Chapter 166: Sometimes the dead are better off

The fully loaded truck started slowly; the tires under the eight‑wheel heavy truck were somewhat deformed, enough to show how much food was loaded.

The grain brought back this trip is preliminarily estimated to sustain the entire base for at least half a year.

Rice, flour, oil, noodles, canned meat.

Of course there were also the yellow peach cans Zhang Tie carried himself, and even the yellow bus Lin An rode was filled to the brim.

Many survivors simply sat on top of the grain sacks piled on the truck, faces full of joy.

In the apocalypse, food is the greatest sense of security.

As they were preparing to return, Liang Shaoguang suddenly, a little embarrassed, called out to Lin An who was boarding.

"Um, boss..."

When outsiders were present, Liang Shaoguang, lacking internal communication, still called Lin An "boss".

On his wrinkled old face he wore a smile, somewhat awkward.

"We have a group who said they want to stay here..."

He pointed behind Lin An to several Awakened Ones from the city.

Since arriving at the grain depot, this group has been gathered together, seemingly discussing something.

Lin An followed the direction of his finger and saw the man in a suit jogging ahead.

He nodded and bowed, his face full of obsequiousness.

"Sir, we'd like to discuss something with you."

The six men behind the suited man were all adult males, their dirty old shirts tidied up.

Lin An nodded slightly, indicating he should speak.

"What is it?"

The suited man gave a dry laugh, then glanced at his companions behind him.

"It's like this. I see you, sir, seem to be returning to your previous gathering place, right?"

The suited man's eyes swept over the students on the truck roof, his gaze flickering.

Lin An frowned slightly.

"Just say what you have to say."

"Sir, then I'll speak plainly."

"It's like this. We few discussed it just now and decided to stay here..."

"As you can see, we're just ordinary people; we're afraid we can't be of much help to you."

"Why don't we few stay here to guard the warehouse for you?"

"If you ever need food, just come and take it."

The suited man gave a dry laugh, seeing Lin An silent, then continued:

"It's no problem if the grain depot has no one watching it. If a fire starts or it rains, someone still needs to see it."

"Otherwise it'd be a shame if it burned or got moldy."

"I just thought we few could stay and help you look after these supplies."

The six behind him echoed in unison, causing others still sorting the cargo to glance over repeatedly.

The suited man thought it through clearly.

He looked down on Liang Shaoguang's rustic sort, yet envied the power of the Awakened.

After observing the base's personnel, he found they were under unified, strict management.

Whether male or female, everyone had to work; even the Awakened had to personally move things.

What does that show?

Doesn't this show that the force of that mysterious man before us manages with extreme strictness, giving no preferential treatment?

In the base, even the Awakened who appear to be squad leaders must roll up their sleeves and work.

Black bear moon wolf, just like a manual laborer.

He isn't even an Awakened; if he followed them and had to work every day, who could stand it?

He considered himself a senior‑management elite, feeling his managerial ability shouldn't be wasted like this.

Following Lin An back would be somewhat safer, but...

They had already discussed this among themselves.

This place is so remote, not even a zombie's hair can be seen, let alone a zombie.

Moreover, the dangers inside the grain station have already been dealt with by Lin An and company— isn't this a ready‑made "Safe Zone"?!

They also saw weapons scattered all over the ground.

Although ammunition is scarce and the weapons have been taken by Lin An and the others, asking for some should be no problem.

There's food if you want food, weapons if you want weapons, and no danger.

Perhaps later he could use the supplies here to recruit people and build his own power in the apocalypse!

As for Lin An sending people later...

Hehe, give him some time to recruit people, then just pack up and run!

He didn't believe Lin An could still find him.

Besides, maybe he could become an Awakened himself— aren't those guys just lucky?

Like that Liang Shaoguang couple— didn't they just walk into dog shit luck and mysteriously become Awakened?

Perhaps relying on the grain depot for food and clothing, the coming days could see him Awaken...

Whether to live under others' roof or become a local ruler, he was clear about that.

The most crucial point is.

He noticed many student faces in Lin An's team.

