Chapter 602 - 514: The Walkie-Talkie Came Alive!

Ju Mumio leaned into the driver’s seat and was about to close the door when she heard Chen Hanzhou’s words. She exchanged a complex glance with Zhang Su.

"He refused to take the medicine, who knows what he’s thinking. Brother Su, why don’t we just let him go back early."

"Yeah, Xiaochen, why aren’t you taking your medicine? You’re not forcing it down, right?"

Zhao Dezhu and the others didn’t understand what Chen Hanzhou was thinking.

Others didn’t know, but Zhang Su did; this guy was definitely planning something with the liquefied gas zombies...

"Why are you getting involved in the commotion?"

Zhang Su shook his head and said naturally, "This vehicle is mainly to send back the companions bitten by zombies. Your injury doesn’t fall into that category. Just stay here and recover. The conditions at Lego Shopping Mall aren’t bad. If you want to join us at the camp tomorrow, come. If not, stay here, and we’ll pick you up on our return."

The meaning was clear—in front of so many people, you can’t seek special treatment.

"Ah, well, alright."

One sentence cut off Chen Hanzhou’s path; he couldn’t argue further. Any more words would seem like blatantly contradicting the leader, which would be too outrageous...

He showed a frustrated look and, with Qi Xiaoshuai’s help, went back to Lego Shopping Mall to rest.

"Then I’m off, going back...back to Celestial Horse Island to wait for your return!"

Liu Tianji was the last one to get into the car, looking reluctantly at everyone. Though the urge to survive was strong within him, he couldn’t shake off the fear that this goodbye might be forever.

Zhang Su patted Liu Tianji’s shoulder and encouraged him, "You used to work at an internet company, so you’ve had higher education. Believe in science; Dr. Fu will find a way!"

"Okay, Brother Su, I believe in science."

Liu Tianji nodded vigorously and then discussed some communication relay issues with Wu Lue before reluctantly getting into the vehicle.

The vehicle started and gradually moved away. The sky was completely dark, and people on the road remained busy, while beyond a few dozen meters, everything was deathly silent.

Everyone returned to Lego Mall, a delicious aroma wafting in the air. The cooking had begun before the decisive battle with the liquefied gas zombies and was delayed due to the disruption. Now it was almost ready.

The deceased were gone, and the living carried on. With so many life-and-death separations experienced, everyone had learned to adapt.

Yuwen and Li Zongkai reported the specific details of the battle to Zhang Su. A series of numbers were cold, but the meaning behind them was poignant...

In this battle, a total of fifty-two people died, including thirty-three ordinary members and nineteen combat personnel. Four severely injured people had been sent off, and minor injuries were not counted.

The number of zombies exterminated wasn’t counted either, but roughly estimated to be between twelve hundred and fifteen hundred.

Like the time outside Imperial Garden, Wu Baokang and the Civilization Guardian were incredulous about these numbers. They felt as if an endless stream of zombies was being killed constantly, so it was hard to believe the count barely surpassed a thousand.

They’d think even ten thousand would be too little!

This still happened because the big brothers of the Yama Corps returned just in time. Otherwise, they would have been overwhelmed!

The zombie’s increasing strength was a heavy burden on everyone’s hearts, especially after experiencing the might of the combat personnel. Fortunately, there were brave warriors capable of slaughtering zombies as easily as killing chickens or dogs. They stood like monuments, radiating confidence to the people.

"Today, we faced an unprecedented onslaught..."

On the first floor, a vast open area was cleared at the battlefield’s fiercest point. Zhang Su sat in front of the crowd, with used bowls and chopsticks beside him. After a simple meal, he was addressing everyone.

The cargo truck loaded with Fire-breathing Zombies drove into the mall, acting as a big furnace, warming everyone’s bodies.

"The battle was brutal; many friends have left us forever. You are fortunate to be among the survivors—do not despair or be discouraged. We are humanity’s hope. Since we are alive, we must carry the will of those who sacrificed and continue forward. Come!"

With that, Zhang Su picked up a prepared disposable cup, filled halfway with white liquor.

"Let’s raise a glass to the fallen, wishing our brothers a safe journey!"

