Chapter 21: I’m in a Hurry

Only by stepping inside can one truly be considered a core member of the storage facility, entitled to the ultimate sanctuary.

"Boss Jiang, there's no need to paint a pretty picture. In the apocalypse, one must always rely on oneself."

The burly man, who had been sleeping, stood up and spoke without the slightest circumlocution.

Jiang Yunhan did not reply directly but sighed helplessly. "If I were to give it to you, would the others agree?"

The man offered a confident smile. "I will use my fists to make them agree."

From the other side, another man stood up. "Li Yuanheng, the apocalypse isn't just about brawling. The supplies I brought represent the entire fortune of the West Suburb storage!"

Li Yuanheng sneered. "Wang Jianping, then why did you come here to seek refuge? Isn't it because you are weak and have no choice but to rely on the strong?"

Wang Jianping detested the idea that power alone determined status, yet in the apocalypse, this seemed to have become an ironclad law.

"That is pure sophistry! If people rely only on brute force without any rules, how are we any different from animals?" Wang Jianping puffed out his beer belly, speaking with righteous indignation.

Li Yuanheng retorted, "Animals? Ha, ha, ha! Aren't we just animals now? Can't you hear what that 'person' calls you?"

At this moment, another fat man stood up. "If we admit we are animals ourselves, doesn't that play right into that person's hands?"

Li Yuanheng shook his head, fixing a malevolent gaze upon the fat man. "Haven't you realized it yet? This is all humanity's own doing; everything is sin! We can only alleviate the torment of the karmic fires through slaughter!" He emphasized the word "slaughter" so heavily that it seemed he might move to kill the fat man at any second.

The fat man shivered in terror and sat back down. Subsequently, others began to rise—some in agreement, some in opposition, and others offering new perspectives.

Jiang Chuxue, sitting beside Tang Shirou, asked Chen Xiao with a giggle, "Bodyguard Chen, do you think we are animals now?"

"In my view, we always have been," Chen Xiao replied calmly, his mind drifting to the events of his previous life.

Jiang Chuxue looked thoughtful but couldn't quite grasp the meaning; she pouted and tapped her head twice. "Sister Tang, have we really become animals?" She wore a mournful expression, shaking her head and tugging at Tang Shirou, looking incredibly adorable.

Tang Shirou nodded and then burst into a giggle. "I listen to Brother Xiao. If he admits he’s an animal, then so do I!"

Jiang Chuxue playfully stuck out her tongue, made a face, and said in a mocking tone, "Oh, so if Sister Tang admits it, then I guess I have to as well!"

"You're teasing me again!"

As Tang Shirou’s voice trailed off, the two women began to poke at each other, their laughter ringing out in bursts.

"Clap! Clap!"

On the platform, seeing that the topic was spiraling out of control, Jiang Yunhan clapped his hands twice. He continued, "The fundamental difference between humans and animals is the skillful use of tools! Look at those 'New Humans'—can they use guns? Do you see those dim-witted New Humans stepping into the Jiangnan Armory? Can those New Humans utilize the brilliant achievements of human civilization? The New Humans are the animals; we will always remain above them. We are the masters of this land! Our South City storage facility is the spark of humanity that the New Humans cannot interfere with or overcome!"

...

*Indeed, they cannot use tools, but they will soon learn,* Chen Xiao thought to himself, though he would not dampen the others' spirits. Jiang Yunhan’s words had ignited their fighting spirit, and they were nearly ready to stand or fall with the South City storage. Jiang Chuxue also raised her head, cheering for her brother.

Li Yuanheng sat down slowly, his powerful aura radiating, causing many to feel the pressure.

Jiang Yunhan stepped forward. "Since you cannot share the remaining safe room, perhaps we should settle this with a trial by combat."

A cold glint flashed in the eyes of those along the path. The moment had finally arrived. To obtain the room, one needed strength; otherwise, one could not protect it!

"Of course, I’ll follow whatever Boss Jiang arranges!"

"It’s high time I loosened my limbs!"

"I’ve killed hundreds of New Humans; now I want to taste the blood of my own kind."

Everyone was eager, waiting for the next instruction. Lü Xingji stood up. "Life and death are determined by fate, and wealth by heaven. Decide on your opponents yourselves. One-on-one, round by round. The winners advance to the next one-on-one until the strongest is decided. That is fair, is it not?"

Suddenly, a discordant voice rang out.

"I don't think it's fair."

Under the gazes of the crowd, Chen Xiao slowly stood up and offered a faint smile. "Since there can only be one final winner, and it will certainly be the person behind me, why don't you all come at once? I'm in a hurry; let's make it quick."

It was flat. It was insulting.

Then, with a sudden roar, a giant like a mountain climbed onto the stage and leaped before Chen Xiao. Everyone had noticed this giant before, but because he had never spoken, they had chosen to ignore him. But now, the sense of oppression he exuded as he stood there was suffocating.

The giant pointed at Li Yuanheng, his meaning self-evident.

"You’re courting death!" Li Yuanheng had not expected this fellow to choose him directly. Anger surged in his heart as he slowly walked out. He frowned, looking at the man who stood a head taller than him. He shot a resentful look at Chen Xiao. He knew this giant took orders from that pretty boy. Although the pretty boy had slapped Wang Dayong to death, that was nothing; he could do the same. But this brawny man was different—his aura was incredibly ferocious!

He was curious: *The world has ended, and yet there are still bodyguards? What is he after?*

Li Yuanheng breathed heavily and said in a deep voice, "Brother, what did that pretty boy give you..."

"BOOM—"

"Grow! Smash!"