Apocalypse: the Most Ruthless Person

Chapter 376 - 325: A Rare Moment of Joy

Driving a car from the barracks to Celestial Horse Island, if you go a bit faster, it only takes thirty to forty minutes. Like last time when Lü Leiyang raced with the injured Jia Shiqin, it only took a little over twenty minutes, but this return trip took nearly two hours.

For no other reason than the tank’s speed being heartbreakingly slow...

When the Jiujiu tank began climbing the hill, everyone from the camp came out to line the road, warmly welcoming this majestic giant to Celestial Horse Island.

Clatter, rumble.

Zhang Su steadily parked the tank in a clearing facing the mountain gate, pushed open the cockpit door and stuck his head out. Immediately, there was a round of applause, as if welcoming a triumphant general returning from battle.

Clap clap clap.

"Mr. Zhang, you’ve worked hard!"

Yuwen stood at the front of the crowd and, seeing Zhang Su poking his head out, hurried up to offer support. Although Zhang Su didn’t really need the help, the gesture was necessary, especially since there were many new friends among the crowd, not just the core members. The leader’s prestige must be constantly displayed.

"Thank you, thank you."

"Mr. Zhang, you’ve worked hard!"

Many people chimed in, their voices loud and clear.

Wang Longzhong and Wang Xingui from United Village exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of excitement in the other’s eyes. They felt grateful for their decision to closely align with Celestial Horse Island.

Ma Changshou from West Camp Village saw the steamy tank, and his lips quivered slightly. Even though the Cyan Dragon Corps was overrun by hordes of corpses despite having a tank, there were many objective factors at play. Ultimately, the problem was with the people, not the weapon!

The Kuanzhuang people standing at the back of the crowd were full of shock. The young women felt a strong sense of security emanating from the steel beast.

Yang Liehuo was filled with mixed emotions, both amazement and regret.

The amazement was that the heavy weapons of the Cyan Dragon Corps had truly been brought back and placed in their camp. The regret was because the two sides could have cooperated harmoniously, even integrated and merged, and then developed together. However, due to one person’s ambition, the nature of the entire situation changed.

Even though Kuanzhuang’s survivors still merged into Celestial Horse Island, their overall status was somewhat unsatisfactory. If their combat strength remained, they could have stood above United Village and West Camp. But having lost almost all their fighters, they couldn’t stand tall, subtly becoming lesser-ranked. Any change would have to wait until the Reserve Team was established and the women’s army showed some progress.

Currently, they were no match for the five people from the Cyan Dragon Corps...

As a scientific researcher, Xie Yanshan had a high status. The remaining four all possessed impressive combat abilities, especially Pan Guoliang, who, as a member of the elite squad, had a place anywhere.

At this moment, Xie Yanshan was nowhere to be seen, likely in Fu Weijun’s laboratory, while the other four stood excitedly within the crowd.

The core members of Celestial Horse Island didn’t need to be mentioned, their faces beamed with joy and pride.

"Brothers, listen to me. Today’s achievements are not solely my credit. Everyone standing in front of me right now, including the brothers and sisters on duty at various posts, have contributed their share. Everyone..."

Zhang Su stood on the tank and pressed his hand downwards at the lively crowd, delivering an emotional and inspiring speech.

Originally, he was not skilled at this, but under Yuwen’s influence, and due to the actual need, he gradually learned a bit, and using it became easier. Facts have proven that people won’t just buy into empty talk with no action, but if you lead by example and add impassioned words, it will have a cumulative effect!

"Today is a good day. Celestial Horse Island has made significant gains, not only adding powerful weapons but also having fellow villagers from West Camp Village and Kuanzhuang join this big family. I’ve decided that tonight, we’ll all gather together and have a big meal. What do you all say?"

A significant amount of food supplies were brought back from the barracks and Kuanzhuang, so there was no pressure for a gathering. While the camp’s population was increasing, the global population was further declining; food was no longer the primary problem.

"Great! Brother Su is awesome!"

"Oh yeah, a feast!"

In the apocalypse, nothing made people happier than a feast; if there was, it would be having two...

Everyone shouted in unison, celebrating this rare joy. Only the people from Kuanzhuang hadn’t completely shaken off their desolation, but amidst the cheerful atmosphere, they also wore faint smiles.

"Those who know how to cook, gather at the kitchen spontaneously, and wait for your work allocation. There’s only one requirement: ensure there’s plenty of food, nothing should run out! That’s it, everyone, disperse!"

With Zhang Su’s gesture, the gathered crowd slowly dispersed, each face filled with the happiness of joy. If not mentioned, one wouldn’t tell that this was a group surviving in the apocalypse.

Following Zhang Su’s request, more than ten people with cooking experience, led by Tan Huajun, headed to the kitchen. Preparing meals for over eighty people was undoubtedly a large project.

The only ones remaining on site were the Kuanzhuang people, who were newcomers and somewhat reserved. Otherwise, there could have been more cooks.

"Grandpa Huo, my sister is dead..."

Su Xiaoya walked up to Yang Liehuo with tears of grievance streaming down her face.

"There, there, girl, it’s all in the past, it’s alright, don’t cry."

After the tyrannical old lady was beaten to death with a baseball bat, Yang Liehuo became the oldest in Kuanzhuang. He comforted Su Xiaoya in his embrace, looking at Zhang Su with a complex expression.

In the apocalypse, the distinctions between hatred and grievance become increasingly blurred, the concepts of right and wrong, good and evil becoming intertwined and entangled. They cannot be judged by previous thinking patterns.

To survive, everything is for the sake of living better.

"How was the journey?"

Zhang Su approached, forgoing comforting Su Xiaoya, who had finally found a shoulder to cry on. The fact that her sister was gone couldn’t be changed.

Yang Liehuo nodded: "Everything’s fine, but even with the help of the brothers from Celestial Horse Island, a lot of supplies still haven’t been transported."

Due to its geographical factors, Kuanzhuang had a richer reserve of supplies than West Camp and United Village.

"It doesn’t matter, we can go again tomorrow. She wants to go back and have another look."

Saying this, Zhang Su pointed to the still-sobbing Su Xiaoya.

"Then I’ll trouble you, Younger Brother Zhang!" Yang Liehuo nodded politely.

Zhang Su smiled and said, "Old Huo, this doesn’t sound like you. Don’t be so reserved, we’re all family now. Go on, get busy, no one’s going to wait for the meal to be served!"

"Got it. Oh, and Brother Zhang, please pay more attention to the Reserve Team, everyone’s enthusiasm is quite high."

Yang Liehuo glanced around at the womenfolk beside him.

"We’ve already started organizing it. Once you’ve settled in, you can start the selection. Well... I’m off."

As he spoke, Zhang Su noticed Yuwen standing in the distance, obviously wanting to speak to him, so he waved and left the parking lot.