Apocalypse: the Most Ruthless Person

”Don’t thank me yet, what kind of injury is it? How is it now? Tell me.”

Zhang Su raised his hand, signaling the other party to explain the situation.

”Shot in the thigh...”

Since getting injured, Xiaoling hadn’t seen so many people at once, appearing somewhat reserved.

Ju Mumio, hearing their conversation, lightly leapt onto the bed, then lifted the blanket to show Zhang Su where Xiaoling was shot, and then babbled on.

”She says... Xiaoling’s wound is gradually festering due to lack of timely treatment, and surgery is needed to remove the necrotic tissue. She asks if our camp has surgical facilities...”

Su Xiaoya found it difficult just thinking about it, a hint of worry appearing on her face, reminding herself that she must become stronger, or else she’d end up like this.

Although it was wrapped in gauze, when the blanket was lifted, everyone could smell the unpleasant odor. However, none of them seemed too worried; as long as it wasn’t a zombie bite, everything else was manageable in their eyes.

Zhang Su had a similar attitude, dismissing this kind of flesh wound. He turned his gaze to Ju Mumio and said, ”You mentioned before that as long as I can treat your companion, you’d help me afterward, right?”

Ju Mumio gently covered Xiaoling’s leg with the blanket, then turned to look at Zhang Su.

”She says... I promised to do one thing for you, not to work for you.”

Zhang Su awkwardly scratched his head, realizing his attempt to exploit a loophole was thwarted, but he didn’t mind. He casually took out a pack of cigarettes, and when he looked at Ju Mumio again, three bubbles appeared above his head.

[Martial Fool][Love Fool][Wine Fool]

???

After using the Insight Label on Ju Mumio, Zhang Su was surprised; it was his first time seeing such peculiar character labels.

Dharma name: The Three Fools...

Clap, clap.

Lighting a cigarette to cover his facial expression, he couldn’t help but ponder, the Martial Fool was easy to understand. With her level of skill at such a young age, and being a woman, it couldn’t just be achieved through hard training; it required genuine passion and talent!

The Love Fool was also understandable. Although Ju Mumio hadn’t made certain things clear, from the way she looked at Xiaoling and her actions, you could sense an ambiguous vibe between them. Ju Mumio also seemed to have a bit of a love-struck mentality; otherwise, in these end times, it would be hard to stay so loyal.

As for the last one.

Zhang Su knew that a significant proportion of women in Japan drank, but to be labeled as a Wine Fool, she must have reached a certain level. Suddenly, he remembered the liquor in the living room and the flask she carried; it turned out this was the reason.

”Xiaoling, what’s your name? How old are you? Where are you from, and what did you do before?”

Zhang Su exhaled smoke and spoke again, this time not to Ju Mumio but to Xiaoling. Now that he had a certain understanding of Ju Mumio, Xiaoling became the key figure.

”My name is Yi Xiaoling, I’m a local from Qing County. My family has a house in town, and I majored in agriculture-related studies in university. After graduating, I grew chestnuts with my parents near Tuzhang Village, cough cough...”

She spoke intermittently, and after saying too much, she started coughing.

Ju Mumio picked up a nearby cup of water and kindly held it to Yi Xiaoling’s lips.

Zhang Su nodded, realizing Yi Xiaoling was an ordinary chestnut farmer and an educated intellectual farmer at that.

”Alright, I’ve got a basic understanding of your situation. Your friend, or should I say girlfriend, has high combat power. I see great potential in her, and our camp could use someone like her. Saving you isn’t a problem, but there’s one condition: you both must join our camp and cannot desert.”

Yi Xiaoling’s combat abilities were likely lacking, but Ju Mumio could surely take on multiple enemies alone. Bringing these two into the camp would be a sure win. Moreover, Yi Xiaoling was a special talent, and come winter, the camp would certainly focus on large-scale cultivation!

”Cough cough...”

Upon hearing Zhang Su mentioning ”friend, girlfriend,” Yi Xiaoling couldn’t help but cough. Ju Mumio, feeling a pang of sympathy, gently patted her back.

”This brother, my family is all gone, now it’s just me and Xiaojuzi relying on each other. I’m fine with anything; it’s mainly up to her.”

After a bout of coughing, a feverish flush appeared on Yi Xiaoling’s face as she insisted on expressing her thoughts.

Upon hearing Yi Xiaoling’s words, Ju Mumio turned and exchanged a glance with Zhang Su.

”Let’s step outside for a chat.” Zhang Su gestured to Ju Mumio, then opened a crack in the window and flicked the cigarette butt out.

