Chapter 488: The Car Park Was Wiped Out in One Blow

"Hehe, hello, hello…"

Ma Xiyu nodded at Zhang Su with an awkward smile, then turned to Liu Yao: "Boss, this is way too sudden—why?"

He voiced the doubt in many hearts; though everyone knew they, as ordinary members, had no choice but to obey, they still didn't want to be left in the dark.

Liu Yao leaned on one hip, tilted his head, and sneered: "Liao Youzhi, that fool, spent years plotting against Tianma Yu, trying to wipe out us—the Tianqi Corps and the Civilization Protectors—and even built a bomb that turns people into zombies. But all his schemes were crushed by the King of Hell! Yesterday, the Tianma Yu Underworld Legion annihilated both Liao Youzhi and Gong Chengming's gangs, saving all our lives!"

As soon as he finished, the crowd erupted into murmurs.

"Liao Youzhi's dead? No way, this…"

"Liao Youzhi's ambition was insane!"

"Didn't you hear Commander Liu? Liao Youzhi made a bomb that turns people into zombies—that's just evil!"

Liao Youzhi was well-known among the various factions in Qincheng; for such a powerful figure to die so suddenly was truly unpredictable.

But everyone also caught the key points in Liu Yao's words: Liao Youzhi's ambition was to destroy the other three factions and make Beicheng's Four Tigers the sole power, and he'd created inhumane weapons—deserving hatred. His death was no loss. The way they looked at Zhang Su no longer held the same coldness or suspicion.

Liu Yao raised his voice further: "After eliminating the poison Liao Youzhi, we also, through joint efforts, wiped out a horde of thirty thousand zombies. Of course, the main credit goes to Tianma Yu!"

He paused deliberately, and the crowd erupted in shock.

Thirty thousand yuan—most people here understood that. But thirty thousand zombies…

In four months of struggling to survive in Qincheng, they'd never seen a horde that large. The biggest before had been five or six thousand—already enough to clog the streets, blot out the sky, and freeze the blood. Imagining thirty thousand zombies crammed together was unthinkable.

Like the West Lake on May Day, the Great Wall on National Day, or the train station during Spring Festival?

"Cough!" Liu Yao cleared his throat to quiet them, then continued: "Considering Qincheng's future development and stability, I, Li Hui'chang of the Civilization Protectors, several Captains of the Survivors Alliance, and… Brother Yang, have unanimously decided to join Tianma Yu. Starting today, this place is the Tianma Yu Xinglong Branch!"

When he said "Brother Yang," Liu Yao's words were muffled, but the meaning was clear: the Four Tigers of Beicheng now belonged to Tianma Yu! "So there's a powerful force up north in the county, holding back countless zombies for our district… That's reassuring."

"Yeah, as long as they don't act like Liao Youzhi, it's a blessing for humanity!"

"Tianma Yu's Xinglong Branch—does that mean we don't have to move?"

After a brief moment of processing, over forty people immediately smiled warmly at Zhang Su. It was a peaceful annexation—exactly what everyone had hoped for.

"Brother Su, hello!"

"Yanluo Wang, hello!"

Ma Xiyu met Liu Yao's gaze with complex eyes; if anyone was reluctant to merge the Little Eagle Society into Tianma Yu, besides Liu Yao, it was this second-in-command.

Seeing Liu Yao give a firm nod, Ma Xiyu finally exhaled deeply, letting go of his burden, and smiled at Zhang Su: "Brother Su, hello!"

He'd been reluctant before because joining Tianma Yu meant losing his special privileges as second-in-command. But then he thought: even Liu Yao willingly became a subordinate—what did he have to hold onto? Out of position, out of responsibility. It was actually kind of relieving.

Zhang Su nodded to each one in turn, quietly pleased. Though the Little Eagle Society had only seventy-seven members, the number willing to join Tianma Yu had surged rapidly—now seventy-three—signaling the slow fading of the Little Eagle Society's official roster…

"Your enthusiasm and acceptance honor me, but I have something to say."

Zhang Su raised his hand, and the crowd fell silent. He shifted tone, joking: "'Xinglong Branch' sounds dull. Let's call it the Kindergarten Branch—I like this name, full of innocence and hope!"

Liu Yao's face twisted in awkwardness; he scratched his head: "Fine, from now on we're members of the Tianma Yu Kindergarten Branch!"

It sounded childish, but as Zhang Su said, a kindergarten is where tomorrow and hope are nurtured.

"Since we're family now, if you have any needs, or want improvements in daily life, speak up. I can't guarantee I'll fulfill them all, but first, have ideas. Only with ideas can we progress. Don't you agree?"

The people from LeGou Mall were far more rudimentary than those in the Kindergarten. To win hearts, Zhang Su had promised benefits earlier; now, with the Little Eagle Society, he changed tactics—but the promised perks would still be delivered. The atmosphere was electric; everyone highly approved of their new leader.

"I'll soon conduct a personnel survey. If you have skills or talents, don't hide them. We need you. Better positions await, along with improved benefits!"

In rebuilding the apocalypse, manpower matters—but talent matters more.

Hearing this, everyone's spirits lifted. Everyone craves recognition. In this apocalypse, contributing to the collective and receiving fair reward was deeply satisfying.

After announcing the matters, Zhang Su turned to Liu Yao: "Lao Liu, are all the brothers here? How many are on watch outside?"

Since four men still showed resistance, Zhang Su decided to get to the bottom of it.

"Three!"

Liu Yao held up three fingers, then pointed around: "The rooftop over there monitors the west and northwest. The pedestrian bridge just now watches the east. And the top of that tall building southward watches the south. No choice—these Xinglong Huafu buildings are all too short."

"Three…"

Zhang Su nodded slightly inwardly, then glanced at Yang Xin with a smile: "Isn't there another brother with Brother Yang?"

Yang Xin, standing nearby, shot Liu Yao an annoyed look.

Liu Yao grinned carelessly: "Heh, yeah. Three on watch, plus Lao Cao—that's the only four not here. Everyone else is accounted for!"

"Wait, damn it!"

Ma Xiyu suddenly shouted, his relaxed expression vanishing as he smacked his forehead.

"What's wrong?"

Liu Yao stared at Ma Xiyu in surprise.

"I… I mean, Lao Cao…"

Ma Xiyu's face twisted, as if struggling to speak, visibly torn.

"What happened to Lao Cao?"

Zhang Su pressed, a bad feeling stirring in his chest.

"Spit it out, damn it!"

Liu Yao was far more impatient than Zhang Su; seeing Ma Xiyu stall, he snapped.

"Lao Cao contacted me earlier!"

Ma Xiyu's face stiffened; he gave Yang Xin a look of pity.

"Lao Cao contacted you? What's going on with the Tianqi Corps…"

Liu Yao glanced oddly at Yang Xin.

"Brother Yang, you'd better brace yourself."

Ma Xiyu didn't say it outright—he gave a warning first.

Yang Xin frowned: "What do you mean? Just say it!"

Ma Xiyu frowned tightly: "About twenty minutes ago, Lao Cao contacted me… I'm not even sure, but he said he was captured by Absolute Justice. According to the guy who spoke to me, they've already wiped out the Car Park!"

(End of Chapter)