Apocalypse: the Most Ruthless Person

The cold temperature kept everyone’s mind clear, and through the shattered doors of the laboratory, one could see the stars in the sky.

Zhang Su shook the radio in his hand, looked at Li Zongkai and Yuwen opposite him, and slowly spoke.

”This disaster has definitely affected many people, causing significant damage to several already precarious camps. While some might take advantage of the chaos, I dare say that, given the current situation in Qin City, no force poses a threat to us. On the contrary, we might face passive expansion in the foreseeable future.”

Not to mention Celestial Horse Island, even the former Survivor Alliance was an entity many smaller forces couldn’t match. Seeking shelter when in danger is human nature; situations like that in Niu YAZI won’t be isolated cases.

As a major power, we cannot ignore other people’s pleas for help in such extreme conditions. It used to be a joke to say, ”The continuation of human civilization depends on us,” but now it’s not an exaggeration—the real burden is on everyone’s shoulders.

The greater the ability, the greater and more tangible the responsibility becomes.

Li Zongkai and Yuwen knew the purpose of Zhang Su’s words, and they were expected to provide their opinions.

”Crisis environments naturally lead humans to huddle together unless someone is out of their mind. Destruction would be counterproductive in such times. I think it’s a great opportunity to expand, but it’s crucial to establish authority during the crisis—a key to management once stability returns.”

Yuwen, always focused on governance, quickly gave his opinion based on the current situation.

After a brief thought, Li Zongkai addressed Zhang Su: ”Mr. Zhang, with all due respect, continuing to develop separately in the current situation seems much more dangerous. We might need to consider merging.”

The former strategy of dispersal was to avoid becoming a target for zombie hordes. However, the situation has changed. With strengthened zombies, their ability to locate humans has significantly improved. Following the previous plan might leave everyone but the strongest like Celestial Horse Island unable to resist.

”By the way, I didn’t have time to mention earlier.”

Zhang Su rubbed his temples and pointed in the direction of the kindergarten: ”The area around the car garden has been completely abandoned. The Apocalypse Corps and Little Eagle Association have fully merged. Ordinary members are settled over at the kindergarten, with ten or so combatants left, and the rest came over. Once we stabilize...”

”Hoo, hoo...”

As he was speaking, a whistle interrupted the peace in the mall, followed by a voice from downstairs.

”A group of zombies is coming from the south, unknown number, around fifty.”

”Quick, notify the Yama Corps’ big brother...”

”Shut up, there’s no need to bother the Yama Corps for fifty of them. We can handle it ourselves, brothers, grab your gear!”

Downstairs, Liu Yao quickly organized people to prepare for resistance after hearing the report.

In the past, even informal combatants could easily handle fifty zombies. Now, however, it’s necessary to deploy regular troops, with cover and preparation, to prevent danger...

”Zombies have become so powerful, our future days are getting tougher...”

Wu Lue peeked downstairs at the bustling personnel, expressing his lament.

”Old Li, how many more people can the barracks accommodate?” Zhang Su asked.

Li Zongkai’s eyes lit up, and he said, ”Mr. Zhang, are you thinking of transferring everyone here to the barracks?”

”That’s right.”

After several zombie attacks, Zhang Su realized that continued dispersal was not a wise strategy, though he didn’t want to bring everyone back to Celestial Horse Island directly as it would be overly crowded.

Whether out of selfishness or other considerations, he hoped Celestial Horse Island consisted of only core members, preferably elites among elites!

Li Zongkai confidently said, ”The hardware facilities at the barracks are decent, accommodating around five hundred people comfortably. Some friction might arise, but it can be adjusted over time.”

”Alright, as long as the hardware can meet the needs, the rest is manageable. In that case, let’s transfer everyone there over the next few days.”

”Everyone?”

”Including the people from the kindergarten?”

Both Yuwen and Li Zongkai asked simultaneously.

Zhang Su nodded, saying, ”Yes, you’ve all seen the zombies. They’re like they’ve got a bloodhound’s nose now, seeking humans with greater acuity. Fortunately, they no longer gather into hordes before attacking, but even so, the constant harassment is a headache. A dispersed defense will exhaust efforts, so why not build a solid fortress?”

”But...” Li Zongkai hesitated and said: ”If we’re talking about building a sturdy camp, isn’t Celestial Horse Island more suitable?”

Celestial Horse Island is built along the mountain, with a single mountain road up and down. A little modification would make it an easily defensible fortress. The barracks have no advantage over it.

”I also think if we’re merging...”

Yuwen hesitated for a moment before continuing, ”I believe if we’re merging, the best choice is to bring everyone back to Celestial Horse Island. Village No.1 and Village No.2 still have capacity, and if worse comes to worst, we can open up Village No.3 North. It will be labor-intensive but once and for all.”

The afternoon decisions left everyone in a difficult position, casting a shadow over Yuwen, making him speak cautiously.

Zhang Su pursed his lips and said nothing, contemplating the situation around Celestial Horse Island. After a moment, he sighed and said, ”We’re all friends here, so let me be frank. Bringing so many people to Celestial Horse Island at once might be overwhelming. Not to mention other things, resources alone would be stretched thin.”

Resources are vital for survival. Initially, each household had abundant supplies, so reasonable distribution wouldn’t be a problem if gathered together. However, the supplies in the car garden have been looted, and the Apocalypse Corps initially had over a hundred members, making this shortage significant!

Previously, it wouldn’t have mattered; searching around would yield results. But now, with formidable zombies everywhere, search missions are more intense, thereby reducing efficiency!

”Yeah, feeding and managing several hundred people is a headache...”

”It’s unfortunate that now with the severe cold, planting can’t keep up!”

Resources are a major concern, and both Li Zongkai and Yuwen were worried about it, unable to come up with a solution in the short term.

”Brother Su, um...”

Chen Hanzhou noticed the silence and approached Zhang Su, with a somewhat evasive look, ”Can we talk somewhere private?”

”Aren’t you supposed to be resting? What’s up, let’s talk over there.”

Zhang Su raised an eyebrow and pointed towards Gong Chengming’s makeshift hut.

He knew Chen Hanzhou had been quietly following them, pretending to know nothing, but Zhang Su had always kept part of his attention on him.

”I’ll discuss matters with Xiaochen over there. You guys think about the situation and let me know your thoughts later.”

Zhang Su instructed and then left.

Except for Zheng Xinyu, no one saw anything unusual about their private conversation, considering it just regular interaction.

In the dark room, a sudden flash of light appeared as Zhang Su lit a cigarette, then handed one to Chen Hanzhou, smiling, ”Can you still smoke?”

”Barely...”

Chen Hanzhou took the cigarette and lit it himself, then fell silent for a while.

In the dark, Chen Hanzhou was almost completely blind, barely able to make out Zhang Su’s outline. But Zhang Su saw everything clearly, as if it was daylight, observing all the subtle expressions on Chen Hanzhou’s face.

”Damn, it would be great to have Ju Mumio’s ability. Is it because my sight and hearing are too sharp that I can’t sense others’ inner emotions?”

Zhang Su exhaled smoke, pondering with frustration.

”Um... Brother Su, you said before, if there’s anything unusual, I should tell you. I... I feel kind of off!”

Chen Hanzhou hesitated for a moment, furrowing his brow as he spoke.

When Chen Hanzhou called out to him, Zhang Su had a feeling he was going to mention today’s changes. Although he was slightly surprised, he also felt a sense of relief and reassurance.

As long as someone is willing to open up, it’s a positive step!