[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-fiercest-man-in-the-end-times":3,"chapter-the-fiercest-man-in-the-end-times-the-fiercest-man-in-the-end-times-chapter-89":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Fiercest Man in the End Times",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2319327,4536,"Chapter 89: Internal Conflict or Cooperation?","the-fiercest-man-in-the-end-times-chapter-89",89,"\u003Cp>Zhang Su squinted and said calmly, “I already said it—you didn’t clean up properly, we killed plenty of the corpses ourselves, and we didn’t take a single protection fee. Those few brothers of yours killed each other—has nothing to do with us!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Killed each other? Bullshit, that’s impossible! Our Salvation Society brothers have bonds stronger than gold—how could they turn on each other?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xin immediately rejected Zhang Su’s words. The protection fee was just a bonus; the real target was the four lives lost, and he wouldn’t let the other side dictate the terms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Heh, I don’t know if your bond is stronger than gold, but I know they fought over supplies—I heard every scream from inside the closet. It was a wild brawl. When we came out, only one guy named Wu Daqiang was still alive—and he was badly wounded.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Out of humanitarian concern, we didn’t harass Wu Daqiang—we let him go, even gave him a few canned goods. What? He didn’t make it back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su spoke with perfect calm, gesturing as he talked, so convincingly that Zheng Xinyu and the other three began doubting their own memories.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t believe your bullshit! Even without the protection fee, four lives mean two packs per corpse!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xin shook his head, unmoved.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you really think you’ve got us cornered?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the other side refused all reason, Zhang Su’s negotiator’s smile vanished. A cold glint flashed in his eyes. “You’re Zhang Xin, right? I came here to talk to you out of respect. If you want to be disrespectful, I’ve got ways to be even more disrespectful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he spoke, Zhang Su unfastened his sheath and drew his specialized dog-leg military knife.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without being told, the other four fell into instinctive formation—the moment they saw his weapon, they automatically went on guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After over a week of training, exposure, and fighting corpses, Zheng Xinyu and Zhong Xiaoshanjian had adopted postures radiating fierce, intimidating energy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yubo, already a born fighter, shook his grain-sampling tool, its grooves stained dark with blood, and grinned with a savage grin—he was the type who didn’t care if he lived or died, as long as he got to fight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Huajun was round and plump, naturally affable, so her aura was slightly weaker—but her bulk was massive, her weapon strange and menacing. She slanted it across her chest, the bloodied claw making even the bravest recoil.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Xin, these guys aren’t nice people!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn, are these guys just bluffing? Don’t tell me those two girls can actually fight…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maybe we should just talk this out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xin’s men were shaken by Zhang Su’s group’s aura. Some immediately started backing down; several who’d had steady jobs before the collapse wore clear fear on their faces.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone just wanted supplies. Few were willing to die fighting. All that talk about Salvation Society brothers having bonds stronger than gold? Pure nonsense.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Xin, something’s off.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The glasses-wearing man, clearly the Salvation Society’s strategist, frowned and leaned close to Zhang Xin’s ear. “Look at the color on their weapons—every one’s been soaked in blood. This is iron. We just lost four men—we can’t kick this hornet’s nest!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xin never expected the other side to be even more ruthless. Their intent was clear, especially that cold gaze—it reminded him of some old friends behind bars. As he hesitated, the other side spoke again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You know about the explosion at the gas station next door?” Zhang Su raised his knife, pointing toward the station.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xin nodded. “Heard a bang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That explosion drew over a hundred corpses. We fought our way out of there! If your Salvation Society insists on fighting us, I’ll lead those hundred corpses right here. Let’s see who kills more!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su grinned, wild and mad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need!” The glasses-wearing strategist rushed to stop him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Absolutely not!” Zhang Xin spoke at the same time, raising a hand. “Brother Zhang, there aren’t many survivors left. We should help each other, stand united—no need for such dangerous contests!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Phew...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing their leader back down, the Salvation Society members exhaled in relief. Even the beanie-wearer who’d earlier shouted to kill Zhang Su now muttered in awe—there really were crazy people in this world!