Chapter 31: An Unforeseen Encounter and a Strategic Intervention

I was just about to begin hunting zombies for their crystal cores when, before I could even make a move, I stumbled upon a group of people embroiled in a conflict.

What was termed a conflict was, in reality, nothing more than a blatant act of one-sided bullying.

Witnessing the scene, I had no intention of intervening.

The apocalypse was rife with suffering, and I, alone, could not possibly aid every single person.

Therefore, I resolved not to get involved, choosing instead to silently observe from the sidelines until they departed, at which point I would continue my zombie hunt.

This, originally, was my unwavering intention.

However, the moment I craned my neck to glimpse the victim, my heart instantly solidified a decision to intervene and help him.

This was because, after Shen Qing, he was the second familiar face I had encountered today.

Unlike my fleeting acquaintance with Shen Qing, I had encountered this man quite often throughout the apocalypse.

As the leader of my base, my responsibilities extended far beyond mere cultivation; I had numerous other matters to oversee daily.

These duties ranged from organizing hunts for high-tier zombies and mediating disputes among base cadres, all the way down to managing supply procurement and addressing the public’s feedback. Every single aspect demanded meticulous attention.

Had it not been for my awakened abilities bolstering my physical strength, I feared I would have succumbed to sheer exhaustion long before any zombie could have claimed my life.

This man was Li Fenghua, the arms dealer I had often encountered in the black market while acquiring supplies.

Back then, he was far from the pathetic state he was in now. Wherever he went, he was always surrounded by twenty to thirty ability users, presenting an undeniably formidable presence.

Whispers suggested that Li Fenghua had once been the CEO of a modest listed company. In his thirties, he had enjoyed a life of perfect contentment, blessed with a beautiful wife and an adorable son.

Yet, this once smooth-sailing life had been violently shattered by the apocalypse.

The chaos of the apocalypse claimed the lives of his wife and child. For three agonizing years, he was forced to endure being a ‘blood bag’ to lure zombies, until, by sheer coincidence, someone finally rescued him.

Having regained his freedom, he vowed to exact vengeance. After exploring numerous methods to gain strength, he realized that leveling up and acquiring power wasn’t suitable for him. Consequently, he embarked on the perilous trade of an arms dealer.

In the desolate landscape of the apocalypse, what held the most paramount importance?

Beyond authority and beauty, only formidable strength truly mattered!

If ability users were capable of confronting zombies, how then could ordinary survivors protect themselves? Lacking formidable powers, their only recourse was to depend on external assistance.

This was where firearms or melee weapons became crucial, yet acquiring such armaments in the apocalypse proved to be exceedingly challenging.

However, Li Fenghua was no ordinary man. After a comprehensive series of endeavors—recruiting talent and sourcing materials—he successfully established an arms factory. The firearms he produced became the sole weapons available for circulation in the market.

Weapons, however, were merely a secondary venture. His primary source of substantial profit came from the continuous production and sale of ammunition.

Before my rebirth, although my relationship with Li Fenghua wasn’t exceptionally close, we were, at the very least, ordinary acquaintances.

To fend off the relentless zombie tides, each large purchase of weapons from him was a stab to my heart! All those precious crystal cores could have been used to significantly enhance my own power level!

Through these repeated dealings, we gradually grew quite familiar with each other.

I admired his sharp business acumen, and in turn, he respected my capability to command a base.

To my surprise… after my rebirth, I had encountered him even before he had the chance to become powerful!

This, truly, was the prime moment to make a lasting impression!

To offer aid to an arms dealer, whose future promised untold riches, while he was still so vulnerable—the investment I made now would undoubtedly yield a return far exceeding its worth!

Perhaps it was a habit ingrained from a decade in the apocalypse, but now, my thoughts invariably gravitated towards the most advantageous outcomes.

Just as now, I resolved to save Li Fenghua, ensuring he would owe me a significant favor.

“Hurry! The store door is open now. The boss ordered us to bring back enough provisions for our reserves.”

“Yes, yes, I’m going right now.”

After the command, Li Fenghua grit his teeth fiercely. With a look of grim resolve, a willingness to face death, etched across his face, he lifted his foot, preparing to sprint towards the nearby store.

Following his gaze, I observed at least a dozen zombies shambling aimlessly in front of the store.

Given Li Fenghua’s current physical state, venturing there would be nothing short of a suicide mission.

Yet Li Fenghua was no fool; he had likely already braced himself for his demise.

No, this simply wouldn’t do. The future arms dealer could not perish in such a humiliating manner.

“Well, everyone, it seems quite lively here.”

Now, too, it was my cue to make an entrance.