Apocalypse: the Most Ruthless Person

”Chairman Li, your Civilization Guardian has it good. Our Apocalypse Corps area, before the disaster struck, was sparsely populated, and there weren’t many residents near the automotive park, let alone large supermarkets. When we fled there, we didn’t bring much stuff, so now it’s really hard to gather supplies. While we don’t worry much about food, daily necessities... well, thank goodness it’s cold now!”

Yang Xinqi shook his head with a bitter expression. Usually, at the camp, he wouldn’t dare to reveal his concerns to his subordinates and would have to put on a facade that everything was fine. Only now, sitting with people of the same rank, could he vent a little.

Soap and shampoo, these hygiene products aren’t a problem because bathing itself is an issue due to the cold weather. But toilet paper, which seemed insignificant at first, has now become incredibly valuable.

”I’m not sure about other places, but within the alliance, for a small leader like me, I can only get one roll a week. It sounds like quite a lot, right? But it’s just barely enough. If it’s not, you can only spend points to buy more.

The brothers in the team have it worse, only getting one roll every two weeks, let’s not even talk about ordinary members. Initially, they weren’t considered at all, but then... it was Gong Chengming who suggested that we provide ordinary members with one roll a month, but after it’s used up, they can’t buy more and have to find their own way!”

Thinking back to when the disaster just started, disliking the dirtiness of chairs and using tissue to wipe off dust, or tearing a piece to clean dirty shoes, Zhang Xin just wanted to slap himself.

”Is it that difficult?”

Zhang Su exchanged glances with Zheng Xinyu and Zhong Xiaoshan, but deep down felt rather pleased. Difficulty is good; as long as there are difficulties, he can help solve them, and thus the probability of succeeding in the challenge would be higher!

Seeing everyone still standing around the dining table, Zhang Su suddenly said, ”Come, take a seat. We’ll continue chatting in a bit! Xinyu, Xiaoshan, brew some good tea and bring some snacks. I remember there’s a box of Cantonese egg rolls.”

As everyone took their seats, Li Zongkai looked at the busy Zheng Xinyu and Zhong Xiaoshan with some curiosity and said, ”Mr. Zhang, if I’m not mistaken, these two are your wives?”

”Correct, that’s right.”

Zhang Su admitted openly. There’s nothing to hide about such matters. It’s not many, just two; after all, Liao Youzhi has four women!

”Ah, so they’re sisters-in-law. Nice to meet you...”

”Pleasure to meet you...”

As soon as a few of them sat down, hearing that it was the King Yama’s wives serving tea, they quickly stood up to greet them politely, even Liu Yao forced a smile despite his pain.

Zheng Xinyu and Zhong Xiaoshan naturally didn’t put on any airs and continued their tasks with a smile after responding.

”Brother Zhang, why are you letting the sisters-in-law do such rough work...”

Zhang Xin had seen Zheng Xinyu and Zhong Xiaoshan earlier but didn’t get a chance to understand the relationship between Zhang Su and these people, so he asked quietly with some confusion.

In the post-apocalyptic world, women’s status has plummeted, but if they can attach themselves to the leaders, they’re usually set for a good life. Serving tea or water should at most be to serve the leader, never expecting to enjoy such treatment. It was quite surprising.

”Haha, on Celestial Horse Island, we don’t have designated service personnel. These tasks aren’t tiring; whoever does it, it’s the same. Plus, they usually participate in combat training too. The reason Xiaoshan didn’t act with the Yama Corps earlier was because she was on monitoring duty!”

Talking about the excellent traditions of his camp, Zhang Su felt quite proud, certain that the management of those in front of him wasn’t as good as Celestial Horse Island’s. Now wasn’t a time for humility.

”Our Apocalypse Corps strives for equality, but it’s actually difficult to achieve. It’s not until I’m on King Yama’s turf that I truly understand what equality means. It’s really embarrassing!”

Yang Xinqi looked at the two busy beauties, feeling infinite admiration.

None of them seemed surprised that Zhang Su had two female companions; in fact, they thought, given his abilities, he should probably be taking care of more women...

Soon, the tea was ready, and snacks were neatly arranged. Zheng Xinyu and Zhong Xiaoshan waved to everyone before leaving the dining area, disinterested in the conversations among the men, choosing instead to socialize elsewhere.

Zhang Su lit up a cigarette, ready to continue the previous topic, when he noticed Liu Yao’s listless appearance. Remembering Liu was still injured, he pulled a piece of zombie thalamus from his pocket, saying, ”Director Liu, catch!”

And then he tossed a piece, about the size of a broad bean, over.

Liu Yao caught it with his relatively agile left hand, looked it over, and asked curiously, ”What’s this?”

”Just eat it without worry. A doctor developed these genetic drugs that can heal all kinds of physical injuries.”

Zhang Su briefly explained.

