Apocalypse: the Most Ruthless Person

”Boss Meng, hahaha!”

At this moment, Zhang Su’s hearty laughter rang out from the highway. Skinny felt grateful and quickly stepped aside as he was blocking Meng Changwei’s line of sight.

Zhang Su got off the sidecar, stood in front of the crowd, dusted the dirt off himself, and then stepped onto the field ridge. Behind him, over a hundred combat personnel followed, maintaining basic order even without forming ranks. Although their weapons weren’t uniform, their presence was impressive.

Since the disaster broke out, not to mention a regular military force, even survivor camps set up by people themselves hadn’t seen such a scale of combat personnel. The spectacle made Meng Changwei and others swallow nervously.

It had only been a mere one or two months since they’d last seen each other, and Celestial Horse Island, which had started with just over a dozen fighters, had developed to this extent. Have they gathered all the survivors from Qin City?

”Boss Meng, I remember giving you a walkie-talkie. Usually, you don’t contact me, dammit. But when something happens, you run to me, right?”

Zhang Su approached, familiarly patting Meng Changwei on the shoulder and gesturing to the people around him as a form of greeting.

”Hehehe...”

Meng Changwei laughed awkwardly, covertly glancing at Qi Dabin not far beside him. Seeing Qi’s smiling and friendly expression, pretending to be one of them, he thought, ”Are you kidding me? Why are you so damn happy?”

”Master Zhang, you exposing me directly like this makes me very embarrassed and lose face, haha.”

He decided not to expose the Flying Wolf Gang immediately. Anyway, now that Zhang Su had returned, that bunch of good-for-nothings couldn’t cause any trouble, lest it spoiled the joy of their reunion. Wait, why was he even joyful? Perhaps it was truly because of their long-awaited reunion.

Zhang Su casually waved his hand. ”What’s the big deal? After the snowfall, the zombies became as fierce as mad dogs, and many camps were in trouble. See those brothers behind me? I brought them back from Qin City. I’ll let you in on a secret: they’ve all joined Celestial Horse Island!”

”I can see that, haha. I can see that. No wonder, Master Zhang, you’re something else.”

Meng Changwei repeatedly gestured a thumbs-up.

Indeed, Zhang Su was feeling joyful. He knew the people from Bridge Town well enough. From their past cooperation, it was clear they were quite disciplined. If they could join Celestial Horse Island and develop together, it would be great. However, at that moment, an inexplicable wave of emotions drifted over.

The feeling was uncomfortable, like enjoying a delicious roast in a restaurant, only to have a faint, rotten seafood stench waft over.

Zhang Su shifted his gaze from Meng Changwei’s face and scanned the crowd, quickly spotting the source of the unease.

”Boss Meng, I don’t recognize those gentlemen. Are they from your Bridge Town?”

Meng Changwei, seeing Zhang Su pointing to Qi Dabin and others, smiled oddly and said, ”Actually, no. We met them when passing through Qing County. Qi Dabin, why don’t you introduce yourself?”

Due to previous incidents, Meng Changwei didn’t want to say much. A pleasant mood wasn’t easy to come by, best not to ruin it too soon.

Qi Dabin, seeing Meng Changwei didn’t expose him, secretly sighed in relief. He put on a simple and honest smile, slightly bowed, and laughed apologetically.

”All along the way, Boss Meng kept talking about how impressive Master Zhang is. I got an earful of it. Now that I’ve met you, I realize it’s true. I’m Qi Dabin from Shihu Town, leading a small, insignificant group spontaneously formed by nearby villagers called the Flying Wolf Gang. Excuse us.”

As he spoke, Qi Dabin gestured toward the ten or so people beside and behind him.

The members of the Flying Wolf Gang nodded and greeted Zhang Su, their expressions somewhat shifty. Moments ago, they thought Zhang Su was dead, and now he appeared in front of them, exuding a powerful aura with warriors surrounding him. Only one person seemed able to maintain composure.

Old Lame Xie Guangfa saluted Zhang Su, nodded heavily, and his deep-set eyes gleamed with light.

”Flying Wolf Gang...”

Zhang Su repeated, noticing the person speaking had a strong air of the streets, appearing polite but was actually quite shrewd inside.

His gaze swept over the faces of the Flying Wolf Gang members, and their concerned expressions were all too revealing. No matter how humble and respectful they tried to act, it was futile because he could clearly sense that the disgusting emotions came from this group!

