Chapter 216: The Shrewd Village Chief

"Zombification isn't caused by a virus..."

Zhang Su calmed down, frowning: "Dr. Fu, tell us the specifics."

"Alright." Fu Wei was very forthcoming: "Zombies must have their brains destroyed or spinal cords severed to stop moving—you all know this. Actually, severing the spinal cord only deprives them of body control; the head remains activated."

"Activated?"

Zhang Su keenly noticed Fu Wei's choice of words.

"Yes, activated. From a microscopic perspective, zombies aren't so much biological organisms as they are activated machines—though even 'machine' isn't precise. They're better described as bio-machines!"

"This is exactly the issue I mentioned earlier: zombification isn't caused by a virus..."

Baa baa, oink oink...

As they talked, distant cries of pigs and goats arose; two extended three-wheeled trucks rolled out from the village, driven by Guo Dachao and Zhao Dezhù, their rear beds filled with noisy pigs and goats.

Lao Baizi stared blankly at Ma Changshou, who was fuming, utterly confused.

Moments later, Ma Changshou and Lao Baizi stood at the village entrance, watching the departing convoy in silence.

Once the vehicles were far away, Lao Baizi squatted on the ground, complaining bitterly, his face full of gloom.

Ma Changshou winced as he spoke.

"No way. Maximum three days!"

Though they got along well, the proper procedures couldn't be skipped.

"No no no!" Ma Changshou waved his hands vigorously: "Lao Baizi has some work to finish, that's why he's in a rush. No problem, Boss Zhang, you use it first—we're not in a hurry, ha ha, not at all!"

"This..." Duan Wuhu blinked slightly, then laughed easily: "I already gave you my gun, ha ha! Fine, hand it over—I trust Brother Zhang's character!"

"Don't worry, don't worry—you've got over a month before you leave! Plenty of time! Hey, careful, don't bump it!"

Then Zheng Xinyu rummaged through the vehicle again, pulling out some melee weapons and bullets, smiled apologetically, and took them all away.

Zhang Su responded to Ma Changshou while directing Guo Dachao and Zhao Dezhù to lift the welding machine onto the truck.

Ma Changshou snapped: "All you care about is your own little things—can't you think ahead? You're utterly foolish. Almost said the wrong thing. Just stick to your work from now on!"

Beside them, Lao Baizi pushed a welding machine half a person's height, weighing at least forty to fifty kilograms—completely different from the portable one at camp!

Zhang Su sensed Fu Wei knew something critically important, but this wasn't the place to talk. He said: "Professor Duan, let's return to camp to discuss this. But I'm taking all threatening items from your vehicle."

"Three days?" Zhang Su frowned at Ma Changshou: "Village Chief Ma, why the rush? Are you planning to leave these very days?"

"Village Chief, we just handed over another welding machine—this is a total rip-off!"

Fu Wei, overhearing their conversation, quietly pulled a pistol identical to Duan Wuhu's from behind his back and handed it to Zhang Su.

But before Ma Changshou could speak, Lao Baizi, standing silently with a dark face, spoke up.

"Here."

Lao Baizi wanted to say more, but seeing Ma Changshou's subtle gesture, he held his tongue.

"Huh?"

"Boss Zhang, you've got to return this welding machine as soon as you're done!"

"Are you an idiot? We're reporting to the Green Dragon Corps in a few days—will your welding machine still belong to you there? Better to do us a favor now and give it to Zhang Su. That way, we keep a backdoor open!"

"Do you know why I priced this so generously? All those pigs and goats—you think I didn't mind losing them? This is about building goodwill! No one knows what the future holds. Are you certain the Green Dragon Corps is stronger than Zhang Su's group?"

"Ah..." Lao Baizi suddenly understood, nodding repeatedly: "Village Chief, you think far ahead."

"Even a clever rabbit has three burrows. Am I, Old Ma, less clever than a rabbit?"

Ma Changshou spoke with shrewd calculation, his gaze fixed confidently on the direction Zhang Su's vehicle had vanished.

