Crack, crack, crack.

Suddenly, a series of sounds of removing a safety catch rang out from several cars. The expressions on everyone’s faces were different; some were conflicted, some had a touch of ferocity as if anger was about to burst forth from their hearts, and others were just indifferent, as if they had seen through the worldly ways.

The people in front of Zhang Su were far worse than those in West Camp Village before, making Zhang Su completely lose interest in negotiating.

“Brother Su, I’d like to have a word with them, is that okay?”

Yu Qing held a rifle, unlocked the safety, chambered a bullet, and walked to the driver’s seat to ask Zhang Su.

Zhang Su glanced at the gun in Yu Qing’s arms, squinted his eyes, this kind-hearted female teacher seemed to have changed somewhat, so strike while the iron is hot and let her see reality clearly!

“I can allow you to talk to them, but if negotiations break down, you’ll be responsible for cleaning up the mess, understood?”

Yu Qing was not a fool, she was just kind-hearted. She understood Zhang Su’s meaning, took a deep breath, weighed the rifle in her arms, and nodded heavily.

The leader of United Village did not know what was happening inside the car, but he did not rush. In his view, the three cars in front of him were already within his grasp; he only hoped to reap even greater rewards.

Unexpectedly, a woman’s voice suddenly rang out: “Fellow villagers, everyone, please don’t be impulsive…”

“Disasters struck unexpectedly. We are the lucky survivors. Violence and slaughter won’t solve problems, only unity can lead to development. If you lack anything, you can voice it, and if we have it, we can negotiate an exchange!”

“We accept barter trade and reject violent robbery. Please don’t continue down the wrong path, or we will retaliate with force.”

The leader of United Village tilted his head and walked to the middle of the RV, staring blankly at the woman speaking behind the window. Suddenly, he laughed and said, “This person speaks so eloquently, accepting barter trade, rejecting violent robbery, miss, you must be an intellectual, interested in being the bride of one of our men in United Village? Guaranteed to eat and dress well!”

Yu Qing felt a chill in her heart, looked at the leader of United Village, and said, “You should be the pillars of your village. If you are serious about farming and conducting honest transactions, you can live well. Why tread such a dangerous path? If something happens to you, what will become of the elderly, weak, women, and children left in the village?”

Due to the angle, only Yu Qing’s upper body was visible outside, so they could not see her holding an automatic rifle. But even if they saw it, they would likely dismiss it as fake, akin to Ma Changshou’s reaction…

“Look, look!” The leader pointed at Yu Qing and said to his subordinates, “This is what you call a compassionate heart; unfortunately, she’s just a clay Buddha. Ha ha, miss, you can’t even protect yourself, yet you’re considering our wellbeing? Ha ha ha…”

“Boss, forget all my credits, I have to keep this woman!”

“Get lost! No matter how many credits you have, could it be more than mine? She belongs to me, I just love educated women.”

Two young lads jumped off the three-wheeler, arguing over the ownership of Yu Qing.

Many villagers nearby frowned at them and unconsciously leaned aside, obviously not wanting to associate with them.

Watching the scenes unfold among the villagers, Zhang Su noticed many issues. This United Village didn’t seem unified, with differing attitudes toward other survivors.

“Young lady, we’ve discussed it, and you will accompany the two of us. I guarantee you won’t have to work and will be well-fed and clothed. Come down, let us pamper you!”

Sigh…

The dispute between the two quickly found resolution, achieving consensus effortlessly. One of them whistled roguishly at Yu Qing.

“Woohoo, woohoo, woohoo.”

“Woohoo, woohoo, woohoo.”

A dozen villagers followed suit, clapping the sides of the three-wheeler rhythmically, cheering eagerly.

Yu Qing looked at the villagers in front of her, sadly closing her eyes.

“Qingqing, that’s enough, good advice cannot sway a determined ghost…”

Yuwen walked to the window and gripped his daughter’s shoulders, shaking his head, signaling her to say no more.

“I gave you a chance, but if you don’t take it, there’s no choice left. Yu Qing, shoot this leader first!”

Zhang Su glared at Yu Qing; this was the final command. If she couldn’t execute it, even protected by Yuwen and Zhao Dezhu, she’d inevitably become marginalized.

Yu Qing saw clearly that the collapse of civilization was inevitable, determining to entrust her kindness to her companions.

Da-da!

Gunshots rang out as Yu Qing raised her rifle and pulled the trigger, creating a bloody hole on the leader’s head. The other shot missed slightly, bouncing up a white spot on the ground.

There was no room for regret. The leader of United Village died, his eyes wide open in disbelief, staring straight at Yu Qing’s furious eyes.

Can such a person really shoot?

The last thought flashed through his mind as the leader of United Village fell back, lifeless.

After the echoing gunshots, silence ensued briefly, as if time stopped momentarily, but it was quickly shattered.

“Boss!”

The villagers’ arrogance on the three-wheeler vanished instantly as they stared at the RV. The two who had come to retrieve Yu Qing for warmth fell to the ground, peeing their pants before they could react effectively, frightened by the scene.

