Chapter 261: Simple Contact

Zhang Su stepped out of the courtyard, mounted the small electric scooter parked nearby, and headed straight for the Shanmen.

"Who is it?"

From afar, Zhang Su saw Wang Xin and Lu Leiyang arguing with someone outside the iron gate.

"Boss, they say they're from the Qincheng Survivors Alliance!"

Lu Leiyang turned to answer.

"That's right, brother—we're from Qincheng, and we're indeed the Survivors Alliance. I'm the Vanguard Commander. We heard explosions and saw flames lighting up the sky, so we came to check. We mean no harm, and we'd also like to ask you a few questions."

As Lu Leiyang finished speaking, a deep voice rang out from beyond the gate.

Zhang Su got off the scooter and climbed up the three-meter-tall crude watchtower to look out—sure enough, familiar faces were there, including Wang Xin…

His gaze lingered longest on the middle-aged man at the front: his rugged facial features, powerful build—no doubt an elite, far surpassing the slouching Wang Xin in presence, physique, and aura.

In the darkness, the men whispered among themselves, thinking their voices were too quiet to be heard—but they didn't know every word had reached the other side.

"Give us some face"—Zhang Su had never heard that phrase since the collapse, and it instantly felt like a return to the old world…

"What's the worry? He can't hear us."

Gong Chengming didn't give up, pressing on.

"Don't talk nonsense!"

"I'm Gong. What's your name, brother?"

"Ask away, ask away—I won't offer tea. One question, one gun. Answer first, then pay!"

A man in a bulletproof vest seemed unable to bear it anymore, pointing at Zhang Su and rebuking him.

Wang Xin naturally recognized Zhang Su's voice. Seeing him now, his emotions churned—but he was sharp enough to know he must not reveal their connection; pretending not to know was the wisest move.

"Hey, what's your problem? Get your boss out here!"

"Dead dozens? You think we're idiots?"

Wang Xin, seeing his subordinate speak up, wouldn't back down—this wasn't the time for his boss to reply to a subordinate; it would lose face.

"Zhang." Zhang Su pinched the bridge of his nose, weary.

Zhang Su smirked. He had no patience for petty squabbles now. Tianma Yu had just endured a major battle; its energy was low. Another conflict with the Survivors Alliance would be unwise—he just wanted to get rid of them quickly.

"We just fought a group of enemies. Dozens died. Nothing to see, no energy to host you. Leave."

"Brother Zhang, we mean no offense. If you need help, we can lend a hand. We only want to ask a few questions—please give us some face."

Zhang Su replied listlessly.

"He's our boss. Are you done yet? Ask quickly—we've got a mountain of cleanup to do!"

Zhang Su waved his hand listlessly.

Who knew how Wang Xin had reported back? They'd even sent a commander to investigate. He guessed the Survivors Alliance had been scouting nearby after passing Beidong Town—otherwise, how would they have heard the explosion?

"Yeah, really bold to say that."

"I can see you're busy. I'll ask just one question, then leave—just as you said: one question, one gun. I trust you."

Gong Chengming raised a hand to stop his men, then nodded toward Zhang Su on the high ground.

"Fine. Ask."

"Have you seen a Jinbei minivan? On it was a man with a scar on his face, surnamed Duan, and a very young man, surnamed Fu, paralyzed from the waist down."

As Zhang Su expected, their question centered on Fu Wei.

He narrowed his eyes, pretending to study Gong Chengming, but actually watching Wang Xin. After several dealings, they'd developed a silent understanding—now he saw Gong's jaw shift slightly, as if grinding his teeth.

"Never seen them."

Zhang Su decided to trust Wang Xin and play along.

As he spoke, he saw Gong Chengming frown, clearly frustrated. He turned to look at Wang Xin nearby, who shrugged and spread his arms, as if to say: I told you so, you wouldn't believe me…

"Brother Zhang, you control the key route to Qingxian. If a Jinbei minivan passed on the provincial highway, you'd surely know, right?"

Gong Chengming pressed again, unwilling to give up.

"We just want to live quietly here. Outside affairs don't concern us. We have no time to pay attention." Zhang Su said slowly.

"Boss, I need to go out."

At that moment, Lu Yubo's voice came from behind—he was driving a Qinglong Army pickup truck, its bed filled with the corpses of those who had died here in Qinglong Army.

Zombie corpses could be burned like coal; human corpses couldn't—they had to be disposed of promptly.

"Open the gate!"

At the order, Wang Xin and Lu Leiyang hurried to open the gate.

The Survivors Alliance members wisely stepped aside. Only when they saw the corpses in the truck bed did they truly grasp the horror of this safe zone.

"Alright, Brother Zhang, I keep my word. Here's your LS5 submachine gun."

Gong Chengming, generous as ever, unhooked the weapon from his shoulder and tossed it to Zhang Su.

Thud.

Zhang Su caught it firmly, the first time he'd ever held a submachine gun. He examined it curiously: "Hey, nine-millimeter rounds? We don't have any. Throw in some ammo!"

Gong Chengming's lip twitched. He pulled three spare magazines from his belt and handed them to a companion: "Didn't bring extra. These three are all I've got. Take them."

Zhang Su accepted the magazines and nodded in satisfaction. He'd heard from Duan Wu that the Survivors Alliance was evil—using living people for zombie transformation experiments—but this man seemed decent enough.

Clearly, every organization had all kinds of people.

"It's late. If we've disturbed you, apologies. We're leaving!"

Gong Chengming leaned forward, peering into Tianma Yu's interior. What he could see was utter ruin. Combined with the corpses already removed, the brutality of the prior battle was clear. No need to linger. No need to speak further.

"Wait…"

As Gong Chengming prepared to leave, Zhang Su suddenly called out: "I'd like to ask you something about Qincheng. Can you answer for free?"

Gong Chengming's lip twitched involuntarily. He thought: This guy's so damn mercenary. He took a deep breath and nodded: "Go ahead, Brother Zhang."

"I heard on the radio your Alliance has unified the northern part of Qincheng. Are there other groups like yours still active in Qincheng?"

After hearing Zhang Su's question, Gong Chengming smiled and waved his hand: "Brother Zhang, that radio broadcast is all exaggeration. We're just one moderately strong survivor group in Qincheng. Many stronger ones exist—I know of four or five."

In the darkness, Zhang Su clearly saw Wang Xin's odd grimace—he knew Gong Chengming was lying. He'd really wanted to ask about the Cultural Road Military Camp. Since he couldn't get the truth, he let it go.

"Commander Gong is too modest. Goodbye!"

"Goodbye…"

Zhang Su watched the Survivors Alliance vehicles slowly drive down the mountain and vanish.

Gong Chengming sat in the passenger seat, his gaze deep in the dark. As they passed Zijian Road, he saw Lu Yubo tossing corpses under a flashlight. He rolled down the window: "Young man, we're the Survivors Alliance. It's late—you're working hard. Here, have a cigarette."

He tossed out an unopened pack.

Plop.

Lu Yubo didn't catch it—the cigarette landed on the field ridge. He turned to look at the man waving from the window, puzzled.

"Why would Survivors Alliance guys come to comfort me and give me cigarettes… nuts. Heh, if there's a freebie, don't be an idiot!"

Simple-minded as he was, he didn't bother pondering Gong Chengming's deeper motives. He picked up the cigarette, checked it was still sealed, pulled one out, lit it, and took a long, satisfying drag. The smoke masked the stench of blood, making his work feel easier.

(End of Chapter)