Chapter 252: A Sleepless Night

"Huh? You want me to clean up?"

When Su Xiaoya heard she had to clean the room, eating and drinking suddenly lost their appeal.

She knew exactly what condition the room was in—she didn't even want to go back, let alone clean up… shit.

"Hey!" Zheng Xinyu stuck her hands on her hips and snarled, "Who else is gonna clean it? Whoever makes the mess cleans it up—it's all your farts that exploded!"

"Fine, I'll clean it, but you don't have to be so mean—you'll never find anyone willing to stay with you…"

Su Xiaoya mumbled under her breath.

"What the hell did you just say?"

Chen Hanzhou stared in delight at the prosthetic limb—it was nearly identical to his design; only actual use would reveal its true performance.

Chen Hanzhou stood up, turned on the small lamp, then opened the door and asked curiously, "Teacher Yu, what's wrong?"

"If that's the case, I can warn you ahead of time!"

"The main body of the task I took on was finished this afternoon, plus a basic dagger head—I owe it to Dr. Fu's new material and Xiao Guo's craftsmanship. Come try the fit."

Zhao Dechu frowned and asked.

Zheng Xinyu posed a tricky question.

"Getting a few peanuts at this hour is pretty nice," Liu Tianji said, munching on boiled peanuts with great satisfaction.

"Hanzhou, do you think we'll make it through this safely?"

Wang Xin rubbed his hair and suddenly grew serious.

Chen Hanzhou pinched the leather connecting the metal joints and asked.

"Alright, alright, Xiao Wang, Wu Lue, take her away right now—don't let her leave the room for a single step!"

"Stop hanging around here—go back and keep Xiao Ya company."

"Hey, if you're gonna say that, then if anything happens to you, I'll just take Xiao Ya for myself and leave you dying with regret—so if you don't want that to happen, be careful!"

Fastening the clasp, Chen Hanzhou screwed the dagger head onto the prosthetic limb—thus was born a fully armed arm.

"I think it's fine—Brother Zhang personally went out to gather intel, Teacher Yu has been buying time with the Green Dragon Corps, we're planning while they're blind—there's a good chance they'll stumble here! But it all depends on their actual strength—if they're too powerful, Brother Zhang won't let us risk it."

"I hope it's two extremes—either just a few people like last time, or a full-scale assault. Don't send us an evenly matched force—that'd be awkward. Also… Liu, if anything happens to me, tell Zhang Ya to find someone else right away!"

"What's wrong with the electric moped? It's silent—turn off the lights and it's like stealth mode, perfect!"

"Good evening, Teacher Yu," Pei Lan walked into the room and greeted Yu Wen politely.

"Mmm…" Yu Wen smiled, "Dr. Fu discovered a high-strength composite material—it resists blades and bullets. As long as it works, I'll pass your feedback on to Xiao Guo. I won't disturb you two."

"Do you think Brother Zhang's decision is wrong?"

Wang Xin pressed his chest and frowned, "Just thinking about the Green Dragon Corps coming tomorrow makes my heart pound!"

Before Pei Lan finished speaking, a knock came at the door, followed by a voice outside: "Xiao Chen, you in there?"

Liu Tianji's heart jolted—he froze mid-motion.

"Nothing much… Liu, I'm gonna tell you something, but don't go blabbing it around!"

Wang Xin chuckled at Liu Tianji's words.

Seeing Chen Hanzhou struggling, Pei Lan took the prosthetic from his hands and helped him put it on.

"The enemy is human—full of uncertainties—but one thing's certain: since they're not zombies but people like us, they feel pain, fear death, hesitate, and dread. So in our home turf, let's be bold!"

"Teacher Yu?"

"But… what if the Green Dragon Corps arrives in the south first?"

"What nonsense are you spouting? And why don't you hand Xiao Ya over to me?" Liu Tianji thought Wang Xin was being overly negative tonight, so he cracked a joke.

At the same time, Wang Xin and Liu Tianji sat together chatting.

