Chapter 400: Whispering the News

If the tension level in the lead squad's vehicles was sixty percent, the tension in Zhang Xin's vehicle in the lead regiment's third team shot straight to eighty percent.

"It's over, it's over, it's over—something's going to happen!"

Zhang Xin gripped the steering wheel tightly and drove furiously north.

"What do you mean, Brother Zhang?"

A bulky, clueless man in the back seat asked.

"Zhou Le just reported a horde heading north—the leader immediately ordered everyone on standby. This damn thing is preparing for war!"

Zhang Xin sighed in frustration.

In the early days of the disaster, he was fierce and combative, terrorizing his neighborhood with a gang—but it was all for survival. Once survival was secured, he longed for peace…

"Brother Zhang, uh… just reply already—we're the only ones who haven't spoken!"

Xiao Hu held the radio. He knew what Zhang Xin was nervous about: this could be a clash with the northern faction, and right now, the foremost target was Tianma Yu!

"Hold the button—I'll speak!"

"Alright, three, two, one!"

"Received, Leader. This is Xiao Zhang of Lead Team Three. We've got some issues here—we'll handle it and return immediately…"

"Help! Brother Zhang, come quick…" Xiao Hu screamed into the radio with a distant, strained voice.

"Coming! Leader, we'll handle it and return right away!"

Zhang Xin and Xiao Hu's shouting drowned out the car's engine noise completely; he had no intention of stopping or turning back—he kept driving north. No matter what the leader planned, he needed an escape route. The brief scene didn't raise suspicion in Liao Youzhi's mind—in the apocalypse, sudden incidents were common—but it made Gong Chengming, who was driving back to headquarters, frown.

"What's Zhang Xin up to…"

Based on prior knowledge, Gong Chengming secretly suspected Zhang Xin had ties to Zhang Su—but he had no concrete proof. This delay tactic fueled his suspicions.

As vehicles gradually returned to the Survivors' Alliance, Zhang Su's two cars also arrived at Tianma Yu. They even stopped by Weixing Village to check on operations, just to reinforce their presence.

"You were gone a long time—I saved you some food. Just reheat it!"

Zheng Xinyu, hearing the monitor crew report the vehicles' return, rushed to the parking lot the moment they arrived. Only when she saw Zhang Su and the others step out unharmed did she relax.

Every time they went out, she worried—but she couldn't use the radio to contact Zhang Su. As the leader's woman, no matter how anxious she felt, she had to hide it. She couldn't show pessimism; she had to stay positive, bright, and optimistic.

If Zheng Xinyu or Zhong Xiaoshan showed signs of gloom, it would spread like a virus, making others tense too—and vice versa.

"Look at them," Zhang Su laughed, pointing at the trembling Lu Yubo and the others. "They were slow enough already, then ran into a horde—delayed us a bit."

"Another horde drifting toward camp? Mr. Zhang, with our current clearance speed, things don't look promising."

Yu Wen and Yu Qing walked together to the parking lot to greet the returning group. Since the people from the United Village, West Camp, and Kuan Zhuang had left, Tianma Yu had returned to its old rhythm—whenever someone returned from a mission, those without duties would come out to welcome them, like one big family.

"Forget the other hordes—for today's one, we wiped it out completely!"

Zhao Dezhu beamed as he reported to his father-in-law: "Big Brother lured the horde way far—straight onto the North Second Ring Road. Ha! Those dumb zombies got totally confused and couldn't find their way back!"

"That far…" Yu Wen paused, then realized: "No wonder you took so long. That trip wasn't easy—no dangers, right?"

Luring hordes wasn't hard—but keeping them together, avoiding unexpected incidents, and preventing ambushes from other hordes popping up suddenly required seasoned skill. Especially from Niuziquan Town to the North Second Ring Road—even the straight-line distance exceeded fifteen kilometers, a long stretch!

"Everything went smoothly. You guys unload and store the goods. We're going to eat first—then regular training this afternoon."

Zhang Su took off his gloves, slapped them together, then headed toward the mess hall. Far off, he saw Ju Wuying standing right in the middle of the road—clearly waiting for him.

"Why's that Japanese woman looking for me?"

Zhang Su whispered to Zheng Xinyu beside him.

Zheng Xinyu shook her head, equally confused.

"Little brat, why are you blocking the road?"

Zhang Su strode forward with a laugh—and nearly broke Ju Wuying's composure with his words.

