Rotting Land: Survive

"But what?" Tang Xiaoquan was not moved by Derek’s expression.

Indeed, Derek’s face was full of genuine emotion, but if it weren’t for his nighttime visit to the village, Tang Xiaoquan might have unconditionally believed his words. But now... after being deceived so many times, Tang Xiaoquan had learned to treat strangers’ words with detachment.

Especially since Derek was a character with unclear intentions.

Gathering his spirit, Derek continued, "But those Japanese students don’t reason with you at all. Relying on their physical advantage and judo skills, they forcefully subdued the students who stood up, even hacked to death the first student who stepped forward on the spot."

"And then? Did you hand over the resources?" Tang Xiaoquan still maintained a smile, leaving Derek unsure of what the young man was thinking.

"We did. We handed over everything we had. We had no choice! They threatened that if we didn’t, they would kill us one by one until we handed them over."

"Hmm, that seems to fit the style of those Japanese." Wu Chao interjected with a hint of sarcasm.

"And what happened next? Handing over the resources should have been enough, right?" Tang Xiaoquan said casually, intentionally guiding Derek’s emotions.

Sure enough, upon hearing Tang Xiaoquan’s casual tone, Derek shook his head vigorously. "If only things were that simple. After robbing the resources, they declared that they would take over us; from today, all our actions must be under their command."

"Well, that’s not bad, they’re strong enough to command you." Tang Xiaoquan remained relaxed, his words carrying an air of natural acceptance.

This time, however, Derek couldn’t tolerate it any longer. The young man straightened his body, instinctively raising his tone, "How can there be no problem? These people are nothing but thugs! Do you know what they did next? Do you know what they treat those students like? You know nothing!"

Tang Xiaoquan knew very well the fate of the students. But these days, many things produce outcomes; particularly in the post-apocalyptic world, you either fight for yourself or bear the consequences; don’t expect anyone to be your savior.

Besides, Tang Xiaoquan’s purpose in stimulating Derek even though he knew the course of events, was to test the authenticity of the young man’s words.

Judging by Derek’s sudden agitation, what he said was likely true, at least for now.

Shrugging his shoulders, Tang Xiaoquan did not reply to Derek’s question. He raised his hand casually, signaling him to continue.

Derek’s breath was slightly hurried. After taking a few deep breaths, he continued, "After occupying the storage room, they began a dictatorship. Those Japanese students are extremely temperamental; relying on martial arts, they confronted whoever displeased them with punches and kicks; they’re simply..."

"I think you people are just useless!" Wen Quanxin interjected, unable to hold back, "I say, when they attack you, surely you should fight back!"

"Of course, we want to fight back, but we’re no match for them!"

"Ha ha!" Wen Quanxin smiled coldly, "Not a match? I ask you all, how many people do you have?"

"Around a hundred."

"And them?"

"13."

"Damn it! That’s it! You people, a hundred of you, spitting at them together should drown those 13 bastards! So I say, when you’re making up stories, at least put some thought into it! You really treat us like three-year-old kids, don’t you!!"

Seeing Wen Quanxin’s enraged expression, Derek responded, "I told you, you weren’t there; you fundamentally don’t understand the circumstance! Yes, it’s true; we indeed have around 100 people, but they have guns! They picked up those guns from police corpses, who knows, maybe they even killed the police."

"So what! A gun is impressive? How many people can a gun shoot? I just don’t understand it; they’re humans, you’re humans; they’re students, you’re students; why choose to be trampled rather than stand up to fight back? Damn it! Dead anyway! What are you afraid of!"

Faced with someone like Wen Quanxin who wouldn’t reason, Derek had no more words.

Seeing Derek was silent, Tang Xiaoquan glanced at Wen Quanxin, who was still there, "with glaring beard".

If it weren’t for the necessity of investigating the truth, Tang Xiaoquan would have wanted to speak up for Derek.

Yes! Logically, Derek’s conditions allowed for resistance, indeed with a chance for success. But the issue is that students aren’t soldiers, even soldiers may not dare face opponents armed with knives and guns.

Moreover, these students have no killing experience, especially since the apocalypse just erupted, leaving students mostly panicked.

At such a time, asking them to handle a group of already knife-wielding, murderous maniacs is clearly forcing too much.

"And what happened after that? How were you able to escape?" This was Tang Xiaoquan’s persistent question. If those Japanese students had taken over the storage room, how could Derek leave the school, especially claiming to have rescued supplies for people?

"Me? Because I joined them!"

A word that stirred waves of shock, Old Zhao instinctively exchanged glances with Tang Xiaoquan and others, everyone feeling inexplicable amazement.

The astonishment for Tang Xiaoquan wasn’t about Derek joining the Japanese students; it was the ease with which Derek disclosed the situation in front of everyone.

Clearly, his successive groundwork had cultivated considerable animosity against the actions of the Japanese students among Tang Xiaoquan’s group.

Especially Wen Quanxin; if a Japanese student stood here at this moment, he would probably be swinging his knife towards them.

Thus Tang Xiaoquan inferred that Derek must have had something in his words, immediately pressing on, "You joined them? You despised their behavior, yet why did you join them?"

"To survive!" Easily, Derek answered with quite straightforwardness.

This statement once again stirred waves, Wen Quanxin couldn’t help but mockingly laugh, "Hmph! Well done! Ha ha, really well done! Damn it, now I understand why you’re so fearless, just went to be those bastards’ dog, huh. Well—there’s no need to ask further; this guy is probably here to scout. But boy, I’m telling you, you’ve met your match here, we’re not someone you can just knead around!"

"Bang!" He slammed his hand onto the table, his eyes glaring with anger.

In contrast to Wen Quanxin’s fury, Tang Xiaoquan appeared much calmer.

If one disregards national justice and ethics, he doesn’t see Derek’s actions as wrong.

After all, life comes only once; there’s no need to sacrifice in vain for unrelated people, especially those who don’t know to fight back themselves. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, feel free to cast recommendation votes, monthly tickets on Qidian (qidian.com), your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)