Chapter 138 - 130: Can’t Let the Salvation Army Go
Brother Mao felt complicated emotions mixed with some wariness after learning that Li Yu and his group had guns.
Looking around, he saw things were almost packed up, and later he would have to collect the protection fee from other gangs in County.
Therefore, he shouted to the people from the Salvation Army behind him: "Prepare to depart!"
The two male students beside him, eager to please, asked Brother Mao: "Where do we sit, Brother Mao?"
Brother Mao, preoccupied with some matters, glanced irritably at the vehicle behind him and said, "You two, ride in that one."
The two male students looked at the disgruntled expressions of the people in that vehicle, and although they were tempted to say something, seeing that Brother Mao was absorbed in his thoughts and unlikely to pay them any attention, they held their tongues.
They silently got into the car.
Li Yu watched from a distance as the Salvation Army people left. Li Tie and the others beside him were getting a bit anxious, knowing Li Yu, they thought he might just go straight in and wipe out the Salvation Army.
From where he stood, however, Li Yu was considering other issues.
1. He didn't know enough about the Salvation Army to be clear on their strength, how many people they had, or whether they had guns.
2. He didn't understand their motives; up to now, there had been no direct encounters or conflicts with them. And, he wondered what their purpose was in coming here.
Li Yu was not a reckless man, despite his previous appearance of being quick to kill.
The reason he had killed before was either because the people had offended them or were a threat to Li Yu and his group, and were within their capacity to handle.
Seeing the Salvation Army depart, Song Min and the others were somewhat disheartened, looking downbeat where they stood.
Li Yu and his people waited on the spot for a while until the Salvation Army had completely departed before emerging from the building they were hiding in, with Li Tie and others following.
Driving the car slowly towards where Song Min was.
Song Min was regretfully bowing her head, pondering what to do next. So much food had diminished, and with the Salvation Army coming again next month, she wondered how they would provide it.
These Salvation Army thugs were like bloodsuckers, constantly draining their blood until they were dead. But they had no strength to resist. Thinking about it, Song Min felt worried; it was a real headache.
Everyone had their heads down, so much so that they didn't notice Li Yu's approaching vehicle even when it was 20 meters away until it got even closer.
The lively and cheerful young girl under Song Min's wing happened to look up and see it.
She recognized the vehicle belonging to Li Yu's group. The new energy car was simply too handy in this post-apocalyptic world, being silent without any engine noise, quick to drive, and mostly noise-free.
"Sister Song, look!" the lively young girl called out excitedly.
Song Min looked up and immediately spotted the familiar vehicle of Li Yu's group. Her heart surged with emotion because Li Yu and his people had helped them out so much before. Whether it was initially rescuing them from dire straits, or the subsequent times they supplied food, or later when they handled Brother Hao and his gang, saving Song Min's younger brother.
...
All these actions had earned Li Yu immense goodwill from Song Min and the others. They very much wanted to join Li Yu's team, but he had yet to invite them.
As the leader, Song Min also didn't know how to broach the subject, so they maintained a relationship akin to friends.
Every time when there was any movement in County, Song Min would tell Li Yu and his group every small detail when they came to County. Li Yu would also trade some goods with Song Min and her group from time to time.
The vehicle slowly came to a stop in front of Song Min and her group. The vivacious young girl ran up next to Li Yu's vehicle with a joyful smile, waiting for Li Yu and his people to get out.
Li Yu stepped down from the vehicle, his expression somewhat stern. Upon seeing Song Min, he strode over in a few quick steps.
"You guys alright? What did that group of the Salvation Army want when they came over? What's happened recently?" Li Yu didn't beat around the bush or engage in small talk. Having interacted with Song Min recently, he would take the initiative to ask her about things happening around them.
Hearing this, Song Min also didn't mince her words. She knew after understanding Li Yu for a while that he was someone who highly valued efficiency and was decisive in his actions.
"We're managing. After the Salvation Army came here, they killed everyone in a group and forced us to provide them with food on time. If you disobey them, you'll get killed," Song Min spoke, her eyes igniting with immense fury.
"They somehow found out about your existence, possibly because of other groups within the County. Knowing that you existed, they've been searching for you, and they even questioned us earlier. We said we didn't know," Song Min continued.
Hearing this, a chill went down Li Yu's spine. It seemed the Salvation Army was not an entity one could easily dismiss.
"Also, they kept asking about your whereabouts. As you know, we really don't have that information, so we didn't tell them anything," Song Min added upon seeing the suddenly horrifying look on Li Yu's face.
Li Yu gave no indication of agreement or disagreement.
As if remembering something, Song Min quickly spoke up, "Those guys brought over twenty people today, and then there were those two male students from before, you remember, right? The ones we first met when you saved us."
"They've now sided with the Salvation Army and also spilled about you having guns. The person from the Salvation Army who came today, that younger leader, seemed quite wary when he learned you had guns," Song Min detailed everything that happened earlier in one breath.
When Li Yu heard about the two male students from Song Min, he instantly remembered them. Those two guys ran the fastest, abandoning their classmates and teachers.
After hearing what Song Min had said, Li Yu had a plan in mind.
The Salvation Army must be eradicated!
"Is there anything else? Where has the Salvation Army gone now?" Li Yu asked again.
Song Min turned her head in the direction of the town center, pursed her lips, and said, "They've gone into the County to collect 'protection fees' from other groups."
"They always come using that road over there," Song Min pointed towards a distant national highway.
A cold light flashed in Li Yu's eyes as he felt a surge of ruthless determination and took a deep breath.
Since they'd arrived and were eying his territory, they shouldn't expect to leave freely.
Sensing the cold gleam in Li Yu's eyes, Song Min shivered. Every time she saw that expression, it meant Li Yu was about to kill.
As for who he'd kill? Under these circumstances, it was surely going to be the Salvation Army. Song Min actually looked forward to seeing Li Yu and his team handle the Salvation Army, and if they hadn't been so weak, she would have liked to take the fight to them herself.
After thinking for a while, Song Min asked, "Do you need help?"
Li Yu looked at the woman in front of him, from the first time he saw her cutting human flesh piece by piece, to leading her sisters struggling to survive in this apocalypse. It hadn't been easy.
Now she even volunteered to help.
Indeed, he was about to say no help was needed.
But then he thought again, that's not right!
How could Song Min know what they were planning to do? While Li Yu hadn't shared his intention to kill with anyone, it shouldn't have been hard to guess, considering he asked for information about the Salvation Army and their movements. However, he couldn't help but wonder: What if Song Min or someone under her command informed on them?
It's unlikely to be Song Min, but could it be someone from her group?
In this post-apocalyptic world, Li Yu was prepared to suspect the worst in others.