Chapter 421: No Beating, No Compliance

"How's that? Is that news weighty enough? Come on, keep your promise and let me go!"

Wu Baokang looked at Zhang Su with a smug grin, raising his arm as if to say, "Loosen me up already…"

"Same old problem—how do you counter the Corpse Transformation Powder? If you don't know its weakness, your information isn't worth much!"

Zhang Su spread his arms and shook his head; even as he asked, he already had a contingency plan in mind—he just wanted to test the waters.

Wu Baokang let out a heavy sigh, furrowing his brow in deep thought, then hesitated: "Dr. Tang mentioned something… what was it that Corpse Transformation Powder fears? I can't quite recall. If I could have a cigarette, I'd probably remember!"

"Damn it!"

Zhang Su was still waiting for an answer, never expecting this guy to pull a interrogation-room trick—he pulled out a cigarette, shoved it into Wu Baokang's mouth, and lit it with a snap of his lighter.

Wu Baokang bit the cigarette, stared at the flame before him, and drew a thoughtful puff: "Something about staying away from fire sources—it loses its potency. See? I wasn't wrong! Just one cigarette and I remembered! Now that I've told you everything, let me go!"

Zhang Su snapped shut his lighter and gave Wu Baokang a flat look. "You're done talking. I'm not. Liao Youzhi sent you out to investigate Tianma Island—what exactly was he looking for? What's the next step in your operation? Lay it all out."

"Loosen me first, then I'll talk. Are you the Lord of Hell, or are you too scared to even do this much?"

Wu Baokang had tasted the sweetness of bargaining, and now demanded better treatment.

Zhang Su didn't hesitate—he drew his military knife and sliced through the rope binding Wu Baokang's wrists. "I know this rope can't hold you. But you know you can't escape this place. You're smart enough to play along—let's not waste each other's time."

"Heh, Lord of Hell's got sharp eyes, huh? …Man, this smoke's good. Didn't expect such fine cigarettes in this backwater. Don't be stingy—hand me the whole pack."

Wu Baokang had thick skin—he kept demanding things while checking his injured calf. The bleeding had slowed, but every movement still oozed beads of blood.

Zhang Su felt this whole scene was just like his uncle interrogating a prisoner.

Thwack.

"Spit it out. When you're done, I'll send someone with medicine."

Zhang Su tossed the cigarette pack and lighter onto the bed, crossed his arms, and stared at Wu Baokang. Outside, he could hear movement—Zhao Dechu had interrogated four or five rooms already, likely found nothing. All the intel had to come from Wu Baokang. "Liao Youzhi is extremely cautious. Even when gathering forces from the other three factions, he still didn't trust you—he sent you out to scout our situation: personnel distribution, weapons, equipment. Originally, you planned to wait outside until our people left camp, then capture a few for interrogation. But you got caught first."

Wu Baokang suddenly interrupted, curious.

Zhang Su's expression flickered, then he replied offhand: "I knew Wu Daqiang before. Don't ask about things that don't concern you. Get back to the point!"

"Even with the other three factions joining, Liao Youzhi still wasn't confident—he sent us out to figure out your setup: personnel, weapons, gear. The plan was to wait outside until your people left the camp tomorrow, then capture a few for questioning. Didn't expect we'd be the ones caught."

Wu Baokang gave a weary smile, tucked the cigarette and lighter into his pocket, and continued: "According to plan, we had to get this info back by the latest, before dark the day after tomorrow. After that, it's not my call anymore."

"Didn't the Civilization Protectors bring a long-range signal transmitter? Can't you contact Liao Youzhi?"

Zhang Su asked, puzzled.

Wu Baokang gave a strange shrug and spread his hands. "I didn't even know the Civilization Protectors had that gear. They won't even hand out their military equipment for trade—we don't have any."

"Alright, you've talked enough. I'll send someone with healing medicine soon. Get some rest."

With that, Zhang Su turned to leave.

"Hey!"

Wu Baokang panicked—he leapt off the bed, stood up, and snarled: "You promised! Are you going back on your word?"

"Your words may be full of lies—I need to verify them first. Are you in such a hurry because you fed me false info?" Zhang Su turned his head, gazing at Wu Baokang with calm indifference.

"Then tell me—how do you verify it?"

"Naturally, once this whole affair is over, you'll know. Don't worry—I promised I won't kill you. Just relax."

Zhang Su spread his hands.

"Bullshit!"

Wu Baokang was furious—"Over" meant after Tianma Island and the Survivor Alliance settled their conflict. By then, it'd be too late! "As a leader, you can't break your word—let me go right now!"

Wu Baokang finally snapped. Before he finished speaking, he leapt over the bed. In his hand appeared a wooden stick—likely torn from some furniture. It was about a foot long, like a short sword, thrusting at Zhang Su with blinding speed.

Unexpected, lightning-fast—the move revealed Wu Baokang's deep skill. He didn't care that his calf bled again—he aimed for a decisive strike.

Any other Tianma Island member besides Zhang Su or Ju Wuying would've been unable to dodge this suicidal attack—best case, they'd both be crippled. But there was no "what if…"

Zhang Su had known all along Wu Baokang had hidden weapons—he'd deliberately said nothing, waiting to test him. Some people only learn to behave after being thoroughly beaten down.

Zhang Su stared calmly at the massive shadow hurtling through the air, as if frozen—yet his body moved. He calculated the stick's trajectory, sidestepped slightly, then kicked out with his leg straight into Wu Baokang's chest and abdomen. Thud! The stick pierced the air two centimeters from Zhang Su's face. The kick landed squarely. A muffled crack echoed—and Wu Baokang's bulky frame flew backward like a sack of sand.

Thump…

"Ahh… ugh… cough!"

Wu Baokang's massive body slammed into a wooden sofa in the corner. The hard wood groaned but didn't break—only Wu Baokang suffered. Every ounce of force rebounded into his body.

He'd already been thrown hard in Beidong Town, then had his calf slashed earlier. He'd toughed it out with his tough frame—but now another brutal kick, plus the crushing impact, sent his breath flying.

"Ugh… huff… cough cough!"

After four or five seconds, Wu Baokang gasped back air, then erupted into violent coughing. He curled on the floor, too weak to stand.

"You're too violent. I changed my mind—no medics for you. You're a dangerous bastard."

With that, Zhang Su left Wu Baokang's room.

Are you kidding me…

Wu Baokang was seething, face flushed and pale, glaring with bulging eyes as Zhang Su walked out calmly. His lips twitched as he spat out a string of curses: "You call me violent? You Chusheng! Send someone to treat me right now! You promise-breaker, piece of shit—I fucking—"

Huh.

He hadn't finished cursing when the door opened again. This time, it wasn't just Zhang Su—Zhao Dechu entered with him.

"Bro, see? I told you—he's got a foul mouth and never shuts up. Should've sewn his lips shut!"

Zhao Dechu grinned, pointing at Wu Baokang on the floor, smug as ever.

"Since you answered my questions, I'll spare your life. Don't push it. Want to be gagged like that actress, hands bound with steel wire—or just shut up and sleep?"

Zhang Su stared calmly at Wu Baokang. He found this guy interesting—different from any enemy he'd faced before.

(End of Chapter)