Chapter 452: Zombie Horde Approaching (Uncomfortable, But No Day Off)

I can't claim to be invincible, but as long as you're not shot dead or blown to bits, there's still a chance to save you.

Zhang Su appeared humble, but he was utterly vainglorious—this was the perfect moment to win people over, so he wouldn't dare reveal the limitations of zombie brain matter; not exaggerating was already more than decent.

Could it be… that this medicine was developed by Dr. Fu?

Zhang Xin had never taken the idea of a doctor's research seriously before, but now, thinking back, it all clicked.

"Incredible, truly incredible," Li Zongkai said, adopting the demeanor of an old cadre, circling Liu Yao and muttering in awe.

"Damn, this is practically a miracle from God…"

Yang Xin was a Christian—though one wonders if God would favor a believer who swore like a sailor.

"This isn't any miracle from God. Captain Zhang didn't mislead you—it's Dr. Fu's medicine. Due to the extreme scarcity of ingredients, it's never used for minor injuries or illnesses. I only gave you a single dose because you were injured by my own kick."

Zhang Su spoke with utmost seriousness.

"Yes, yes, damn it—if I'd known it worked this well, I wouldn't have dared to take it! The wound's bad, but not fatal. Damn, what a waste of such a precious thing!"

Liu Yao looked devastated, genuinely feeling he'd squandered something divine.

Zhang Su smiled and shook his head: "You kept your promise. Now you're officially part of Tianma Isle. Given your combat strength, you'll surely get into the Yama Legion eventually—they get priority access to this medicine. Go ahead and take it."

"Ah!"

Liu Yao let out an excited shout, then burst into laughter: "Hahahaha, yes, yes! I'm no longer Liu Officer of the Little Eagle Gang—I'm a member of Tianma Isle! I almost forgot. You're saying I can join the Yama Legion? Hahahaha, that's amazing…"

Liu Yao was ecstatic—hardly the demeanor of someone who'd just been demoted from leader to ordinary member. To an outsider, you'd think he was about to assume leadership of some major faction.

Zhang Su noticed that while Liu Yao spoke, the number after "Little Eagle Gang" in his mind shifted from 18/77 to 19/77. Clearly, this guy had been one of the three dissenters. He hadn't fully accepted things until now—until Zhang Su produced the healing medicine!

Indeed, coercion alone isn't enough. You need both pressure and incentive to truly win someone over.

Zhang Su found Liu Yao acceptable—he wasn't as annoying as he'd first seemed. The man might have some cunning, but he wasn't overly devious; overall, he was straightforward. That little scheming was probably forced upon him after becoming leader. Before that, he was probably just like Lu Yu, a pure battlefield commander.

Yang Xin opened his mouth to speak, but Zhang Xin cut him off.

"Brother Zhang, I think splitting up like this won't help our future development. Why don't you lead the integration of northern Qincheng and Qingxian? Think it's possible?"

In his haste, Zhang Xin used the old term he'd once used when speaking to Zhang Su. Only Yu Wen noticed—no one else sensed anything odd.

Yang Xin was half a beat late, but better late than never—he pushed himself up from the table and said: "I fully support Captain Zhang's proposal and am ready to fully assist in the integration. Commander Yama, what ceremony or procedure would be needed if the Tianqi Corps joins Tianma Isle?"

At this point, Yang Xin saw the situation with perfect clarity: the Civilization Protectors were already tightly bound to Tianma Isle; Liao Youzhi and Gong Chengming's factions had collapsed one after another; the Little Eagle Gang had fully joined Tianma Isle; the Four Tigers of Beicheng were now history—and the architect of this new order sat right before him. "Ahem…"

Zhang Su rubbed his nose. He noticed that when Yang Xin spoke, the number for Tianqi Corps—9/133—didn't change. But that didn't mean Yang Xin had already decided; he might still be pretending. That made things tricky—he couldn't confirm the man's true intentions!

Still, Yang Xin's willingness to bring his people into Tianma Isle was genuine. All he needed to do was wait a little longer to verify his sincerity.

