Rotting Land: Survive

Old Xu and Lei Tong sensed a hint of danger from the defiant look and slightly mocking words.

"I wonder what the big brother needs us two brothers to do?" Since the other party’s purpose was unclear, Old Xu took the initiative to ask.

"You just need to answer whether you’re willing or not. As for what exactly you need to do, huh, you’ll know once you agree. So, do you have the guts?" The man’s sinister smile grew stronger as he stared at Old Xu.

With no other choice, Old Xu could only retreat a step: "Big brother makes jokes, if we can survive in this end of the world, we definitely have the guts. I’m just worried we won’t have the ability to do what the big brother asks... We really want to join you."

"Then why the hell are you talking nonsense? Didn’t Chao already say it clearly? If you want to work with us, give an answer, stop dragging!" The interrupter was the tall, skinny guy who opened the door earlier. If it weren’t for the current circumstances, with his frail body, a punch from Lei Tong would likely have ended his chances of seeing tomorrow’s sun.

The man made no comment on the tall, skinny guy’s words; he simply stared silently at Old Xu.

Old Xu had said everything he could, knowing there was no retreat now.

Judging by their posture, if he dared to utter a "no," the gang would surely swarm him.

When it came to fighting, Old Xu wasn’t afraid, but the problem was that someone in the gang had a gun.

So if a fight broke out, if he couldn’t take out the gunman immediately, it would be big trouble.

Moreover, it wasn’t clear how many weapons they had.

Old Xu regretted not probing more thoroughly with the man with earrings earlier.

There’s no medicine for regret; with things at this stage, Old Xu could only tough it out.

"As long as you don’t mind our clumsiness, big brother, we’re willing to do whatever you ask without hesitation!"

"Good! Very good! Hahaha!" The man burst into cold laughter, satisfied with Old Xu’s affirmative response, then patted Lei and Xu on the shoulders: "Since you’re willing, then come in with me!"

Before Lei Tong and Old Xu could react, the tall, skinny guy beside them raised his gun to poke their backs, and then said sternly: "What are you standing around for? Didn’t you hear Chao’s words? Get inside!"

Lei Tong tightened his fist, repressing the urge to knock out the skinny guy, took a deep breath, and stepped inside.

Once inside the inner room, the kitchen’s back hall, two gang members were holding a big and a small man in the middle.

The adult looked around 40, with a face full of stubble, clearly neglected for a long time.

The kid looked very young, and Old Xu estimated he was only 15 or 16.

Both had varying degrees of injuries on their faces, undoubtedly from being beaten by the gang.

"Knife, hand over all your weapons!"

"Oh, oh." Old Xu obediently handed over his Steel Blade, then lifted his shirt to pull out a short blade from behind.

This was a weapon Old Xu intentionally left behind, meant to confuse the gang, making them think he handed over all his weapons.

In fact, Old Xu still had his Tiger’s Fang hidden in his pants leg.

Tiger’s Fang was his ace, and he had to keep it for any unforeseen events.

Old Xu did as instructed, and Lei Tong naturally complied, since he only carried a Cleaver.

After confiscating the weapons, the gang casually patted down Xu and Lei.

Due to Old Xu’s details in handing over the knife, the gang noticeably relaxed their search.

After a simple search, they gave Chao a hand signal indicating "OK."

Pulling out a gun, no sooner did Chao pull out the gun than Old Xu feigned fear, stepping back two steps, his face filled with dread: "B-Big brother, wh-what are you doing?"

Old Xu’s act of cowardice was quite convincing, perfectly portraying the routine of pretending to be weak to deceive.

"Hmph! And you dare to roam with such little courage!?" Chao laughed, and the gang nearby also sneered.

Old Xu didn’t mind their mockery; he chuckled and scratched his head, then pointed to Chao’s gun: "This thing isn’t seen often, and suddenly pointing it at us, to be honest, is quite intimidating."

"Tch! If it’s intimidating, then you should learn to use it!"

"Right, right, big brother makes sense, it’s a lesson from the big brother." Like a dutiful grandson, Old Xu nodded repeatedly.

"Enough! Stop babbling, take this." Chao cocked the gun and handed it over.

Staring at the pitch-black gun handed to him, Old Xu hesitated for a few seconds, then looked up at Chao: "Big brother, what do you mean by this?"

"Damn it! Is this guy a moron? Hey, moron, can’t you see? Chao told you to take the gun, didn’t you understand?"

Old Xu hesitated, aware that taking the gun was definitely not a benevolent signal.

And as he hesitated, Chao’s voice rang out again: "What? Are you deaf or taking my words for nothing?"

"Oh, no, no!" Snapping out of his daze, Old Xu hurriedly waved his hand, then took the gun without hesitation.

"Chao, this, this, what do you want me to do with it?" Truth be told, Old Xu had an idea but was unwilling to accept that thought.

"What to do? Huh, very simple! You still don’t know what we do, right? Let me tell you straight, we’re into robbery. So the first condition to join us is to be ruthless. How about it? Do you think you’re ruthless enough?"

"Well... I guess I am." Old Xu said uncertainly.

"Just okay? Have you killed anyone?"

"I have!" On this point, Old Xu didn’t lie.

"Oh! Not bad, you’ve killed someone, good, very good. Since you’ve killed, that’s much easier. You said you haven’t used a gun, right?"

"Yes, neither I nor my brother have used one."

However, the gang combined fairly matched a fraction of Old Xu and Lei Tong’s gun skills.

"Never used one, so you have to learn. You’re in luck today. Look, these two are from our stakeout haul. They came to this store to gather supplies but got caught by us. What does this mean? It’s a messed-up world, you have to be ruthless, or else you’ll end up like them, caught by others. Listen, if you want to join our gang and enjoy life, the first rule is to shed blood. Weren’t you curious about what I want you to do? Huh," followed by a cold laugh, Chao turned his head, then scanned the big and small person on the ground, before pulling the 15-16-year-old boy up.

Seeing him grab the boy, the adult beside him immediately struggled violently, his throat issuing fierce screams.