Chapter 595: Too Eager to Advance

"Can't drink alcohol, but everyone gets one pack of cigarettes!"

Over at Village One, a group had gathered around Zhao De, waiting for news; when they heard they couldn't drink, they all groaned in unison—but upon learning each person would receive a free pack of cigarettes, they brightened up immediately.

Smoke sparingly—one pack can last five to six days, even seven or eight; a small drink only gives you a hint of intoxication, and even if you get completely drunk, it's over by morning—compared to having smoke for seven or eight days, everyone knows what's better.

"Alright, big brother, no problem, you go ahead and get busy."

After ending the call, Zhang Su put away the walkie-talkie and turned to the zombie corpse.

"Old Xie, it's getting late—clean up and get ready for dinner. I'll take these bones to have someone study them for weapon-making. Do you need to keep one for your own research?"

As he spoke, Zhang Su began dismantling the bones from the zombie corpse—he planned to hand them over to Ding Yong, who might have a way to use them.

Xie Yanshan shook his head: "Take them all, Mr. Zhang. But please leave one unopened—we'll study it later when our equipment is more complete."

What he meant was, our current conditions are too crude—we can't do a damn thing yet.

"By the way, here's something for you."

After packing the bones, Zhang Su pulled out a white wax pill and warned Xie Yanshan: "Study its composition carefully—don't go copying Dr. Fu and taste every herb, that's insane!"

Xie Yanshan held the wax pill in his hand and chuckled awkwardly: "Mr. Zhang, you flatter me—no one has the courage of Wei Jun. I'm very cautious, very afraid of dying…"

A few minutes later, Zhang Su walked out of Cuileng Pavilion carrying a bag of bones. On his way back, he passed the place where Xie Guangfa and the other three were held, listened closely, and heard several snores—his lips curled in a slight sneer.

With food, drink, and safety—even with hands and feet bound—it's far better than fleeing on the road. At least they can sleep soundly. He wasn't in a hurry to release them; he planned to keep them locked up for a few more days. Restricting freedom without other punishment wouldn't breed resentment—it was simply giving them time to cool off and think.

"Hey, you haven't gone down yet?"

Zhang Su returned to Xiao Xingyun carrying his clinking bag, just as Zhong Xiaoshan was coming down the stairs.

"I came to get cigarettes, big brother…" Zhong Xiaoshan sighed and rubbed her forehead: "You ordered one pack per person—those cigarettes aren't going to fly straight to everyone's hands."

Cigarettes and alcohol are vital supplies, stored in a dedicated warehouse—only two people in the entire camp have keys: Zhang Su and Zhong Xiaoshan.

"Cigarettes are better than alcohol, but seventy-odd packs? You won't manage alone. I'll drop off my stuff first, then go with you."

Zhang Su turned to head upstairs.

"Wait."

As they passed each other, Zhong Xiaoshan noticed what he was carrying and gave him a strange look: "Why are you bringing this home?"

She wasn't afraid of human bones—but bringing them back to their living quarters felt odd? Zhang Su made a shushing gesture and pointed toward the warehouse: "Wait for me there."

Zhong Xiaoshan immediately stopped questioning him, walked to the electric vehicle, and said: "Go ahead, you're busy. The cigarettes aren't heavy—I can haul them with the vehicle. I'm almost ready—hurry over, everyone's waiting for you."

"Got it. I'll put this down and come right over."

"Oh, one more thing!"

Zhong Xiaoshan called Zhang Su back, stepped close, and said: "Don't forget Wang and the others."

"Right!"

Zhang Su nodded firmly, glanced over the wall toward where the Niuyazi group sat, and smiled apologetically: "I know. Go ahead—I'll be there soon. Watch your step."

Tianma Island could never be left unguarded—even as Village One held its lively gathering, essential posts still had personnel on duty.

After putting his things away, Zhang Su first visited the surveillance room to check on Wang Xin and Zhang Ya, the couple who had tasted the sweetness of love and no longer craved the spice of hotpot—they were cozy in the surveillance room, watching the screens while snacking and whispering sweet nothings, utterly content.

At the parking lot, Zhang Su saw the ox and horse zombies already at work—the generator had restarted, humming loudly, hum-hum, hum-hum.

"Brother Zhang, these zombies are something else—two are better than four, haha!" Jia Shiqin walked up to Zhang Su, chatting as he'd been guarding the cargo truck and had even fixed the generator. With the zombie count reduced from four to two, some minor adjustments to stability were needed—but nothing difficult.

"Thanks for your hard work, Old Jia. Get in the truck—we're heading to the village."

Zhang Su pointed at the cargo truck.

"Huh? Oh, alright!"

Jia Shiqin paused, surprised Zhang Su wanted to bring the fire-spitting zombie to Village One—he guessed it was because Zhang Su didn't want him to be lonely guarding alone.

The sky was pitch black, starless. The parking lot was dark—the generator ran, but lighting remained off. Red glows from Village One lit the horizon, and if you listened closely, you could hear muffled laughter—Zhang Su certainly could.

The twenty-odd people from Niuyazi still sat quietly in the corner. On one side, hundreds celebrated merrily; on the other, twenty-odd people were swallowed by darkness—making their plight especially bleak. If not for the heat radiating from the nearby fire-spitting zombie truck, they'd be shivering violently—far worse than they were now.

"Old Wang, Old Hu."

Zhang Su's voice rang out as he approached, startling the Niuyazi group—many had been half-asleep, but now snapped awake and scrambled to stand up, helping each other.

"Lord Yama!"

"Good evening, Brother Zhang…"

A chorus of greetings rose up.

"Brother Zhang, why haven't you gone to dinner yet?"

Wang Guangjun had heard about the hotpot feast and assumed everyone on Tianma Island had already eaten—only to find the leader still hadn't gone. He was surprised.

Slap. Slap.

Zhang Su patted Wang Guangjun's shoulder and smiled: "I've got you tied up here as routine—how could I eat in peace?"

He loosened Wang Guangjun's ropes, then began untying Hu Yongan. He sensed no resentment from them—something rare indeed.

Though refugees who came seeking help shouldn't complain, they still had to be capable of it. Human nature has limits—no need to push people to the brink.

Quickly, everyone untied each other. The twenty-odd men regained their freedom; the oppressive atmosphere lifted.

"Brother Zhang! If you ever need anything, just give the word—I've got all kinds of skills, I won't let you down!"

Wang Zhetao stepped forward like a model soldier, chest out, head high.

Zhang Su thought: This kid's too eager to advance. But then he realized something odd—this guy never mentioned Zheng Ziwen, yet every sentence pointed to him?

The answer wasn't hard to guess: the two must have spoken before. This behavior deepened Zhang Su's understanding of Wang Zhetao.

"Good to have many skills! Anyway, tonight's welcome feast has seats ready for you all—know the way down to the village?"

Zhang Su brushed off Wang Zhetao lightly, put an arm around Wang Guangjun's shoulder, and smiled at the group.

"We know it. We know it."

"We're so grateful."

"Thank you, Lord Yama."

Hearing they could sit down to eat, the Niuyazi group was overjoyed—an unexpected surprise—and they thanked him again and again.

(End of Chapter)