Chapter 561: Let

"Boss, what did they tell you?"

Inside the house, a group waited for Meng Changwei to step through the door, then rushed forward to press him with urgent questions.

Meng Changwei gestured for everyone to move deeper into the room, then lowered his voice: "The skinny guy from Feilang Gang said he just came down from the mountain—Tianma Yu is in chaos. Three factions are fighting over territory, because Zhang Dangjia is dead!"

If Qi Dabin had heard Meng Changwei's words, he'd have bowed to him as a master—how you order the details determines credibility.

When he told Meng Changwei earlier, starting with Zhang Su's death, it did shock him and unsettle his thoughts—but it didn't earn trust at all. Only when he mentioned Tianma Yu's internal strife did it gain any plausibility.

But Meng Changwei was different. He led with the outcome: first telling his men Tianma Yu was in trouble, because he believed that part was more credible, then revealing the cause—this boosted the credibility of both claims. "Huh? Dead? No no no… dead? How coincidental—why not die earlier, why not later, but just as we arrived?"

"No, how do you know he died only because we came? Maybe he died earlier. Besides, even if he just died, it's not strange—Zombies grow stronger and accidents happen. It's not our fault."

"Regardless, I still think it's too sudden!"

The people from Daqiao Fortress Village murmured among themselves, finding the news too bizarre.

Meng Changwei was deeply agitated. Zhang Su had given him a walkie-talkie, but he lost it during a surprise encounter with a horde of zombies. If he still had it, he could've contacted them now—and all his doubts would be cleared.

"Boss, what do those Feilang Gang guys really want? Are they planning to join the scramble?"

Xiao Wei held a fire poker and subtly pointed toward Qi Dabin and the others inside the courtyard.

Meng Changwei said nothing, only nodded slightly to confirm Xiao Wei's guess.

"Actually, I think—"

A middle-aged man hesitated before speaking: "When we cooperated with Tianma Yu back in Qinglong Army, we met many of their people. But up on the mountain, did any of you recognize anyone?"

Before anyone could answer, he answered himself: "No familiar faces showed up. The voices I heard were all strangers. Maybe…"

He didn't finish, but everyone understood: Tianma Yu might have changed hands already, and this scramble could be a long-suppressed explosion.

"No matter the current situation at Tianma Yu, Zhong must've been Zhang Su's woman—otherwise, others would've questioned it!"

"Zhang Su brought a woman with him to Qinglong Army, but it wasn't the one just now."

"Have you never seen the world? How shocking is it for a leader of such a big faction to have two women? He just has to ask—I'd be happy to be the third!"

A woman, her face full of disdain, thought these men were pathetically lacking ambition.

Seven people, including Meng Changwei, stared at the woman in odd silence. She was early thirties—not old—but plain-looking. The only thing notable about her was the massive thunderous aura she carried, even her padded coat couldn't hide it.

But thunderous aura was just a hindrance in battle these days…

"Xiaoping, don't interrupt. The situation is this: Feilang Gang wants us to join them in seizing territory at Tianma Yu. If I refuse, they'll ask to borrow five guns, promising us a share of land afterward—so we can live inside the walls!"

Meng Changwei turned to the matter at hand.

At the mention of serious business, the remaining three men and four women fell silent. This was too important an operation—they didn't dare even consider making decisions.

Meng Changwei knew asking them wouldn't yield answers, but discussing together sharpened his thoughts. After quietly thinking for half a minute, he reached a conclusion.

"First, I won't lend guns to Feilang Gang. Second, I won't seize Tianma Yu's territory by force—Zhang Dangjia's woman is still there. I couldn't live with myself if I did."

"Could it be possible that all this is just Feilang Gang's lie? Zhang Su isn't dead, and no one's fighting over territory up there."

A woman who had never spoken before whispered softly.

"Xiaomin's point isn't without merit. Those guys always give me a sneaky feeling—they're better at lying than old women!"

Another stout woman chimed in. Soon others nodded slowly in agreement. Their thinking was simple: they just wanted a safe place to live. Internal strife? Territory fights? The source itself is dubious. Even if true, they shouldn't get involved.

Meng Changwei took off his cap, rubbed his messy hair, squinted toward Tianma Yu, and murmured: "Whether it's true or false, let's go see for ourselves. What do you say?"

The group stared at Meng Changwei, their eyes filled with firm anticipation—as if to say: Boss, keep going. Whatever you say, we follow.

"No matter the truth of this matter, we go up the mountain with Feilang Gang—but not to take advantage of chaos. If there really is internal strife, we go to help!"

Meng Changwei had thought of a balanced compromise.

"Boss, who do we help?"

Xiao Wei asked quickly.

Meng Changwei answered without hesitation: "Of course, we help the person closest to Zhang Dangjia!"

"Then we help Sister Zhong. Fine, let's do it!"

"If we help that Zhong woman win, will she stay in charge? Can a woman really lead?"

Xiaoping, being a woman, questioned women's capability.

Meng Changwei waved his hand: "Why think so far ahead? I'd actually hope all this is just Feilang Gang's lie—then when Zhang Dangjia comes back, we can settle accounts with them all at once!"

"Get ready. I'll go tell Qi Dabin. Remember—keep your guns in your hands. No matter what Feilang Gang says, don't hand them over!"

"Understood, understood."

"Got it!"

"Boss, go ahead. We'll get ready right away!"

"Xiao Wei, go notify Dazhi and the others—jump out from the back!"

Meng Changwei gave the order and turned to leave the house.

Qi Dabin saw Meng Changwei step out, slipped his hand into his pocket to check the time—seven or eight minutes had passed.

"Meng, you're dragging your feet! A once-in-a-lifetime chance is right here, and you spent a full quarter-hour talking. I'm freezing my ass off! Opportunities don't wait—if Tianma Yu's settled already, we won't get a single scrap. So what's it gonna be? Lend me the guns, or join the action?"

Meng Changwei's gaze swept across the faces of Feilang Gang's men. He licked his lips and said: "We'll go—but with a condition."

The word "but" usually signals uncertainty—and can flip the entire situation.

That's why, when Qi Dabin heard "but," his heart jolted. He feigned calm: "Your men from Daqiao Fortress are the main fighters. What condition? Whatever you ask is reasonable—we'll fully cooperate."

Meng Changwei shook his head: "You misunderstood. I mean—we're not going to wade into chaos. We're going to help. If, as your men claim, several factions are fighting, I'll help Zhang Dangjia's woman. If it's all a lie, then you owe me an explanation!"

"Fine!"

Qi Dabin seemed to have expected this reaction—and agreed without hesitation.

In his plan, once Daqiao Fortress's men carried their guns up the mountain, everything else would fall into place.

He could act first and report later, force them into action, or even frame them—the possibilities were endless.

(End of Chapter)