Chapter 230: The Other Side of Ma Changshou

Captain Zhang squinted; he didn't trust this kid, but current intelligence was so scarce that even if there were no dates, he'd still beat the tree three times—he waved his hand. "Fine, tell me everything you know."

Xiao Shan had no idea what Captain Zhang was thinking; feeling backed up, he gave Ma Changshou and the others a haughty glare.

"We weren't supposed to let that big bread van go yesterday—there was a Zhang uncle with a gun who knew the driver, so the village chief let them pass!"

Just that one sentence overturned all of Ma Changshou's earlier statements.

Captain Zhang turned to look at Ma Changshou, who responded with a shrug—as if to say, You actually believe him?

The hearts of the villagers of Xida Ying rose to their throats; seeing Ma Changshou's calm demeanor, they admired his composure.

"Go on—what was this gun-toting Zhang uncle like?" Captain Zhang signaled Xiao Shan.

Ma Changshou scanned the crowd, as if bidding a final farewell to the place that had given him life.

"We haven't finished digging the sweet potatoes yet, Village Chief—give us two more days."

The Survivors' Alliance members exhaled inwardly; they'd come to complete a mission, not to fight to the death—showing off was fine, but gunfighting? That was bad.

The tense atmosphere eased as everyone lowered their arms.

Ma Changshou told Captain Zhang only selective details, rattling off a long stream of words that sounded detailed but revealed nothing important—going through the motions without real effort.

"Have you forgotten the fall of Beita Zi Ying? That group isn't harmless! The Survivors' Alliance is strong, but this small team sent out isn't any stronger—do you really expect them to uphold justice?"

These pieces of information had no direct effect, but they let the Survivors' Alliance know that Xida Ying Village maintained close ties with another armed faction—useful for making decisions.

"Old Ma, why not give them the real info and let them fight each other? We'll profit from the chaos!"

Since he'd come this far, Xiao Shan had nothing left to lose—he gathered his courage. "That Zhang uncle was part of a group that passed through here a long time ago—drove a big RV, carried a machine gun, over twenty men, headed north—no one knows where they're staying."

"The Survivors' Alliance must be strong—I doubt Zhang Su's group can win!" another whispered.

Puff…

A group of Xida Ying villagers stood at the village entrance, watching the two vehicles head north, their faces as cold as frost.

He didn't understand the difference between submachine guns, assault rifles, and machine guns—he called them all machine guns.

At the same time, the Xida Ying village militia raised their matchlock guns; shadows also appeared atop courtyard walls—some without guns, but drawing bows and nocking arrows, equally intimidating.

Captain Zhang sensed a flaw in Ma Changshou's words.

Ma Changshou calmly blew on the gun muzzle, then slipped the matchlock back into his belt, facing the dark barrels without fear. "This brat is spouting nonsense—I'll take him to his father so his father can teach him. What, Captain Zhang? Are you planning to interfere in our village's internal affairs?"

Now caught between the Qinglong Corps, Zhang Su's team, and the Survivors' Alliance, Xida Ying Village was in grave danger. Ma Changshou had to be extremely cautious to protect it—he dared not play wolf against tiger; the backlash would be fatal.

"Village Chief Ma, this is your territory—they want to steal your business, and you just let them? That doesn't make sense!"

"My welder…"

Captain Zhang, seeing Ma Changshou's questioning look, thought it over—this did make sense.

"Alright, I believe you. Tell me who the buyer is—I'll find them."

"Ha, Captain Zhang, what've you dug up?"

Unless the Survivors' Alliance team could keep their cool and retreat to gather reinforcements, but judging by their arrogant demeanor, they wouldn't do that.

The villagers understood Ma Changshou's predicament and said nothing; blame Xiao Shan himself for misreading the situation—but with that boy's personality, even if he'd gone to the Qinglong Corps, he'd have been dead anyway.

Captain Zhang, slightly impatient, licked his lips. "Any more details?"

The sound of safety catches clicking off—Survivors' Alliance members instantly raised their guns.

Ma Changshou spread his hands. "I'm happy to talk with Brother Zhang—you see, I'm not even armed. It's you who refuses to talk, pointing guns at me—that's inappropriate."

The meaning was clear: if you want to talk, lower your guns first!

"That's all?"

"Enough!" Ma Changshou glared, his murderous aura still thick after having just killed a man—the surrounding crowd fell silent.

