Chapter 462: Don't Let Things Get Out of Hand

Zhang Su and his group returned to the camp and found the atmosphere of Tianma Ridge had changed completely since before the battle.

Previously, everyone gathered in the camp, wary of one another, with clear divisions between factions; now, those who could help were working, and those with nothing to do sat in small groups chatting and laughing.

The entire Tianma Ridge radiated cheerful energy; if not for the people's ragged appearances, someone might believe it was a corporate team-building retreat.

But the core members of Tianma Ridge disliked this atmosphere—it was their home.

As Zhang Su and the others stepped out of the vehicle, Li Zongkai immediately noticed he had many things to discuss with Zhang Su and hurried forward—yet someone moved faster: a slender figure shot past him and dashed toward Zhang Su, forcing him to slow down.

"Brother Su, someone's been stealing— I saw someone take our pickles and canned food, and even sneak meat from the pot!"

As soon as he stepped out, Zhang Su saw Mo Qianlan rush over like a whirlwind, indignant and reporting.

Earlier, she had been helping her mother in the kitchen and spotted someone stealing; she had intended to confront them, but Tan Huajun stopped her, saying the situation was unusual and she should report it to Zhang Su first.

So Mo Qianlan had been waiting—now that she saw Zhang Su return, she rushed forward immediately: "I confronted them, and they… they still denied it!"

Lu Yubo, seeing his wife arrive, leaned in to listen and instantly grew furious, his eyebrows shooting up: "Are they trying to rebel, damn—"

Zhang Su glared at Lu Yubo, silencing him, then asked Mo Qianlan: "Who?"

"Those guys over there."

Mo Qianlan gestured with her eyes toward four men sitting against the wall of the Wangshan folk house, smoking, her face a mix of grievance and anger.

Zhang Su remembered those men—they were members of the Survivor Alliance's Vanguard Team Two, under Cai Zhichao. He couldn't understand how combat personnel of the Survivor Alliance could sink so low, stealing right in front of a girl and still denying it…

He didn't doubt Mo Qianlan; the girl was quiet by nature, but she would never falsely accuse strangers.

Zhang Su knew these people had all willingly decided to join Tianma Ridge, but he had overlooked one crucial factor: willingness didn't mean pure motives.

Some genuinely sought protection, grateful to find a better camp.

Some wanted to band together for warmth, striving to become part of the team.

Others wished to contribute and build a better future!

If there were good people, there would inevitably be those who took advantage—these petty thefts were already mild; Zhang Su noticed Mo Qianlan hesitated slightly at the end, and he guessed those four weren't just denying it—they probably mocked her too. "Brother Su, you've got to teach those bastards a lesson—Lanlan would never lie to us!"

"Don't worry, I've got it under control."

Zhang Su told Lu Yubo to calm down, then turned to Pang Dakun, who was winking beside him.

"Dakun, these little scoundrels are showing off their tricks before their Grand Master—want to give them a proper lesson?"

Pang Dakun sneered: "I know exactly where they've hidden the stuff. These guys are habitual thieves—even as my disciples they're not worthy!"

"Oh? You're bold. Then help me deal with them?" Zhang Su smiled.

"Uncle, just say what you need—I'll handle them. They're bandits, don't call them thieves!"

Stealing was certainly not virtuous, but when perfected, it became an art—in Pang Dakun's eyes, theft was an art, and he wouldn't allow reckless bandits to sully it.

"Come on, follow me. Xiao Lan, you too."

Zhang Su waved, summoning everyone toward the pickpockets.

"This place is way too damn comfortable—Liao Youzhi picked some shitty location!"

Leaning against the wall, a thin man smoked, gazing through the smoke at the blue sky, already savoring the thought of pork with potatoes and vermicelli.

"Old Lu's right—hundreds crammed in one building, piss from the first floor audible on the fourth—what kind of hell is that?"

"Get real—you never lived on the fourth floor, how do you know it was a fart?"

"Hah! If I'd known the countryside was so much better, I'd have left long ago… Huh? Quick, get up!"

As the four men chatted, they saw Zhang Su approaching with a group and scrambled to their feet, smiling warmly. "Lord Yama, brothers of the Yama Legion, greetings! Thanks to you today—you've worked hard."

"Hard work, hard work."

Seeing Zhang Su actually walk up to them, they hurried to exchange pleasantries.

"We've been working hard, but you four have been busy in the kitchen too—hand over what you took."

Zhang Su skipped the small talk, getting straight to the point, yet his tone remained mild, even faintly smiling—he was in good spirits and hoped a gentle hint would suffice. But reality proved otherwise.

The four exchanged glances; the thin-faced man rubbed his head and offered an apologetic smile: "Lord Yama, we don't understand—what exactly are you asking us to hand over?"

"Xiao Lan, you tell them."

Zhang Su gestured for Mo Qianlan to identify them.

"I…"

Mo Qianlan had stormed over to confront them before and been shut down; now, asked to testify, her courage faltered.

Lu Yubo, watching from the side, saw her fear and slapped his chest: "Lanlan, don't be afraid of these bastards—I'm here. Who dares touch you?"

He had once been a street thug—he knew the ways of revenge and retaliation, and this meant nothing to him.

Zhang Su felt mildly exasperated watching his top lieutenant; the guy was usually clueless, but when his girlfriend was involved, he suddenly became sharp—love made people foolish, and sometimes, clever.

He deliberately stayed silent, letting Lu Yubo have this moment of heroism.

Mo Qianlan drew strength from Lu Yubo's support, stole a glance at Zhang Su—who remained calm—and regained her confidence, then began listing their offenses.

"Oh, little miss, how can you say we stole? We already told you—we didn't!"

"Lord Yama, don't listen to this girl—just arrived, why would we steal?"

"Little miss, we've treated you kindly as a Tianma Ridge member, but you can't falsely accuse good people!"

"Yes, I admit I tasted a bit of the stew in the kitchen—but I had the chef's permission! I didn't take anything!"

Four grown men, accused face-to-face by a girl of fifteen or sixteen, grew sullen and fiercely denied it.

Many had noticed Zhang Su's group walking from the parking lot toward the guesthouse area, but paid little attention—just nods and smiles. Now, sensing drama, a crowd quickly gathered.

"My wife never lies—what she saw with her own eyes can't be false. I advise you four to be honest, or this won't end well."

Lu Yubo knew exactly what thugs were like—he'd been one himself. These guys were clearly lying: "But we really didn't! Hey, Captain Cai, you're just in time—we've been falsely accused!"

Just then, Captain Cai Zhichao stepped out from the crowd; the thin man waved frantically for help.

Cai Zhichao approached, frowning in confusion, unsure what was happening.

"Captain Cai, please tell Lord Yama—"

"Captain Cai, what's going on?"

Cai Zhichao smiled; though quiet by nature, he handled affairs efficiently—he'd once been a shift supervisor on a factory assembly line.

"One of my sisters saw several of your men take things from the kitchen without asking."

Zhang Su said no more.

Cai Zhichao understood at once—taking without permission? That's theft.

(End of Chapter)