Apocalypse: the Most Ruthless Person

Chapter 383 - 332: Courtesy Demands Reciprocity

Xiao Xuejian scratched his head awkwardly, uncertain how to handle the situation before him, as cold sweat faintly seeped out in response to Leader Fang’s questioning.

"You see, I seem like a reasonable person, but I’m actually quite unreasonable. I accepted the gift your Director Gong sent over, but I can’t guarantee to be of help. In the future, don’t play tricks; I don’t like it!"

With that, Zhang Su took the walkie-talkie from the other person’s hand.

Xiao Xuejian was stunned, not expecting such a response from the other side, but he still breathed a sigh of relief and said, "Leader Zhang, matters between you big shots are beyond my guessing, as long as we complete the task as per Director Gong’s requirements."

"Hmm, I’ve got the message you wanted to convey. Reciprocity is courtesy. We also found a good batch of things yesterday while out, and we’ll send some back to your director."

Zhang Su said brightly, inviting Xiao Xuejian to emerge from behind the tank and return to the group, saying to Lu Yubo, "Bozai, go to the warehouse and ask your sister-in-law to pick out three raccoon skins and bring them over!"

"Alright!"

Knowing that the return gifts would all belong to Celestial Horse Island, Lu Yubo felt delighted.

Perhaps given instructions by Gong Chengming, Xiao Xuejian did not refuse when Zhang Su wanted to return a gift, standing quietly to wait.

"Captain Xiao, when we left Qin City, we went to the military camp at the east end of Wenhua Road. There seems to be a force there. Have you had any contact?"

The wait was a bit dull, so Zhang Su took the opportunity to inquire about the situation he wanted to learn.

"Leader Zhang is referring to Civilization Guardian, right? Their leader seems to be surnamed Li and previously encountered us outside, participating in transactions, though not with our alliance."

After some thought, Xiao Xuejian replied. As the elite team’s captain, he knew far more than Zhang Xin.

Zhang Su’s heart stirred, recalling Old Li’s sanctimonious appearance, combined with the ridiculous name "Civilization Guardian," confirming it was them. Having information is better than nothing, and at least there was a Loyalty Brand.

Casually, he asked, "Civilization Guardian, that’s an interesting name. When we briefly interacted with them, there were only seven or eight people, very shabby. Do you know their current situation?"

"No official structure, all sizes of Survivor Camps start from just a few people. Haha. I don’t know the specifics of Civilization Guardian. Their conduct is quite low-key. On the surface, their headquarters are at the military camp, well-equipped, and those who go out to trade are strict and disciplined, likely not bad."

Xiao Xuejian answered cooperatively.

"On the surface? So there’s a hidden headquarters?"

Zhang Su caught the implication in Xiao Xuejian’s words.

"Yes." Xiao Xuejian nodded with a smile, "Previously, our team discovered by accident that people from Civilization Guardian were going in and out of a furniture factory, which had a strong residential atmosphere. The factory is about a kilometer from the military camp, likely their real headquarters."

One clear, one hidden, disciplined—Zhang Su nodded secretly. Everything matched Old Li’s style of doing things. From Xiao Xuejian’s information, Civilization Guardian seemed to be developing well, so he didn’t continue probing excessively.

Soon, Lu Yubo returned to the tank, holding three raccoon skins.

"Captain Xiao, these are raccoon skins we found during material gathering from a village, excellent for warmth and cold protection."

Zhang Su handed the raccoon skins to Xiao Xuejian.

"Cold-weather clothing is in high demand in the city now, haha. Leader Zhang, these three raccoon skins, trying to trade them at the alliance, some forces wouldn’t even qualify to offer a price!"

Xiao Xuejian felt the softness of the raccoon skins and gasped repeatedly.

Zhang Su looked at Xiao Xuejian with a half-smile but inwardly scoffed. The other party simply wanted to show off the quality of the gift, but the act seemed overdone.

Such cold-weather items are rare only in the countryside. In the city, never mind those malls, simply clearing out a decent neighborhood and checking the wardrobes of bourgeois families would yield plenty of such fur!

"Let’s hope Director Gong likes it. Three pieces, enough to share among the director’s wives, right?"

Zhang Su pretended not to notice Xiao Xuejian’s act and jokingly asked.

Xiao Xuejian put the raccoon skins into the car compartment, chuckling and shaking his head, "Leader Zhang might not know, Director Gong is a solitary man. There are many buzzing beauties in the alliance eyeing him, but unfortunately, Director Gong’s mind isn’t on that, haha."

Hearing this, Zhang Su felt a silent warning. In this chaotic world, many have fully unleashed their desires, yet Gong Chengming remained solitary. Such a person is formidable, able to restrain their desires while having no ties or weaknesses!

Perhaps...

Zhang Su mused internally, Gong Chengming’s desire might be directed at the Survivor Alliance rather than women.

"Alright, enjoying it himself isn’t bad either!"

"Time is getting late, so I won’t bother you much longer. Off I go!"

Xiao Xuejian politely bowed to everyone.

"Alright, we also have material gathering tasks today, so we won’t keep Captain Xiao. Please proceed."

"Till we meet again!"

Xiao Xuejian jumped into the car, started it, and slowly left Celestial Horse Island.

Zhang Su and his group stood by the mountain gate, watching as the Dodge Journey disappeared from sight, its exhaust gas slowly dissipating at the bend.

"Brother Su, should we send someone to follow him?"

Lu Yubo suggested.

Zhang Su slightly shook his head, "There’s no need for that; they definitely won’t seek trouble, at least not at this critical moment. Gong Chengming won’t create unnecessary complications!"

After speaking, he mentally added, unless Xiao Xuejian wasn’t Gong Chengming’s person but came representing Liao Youzhi to frame them, then it would be different, though he thought this scenario was unlikely.

Wu Lue couldn’t help but ask, "Brother Su, Director Gong isn’t that familiar with us. What’s going on?"

Seeing someone ask the question they all wanted answered, the surrounding people looked eagerly at Zhang Su.

Zhang Su curled his lips into a smile, "Calling it friendship is merely seeking allies, hoping we might lend a hand at a crucial time."

"Lend a hand?" Lu Yubo scratched his head, still puzzled, "We’re several dozen kilometers from the city. Would we make it in time?"

"Brother Su meant lending a hand not against zombies!"

Wang Xin smiled strangely at Lu Yubo.

"Not against zombies, then... against people? So Brother Su, he wants to..."

"Enough, don’t ask so much. Move the stuff to the warehouse! Hurry and eat; we’ll set off to look for zombies near the fertilizer plant later!"

Zhang Su interrupted Lu Yubo’s inquiry. Whatever the Survivor Alliance intended, personal strength was the fundamental basis.

The operations on Celestial Horse Island proceeded unchanged by Xiao Xuejian’s arrival. Relocations, reclamations—everyone orderly continued their work.

Xiao Xuejian drove back to Qin City, paused after passing the Chuhai River Bridge, once guarded by West Camp Village in the past, wandering among the fields for a while before turning west at North Second Ring Road, driving three or four kilometers, and finally entering a vermicelli processing factory.

"Captain’s back!"

"No one followed you, right?"

As soon as Xiao Xuejian’s car stopped, Gong Chengming and a few members of the Pioneer Team emerged from the factory.