"Oh my goodness, big brother, I'm gonna eat extra tonight—this ride back nearly blew me apart!"

At Tianmayu Parking Lot, Zhao Dezhù stepped down from the three-wheeler, spat a thick glob of snot, his forehead stiff with cold.

He'd been excited when leaving the West Camp—driving the three-wheeler was more thrilling than a car—but gradually it turned unbearable: the biting wind and near-freezing temperatures had reddened his cheeks and left him dripping snot and tears.

Guo Dachao wasn't faring much better, but he rubbed his cheeks and said nothing.

"Holy shit, Brother Zhang, this place? Awesome! My god—walls, surveillance, barricades, spike strips, assault rifles—you're a warlord! Hey, there's even a puppy, ha ha!"

Duan Wuhu stepped down from the Jinbei van, staring around in stunned awe.

Zhang Su and Zheng Xinyu left the camp together. Koji Hao Yun was deeply unhappy—both her closest people were gone, and she had no interest in working. She slumped beside the vegetable shed, asleep, her fur keeping her warm, until she heard the car and woke up to run over.

"Isn't our independent stronghold just as good as the Survivors' Alliance?"

Zhang Su dodged the question, crouched down, and rubbed Hao Yun's head, planning to ask Duan Wuhu later about this Survivors' Alliance.

He then introduced the newcomers to his companions: "Come on, let me introduce these two: this tall, strong man is Duan Wuhu; his friend, the handsome man with mobility issues, is Fu Wei. They're temporarily joining our safe camp—welcome!"

"Welcome, welcome!"

"Welcome to our camp!"

Everyone accepted Zhang Su's decision without objection, yet couldn't help casting curious glances at Fu Wei, seated in the vehicle—wondering why the usually strict Zhang Su would take in such a seemingly useless disabled man.

"Professor Duan?"

From behind the crowd, Yu Wen adjusted his glasses and stepped forward, incredulous: "You're really Professor Duan? My god, what happened to you?"

In Yu Wen's memory, Duan Wuhu had been no beauty, but his features were sharp and spirited. Now his face bore several grotesque scars, especially the one across his nose—completely disfigured. If Zhang Su hadn't introduced him, Yu Wen wouldn't have recognized him.

"Professor Yu?"

Duan Wuhu instantly recognized the middle-aged man, his emotions surging. His eyes reddened as he stepped forward and gripped Yu Wen's arms: "It's really you, Professor Yu! I never thought I'd meet someone I knew again! Professor Yu, if you're here, then..."

He didn't finish—he feared Yu Qing might be gone, afraid to ask.

"Yes, Xiao Qing is here too—she's monitoring from the control room. The person who came back with you just now? She's her partner."

Yu Wen enthusiastically pulled Zhao Dezhù forward for an introduction. He'd long accepted this rough husband-in-law—after all, in this world, culture alone wasn't enough!

"Ah... nice to meet you."

Duan Wuhu shook Zhao Dezhù's hand, stunned—he never imagined Yu Qing's partner would be so unkempt.

Zhao Dezhù was thrilled. He'd always thought Yu Wen disapproved of him, but now he was being introduced to outsiders—warmth flooded his chest as he stood tall and shook Duan Wuhu's hand.

"Professor Duan, you've found your true group here. Master Zhang is an extraordinary leader—he led us through thorns and dangers, overcoming countless trials to build this safe camp. Follow him, and you won't go wrong!"

After brief pleasantries, Yu Wen immediately began promoting Zhang Su.

Duan Wuhu blinked slightly, then nodded vigorously: "I know. I know Brother Zhang—he lived right above me. When we escaped the neighborhood, I already saw how remarkable he was!"

The group's praise was overwhelming; Zhang Su could barely take it. He waved his hand: "Professor Duan and Fu Wei are exhausted from fleeing the city. Xiao Jie, Hao Yun—prepare a guest room. I'll take them there."

"Alright, I'll do it right away."

Yang Wenjie nodded and turned toward Hao Yun. Guo Dachao, ever attached to his wife, followed her.

(End of Chapter)