no right to continue leading the Survivor Alliance!”

As the leader of a now nearly hundred-member organization, Zhang Su, upon hearing Xiao Xuejian’s remarks, could easily imagine a scenario where Zhao Dezhu or Lu Yubo, Wang Xin, or any core member made similar statements criticizing him. He didn’t feel too pleased…

He didn’t respond, seemingly apathetic, but looked at Xiao Xuejian, waiting to hear more.

Xiao Xuejian didn’t notice Zhang Su’s displeasure and continued, “Director Gong, in terms of personal ability, leadership ability, and reputation, has already surpassed Liao Youzhi comprehensively. We all hope for a more capable leader to lead the Survivor Alliance forward in this apocalypse!”

“Hmm, that’s human nature. So then?”

Zhang Su nodded ambiguously, following along with the conversation.

“Director Gong plans to replace Liao Youzhi at some point in the future!” As he spoke, Xiao Xuejian took a palm-sized walkie-talkie out of his bag and said, “Leader Zhang, Director Gong hopes to have the opportunity to speak with you directly.”

“Now?”

Zhang Su didn’t immediately take the walkie-talkie.

Xiao Xuejian shook his head, “No, Director Gong didn’t come here. He’s at the Alliance. I don’t know when he will contact you. Besides, Director Gong knows Dr. Fu is here. If we topple Liao Youzhi, Dr. Fu’s experimental equipment can all be sent to Leader Zhang.”

“Huh?”

Zhang Su was suddenly taken aback, looking at Xiao Xuejian in confusion, “Dr. Fu is here with me? Why didn’t I know…”

A quick initial reaction is often a standard measure of authenticity.

After seeing Zhang Su’s expression, Xiao Xuejian felt perplexed. He firmly believed in Gong Chengming’s judgment, but the other party’s reaction didn’t seem fake. What was going on?

Unable to figure it out…

“I see…” Zhang Su revealed a somewhat enigmatic smile, shaking his head, “Did Director Gong send you to test me then?”