Rows of black gun barrels extended from the window, covering everyone with firepower. The encircled formation ironically aided their opponents in aiming.

“Surrender! I surrender!”

A loud voice shouted out as a brawny man threw down his self-made crossbow from his shoulder along with the butcher’s knife onto the road, decisively squatting down with his hands on his head, continuously shouting.

“Surrendering, I surrender, I don’t approve of harassing men and dominating women, I’m not from West Official Camp, don’t kill me, please don’t kill me!”

Like a broken window effect, after the brawny man discarded his weapons, most people acted in unison, throwing down their weapons and squatting in front of the three-wheeler. The former arrogance dissipated, and some had really peed their pants, with water dripping down from their crotch.

In the face of life and death, very few can remain calm. The body of the leader lies warm beside the RV, agitating everyone’s nerves.

No matter where you are, there’s always someone hoping for luck. Four villagers, who were the loudest during the uproar, hit the gas on a three-wheeler, trying to escape.

Thud thud thud, thud thud.

Under the barrage of gunfire, surrender is the only way to survive. Running away leads only to death!

“Ah…”

“Ugh!”

Zhang Su didn’t know who fired the shot; anyway, he only aimed for one, and all the escapees were down. Ironically, the three-wheeler kept moving forward on inertia as if saying, “It’s dangerous here, I’ll leave first…”

Four bodies lay in different postures, collapsing in a pool of blood.

“Ah… I’m not running, we’re not running, no one from Xiaoxin Village is running, big brother, spare us!”

“People from Wanggezhuang aren’t running either, squat, no, kneel, hurry up!”

After the automatic rifle shot down the runners, the remaining villagers were even more obedient, almost prostrating to beg for mercy.

No one ever expected the people in the leisure RV would carry real army weapons. This was simply incredible. The last glimmer of hope was shattered after accounting for five lives.

“Robbery, damn it!”

Zhang Su cursed as he got out of the car, and naturally, the others also followed him onto the highway.

The crowd, guns in hand, walked towards the villagers in unison.

“Were you two shouting for her to be your wife?”

Zhang Su pointed at Yu Qing and asked the two in the crowd who were trying to snatch a wife.

“Ah?”

“Brother, I…”

“Yes, that’s them, Da Qiu and Kuanzi. They’re from West Official Camp. People from West Official Camp love doing this!”

Even before the two could open their mouths to retort, someone nearby identified them and spilled even more information.

United Village, as the name implies, is a combination of several villages. These people came from different hamlets, each with its own survival philosophy, and clearly, the ways of the deceased leader weren’t approved by everyone.

The two named Da Qiu and Kuanzi looked panicked, waved their hands repeatedly, their legs shaking like sieves, fearfully looking at Zhang Su and the others, trying to explain yet appeared utterly powerless.

“Yu Qing, come over and clean up this mess!”

Zhang Su beckoned Yu Qing over from the crowd. This issue arose because of her, so she must end it, regardless of whether her thoughts had changed or if she was willing.

Yu Qing’s gaze was complex, full of eager longing for a wonderful past yet encountering the cold inevitability of a dark future.

She wouldn’t disobey Zhang Su’s command; it was a pre-agreed arrangement!

“Ah? No, no…”

“Madam, sir, I was wrong, I shouldn’t have spoken recklessly, I was wrong, I’ll never dare again, give me a chance, I’ll work like a horse to repay you.”

Da Qiu and Kuanzi saw the woman they had teased earlier walking toward them, with the dark muzzle pointed at them. They knelt and banged their heads on the ground until their foreheads bled, with considerable force.

Yu Qing recalled in her mind’s eye the faces of those immature children during class, wishing she could return to that time, just an ordinary chemistry teacher with chalk in hand, not an automatic rifle!

Alas, the world had changed. The road of growth was fraught with thorns. If you can’t fight your way through, you’re destined to die in the wilderness!

“Ah!!”

Zhao Dezhu shouted, “Big brother, I, these two bastards wanted to steal my wife. Let me kill them!”

Seeing Yu Qing hesitate for so long, he stepped forward, wanting to help Yu Qing take care of Da Qiu and Kuanzi.

“No need!”

Yu Qing turned to Zhao Dezhu with a relieved smile: “Thank you, but I can manage. Only with thunderous means can one show a Bodhisattva’s heart!”

“Only with thunderous means can one show a Bodhisattva’s heart…”

Zhao Dezhu mumbled, not understanding the meaning, yet the next moment, Yu Qing demonstrated it for him!

Yu Qing raised her gun without hesitation or trembling, aiming steadily at Da Qiu and Kuanzi.

“No, Bodhisattva, I was wrong. I will mend my ways.”

“I will definitely reform and never act recklessly again in the future.”

“Go to hell to repent!” Yu Qing pulled the trigger!

Thud thud, thud thud, the recoil from the automatic rifle jerked Yu Qing’s slight shoulder, causing her hair to flutter slightly.

With the sound of gunfire, the two lifeless bodies fell to the ground.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep