Chapter 151: Not Killing the Good, Never Letting the Bad Go Free

"Su-ge, Su-ge!? What's wrong with you!?"

As Zhang Su was absorbing this new world, a hand waved frantically in front of his face, startling him into a half-step backward; the scenery in his eyes shifted like a camera rapidly refocusing, leaving his mind dizzy.

His vision had been enhanced, but the rest of his hardware couldn't keep up—this was the result…

It's like putting a twelve-cylinder engine on a bread van's chassis—step on the gas and it might just explode.

Zheng Xinyu hurriedly grabbed Zhang Su's shoulder, her face filled with worry: "Husband, where does it hurt?"

"No, no…" Zhang Su shook his head with his eyes closed, then slowly opened them—his night vision still active, zoom reverted, focal length restored to normal, bringing him much relief.

"Probably low blood sugar—got dizzy. Help me up!"

Holding Zheng Xinyu's hand, Zhang Su sat back in the driver's seat, rubbed his temples, and a Snickers bar was pressed to his lips.

"Eat one—if it's low blood sugar, it'll help."

Zheng Xinyu nodded firmly.

"Alright, get seated, we're leaving!"

Zhang Su bit into the Snickers, locked the door, turned to check on everyone before starting the vehicle—and froze. The interior was crammed with at least ten people!

Besides the original occupants of the Mercedes RV—Zheng Xinyu, Zhong Xiaoshanyi, Yu Wen, Yu Qing, and Zhao Dezhù—there were now Liu Tianji, Wang Xin, the delivery guy, Jia Shiqin, Xiang Wei, and a woman whose name he couldn't tell—Tang Xiaoxiao or Tang Xiu?

"What the hell are you all doing cramming into my vehicle…?"

Grumbling, Zhang Su started the engine. Fortunately, the RV had a staggering six-ton load capacity—adding a few more people wouldn't be a problem, just cramped.

Vroom.

As the engine roared and the headlights lit up, Zhang Su noticed that light sources appeared subtly different in his vision—clearly distinguishable, no more confusion between actual light and night vision artifacts. The world looked radically altered—he'd need to adjust slightly.

He believed this adjustment wouldn't be hard—like moving from frugality to luxury, it was easy.

"Let's go!"

The vehicle lurched forward. Zhang Su glanced sideways at the Jin Yuan Mall, where flames now raged fiercely—fire had spread across the first floor, and over twenty zombies danced wildly in the blaze, acting more frenzied than usual, as if burning their last life energy.

In a few hours, this place would be nothing but blackened ruins. Whether the fire would spread to Building B—or farther—was no longer his concern.

At just past four in the morning, before dawn, the fire from Jin Yuan Mall blazed into the sky, staining the night red.

Three vehicles sped along the deserted road, illuminated by the dim glow of the fire. After confirming direction, Zhang Su headed toward the Cultural Road Team's encampment. Whether they could get weapons from the military base was uncertain—but at least they'd go see the situation before deciding.

"Bro, you're heading straight there?"

Zhao Dezhù knew Qincheng well—he recognized landmarks and guessed Zhang Su's destination.

Zhang Su nodded, took a sip of mineral water from the cup holder, and said: "Correct. But first, we handle one thing."

From Jin Yuan Mall to Cultural Road No. 1 was only about four kilometers. With his night vision, Zhang Su had to slow down slightly—otherwise the two vehicles behind would lose him.

Also, this ability wasn't as discreet as his hearing—it could easily slip out in daily life. Zhang Su didn't want others to know his trump card. He had to be careful.

After winding through back streets, the convoy didn't head straight for the destination. At a corner, Zhang Su pulled the Mercedes RV into the parking lot of a furniture store.

Hongxing Meilong was Qincheng's largest furniture store—normally opened at 9: 0 a. . This whole area consisted of home renovation businesses. The sparse vehicles in the parking lot showed how few people had been around since the disaster began.

Even after more than half a month, only twenty or thirty zombies wandered nearby, some far away, none drawn by the vehicle's noise.

Puff, puff—pssst!

Without any instruction, everyone silently dispatched the surrounding zombies upon exiting, then followed Zhang Su toward the furniture store.

