Chapter 187: Bounty

"They play with explosives, we'll make them eat bullets!"

Lu Yubo's heart brimmed with murderous intent.

Zhang Su's killing intent was no weaker than Lu Yubo's, but as leader of a twenty-man team, he needed composure—he didn't need to voice every thought.

He slapped Lu Yubo's shoulder and said, "Our top priority now is to find out where the Beita Ziying people are hiding!"

At this question, everyone in the room fell silent.

With local Wang Xin's help, they drove around for days, burning through half a tank of fuel, covering over a hundred kilometers, yet found not a trace of the Beita Ziying group.

Only two possibilities remained: either they had moved far beyond this cluster of villages to some distant refuge, or one among them was naturally skilled at concealment, hiding everyone quietly in some village, never stepping outside, no fire, no lights, no sound.

Since they could travel all the way to Tianma Yu to plant explosives, it's virtually impossible they've fled to some far-off place!

"One explosion isn't their end goal—they've already made enemies, and they know this move won't wipe us out, only deepen our hatred. There'll likely be more actions coming!"

Zhang Su spoke with absolute certainty.

"Brother's right—anyone who can make explosives knows their power. They never meant to kill us outright. Looks like they're planning a prolonged war?"

"Wang!"

Zhang Su was truly furious—and uneasy, as if a venomous snake watched him from the shadows. He must eliminate this threat soon!

After two days of rest at camp, Zhang Su ordered the destroyed road filled with sand and soil—uneven, but passable for vehicles.

Zhang Su clenched his teeth, then turned to Zhong Xiaoshan and asked, "Would taking a thousand jin of stored grain seriously affect us?"

"We've brought back plenty of grain lately; our stock is ample. Taking a thousand jin would have an impact, but we can bear it—the rest will last two months."

This trip wasn't for trade—Zhang Su would personally post the bounty notice.

They couldn't broadcast via FM—it would draw unwanted attention!

Koji had already scouted this route ahead and found no hazards, yet driving out of camp again still stirred unease.

They further strengthened camp defenses, but sent no one out to investigate—after all, even he had been caught off guard. Sending others would be reckless; they might learn nothing and lose more men.

Hao Yun nodded and dashed off with a whisper—she knew what to do.

Everyone exchanged glances. This possibility couldn't be ruled out—what if there were more explosives along the road?

For days, Hao Yun had patrolled the forests, especially along frequently used paths, yet never suspected the problem lay on the very road they used daily. The focus needed shifting.

Zhong Xiaoshan didn't know why Zhang Su asked about grain, but answered honestly.

Thinking of it, everyone felt a chill.

Zheng Xinyu pointed to Hao Yun, who sat crouched beside her, and said, "Send Hao Yun to check the road conditions!"

What they needed now was defense—deny the enemy any opening. Once they regained their footing, they'd strike with thunderous force!

Perhaps Beita Ziying had temporarily gone quiet, or perhaps the strengthened defenses had taken effect—days passed without incident.

"Beita Ziying is a cancer. It must be cut out!"

"I'm issuing a bounty—let Xida Ying and Lianhe Village help me find Beita Ziying. Unless they vanish completely, if they show their faces, I'll kill them!"

Everyone paused, puzzled—how did this relate to their grain reserves?

Zhao Dezhu also voiced his thoughts.

On the third day after the explosion, Zhang Su didn't stay at camp—he took Lu Yubo, Qi Xiaoshuai, and Tan Huajun, and drove their Mercedes RV cautiously onto the main road, heading toward Lianhe Village.

Zhong Xiaoshan nodded beside him: "Their goal was only to injure you, to plunge us into panic. Beita Ziying likely has a second plan—those explosives were just one part!"

"W-what? A thousand jin of grain for the hiding place of Beita Ziying villagers? Brother, what's going on?"

When Wang Xin heard Zhang Su's words, he couldn't believe it.

A thousand jin of grain didn't sound like much—but if rationed, it could feed fifty people for over half a month. Even Lianhe Village, with its decent reserves, would take this bounty seriously.

"Don't ask why. That's the price. You can swap it for daily supplies, medicine—anything, as long as the info is real. Here, frequency's set. If you get news, press the talk button and speak!"

Saying this, Zhang Su handed Wang Xin a walkie-talkie—there were plenty in camp, scavenged from a communications store, with a range far beyond normal—up to ten kilometers if no strong interference.

"Oh, oh, got it!"

Wang Xin took the walkie-talkie, nodding eagerly.

"That's settled. Hurry up—I'm heading to Xida Ying Village!"

