Chapter 273: The Fleeting Terror

Zhang Su didn't know if the fire could kill Zero-Zero-Four, but the boost in combat power was a real effect; he also didn't know if Zero-Zero-Four had truly sensed their presence—leaving immediately was undoubtedly the wisest choice!

Humans are fully capable of destroying themselves, even as mutated zombies paled in comparison to Zero-Zero-Four.

He hoped Zero-Zero-Four would ultimately perish alongside the horde, otherwise a great disaster might befall the entire Qingxian region.

Zhang Su had already made up his mind: if the Green Dragon Corps was wiped out at breakneck speed, he would take everyone, abandon Tianma Island without hesitation, and flee straight to Qincheng…

Who cared if drawing the wrath elsewhere made people curse him? If your life's on the line, who gives a damn?

Fortunately, things hadn't spiraled into the worst-case scenario. When the convoy returned to Tianma Island, Zhang Su's expression eased slightly—not because he felt safe in his own base, but because the Green Dragon Corps' population decline had stopped!

"The Green Dragon Corps' science department opened Pandora's box—thankfully, it ended without catastrophe…"

Zhang Su stepped out of the vehicle and said something to the group waiting anxiously at camp that left them even more bewildered.

"What's wrong, Boss Zhang?"

Guo Dachao rushed forward, deeply concerned—he'd stayed behind to care for Yang Wenjie after her injury, helping with chores, but he'd been deeply worried about the safety of those who'd gone out.

Zhang Su waved his hand, lit a cigarette, and said gravely: "They won't come here—but the Green Dragon Corps is finished…"

"See? Evil deeds bring their own punishment. They went around extorting protection money—zombies couldn't stand it. Thought they were so tough, protecting others, yet couldn't even protect themselves—total bullshit!"

"Boss Zhang, won't Zero-Zero-Four come chasing after us?"

This wasn't baseless speculation—the Green Dragon Corps' population had stabilized around a hundred, then resumed its slow decline, proving the battle wasn't over, but Zero-Zero-Four's fate was sealed.

Would it abandon the battlefield entirely and head straight for Tianma Island?

From the earlier battle conditions, Zhang Su judged it nearly impossible—after all, it was still a mindless killing machine. He hoped Zero-Zero-Four was dead, because that thing was too terrifying!

If you couldn't fully control it, that modified zombie should be destroyed.

"Nothing happened—we just watched the Green Dragon Corps get slaughtered by the horde and came back!"

"What?"

Those who didn't understand voiced their confusion.

"Collecting debts?"

"Ha! And there's such good fortune? How lucky!"

Zero-Zero-Four's brief appearance left an indelible impression on Zhang Su—he hoped never to see anything like it again, and would be content with just Zero-Zero-Three under his command…

Lu Yu held his rifle tightly, knowing the weapon might not even hit it, but still gripping it—just enough to give him a sliver of security.

Zhao Dezhu noticed Zhang Su's grim, troubled expression and stepped forward to explain to the others.

Wang Longzhong arrived at once; seeing everyone unharmed, he let out a heavy sigh of relief.

After hearing Zhang Su's words, the group froze for a moment, then collectively exhaled in relief. Though they didn't understand why he'd reached this conclusion, they still trusted him—he'd never been wrong.

Yet those who'd returned with Zhang Su remained gloomy, some quietly downcast.

"You okay, Boss Zhang?"

"Zero-Zero-Four?"

Either recaptured by the Green Dragon Corps, or already burned to ash, reduced to a pool of black sludge.

Upon hearing the news, the camp residents' first reaction was joy—after all, eliminating a heavy burden on their minds was worth celebrating.

"The guys who went out with me—we're heading back out. Let the Green Dragon Corps sort itself out. First, we're going to collect our dues!"

Someone stared at Zhang Su, confused.

But others reacted quickly, nudging their companions: "Can't you think? Boss Zhang means we're going to Kuanzhuang!"

"Exactly! Su Xiaoya said Kuanzhuang refused to compromise with the Green Dragon Corps! We took casualties fighting for them—they owe us compensation!"

Wang Xin said.

"Right! Let's go to Kuanzhuang and settle the accounts—those who pissed, piss; those who drank, drink. I'll go fetch Su Xiaoya!"

With that, Zhang Su walked toward the guest room where Su Xiaoya was held.

On the surface, his intent was to collect debts from Kuanzhuang—but his true intention was to seize Kuanzhuang outright, just as he had with United Village, making it a vassal of Tianma Island.

With the largest power in Qingxian now destroyed by zombies, he must seize this opportunity to expand!