"If someone's already taken over this place, we stay friendly—we're only staying temporarily until dawn, then leaving. Avoid pointless conflict! Is the door locked?"

As Zhang Su spoke to those beside him, he reached the entrance and saw a large iron padlock hanging on the glass door.

"I'll do it! I'll do it!"

Wang Xin volunteered, jammed a crowbar into the door, twisted hard—*crack*—the lock didn't break, but the handle snapped off. He sheepishly scratched his head: "We can get in now…"

"Either the security staff didn't follow protocol, or survivors came before the power went out—otherwise, the security gate should've dropped."

Zhang Ya, who seemed familiar with the place, whispered quietly.

One by one, everyone entered the furniture store's lobby. A scent of perfume mixed with rotting mud hit them—unpleasant, especially the perfume.

"Holy shit, looks like security negligence! No one's been here…"

In the dark, Zhao Dezhù shone his flashlight around. The first-floor floor was wet from floodwater, but no severed limbs, no bloodstains—just a thin layer of silt, not even footprints.

"It's normal no survivors came. Food and drink are the most vital supplies. Maybe they kept some tea and snacks for customers, but not much. The payoff here is too low—I wouldn't come either!"

While others grew suspicious, Zhang Su had already scanned every visible area—he confirmed Zhao Dezhù's observation: no one had been here.

"But… no survivors makes sense. Why no zombies either? Zhemedayigejiajucheng ， Lianzhiyedeanbaodoumeiyou ？"

Zhang Su scanned the visible floors—no movement at all. The silence was eerie.

Zhang Ya said: "Su-ge, security here doesn't always patrol inside. I used to work at Xuri Furniture—some security guy told me they'd gather in the monitoring room to play cards during night shifts…"

"Maybe the security didn't turn into zombies—they escaped."

Zhong Xiaoshanjian added another possibility.

Zhang Su nodded: "Alright, stay alert. Xiao Chen, Xiao Yu—you two keep watch here, guard the vehicles. Earlier at Jin Yuan Mall's entrance, a shark-arm tried stealing from the RV—I caught him red-handed!"

"Huh?"

Everyone was stunned—they had no idea this had happened.

"So that's why you jumped out of the car earlier—to chase him?" Zheng Xinyu realized.

Zhang Su nodded: "Right. He went into Building B, so I left him alone. But stay alert—other survivors are getting more dangerous."

As time passed, survivors' food supplies dwindled, all resources were being consumed. To some, raiding through zombie hordes was far riskier than fighting their own kind!

"Got it, Su-ge, I'm on it!"

Chen Hanzhou nodded, his left hand brushing the USP in his chest.

"Let's go sit at Tianliang Redwood—while we settle what needs settling."

With that, Zhang Su shone his flashlight on the shop sign and walked ahead.

Two stayed behind to guard the entrance. Everyone filed in, lit a camping lantern, and illuminated the entire store.

"Redwood sofa, heh—I've never sat on one in my life! Ah… so comfortable."

Zhao Dezhù patted the hard armrest, plopped down—and winced from the sharp pain in his back. Still, he grinned: "Comfortable!"

"Old Tan, how's your daughter doing? Ask her what happened before—get this trio sorted out fast!"

Zhang Su leapt onto a long sofa, sat on the backrest, adopting a lofty posture.

Hearing "trio" meant to be eliminated, Tang Xiaoxiao and Tang Xiu immediately panicked—because they were definitely included.

"Bro, big brother, we have nothing to do with Xiang Wei—we just escaped together. Everything was his doing. Vengeance has a target—go after him, not us!"

"Exactly! Jia Captain, you don't know—he faked his leg injury! Wrapped it in gauze, smeared blood on it just to avoid work. Worst part… that blood came from a sanitary pad!"

The two women's mouths turned into machine guns, frantically distancing themselves from Xiang Wei—and throwing dirt on him.

Zhang Su's team exchanged glances—what kind of people are these? Truly bizarre!

"What?" Jia Shiqin stared at Xiang Wei, still half-unconscious beside him, fury boiling: "I trusted him so much… and he's this kind of person?!"