Zhang Su sat in the car, delivered the message, then turned around and left.

"Boss Gui, Yanluowang's face is bruised—did they clash with Beita Ziying and get the worse of it?"

After the RV drove off, someone from Lianhe Village sidled up to Wang Xin and whispered.

"Yanluowang" was their secret nickname for Zhang Su—his terrifying demeanor, killing without blinking, had left a lasting impression.

Wang Xin unconsciously touched the spot on his face where Zhang Su had been injured, and shook his head: "I don't know, but I feel it's not simple. If they'd fought, they might've tracked down Beita Ziying's hideout…"

"Then what else could it be? Did Beita Ziying ambush them?"

Someone's face filled with shock.

Wang Xin nodded thoughtfully: "That's very possible. With Yanluowang's gear, they couldn't possibly lose to Beita Ziying's second-rate thugs. Trouble's coming—Ni Quanzi Town's about to shake."

"Then what should we do, Boss Gui? Should we help Yanluowang?" a villager asked.

Before Wang Xin could answer, a middle-aged man beside him spoke up: "Of course we help! Beita Ziying's like rabid dogs biting everyone—we can't stop them, but helping Yanluowang investigate? That's within our power!"

"Exactly! My uncle's right!"

Wang Xin nodded in agreement—the speaker was none other than his own second uncle.

"We don't just help Yanluowang—we help him fully. Don't be fooled by how cold-blooded he is—he knows right from wrong. Has he ever harmed us? He's a powerful ally. If we cling to him, our future will be far easier!"

"No more talk—act. Tell everyone to drop their tasks, move quietly, and stay safe!"

"Got it!"

"Yes!"

The villagers of Lianhe Village mobilized—electric scooters, motorcycles, small vans, even bicycles all rolled out.

Zhang Su's RV had barely left Lianhe Village when it reached the outskirts of Xida Ying Village.

Far off, he saw barricades piled on the bridge—more than before. Nailed wooden planks covered the ground, full-spectrum defense.

Any vehicle foolish enough to charge the checkpoint would meet a gruesome end.

In the car, Zhang Su pulled out a professional walkie-talkie, pressed the talk button: "Hello, Xinyu, can you hear me?"

"Voice coming through, Brother Su—clear!"

Moments later, the walkie-talkie crackled back.

"Brother Su, these military walkie-talkies are amazing. The straight-line distance from here to Tianma Yu is six or seven kilometers, yet we're still connected!"

Lu Yubo marveled.

Zhang Su gripped the walkie-talkie: "Wu Lue said the max range is twenty kilometers—but only over sea or grassland. Here, ten kilometers's the limit."

As he spoke, Zhang Su saw Ma Changshou leading a group out of the village, hurrying forward.

"Boss Zhang, what wind blew you here?"

Since the disaster, traffic had flowed mostly southward—northbound vehicles were rare. When Ma Changshou heard the Mercedes RV had arrived, he dropped everything and rushed to the village entrance.

"Old Village Head, I came to see you."

Zhang Su and the others stepped out of the car.

Ma Changshou saw their automatic rifles slung over shoulders, the leader's belt lined with grenades, and his lips trembled—he forced a wide smile and stepped forward.

"I'm just an old man—what could possibly bring Boss Zhang all this way? Need my help with something?"

The villagers behind Ma Changshou didn't find his flattery embarrassing—they were unnerved by the cold expressions on Zhang Su's group, unsure what had happened.

"Do you know Beita Ziying in Ni Quanzi Town?"

Zhang Su had no time for pleasantries—he cut straight to the point.

"I know there's a village called Beita Ziying over there. What about it?"

Ma Changshou looked puzzled.

"Their people sabotaged my place. I'm hunting them. I went to Beita Ziying—empty. Dozens vanished. If you know where they are, tell me. Verified info? A thousand jin of grain as reward."

As he spoke, Zhang Su handed Ma Changshou the walkie-talkie. Before the man could react, he added: "If you don't want grain, you can swap it for daily supplies, medicine, clothes—anything!"

"B-Boss Zhang, you've really got a grudge with them?"

Ma Changshou grabbed the walkie-talkie, eyes wide—a thousand jin of grain for one piece of intel? A massive offer.

"Something like that."

Zhang Su smiled faintly, gave no details, and pointed to the bridge: "How's business lately?"

Ma Changshou sensed Zhang Su didn't want to elaborate. He didn't press, gripping the walkie-talkie tightly, sighing: "Rumors say Qin Cheng has a group called the Survivors' Alliance—has gathered half the survivors there. Lately, fewer people leave town. No business left."

(End of Chapter)