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their current life was good—plenty to eat and drink. Why risk death over a few arms?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if food runs out later?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Deal with it then!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Most people bully the weak and fear the bold. When faced with men who didn’t care if they lived or died, they all cowered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su’s side stood in sharp contrast—no one spoke, yet the others remained tense, not a single inch of relaxation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After roughly five seconds of stalemate, Zhang Su slowly sheathed his dog-leg knife. His companions lowered their weapons too, but their cold gazes never left the other side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Helping each other, standing united—great words. Then help us clear the corpses at the neighborhood gate!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su pointed his axe toward the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Zhang, don’t push your luck!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xin scowled, shaking his meat-cleaver. The message was clear: I’m giving you face—don’t take it as weakness!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We both have the surname Zhang, but your brain just isn’t as sharp as my husband’s!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the one calling Zhang Su “husband” wasn’t Zheng Xinyu—it was Zhong Xiaoshanjian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You bitch, what’s that supposed to mean?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xin was furious at being looked down on by a woman. If it weren’t for the madman among them, he’d have kicked the woman right then.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su said nothing. Zhong Xiaoshanjian wasn’t the type to speak without reason.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhong Xiaoshanjian’s cold, alluring eyes held a faint sneer as she spoke coolly: “Fenghuang International is your territory. You’ve got dozens of corpses loitering at your gate—do you really feel safe? My husband is offering to help you clear them, and you call it pushing his luck?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“These guys look like idiots. Husband, let’s not help them. Let’s just climb the wall. It’s a hassle, sure—but leave the corpses here to play with them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Zhong Xiaoshanjian call Zhang Su “husband,” Zheng Xinyu wasn’t about to be outdone. She pouted, acting cute—no trace of her former ferocity. Anyone watching would’ve thought she was begging a top donor for gifts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xin’s men—aged from early twenties to mid-fifties—were instantly flustered by the two women’s teasing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Enough!” Zhang Xin waved his hand at his men, then turned to Zhang Su. “Brother Zhang, don’t try to provoke me. I know what you want—you’re using us to clear a path out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But your woman’s wrong about one thing: the corpses at the gate don’t unsettle me—they’re a natural barrier. I’d rather keep them than kill them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su stared at Zhang Xin with a strange look, then grinned. “Why lie to yourself? If you like corpses as guards, I’ll give you a gift.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t you dare! What the hell are you planning?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xin’s heart lurched at Zhang Su’s odd smile. He suddenly regretted running into this group of lunatics.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are about ten corpses in the garden. You clear them. The ones on the road outside the gate—we’ll handle. Agree—or not?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su had briefly surveyed the area—the corpses outside the gate weren’t many; most had been drawn away by the explosion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You want us to do the work while you just watch? Forget it! We’ll contribute, but you won’t sit idle. We enter the garden from the left, you from the right—kill together!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Xin knew today he had to choose: either fully break with the other side, or risk fighting corpses.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fighting corpses meant lower risk for him. Fighting them directly? As leader, the danger was too high…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with his ass, he knew which choice to make.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was exactly what Zhang Xin wanted—and what Zhang Su had hoped for.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine. Help each other, stand united. Come on—shake hands on our cooperation!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su strode forward, extending his hand—the same hand that had just gripped the knife. His gesture startled the other side. A few timid ones stepped back; one tripped over the doorway threshold and nearly fell.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Damn cowards!” Zhang Xin muttered under his breath, then turned and extended his hand. “Happy cooperation!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Human unity needs a common enemy. Hunger is one. Corpses are another. With a shared goal, a temporary alliance formed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re closer on the left—I’ll take my team to the right first!