Chapter 543: Trust Your Intuition

"No matter how large or small the horde on Binhai Road is, we have to go there—why waste time waiting passively for updates? It's pure waste of time, don't you agree?"

On the way downstairs, Zhang Su explained to those around him the importance of immediate action.

If the horde is large, then Civilization Guard faces full evacuation; they've already lost the car park's supplies, and if they lose the barracks' stockpile too, no one can bear it—moving everything quickly requires massive manpower. If luck holds and the horde is small, but that's a very unlikely assumption…

Because if the horde were small, why would the people from Bajiazi Village abandon their town and flee? Even if their numbers aren't huge, resistance might be possible—but given the challenge mission, someone must still go to the barracks for aid.

Under any circumstances, reinforcing the barracks is a done deal!

Even if the people from Bajiazi Village lied about the situation, if that's true, then a new problem arises…

Everyone wasn't stupid—they just didn't think as fast as Zhang Su. Once he explained, they understood the logic instantly and moved faster.

"Big Brother Zhang, what are you…"

At the second-floor corridor entrance, Tian Fan leaned out to ask.

Tian Fan had received the King of Hell's "certification," so the LeGou branch staff wouldn't harass him, but the other Absolute Justice survivors weren't so lucky—they were trapped in a small shop, suffering in silence.

"Tian Fan? Didn't I already tell you to pack up? Let's go!"

Zhang Su didn't stop walking, just waved at Tian Fan.

Tian Fan was about the same age as Zheng Ziwen. Having Zheng Ziwen as a negative example, Zhang Su found Tian Fan much more likable—not to mention, he actually listened, and had the guts to act. Just those two traits were already good enough.

"Uh… Big Brother Zhang, I think… I'll just… I won't go with you guys. I'll stay here."

Tian Fan caught up two steps, hesitantly voicing his thoughts.

"You guys go ahead!"

Zhang Su signaled the others to proceed, then pulled Tian Fan aside against the wall. "You want to stay?"

Tian Fan smiled awkwardly, shook his arm. "I'm just too weak—I'd slow you down. I'm not scared of dying; I really don't want to hold you back. Better to stay here—I can still help in some ways."

Earlier, while chatting, Tian Fan had learned many things about the Yanluo Army, and only then understood Zhang Su's group's situation. Others described the Yanluo Army as men who fearlessly charged through hordes seven times in and out…

After learning this, Tian Fan immediately decided not to be a burden—he knew his own limits. Seven times in and out? One time in, maybe; one time out? He'd barely make it! Zhang Su studied Tian Fan carefully. This was still the same boy he'd first met in the residential compound—thoughtful, considerate of others. People like him were likable.

"Fine. Stay here and help. Investigate the people who came with you. I'm leaving."

With that, he slapped Tian Fan's arm and continued downstairs.

Tian Fan felt his abilities were insufficient and requested to stay at LeGou Mall—he could still contribute something. Pan Ru, standing on the fourth floor, held the exact opposite view.

She desperately wanted to go with Zhang Su, but ultimately didn't dare step forward.

"Sis Ru, if you miss this chance, it's gone forever. That's not like you at all."

Ouyang Qiao tilted her head toward Pan Ru, whose face was full of reluctance.

Pan Ru pursed her lips, forcing a light smile. "It's fine—as long as Big Brother Zhang is alive, there might be another chance… someday."

"Brother, we moved too fast this time—look at how panicked everyone is."

Zhao Dezhu waited by the emergency exit. Seeing Zhang Su come down, he subtly pointed upstairs and murmured, "Survivors are like startled birds. They won't ask about the combat unit's movements, but they can judge from behavior—such a hurried, large-scale deployment must mean a critical mission."

Zhang Su looked up at the second and third floors. Crowds pressed against the railings, dozens of anxious eyes fixed on them. "Don't panic!"

Zhang Su felt he needed to reassure them. He stepped forward and called out loudly, "This is just a routine operation. We're always swift and decisive. Go back to your business!"

He reassured the LeGou branch survivors, but inside, he felt a quiet unease—he didn't know where it came from. Maybe the unknown horde size, maybe the refugees from Bajiazi Village, or something else entirely—he couldn't tell.