Zhang Su hadn't expected things to go this smoothly. He'd anticipated a long, grueling process to reclaim the Little Eagle Gang and Tianqi Corps, with constant negotiations over interests—but the outcome was far beyond his expectations. "You all became leaders of your factions for a reason. Your foresight is a rare ability most ordinary members lack. But I must voice my concerns upfront."

Zhang Su looked at the group: "You think combining forces benefits development—but that doesn't mean everyone in your factions agrees. Remember those who left the Civilization Protectors? If your subordinates oppose you, what then? Let me make one thing clear: even if someone disagrees, no one is to kill innocents."

Zhang Su didn't know what these men thought, but he had to say this now. He knew not all organizations were as united as Tianma Isle—excluding Weixing Village.

Li Zongkai, whose mind had been as calm as a still lake, felt a sudden jolt upon hearing Zhang Su's words. The others also frowned.

Power tasted sweet. As leaders, they knew its flavor well—but between clinging to a stronger power for survival or continuing their own indulgence, they could all make rational choices. But that didn't mean their subordinates would be equally rational.

"Hmm… merging would definitely improve our prospects and better secure our survival. I doubt any fool would oppose it. But if someone really does… well, I don't know what to do. But don't worry—I won't kill anyone."

Liu Yao scratched his head, frowning as he pulled on his clothes. The excitement had passed, and he was starting to feel cold.

"I think…"

"I believe…"

Yu Wen and Li Zongkai spoke at the same time.

Yu Wen politely raised his hand, gesturing for the other to speak.

"Hahaha, Mr. Yu, then I'll take the floor…"

Li Zongkai bowed slightly, then continued: "Liu Officer is right—no one should refuse a better chance at survival. But we can't ignore one thing: people fear change. If we ease the transition gradually, I believe success is highly likely. Mr. Yu, what do you think?"

After speaking, Li Zongkai still asked for Yu Wen's opinion, playing his old social game perfectly.

Yu Wen nodded slowly: "Correct. That's exactly what I meant. If everyone agrees, we've already succeeded ninety-nine percent. For the remaining one percent, we just need to be a little gentler—I'm sure they'll accept it."

"Like those eight who left the Civilization Protectors in a fit of anger—if they hadn't run into this emergency, and if Xiao Li had returned to camp and guided them gradually, I'm certain there'd have been no problem."

Li Zongkai nodded vigorously: "They were just foolish in the heat of the moment. I'll go personally to persuade them—they'll understand. As for the brothers and sisters in the camp, no big issue."

"Tianqi Corps has no problems either, Commander Yama, rest assured."

Yang Xin was equally confident.

"Damn… you three are easy. But what about me?!"

Zhang Xin lit a cigarette, took a deep drag, and sighed heavily. As a temporary leader, he had zero authority. He could probably sway less than a third of the Alliance—unless people volunteered, he couldn't even force them.

Zhang Su smiled: "I noticed many survivors from the Alliance came today. Brother Zhang, go get the squad leaders—also, notify Wu Baokang. I'll call Luo Yongzhan too. Bring them both here. You all are enough to represent the Alliance."

Zhang Xin immediately clapped in agreement and hurried out of the dining hall to summon them. Within three to five minutes, people began filing in. Zhao Dezhu escorted Luo Yongzhan, while Wu Baokang, unbound, was shadowed by a woman—Ju Wuying.

Though Zhang Su hadn't specifically ordered it, Ju Wuying had taken it upon herself to watch Wu Baokang, the dangerous element—she was extremely responsible.

"Let me introduce you: this is Cai Zhihao, Second Squad Leader of the Vanguard Corps; this is the Second Search Squad Leader; this is Zhou Le, Third Search Squad Leader—hahahaha."

Zhang Xin introduced the Alliance squad leaders, and couldn't help laughing when he got to Zhou Le…

Zhou Le's face fell. He was deeply uneasy—he suspected Zhang Xin already knew about yesterday's incident.

"Hahahaha, so you're Zhou Le! I heard you reported the zombie horde to Liao Youzhi yesterday. Good job—proactive, highly responsive! Gentlemen, nice to meet you!"