The leader discussing matters meant others naturally wouldn’t follow, even Su Xiaoya, the second-hand translator, was asked to stay back in the room.

Zhang Su led Ju Mumio to the living room, a chill in the air separated by a door. He zipped up his down jacket and plopped onto the sofa, saying, ”I’ve already stated my conditions. It’s not difficult for me to save your companion; it’s up to you now.”

During the walk out of the room, Ju Mumio had contemplated a lot. Continuing the conversation, she spoke slowly.

”Xiaoling’s injury is very serious. You haven’t examined it closely, why are you so sure?”

Looking at the translation app’s text, Zhang Su smiled and said, ”Our camp has very capable biologists and virologists. They’ve developed Genetic Drugs, though I can’t explain the specifics to you. Basically, all external injuries can be treated, so I don’t need to examine Yi Xiaoling’s injury to be confident. Everyone in our camp uses these drugs—they’re safe and effective.”

Upon hearing Zhang Su’s explanation, Ju Mumio felt a spark of hope, not knowing why she was inclined to believe it was true, though it sounded a bit far-fetched. But now there were no other options!

Her face remained expressionless, calmly saying, ”Where is your camp, how many people are there, and if we join, what would Xiaoling and I need to do?”

Ju Mumio had never joined any faction before, feeling a bit nervous.

Since she was asking for details, there was a chance. Zhang Su spoke earnestly, ”Our camp has over ninety people, with you two it should be ninety-eight, located kilometers to the south. As for work...

With your abilities, you’d certainly join the combat team—scavenging for supplies, protecting the camp, and so on. As for your girlfriend, she was a farmer, and we have a lot of lands waiting to be cultivated. She will have plenty of room to utilize her skills. You must understand one thing: our camp doesn’t keep idlers; everyone must contribute to the camp.”

Ju Mumio pressed her well-defined lips, contemplating, before continuing.

”You mentioned no desertion earlier; I’m willing to comply. But if I ever have the chance to return to Japan, will I still not be able to leave?”

Being adrift in a foreign land was never ideal; Ju Mumio initially headed to Qin City Port hoping to find a boat.

”Return to Japan...”

Zhang Su made an indifferent expression and said, ”After so long, you should know this disaster affects the whole world, right?”

Ju Mumio nodded.

Zhang Su continued, ”From here to Japan, it’s over a thousand kilometers by sea. How do you plan to go? Row a paddle?”

The sea just outside Qin City is Bohai, then the Yellow Sea. After passing Jeju Island, it’s another three hundred kilometers to Nagasaki. This journey is overwhelming no matter what means of transport, and without a professional leading the way, it would be harder than the Journey to the West.

Ju Mumio took a shallow breath of the cold air, resolutely stating.

”As long as I survive, there will always be opportunities. What I want to know is if there is a chance, can I leave? Taking Xiaoling with me.”

If it was going to Tang City or even Beijing, Zhang Su thought there might be a chance, since there’s news from Tang City. But going to Japan, it was a pipe dream. He nodded generously, agreeing to her request.

On the other hand, if Ju Mumio truly contributed significantly to the camp, persuading her to stay wouldn’t be difficult.

”No problem. If one day there’s a chance for you to go to Japan, I won’t stop you. But the premise is, after you join our camp, you mustn’t harbor any traitorous intentions!”

Ju Mumio solemnly said, ”As long as you can heal Xiaoling’s injury, I promise you!”

”Words alone don’t hold much weight.”

”I swear on the Ju Clan’s honor that if you can heal Yi Xiaoling, I will join your camp and not betray you. But if there’s a chance to return to Japan, you mustn’t stop me.”

Ju Mumio pledged earnestly.

In Zhang Su’s eyes, this oath didn’t carry much credibility, similar to him swearing not to be surnamed Zhang if something happened, wasn’t it just a joke?

He clicked his tongue and said, ”I don’t know much about the Ju Clan, and besides... aren’t your family’s circumstances unfavorable now? Who cares about honor?”

Unexpectedly, after Zhang Su’s remark, Ju Mumio suddenly became agitated, her expression fluctuating, and even her tone of speech changed, from calm to intense.

”The Ju Clan has a millennium-long legacy, even if I’m the only one left, I must protect the clan’s honor. This is the highest level of oath; if I break it, evil spirits will come after me. Please don’t underestimate it!”

Reading the translated words, Zhang Su looked at Ju Mumio skeptically. Her serious demeanor didn’t seem like a lie, unless it was a lie where even she was deceived. He remained doubtful about the sanctity of a surname but found the thought of an evil spirit’s reckoning more intimidating.