Chapter 188: One of Them Lied

"You've even heard of the Survivors' Alliance?"

Zhang Su was surprised; the people of Xidaying Village were surprisingly well-informed.

"We didn't know at first, but recently—about four or five days ago—they started broadcasting nonstop. How could we not know? Boss Zhang, don't you get the signal on your end?"

Ma Changshou subtly probed, trying to judge where Zhang Su's group had come from based on his reception.

"Oh? Hah! Lately I've been busy dealing with those bastards from Beitaiziying, forgot to even tune in. Anyway, I've got a thousand jin of grain ready. If you hear anything, contact me right away! We're off!"

Zhang Su waved goodbye, got back in the vehicle, and sped away from Xidaying Village with a press of the accelerator.

"Village Chief, you think… those guys with the surname Zhang have some kind of conflict with Beitaiziying?"

Someone beside Ma Changshou couldn't help asking.

"I don't know any more than you do… but he's got wounds on his face, and that young guy with him is bruised too. Sounds like trouble. Our area's probably going to get chaotic."

Ma Changshou frowned, staring at the direction the RV had vanished.

Zhang Su stared at Lu Yubo like he was an idiot, and the smile on Lu's face vanished under the gaze.

By the end, Lu Yubo had gotten so carried away by his own fantasy that he burst out laughing.

Ma Changshou shook his walkie-talkie, turned with his hands behind his back, and walked toward the village, his eyes gleaming with deep calculation.

A young man said: "Chief, should we help them find Beitaiziying?"

Lu Yubo grinned, rolled his eyes.

Tan Huajun sneered: "The broadcast only listed the Survivors' Alliance's advantages. It didn't mention any drawbacks—or what survivors have to give up or do to join. Clearly, it's the classic trap: lure people in, then exploit them."

After driving away from Xidaying Village, Zhang Su pulled over to the roadside and turned on the radio, tuning the frequency.

After listening to the entire broadcast, Zhang Su and the others exchanged glances.

"That's right, Boss, I think Xiao Shuai's idea's solid. You're our leader—you're out there every day, working your ass off. Let's just set up a name: Tianma Army. Heh, sounds mighty. Survivors will flock to us. We'll be the founding members, no more hard labor—just chill in the safe zone, eat well, drink well, ha ha!"

Lately, their focus had been on building the Tianma Island Safe Base; they hadn't listened to outside broadcasts in a long time. Soon, a clear female voice crackled from the speaker.

He'd never intended to get involved in this mess. In his view, managing his own little patch of land was enough—no need to meddle in other factions' conflicts.

"Beitaiziying's definitely operating around Niuziquan Town. How could they possibly show up here? Just keep an eye out while maintaining the river and clearing zombies. We're probably not getting that thousand jin of grain."

Over the past few days, Guo Dachao and Yang Wenjie had worked tirelessly at the base, behaved properly, and got along well with everyone else—they clearly wanted to belong.

Zhang Su nodded, analyzing: "Qincheng's permanent population was about eight hundred thousand. Based on our survival rate estimates, there are probably no more than five thousand survivors left in the city. Half of them likely left like us. Even pessimistically, fewer than fifteen hundred probably remain."

"Survivors' Alliance: your warm haven in the apocalypse. We've transformed LeGou Mall into an impregnable fortress against zombies. We've successfully repelled two zombie horde assaults—remarkable achievements! Here, you'll have hot meals when you're hungry, soft blankets when you're cold, professional doctors when you're sick—your life will be maximally secure!"

"Either Guo Dachao or the broadcast is lying. Who do you trust more?"

"Heh… anyone can spout official jargon. And they even hired some flashy woman to broadcast it. Who are they trying to fool? I believe Guo Dachao!"

Zhang Su asked with a strange expression.

Qi Xiaoshuai's eyes darted, then he grinned: "Boss, why don't we raise our own flag too? Look—we've got land, we've got guns. Perfect chance to expand. More people means more hands to get things done!"

"According to Guo Dachao, the Survivors' Alliance has a hundred to two hundred members. It hasn't been long, yet they've grown fast. In the apocalypse, people's tolerance and adaptability are high. Even if it's hard, even if it's exhausting, as long as there's stability, hardship doesn't matter."

"Survivors' Alliance: welcome all survivors who hear this broadcast to join our warm family and build our post-apocalyptic homeland together! Rain or shine, we'll be waiting for you at LeGou Mall!"

"B-Boss, what's wrong? Did I say something wrong?" Lu Yubo asked nervously, looking at Zhang Su: "Is 'Tianma Army' not cool enough? We can change it—how about 'Tianma Gang'?"

