[{"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-145":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},2319383,4536,"Chapter 145: Midnight Visitor","the-fiercest-man-in-the-end-times-chapter-145",145,"\u003Cp>One shake, two shakes, three shakes, four, five, six, seven, eight…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At midnight twelve, Zhang Su got up from bed after grabbing two hours of sleep, it was time for him to take over Zheng Xinyu’s watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He put on his clothes and stepped out of the RV; the air outside was chilly, hovering around seven to eight degrees—cold enough to sting but not enough to freeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su rubbed his hands, climbed quietly onto the RV, lit a cigarette, and whispered, “Xinyu, go rest.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xinyu suddenly reached out and pinched the inside of Zhang Su’s thigh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ow…” Zhang Su thought she was up to something, but he hadn’t expected her to grab his soft flesh—he winced and lowered his voice: “Are you crazy? Why pinch me?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he rubbed his inner thigh, it felt worse than being slashed by a knife…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xinyu pressed her gaze close to Zhang Su’s face, shoved her pistol and walkie-talkie into his arms, and growled: “Last time with me, you only lasted twenty-two minutes. Today, the RV shook for twenty-eight. Hmph!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su froze. By the time he snapped back to reality, Zheng Xinyu had already descended the stairs slowly. He ran to the side and flipped her the middle finger: “You’re a freak—still keeping track of time? Fuck!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hmph.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xinyu gave another dainty huff, leaving Zhang Su stunned in the wind, then went back to the RV to sleep.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su rubbed his slightly long hair, sighed helplessly, and sat on the folding chair. He turned on the walkie-talkie: “Xiao Pang, Xiao Pang, wake up and pee!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, the walkie-talkie crackled back: “Uncle, I’m not asleep. I saw lights from Pangezhuang—flashed a flashlight two hours ago. Owa.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pang Dakun was wide awake, scanning the rooftops while chatting with his corgi, Lucky. The mood was relaxed, almost carefree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Probably just someone going back to the village for supplies. Not unusual. Keep watching. Don’t slack off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Roger, Owa!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You keep saying ‘Owa’—what’s with the ‘Owa’?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su found Pang Dakun’s plastic English annoying—he could just speak normally, why mimic an Indian accent?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I saw it in movies—spies always say ‘Owa’ after using the radio. Owa.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine, Owa-Owa, no need to reply!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su shook his head, picked up the binoculars, stared into the distance, and began planning ahead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xinyu’s watch was from nine PM to midnight; Zhang Su’s was midnight to three AM; the final shift naturally fell to Zhong Xiaoshanjian, who would stay until dawn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon, it was three AM. Zhong Xiaoshanjian stepped out of the RV and found Zhang Su stabbing zombies at the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Some zombie from a nearby village wandered over here.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su gently lowered the zombie he’d just killed with his dagger, then turned to Zhong Xiaoshanjian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re tired. Go back to the RV and warm up—you can still sleep a few hours.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Xiaoshanjian wrapped the tablecloth shawl tighter around herself, then kissed Zhang Su on the cheek.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But as Zhang Su turned to walk toward the RV, he suddenly froze, his ears twitching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What’s wrong?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Xiaoshanjian whispered softly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Shh!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su signaled for silence. At that moment, his walkie-talkie crackled to life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Su, three people approaching from the city, three people approaching from the city, Owa!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su and Zhong Xiaoshanjian quickly retreated from the factory gate, hiding behind the wall. Soon, hurried footsteps grew louder, then came the ragged breathing of approaching figures.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Under the dim glow of the walkie-talkie’s light, Zhang Su and Zhong Xiaoshanjian exchanged glances—both read the same thought: those three were heading straight for the factory!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As expected, moments later, two beams of light pierced through the gate barrier and lit up the yard. Outside, voices rose.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle Jia, you weren’t mistaken—there are people here!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“This barricade is new—the branches were definitely cut yesterday!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I told you I saw a flicker on the roof! Thank God—we’re saved at last!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From their voices, Zhang Su identified three men. He gripped his USP tightly—three armed men could easily crush their makeshift camp.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just as Zhang Su tensed, the outsiders raised their voices.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hello, Master inside! We’re survivors who escaped the city. Can you spare us some help?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An aged voice echoed through the factory yard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su motioned to Zhong Xiaoshanjian to stay put, then stepped out of the darkness, switched on his flashlight, and aimed the gun’s beam at the gate: “Raise your hands. Keep them where I can see them. Don’t move!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bright light blinded them, but they clearly saw the black barrel of the pistol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t shoot! We’re not bad people! We didn’t come to cause trouble! Brother, we’re all good people! Here—take our weapons! Quick, Xiao Qi, Xiao Lü, hand them over!