Chapter 200: Nod Yes, Shake No

"Trade? That phrasing... is fresh! How do you mean it?" Scarface looked at Yu Wen with slight confusion, waiting for an explanation.

"Of course it's trade—you have modern weapons, proving real strength. We're simply trading food for this security. Isn't that how I understand it?"

"Hahaha! Old man, I like this 'trade' idea! If those other fools had your sense, our job would've been much easier! I won't hide it—we killed three people on this trip, all because they were stubborn, every last one a dumb donkey! Wait a moment..."

With that, Scarface turned and walked toward the pickup, speaking quietly with his companion, then returned to Yu Wen and pointed to the foot of the mountain: "Old man, you live up the mountain?"

"Yes, the mountain is a scenic area with a few guesthouses and Nongjia Academies. We came from Qincheng and settled there."

Yu Wen spoke half-truthfully.

"Oh, a scenic area." Scarface squinted toward Tianmayu, but due to the angle, he could see nothing but a faint, winding mountain road.

After careful thought, Scarface turned to his companion: "I'll go with the old man to take a look. You wait here. If I'm not back in ten minutes, you know what to do."

"Don't worry, Sang Ge!"

"Understood, understood!"

Yu Wen stopped walking, his head no longer shaking, and offered a pained smile: "I got injured during our escape. Now, every time I walk, my head sways uncontrollably."

Zheng Xinyu immediately picked up another walkie-talkie and relayed Zhang Su's message to those on the mountain.

Scarface noticed Yu Wen's strange behavior.

"Let's go, old man!"

Scarface tilted his head toward the foot of the mountain.

Yu Wen extended a sincere invitation to the group.

"I'm worried about the fire... never mind, it's definitely fine. Let's go!"

Soon, Zhang Su replied: "Means don't move. Those with guns, hide immediately. Keep working like you know nothing."

"Boss Zhang, Teacher Yu is bringing that guy up the mountain, but Teacher Yu keeps shaking his head—what does that mean?"

"Won't your others come? You've traveled far and endured hardship—why not come up for tea together?"

"No need. I just need to find the way. Don't be so talkative. Let's go!" Scarface firmly declined the invitation.

"Heh, truly fresh..."

"Oh, oh!"

Yu Wen sighed inwardly. If he could've tricked everyone into the camp, the problem would've been simple—but fate was against him...

He led the way toward the foot of the mountain, his head swaying as he walked, like he had Parkinson's.

Inside the Tianmayu monitoring room, Zheng Xinyu, watching the screen, was communicating with Zhang Su via walkie-talkie.

The members of the Green Dragon Corps tilted their chins proudly; their firearms gave them boundless courage.

"Old man, what's with all the head-shaking?"

Scarface spat and followed behind Yu Wen, carefully observing his surroundings.

Normally, whether by car or electric scooter, the distance from the road to Tianmayu felt no more than three or five minutes. But walking the eleven-mile path truly took time.

"Mr., on your journey southward, have you encountered any other people?"

On the way, Yu Wen asked in a casual tone.

"Don't ask so many questions!"

Scarface was unwilling to discuss this topic—perhaps fearing coordinated retaliation from protection-racket organizations.

"Alright, alright, I won't ask. Then... does the Green Dragon Corps still accept survivors? If someone wants to join, what are the requirements?"

Yu Wen changed the subject.

"We have a dedicated screening department. If you've got skills, we'll take you in. Which team you're assigned to depends on your ability! Old man, why so many questions? Are you eating too well in your camp?"

Yu Wen's lips twitched, and he gave an awkward smile: "Just bored, that's all. No more talking, no more talking."

It took nearly fifteen minutes before Yu Wen finally brought Scarface to the perimeter wall of the safe camp.

"Everyone's busy, haha! Sir, won't you come in and sit? We have tea."

Yu Wen politely gestured with his hand.

Inside the gate, four or five people were pretending to be busy—no one knew what they were doing, but they acted very busy. Their guns weren't on their backs, but hidden among nearby construction materials—ready to be snatched in seconds...

Scarface stared at the three- to four-meter-high concrete-and-brick wall, then at the uncleaned ground, recalling the fire below. His expression turned serious: "Did your place suffer a zombie assault?"

Yu Wen gave him a look that said, "You still don't believe me?": "Yes, those bodies below are the zombies that attacked here two days ago. Haha, but the disaster's over—no one inside was harmed. Come in and sit. We brought tea from the city."

Scarface's expression grew extremely serious. The earlier casual arrogance vanished. The word "caution" was practically written on his forehead.

"No need!" He refused Yu Wen's invitation and added: "I'll give you a small piece of advice. Our Corps is considering classifying tobacco, alcohol, and tea under the food unit. So if you have tea, use it sparingly."

"Oh, oh! Got it, got it!"

Scarface made no move to enter the camp, nor did he leave. He scanned the area and asked: "How many zombies attacked here? How did you deal with them? No guns?"

"We have guns! Two pistols!"

Yu Wen pointed to the watchtower: "We usually give them to our sentries."

"Pistols?" Scarface scoffed dismissively: "No submachine guns or rifles? How did you kill the zombies?"

"How could we possibly have those guns..."

Yu Wen gave him a look as if he were joking, then pointed to the broken barricades piled nearby, and raised his steel rod: "Thanks to those barricades holding the zombies back, we just stabbed them all to death with steel rods. Not many—just over a hundred. Looks like your three-hundred-zombie standard is quite useful."

Fortunately, Corgi had luckily helped collect empty shell casings, and the shooters had been extremely careful—almost every bullet had hit a zombie, leaving no trace of gunfire. Otherwise, Yu Wen couldn't have maintained the lie.

The pile of corpses below had burned for over an hour and now held little left. Scarface didn't question the number and nodded: "Rules aren't made lightly. We have other rules too—if you provide locations of other survivor groups, we'll reduce your next food payment by ten percent. Any such information?"

"Oh?" Yu Wen frowned, hesitated, and slapped his thigh: "I know there are others nearby, but I don't know where. Even if I meet them, I'm too cautious to reveal their exact locations."

"Alright, looks like you won't get that reward!" Scarface slapped Yu Wen's shoulder: "Remember, in seven days, prepare eight hundred units of food. We're leaving!"

"Huh? Already leaving? Sir, won't you come inside? Meet our people, count them—eighteen, right? Oh, I can't guarantee we won't take in new survivors in the future..."

Yu Wen insisted on keeping him.

"No need. I see you're a sensible man—you won't play games over this! Even if you take in new survivors, that'll be counted at the next food delivery."

With that, Scarface turned and walked down the mountain, showing no intention to enter. A quiet unease stirred in him—he sensed hidden danger here. No need to risk himself for this mission!

(End of Chapter)