Apocalypse: the Most Ruthless Person

”Tch... this guy called Zhang Su, the things he’s done don’t sound impressive at all, he’s just relying on his underlings while he babbles away. What’s he worth?”

Liu Yao, after listening to Li Zongkai talk about Zhang Su’s past actions, was utterly disdainful.

”With Director Liu being so confident, when you encounter Zhang Su, you must be sure to knock him out!” Yang Xinqi, fed up with Liu Yao’s arrogant attitude, taunted him.

Liu Yao wasn’t falling for it, coldly smirking: ”Whether I can take down Zhang Su is another story, but I can certainly knock you out!”

”Your focus points, guys...”

Liao Youzhi shook his head helplessly, and continued, ”Old Li, Old Li, what can I say? You’ve known Zhang Su for barely half a day, whereas it’s been two months with me, right? And likely even longer with Director Yang? Two months’ friendship is less than half a day, what does that say about us?”

Liao Youzhi really had some thoughts this time, as from what Li Zongkai said, he and Zhang Su weren’t truly life-and-death companions, so choosing him was perplexing.

Speaking of which, Liu Yao and Yang Xinqi were silent, feeling Liao Youzhi had a point.

Li Zongkai naturally wouldn’t answer such trivial questions posed by Liao Youzhi, keeping a cold face and saying nothing.

”Seems like you don’t know much more either, Old Li, you’re loyal, but I want to see if Zhang Su considers you important. Aren’t you able to contact him? Come on, let me say a few words to him.”

Liao Youzhi spread his hands, intending to properly use Li Zongkai as a card.

Li Zongkai paused, his heart suddenly excited, thinking that Liao Youzhi was foolish; a surprise move is most effective. If contact is made now, Zhang Su would be aware of the situation here, and have a chance to prepare.

Normally calculating, Liao Youzhi surprisingly made an error, giving Li Zongkai hope. He didn’t even dare rebut, fearing the other side would catch on and retract, only showing a token struggle in expression before responding grimly.

”I’ll go get the signal transmitter; it’s in the car!”

”You’re going to get it? Old Li, don’t joke around. Just say where it’s kept, I’ll have someone fetch it!”

There’s no way Liao Youzhi would let Li Zongkai go out alone, nor would he let someone escort him out; it’s crucial now that those outside don’t know what’s happening inside, or there’ll surely be chaos!

”Get someone to call in a person named Big Head; he’s the liaison officer carrying the signal transmitter.”

”Xiaosun, go ahead, just bring the equipment back inside.”

A tall and straight young man took the order and ran toward the mall entrance.

Liao Youzhi isn’t foolish, not at all, but occasionally a person can become overconfident, losing sight of the situation.

Soon, in two or three minutes, Xiaosun returned with the signal transmitter as per Liao Youzhi’s orders.

”Alright, hand the thing over to our Chairman Li.”

Liao Youzhi gestured with his hand.

Li Zongkai put on a helpless expression, sighing as he took the equipment and began attempting contact.

Beidong Town, near the Celestial Horse Island side, the entrance filled with barricades, several steel cables forming tripwires at the end of the pothole-filled road, with the distant barricades visible, but possibly causing a lapse in attention toward the nearby tripwires, a double trap to stall intruders on the unevenly paved section!

If that doesn’t work, no worries; there’s another defensive measure: caltrops hidden between the barricades and tripwires!

Unless the incoming vehicles are tracked, they’ll be stuck here with zero chance of luck.

”Bombs set at intervals cover the entire pothole area; the explosion damage spans 150 meters, including the sidewalk in front of merchants on both sides!”

About a kilometer away from Beidong Town, thirteen vehicles parked in fields, alongside the 99 Heavy Tank, looking out of place but relaxed, while Yu Qing was reporting the task completion to Zhang Su.

”Very good, let’s wait patiently now, having stalled so long, it should be soon!”

Zhang Su glanced at the time, it was already seven, the sky wasn’t fully bright yet but bright enough to read by.

