Apocalypse: the Most Ruthless Person

If it weren’t for Li Zongkai’s special status and the effect of the Loyalty Brand, Zhang Su would have thought this guy was causing trouble on purpose...

”Old Li, what should I say about you? This is the apocalypse, don’t you understand? It’s not just zombies that eat people, people eat people too, and people are worse than zombies. The people of Bajiazi Village betray others to survive. Do they have any faults? From their perspective, not at all!

If they succeeded, the evil deeds they committed against these brothers would be seen as heroic acts in their own eyes. For survival, people stop at nothing. What were you thinking when you decided on this policy of rescue as the main priority and assistance as a secondary one?!”

Zhang Su was furious but immediately directed his anger at Li Zongkai to prevent it from spreading and affecting others. After the scolding, he looked around and spoke firmly.

”My thoughts are very clear. No matter how many survivors there are outside, a hundred, a thousand, even tens of thousands, if saving them requires sacrificing our own people, there’s no room for negotiation. If someone has to be sacrificed, it can only be those outside. Do you agree?”

”Yes, absolutely right!”

”That’s right, Brother Zhang is right!”

Everyone around felt a warm current after hearing Zhang Su’s words. This philosophy was very different from some of the policy directions Li Zongkai previously mentioned, but it was well-received. After all, if you can’t guarantee the safety of your own companions, what right do you have to rescue outside survivors?

After the trials of the apocalypse, all the saints and holy mothers are dead...

”Regarding today’s matter, I believe that no matter what decisions were made, your good intentions can’t excuse the errors. Accountability must be pursued!”

After gaining some goodwill, Zhang Su turned to look at He Jun and Ding Xiaoshuai.

”I deeply recognize the mistake in this matter. It was due to my inexperience, and I bear unavoidable responsibility!”

Li Zongkai’s emotions were complex, and he was the first to step up and take responsibility.

”No, Chairman Li, you are not responsible because we didn’t consult you before making decisions. We acted on our own, and I will take full responsibility!”

”Yes, Chairman Li, the circumstances were different when you set the policies. It was our inability to adapt that led to this tragedy. Blame us!”

The two kneeling on the ground did not shirk responsibility. After so many comrades died, there’s no way to offload that responsibility.

The surrounding people whispered, and Zhang Su’s ears moved slightly, capturing most of the conversation. Although ordinary members didn’t plead for anyone, the meaning between the lines was clear: Li Zongkai shouldn’t be blamed because at least half of the people here got the opportunity to enter the camp and become members of the Civilization Guardian because of the policies he set.

This matter is troublesome and hard to handle...

It involves the rules and behaviors, such as democratic voting and tacit consent, set by the original leader. If the later events hadn’t occurred and the people of Bajiazi Village had remained orderly, things might have been addressed at a later stage even if they revolted again...

But now, ten people are dead, and the issue has become serious!

Li Zongkai has some fault, but not much. The use of the system requires adaptation to environmental changes, which goes without saying. It’s true that the entire development of the Civilization Guardian is based on the step-by-step implementation of the rules he set.

Changes must occur in the future, but past matters cannot be pursued.

Both publicly and privately, even considering public opinion, Zhang Su would not severely punish Li Zongkai. This leaves the two people who made the decision.

Determining the penalty falls on Zhang Su’s shoulders: too heavy, it would be inappropriate; too light, more so!

”You two, lift your heads and look at me!”

Zhang Su turned his head to look at He Jun and Ding Xiaoshuai.

The two looked up. He Jun’s face was full of the wear of time, about forty years old. Ding Xiaoshuai was much younger, in his early twenties, similar to Qi Xiaoshuai. Both were born in the same era, and their parents even chose the same name for them...

”Do you think being a leader is easy and making decisions is simple? Now, because of your decisions, people have died. Tell me, what should we do?”

Zhang Su crossed his arms behind his back. Finding the situation difficult to manage, he decided to deflect it for a moment, observing the emotions of both men without bias.

”Nothing we do can save our comrades’ lives, but I’m willing to accept any punishment—even death,” Ding Xiaoshuai shouted hysterically, his expression resolved, with an attitude of ready martyrdom.

He Jun remained silent for a moment, then solemnly said, ”I cannot die. I need to atone for the mistake I made. If I’m dead, there’s no way to atone, and I would let down the families and friends of those who passed. I must atone.”

Sleeking his eyes, Zhang Su listened quietly to the two men. Nobody noticed a flash of understanding in his eyes. Just now, he clearly saw Ding Xiaoshuai’s eye twitch slightly, and instinctively he wanted to glance at He Jun’s direction but restrained himself.

If it were just this subtle movement, Zhang Su wouldn’t think much of it, but he vaguely sensed emotional fluctuations between the two—a very mysterious feeling.

He Jun’s voice was low, full of regret. Although he said he couldn’t die, his voice lacked the desire to live; his talk of atonement seemed basically sincere.

In contrast was Ding Xiaoshuai, whose emotions were very complex. Zhang Su couldn’t decipher all the emotions involved, but he detected a hint of luck. Perhaps the predominance of this feeling of fortune was what made it so noticeable to him.