At lunchtime, Zhang Su didn’t see Lu Yubo bring anyone back. Through the walkie-talkie, he learned that they were dealing with their meals in the village and planned to continue clearing Madian Village in the afternoon.

That’s what they said, but Zhang Su picked up some clues from Zhang Ya’s words. Apart from a few exceptions, the people from United Village didn’t have much fighting strength; the number of zombies they killed was far too low, so they would continue in the afternoon.

This was unavoidable; most of the young and strong in United Village died during the zombie attacks, leaving mostly logistics personnel behind, some of whom had never killed a zombie before. Even if they had the heart to become stronger, they needed time to hone their skills. Today’s step was very crucial.

The principle of Celestial Horse Island’s safe haven is that everyone, from eighty-year-olds to eight-year-olds, must have the ability to independently kill zombies. This rule is unbreakable, except for those with special contributions...

Before Fu Weijun came, special contributors weren’t considered. His situation was too unique.

"Teacher Duan, come, have a seat here!"

While eating lunch in the restaurant, Zhang Su saw Duan Wuhu walk in alone, and waved him over.

"I’ve finished eating. I’m going to take food to Xiaoshan. You guys chat!"

Zheng Xinyu saw Duan Wuhu coming over and knew they were going to have a discussion, so she gobbled up her food and went to deliver a meal to Zhong Xiaoshan, who was on duty in the surveillance room.

"Where’s Dr. Fu?"

Zhang Su asked after Duan Wuhu served himself food and sat opposite him.

Duan Wuhu smiled and shook his head: "What else can he do, he’s buried in his research, refuses to come eat, as if zombies can satisfy hunger."

"No worries, I’ll send him food soon. Old Duan, do you know who we ran into in Beidong Town this morning?"

Having finished his meal, Zhang Su put down his chopsticks and spoke softly.

Duan Wuhu saw Zhang Su’s slightly serious expression, slowed his hand movements, and asked: "Who?"

"First, tell me which department you belonged to in the Survivor Alliance?"

Zhang Su asked.

"Which department? I was the deputy leader of the second team in the Search Team, why?"

Duan Wuhu didn’t know why Zhang Su suddenly asked this.

Zhang Su nodded, without doubting Duan Wuhu, because his situation matched what Zhang Xin said. There were three teams in the Search Team, each with ten people, mainly responsible for gathering supplies. Only the leaders and deputy leaders were equipped with pistols.

He took a sip of his drink and continued: "Have you heard of the name Zhang Xin?"

"Zhang Xin, yes... captain of the third team of the Vanguard Corps!"

Duan Wuhu was taken aback, forgetting to chew. As a deputy leader, he was naturally familiar with personnel at the same level.

His expression became serious, and he said: "Have they pursued us so quickly... Brother Zhang, you’ve dealt with the Vanguard Team of the Survivor Alliance?"

"I’ve more than dealt with them, I also know you’re a traitor to the Survivor Alliance, abducting their most important researchers. Now Liao Youzhi has sent five teams looking for you and Fu Weijun. Truly impressive!"

Zhang Su spoke slowly.

Clatter.

Duan Wuhu’s chopsticks fell onto the dish, his face showing deep unease.

The threat of zombies can be dealt with; they can hide, evade, and fight as long as they aren’t overwhelmed by a horde. But dangers from peers are different, especially from a vast organization!

"That many people... did you fight the Vanguard Corps today?"

Duan Wuhu asked, furrowing his brow, clearly nervous.

"The five teams are naturally acting separately. The third team tracked us from West Camp Village to Beidong Town, trapping me there. Luckily, I brought strong fighters today. After they left four corpses behind, they fled, including someone named Old Yan!"

Zhang Su spoke half-truthfully, to observe Duan Wuhu’s reaction.

"Old Yan is the deputy leader of the third team of the Vanguard Corps, very formidable. Even he was taken down, you guys are really strong..."

Duan Wuhu’s expression grew odd, and he continued: "Brother Zhang, honestly, will Wei Jun and I bring trouble to the safe haven? If so, we’ll leave in the afternoon!"

He really enjoyed the feeling at Celestial Horse Island; it felt like a haven except for the defenses.

But if it troubled old friends, he wouldn’t insist on staying.

