Chapter 294: Where Are the Others?

"Boss Zhang, I regret it!" Ma Changshou sighed to the heavens.

"Regret what?"

Zhang Su regarded the old man who prided himself on being shrewd with a half-smile on his face.

"I regret not standing with you from the start—I only thought of clinging to life, leading my fellow villagers into the dragon's den and tiger's lair, and ending up in this miserable fate. I deserve to die!"

Overcome with grief, Ma Changshou slumped back onto the ground.

"Changshou…" An older elder stepped behind him, placed a hand on his shoulder, and shook his head with pity on his wrinkled face: "Joining the Green Dragon Corps was everyone's decision—you needn't bear such guilt!"

"Old village chief, what's your plan? Keep fleeing with your people, or find a safe place to rest and recover?"

Zhang Su spread his hands and asked.

"Boss Zhang, what do you mean?"

Zhang Su's gaze swept over the faces of the remaining elderly, women, and children from Xida Ying Village—though useless in combat, they were perfectly capable of base construction and farming. His words were cryptic, as if Yu Wen had possessed him, but he trusted Ma Changshou would understand.

Zhang Su waved at Meng Changwei, then turned to Ma Changshou and said: "Old Ma, save the rest for the camp. I want to ask you—does this barracks still hold any other survivors?"

Ever since he discovered that the deaths of Green Dragon Corps members didn't hinder the challenge but actually made it easier, he'd thought clearly: if the survivors were core members of the logistics department, no need to hesitate—just offer them peanuts and beans; if they were from combat or logistics units, consider recruiting them to expand the camp's population.

Ma Changshou was extremely humble, his role shift swift—as if he'd long wanted to shed the burden of village chief, and only now felt truly relieved.

With the challenge settled, Zhang Su felt more at ease, yet doubts lingered in his mind: what exactly had happened to the remaining eight?

Zhang Su didn't respond immediately. He stood before them, calmly accepting their kowtows, while in his mind he watched the numbers climb steadily—soon, the challenge was complete, finally locking at 【30/38】!

All twenty-seven before him had submitted. Sixty percent of the goal achieved. Most of them were ordinary people who followed the crowd—few had independent thoughts; after being battered by the apocalypse, they were as lifeless as withered wood—alive was enough.

"We'll follow Boss Zhang!"

"What's there to congratulate? We're just huddling together for warmth."

"Big brother, this barracks is falling apart. The odds of Ma and his people surviving are like a lobster crawling back to life from the kitchen seafood tank after a cruise ship capsizes—it's already a miracle. Are you still thinking about the science department?"

Zhao Dezhu knew Zhang Su was desperate to find the fringe squad that had modified zombies, but this situation clearly made it impossible.

Ma Changshou froze upon hearing Zhang Su's words, then burst out excitedly: "Boss Zhang, I'm filled with regret! If you'll take us in, I'll kowtow to you! All villagers who want to follow Boss Zhang and eat meals—kneel and kowtow!"

A spark lit in Ma Changshou's eyes. Slowly, he rose to his feet and looked at Zhang Su.

He dropped to his knees with a thud, banging his head on the ground—thud, thud, thud—so devoutly, even more fervently than burning incense on New Year's Day.

If they were from the science department, use coercion and bribery to secure them!

Unexpectedly, he'd encountered a group of familiar faces—the difficulty had dropped to its lowest.

"If you sincerely turn from darkness to light, I guarantee you a path back to salvation. If you persist in your folly, you'll sink into endless suffering."

"All of you, rise! From today on, you are no longer people of Xida Ying Village. Like the United Village, you now join Tianmayu—you are one of us!"

Such people, with a little management, made excellent laborers—the camp needed people like them to build.

After Ma Changshou finished speaking, Meng Changwei politely bowed and offered congratulations. He had little interest in this group of suffering elderly, women, and children—if they clung to him, they'd be a nuisance. He also admired Zhang Su for accepting such a group.

"Congratulations, congratulations! Congratulations to Boss Zhang, uh… congratulations on your camp's growth and ever-better future!"

With the burden lifted from his shoulders, Ma Changshou's spirit was much stronger than before. After a moment's thought to Zhang Su's question, he shook his head: "Everyone I know is right here."

Ma Changshou held high prestige in Xida Ying Village. Though the strong and able sometimes disobeyed him, among the elderly, women, and children, his status was revered. Seeing him lead by example, they all knelt and began kowtowing.