"That's rude—I don't want that nickname…"

Ju Wuying first voiced her displeasure, then looked at the men behind Zhang Su. "I want to join external search missions." She remembered the rules clearly: external searches earned a ten percent bonus. Though life at Tianma Yu was indeed comfortable, as Zhang Su said, she still had a sense of crisis—she wanted to stockpile more personal supplies for emergencies.

"Ha, ambitious, huh…"

Zhang Su hadn't expected her to seek him out over something so small. He smiled. "Fine. Since you're eager, I'll take you tomorrow. But listen—follow orders, obey rules, or I won't hold back."

Ju Wuying seethed inwardly. Half a month ago, if he'd said "I won't hold back," she'd have scoffed behind his back. But now? She couldn't beat him anymore…

"Don't worry—I'll do exactly what they do."

"Alright, go ahead. Training's this afternoon—I'm going to grab some food."

Zhang Su waved her off.

The group laughed and chatted as they entered Little Luck. Before they could push open the mess hall door, Zhang Su heard hurried footsteps on the stairs. He turned—Zhong Xiaoshan rushed down, clutching a radio.

Zhang Su recognized the radio in Zhong Xiaoshan's hand. His brow lifted. "You guys go eat first."

He stepped forward, took the radio from her, and asked: "What's the situation?"

"It just rang—someone urgent wants you."

"Urgent?"

Zhang Su frowned, took the radio upstairs, unbuttoning his coat. Since he wasn't eating, he planned to change clothes first. Once inside, he pressed the talk button: "Old Zhang?"

"Oh! Brother Zhang, finally! Are you free to talk now?"

Within two or three seconds, Zhang Xin replied.

Zhang Su exchanged glances with Zheng Xinyu and Zhong Xiaoshan. The two women immediately stepped out—not just to avoid suspicion, but to keep watch outside and ensure a clean communication environment.

"Fine. I'm alone in here. Go ahead."

Zhang Su took off his outer clothes, sat back in his chair, crossed his legs, lit a cigarette, and wondered what the hell could be so urgent.

"Brother, I've got a question—don't take it personally. Today, someone lured several thousand zombies to the intersection of Provincial Road 52 and the North Second Ring. You know anything about that?"

Even through the radio signal, Zhang Xin's tense, cautious voice painted his anxious expression clearly.

Zhang Su's heart dropped. He didn't answer directly. "Hordes aren't unusual. I've got several nearby—some are nearly ten thousand strong. A few thousand? Not much. What's the issue?"

"Oh, Brother Zhang, it's not about how many—it's that this keeps happening over and over. Liao Youzhi lost his temper. He just ordered everyone back to HQ—this is definitely about handling it. He's probably going to reach northward!"

"Reach northward"—Zhang Su understood the implication. But what did "over and over" mean? He didn't get that.

"Old Zhang, you're using this radio to talk to me—that means you've gone north. Your leader called everyone back, yet you came to warn me—you're loyal. I'll be straight: today, I did lure one horde to the North Second Ring. But only today. 'Over and over'? That's got nothing to do with me!"

Zhang Su wasn't afraid of Liao Youzhi—he just didn't want to take the blame. The moment he heard this, he thought of the hordes discovering other survivors. There had to be a connection.

Zhang Xin paused slightly—his mind clearly racing. After about half a minute, he said: "Damn. Then who else is doing this? Brother, in the past month, this's happened two or three times. Liao Youzhi's had enough!"

"He's had enough? What's that got to do with me? You mean he thinks I'm behind all this and's coming to hunt me down?"

Zhang Su was angry—not just because of Liao Youzhi, but because he was being framed for something he didn't do. It was like a jewelry display case with a broken leg—he, the wind-like man, walked past, the breeze knocked it over, jewels shattered everywhere, and the shop owner demanded he pay for it…

"Sigh, my info's limited. That's just how things are. I won't say more—but if it comes to open conflict, I'll back you. Just don't shoot me!"

Zhang Xin cut straight to the point—his real goal: asking for mercy in advance.

Zhang Su couldn't help but smirk. "Old Zhang, if you say that, does that mean you're planning to abandon the Survivors' Alliance and join Tianma Yu?"

"We've known each other a while—I won't lie. If things stay calm, I'll stay in the Alliance and pass you info when I can—it's comfortable. But if conflict breaks out, I'll switch sides immediately!"

Zhang Xin spoke sincerely—it was a decision he'd weighed carefully.

"Alright, alright—so you're my mole in the Alliance, huh? Ha! Should I pay you a salary?"

Zhang Su didn't fully believe Zhang Xin—but he didn't fully disbelieve him either. Put himself in Zhang Xin's shoes—he understood the motive. With a reasonable motive, the action made sense.

(End of Chapter)