Chapter Twenty-Nine: A Dog Refuses Bones

"There's one more thing. Your father said the winner is whoever brings back the most valuable items. I want to ask—right now, what is the settlement most lacking, or what supplies are about to run out?" Suddenly, I remembered this crucial detail. If it's about the highest value, it's not as simple as hauling back a truckload of food.

Huo Bing's eyes flickered as she considered my question. After a moment, she replied, "To be honest, we're short on everything right now. Last time we went scavenging, it was a disaster—we lost more than thirty team members. There are less than forty scavengers left in total, and even food and water are running low."

"My father's thinking is, if this keeps up, we'll have to clear people out of the settlement somehow. There just aren't enough resources to support so many. Over the past year, we've stripped all the nearby cities and villages clean. If we want more supplies, we'll have to go much farther."

Hearing this, I was puzzled. Didn't they just go to ZM City last time? And ZM City isn't even that far—barely over fifty kilometers. At the speed of our noise-reduced armored cars, we could make it there in just over an hour.

Assuming, of course, there are no complications at night. Under normal circumstances, that's an easy drive.

"So what about ZM City last time?"

"That place was off-limits for us before. It was Tong Jia who insisted on going this time—she's got guts. When the crisis broke out, for some unknown reason, everyone in ZM City died... not a single survivor walked out. So it became a taboo place. Yesterday was the first time in a year anyone tried going there." Huo Bing's expression grew strange—she must have realized I was the survivor from ZM City.

"My father told me to let you know, if you go out, bring back as much medicine as possible. The settlement is desperate for it. I heard there's an outbreak of malaria in the lower residential sector. If you can bring back medicine, that's enough to win."

Is that cheating? Not really—after all, this is a public matter. Shen Dong must know about it too, and just bringing back medicine won't be enough.

But if we could get our hands on guns and ammo... Even though the survivors after the Fall don't advocate using firearms, it's only because they're not well-armed. Otherwise, if we equipped a unit and sent them out, they might not conquer everything, but finding supplies would be no problem.

I have to admit, the Huo family is stretched thin. The scavengers have only pistols, and the armored cars are equipped with a single automatic gun.

If what Huo Bing says is true—no one from ZM City ever walked out, and hardly any teams have been inside—then much of it should be untouched.

Especially the military depot on the outskirts. I'm familiar with that place; back when I was captain of the Swordfish Squad, I knew some of the military facilities well.

We used ZM as a transit point when I led the Swordfish Special Operations team. But by the time I woke up again, I was too weak to make the trip on my own. Alone, I'd never survive the journey—I'd likely be killed on the road.

"I've decided to take you along for a major haul. If something goes wrong, we might both die there. I can't be sure what we'll find." I reached out, pinching Huo Bing's chin, sincerity shining in my eyes.

Ever since that day at the oil depot, when we encountered a synthetic corpse wielding a skull-crushing hammer, I've wondered: if a corpse could handle a gun, would it be able to fire it?

But that idea is too abstract, too undeveloped. If corpses could shoot, humanity would be doomed—no more games, no advantage left.

Huo Bing swallowed, lifting her head in a defiant tilt and eyeing my hand. I let out an awkward laugh and withdrew it.

I had absolutely no intention of making a move on her. As everyone knows, Old Cao likes to tease, not get emotionally involved.

"Are you serious?"

"It can't possibly be a joke."

"All right! I'm coming with you! Since I've already chosen to stand with you, wherever you go, I'll follow."

I smiled. "Honestly, I thought you'd back out after realizing it might be certain death. With your status, even if you refused, no one would blame you. Why bother?"

Huo Bing stepped right up to me, almost pressing her face to mine. Most unforgivably, she even blew a puff of warm air at me. "Because I'm someone who thrives on excitement. Last time, I wasn't mentally prepared and made a mess of things. This time is different. And with you, well, whether we die or not, I feel safe."

"Hahaha, do I really give you such a sense of security?" I took a drag on my cigarette and exhaled slowly, this time away from the girl.

Huo Bing lifted her lips in a half-smile. "Especially when you smoke. It makes me feel like no matter who comes, they're no match for you."

I nodded lightly. Well, I'll reluctantly accept the compliment.

"By the way, this time each team gets two vehicles. So... we'll each drive one. Before we leave, I'll upload your information to your car, so you'll have access to all the onboard systems." Huo Bing turned to leave, but I sensed she had more to say.

"All right, got it. But you'd better stick close—don't disappear on the road," I joked.

"Ugh, you never say anything to please a girl, and you're not gentle at all. It's a headache." Huo Bing shook her head in mock frustration as she walked out.

I stood there, baffled. What was that all about? My gentleness is just not something you can feel—Han Shuqing certainly does! How can she say Old Cao isn't gentle enough?

Still, this girl isn't simple. Was it really by accident that she caused so much trouble in ZM City and got Tong Jia's team killed?

I'll have to look into it. Somehow, I doubt the truth is that straightforward. Like father, like daughter—her father Huo Tian is a wily old fox. His daughter couldn't be a fool, and he wouldn't just let her wander off with me. If Huo Tian didn't trust her, he'd never give her free rein. He said himself she's his only child—he wouldn't send her to her death.

I remembered that day in the convenience store when Huo Bing almost got assaulted by Tong Jia. That couldn't have been faked. Maybe her combat skills aren't top tier, but she must be clever—maybe she played Tong Jia's team like a fiddle.

What am I thinking? No, these conspiracy theories are dangerous. For now, since I'm not the target, I'll just pretend to accept things at face value.

"Uncle Fusheng! Time to eat..."

I looked up at the doorway. Only Chen Yunyun called me Uncle Fusheng. Sure enough, her little head poked through the crack, grinning at me.

"All right! Dinner time!"

"Mm, smells good. I can't remember the last time I had a hot meal. Miss Han, your cooking is impressive."

"Here, Fourth Master, have a bone to chew on."

Fourth Master: "Woof! Woof! Woof! Woof!"

I stared in surprise at the furious Fourth Master. What was going on—why was he so angry? Dogs eating bones is only natural, isn't it?