In fact, human intuition is sometimes terrifyingly accurate! In the barracks' communications room, after ending the call, Da Zhuang stretched his neck toward the window—but couldn't see the auditorium. He pondered how to carry out Li Zongkai's orders, lit a cigarette, and prepared to leave the room.

Whoosh! Just as Da Zhuang stepped out the door, a blade slashed diagonally toward him.

Huh! Just as Da Zhuang stepped out the door, a blade slashed at him from the side.

Da Zhuang had plenty of combat experience. The shadow flickering in his peripheral vision alerted him—he dodged sideways, flicking his lit cigarette at the attacker, all in one swift motion.

Da Zhuang had ample combat experience—he sensed something amiss the moment the shadow flickered in his peripheral vision, dodging sideways while flicking his lit cigarette at the knife-wielder, his movements swift and precise!

He dodged the blade—it sliced past his sleeve—but someone was waiting on the other side…

He dodged the blade—it sliced just along the edge of his coat—but someone else was still there on the other side…

His head took a solid punch.

Da Zhuang felt the world spin. He'd just inhaled smoke when the attack came—the smoke hadn't even left his lungs. As he staggered, smoke puffed from his mouth—a tragically comical sight.

Before he could steady himself, a large cloth sack smothered his head, his wrists snapped into handcuffs. He opened his mouth to shout—but something wrapped around the sack, sealing his lips. Breath choked off, smoke filled his nose, he coughed violently, nearly blacking out…

He hadn't even seen his attackers before being taken down. A chill of dread flooded Da Zhuang's heart.

"Dog Brother, haha! I told you I saw someone running over here—dared to send a message, huh? Hey, what's the plan? Kill him or…?"

"Don't kill him yet—take him first. Our goal isn't murder. Go wreck the comms gear first, so no one slips through to contact the outside!"

"Don't kill yet—take them first. Our goal isn't murder. Go smash the communication gear first, so no one slips through to contact the outside!"

Hearing their conversation, Da Zhuang's fear spiked. One voice was unfamiliar, but the one called "Dog Brother"—he knew it well. That was the leader of the Bajiazi Village group!

Just moments ago, he'd been wondering why Chairman Li ordered them to control the Bajiazi people—now they'd given him a brutal lesson. Thud! A kick shattered the door, followed by crashing sounds.

A moment ago he'd been wondering why Chairman Li had ordered them to control the people of Bajiazi Village—now the people of Bajiazi Village had given him a vivid lesson! Thud! A kick shattered the door, followed by the sound of smashing and wrecking.

Da Zhuang let out a string of unintelligible moans—his only response was a kick to the stomach.

Earlier, Da Zhuang had told Li Zongkai the Bajiazi people were settled in the auditorium—but now, the auditorium had changed completely.

Among rows of folding chairs stood scattered members of Bajiazi Village. Guards stood at the entrance, each proudly playing with their Type 95 rifles. Their old, broken weapons, compared to these, were trash—thrown into the corner. Onstage gathered forty or fifty people. The lighting was poor, but clearly visible: over a dozen heads covered in burlap sacks. The rest huddled in corners—some listless, some glaring, some filled with grief and rage.

After the sudden attack, Civilization Guard members dared not make noise—only glared fiercely. Not from cowardice, but because the bodies strewn below the stage warned them: make another sound, and you'll end up like them.

Suddenly attacked, the Civilian Protectors dared not make a sound; they could only glare fiercely—not from cowardice, but because the corpses sprawled haphazardly below the steps warned them: make another noise, and this is your fate!

With a whoosh, the auditorium doors swung open, cold air rushing in, making everyone shiver. Another seven or eight people were dragged in—Da Zhuang among them.

"Keep searching. You guys watch them. Anyone moves, same as before—shoot them dead. No warnings!"

Dog Brother handed Da Zhuang over to his men, then turned and led others to hunt for stragglers. As their leader, he didn't rest in the auditorium—he led from the front, forcing everyone else to stay alert.

Dog Brother handed Da Zhuang over to a companion, then turned and led the others to hunt down the remaining fugitives. As their leader, he didn't stay to rest in the auditorium—he charged ahead, and this left none of the others daring to slack off.

(End of chapter)