Chapter 278: Negotiation Leverage

"Fireproof material? I'll figure something out!"

Fu Weijun agreed readily, then added: "Mr. Zhang, could you describe what you saw with Zero-Zero-Four?"

Zhang Su had planned to rest, but Fu Weijun held him back, so he simply handed out cigarettes to the group, lit one, and said slowly: "Zero-Zero-Four was tall and thin like a bamboo pole—his whole body looked stretched out by Photoshop software, his teeth even longer than those of an ordinary zombie..."

"He could jump over ten meters straight up, with a vertical leap of over twenty meters. His strength isn't weaker than Zero-Zero-Three's—he's essentially a lean, agile version of Zero-Zero-Three, combining speed and power. His defensive capabilities are unknown!"

After listening to Zhang Su's summary, Fu Weijun fell into deep thought, frowning tightly. After finishing his cigarette, he said: "I really want to study Zero-Zero-Four's physiology—what method was used to push it to that level? It's unbelievable."

"I hope the Qinglong Army's lab wasn't destroyed. If it still exists, we might get a chance to investigate. But I'll warn you: studying Zero-Zero-Three is fine, but don't attempt modifications until you have full control—the Qinglong Army suffered terribly enough."

Then Zhang Su told the three men what had happened after Zero-Zero-Four caught fire.

"My god, it attacked friend and foe alike? That thing's useless. Good thing it's dead—otherwise, how terrifying!"

Duan Wuhu shook his head grimly.

Wang Xin Gui looked dazed, secretly frightened as well.

After a moment, a middle-aged man around forty frowned and broke the silence with a question.

Fu Weijun, well aware of the danger of experimental failures, glanced at the seemingly dead Zero-Zero-Three and decided to deepen research on modified zombies, aiming for further improvements...

Another man snorted: "That leader from Tianma Isle—Zhang Su—isn't the kind of guy you'd trust!"

"No wonder Mr. Zhang made Zero-Zero-Three wear fireproof gear—it's because of this. A warning worth heeding."

After the initial outbreak, humans quickly stabilized amid the crisis, spontaneously organizing to resist zombies and forming camps. But over time, some camps were nearly wiped out by accidents, others captured through human infighting, and still others peacefully absorbed. Small, scattered safe zones became fewer and fewer.

"I don't know," Lei Youliang replied numbly, then added: "Regardless of how it happened, the Qinglong Army has been destroyed—that's a fact."

No one could remain calm after seeing the horde swarm. Once he saw it clearly, all he wanted was wings—to rush back and deliver this shocking news at once!

"Too many, too many zombies—tens of thousands! Fire everywhere! The Qinglong Army is gone—completely gone. I saw..."

"In this world, where do you even find good people? Do you think you're good? Am I good?"

Excluding the scattered, trembling remnants of the Qinglong Army hiding in dark corners, the survivors of Kuanzhuang had it even harder to sleep.

"Then... shouldn't we have a proper talk with Tianma Isle? If we can unite and develop together in the future, wouldn't that be better?"

Xiao Feng's intelligence-gathering speed was fast—he left quickly and returned even faster...

"That's right. Only us and Tianma Isle remain."

Lei Youliang said solemnly.

That night, Tianma Isle had several extra guards on duty. Because of the Qinglong Army's fate, everyone slept lightly—even though the straight-line distance between the two places exceeded forty kilometers, the apocalyptic scene still left them unsettled, jolting awake at the slightest sound.

One man spoke softly, his tone uncertain.

A weapon you can't control is more troublesome than enemy attacks.

Right—his idea was improvement. Zhang Su only said not to modify without control—he never forbade improvement.

Yang Liehuo smoked his hand-rolled tobacco, the pungent smoke nearly obscuring his face. He sighed: "Xida Ying Village is gone, Lianhe Village is destroyed, the Qinglong Army is destroyed—along this line from Qingxian to Qincheng, only us and Tianma Isle remain..."

In a modest cellar beneath a nondescript courtyard in Kuanzhuang, over a dozen people sat around a dim lamp, listening to Xiao Feng's report, then fell silent.

Cultured people are so good at exploiting loopholes.

"You Youliang, could the zombie horde have been lured there by those guys from Tianma Isle?"

