Apocalypse: the Most Ruthless Person - Chapter 274 223: They Lie
“That’s good, that’s good, haha, we fully trust the Survivor Alliance.”
Ma Changshou chuckled awkwardly.
The roadblocks on the bridge were cleared, and the two cars passed smoothly.
“Old Yan, take a break and keep an eye on the cars here.”
Captain Zhang pushed the car door open and stepped out. The Old Yan he referred to was the vice captain of this small team.
“Sure.” Old Yan smiled lightly and nodded, “Be careful out there!”
Although the words were caring, they sounded somewhat unnatural. However, Captain Zhang and the others didn’t mind, as if they were used to it.
“Hey!” As they entered the village, Captain Zhang glanced around and revealed a deep smile, “Old Ma, your village is impressive. The villagers look quite healthy, seems you have abundant supplies!”
Many things can be faked, but mental states are hard to counterfeit. The villagers appeared rosy-faced, walking steadily, clearly not having starved, and seemingly had some appropriate training.
“Boss Zhang, you’re joking. This is the countryside; we lack nothing; food and drink are plentiful. Is your alliance short on food? Want to take a few hundred pounds of rice and flour with you later?”
“So generous?”
Captain Zhang was quite surprised.
Ma Changshou pointed to the granary and said, “Can’t finish it, simply can’t finish it. It’s reserve food for several thousand people from nearby villages; it’ll spoil in a few months. If you bosses can take some off our hands, that would be great.”
Other words may not be entirely true, but this sentence is definitely sincere. Currently, West Camp Village’s stored food can’t be consumed by them, even if transported to the Cyan Dragon Corps, it wouldn’t be enough.
The members of the Survivor Alliance exchanged glances. In the city, they fought fiercely over dozens of pounds of rice and flour, not expecting it to be so worthless in the countryside, just giving it away…
“Ahem!” Captain Zhang coughed awkwardly. Even with their long-standing arrogant and domineering attitudes, they found it somewhat uncomfortable, saying awkwardly, “Then I shall respectfully accept, let’s pack five hundred pounds of rice and flour; more than that, we can’t carry!”
“Alright, alright, Hu Little Girl, go and inform the granary over there to prepare two hundred pounds of rice and three hundred pounds of white flour!”
Ma Changshou casually instructed a young girl sharpening a knife by the roadside.
“Old Ma, these are minor details. The main reason we came here is to chase a traitor. You must cooperate with our work.”
Captain Zhang watched the girl as she jogged towards the granary, disinterestedly puckering his lips. He truly had no interest in women; in the alliance, if there’s one thing in abundance, it’s women throwing themselves at them, especially for a cadre like him, women would do anything to get into bed!
Some team members found it enticing but dared not act due to regulations.
Ma Changshou nodded, “Boss Zhang, what do you need, I’ll do it without hesitation!”
At a fork in the road, Captain Zhang stopped, contemplated for a moment, and said, “How about this, call some people over, we’ll ask a few questions. If there’s no news, we’ll leave.”
“That’s easy!”
Ma Changshou whipped out a whistle from his collar and blew it loudly.
In no time, a dozen or so people emerged from several courtyards, each carrying a weapon.
“Don’t be agitated, don’t be agitated… They thought zombies were attacking, bosses, don’t be agitated!”
Ma Changshou didn’t expect the Survivor Alliance members to be so tense; seeing people with weapons running out, they all drew their guns!
After calming a few members of the alliance, Ma Changshou waved and clenched his fist, “Line up, stand straight!”
Of course, the Survivor Alliance members wouldn’t simply put down their weapons just because of a few soothing words, nervously watching the twelve men of varying ages form a line.
“These are bosses from Qin City’s Survivor Alliance. They have a few questions to ask you. Answer whatever they ask, understand?”
“Got it, village chief.”
The self-organized militia of West Camp Village followed promptly.
Ma Changshou nodded in satisfaction, turned to Captain Zhang and asked, “Boss Zhang, how’s this for cooperation?”
Captain Zhang slowly put down the submachine gun in his hand, looked at Ma Changshou with a peculiar expression, said nothing, took a step forward to explain the questions to the militia.
The results were as expected, no unique information was obtained.
“Damn, bad luck, still need to chase further north!”
One member of the Survivor Alliance complained.