Zhang Su waved his hand and said: "The Survivor Alliance’s reach isn’t that far yet. For now, they can’t stretch here, and Zhang Xin doesn’t know you’re with me. You can blame Old Yan and his men for being too impulsive, attacking without clarity, dying for nothing!"

"It’s not Old Yan being impulsive." Duan Wuhu shook his head and thoughtfully said: "When you fought them, were only three to four others participating, while the rest didn’t engage?"

"Wow! Teacher Duan, impressive! How did you know!" Zhang Su exaggeratedly praised.

Duan Wuhu chuckled, waving a hand: "Old Yan was outsmarted by Zhang Xin. Everyone in the alliance knows they have a bad relationship; this is Liao Youzhi’s intentional arrangement. There’s a direct conflict of interest between the leaders and deputy leaders of each team, unless you completely follow the leader like I do, there’s sure to be tension over achievements."

Maybe related to his career; when teaching P.E. in school, the language teacher would borrow his class one day, the math teacher the next, then the English teacher the next. He got used to not competing, and even in the apocalyptic world, it didn’t change much.

"Now that you say that, we did feel that way. The ten people on the other side were clearly split into two action groups. After those under the deputy leader were eliminated, the remaining laid down arms immediately, wanting to talk peacefully, without any grievance, so that’s what happened..."

Zhang Su echoed Duan Wuhu’s insights.

"Brother Zhang, you’ve done a huge favor for that Captain Zhang. For a while, the third team will be led solely by him, allowing him to consume quite a few resources and live well in the alliance!"

Duan Wuhu shrugged, not showing much envy, for he was content with his current life.

Zhang Su nodded: "No wonder the guy was so generous, not only giving me a car but also several hundred pounds of food. Nice, quite decent."

"In the end, do they know about Wei Jun and me?" Duan Wuhu asked, somewhat nervously.

Zhang Su shook his head: "I certainly didn’t tell them. As for what they’ve discerned from elsewhere, I don’t know. Anyway, take your time eating, I’ll check on Dr. Fu!"

With that, Zhang Su took a tray, packed it with food, and headed towards Cui Leng Pavilion.

Woof woof!

Just as Zhang Su stepped out of the restaurant, he saw Corgi Good Fortune squatting nearby, solemnly barking at him twice.

"Returned from patrol? Go eat... Or is there something you want from me?"

Zhang Su placed the tray on a nearby railing and crouched down to pet the little dog’s head; despite the temperature being around zero, its ears were warm—quite a nice warmer.

Good Fortune raised its paw and gestured into the distance with a very serious expression.

Zhang Su looked in the indicated direction, seeing Cui Leng Pavilion, and immediately understood Good Fortune’s meaning, smiling: "You want to say there are zombies over there, right?"

Good Fortune nodded. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

"It’s Dr. Fu researching the zombies; don’t worry."

Zhang Su signaled Good Fortune not to worry.

Since the zombie attack at Beita Camp, Good Fortune’s patrol area has expanded greatly, focusing more on the farmland at the front of the safe haven.

Initially, it would lead zombies away; after learning that zombies could make firewood burn, Good Fortune would guide some lone zombies to the safe haven.

Upon returning from patrol, it heard noises inside a house, startled by the zombie sound.

After Zhang Su’s explanation, Good Fortune tilted its head, pondered, its eyes twinkled, and it softly barked in understanding, then circled around Zhang Su a few times before heading off to the kitchen.

"Charming little fellow."

Zhang Su stood up, patted his hands, grabbed the tray, and walked to Cui Leng Pavilion, contemplating new projects for Good Fortune’s involvement.

Roar!!

Approaching the door, Zhang Su heard a zombie’s indignant roar, full of anger.

"Dr. Fu, come have your meal first. So, any results from the tests?"

Opening the door, Zhang Su placed the tray on a side cabinet and asked.

The room had a single bed centered for Fu Weijun’s convenience; all furniture was moved to the balcony, leaving only a cabinet and two chairs—very minimalist.

Fu Weijun didn’t look up when the door opened; only when Zhang Su spoke did he stop, lift his head, and enthusiastically say: "Mr. Zhang, zombies are such fascinating creatures!"

Brutal, fierce, bloody, bloodthirsty—these terms can describe zombies. Fascinating is perhaps a word only scientists would use.