[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-fiercest-man-in-the-end-times":3,"chapter-the-fiercest-man-in-the-end-times-the-fiercest-man-in-the-end-times-chapter-138":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Fiercest Man in the End Times",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2319376,4536,"Chapter 138: Difficult Choice","the-fiercest-man-in-the-end-times-chapter-138",138,"\u003Cp>“That’s really a zombie’s voice!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But Brother Su said it was a person…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn it, is it a person or a zombie?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group couldn’t help muttering among themselves, tightening their grip on their weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su squinted, shining his flashlight on the wooden office door; over ten seconds passed with no response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He spoke again: “I’ll say it once more—come out, hands raised above your head, don’t try anything, don’t force us to act.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few seconds after he finished, the faded wooden door slowly creaked open, revealing a woman in tattered clothes standing in the flashlight beam; unaccustomed to the harsh light, one arm raised, the other shielding her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The men holding flashlights shifted their beams to the ground nearby, allowing the woman to reveal her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“See? I told you—anyone seeing this would be terrified! Doesn’t she look like a ghost? Tell me!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yubo perked up instantly upon seeing the woman’s appearance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t surprising he’d been startled—her hair was wild and matted, standing up like a Saiyan transformation, her face streaked with black and white smudges, unrecognizable, and against the dark, gloomy warehouse backdrop, she was undeniably frightening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su hesitated, unsure what to ask, when suddenly another zombie cry came from inside the office—he said, “Miss, why is there a zombie crying in there?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s a zombie?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman shook her head helplessly, her voice clear and crisp, then added: “That’s my daughter inside. She’s sick. Please, have mercy, don’t hurt us.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Got it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su and his group exchanged glances, instantly understanding what had happened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He gave Zhong Xiaoshan a glance—this was a moment when a woman’s approach would work better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Sister… we’d never hurt you. Come on, tell me what trouble you’re in—are you hungry? Let’s talk outside.” Zhong Xiaoshan, as a nurse, could be as gentle as a calm lake, soothing to the soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I—I won’t go. I have to care for my daughter. Don’t trick me—I won’t fall for it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The woman was clearly highly suspicious, not moving an inch, her toes pointed toward the office, unwilling to leave even slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You all go out and wait.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Xiaoshan whispered to those beside her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Be careful, don’t let your guard down!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su warned, then led the group out of the warehouse one by one; he saw Zheng Xinyu leaning out of the vehicle, so he walked over and explained the situation to her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About five or six minutes passed, just as Zhang Su was about to enter, Zhong Xiaoshan stepped out alone and shook her head at the group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What happened?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Xiaoshan led everyone to the RV and said: “Da Kun, isn’t there a Pangezhuang nearby?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pang Dakun nodded vigorously, pointing southwest: “Right over there, not far from here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Xiaoshan continued: “The sister’s name is Pan Guihua. She used to live in Pangezhuang. When the virus broke out, she stayed home with her second daughter—the one who turned into a zombie. She still believes the girl is just sick…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The survivors in her village refused to take Pan Guihua with them unless she killed the zombified child. She refused, so she fled with her daughter and has been hiding here ever since.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The outcome matched what the group had guessed, but now that the suspicion was confirmed, a quiet sorrow settled over them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What about her husband and her eldest child?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Huajun asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Xiaoshan pointed toward the city: “Her husband works at the Qincheng Construction Materials Market, living with a few coworkers in the city. Her eldest is attending a boarding school at Qincheng No. 3 High.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Third… high?” Tan Huajun’s lip twitched—he recalled the scene when they’d left Yihe Auto Repair, where the attackers had been zombified students from No. 3 High. He guessed the boy was likely dead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How old was the zombified girl?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su frowned and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Four years old…” Zhong Xiaoshan replied, her expression complex.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What a tragedy…” Yu Qing turned away, her eyes glistening, leaning into her father Yu Wen’s arms, unwilling to hear any more of this heartbreaking story.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When zombies attacked, they killed without caring if the victims were children or elders—but this situation made their hearts ache without reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What the hell are we supposed to do now…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su rubbed his head in frustration. They needed to temporarily settle and rest at Nonghua Glass Factory—there was no way they could keep a zombie living with them…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killing the zombie wouldn’t be hard, but doing it in front of the mother would be cruel beyond measure—and Pan Guihua would never allow it. In the end, someone might even die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Killing a villain? He could raise his blade without hesitation. But killing an innocent? It was truly beyond him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lu Brother, you’re always the toughest—why not step up?