Sun Ruixing sighed deeply and downed a whole glass of strong liquor at Mayor Li’s words.
"Now that we have joined Mayor Li, we will naturally follow his arrangements. We just hope Mayor Li can treat everyone equally."
Seeing Li Quan’an making loud promises, Sun Ruixing left the hall.
"Mayor Li, should we find an opportunity..." one of Mayor Li’s subordinates quietly gestured beside him.
"Heh." Li Quan’an chuckled and shook his head. "Humans, once they become vested stakeholders, tend to forget their original principles. Don’t look at how selfless Sun Ruixing appears now, but people... they can change. Once he tastes the benefits, he’ll protect his own interests. At that point, if you ask him to wash vegetables, cook, or clean latrines, do you think he’ll do it?"
"There’s no need to rush. Sun Ruixing is very strong; one of him is worth more than ten others."
"Also, arrange some ’accidents’ soon to clear out those useless newcomers in the camp. They eat too much." Li Quan’an casually issued the cleanup order. His confidants, long accustomed to such things, weren’t surprised; this had been done since the camp’s inception.
"Boss, Boss!" A patroller from outside rushed into the room and whispered to Li Quan’an, "The man with the big dog—he’s back."
After taking a long detour, Wen Yu finally found Li Quan’an’s camp.
The situation on the road made Wen Yu’s heart sink. Besides the zombies trapped in houses, hardly anything still moved on the streets.
Wen Yu even saw a few vines burst directly into a house and strangle the zombies inside.
For these burrowing creatures, the camp’s defensive capabilities were greatly diminished.
Moreover, it was obvious who would be next once the zombies and mutant creatures were all dead.
After all, the evolution of mutant plants also required nutrients.
Suppressing his unease, Wen Yu walked straight to the entrance of Li Quan’an’s camp with Cyclops.
From a distance, Wen Yu saw Li Quan’an standing at the camp gate, with Sun Ruixing by his side.
When Li Quan’an saw Wen Yu approaching, he stepped forward to greet him.
"Welcome, Brother Wen Yu! I thought you were leaving Hualin Town. Why have you returned?"
Although Li Quan’an wore a broad smile, his words inadvertently revealed his nervousness. He feared Wen Yu had returned to snatch his position as camp leader. If Wen Yu decided to do so, Li Quan’an knew he couldn’t stop him.
Looking at Li Quan’an calmly, Wen Yu stated directly, "I intended to leave, but the current situation prevents it. I can’t leave, and neither can you. All of Hualin Town is surrounded by a large group of mutant plants. They’re slowly advancing, and in a few days, they will overrun the entire town."
"This... Brother Wen Yu, surely you’re joking?"
Li Quan’an forced a smile. He desperately hoped Wen Yu wasn’t serious.
For a shrewd man like Li Quan’an, if Hualin Town were overrun by mutant plants, the best outcome for him and the others would be to be penned up like livestock.
"Mayor Li can send someone to check. To be honest, after I left today, I tried to leave town. I attempted dozens of different routes, but all of them were blocked by these mutant plants. That’s why I came back to you all; there’s strength in numbers, after all."
Wen Yu deliberately lowered his voice.
"I can’t break through on my own. Also, on my way here, I noticed that the mutant creatures and zombies in Hualin Town are almost wiped out. I don’t need to tell you who’s next, do I?"
Seeing Mayor Li looking pensive, Wen Yu said directly, "Mayor Li, you can send someone to assess the situation today. I have a few ideas. When you decide it’s time to break out, we can discuss them."
"Alright, I’ll send someone to take a look first. Since Brother Wen Yu is here, please come into the camp and rest. We don’t have much else, but I can guarantee you’ll have plenty to eat and drink." Li Quan’an waved his hand, speaking magnanimously to Wen Yu.
Then he turned and called over Lin Hu, who was behind him, instructing him to take some men and investigate.
Ever since Sun Ruixing learned of Lin Hu’s betrayal, Lin Hu had become utterly devoted to Li Quan’an. He had even tried several times to incite Li Quan’an to eliminate Sun Ruixing directly.
It’s often said that in wartime, the cruelest are always the traitors.
Watching Lin Hu get into a small car with four professionists and drive off towards the edge of town, Wen Yu also entered the hall, led by Li Quan’an.
Li Quan’an’s settlement was established in a seven-story building in the town center. It could be considered the finest structure in all of Hualin Town.
Li Quan’an led Wen Yu to the most central spot in the hall, and they began to converse intently.
"Brother Wen Yu, can you tell me more about those plants outside?" Li Quan’an, aware of the priorities, knew that if Wen Yu’s earlier words were true, he and the others were essentially waiting for a noose to slowly tighten around their necks.
Wen Yu paused in thought for a moment, then recounted what he knew. "A short while ago, I tried to leave with Cyclops, but vines blocked our way. With just my strength and Cyclops’s, we couldn’t break through. On my way back, I discovered these vines have started strangling zombies inside houses. They can burrow. I don’t think Mayor Li’s camp currently has any defense against underground attacks, does it?"
Li Quan’an sighed. It was highly probable Wen Yu was telling the truth. Someone this powerful would have no reason to deceive him.
"Brother Wen Yu, do you have any good strategies?" Li Quan’an asked.
"I do." Wen Yu took a gulp of the strong liquor and, in a very low voice, outlined his plan to Li Quan’an.
"My attempt to break out earlier wasn’t entirely fruitless. From what I observed, the total number of these mutant vines is fixed, or at least, it won’t change significantly in a short time. If enough people charge out together, some will definitely make it through..."
Li Quan’an looked at Wen Yu in surprise. "Brother Wen Yu, are you suggesting my people pave the way for you? That’s... not ideal."
"Heh." Wen Yu saw Li Quan’an’s surprised and tense expression and couldn’t help but chuckle. It seems Mayor Li thinks I want to use all his people as cannon fodder.
"Mayor Li, it’s not that I want your people to pave the way for me. Rather, I will pave the way for *you*."
Seeing the astonished expression on Mayor Li’s face, Wen Yu slowly continued.