Chapter 133: Changes in the Hospital Shelter

The current hospital shelter had already completed all its basic facilities, and the lives of all the survivors could be said to be worlds apart from before.

The quality of life wasn’t much different from that before the Zombie outbreak.

Besides ensuring daily living, the entire shelter had even newly established some entertainment facilities.

There was a public bathhouse open twice a month, and arcade machines brought back by Chi Youyou and her team from some unknown game center.

Regarding this, Nurse Xia Yan did not object. After all, once survival was secured, people indeed needed a certain degree of spiritual solace.

Otherwise, over time, idleness would lead to aimless thoughts.

This was also a kind of control imposed by the upper echelon over the lower ranks.

When Gu Fan visited this time, he found that the shelter had even opened a recreation room.

When Gu Fan passed by, he saw two tables of people playing enthusiastically.

Upon seeing this, Nurse Xia Yan hurriedly explained, fearing he might misunderstand:

“These people just returned from an expedition. We generally allow them to relax a bit after the stress of being outside. We don’t let them become addicted and neglect their duties.”

Gu Fan smiled and waved his hand to show he didn’t mind.

“Nurse Xia Yan, actually, in my eyes, you’ve never been a good leader, yet I’ve always been willing to entrust the matters of the hospital base to you. Do you know why?”

Nurse Xia Yan’s face turned pale at first, but then she relaxed after hearing the latter half of his words.

“Not really sure.”

“There’s an old saying that goes, ‘A martial lord conquers the land, but a benevolent lord governs it.’”

“These people were originally desperate survivors in the Apocalypse, or those just muddling through. I can use the threat of death to subdue them, but in the long term, constant high-pressure management would only lead them further into destruction and distortion.”

“So, for me, forcing their submission is easy, but getting them to genuinely follow me is troublesome. Maybe over time it would work, but I don’t have that kind of energy.”

Nurse Xia Yan nodded in vague understanding.

Then Gu Fan pinched her cheek and laughed:

“No need to be so tense. I’m not that cold-blooded. Let’s go, let’s check out the canteen. I haven’t enjoyed good food in a long time.”

In the hospital base canteen, four dishes and a soup were laid out before Gu Fan.

To be able to eat such a meal in the Apocalypse was already a luxury.

But Gu Fan felt no embarrassment—after all, the entire shelter existed and survived thanks to him.

So what if he had two more dishes?

Nurse Xia Yan also sat beside him for the meal, and during that time, they unintentionally talked about Zombies.

“Those Pregnant Zombie Bodies you instructed us to collect last time—we’ve gathered quite a few. There are about a dozen now, all confined at the Security Base.”

“Mm, still too few. I’ll come fetch them once we’ve accumulated more.”

Gu Fan replied casually.

Nurse Xia Yan continued her report:

“Recently, news spread that the southern and eastern parts of the city were unified under us. It’s said that the rulers of the western and northern zones want to visit you. I fear they come with ill intentions.”

Gu Fan raised his brows and smiled:

“Let them come. Are we supposed to say no to guests? That’d be too petty. This is a good thing!”

Seeing Gu Fan’s expression, Nurse Xia Yan immediately understood that this guy definitely had no good intentions. The two lords of the western and northern zones were simply fat sheep walking into the tiger’s den.

But for the sake of safety, Nurse Xia Yan still reminded:

“Both of them are Level 7 Evolvers. One has strength enhancement, and the other has control abilities. It’s said he can control dozens of Level 5 Zombies at once. They’re tough opponents.”

“Oh? Control Zombies? Not bad. Quite interesting.”

“Also, regarding your previous request to keep an eye out for survivors who used to be in scientific research, we did find two. One used to work in physics, and the other in chemistry.”

These words piqued Gu Fan’s interest. He had always had an idea that required cooperation from professionals in the field.

Now that two had been found, there might really be a chance to try it out!

“Another new piece of information: now there’s a rumor outside that once one evolves beyond Level 6, even if they die, something similar to a Zombie Crystal Core will be born inside their body. If a human consumes it, there’s a chance they can inherit that ability!”

“Is the information reliable?”

“Currently unverifiable. First, Evolvers above Level 6 are incredibly strong and almost impossible to kill. Second, this rumor only recently surfaced, so it can’t be confirmed.”

Gu Fan nodded and continued eating.

Nurse Xia Yan had finished reporting all the information and said no more.

The two of them finished their meal like that. Then Gu Fan returned to his room, while Nurse Xia Yan went to bring the two scientific researchers over for Gu Fan to question.

A moment later, Gu Fan reclined on the sofa, tasting fresh fruits cultivated within the base.

Although this stuff lacked the spiritual energy of those spiritual fruits from the Cultivation World, they made up for it with excellent flavor.

Nurse Xia Yan brought the two men before Gu Fan.

“This is the overlord of the entire southern and eastern zones of the city. Remember to address him as Boss.”

Unexpectedly, the two looked defiant. Seeing Gu Fan dressed in ancient robes with long hair draped over his shoulders, one of them immediately snorted coldly:

“Boss? They’re all a bunch of butchers making profit off the Apocalypse, their hands stained with blood!”

Gu Fan narrowed his eyes, the smile on his lips becoming more pronounced.

“Exactly. We’re intellectuals, scientific researchers. I advise you to treat us with more respect. When it comes time to rebuild our homeland, talents like us will be the most valuable asset!”

Clap, clap, clap!

After hearing the two, Gu Fan clapped his hands and smiled: “Well said. I didn’t expect the two of you to have such backbone.”

Then he looked at Nurse Xia Yan and exaggeratedly exclaimed:

“No wonder they’re in scientific research. Intellectuals really are different! Nurse Xia Yan!”

Nurse Xia Yan lowered her head and answered, her scalp tingling slightly.

She knew very well—when Gu Fan smiled like that, it was the most terrifying.

Meanwhile, the two still thought their words had intimidated the young man before them. They felt smug and self-satisfied.

“At your service, Boss,” Nurse Xia Yan replied.

Gu Fan pointed at the two and said:

“These two are so dignified and principled. We absolutely cannot insult them with mundane things. Starting today, don’t give them any of the food I’ve killed for. I don’t want to insult them!”

“Also, calculate how much food they’ve consumed so far. Cut off the equivalent weight from their bodies as repayment and consider it even.”

After saying that, Gu Fan turned back to the two of them, a mocking smile at the corner of his lips.

“How about that, you two scientists? Isn’t this respectful enough? After all, all the food in this base was plundered by me through killing!”

With that said, the two were dumbfounded.

This didn’t follow the script at all!

Weren’t they supposed to be treated as honored guests?

After all, in this Apocalypse, their knowledge was undoubtedly of great value!

Or did this oddly dressed, arrogant youth not understand any of this?

Thinking that, one of them still tried to bluff Gu Fan and glared coldly at him:

“You youngster! Do you even understand how important science is in the Apocalypse? We just happened to end up here. If we were in the capital, every major base would be begging for us!”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep