Chapter 527: Wish You Good Luck

"Su-ge, why don't we stay on the fourth floor?"

The Yama Legion group reached the fifth floor, and Lu Yubo hugged his arms and rubbed them.

"It's kinda cold…"

Zhang Ya and Wang Xin also agreed with Lu Yubo's view.

The temperature gradually dropped from the first floor; on the fourth floor it was still several degrees above zero, but on the fifth floor it had plunged below freezing due to the lab explosion shattering the glass curtain wall and allowing air to circulate.

Prolonged exposure didn't feel so bad, but going suddenly from over twenty degrees above zero to several below zero made everyone shiver.

Zhang Su came here mainly for quiet discussions and had no intention of sleeping on this floor, so he said: "Bo-zi, go find a comfortable spot on the fourth floor. We'll join you after we're done."

"Got it! Da-zhu, let's go together!"

"Coming!"

With a flurry of calls, Lu Yubo and Zhao Dezhu hurried off.

"Check what's going on across the way."

Zhang Su waved the walkie-talkie in front of the group and pressed the talk button: "I'm not Liao Youzhi. Who are you? Give me a full introduction."

"This disaster has probably dealt devastating blows to many camps."

Yu Wen frowned heavily, recalling the afternoon's ordeal—Leigou Mall had been relatively well-defended, yet nearly wiped out, leaving him shaken.

Zhang Su stared at the silent walkie-talkie, exhaled a puff of breath, then pulled out a cigarette and lit it: "We lost so many brothers here. If the zombies weren't handled properly before, it could've been far worse."

"Mainly the zombies in the office building across—maybe they're thinking like the Little Eagle Society used to: hoarding zombies, killing a few when needed as fuel…"

"We almost got screwed. Luckily, the area around Tianma Island was just cleared out—what perfect timing!"

"Exactly. If those tens of thousands of zombies around Tianma Island were still alive… just thinking about it is terrifying…"

As the group talked, the walkie-talkie crackled to life.

"Hello, friend, I'm Hu Yongan from Niuyazi, south of Qincheng. Our camp suffered heavy losses—many brothers died. We escaped. I'm asking: how's your side? What's the situation with the Survivors' Alliance? Is it safe?"

"How far can this walkie-talkie reach?"

Zhang Su asked Wu Lue, who was squatting nearby smoking.

Wu Lue stood up, took the walkie-talkie in hand, and examined it under the dim light: "This junk only works up to three or four kilometers in the city."

"Three or four kilometers… Mr. Zhang, Niuyazi is at least fifteen kilometers from here—they must've already entered Qincheng's urban area!"

Yu Wen analyzed swiftly.

"Not necessarily…" Wu Lue rubbed his chin. "Liao Youzhi kept walkie-talkies from so many factions, especially ones linked to the Beihe District. I suspect he used a relay station—those things on tall buildings can easily extend range by ten or twenty kilometers. To connect multiple locations, you absolutely need relay stations."

Zhang Su understood. He picked up the walkie-talkie: "Hu Yongan from Niuyazi, right? I'm sorry to tell you—Liao Youzhi is dead. Where are you now? What's your exact situation?"

The situation was growing more dire. Zhang Su didn't reject accepting new survivors—he needed to replenish numbers—but he needed to know their background first: their ties to Liao Youzhi. He only said Liao was dead, not how, and waited to see their reaction.

In this world, few people would die for a friend—but it wasn't impossible. If someone was Liao's closest ally, they might come here to cause trouble.

Soon—barely after he'd taken one drag—the other side replied.

"Huh? Old Liao's dead… Didn't see that coming. Liao Boss ran the Survivors' Alliance pretty well. Never thought he'd meet an accident."

"So what's the Survivors' Alliance like now? Is Qincheng not safe anymore? Who are you? Are you the new leader of the Survivors' Alliance?"

The quick reply meant no time to fabricate a story, revealing true intent. The tone suggested only a casual relationship with Liao Youzhi—perhaps just past trade dealings.

Before Zhang Su could answer, the other side continued: "Things are f***ed here. After the weather changed, zombies from nearby villages went berserk. At first we thought it was local, ignored it, fought back—then…"

"Sigh. Hard to explain. Our camp had over a hundred people. Now only thirty of us left. Brother, we don't betray our own kind. Tell me straight: what's Qincheng like now? Can we still go there?"

Zhang Su didn't consult those around him. He frowned, thought for a moment, then replied: "Qincheng's situation is just as bad. This rain made the zombies far stronger. This afternoon, a massive horde attacked the mall—we lost over a hundred in one battle. We stabilized the situation half an hour ago."

"Not just you contacted me—the Little Eagle Society and the Apocalypse Group were also attacked. They're coming to help us defend. If you can make it into the city, I welcome you. I can provide basic supplies. But don't expect me to send people to rescue you—zero chance. Right now, we can only hold our ground."

Offering supply guarantees was Zhang Su's greatest mercy—the bare minimum for fellow humans.

"Brother, your voice sounds younger than mine—I'm nearly fifty. Might I call you younger brother? From your tone, I know you're the new Survivors' Alliance leader. This change came too suddenly. I'll remember your promise. We'll find a way to reach the city. If we ever meet, I hope you'll look out for us—we'll contribute our strength."

He didn't spell it out, but the meaning was clear: if they reached Leigou Mall, they'd merge with them.

"No grudges, no debts. I don't think you've got anything I'd want. That's it. Hope we meet. Good luck."

"Same to you. Good luck. Thank you!"

After thanking each other, the call ended.

Niuyazi Town lay between Qincheng and Beihe District. Before, traffic was easy, with occasional Wanglai. Now, its status was unknown.

"Su-ge, why not tell them the Survivors' Alliance is gone and Tianma Island now controls this area?"

Wu Lue asked, puzzled.

"Not necessary yet." Zhang Su shook his head slightly, his expression cautious.

In the past, announcing Tianma Island's unification of northern Qincheng would have intimidated bandits and silenced schemers, while attracting genuine survivors eager to build together.

But now, with danger escalating, some have no escape. If they learn the situation in northern Qincheng, they might turn greedy. It's not the thief you fear—it's the one who's watching.

(End of Chapter)