Chapter 856: Best Friends Forever
Everything that happened in the lower decks completely shattered Zhu Yunque's fragile self-confidence. Just as Zhu Zheng had warned, Zhang Yi helped Zhu Yunque understand the true brutality of the apocalypse.
Looking at the blood-soaked cabin before him, even Zhang Yi felt somewhat surprised. He had anticipated violent conflict, but not to this horrific extent.
"Don't worry," he said with a smile, bending down to meet Zhu Yunque's eyes. "I'm not petty enough to tattle to our superiors. This will remain our little secret."
Zhu Yunque's heart skipped a beat. The unspoken threat in his words was clear - he now held this over her indefinitely. But she had no choice; these consequences were entirely of her own making.
Zhang Yi didn't bother inspecting the interior - the floors were slick with blood, and he preferred not to get messy.
"Ms. Zhu can handle the cleanup herself," he said lazily before leaving with Zhou Ke'er, washing his hands of the matter entirely. Let Zhu Yunque see firsthand what human nature looked like in the apocalypse - maybe then she'd stop with her worthless pity and compassion.
Old Tian thought to himself: So this was why Mr. Zhang had us prepare cleaning supplies in advance. He glanced at Zhu Yunque, who remained kneeling on the floor, too weak to stand.
"Ms. Zhu, would you like to inspect the scene?" he asked.
"But Mr. Zhang said this matter requires your decision," Old Tian pressed, lowering his voice. "There are still many survivors inside - they may be victims, but they certainly participated in the violence. How should we deal with them? Should we..." He drew a finger across his throat.
If Zhu Yunque gave the order, he would immediately - report to Zhang Yi. After all, these were valuable labor resources destined for Tianhai City. Wasting them would be a shame.
Old Tian only asked because he knew Zhu Yunque lacked the nerve, enjoying watching her squirm.
"NO!" Zhu Yunque cried. "Don't kill them! They... they must have had no choice!" Her words dissolved into loud sobs as she covered her face, tears streaming between her fingers.
The onlookers exchanged disgusted glances. She'd made her bed, and now that she had to lie in it, all she could do was cry and play the victim. Every Tianhai survivor had faced life-and-death trials - their hearts were harder than steel. They had no patience for such weakness.
Old Tian tried questioning Zhu Yunque twice more, but only succeeded in making her cry louder. This arrogant woman who thought she knew everything now hid behind tears to avoid responsibility. Were it not for her status, Old Tian would have cursed her out already.
Seeing no other option, Old Tian went to consult Zhang Yi.
Hearing about Zhu Yunque's breakdown, Zhang Yi rubbed his temples. "Even more fragile than I expected. I'd hoped this experience might mature her somewhat."
Zhou Ke'er chuckled beside him. "I'm sure she's grown from this. For a sheltered girl facing such trauma for the first time, not losing her mind is impressive enough. You might have overstimulated her."
Zhang Yi raised an eyebrow. "Overstimulated? I think she got off light." Zhou Ke'er's own initiation had been far more gruesome than what Zhu Yunque witnessed.
Zhou Ke'er sighed. "You forget - I'm a clinician. Corpses don't bother me."
"Ah, right," Zhang Yi nodded.
They couldn't leave the situation unresolved indefinitely. The stench of corpses would soon permeate the entire ship.
"Take a headcount of survivors," Zhang Yi ordered Old Tian. "Huaxu Kingdom citizens stay - we'll take them to Tianhai. Foreigners go overboard. And make sure Zhu Yunque stays put - let her take a good long look as a lesson."
Old Tian hesitated. "Those people have tasted blood now. They might be dangerous."
Zhang Yi countered, "People make hard choices to survive. How many lives have your crew taken?"
Old Tian laughed awkwardly. Every sailor aboard had double-digit body counts.
"Keep them under surveillance. We'll eliminate any troublemakers later. In the apocalypse, human resources are precious - conserve what we can."
In truth, the entire ship was under Zhang Yi's surveillance. He knew exactly what had transpired below decks - and rather admired Lu Dahai's group for their ruthlessness and courage. They might prove useful in Tianhai.
Old Tian's crew descended to the lower decks - though naturally they wouldn't do the dirty work themselves. The stench was unbearable - not just blood, but the excrement and bodily fluids of dying men. They donned masks and rubber suits before entering, first extracting the survivors.
Zhu Yunque wanted nothing more than to flee this humiliation, but Old Tian blocked her path. "You're in charge here, ma'am. Without your guidance, we wouldn't know what to do." He practically forced her into a chair before she could refuse.
Leaving now would destroy whatever dignity she had left. Her only recourse was to wake Su Nuanxi - not to send the unconscious girl away, but to drag her into this nightmare.
Best friends share everything - if not the joys, then certainly the suffering.
A simple solution: press a freezing gun barrel against Su Nuanxi's neck. She awoke with a start.
Zhu Yunque ignored her confusion, pulling her close for moral support. Su Nuanxi turned pale as the situation registered - and silently cursed Zhu Yunque for involving her. But escape was impossible now; Zhu Yunque wasn't about to suffer alone.