Chapter 136 - 128: Defect?
For Song Min and the others, the food provided to them according to the standards and requirements of the Salvation Army was nearly all that they had left, including what they had grown themselves.
Song Min had thought about rebelling before. One evening, she saw another group in the County, about the same size as hers.
Because they had promised food to the Salvation Army and then reneged, they first deceived those of the Salvation Army, then ran away, and ended up being captured.
The deaths were gruesome. The Salvation Army always liked to use such cruel methods to deter others.
To warn other groups, the Salvation Army then dragged those bodies around the surroundings as a warning.
Eventually, these bodies were hung on a building in the County. Many people in the County saw it.
Song Min and her group saw it too, particularly the brutal side of the Salvation Army, who were numerous and powerful, coming from the south in a formidable crowd each time.
The food given to the Salvation Army this time had taken away most of their stock. Next, they would inevitably face a food crisis.
Everyone looked worried, though two male students had little expression. If one looked closely, one could see some schadenfreude.
Li Yu was observing through a telescope from a distance.
From his perspective, he saw those same two male students slowly approaching the Salvation Army. This time it wasn't the team leader but a junior member called Xiao Mao, who was in charge.
The two male students approached Xiao Mao with flattering smiles, saying, "Brother Mao, we really admire you, especially you, Brother Mao, so handsome. We want to hang out with you."
Brother Mao raised his eyebrows, surprised that these students came to join them.
He had seen these two boys last time. Weren't they with Song Min's group? Why did they want to join now?
Curious, he asked directly, "Isn't your boss over there? Why do you want to join us?" pointing towards Song Min.
Song Min saw that it was the two students Teacher Liu led, whispering among the group, unable to hear clearly from a distance. But seeing Brother Mao pointing at her, she had a foreboding that it wasn't anything good.
She was also very annoyed. When they first met Teacher Liu's group, those two male students had already run away, abandoning their companions, an act they despised.
At the time, without much thought, they let them join. During the time together, due to the boys' previous actions, everyone subconsciously rejected them.
The boys did nothing significant to prove themselves, instead, feeling bitter about everyone's attitude, they waited until the stronger Salvation Army arrived and decided to defect.
In response to Brother Mao's question, following his pointing hand and seeing it was Song Min, one of the male students replied, "That person, we just temporarily joined them. You see, Brother Mao, they are mostly weak women. We want to follow you, Brother Mao."
"Brother Mao, we just want to hang out with you," the other male student chimed in.
The leader was absent today, and it was his first time being in charge of transport on his own; he was already somewhat pleased, and the flattery from these two boys was right up his alley.
Brother Mao smiled, nodding, "Hey! You two lads really know how to see things. Hahaha. Well, if you join us, there are some standards to meet, and we don't just take anyone."
Brother Mao set a high bar, his eyes and brow exuding contentment.
"Brother Mao, once we join, we can run errands for you, help you keep these people in line," said one of the male students.
"Yes, yes, Brother Mao, please take us in. We will be very obedient," the other student echoed.
Brother Mao, feeling greatly flattered by their eager faces, nodded and said, "Okay, leave this matter to me."
In fact, he didn't have the direct authority to recruit, but he had the right to recommend. According to their organization's system, recruitment was generally not strict, with the most important criterion being combat ability.
Their organization didn't take in the useless. Although these two young male students were young, they had survived up to now and were somewhat keen, so that would do.
Hearing Brother Mao's words, the two began to spit out pleasing words as if costless.
Listening to their flattering, Brother Mao was delighted, looking at these two male students more favorably. These two were more obedient and sensible compared to others in the Salvation Army.
The others who came along were like blocks of wood, cruel and cold-blooded, which was normal, as that's why they had survived so long.
In the Salvation Army, the same principle applied; the mightier had the say. As long as no major trouble was caused, the leader generally didn't interfere.
Watching the two male students fawning over the Salvation Army, Song Min felt a vague premonition.
Recently, these two students hadn't integrated well, and now they had certain motives for wanting to join the Salvation Army.
Song Min was still pondering when it seemed the two boys whispered something into Brother Mao's ear. Brother Mao, seemingly pleased, rubbed his hands together and looked meaningfully at Song Min.
Especially when hearing about some surprise news, he immediately stood up.
Excitedly walking up to Song Min, with a smile on his face, he said, "Do you still have military compressed biscuits?"
Song Min's heart sank upon hearing this. Not good, these things were life-saving in the apocalyptic world where food was hard to preserve.
Survival was of utmost importance in this post-apocalyptic world, regardless of the taste, quality or saltiness. After all, unlike Li Yu and his group who had ample food supply.
Everyone was in a state of not being able to eat their fill, often facing the crisis of running out of food. When facing a Zombie Tide, unable to gather food, stored food was exhausted.
At this time, a small compressed biscuit, along with water, could fill a stomach. It was indeed one of the most precious things in the apocalypse.