Apocalypse: the Most Ruthless Person

”Can’t drink, but everyone can have a pack of cigarettes!”

Over at Village No.1, a group of people surrounded Zhao Dezhu, waiting to hear the news. When they heard that they couldn’t drink, they collectively let out a groan, but when they learned that each person could get a free pack of cigarettes, they were delighted.

If you smoke sparingly, a pack of cigarettes can last five or six days, even seven or eight, while a small drinking session can only get you a little tipsy for a short while, and even if you’re drunk, it’s only overnight. Compared to having cigarettes for seven or eight days, it’s clear which choice is better.

”Okay, big brother, no problem, you’re busy.”

Ending the call, Zhang Su put away the walkie-talkie and looked at the zombie bodies.

”Old Xie, it’s getting late. Let’s clean up and get ready to eat. I’ll take these bones for someone to study and turn into weapons. Do you need to keep one for research?”

As Zhang Su spoke, he began to dismantle bones from the zombie bodies. He planned to hand them to Ding Yong Country for processing, thinking he might have some ideas.

Xie Yanshan shook his head and said, ”Mr. Zhang, you take them all, but it’s best to keep one aside. Once we’ve got better equipment, we can study it further.”

In other words, our current conditions are too basic to do anything substantial.

”Oh, by the way, this is for you.”

After organizing the bones, Zhang Su pulled out a white wax pill and handed it to Xie Yanshan, instructing, ”Research the ingredients carefully, but don’t imitate Dr. Fu by trying everything! That’s not okay!”

Xie Yanshan held the wax pill awkwardly, smiling, ”Mr. Zhang, you’re too kind. Not everyone has the guts like Weijun. I’m very careful and quite afraid of dying...”

A few minutes later, Zhang Su walked out of Cui Leng Pavilion with a bag of bones. On his way back, he passed the place where Xie Guangfa and the other two were held. Listening closely, he could hear a few snores, causing him to smirk.

With food, drink, and safety, even if their hands and feet were bound, it’s much better than being on the run. At least they could sleep soundly. He wasn’t in a hurry to release them, planning to keep them confined for a few days. Just restricting their freedom without any punishment wouldn’t breed resentment; it would give them time to calm and think.

”Hey, aren’t you going down yet?”

Zhang Su was carrying a bag as he returned to Little Lucky, right as Zhong Xiaoshan came down the stairs.

”Came back for cigarettes, my big brother...” Zhong Xiaoshan said, a bit exasperated, covering her forehead. ”The boss said everyone gets a pack, and the cigarettes aren’t going to fly to everyone on their own.”

Cigarettes and alcohol are important resources, stored in a special warehouse. Only two people in the entire camp have the keys: Zhang Su and Zhong Xiaoshan.

”Cigarettes are better than alcohol, though, but over seventy sticks might be too much for you to carry. I’ll go with you after I drop these things off upstairs.”

With that, Zhang Su was preparing to go upstairs.

”Wait a minute.”

As they passed each other, Zhong Xiaoshan noticed the items in Zhang Su’s hands, wearing a curious expression. ”What are you bringing that home for?”

She wasn’t afraid of human bones, but bringing them home seemed a bit odd.

Zhang Su gestured for silence, then pointed towards the warehouse. ”You wait for me there.”

Zhong Xiaoshan nodded quickly, not asking further, and headed towards the electric scooter, saying, ”Take your time. The cigarettes aren’t heavy, and I can carry them over on the scooter. Everything’s almost ready; you should head over soon. Everyone’s waiting for you.”

”Alright, I’ll go over after I put away these things.”

”Oh, right!”

Zhong Xiaoshan called Zhang Su again, moving closer to say, ”Don’t forget about Brother Wang and his crew.”

”Right!”

Zhang Su nodded heavily, looking over the wall towards where Niu YaZI’s people were sitting, and smiled apologetically. ”I got it. Okay, you go ahead. Be careful on the road.”

Celestial Horse Island can never be left unattended, even if Village No.1 is hosting a lively gathering. The positions that need to be manned will always have someone there.

After putting things back in the house, Zhang Su first went to the monitoring room to check in with Wang Xin and Zhang Ya, the couple who were enjoying their sweet romance and didn’t crave the spicy hotpot. They stayed in the monitoring room, watching the screens and snacking together happily.

Walking to the parking lot, Zhang Su saw in the distance that the ox-horse zombies were already at work. The generator was running again, humming with noise.

”Brother Zhang, these zombies are something else. Two ox-heads are better than four! Haha.”

Jia Shiqin approached Zhang Su to chat. He had been stationed by the cargo truck and had even fixed the generator. With the number of zombies reduced from four to two, some adjustments were necessary for stability, but it wasn’t too difficult.

”Thank you for your hard work, Old Jia. Get in the car, let’s get ready to head to the village.”

Zhang Su pointed to the cargo truck.

”Uh? Oh, okay!”

Jia Shiqin was surprised that Zhang Su wanted to take the Fire-breathing Zombie to Village No.1, grateful for not wanting him to be left alone here.

The sky was dark, the night devoid of stars, with the parking lot shrouded in darkness. Although the generator was running, the lights weren’t on. There was a red glow illuminating the sky from Village No.1’s direction, and if you listened carefully, you could hear some joyful sounds. At the least, Zhang Su could hear them.

The twenty or so people of Niu YaZI were still sitting quietly in the corner. On one side were hundreds of people in lively excitement; on the other side sat twenty-something people bathed in darkness. The contrast was stark, made even more miserable without the heat from the Fire-breathing Zombie’s cargo truck nearby, which kept them from shivering in the cold.

”Old Wang, Old Hu.”

Upon approach, Zhang Su’s voice startled the people of Niu YaZI, making those lost in a daze suddenly alert, quickly getting up with some support.

”King Yama, good evening.”

”Good evening, Brother Zhang...”

A series of greetings were heard.

”Brother Zhang, how come you haven’t gone to eat yet?”

Wang Guangjun learned from his companions about the hotpot feast and was surprised that even the leader hadn’t gone yet.

Clap, clap.

Zhang Su patted Wang Guangjun on the shoulder and laughed, ”Tying you guys up here is routine business. How could I eat with peace of mind?”

Then he began to untie Wang Guangjun, and proceeded to free Hu Yong’an. He didn’t sense resentment in these people, which was quite rare.

Granted, as refugees seeking help, they shouldn’t have any cause for complaint in the first place, but it also requires them to be capable of that. There’s no need to push people to the brink when testing human nature.

Very smoothly, everyone was untied, over twenty people regaining their freedom, and the stifling atmosphere was lifted.

”Brother Zhang! If there’s anything you need in the future, just tell us. I can do many things and won’t disappoint you!”

Wang Zhetao stood in front of Zhang Su like a little soldier, chest out and head high.

Zhang Su thought to himself that this kid was too eager to make progress. However, on second thought, he sensed something was off. Every word seemed to hint at Zheng Ziwen without naming him.

The answer wasn’t hard to figure out. There must’ve been a conversation between these two, further cementing Zhang Su’s assessment of Wang Zhetao.

”It’s good to know many things! So, there’s a spot for everyone at tonight’s welcome banquet. Do you guys know the way down to the village?”

Zhang Su acknowledged Wang Zhetao with a smile, casually putting an arm around Wang Guangjun’s shoulder, and asked the crowd.

”Yes, yes.”

”Very grateful.”

”Thank you, King Yama.”

Hearing they could join the meal, the people of Niu YaZI were overjoyed. It was an unexpected treat, sparking a round of gratitude.