Chapter 444: Who Objects? (Give a little love—cast your monthly vote!)

"If you don't want to be friends with me, I won't force you—now you can take your men, get in your vehicles, and turn right around and leave!"

After speaking, Zhang Su saw the Survivors' Alliance members glancing at each other, clearly lacking anyone with authority, so he pointed forward.

"The Survivors' Alliance has no leader—this brother here looks like he's got the makings of one. Why not step forward and make a decision for everyone? Who objects?"

Who objects?

Who the hell dares object? Whoever objects is already turned to air! The men from Vanguard Team Two and Search Team Three looked at each other, then turned to Zhang Xin, nodding or shrugging—meaning, if you think it's fine, then it's fine…

"Good, no one has objections. Brother, what's your name? Any problems?"

Zhang Su feigned a polite inquiry.

Zhang Xin stood to the side with his team, watching the scene, his expression oddly strained.

As captain of Vanguard Team Three, he ranked second in command among the surviving personnel—he could've stepped up to lead, but he had no intention of doing so…

In Zhang Xin's view, the top two leaders of the Survivors' Alliance were dead, and the alliance would soon be carved up by nearby factions; he'd take a few men and join Tianma Island.

Now that Zhang Su had used his terrifying reputation to appoint him as spokesperson, he'd seize the opportunity without hesitation! "My name is Zhang Xin, captain of Vanguard Team Three. Since everyone trusts me, and someone clearly needs to step forward now, I'll lead you all and see how things go—hope the Lord of Hell doesn't break his word!"

Zhang Xin spoke confidently, cooperating fully—he had a connection with Zhang Su and wasn't afraid.

"Don't worry—Tianma Island never betrays its friends. Decide now, choose your path!"

Zhang Su waved his hand, leaping from the ceiling to the ground, striding straight to Li Zongkai, clapping him on the shoulder, and grinning: "Li Chairman, long time no see! Oh, your fancy clothes are torn!"

Li Zongkai glanced at his clothes, torn during his frantic escape, and sighed bitterly: "Mr. Zhang, I never imagined we'd meet again under such circumstances. I'm truly sorry—I couldn't help you, and instead caused you trouble. I'm ashamed!"

The Civilization Protectors stood beside Li Zongkai—Wu Daqiang and his four men, plus the big-headed man who'd followed Li Zongkai since the beginning—while the rest stared curiously at Zhang Su, this ruthless, decisive leader of Tianma Island known as the Lord of Hell.

They already knew their boss intended to hand over the entire faction to this man, and those standing here had no objections, so they studied Zhang Su closely, trying to understand their new leader quickly.

"How can you say you didn't help? Don't speak so formally!"

As Zhang Su spoke, he gestured with his hands—others didn't understand, but Li Zongkai knew exactly what he meant.

Then he looked at the unfamiliar faces beside Li Zongkai and added: "These brothers chose to follow you despite the pressure—they're your people. What will you do about those who left the Civilization Protectors?"

Everyone present had a chance to choose—except those who'd left the Civilization Protectors, because they'd already used up their chance! Wu Daqiang and the others stared anxiously at Li Zongkai; deep down, they hoped to give those men another chance—they'd spent so long together—but they knew it was nearly impossible.

Not only did Zhang Su's presence press down on them, but Li Zongkai himself had zero tolerance for traitors.

Li Zongkai shook his head: "If they chose to leave the Civilization Protectors, let them go wherever they wish from now on!"

Zhang Su smirked and nodded: "Fine, I'll handle this."

"Um…"

Li Zongkai gave a strained smile: "Mr. Zhang, you're not going to…"

He didn't finish, but his eyes asked the question.

Zhang Su understood Li Zongkai thought he'd kill them—he patted his shoulder: "Relax. If they're truly innocent, I won't trouble them."

The eight who left the Civilization Protectors acted on impulse. Before, it was hard for Zhang Su to discern a person's true thoughts—he needed careful questioning and psychological probing—but now it was much simpler. He turned his gaze to Ju Wuying, who stood quietly among the crowd, barely noticeable.