"Since we're not engaging them directly, one person's enough—more would risk exposure!"

Zhang Su shook his head decisively: "No need, but we can ambush nearby and see how they interact with the Green Dragon Corps!"

"I'll go with you, Teacher Yu—I want to thank Master Guo in person, and it's time I went to bed."

Hearing Yu Wen's analysis, everyone turned to look at Zhang Su—if true, the timeline was far too tight!

Zhang Su nodded, saying, "Correct. I know my limits—don't worry. Stick to the plan and handle camp duties."

"If only all the classmates who escaped from school were still alive…"

Thump. Thump.

"Huh? Oh, sure, no problem!"

Chen Hanzhou remembered Zhang Su's orders—he dared not sleep with Pei Lan until he confirmed his own condition.

Liu Tianji sighed, pushed the bag of peanuts aside, and said, "You're just scared, aren't you?"

"Yeah, Brother Zhang's really good at this—he always keeps risks under control. Living in a safe camp like this feels reassuring. Reminds me of when the disaster first hit and we ran out of school and met Brother Zhang—it feels like yesterday. Hey, have you thought about Kuang Miao and Song Yijun lately?"

"I think it's too dangerous too, Brother Zhang," Lu Yu also spoke up to dissuade him.

"Should we take Su Xiaoya to Kuan Zhuang right now?"

Zhao Dechu suggested.

They also understood why the map didn't mark it—the village had only recently split off from another one just before the disaster, and administrative records hadn't been updated yet, so neither old nor new maps included it.

"I traded a pack of cigarettes for this with Sister Er—eat up, eat up."

"Damn, I better be careful then…"

"Do you think I'm stupid enough to go on a suicide mission without confidence? Enough talk—this matter is closed!"

"Hey, are you serious? What's going on?"

Liu Tianji nodded—he understood his old colleague's meaning, patted Wang Xin's shoulder, and said, "When we chose to follow Zhang Su, we pledged to trust his judgment and decisions. He won't let us take unnecessary risks. Don't worry—wasn't it agreed beforehand that if things turn hopeless, we compromise and reassess?"

Wang Xin took a deep breath, squinted slightly, and said, "I don't know why, but I feel a quiet unease—I think something bad will happen in this confrontation with the Green Dragon Corps. But I also know surrender won't bring peace. Look…"

The arm had metal and petrified skin, resistant to blades and bullets; the palm was replaced by a sharp dagger—defense and offense in one.

Su Xiaoya's word wasn't law—everything had to be verified firsthand.

Zhang Su finished speaking and turned to Jia Shiqin, sitting quietly in the corner: "Master Jia, please disable the speed limiter on the electric moped—I'll need it tonight."

"You? You're short and fat—Xiao Ya wouldn't look at you!"

Liu Tianji kicked Wang Xin in the butt and scooped the peanuts into his arms.

"Hey, Old Wang, why aren't you in bed with Xiao Ya? Why are you here with snacks? Something's off."

Wang Xin stared blankly at the dark silhouette of the distant mountains.

"Brother Zhang, this is too risky—we're worried!" Chen Hanzhou muttered.

After Zhang Su confirmed it repeatedly, they finally pinpointed Kuan Zhuang's location—starting from Niuziquan Town, passing through Caopo Township.

Zhao Dechu eagerly volunteered, clearly trying to prove his reliability—but Zhang Su rejected him flatly, leaving him frustrated: "I can handle a watch post!"

At this critical moment, even the smallest oversight could trigger serious consequences.

Time passed swiftly. Tianmayu remained unchanged, outwardly calm—but tension was visible on every face.

Zhang Su waved his hand—he had his own plan.

Jia Shiqin nodded, agreed, and left the dining hall to get to work.

"Let me help you."

Yu Wen adjusted his glasses and smiled, "Ah, Xiao Lan's here too. Good evening."

"Besides, we've prepared thoroughly—even if the Green Dragon Corps sends twice our number, we're not afraid!"