Zhang Su raised his cup, bowed three times toward the direction of the laid-out bodies, leading the gesture.

"Wishing our brothers a safe journey!"

The remaining three hundred people followed Zhang Su’s actions, bowing in unison.

With the ceremony over, Zhang Su tilted his head back, finishing the liquor in one gulp.

The remains would need a special vehicle to be transported north to the outskirts. According to the plan he and Yuwen had discussed, a special piece of land would be dedicated to battle heroes, known as the Warrior Cemetery, meant for those fallen in combat. Ordinary members would have simpler accommodations, with graveyards near every village.

It’s not due to a lack of resources to provide ordinary members a worthy resting place. Instead, it’s necessary to highlight the distinction of the combat personnel, the deserved honor of those who died fighting for survival.

Honoring the fallen heroes, inspiring everyone to rise and thrive.

Ordinary members were very satisfied with this arrangement. Having a proper burial was a rarity, and they wouldn’t dare to ask for the same treatment as the heroes.

After a simple tribute, Zhang Su allotted the night’s duty schedule on the spot. Given the zombie’s enhanced capabilities, each shift was staffed with ten people, split into two shifts, one for the first half of the night and another for the latter, consisting purely of elite members. This meant every member of the Yama Corps had assigned tasks.

Normally, those assigned to night patrol would complain but, under Zhang Su’s arrangements, those not selected felt embarrassed. Why weren’t they chosen? Because they just didn’t measure up...

Not just the combat personnel; to let ordinary logistic members experience the harsh environment, twenty were selected for duty too. Gradually, the low-risk, low-skill task of keeping watch would be moved onto the ordinary members.

"Tonight’s duty schedule is set, Old Liu, Old Yang, stay in close contact with the kindergarten and make sure they arrange watch posts. Any movements should be reported promptly!"

Zhang Su looked towards Liu Yao and Yang Xinqi.

Liu Yao patted his waist-held walkie-talkie, saying, "Understood, Brother Su. I just contacted Ma Xiyu. Xinglong Hua Mansion is as quiet as a ghost town, no worries!"

"Alright, as long as there are no issues, mm?"

"Hello, hello, Old Liao, are you there? Respond quickly!"

As Zhang Su spoke, he suddenly heard a faint sound coming from Zheng Xinyu’s backpack, only audible to him.

Zhang Su had packed all the walkie-talkies from Liao Youzhi’s study, and this voice came from one of them, but it wasn’t clear who it was.

"Brother Su, what’s up?"

Yang Xinqi, somewhat worried about the kindergarten, was thinking of requesting to spend the night there. Seeing the intensity in Zhang Su’s eyes, he asked nervously.

Zhang Su waved his hand, "It’s fine, everyone follow the plan, get to your posts and do your jobs well!"

"Uh..." Yang Xinqi hesitated but smiled finally, "Got it, Brother Su."

Zhang Su clearly saw Yang Xinqi’s hesitation and vaguely understood what he was thinking, but didn’t pursue it. Since they’d joined Celestial Horse Island, they could no longer use the Apocalypse Corps as their center. All arrangements had to heed the command, something Liu Yao did well!

"Xinyu, open the bag, someone just spoke."

Zhang Su and the Yama Corps members headed towards the safe passageway, giving a tap to the large backpack on Zheng Xinyu’s back.

"Huh? Really, which..."

As they walked, Zheng Xinyu turned her backpack around to find the walkie-talkie; she hadn’t heard anything but acted without hesitation.

"Hello, hello, Old Liao, don’t play dead! Speak up, it’s Hu Yong’an!"

"This one!"

Zheng Xinyu had just unzipped her backpack when a faint voice was indeed heard. Puzzled, she held it up, saying, "That’s odd, I remember everything being turned off, though?"

Zhang Su took the walkie-talkie from Zheng Xinyu, smiled, and said, "I turned it on."

Previously, while gathering the battlefield, Zhang Su had turned on each walkie-talkie found in Liao Youzhi’s study. A few were already out of battery, showing Liao Youzhi’s poor maintenance habits.

The remaining ones had some charge, and Zhang Su hadn’t tried contacting the other side but expected to receive some information, and sure enough, something came through.