The nearest few colleges are at least a hundred kilometers away from here...

This group took back so much food; it's very likely they won't come back for a long time.

Therefore, using the excuse of helping guard the grain depot, this place is practically theirs!

Lin An coldly looked at the man before him.

Not to mention him, even Zhang Tie could see what these guys were thinking.

The black bear's eyes were icy as he set down the yellow peach can in his hand.

The grain depot taken by Lin Dui.

They really just wanted to take advantage.

Not a bad idea, a bit of small cleverness.

"Lin Dui, should I kill these good-for-nothings who only eat and do nothing?"

Zhang Tie let out a cold laugh over the team comms.

What he hates most are these people who think they're smart while everyone else is stupid.

While working, they chatted idly in the vehicle, and now they want to reap the rewards without effort?

This was unexpected by Zhang Tie.

Lin An actually calmly agreed.

Before Zhang Tie could speak, Lin An waved his hand and got straight into the vehicle.

Seeing Lin An agree, the man in the suit flashed with delight in his eyes; it seemed his persuasion had worked!

Seeing Lin An about to get in the vehicle, he hurriedly spoke:

"Um, sir!"

"Could you give us some more weapons?"

"Yes, sir!"

The six people behind him looked expectant and spoke:

"With your strength so great, you surely wouldn't look down on this scrap metal."

"Better yet, give them all to us; we few guarantee we'll guard this place well!"

Among the six, a bespectacled man's expression was excited.

Since Lin An seems so easy to talk to...

His companion beside him lightly tugged his sleeve and added:

"Sir, if it's really not possible, even half the weapons would do."

"If it's convenient for you, could you leave us some meat cans?"

"We brothers guarantee we'll keep the grain depot secure— not even a mouse could get in!"

The base personnel in the vehicle were furious— these people are really pushing their luck?

Zhang Tie snorted angrily, arms crossed, and asked coldly:

"Want to leave a few female students to keep you company?"

"Staring at the grain depot all day, isn't it lonely?"

The man in the suit wore an apologetic smile, waving his hands repeatedly, signaling his companions to first ask for weapons.

"We wouldn't dare; being able to help you guard the grain depot is our honor."

"But as you can see, we're ordinary folks; without weapons we can't defend ourselves."

Zhang Tie gave a cold snort, too lazy to look at these people.

If it weren't for Lin Dui not speaking, with his violent temper he'd have already jumped out of the vehicle and wrung these people's necks.

"There are still weapons on the ground; you can go look for them."

After his words fell.

Lin An sat upright in the vehicle, gesturing to start it and head back to the base, his gaze falling on the last special Props.

The Rat King's token— he had never had time to examine it.

"Boom—"

The engine rumbled low, the convoy laden with food slowly turned around

"Lin Dui!"

Zhang Tie was seething with anger; through the glass, the few people left in the grain depot were happily rummaging everywhere for weapons.

"Isn't the chat channel supposed to be opened right away?"

"If these people stay here, uncontrolled by us, what will we do if they expose the base's location later?"

Although these people don't know Lin An's true identity, they have been in contact for quite a while.

What if they figure it out?

Moreover, he really can't stand the smirks of these people.

Gao Tian remained silent, merely catching a glimpse out of the corner of his eye of the rat head in Brother Lin's hand.

Lin An ignored the displeased Zhang Tie, instead smiling at the just-awakened Mo Ling.

"You're awake?"

Mo Ling rubbed his eyes, dazedly nodding.

"I'll give you a gift."

"Whoosh."

A projectile arced out, the rat head with its mouth open landing in her hand.

She lifted her head in surprise, looking at the smiling Lin An.

Lin An's gaze shifted to behind her, and he slowly said:

Give it a try.

The effect of the flesh-and-blood puppet.

The granary indeed needs someone to guard it.

But.

The dead would be better.

Ten minutes later, Zhang Tie grinned as he watched hundreds of zombies rush into the granary, then leisurely swallowed a mouthful of canned food.

He turned his head to look at the contemplative Lin An, his eyes curious.

Captain Lin, you've been watching for several minutes already.

What exactly is that token?