Chapter 238: It

At lunch, Zhang Su didn't see Lu Yubo return with his team; after checking via radio, he learned they had arranged their own meals in the village and planned to continue clearing Madian Village in the afternoon.

That's what they said, but Zhang Su picked up on subtle hints from Zhang Ya's words—most of the United Village's able-bodied were weak fighters, and their kill count of zombies was far too low, hence the decision to continue in the afternoon.

There was no other choice; the vast majority of the United Village's young and strong had died during the zombie horde's attack, leaving mostly support personnel, some even elderly women who had never killed a zombie before. Even if they had the will to grow stronger, they needed time to train—today's step was crucial.

The guiding principle of Tianma Yu Safe Camp was that everyone, from octogenarians to eight-year-olds, must be capable of independently killing zombies. This was the rule, unbreakable—except for those with special contributions…

Before Fu Wei's arrival, special contributors had never been considered; this individual's situation was simply too unusual.

"Teacher Duan, come, sit here!"

While eating lunch in the dining hall, Zhang Su saw Duan Wuhu walk in alone and waved him over.

Zhang Su spoke half-seriously, half-jokingly, watching Duan Wuhu's reaction.

Not just dealing with them—I know you're a traitor to the Survivor Alliance, you kidnapped their most important researcher, and now Liao Youzhi has sent five teams to hunt you and Fu Wei. You're really showing off!

"Which department? I'm deputy squad leader of Search Team Two. So what?"

"Old Yan was deputy squad leader of Vanguard Three, a fierce fighter—he got killed too. You guys are impressive…"

"First tell me, which department were you in within the Survivor Alliance?"

Haoyun lifted his paw and gestured toward the distance, his expression serious.

Duan Wuhu's chopsticks clattered onto his tray, his face filled with deep unease.

Zhang Su shook his head: "I didn't tell them anything. How much they've learned elsewhere, I don't know. Anyway, eat slowly—I'm going to check on Dr. Fu."

Zhang Su nodded, not doubting Duan Wuhu, because his story matched what Zhang Xin had said: Search Teams had three squads, each ten members, primarily responsible for scavenging, with only squad leaders and deputies armed with pistols.

Zheng Xinyu saw Duan Wuhu approaching, knew the two would need to talk privately, slurped down her food, and went to deliver lunch to Zhong Xiaoshan on surveillance duty.

Duan Wuhu smiled and waved: "Old Yan was tricked by Zhang Xin. Everyone in the Alliance knew they hated each other—it was Liao Youzhi's deliberate setup. Every squad's leader and deputy had direct conflicts of interest. Unless you're like me—ignoring everything and obeying your leader blindly—you'll inevitably clash over credit."

Duan Wuhu's expression turned strange. "Brother Zhang, tell me honestly—do Fu Wei and I bring trouble to the camp? If so, we'll leave this afternoon!"

Zhang Su asked.

"Dr. Fu is researching zombies. Nothing to worry about."

Pushing the door open, Zhang Su placed his tray on a low cabinet and asked.

Duan Wuhu frowned, tense.

Zhang Su waved his hand: "The Survivor Alliance's reach isn't that long—not yet. And Zhang Xin doesn't even know you're here. Blame Old Yan and his team for being reckless—attacking without asking why. They died foolishly!"

"It wasn't Old Yan being reckless," Duan Wuhu shook his head, thoughtful. "When you fought them, weren't only three or four people actually fighting, while the rest stood by?"

Perhaps due to his career—teaching PE at school, where Chinese teachers borrowed his class one day, math the next, English the day after—he'd long grown used to not competing, not grabbing credit. Even in the apocalypse, he hadn't changed much.

Earlier, he'd lured zombies away; later, after learning zombies could ignite firewood, he began leading isolated ones back to camp.

Zhang Su waited until Duan Wuhu had served himself and sat across from him, then asked.

Zhang Su stood, clapped his hands, picked up his tray, and headed toward Cuilengxuan, pondering new projects to involve Haoyun in.

"So many people… did you fight the Vanguard Team today?"

Zhang Su waved at Haoyun, signaling him not to worry.

Just as he reached the door, Zhang Su heard the zombie's furious, unyielding howls from inside.