Click.

The lock opened. Zhang Su pushed the door.

"Ah…"

Suddenly, a startled cry rang out, followed by a whoosh of wind.

Su Xiaoya sat on the bed wrapped in a blanket, alarmed: "You—you didn't knock!"

"Don't you understand the situation?"

Zhang Su frowned: "You're a spy sent by Kuanzhuang—you're a prisoner here. Should I treat you according to the Geneva Convention? Knocking? Really?"

"Oh…"

Su Xiaoya replied meekly: "Aren't you all supposed to be in Qingxian? Why are you back so soon?"

"We're that good—we solved the problem fast. Now it's your turn, Kuanzhuang!"

Zhang Su tilted his head: "Come with me. We're going to Kuanzhuang."

"Huh?"

Hearing she was going home, Su Xiaoya shot up instantly, blanket still tightly wrapped around her, delighted: "Uncle, you're really taking me back?"

"What do you mean 'taking you back'? I'm going to settle accounts with your village—then we'll talk."

Her loli status gained her nothing with Zhang Su. If anything, it might only save her life—he truly didn't want to kill a minor girl.

"Settle… accounts? What accounts?"

As she asked curiously, she reached for the clothes beside her pillow, pulled them under the blanket, and began dressing.

"The account for your sabotage here, and the account for our men shielding Kuanzhuang from the Green Dragon Corps! Living in someone else's place and not even wearing clothes? You're a genius!"

Zhang Su wouldn't tell the girl he intended to subjugate her village—there was no point in conversation.

"Hey, I… how could you see?"

Su Xiaoya was stunned. The room wasn't pitch black, but dim—she thought her movements were undetected, only to be caught instantly.

"Hurry up. I'm not interested in watching."

Zhang Su urged—completely uninterested in a girl who hadn't even fully developed.

After a rustling sound, Su Xiaoya trudged downstairs, pouting, behind Zhang Su.

"Mr. Zhang!"

Before reaching the parking area, Zhang Su heard Fu Wei's urgent greeting.

"Sorry I didn't come out to welcome you back. Uh… how's Zero-Zero-Three?"

Fu Wei offered a forced polite remark, then immediately revealed his true intent.

Zhang Su found it amusing—he couldn't expect much from Fu Wei in social skills. He pointed to the cargo box holding Zero-Zero-Three: "It's locked inside. Haven't moved. Dr. Fu, if you want to study it, just do it on the truck—keep the electric current running, or Zero-Zero-Three might break loose."

Having witnessed Zero-Zero-Four's ferocity, Zhang Su grew even more cautious with Zero-Zero-Three—a controlled weapon was an irreplaceable killing machine; an uncontrolled one would turn on him.

"I'll be extremely careful. Please assign two assistants."

Fu Wei gripped his wheelchair handles tightly, excited.

"No problem. Go ahead, Dr. Fu."

"Wait a moment…" Fu Wei called out as Zhang Su turned to leave, lowering his voice: "I heard you saw Zero-Zero-Four out there?"

"Dead. Zero-Zero-Four burned to death in battle."

Zhang Su rubbed his hair—he'd made a reasonable judgment based on battlefield conditions and the Green Dragon Corps' death toll. Of course, it was also his wishful thinking.

"Ah? That… that's too bad! Mr. Zhang, when you're free, could you tell me about Zero-Zero-Four?"

Fu Wei's face wore an expression more heartbroken than a lovesick fool betrayed.

"Alright, that's settled."

Zhang Su didn't continue speaking to Fu Wei. He walked toward the group and suddenly noticed the three captives—Xin Qi and the others—bound wrist-to-wrist, huddled together like abused wives.

"Boss Zhang, should we take these three?"

Wang Xin asked as Zhang Su glanced at Xin Qi and the others.

"No! Send them back to their rooms!" Zhang Su waved his hand, then turned to the three: "Xin Qi behaved well on the trip. Fang Great Ming, and you—who are you? Song… Song what?"

"Song Leijun. My name is Song Leijun."

The middle-aged man quickly introduced himself.

"Hmm. Your ideological awareness is lacking. Learn from Xin Qi. Go."

"Huh? Oh."

"Got it, got it!"

Fang Great Ming and Song Leijun glanced at Xin Qi, confused—what made his ideological awareness so high?

Zhang Su believed that once locked together, Xin Qi would explain everything to them. What happened next depended on their choices: obey and live, resist and die.

Leaving the box containing Zero-Zero-Three behind, twenty men boarded six vehicles and departed Tianma Island, heading straight for Kuanzhuang.

(End of Chapter)