Zhang Su didn't care about Zhou Le's past. He had no time to bother with a low-ranking soldier—he simply greeted them warmly.

"Nice to meet you!"

Seeing Zhang Su showed no ill will, Zhou Le relaxed slightly and kept nodding with a forced smile.

"Commander Yama is too kind."

Cai Zhihao also politely greeted Zhang Su. Though his face showed no suspicion, he was still wary—after all, they'd been enemies less than an hour ago.

"Come on, Wu Baokang, stand with them."

Zhang Su called to Wu Baokang, who had been standing aside.

"Why should I stand with them? We're not even on the same level—they're not worthy!"

Wu Baokang shook his head in disdain.

That might've been true before—the captain of the leader's personal guard held a lofty status. But now the leader was dead, the personal guard had dwindled to two men, and the entire unit was effectively gone. What was there left to brag about?

"What the hell do you think you are? You're just a squad leader! What's so special about you? Get over there!"

Zhao Dezhu suddenly caught his father-in-law's eye and immediately cursed, then kicked out.

The kick caught Wu Baokang off guard—he had no time to dodge and stumbled forward.

"You bastard!"

Wu Baokang turned to lash out at Zhao Dezhu.

Before Ju Wuying could move, Zhang Su casually placed his hand on Wu Baokang's shoulder.

"Captain Wu, let's talk business first."

Zhang Su's light words reached Wu Baokang's ears—and instantly, every bone in his body ached. The memory of being effortlessly subdued the night before flashed back. He forced down his rage, grunted, and stepped beside Zhang Xin.

Zhang Xin grinned, even winking at Wu Baokang.

"Gentlemen, let me explain the situation you're about to face. Please think calmly and rationally. If emotions must come into play, fine—here's the situation…"

Then Zhang Su, Li Zongkai, Yang Xin, and Liu Yao jointly summarized the current situation.

Cai Zhihao and Zhou Le had become squad leaders because they were clearly capable—their intelligence wasn't lacking. They instantly grasped their predicament.

"I agree!"

No one expected it—but the first to raise his hand was Wu Baokang.

Zhang Su looked at Wu Baokang strangely. Just moments ago, during the summary, the numbers in his mind had jumped: the Survivors' Alliance's 8/298 had become 11/298!

That meant three of the four who entered had already decided. So who was the unknown? Could this guy be pretending?

Hard to confirm—unless someone openly refused.

"Whether it's the Survivors' Alliance or Tianma Isle, I just need a place to survive. Anywhere's fine."

Immediately after, Cai Zhihao shrugged with a faint smile.

"I'm with Captain Cai. Commander Yama, if you'll have us, we'll follow you for food and shelter. I'll also try to convince the members of Squad Three and their families."

Zhou Le's stance was firm—he knew he was too weak to resist the tide, and had no reason to try. Five people, four had voted yes. Zhang Su naturally turned his gaze to the only one who hadn't spoken: Luo Yongzhan. This guard member stood here only because of his personal ability—he had no right to be here. "If possible…"

Luo Yongzhan felt everyone watching him, and hesitated before speaking: "I want to leave Qincheng, find a new place to start over. A large group doesn't suit me."

Case closed. Zhang Su felt a wave of relief. Of course—different positions meant different desires. But he didn't care much; he only feared hypocrisy.

"Everyone has their own path. If you truly leave Qincheng as promised, no one will hinder you. But think carefully—can you really make it alone? Do you already have a destination?"

Zhang Su hadn't planned to persuade Luo Yongzhan—after all, the combined populations of the four factions were large; he couldn't debate with every single person. But this was the first to oppose, so he gave him some patience—and with so many watching, it also boosted his image.

Luo Yongzhan instinctively looked toward Qincheng, about to speak—when several walkie-talkies blared simultaneously.

"Tianma Isle, attention: zombie horde spotted in the western wasteland, approximately three kilometers from Tianma Isle, moving toward camp at normal speed. Tianma Isle, attention…"

A frantic female voice echoed through the dining hall.

(End of Chapter)