But when he noticed a middle-aged man standing in a slightly strange manner, his brows furrowed. The man’s eyes conveyed that he had something to say.

There seemed to be a story!

”Whether it’s the Flying Wolf Gang or the folks from Bridge Town, I’ll be straightforward. What’s your intention in coming here? Do you consider joining Celestial Horse Island?”

Zhang Su asked directly.

Meng Changwei had long been mentally prepared and nodded immediately. But before he could speak, a voice came from the side.

”Indeed, indeed, that’s exactly what we thought. Master Zhang, you have no idea how we’ve wandered on this treacherous journey. Fortunately, we met Boss Meng of Bridge Town. Otherwise... nevermind! Master Zhang, the Flying Wolf Gang now only has twelve of us left, and we are willing to join Celestial Horse Island to contribute our meager strength!”

After saying this, the twelve of them, as if rehearsed, all raised their hands and cupped their fists, regardless of gender, showing the demeanor of gallant heroes.

The people of Bridge Town, who a moment ago were full of joy, now frowned.

”Fine, good. Boss Meng, what do you say?”

Zhang Su nodded and then looked at Meng Changwei.

”Ahem.” Meng Changwei coughed twice, squeezed out a stiff smile, and nodded, ”I brought my brothers to Celestial Horse Island to seek refuge with you. I hope you won’t dislike us.”

”Of course, there won’t be any dislike, but you must cooperate with my work. Is there a problem?”

Zhang Su clasped his hands behind his back, smiling as he asked.

Meng Changwei and Qi Dabin were both at a loss, nodding repeatedly. Of course, that wasn’t a problem. Wasn’t it only natural?

”Great!” Zhang Su gestured with his fingers to the people beside him, ”Come, tie up these folks from Bridge Town and the Flying F... cough, Flying Wolf Gang brothers first.”

???

”This... no.”

Qi Dabin was dumbfounded on the spot, watching as the expressionless people approaching him took out ropes from their bags. He took a few steps back, saying, ”Master Zhang, we came with sincere hearts from afar. There’s no need for this, is there?”

The crowd from Bridge Town also grew restless, their faces showing humiliation. Meanwhile, their views of Zhang Su were not as friendly as before.

After all, they had been comrades once, fighting zombies together. How could he not remember any past camaraderie and bind them up like this upon their reunion? Wasn’t this too much?

As the leader, and given his personality, Meng Changwei understood the rationale behind such actions, but now he represented not just himself but an entire group. He had to consider the interests and dignity of his companions, so he looked troubled and said,

”Master Zhang, look at my brothers... How about this, just tie me up, but leave them out of it. We are all acquaintances, aren’t we?”

Meng Changwei reached out with both hands, looking sincere.

”This isn’t directed at anyone!”

Zhang Su nonchalantly spread his hands, saying, ”I have to ensure the safety of the brothers behind me. If you can’t comply with this simple request, you can leave now, as if we’d never met!”

He finished with a gesture of invitation.

Meng Changwei looked at Zhang Su with a peculiar expression, the kind you give after a friend has made an unreasonable demand, then pouted like a sulking wife and signaled to those behind him, ”Come on, we have nothing to fear. Hurry, don’t make it difficult for Master Zhang!”

We have nothing to fear...

Whether Meng Changwei spoke unintentionally or otherwise, those words deeply resonated with many in the Flying Wolf Gang.

”Boss?”

Skinny and others were sweating bullets, all turning to Qi Dabin.

Qi Dabin pursed his lips, seemingly at odds with himself. Watching as people from Bridge Town were tied up one by one, he took a deep breath, trying to appear honest, cupped his hands, and said,

”Master Zhang, better a broken piece of roofing than bowing like a slave. We can’t accept such treatment, farewell!”

With that ”farewell,” Qi Dabin turned to leave with his people.

However, at that moment, there was a turn of events: Qi Dabin was leaving, but not everyone wanted to go!

Twelve people had come, but only eleven turned to leave. The middle-aged man with the weird stance extended his hands and clasped them together, ”I, Xie Guangfa, would like to stay. Please, Master Zhang, accept me!”

The eleven who were turning away all paused for a moment, and those who were more alert turned back, imitating Xie Guangfa’s gesture, ”I, Ning JianShe, also wish to stay. Please accept me!”

”And I... I’m Qian Guangwei, willing to join Celestial Horse Island too.”