Chapter 1024 - 1009: Old Xu’s Transformation (Part 2)

Chapter 1024: Chapter 1009: Old Xu’s Transformation (Part 2)

Reiterated the explanation just now to everyone, the survivors looked at each other in surprise.

Undoubtedly, their thoughts were exactly the same as Hu Xiaodong’s.

They didn’t understand why Old Xu would want to get involved in this mess.

Even if the mission this time aimed to gather supplies, there was no need to use such a method.

Although searching the streets would expose them to zombies, it was clearly better than outright conflict with people.

After all, zombies are mindless; no matter how strong they are, they only excel in power and endurance.

But people are different; people can think, otherwise the ancient saying about strategies wouldn’t exist.

Old Xu obviously noticed everyone’s doubts, but his mind was made up.

"Brothers, since the outbreak of the apocalypse, you’ve all experienced being robbed and oppressed. No, we have essentially been in a passive position, taking hits along the way. Yes, we shouldn’t lose our humanity. But in the apocalypse, survival of the fittest and the strong dominate! We may not bully others or plot against them. But when others bully us, should we just keep on submitting and enduring? The screams at Yuhuan Gymnasium are something none of you have forgotten. I, Xu Renjie, feel guilt for those innocent civilians who died tragically and for my brothers too, so I don’t want similar things to happen again. I won’t deny that this decision carries some personal interest; first, I want to take their supplies, and second, those bastards will only continue to harm others if left alive!"

Old Xu’s words were truly moving, resonating deeply with the survivors.

Yes, every one of them had suffered various crises instigated by others, losing supplies, being torn apart from loved ones, or even narrowly escaping death.

In the early days of the apocalypse without much experience, it was understandable.

But now, a group of them had grown significantly in this world, even former shut-ins like Wang Qiang and Tang Xiaoquan had become true men.

They were no longer the pushovers who could be easily manipulated; their team was filled with capable talents.

Yet even so, they remained at a disadvantage in numerous confrontations with bandits.

The reason, Old Xu pondered, was that they were too passive.

Always defending and reacting, never initiating conflict.

Such decisions led Old Xu to lose a large sports facility and their villa base.

However, now he was determined not to repeat the same mistakes.

Good people get bullied, good horses get ridden; Old Xu’s decision to investigate Luo Baochun’s whereabouts was a shift in leadership strategy.

He planned to abandon defensive tactics for active offense; as long as there was any potential enemy, regardless of direct conflict, he would act preemptively.

After hearing Old Xu’s explanation, the survivors began to change their perspectives.

Especially the rhetorical questions just posed by Old Xu, which gave them pause for reflection.

After a moment of silence, Tang Xiaoquan was the first to express agreement: "I support Old Xu’s decision. There’s an old saying, ’If people don’t offend me, I won’t offend them. If people offend me, I must offend them!’ If we spare them today, who’s to say next time they won’t come for us? Then, will they spare us?"

"Exactly! Damn it, I’m tired of living under people’s thumbs. These guys aren’t good people; taking them out is doing society a favor!" Wei Dazhuang, despite his deep animosity towards zombies, felt suffocated by past months of escape.

Hua Biao and Lei Tong, needing no further mention, were soldiers never afraid of a fight, especially when the order came from Old Xu’s mouth; they had no objections whatsoever.

Following the principle of majority rule, Old Xu’s proposal was thus successfully passed.

"But here’s the problem; when we go to their base, we don’t need so many to lead us, just a chief will do. What about the others?" Hu Xiaodong asked while bowing his head, still posed a question.

Wei Dazhuang’s tiger eyes widened: "What else can we do? These bastards are nothing but trouble; they could harm us today and rob others tomorrow. I’d say do it once and for all, kill them!"

Wei Dazhuang’s words were certainly violent; the Survivor Team had survived until now, mainly against mutated zombies. But now, talking about killing humans involved ethical dilemmas.

Old Xu, Lei Tong, Hua Biao, these soldiers, notwithstanding, as killing was part of their profession.

But Hu Xiaodong, Wang Qiang, Tang Xiaoquan, and others were different; they were just ordinary civilians, even with apocalypse pressure, having done many extraordinary things.

Nevertheless, none of them had ever killed a human.

Old Xu didn’t concur with Wei Dazhuang’s words; he summoned Lei Tong, Hua Biao, and instructed immediately: "Besides that earring dude, handle the others."

The emphasis on the term "handle" was particularly strong from Old Xu.

Having acted alongside Old Xu for a long time, Lei Tong, Hua Biao instantly understood Old Xu’s implication.

Not only Lei and Hua, even Hu Xiaodong and others knew Old Xu had issued a kill order.

The reason he didn’t spell it out was mainly to spare them the burden.

Lei Tong, Hua Biao had no disagreement; those hooligans were already securely bound.

Seeing Lei and Hua approach, they all displayed fearful expressions.

"You, you, and you, get up!" Looking fierce as a tiger, Lei Tong pointed consecutively, then ordered in a low voice.

Not knowing what the man in front intended, the yellow-haired thug, plucking up courage, asked: "You, you, uh... why are we going inside?"

Lei Tong didn’t reply with even a syllable, directly kicking the yellow-haired fellow.

Fists are always the best method to subdue; Lei Tong’s kick quickly silenced those still about to open their mouths.

One after another, they obediently struggled to stand, then collectively headed to the toll station.

Watching the hooligans leave, Old Xu then continued: "Wang Qiang, Xiao Tang, you go gather fuel; Xiao Hu, watch the surroundings; Little Luo, start the vehicle. We’re leaving immediately."

After giving orders, Old Xu glanced at the nervous earring man still sitting afar on the ground: "Hey, you guys must have a car here, right? Where’s the car parked?"

Considering the upcoming journey and mission, Old Xu urgently needed vehicle supplies.

The earring man and his five companions drove here to stake out the gas station, so the car was unlikely to be subpar.

At present, the earring man was absolutely compliant with Old Xu’s commands, pointing towards the toll station: "Car, car’s parked behind it."

Old Xu looked towards the toll station, then called over Tang Xiaoquan: "Watch him; I’m going to check around back."

"Be careful!" Tang Xiaoquan timely reminded.

Old Xu nodded in acknowledgment, then retrieved the 54 confiscated from the earring man, ejected the magazine, checking the ammo inside.

Finished, reinserted the magazine, chambered the round, then strode towards the rear of the toll station.

(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast recommendation votes, monthly votes; your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users should read on m.qidian.com.)