Feeling Zhang Su's gaze, Ju Wuying met it calmly, shrugged slightly—as if to say: Easy task! "Fan Dahai, stop standing around here—go find your captain!"

Zhang Su noticed the tall, thin Fan Dahai standing among the crowd, grinning along with everyone else—he had no sense of being a hostage, even seemed utterly carefree.

In one swift motion, the dog-leg knife sliced upward, severing the rope binding Fan Dahai's hands and the gag around his mouth.

The simple move froze Fan Dahai's smile—the cold blade brushing his skin had sent chills through him. He quickly touched his cheeks—no injury—and grinned: "Thank you, Lord of Hell, for sparing my life! Thank you, thank you!" Fan Dahai was relaxed now; after Zhang Su dismantled the conspiracy's hidden hand, his heart settled. Hearing Zhang Su tell him to go find Yang Xin, he scampered off eagerly to the other side.

After dealing with Fan Dahai, Zhang Su glanced at Luo Yongzhan, who was being guarded by Liu Tianji and Guo Dachao, and gestured with his finger: "Bring him over."

Luo Yongzhan shuffled forward, dazed and defeated. He wasn't shorter than Zhang Su, but now he dared not meet his eyes, head bowed, standing still, unsure what judgment awaited him.

"Loosen his restraints."

Zhang Su raised his hand.

Quickly, Luo Yongzhan's bindings were cut. He rubbed his stiff, numb arms, still unsure what to say.

Zhang Su looked at Ju Wuying. Ju Wuying remained calm and shook her head.

"What's your name?"

After an initial assessment—no hostility—Zhang Su decided to ask a few more questions.

"Luo… Luo Yongzhan."

Luo Yongzhan answered with his head down.

"Nearly all the Bodyguards are dead. Your boss is dead. What do you plan to do?"

Zhang Su clasped his hands behind his back, asked the question, then glanced back at the crowd—dozens gathered, talking animatedly.

Luo Yongzhan's lips twitched slightly. The question was too abstract. He flicked his eyes toward Zhang Su, then away: "I haven't even sorted out what happened—how can I have any plans…"

"Hmm. I asked poorly. Let me rephrase: Don't you want revenge?"

"Revenge?" Luo Yongzhan frowned, then shook his head slightly: "Even if I wanted to, I couldn't. Besides, I don't want to."

"Oh?"

Zhang Su was slightly surprised. He was about to speak when a voice rose from behind a nearby vehicle.

"Little Luo used to be in the Armed Police—he had a strong sense of justice. He's nothing like me. If he'd known what Liao Youzhi was up to, he wouldn't have betrayed—he'd have left the Alliance outright!"

Wu Baokang slowly stood up, his arms still tightly bound, but the gag over his mouth was gone—he must've freed himself somehow.

"Biological weapons are always evil, never tolerated. I never thought Liao Youzhi would have something like that."

Luo Yongzhan's face flushed with emotion. Everyone was fighting the zombies—he'd been researching weapons to turn people into zombies?

"Oh, so you're a man of justice!"

Zhang Su found the label oddly abstract. He drew his knife and called to Wu Baokang: "Old Wu, you've performed well today. I'll free you first!"

Wu Baokang walked forward with a strange expression, reminding him: "Lord of Hell, don't forget your promise—you swore you'd never break your word!"

Swish-swish—Zhang Su cut through Wu Baokang's ropes and zip-ties with his knife, nodding: "You were all just following Liao Youzhi's orders. Grudges have targets, debts have owners—the main culprit is gone. Your affairs are settled."

Wu Baokang stretched his numb arms, frowning: "I heard what Deputy Leader Gong said earlier—it sounded like you two knew each other well. How did you…"

Zhang Su's act of burning both groups with chains of flame had shocked him. Liao Youzhi's downfall made sense, but Gong Chengming's death didn't.

"No time to explain. Only you two are left from the Bodyguards. Talk it out—figure out your future."

Zhang Su clapped Wu Baokang on the shoulder, then walked toward the gathered crowd.

(End of Chapter)