"Science department… right!"

Xin Qi suddenly spoke from behind the crowd, stepping forward: "Big brother, that collapsed building over there was the command center—there's a secret science department lab underground. People might still be hiding inside!"

"Yes, yes, that's right! That lab was manned twenty-four hours a day! Big brothers, go check it out!"

Fang Great Ming slapped his forehead and added.

"This 'secret' lab isn't very secret—you all know about it…"

Zhang Su sneered. Xin Qi and the others were merely low-ranking members of a combat squad—bottom-tier personnel in the Green Dragon Corps. If even they knew about it, was it really a secret?

"It's just that the location is hidden. Not really a secret—most people know about it…"

Xin Qi offered an embarrassed explanation.

Zhang Su turned again to Meng Changwei: "Meng boss, will you join me in searching for survivors?"

"Boss Zhang, I don't understand—why are you so obsessed with finding Green Dragon Corps survivors? Is there some hidden benefit?"

Meng Changwei asked without hesitation.

"Hah…" Zhang Su rubbed his head, removed his ugly hat, and said: "Honestly, nothing else—I heard the Green Dragon Corps had a science department with some expertise in zombie research. I want to bring those researchers back to continue the work. And also… cut the grass, but don't leave the roots—spring wind blows, and it grows again!"

Meng Changwei's single eye glinted with thought. After a long pause, he nodded: "Alright, I understand, Boss Zhang. Today's cooperation with you was pleasant—you're easy to deal with. I wish we'd met sooner. Since you've other matters to attend to, we'll take our things and leave. If we have a chance later, we can contact each other—our camp's exact location…"

With that, Meng Changwei leaned close to Zhang Su's ear and whispered a few words.

Everyone knew Meng Changwei had just revealed his camp's location to Zhang Su—officially, the two groups had formed a friendly alliance.

Though ruthless, Zhang Su clearly had boundaries, and his abilities were outstanding. Becoming allies was undoubtedly the best choice for both sides!

"Alright, Meng boss, I've got it. You guys handle your own business. As I said before—take any weapons you find, grab as much food as you want, but leave those two tanks alone."

"We'll honor the agreement. Goodbye!"

Meng Changwei patted his chest, then slapped Zhang Su's arm, signaling him to rest easy.

Even so reassured, Zhang Su still assigned four men to assist the people from Daqiao Fortress—just to keep an eye on things…

Meng Changwei didn't mind; he was glad for the extra hands.

Zhang Su didn't rush to move supplies. The missing survivors were his true concern—but first, other matters needed handling.

"Old Ma, I've got a job for you."

Zhang Su waved to Ma Changshou.

"Yes, yes, Boss Zhang, give me orders!"

Ma Changshou scurried over to Zhang Su's side, ears wide open.

"See those corpses by the warehouse door?"

Zhang Su pointed to the side.

Ma Changshou nodded—he'd seen them long ago, and even heard the gunfire above while hiding underground, but dared not ask.

"Take your villagers and dispose of those bodies. Bury them somewhere nearby. Any problem?"

"Boss Zhang is truly benevolent! In this age, a proper burial is hard to come by. Leave this to this old man—I'll handle it beautifully."

Hearing it was funeral work, Ma Changshou puffed out his chest—his family had once handled burials in the village; digging graves and burying the dead was second nature to him.

Tianmayu's people struggled to suppress their laughter at Ma Changshou's flattery. Those who knew Zhang Su well understood—he never believed in letting the dead rest in peace. The real reason for burying the Kuangzhuang people's corpses? There had to be another motive!

"Hey, heartless one—can't bring yourself to execute your ex? Did your conscience finally wake up?"

Zheng Xinyu crept close to Zhang Su's ear, whispering.

Zhang Su turned to her with a strange expression. Just moments ago, tension had been at its peak—what did it matter whether she was his ex or not…

He gave a peculiar smile: "Then be careful—you don't want to become an ex."

With that, Zhang Su waved his hand, signaling everyone to follow him!

Zheng Xinyu, stunned, took about ten seconds to react. She jumped after him, yelling: "Hey! I'm your wife, not your girlfriend—get that straight!"

Tianmayu's people didn't understand why Zheng Xinyu suddenly said that—but seeing Zhang Su's calm demeanor, they all pretended nothing had happened.

(End of Chapter)