Chapter 413: What Is Our Relationship?

"This gun technique…"

"It's familiar!"

Wu Daqiang and Xiao Tiao exchanged glances; the scene of every shot hitting its mark seemed familiar, and a stout figure simultaneously surfaced in both their minds—but in the post-apocalypse, talented individuals emerged everywhere, and they dared not believe it could be such a coincidence.

"The remaining ten friends, what are you waiting for? Waiting for dawn to watch the sunrise? Then let me proudly introduce—you'll find the sunrise over Tianma Yu especially beautiful!"

Yu Wen's voice rang out, serious yet tinged with subtle humor.

"If we hand over our weapons, how can we guarantee our safety?"

Wu Daqiang shouted out the window.

Since the conversation had reached this point, the other side had already begun to concede—but that didn't mean Tianma Yu would concede. Yu Wen was about to speak when he heard the rear car door open and Zhang Su silently slip onto the vehicle.

"Mr. Zhang, we've been waiting for you to speak."

Yu Wen courteously handed the microphone to Zhang Su; he knew his job was done. He ignored Zhang Su's strange gaze as if he hadn't noticed it.

Zhang Su, his face twisted in a grimace, took the microphone connected to the loudspeaker from Yu Wen and said directly: "You have no second option but to lay down your weapons. If I don't see all of you leaning out your windows within ten seconds, we're done talking! Ten…"

Gulp…

Zhang Su's opening words instantly tightened the atmosphere, forcing everyone to endure the countdown.

Every heart on Tianma Yu trembled; they raised their weapons but also guarded against a desperate last stand.

Yet they had vastly overestimated the other side's ferocity—by the time Zhang Su reached "six," figures began appearing at the windows, raising their hands and leaning out just like the Tianqi Corps.

When there's a chance to survive, no one chooses to fight to the death—unless truly cornered.

"Good. You haven't disappointed me!"

This time, Zhang Su didn't use the loudspeaker. He opened the car door, stepped out, and stood before the headlights, looking up at the building—clearly seeing each person's face, yet his own figure appeared to them as nothing more than a dark shadow.

"That voice…"

Wu Daqiang, filled with humiliation, stiffened at those words, staring in disbelief at his companion; Xiao Tiao's face showed equal shock.

The voice through the loudspeaker was distorted, but the moment Zhang Su spoke, a sense of familiarity surged in both of them.

"Are you the King of Hell?"

Wu Baokang asked in a low voice.

Zhang Su closed his eyes, steadied himself, then nodded slightly: "Correct. I am the King of Hell—my word is law. If you follow my orders, you'll face no danger."

"It's him!"

Wu Daqiang's heart jolted; after two sentences, he was certain—the dark figure standing before the headlights was the very man who had taken a large cache of weapons from the military camp! "Qiang Ge, that guy down there is definitely Zhang Su—what do we do?"

Xiao Tiao also recognized the voice; he whispered to Wu Daqiang without moving his lips.

"Wait and see."

Wu Daqiang remembered Zhang Su vividly—he viewed him as profit-driven, cunning, and formidable in combat, with strong leadership qualities. Though they had once cooperated, the final division of spoils had been far from pleasant.

In the post-apocalypse, everyone's psyche changes daily. So much time has passed—who knows if he still remembers our past cooperation? Besides, he calls himself the King of Hell—he's certainly no easy man to deal with!

"Now, help each other bind your hands with whatever you have, line up, and come down one by one. Leave your gear upstairs—someone will collect it! Civil Guardians, you don't need to bind yourselves. Soldier Wu, bring your friends down, take your gear with you—no need for me to climb up and pick it up!"

The Survivors Alliance members were about to bargain when they heard Zhang Su's next words and froze in shock.

What the hell was going on? They'd thought Little Eagle was the traitor, only to find him dead—and now they learned the Civil Guardians were on the other side's side? No binding, weapons allowed, and they could walk down freely? This was insane! "Boss, you've been played!" Wu Baokang's vision darkened with rage—who the hell was even on his side?

The Tianqi Corps members paused, then didn't hesitate long—they immediately began finding things to bind each other's wrists. Why overthink it? Survival first!

The Civil Guardians' expressions were a mix of confusion and relief. Wu Daqiang and Xiao Tiao spoke in barely audible whispers; the other three companions had no idea what was happening. How did the other side know their leader? It was strange—but they still felt relieved.

"Qiang Ge, are these guys your friends?"

Someone asked Wu Daqiang.

Wu Daqiang frowned: "I knew him before—but now, friend or foe? Unclear."

"Then… should we take the chance and eliminate their leader?"

One fearless man suggested.

Wu Daqiang shook his head quickly: "Don't even think of tricks. These guys are extremely dangerous. Since they're showing goodwill, don't push your luck. Chairman Li still holds them in high regard!"

With that, the Civil Guardians began gathering their gear.

"Soldier Wu? That name sounds familiar…"

"Damn… wait, Soldier Wu—isn't that Wu Daqiang from the Cultural Road military camp?"

"Holy crap! Didn't expect to run into an old acquaintance! Civil Guardians—hahahaha, what a stupid name!"

Core members who remembered that past period on the vehicle began chatting, explaining the history to newer recruits who didn't know the background—most felt a mix of nostalgia and regret.

Soon, Wu Daqiang led his four companions out of the shop, each carrying backpacks and weapons. Except for Wu Daqiang and Xiao Tiao, the other three wore strange expressions.

On this side, all of Tianma Yu's people had exited the vehicle, fully armed and standing beside the headlights, using darkness to shield themselves and light to intimidate the other side.

"Hahaha!"

Zhang Su laughed heartily as he stepped forward and gave Wu Daqiang a warm hug. "Officer Wu, after our parting back then, I never imagined we'd meet again here. How are the old comrades? How's Old Li?"

His tone, like an old friend, instantly bridged the gap between them—Zhang Su didn't even bother taking their weapons.

Soldier Wu's lips twitched. Only when Zhang Su stepped back and stood before him did he truly see his face—it was indeed that guy he'd never liked. He hadn't changed much, except his skin was slightly drier…

"Mr. Zhang, I'm a non-commissioned officer, not an officer… We're all fine. Chairman Li is well too."

"Who cares about officer or NCO? From now on, I'll call you Daqiang. Hah! Good, that's good. This one behind you—isn't this Xiao Tiao? I remember Old Li introduced you as Xiao Tiao, right?"

Zhang Su looked at the tall, slender man following closely behind Wu Daqiang.

Xiao Tiao smiled awkwardly and nodded: "Yes, Mr. Zhang. Just call me Xiao Tiao. I'm grateful for your kindness."

"Haha, it's nothing. We don't need to be so formal—these three… no rush to introduce them. Go rest on the vehicle first—we'll chat properly when we get back to camp!"

With that, Zhang Su turned and said: "Xinyu, Zhu Zi, Lao Tan, welcome our old friends!"

We don't need to be so formal? What exactly is our relationship? Wu Daqiang and Xiao Tiao were deeply confused. Zhang Su's smile was sincere, not feigned—he truly treated them as insiders. But why?

To sow discord between the Civil Guardians and other factions, then pick them off one by one?

Completely incomprehensible…

(End of Chapter)