"Tan, you're not going to say anything? You're our team's first female powerhouse."

Zhang Su teased.

Tan Huajun waved her plump hand, embarrassed: "Power struggles are your men's favorite pastime—I don't understand any of that. No matter what happens, just make sure you give me and Lanlan some care."

"You've got a nice idea, Bozi. But do you know why our safe base has such unity?"

Zhang Su pulled out a cigarette, lit it, and glanced at the surrounding fields—untended for one or two months, now half-wild.

Lu Yubo nodded, confused: "Boss, you lead well. Our team's got strong cohesion."

"It's not as simple as you think…" Zhang Su knew this guy's thinking was limited. "We twenty are bound by shared hardship and survival. Anyone who joins later hasn't fought beside us. There'll always be distance."

"I've been thinking about base expansion. But suitable people are rare. Those who can match Guo Dachao and Yang Wenjie are already exceptional. Maybe we need to change our strategy…"

Here Zhang Su fell silent. He had a rough idea forming in his mind—too immature to reveal yet. He'd refine it slowly and implement it gradually.

"Let's go. See if we can find two more vehicles from nearby villages!"

Saying that, Zhang Su started the car and drove forward, turning onto a decent concrete road cutting through the fields.

The Mercedes RV offered strong safety and functionality, but poor mobility—it struggled to turn around in narrow spaces and guzzled fuel. Unsuitable for daily use. The Prado and minivan were both destroyed. The only vehicle left at the base was a leaky Hilux. They urgently needed more cars.

Soon, Zhang Su found a village called Beiyashan, geographically part of Beidong Town.

Aside from scattered villages in mountain gullies, Qincheng had completed rural planning. Villagers' homes were neatly arranged. The village was tiny—barely a dozen rows of houses, each row with eleven or twelve households. Even if some people still lived in the fields, the population wouldn't exceed a thousand.

The village was in terrible shape. Unlike Shuipao Village, which had time to set up barriers, this place was overrun with zombies, wandering everywhere. Rotten limbs lay scattered across the ground—even in the cold, they had already decayed.

Clearly, no living people remained here. Possibly, no one even escaped.

Zombies wandered the fields too, but some corpses lay still on the ground—likely cleared by someone. Which faction did it? Unknown.

Looking toward the village, many vehicles could be seen, though most were damaged to varying degrees.

The vehicles left behind showed how dire the villagers' fate had been—they never even had a chance to flee. Truly horrific.

"There are plenty of cars, but so many zombies… and we don't know where the keys are. Can't get them…"

Lu Yubo got out, weapon in hand, staring at a relatively intact GL8 parked outside a courtyard gate, troubled.

Over twenty zombies shuffled along the street directly ahead. Getting close would trigger a commotion—if one group attracted others, and the zombies from two rows of houses swarmed them, it'd be dangerous!

"Look for the keys inside the houses. Most cars have two sets. Would you carry the spare on you all the time?"

Zhang Su drew his weapon, frowned at the distance, and began planning how to deal with the zombies.

The surroundings were too complex, and they were too few. Luring them away wasn't feasible.

Finally, they decided to set up barriers along the road leading into the village, then rush close to draw the zombies out and kill them. Sound was too unpredictable—only using their faces to aggro them was reliable!

Zhang Su and the other three were seasoned veterans—even Tan Huajun, a woman, was ferociously capable. They quickly built the barriers. Qi Xiaoshuai volunteered to be the face-aggressor.

"Zombies are faster now. Don't let your guard down."

Zhang Su warned Qi Xiaoshuai, who was lightly armed.

"Relax, Boss. I used to be a top-tier food delivery guy. You think every neighborhood had elevators? I'd sprint up six flights without breathing hard. I've never been afraid of running, heh!"

Qi Xiaoshuai set off with full confidence.

As he claimed, he sprinted close, drew the zombies' attention, then bolted back, leaped over the barrier, and grabbed his weapon, ready to fight.

Seventeen or eighteen zombies shrieked and lunged toward Zhang Su's group. From their appearance, they were among the first wave of direct infection victims—clothing worn and rotted by sun and rain, no other wounds visible.

"We're all elite fighters. No room for mistakes!"

Zhang Su gripped a one-meter steel rod, gloved hands, fully equipped. Axes and hammers were obsolete now—kept on his belt as backups.

Lu Yubo still used his grain sampling tool—made of special material, uniquely shaped. Properly used, it was nearly indestructible.

Tan Huajun hadn't changed weapons either—still wielding the caliper Zhang Su had given her. Heavy, sharp. With enough strength, its lethality was undeniable.

Qi Xiaoshuai used the same steel rod as Zhang Su.

(End of Chapter)