"Enough! Shut up! I don't believe your side stories—let Old Tan ask his daughter!"

Tan Hua had gradually calmed down after getting in the car. Hearing their conversation, her heart dropped. She looked at her daughter, softly: "Lanlan, can you tell Mom what happened in the mall? How did Grandpa get hurt?"

Mo Qianlan had been stable—dazed but calm. But hearing "mall" and "Grandpa," her emotions shattered. Tears streamed down, her lips moved, but no sound came out.

Some people, after enduring disaster and surviving day after day in the apocalypse, grow stronger. Everyone in Zhang Su's team belonged to this group.

But some, after relentless psychological torment, completely break down…

Mo Qianlan was just a fifteen- or sixteen-year-old girl. Half a month ago, she was happily in school, maybe even secretly dating a boy. Her life now was a world apart. After seeing her grandfather bitten by zombies, she'd nearly collapsed.

Everyone was helpless. Tan Hua hugged her daughter tightly, whispering soothing words.

"Huh." Zheng Xinyu stepped forward, tugged at Mo Qianlan's backpack, and blurted: "Sis, do you like Muzan? I'm a Demon Slayer fan too—hey, who's hotter, Shinobu Kocho or Muichiro Tokito?"

Only Liu Tianji, standing guard at the door, understood Zheng Xinyu's words—he barely held back from spitting out his drink. Talking about anime now? Are you serious?

Yet those words made Mo Qianlan's vacant eyes clear slightly. Through her tears, she looked at the kind-smiling stranger, then at her anxious mother, her lip quivered—and she burst into sobs.

"Crying's better than bottling it up. Let her cry." Yu Wen said gravely.

Tan Hua wiped her daughter's tears, softly: "Lanlan, don't be afraid. Mom's here. All these uncles and aunts are here. Don't be afraid."

"Mom!" Mo Qianlan finally spoke, then pointed at Xiang Wei on the ground: "It's him, Mom! He did it all! He set the fire! He killed Uncle Ma! Then he shoved Grandpa to block the zombies—Grandpa's leg was bitten right then!"

"Dad…"

Tan Hua closed her eyes in agony, imagining her father struggling desperately—her heart twisted.

"What?!" Jia Shiqin exclaimed in shock: "Xiang Wei did this? How… how could he…?"

"Why not?" Tang Xiu spoke up: "Xiang Wei's a scumbag. He forced Tang Xiaoxiao and me to be his women—promised to protect us only if we let him touch us. He even tried molesting Lanlan—only Old Tan fought him off and stopped that monster!"

Tang Xiaoxiao, tears streaming, added: "It's true—the mall fire was set by Xiang Wei on purpose. We were terrified. He wanted chaos, so Old Tan and Uncle Ma would hold off the zombies while he escaped."

"Xiang! Wei!"

Tan Hua gritted her teeth, spat out the two names. She'd killed many zombies and people since the disaster—but never had she felt such murderous intent. She drew her short dagger and strode toward Xiang Wei.

Zhong Xiaoshanjian gently took Tan Hua's place, pulling Mo Qianlan into her arms to comfort her.

Zheng Xinyu leaned close to Mo Qianlan, whispering: "I think Sanemi Shinazugawa is hotter…"

"Old Tan, you're acting rashly." Zhang Su pulled out a cigarette, lit it, jumped down, and blocked Tan Hua's path.

"What… what do you mean, Su-ge? Are you stopping me from killing him? He killed my father, tried to defile Lanlan—I must kill him today!"

Tan Hua's teeth clenched. Since the disaster, she'd never been this furious. Before, killing was often forced—but this was different!

"Of course not!"

Zhang Su shook his head: "Xiang Wei deserves to die—but not blindly. And do you really believe these two women? Shouldn't you ask Lanlan again—or Xiang Wei himself? What have these two women done?"

Everyone's hearts tightened. Not to die blindly—meaning Xiang Wei must die fully aware, enduring every fear before death. As for these two women—what was their true role? Unknown.

Precisely because it was unknown, they had to find out—so no innocent died, and no guilty escaped!

(End of Chapter)