Duan Wuhu froze, chopsticks still in his mouth. As a deputy squad leader, he naturally knew his peers well.

Wangwang!

"Oh! Teacher Duan, you can read minds? Impressive! How'd you know?!" Zhang Su exclaimed with exaggerated praise.

Zhang Su spoke slowly.

"Brother Zhang, you've done that Team Leader Zhang a huge favor. For a long time to come, Team Three will be his alone—he'll swallow up plenty of resources and enjoy comfort in the Alliance!"

With that, Zhang Su filled his tray with food and headed toward Cuilengxuan.

Hearing Zhang Su's words, Haoyun tilted his head, thought for a moment, his bright eyes darting, then gave a soft "Wang!" to show he understood. He circled Zhang Su a few times before sprinting toward the kitchen.

Zhang Su nodded: "No wonder that guy was so generous—he gave me a car and even threw in hundreds of pounds of grain. Fine, he's got guts."

But if it caused trouble for old acquaintances, he wouldn't insist.

"I'm done! I'm taking food to Xiaoshan. You two talk!"

"Dr. Fu, come eat first. How's it going? Any results?"

"Zhang Xin… Vanguard Team Three's squad leader!"

"So finally, did they find out about you and Fu Wei?" Duan Wuhu asked, tense.

He enjoyed the feeling at Tianma Yu—it felt like a paradise beyond the world, if you ignored the fortifications.

"No problem, I'll take it to him later. Duan, do you know who we ran into this morning near Beidong Town?"

Zhang Su followed Duan Wuhu's line of thought.

Haoyun nodded.

Duan Wuhu shrugged, showing little envy—he was doing well himself.

"Now that you mention it, it makes sense. Their ten men clearly split into two groups. After the deputy's team was wiped out, the others immediately dropped their weapons and offered to talk—no anger at all. So that's how it was…"

"Where's Dr. Fu?"

Zhang Su followed his gaze—it was Cuilengxuan. He immediately understood Haoyun's meaning and smiled: "You mean there are zombies over there, right?"

Ao!!

Since the North Tower Camp zombie attack, Haoyun's patrol range expanded greatly—he no longer limited himself to the mountain, spending more time monitoring the farmland in front of the camp.

As Zhang Su stepped out of the dining hall, he saw the corgi Haoyun squatting nearby, barking twice with a serious expression.

"Back from patrol? Go eat… You need something?"

For current survivors, zombies could be avoided, hidden from, or fought—unless surrounded by a horde, they weren't a major threat. But danger from fellow humans was different—especially from a powerful organization!

Tap.

Zhang Su placed his tray on the railing, crouched down, and patted the dog's head. The temperature was near freezing, yet her ears were warm—perfect little heaters.

Zhang Su finished eating, put down his chopsticks, and whispered.

Duan Wuhu didn't know why Zhang Su suddenly asked that.

She'd just returned from patrol and eaten, then heard zombie noises from inside the room—she'd been startled.

"Cute little thing."

His face turned serious. "They caught up so fast… Brother Zhang, did you cross paths with the Survivor Alliance's Vanguard Team?"

He took a sip of his drink and added: "Have you heard of Zhang Xin?"

Duan Wuhu smiled and shook his head: "What else would he do? He's buried in research, refuses to come eat—like zombies can fill his stomach."

Seeing Zhang Su's slightly serious expression, Duan Wuhu slowed his eating and asked: "Who?"

"Of course the five teams are spread out. Vanguard Three heard about us from Xida Camp Village and ambushed me in Beidong Town. Luckily, I brought only my best fighters—they left four corpses behind and fled. One of them was a guy named Old Yan!"

Inside the room, a single bed sat in the center. To facilitate Fu Wei's movement, all furniture had been moved to the balcony, leaving only a low cabinet and two stools—minimalist.

Fu Wei didn't look up even when the door opened, until he heard Zhang Su speak. Then he stopped, raised his head, eyes gleaming with excitement: "Mr. Zhang, zombies are truly amazing!"

Brutal, cruel, bloody, bloodthirsty—these words could describe zombies. But "amazing"? Only a scientist would say that.

(End of chapter)