On the balcony of a guest room, Pei Lan and Chen Hanzhou sat side by side, fingers intertwined, the room dark as they gazed into the black ravine, listening to each other's heartbeats.

Seeing the two women about to argue, Zhang Su quickly had Su Xiaoya taken away.

Although Tianmayu's development had been steady, its geography made defending against zombies manageable—but human attacks were another matter. To grow stronger, population was a vital resource!

"Correct," Zhang Su nodded. "Not to mention, we have over a dozen effective fighters, standard weapons, and handheld rocket launchers. With proper training, we're stronger than most reserve military units!"

Yu Wen entered the room, eagerly handing the mechanical prosthetic to Chen Hanzhou.

After speaking, Zhang Su began assigning other tasks.

Chen Hanzhou slashed and thrust into empty space, applying karate power techniques—his movements were formidable, ideal for fighting zombies, as natural as extending his own limb.

Hearing Zhang Su planned to go himself, Yu Wen hurriedly said, "Mr. Zhang, tomorrow is when the Green Dragon Corps arrives—are you planning to go to Kuan Zhuang first and then rush back?"

Chen Hanzhou nodded slightly: "Kuang Miao's a good guy. Song Yijun? Forget him. If Kuang Miao were here, we'd have another strong ally."

After some people left, Yu Wen spoke seriously: "Mr. Zhang, Kuan Zhuang is a powerful faction—we should try to win them over."

We'd faced various troubles before and eliminated them all—but this time is different. It's not a few bandits or stragglers—it's the organized, disciplined Green Dragon Corps. At least, that's what current intel suggests.

Pei Lan also understood the situation. She didn't mind, but still respected and cooperated with Chen Hanzhou's decision.

Wang Xin made a strange face and said vaguely, "Just… feeling uneasy inside."

Wang Xin stared intently at Liu Tianji.

Liu Tianji eyed Wang Xin suspiciously—he knew something was off—but his hands kept peeling peanuts, and his chewing grew even faster.

"Haha, this attack power must be strong! And so flexible—what kind of hide is this?"

"Wait, you're not turning on the light? Afraid you'll fall and break your teeth?" Zheng Xinyu couldn't understand Zhang Su's behavior and rolled her eyes dramatically.

Thump.

"Let me go, big brother—this kind of mission is my specialty!"

"Did I hear right? You're going alone, at night, on an electric moped? You'll fall into a ditch and lose all your teeth!"

As time passed, survivors gathered, forming larger camps with ample manpower and weapons—giving them significant advantages against zombies and other human factions competing for resources.

Whoosh. Whoosh.

Zhang Su slept. Others in the camp couldn't sleep. It was still early, and with the emotional tension, many sat restlessly.

"Of course not!" Wang Xin shook his head. "I can tell most people's stance is clear—I support resisting the Green Dragon Corps too. Brother Zhang isn't acting alone; resistance is what everyone wants. But that doesn't stop me from feeling uneasy."

'No way...'

'So fast!'

'Big brother, you don't plan to go alone, do you?'

Zheng Xinyu's face was filled with worry.

Zhang Su smiled and patted the walkie-talkie at his waist; this trip wasn't just a simple investigation of Kuang Zhuang—he also took on the role of a scout, and since he planned to depart at night, he was the only one suited for this mission.

In the afternoon, Zhang Su took the map of Qincheng to find Su Xiaoya, but for some reason, Kuang Zhuang didn't appear on the map—neither on old maps from decades ago nor on offline maps downloaded to his phone.

'I'll go alone.'

Zhang Su left a single message for everyone at the camp, then returned to his room early to sleep.

Similar conversations took place in many rooms: Tan Huajun and Mo Qianlan, Yu Qing and Zhao Dezhu, Guo Dachao and Yang Wenjie, and Zhao Xue, sitting alone in her room in silent prayer.

If Zhang Su hadn't slept, he would have heard them—but he had indeed slept.

(End of Chapter)