Captain Zhang’s expression wasn’t great either. In the safe and cleared areas the alliance managed, who would want to run around outside risking danger…
Unfortunately, the leader’s orders must be carried out, even if just going through the motions, it has to look good.
“Are you the… Survivor Alliance from the broadcast?”
Out of nowhere, a teenager who had been watching on the sidelines spoke up.
“Xiaoshan, you shouldn’t pry into adults’ affairs, go play elsewhere!”
Ma Changshou was startled upon seeing the speaker and quickly scolded.
Xiaoshan was visibly scared by Ma Changshou’s demeanor, yet still stood there timidly, watching Captain Zhang and his crew expectantly.
“Brat fooling around, walk with me!”
A villager beside Ma Changshou grabbed Xiaoshan, trying to drag him into the yard.
“Boss Zhang, forgive the intrusion. This kid lost his parents and idles around all day, don’t get angry.”
Ma Changshou explained.
The members of the Survivor Alliance paid no attention to the fourteen or fifteen-year-old, but the boy’s next words captured their serious interest!
“I won’t go, don’t pull me, I have something to say, uncle, they’re lying, the village chief is lying!”
Xiaoshan shouted loudly, writhing from the grasp.
“Brat, what nonsense are you spouting? We asked you to work in the greenhouse, and you didn’t go, instead came here yelling!” The villager was frightened by Xiaoshan’s words, wanting to drag and pull him away.
“Don’t move!”
With one word, Captain Zhang immediately raised his submachine gun and said, “Bring him over!”
The villagers reluctantly dragged Xiaoshan back to the crowd, secretly giving him a fierce look that meant, “Don’t you dare blurt nonsense.”
Yet Xiaoshan paid no heed, angrily shook off the restraining arms and sprinted to stand in front of the Survivor Alliance members.
“Uncle, if I speak the truth, would you take me away from here? I want to join the Survivor Alliance!”
Xiaoshan puffed up his chest, looking lively.
Ma Changshou stood beside, visibly uncomfortable, face paling, growling, “So you want to join the Survivor Alliance, why not say that straightforwardly? Why falsely accuse us, what’s in it for you?”
“Old Ma, don’t rush to criticize the kid; let him speak. We’ll judge right from wrong ourselves; if he’s right, we’ll discuss further; if he’s wrong, one shot will finish him, won’t it?”
Captain Zhang remarked casually.
Xiaoshan’s face stiffened.
“Heh, kid, hear that? You better say it right; if your story has errors, it’s over for you!”
Ma Changshou chuckled coldly, secretly signaling the militia standing nearby.
He wished to avoid conflict but didn’t mean West Camp lacked the ability to handle it. If a fight broke out today, he could ensure the Survivor Alliance couldn’t leave the village, although it would cost West Camp dearly, with more fatalities than the alliance!
Captain Zhang could sense the tension; their boldness relied on their weapons, but if provoked, they would be somewhat wary.
Xiaoshan shrunk his neck, still somewhat fearful of Ma Changshou, but seeing the Survivor Alliance members holding guns fueled his courage.
“Humph, I’m speaking the truth! Not like your lies.”
Captain Zhang looked at Xiaoshan with interest, noticing his worn-out cotton jacket, chapped skin, and sallow complexion with a touch of gray—clearly malnourished, contrasting against the villagers previously seen.
“Kid, don’t rush to speak. Let me ask you, earlier you said you wanted to join the Survivor Alliance; why? Why leave West Camp Village?”
The reliability of information sources is strongly tied to the motivation behind whistleblowing.
Xiaoshan puffed his cheeks, glaring at Ma Changshou and others, “My dad died in an accident while killing zombies outside, and since then, they’ve stopped feeding me properly, leaving me hungry. I don’t want to starve anymore; I want to go to the Survivor Alliance!”
“Simply absurd!” Ma Changshou frowned sternly, showing rare seriousness.
“Brat squandering his dad’s merits, idling in the village. In the past, considered a martyr’s offspring, food and drink were ample, but now? Times have changed, your dad’s merits are exhausted; not working just means starving!”
A villager beside Ma Changshou scoffed dismissively.
“You… Humph…”
Xiaoshan huffed furiously, his chest heaving, unable to retort as the villager’s words were factual.