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After gripping Zhang Xin’s hand tightly, Zhang Su turned and walked away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching the five figures recede, the beanie-wearer beside Zhang Xin muttered, “Brother Xin, how good are those guys really? Are they as strong as they claim?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’ll find out soon enough. Stay sharp, stay brave—move out!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With no turning back, everyone followed Zhang Xin to the corner where Zhang Su’s group had hidden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Boss, you think those bastards will stab us in the back?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yubo asked quietly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su scanned left and right as he answered, “Everyone thinks that, which is why we split up. But I think when facing a common enemy, people will hold back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hate that guy in the blue down jacket—he keeps staring at me and Xiaoshan!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xinyu frowned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Arriving at the spot, Zhang Su raised his hand to halt them, then turned to Zheng Xinyu. “Remember what I told you before? After we leave, make yourself ugly, dirty—that’s protection. Once we’re out, figure it out yourself.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xinyu and Zhong Xiaoshanjian suddenly remembered Zhang Su’s earlier words. After encountering a group of starving men, they finally understood their meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In peacetime, even if men lusted after women, the law kept most in check. Now, with civilization collapsed and survival at stake, inner desires demanded release—and beautiful women’s danger level skyrocketed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Undeniably, beautiful women could cling to the strong for survival, but they were merely ornaments—commodities that could be exchanged at any time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll dirty myself now…” Zheng Xinyu grabbed a handful of dirt from the ground and smeared it on her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not now—deal with the immediate threat first!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su saw Zhang Xin’s group of eight in position. He raised his fist in a ready signal, then said, “Don’t split up—advance!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With that, he swung his fist forward and led the way down the right-side gravel path into the garden.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had Zhang Xin’s group not appeared, Zhang Su wouldn’t have used such a direct method to kill the corpses. He could’ve used terrain and traps to clear them effortlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those tricks weren’t sophisticated—but he didn’t want to show them off to the Salvation Society. So he chose the most primitive method after all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Zhang Su’s decisiveness, Zhang Xin gritted his teeth and charged forward with his seven men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The garden stretched east-west. Center-right stood an octagonal pavilion. Between it and the small plaza ran a two-meter-wide artificial stream, choked with fallen leaves and blood. A rusted water pipe protruded from the debris—long unused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The gravel paths were stained crimson. The plaza was littered with severed limbs and corpses. The horror of the outbreak here must’ve been terrible. Luckily, the cold weather slowed decay—if not, the stench alone would’ve blinded them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Around twenty corpses wandered the garden. Hungry for so long, their skin was parched, grayish with dark brown tinges. Their shoes were shredded from endless wandering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaaoouu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The quiet garden erupted the moment Zhang Su and Zhang Xin’s groups stormed in. The corpses, sensing fresh life after so long, reacted like they’d received orders—suddenly fierce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su swung his axe-hammer in blurs of motion. As the team’s spearhead, he showed zero mercy. Each hammer strike crushed skulls—two corpses down in under five blows. The thudding sounds raised goosebumps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lu Yubo finally saw Zhang Su’s combat power. He felt like he’d been injected with adrenaline—but Zhang Su was too fast. He only got one corpse as a bonus. He nearly charged out of formation several times, but Zhang Su held him back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zheng Xinyu and the other two women faced little pressure, yet they stayed alert, flanking Zhang Su and Lu Yubo, watching for any corpse sneaking from the bushes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhang Su’s group advanced smoothly toward the pavilion. In mere moments, six corpses lay dead under his and Lu Yubo’s hands.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Their superior weapons and precise strikes made them highly efficient killers, with minimal fatigue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Aaooouuu!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they neared, the three corpses lurking in the pavilion sensed movement and fresh flesh. They shuffled forward, blood-red eyes gleaming brighter—like men released from prison seeing a beauty.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2074,"2026-06-20T15:15:14.526Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","58d2bdc12bf3506120ee7bff33bf12266ad185d87b6c3e5e0c6aea009bca96f1","the-fiercest-man-in-the-end-times-chapter-90","the-fiercest-man-in-the-end-times-chapter-88",694,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-fiercest-man-in-the-end-times-cover.jpg"]