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clatter-clatter—two homemade spears and a crowbar were tossed inside the barricade. Unless they removed the barrier, the men couldn’t retrieve their weapons—clearly sincere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Pang, you got caught smoking. No more smoking during watch!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su scolded Pang Dakun over the walkie-talkie. The men had been clear—the rooftop flash was definitely Pang Dakun’s cigarette.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Got it, Uncle… Owa.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pang Dakun replied quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su turned to the three men outside: “Step back. Turn around—let me see you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They’d thrown out their weapons, but they likely still had hidden gear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three obeyed, stepping back and slowly turning twice. The man called Uncle Jia spoke: “Brother, we’re just ordinary survivors.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su studied them closely, found no obvious threat, then asked: “Where are you from?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, we escaped from Qincheng. Yesterday, our settlement was overrun by zombies. We barely got out—we’ve got almost no food or water. Can you help? We’ll trade tools and medicine!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man, Jia Shiqin, spoke earnestly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their voices carried clearly through the silent night. Slowly, people emerged from the RVs and factory buildings. Zhong Xiaoshanjian informed them of the situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Pang, check if anyone’s lurking nearby!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su ordered Pang Dakun to scout.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The middle-aged man understood Zhang Su’s concern and quickly clarified: “Brother, only the three of us. We’ve been running alone—no one else. We mean no harm.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle, no one visible in any direction, Owa!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Pang Dakun reported.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll ask, you answer. What did you do before the disaster?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su sensed the three were polite and restrained—he didn’t just chase them off or offer immediate trade. He wanted to probe their background first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The three outside paused, then the middle-aged man said: “I was an electrician.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A younger voice added: “I was a hairstylist at a barbershop.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last one said: “I was a delivery guy…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su nodded, then asked: “Second question: Have you killed any zombies?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The electrician and the delivery guy answered in unison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hairstylist stammered weakly: “What if I didn’t kill it?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su ignored the hairstylist and asked: “Last question: Have you killed a person?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, no…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the hairstylist and the delivery guy answered together, waving their hands frantically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The electrician, Jia Shiqin, lowered his head slightly, then said: “What about someone who was infected but hadn’t turned yet?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su focused his flashlight on the electrician’s face, unafraid of blinding him, studying his expression. But before he could read anything, a startled voice rang out behind him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master Jia?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Huajun stepped out from the crowd, wrapped in a coat, and rushed to Zhang Su’s side, her voice trembling: “Brother Su, he—he’s Uncle Jia, the man my daughter wrote about!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Uncle Jia…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su murmured, memories flooding back—Tan Huajun’s Phoenix International complex had once housed a man named Jia who had formed a self-rescue group; Tan Huajun’s daughter and father had left the compound with that group.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the gate, the man Tan Huajun called Master Jia looked confused, shielding his eyes from the flashlight: “Who are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su dimmed the flashlight beam and shifted it toward Tan Huajun.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Me? Xiao Tan—the gas station attendant! Last summer, my electric scooter wouldn’t charge—you fixed it for me!” Tan Huajun blurted out, then, without waiting for a reply, pressed urgently: “Master Jia, where are the others from your rescue team?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At this question, the three men outside slumped.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su’s heart sank. He turned to those behind him: “Come on, move the barrier.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xue and Zhang Ya hurried forward to dismantle a section of the wire fence. Lu Yubo, Zhao Dezhu, and several other men, weapons in hand, welcomed the three outsiders inside—though Tan Huajun knew their leader, caution still lingered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Huajun rushed to Jia Shiqin, shaking his shoulders: “Master Jia, don’t scare me—where are Xiao Lan and my father?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thwack!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No one expected Jia Shiqin to suddenly slap himself hard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s my fault—all because I was careless, I didn’t think it through. I’ve doomed everyone…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Tan Huajun’s knees buckled. Her belief shattered instantly. Zhang Su caught her in time: “Come on, come inside—let’s talk!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1479,"2026-06-20T15:15:14.526Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","036f414e94019216a779ec11742ac40a6e4ef32b3ccec1aff6250f753e9d5c9c","the-fiercest-man-in-the-end-times-chapter-146","the-fiercest-man-in-the-end-times-chapter-144",694,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-fiercest-man-in-the-end-times-cover.jpg"]