Upon hearing this, the others cast curious glances at what Liu Yao was holding - a lump of dingy gray, clay-like substance, casually pulled from a pocket. Was this a genetic drug?

Alright then.

You’re impressive, if you say so, then it must be so...

Liu Yao pinched it with a strange look on his face, there was still some elasticity. He sighed heavily and didn’t bother to question it, knowing there was no point. With a smacking sound, he tossed it into his mouth, forcing himself to chew twice before swallowing.

Zhang Su, seeing that Liu Yao had eaten the thalamus, nodded and then looked at Li Zongkai and the others, saying, ”I’ve always thought food is the biggest issue. Do you guys not lack any?”

”As for food, it’s alright for now. Food is easy to store in the winter, we shouldn’t have a problem getting through this winter.”

Li Zongkai was the first to speak.

Yang Xinqi continued, ”Chairman Li is right. Although it’s hard for people in the cold, fortunately food doesn’t spoil easily. We’re not too tight either, and should be able to last three to four months. If spring starts as usual, we’ll need to immediately begin farming.”

Zhang Su nodded, rubbing his chin as he said, ”I haven’t really focused much on household goods, there are so many supermarkets in the city, how can it be difficult?”

”The supermarkets were cleared out in the first month, now we all get stuff from the neighborhood residents. Some things are not even worth hiding, there’s actually no real advantage in the city. If there is anything good, it might be that the buildings are sturdier, more in line with previous living habits, and everyone is reluctant to leave...”

”Still, King Yama, you were more foresighted, leaving the city early and finding such a paradise here. It’s truly enviable.”

Yang Xinqi did not hold back his praise, speaking sincerely. Ever since he arrived at Celestial Horse Island, he’s been fantasizing about how wonderful it would be if the Apocalypse Corps could live here.

Zhang Su waved his hand, tagging Yang Xinqi in his mind as a ”sycophant, flatterer.” From what he’s observed so far, Zhang Su wondered how Yang Xinqi could lead the Apocalypse Corps—could it be relying solely on a silver tongue?

Li Zongkai didn’t pick up on Yang Xinqi’s conversation, saying, ”With the cold weather, the city still has some advantages. The supplies in the apartment buildings are freely accessible and enough to maintain basic living, but as industrial products deplete over time, for humanity now, these things are as good as non-renewable resources.”

While speaking, Li Zongkai patted the napkin on the table.

Yuwen adjusted his glasses and said in a deep voice, ”Supplies in the Qin City District are dwindling, one has to look further upstream in the logistics network. Large storage facilities and freight stations are concentrated in the Development Zone of Qin City. Have you guys checked it out?”

”Brother, our range of influence is just in the northern part of Qin City, while the Development Zone is controlled by other forces. The territories are clearly divided, crossing the line is equivalent to provocation. However, I guess going there would be a waste of time too, surely it’s already been cleaned out by those people.”

Yang Xinqi spread his hands out. The location of the Apocalypse Corps is closest to the Development Zone, just five or six kilometers south. More than a month ago, his people clashed with a force in the Development Zone, leading to a clear territorial division, but tensions remain.

”Sorry, I forgot to introduce, this is Mr. Yu, with a single name Wen. He used to be a Chinese teacher, and he’s in charge of daily affairs in the camp when I’m not around.”

Zhang Su provided an introduction, just as he was about to speak, he noticed something was off with Liu Yao’s expression.

”Hey! Itches, damn, it really itches!”

Liu Yao’s face turned red, his skin trembled as if ants were crawling all over him, scratching all over.

Zhang Xin, originally sitting next to Liu Yao, immediately jumped up and stood to the side, staring seriously.

”Don’t worry, it’s nothing, it’s a normal reaction after taking the medicine, your wounds will soon heal.”

”Soon?”

As Zhang Su’s words fell, the others were shocked.

They hadn’t taken Zhang Su’s earlier talk about genetic drugs seriously, but now that effects were actually evident, it seemed too fantastical.

”No, no, oh my, damn it, it’s both hot and itchy!”

Liu Yao couldn’t care about his image, not that he ever really had one, and began frantically taking off his clothes, first the down jacket, then the wool sweater, thermal underwear, until he was left with just a long-sleeved base T-shirt. Pulling the T-shirt’s hem up to his neck, he started scratching his belly and his fractured arm...

The few of them stopped their conversation and all watched Liu Yao’s impromptu performance.

It didn’t last long, though, as after just over two minutes he completely calmed down, with his belly and arms covered in red marks, some even resembling the traces left by scraping therapy.

He moved his hands, touched his abs-laden belly with disbelief in his eyes. ”It doesn’t hurt, it really doesn’t hurt, I’m healed, I’m healed! Damn, what kind of drug is this, it’s amazing, with such medicine, the Yama Corps truly become invincible!”

Liu Yao was almost shirtless, standing exaggeratedly in the dining room, his expression filled with ecstasy.