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Dezhu nudged Lu Yubo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yubo rolled his eyes and snapped: “I’m not going. Killing a kid in front of her mom? I can’t do it. No way, no way…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, he nervously glanced at Zhang Su, fearing he’d be ordered to kill the little zombie—but saw only a furrowed brow and deep worry, so he relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How does Pan Guihua control her child?” Zhang Su asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Xiaoshan pursed her lips: “She wraps the girl in blankets, ties them tight with hemp rope, covers her head with cloth, and puts two masks on her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“She’s taken decent precautions, but it’s still not enough. It’s far too dangerous.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su thought it over. Though Pan Guihua had bound the little zombie tightly, no one could guarantee no accident would happen—if she herself got bitten and turned at night, bursting out to attack, it would be terrifying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group was stuck. They knew the little zombie had to die, but they had no way to act directly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many now truly felt how hard it was to be the decision-maker—they could sit back, wait for Zhang Su to decide, and just follow orders, carrying far less psychological burden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the decision-maker bore the weight of moral guilt and the risk of failure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su paced beside the RV, then suddenly had an idea—he said to Zhong Xiaoshan: “Xiaoshan, go talk to Pan Guihua again. If she’s willing to move elsewhere, we can provide her with supplies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Su…” Yu Qing whispered: “Pan Guihua was here first…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She didn’t finish, but everyone understood her meaning—the atmosphere grew awkwardly tense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The original team members, familiar with Yu Qing’s nature, shrugged helplessly. But the three new arrivals—Liu Tianji and Wang Xin remained silent, while Zhou Litao’s gaze toward Yu Qing brightened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and exhaled smoke: “Under old moral standards, yes—first come, first served. But times are different now. I want this place for our team to rest safely. We must eliminate unstable elements. Right now, Pan Guihua—no, Pan Guihua’s daughter—is the unstable element.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Su is already being incredibly kind by offering food and supplies to make her leave…” Zhao Xue spoke softly: “Don’t you remember what happened to Wu Lue and me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At those words, Yu Qing bit her lip and fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I won’t kill the little zombie in front of Pan Guihua—but if she refuses to leave…” Zhang Su gripped his knife’s hilt, then added: “So Yu Qing, if you truly want her to be safe, go with Xiaoshan and convince her to leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The group felt a warmth in their chests—and a chill down their spines. For the team’s safety, he was willing to cross the line. He was warning everyone: don’t touch the red line, or the consequences would be severe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If Pan Guihua were alone hiding here, we wouldn’t drive her away—we’d even give her good food. But she’s hiding with a zombie. To her, it’s her daughter. To us, it’s a zombie. It’s too dangerous. I support Brother Su!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xinyu leaned out the vehicle window, raising her hand in agreement—her gaze lingered on Zhao Xue’s face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t her own villagers refuse to take her? We’re willing to feed her—what more do you want? I agree! Brother Su is truly merciful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Dezhu chimed in, but he flashed a nervous smile toward Yu Qing—caught between his best friend and his wife, it was a tough spot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yubo raised his hand high: “I wouldn’t mind killing them both—just don’t make me do it myself, hehe.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, almost everyone agreed with Zhang Su’s proposal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Wen looked awkwardly at Zhang Su and said: “Mr. Zhang, you don’t need to consult my daughter on matters like this—her thinking is outdated.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A fifty-year-old Chinese literature teacher criticizing a thirty-year-old chemistry teacher for outdated thinking—even in the apocalypse—was a shocking statement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Qing stared at her father in disbelief, cheeks puffed, speechless—then turned to Zhang Su: “Fine, I’ll go with Sister Zhong to talk to Pan Guihua.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yu Qing believed Zhang Su was right—if she truly wanted Pan Guihua’s well-being, she should urge her to compromise.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Go ahead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su didn’t scold Yu Qing. After all, she only spoke up—she usually acted responsibly. Besides, Yu Wen and Zhao Dezhu were capable, which somewhat balanced out Yu Qing’s behavior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deep down, Zhang Su felt the team needed someone with a touch of kindness—someone who could occasionally remind everyone that even when survival demanded ruthlessness, they mustn’t forget their humanity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some readers think Yu Qing is too saintly, but she never harms herself to help others. In my setting, her occasional objections act as brakes on the group’s descent into killing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1596,"2026-06-20T15:15:14.526Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8695ef749815f67cee27d7ec2b97a3fdeb89900c36ba005463d238f3cf6539bd","the-fiercest-man-in-the-end-times-chapter-139","the-fiercest-man-in-the-end-times-chapter-137",694,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-fiercest-man-in-the-end-times-cover.jpg"]