Ma Changshou clasped his hands behind his back. "That kid's right—we do have dealings with another group. Yesterday, just as you were chasing that Jinbei van, it arrived during our transaction. They seemed to know each other—I'm not sure. Or maybe that group just wanted the van's supplies and staged the whole thing. Who knows?"

Captain Zhang frowned, then relaxed. "You have no reason to hide for them—I believe you. Tell me what you know."

"Huh…"

Bang!

Mid-sentence, Ma Changshou raised his hand and fired—a shot from the matchlock sent black smoke into the air, blowing a hole straight through Xiao Shan's skull. Blood trickled instantly from his forehead; his voice cut off, his eyes wide with shock, unable to believe what had happened to him.

Deputy Captain Yan, guarding the vehicle, sat sideways in the driver's seat smoking. Seeing the crowd emerge from the village, he smiled and asked.

"Old Scar, take men and remove the roadblocks on the bridge. Everyone, go back and pack up—we leave tonight!"

Ma Changshou shook his head. "These people aren't a match for Zhang Su. If they clash and the Survivors' Alliance rats us out, we'll be in deep trouble."

He'd heard the gunshots earlier and nearly driven off in panic—but when no further noise came, he calmed down.

"Village Chief Ma, I think we should have a proper talk."

Captain Zhang frowned, hesitated for ten seconds, then slowly lowered his submachine gun. "Lower your weapons!"

"What? So soon? No way—we haven't harvested half the vegetables!"

Xiao Shan scratched his head, furrowed his brow, thought hard, then suddenly pointed at Ma Changshou. "I remember—the village chief has that Zhang…"

A dark-skinned man asked in a deep, rumbling voice.

Captain Zhang noted it down, then asked: "You really know nothing about their camp?"

Deputy Captain Yan hadn't expected to get any concrete info—he stopped his sarcasm, jumped down, and started helping with the work.

"There were over twenty of them, each armed with rifles. When they passed through here, they drove two RVs and one Toyota off-road vehicle. Later, they took one bread van and two three-wheeled carts. Oh, and their leader shares your surname…"

"Chhh…" Ma Changshou gave a weary laugh. "My village is weak, our weapons outdated. They're well-armed—what can I do against them? They're willing to trade with us—that's already rare. For trivial matters, would you care if it were you?"

Captain Zhang, hearing Deputy Yan's clearly mocking tone, frowned. "Head north. Check the area beyond Beidong Town for clues! Move! Load the grain—let's go!"

Click-click-click.

"I really don't know!" Ma Changshou shook his head, then suddenly added: "But I'm certain their camp lies north of Beidong Town!"

"North of Beidong Town? Fine. Load the grain—we're leaving!"

Captain Zhang frowned, dissatisfied with Xiao Shan's information.

Instantly, the air froze, tension thickened—not a single sound.

Xiao Shan lay flat on his back, the only sound he made—kicking up dust, like his unwilling soul ascending to the Spirit Realm.

Ma Changshou, who always appeared polished before outsiders, revealed a rare ruthlessness—how could anyone rule a village in the apocalypse and still be a saint?

"If anyone doesn't want to leave, stay behind!"

He knew clearly: if Xiao Shan exposed the radio, two outcomes were possible—either they'd resist and refuse to hand over the radio, or they'd surrender it, then face Zhang Su's wrath after he dealt with the Survivors' Alliance…

Captain Zhang hadn't forgotten Ma Changshou's promise of several hundred jin of grain—this supply was crucial; back with the Alliance, it could be exchanged for many points.

Ma Changshou sighed. "I say I don't know where they are—do you believe me?"

Captain Zhang scanned the surroundings, a chill crawling up his spine—he believed that if he fired now, even if he killed everyone present, they'd be shot dead by those on the walls.

Kill a thousand, lose a thousand…

Xiao Shan racked his brain, then suddenly raised a finger. "I remember—the village chief gave that Zhang uncle some pigs and sheep, and a welder!"

Ma Changshou glared at the speaker, then said: "I don't want to get involved in any conflict—I only wish everyone survives this damned apocalypse in peace. Don't blame me for killing Xiao Shan—if he lived, Xida Ying Village would have been drenched in blood!"

Captain Zhang spoke gravely.

Ma Changshou waved his hand and walked toward the village.

The villagers exchanged glances, hesitated two minutes, then scrambled into action.

(End of Chapter)