In his hand was a primitive remote control device, with a thick plastic feel bordering on a toy remote costing ten bucks, but holding it down for over three seconds could send a street over a hundred meters long sky-high!

Everyone stood in the field, including ten hostages tied up, realizing now, that no bombs had been planted in Beidong Town before, but now they truly are, remembering last night’s explosive power, all were frightened, easily picturing vehicles being lifted into the air by flames and shockwaves.

Wu Daqiang’s group huddled together anxiously, hands tightly clutching the communicator linked to Li Zongkai, thinking if anything happens along the way, they’d get notified.

Time ticked by, the sky became brighter, then as the first ray of dawn touched distant mountain tops, Wu Daqiang’s communicator emitted a sound.

”Daqiang, Daqiang, got a reply!”

Li Zongkai’s voice emerged, sounding weak.

Zhang Su walked over, grabbing the communicator, saying: ”Old Li, it’s me, what’s the situation on your end?”

The voice passed over, moments later switched, though.

”Hahaha, Zhang Su, finally hearing your voice, can you guess who I am?”

???

Most present were confused, what the heck, who makes jokes at a time like this?

Zhang Su frowned, clueless about what Old Li was up to.

Wu Baokang’s group displayed shock, with disbelief, feeling mixed emotions, relieved their boss contacted Zhang Su through Li Zongkai, possibly revealing their connection, and worried about their increasingly awkward and perilous situation!

”This is... not good!”

Wu Daqiang, after a moment of stunned silence upon hearing the other side’s voice, realized suddenly, expressing with a twisted face: ”This is the Survivor Alliance leader Liao Youzhi’s voice, yes, it’s him!”

”Liao Youzhi?”

Zhang Su felt a chill, turning to Wu Baokang’s group, confirming this from their expressions.

Instantly, he considered many things, comprehending Li Zongkai’s situation, state, and Liao Youzhi’s tone, saying no more, Li Zongkai’s cover was blown!

”You five!”

Zhang Su pointed at Wu Daqiang’s group: ”Did any of you inform Liao Youzhi last night?”

”Ah!?”

Wu Daqiang was horrified, glaring fiercely at his companions: ”Speak up, did any of you do it?”

”No, we didn’t!”

”Brother Qiang, you were the one always holding the equipment; none of us even touched it!”

Xiaotiao shook his head: ”Not us, we haven’t contacted anyone besides the chairman!”

Others nodded, pecking like chicks, fearing being suspected.

”Alright, if it’s not you, then there’s someone by Old Li who’s with Liao Youzhi! Your Civilization Guardian has a traitor!”

Zhang Su rapidly processed his thoughts, deducing this conclusion, no longer able to rely on high-tech monitoring or eavesdropping, the simplest effective means was people; individuals can achieve plenty!

Still discussing this, Liao Youzhi’s voice resounded: ”Hey, Zhang Su, is there a signal problem, or pretending not to hear? Are you surprised?”

Zhang Su frowned deeply, took a deep breath, pressed the communicator, saying: ”So it’s Liao Youzhi, Leader Liao, didn’t expect our first contact to be like this, what’s up, got something for me?”

Zhang Su wouldn’t be like Li Zongkai, making futile arguments, knowing they wouldn’t help.

”Straightforward, smart people don’t do foolish things, Zhang Su, you should know, if I can contact you on this frequency, the matter between you and Li Zongkai isn’t secret anymore. Since Li Zongkai chose to stand with you, how do you think this matter should be handled?”

Liao Youzhi’s sarcastic, light-hearted tone of voice was quite irritating, filling everyone with an unexplainable ire, with several hot-tempered individuals showing signs of anger.

Wu Daqiang’s group was naturally worried, their leader being controlled was a major issue!

Of course, Zhang Su wouldn’t get mad, with a cold smile, pressed the communicator angrily: ”Are you a problem child? Question after question, if you have something to say, just spit it out, enough of the snide remarks!”

After a tirade of curses, Zhang Su’s side fell silent instantly, while the atmosphere within Lego Mall grew oddly tense.