Chapter 479: Tools Have No Good or Evil

Zhang Su's mind raced: "Two hundred and ninety-eight, two hundred and forty-five—that means fifty-three people still have unclear intentions… This is a headache."

As he pondered, three more hands rose from the crowd, emboldened by seeing the woman's question receive an official response.

Zhang Su did not dismiss the three simply because he couldn't visually tally intentions; he answered each question seriously, for all three were critical—one about food distribution, one about labor force, and another about promotion channels…

The survivor camp was like a small society, each link needing gradual refinement.

After answering the three questions, Zhang Su could clearly sense the change in the people's gaze toward him—while he couldn't guarantee everyone was truly convinced, their trust had certainly risen from the previous baseline!

As for the few hidden in the crowd who were reluctant to join Tianma Island, or had joined only out of coercion, he had no intention of exposing them now; there would always be ways later, and he had too many other things to attend to—he couldn't waste time fixating on one place.

"Everyone, from today on, the Survivor Alliance is officially a thing of the past. You are all brothers and sisters of Tianma Island, and this is the Tianma Island LeGou Branch!"

"Clap, welcome our leader Zhang! Our leader Zhang is invincible!"

Zhang Xin timed his response perfectly—no sooner had Zhang Su finished speaking than he immediately whipped up the atmosphere.

"Welcome our leader Zhang! Our leader Zhang is invincible!"

The crowd's nervous tension lifted; their impression of Zhang Su was now quite favorable, and they enthusiastically joined Zhang Xin in amplifying the mood.

These formalities seemed unavoidable; Zhang Su no longer resisted them. Once the crowd's excitement peaked, he lowered his hand and called out loudly: "Who among you are researchers from the Science Department? Step forward."

Upon hearing this, many from the LeGou Branch turned to look.

From the crowd emerged two men and one woman, all wearing glasses. A moment ago they had been cheering and clapping; now, confused by Zhang Su's words, they stepped out. The lead man, a middle-aged man in his fifties, wore a sycophantic smile: "Leader, we are the Science Department researchers. What may we do for you?"

Zhang Su said nothing, merely stared coldly at the man, making him squirm and sense something was wrong—the sycophantic smile twisted into a forced grin…

Others also sensed the tension rising. Recalling earlier stories told by Zhang Su and his group—how Liao Youzhi had threatened everyone with zombie bombs—they immediately connected the Science Department. That evil weapon must have come from these very people!

Thud.

Zhang Su stepped forward, placing a hand on the middle-aged man's shoulder. The man flinched violently. Zhang Su spoke solemnly: "You three—do you realize how much danger and trouble your actions have caused us?"

The man's face turned ashen, trembling. The image of Yu Nuo's pierced heart flashed in his mind. He stammered: "I, this…"

Seeing him unable to utter a coherent sentence, Zhang Su cut straight to the point: "Besides the amount Liao Youzhi took, do you still have any of that powder that causes zombification?"

"No!" the man shook his head frantically. "Raw materials were limited—we extracted only twelve grams. Leader… Liao Youzhi took all of it. Leader, you must believe us, we…"

"I don't have time to listen to your excuses!" Zhang Su interrupted, turning to Guo Dachao in the crowd: "Dachao, bind them. Take them back to Tianma Island and hand them over to Cui Lengxuan."

"Ah…"

Hearing this, the middle-aged man didn't know where Cui Lengxuan was, but the word "handle" clearly sounded hostile—he immediately collapsed to his knees. Behind him, the man and woman followed suit with a thump.

"Leader, spare our lives! We were just following orders to make the zombie powder—we're only researchers! We…"

"Enough! Don't waste time here!"

Guo Dachao, Lu Yu, and Zhao De stepped forward, seized the three researchers without hesitation, bound them, and dragged them up. Their legs were weak; they begged incessantly, but had no chance to protest—they were shoved straight into a vehicle.

Zhang Su deliberately left things vague. He had many reasons—above all, he didn't want the crowd to know too much and start speculating. He smiled at the crowd: "Three researchers committed serious errors and must be dealt with strictly. This has nothing to do with any of you—no need to be nervous."