Lei Youliang silently shook his head at his companion's words. The man was a skilled fighter, but his thinking had completely failed to keep up with the times. Good or bad—any human could be used.

"I propose we establish contact with Tianma Isle as soon as possible—Xiao Ya is still in their hands. Reaching an agreement sooner is better!"

Yang Liehuo crushed out his cigarette and said.

Lei Youliang slowly waved his hand: "Uncle Fire, this can't be rushed. The Qinglong Army is gone—we need to think carefully before acting!"

"What's there to... fine, fine, I won't say more. You decide—I'll follow your plan."

Yang Liehuo knew he wasn't cut out for decision-making. He took out cigarette paper and a small bottle of tobacco, rolled another cigarette, lit it, and said nothing more.

"Listen to my analysis... Zhang Su didn't say it outright, but I could feel it—he wants to absorb Kuanzhuang, integrate this entire region south of Qingxian, and become the dominant leader here!"

Lei Youliang spoke softly, laying out his thoughts clearly.

Hearing his analysis, no one spoke up. No one showed strong reactions—they'd all considered this possibility before.

Whether resisting zombies or developing settlements, population size is always a critical indicator.

Seeing no one respond, Lei Youliang continued: "If we join Tianma Isle, we'll definitely become peripheral members. I suspect everyone here has some resistance to that—right?"

He looked encouragingly at the group. Seeing many nod slightly unconsciously, he went on: "Then we'll all feel like guests under someone else's roof, constantly targeted—it'll be routine. I can endure hardship myself, but I won't let everyone suffer because of me. So... there's a way to change this!"

"Brother Youliang, what way?"

"Tell us!"

Everyone lifted their eyes toward Lei Youliang.

If Yu Wen were here, hearing Lei Youliang's speech, he'd give a thumbs-up. Zhang Su might even sense his hidden agenda. But the Kuanzhuang group, caught up in the moment, didn't notice anything odd—instead, they felt strangely energized!

"Negotiation leverage!"

Lei Youliang spoke immediately, without waiting for anyone to prompt him, and didn't give the group more time to think: "For negotiations, both sides must bring leverage. Negotiations without leverage are a joke. So if we want to avoid being bullied by Tianma Isle in the future, we must increase our own leverage!"

"Brother Youliang..."

A young man raised his hand: "Wait, Tianma Isle never bullied us—it was the Qinglong Army that did. Tianma Isle wiped them out."

His words made the cellar's atmosphere turn strange. Lei Youliang's eyebrow twitched slightly. He pursed his lips and said: "Xiao Wei, you only see the surface. Tell me—if we ruled Tianma Isle, would we make our own people do hard labor while letting them enjoy the benefits?"

"That's impossible!"

Xiao Wei shook his head vigorously.

"Exactly! So if we must cooperate, form an alliance in the future, I want us to be the leaders—not the followers. Understood?"

After speaking, Lei Youliang looked around—but only a few gave positive reactions. He felt deflated.

In truth, many didn't feel the resistance Lei Youliang described. They weren't lacking attachment to Kuanzhuang—they were just tired of human infighting and wanted only a quiet place to live. Their exact position in the group didn't matter.

But Lei Youliang's speech bound everyone together, stirring resentment against possible unfair treatment.

Of course, a few felt energized, thinking Lei Youliang made perfect sense.

"Good. Since none of us want to be ruled, our next step is to increase our negotiation leverage! The Qinglong Army's leftover supplies are our leverage—and if any survivors remain, they'll become our allies!"

Lei Youliang pointed northeast, his voice rising, passionate!

Only now did they understand—Lei Youliang's target was the military camp. It made sense; the camp's supplies and weapons must be extremely rich.

"Brother Youliang, we can't..."

Xiao Feng, who had gone to scout, waved his hands anxiously: "The camp was overrun by the horde—everything's in ruins. Too many zombies. Extremely dangerous!"

"Danger and opportunity go hand in hand. Over the past few months, we've handled countless zombie groups and accumulated rich experience. We don't need to kill them all—just lure them away. I believe everyone can do it!"

Lei Youliang's tone was encouraging, lifting spirits instantly. He gave no one a chance to question further, pressing on: "Xiao Feng, describe the exact situation at the camp—let's pool our ideas. There's always a way!"

That night, Kuanzhuang was consumed by collective brainstorming...

(End of Chapter)