Over two hundred people slowly nodded. No one spoke up for the three from the Science Department. They simply watched silently as the trio was taken away…

Before this, almost everyone had had no contact with the researchers. The Science Department reported directly to Liao Youzhi and held a uniquely privileged status—their living quarters were clean and warm, their food tasty and nutritious, as if they lived in an entirely different world.

Not only was there no interaction, many had heard rumors: the Science Department would snatch ordinary members for experiments. Once named, it was a death sentence.

So ordinary members held no affection for the Science Department… Now they learned the researchers had created a bio-weapon causing zombification—something utterly intolerable. The new leader's immediate punishment of them was entirely understandable!

A leader who appears approachable does not mean he is soft-hearted. Everyone had seen his other side: clear-cut, ruthless, not to be trifled with.

One SUV started up, turned around, and drove back the way it came.

Many assumed the three Science Department members were doomed. But Zhang Su had no intention of killing them. They were merely tools in Liao Youzhi's hands—tools have no good or evil, right or wrong. Put them in another's hands, and they might serve even greater purposes.

"Alright, the important announcements are done. Go about your lives as before—have fun, get to work. I'll assign people to organize your renovations. Others will conduct personnel assessments to identify your special skills. Be sure to report honestly and cooperate fully—it affects your future work assignments and welfare distribution!"

With that, Zhang Su exchanged a glance with Yu Wen.

Yu Wen nodded, signaling he would handle the follow-up.

"Come on, tell me about yourself."

In Liao Youzhi's mansion, Zhang Su sat on the sofa, his gaze fixed on the woman across from him.

The woman wearing a white knit cap lifted her head, stared blankly at Zhang Su, then glanced left and right, incredulous: "Master Zhang, are you asking me?"

"Ouyang Qiao was Lao Li's woman. Pan Ru I know. Who else needs introducing?"

Zhang Su rolled his eyes. How could such a foolish woman end up in Liao Youzhi's bed…

Ouyang Qiao stood beside Li Zongkai, her expression complex. She hadn't expected her undercover mission to end so abruptly—she'd planned for at least a year, yet it had taken only two months.

"Reporting to Master Zhang, my name is Ma Huihui. The first 'Hui' is the 'Hui' in 'benevolence,' the second 'Hui' is the 'Hui' in 'wisdom.' I used to work at Jiuding Wellness Center…"

Ma Huihui nervously introduced herself.

"Jiuding Wellness Center… Oh, a foot massage technician. Liao Youzhi knew how to enjoy life."

Zhang Su was familiar with the place—he'd visited once before, tried it briefly, found it dull, and never returned.

"Master Zhang, don't laugh. I… let me serve you from now on. I can do so much—I'll make sure you and your sisters are perfectly cared for. Ask Sister Pan, I'm skilled. Just give me a meal to eat…"

Ma Huihui clasped her hands, swayed her hips, pleading earnestly. Her makeup was flawless, her demeanor exquisitely pitiful.

Zheng Xinyu stood behind the sofa, rolling her eyes and mimicking Ma Huihui's tone silently—but Zhang Su caught every gesture.

Pan Ru stood nearby. Hearing Ma Huihui's words, her ears flushed red. She lowered her head, saying nothing—her own life had been no different from Ma Huihui's.

She disliked this reunion. In her fantasies, meeting Zhang Su again meant either never seeing him again—or meeting him romantically, perhaps beginning a story.

But now… how could any story begin? It had nearly become a disaster.

Zhang Su ignored Ma Huihui's plea and turned to Ju Wuying, his eyes asking: Any issues with her? Ju Wuying smiled faintly, then slowly shook her head.

Zhang Su instantly understood. He turned to Ma Huihui: "Congratulations. You're free now. No one needs your service. Live for yourself. Go—take your things and leave. I'll have Zhang Xin arrange a place for you to stay."

"Huh?"

Ma Huihui froze. She scrambled to plead: "Master Zhang, I really can do anything! Please don't send me away…"

"I won't shut down the Pleasure Den. With your background as your former leader's woman, you'll live comfortably there! Lao Zhang, take her to pack."

Zhang Su didn't want to shatter a pure flower vase—only needed to confirm she bore no grudge. As for bringing her to his bed? Impossible.

(End of Chapter)