Chapter 35 Sean: Ah, Yes, Yes

Regarding everyone's comments, Li Changsheng did not make any immediate evaluation. Instead, he led the group to the car, looked at the now-awake captive Randall, and asked, "Tell me, what is your purpose?"

Randall, his eyes still blindfolded, was startled and hurriedly replied, "I just joined recently. I mean no harm..."

Li Changsheng interrupted mercilessly, his tone fierce, "I don't want to hear your nonsense. Your words and actions will determine your fate. Tell me, what is your purpose? You have three seconds to answer... Three..."

Randall trembled all over, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. "We... we came out to look for someone?"

Li Changsheng spoke in a low voice, "Looking for someone? Who are you looking for? What are their names?"

"It's Dave and Tony. They went out a long time ago and haven't come back," Randall stammered.

Hershel and Maggie's faces changed. Where there had been pity, now only coldness remained.

Li Changsheng tapped lightly on the car window. "Dave and Tony, are they one skinny, one fat?"

Randall struggled against his bindings. "You know them?"

"Yes, quite well," Li Changsheng said, his words layered with meaning.

Randall, thinking he had found a savior, grew excited. "That's wonderful. Does that mean you can let me go?"

Li Changsheng ignored him and instead called Rick and the others aside.

"I've more or less understood what happened. Now, I'll share my thoughts."

"Rick, first of all, your suggestion won't work."

Before Rick could speak, Lori jumped in, defending her husband. "Why not?"

Li Changsheng glanced at her, barely perceptible, and snorted. "It seems the first thing you all need to understand is where these people came from." He then recounted the incident he, Hershel, and Maggie had experienced at the tavern, omitting the part where he fed Dave and Tony to the walkers.

After hearing Li Changsheng's words and seeing the fury and fear on Hershel and Maggie's faces, the group was shocked; the color drained from many faces. They had not expected to encounter such monsters.

Even Dale frowned.

"Therefore, letting him go is absolutely out of the question. They possess heavy weapons. If he reveals our whereabouts, all you'll face is death, and it could drag Hershel's family down with us. Rick, do you understand?"

Rick was shaken, his hands clenched tightly together. He took a deep breath and looked at everyone. "Guys, it's my fault. I almost made a terrible decision."

He felt fear as well. If what Li Changsheng said was true, his wife and child might have suffered unimaginable cruelty.

Lori looked at Rick, then at Li Changsheng, who seemed so aloof. Her expression was complicated.

Li Changsheng did not comfort Rick; rather, he hoped Rick would recognize his own naivety and truly grow from it.

Shane watched the crestfallen Rick and showed a gleeful smile. Lately, he and Rick had been at odds, nearly irreconcilable...

Rick's authority would wane, and Shane would have more opportunity to get close to Lori...

Li Changsheng noticed Shane's expression. This Shane... not only likes to play the cuckold, now he's growing more extreme... an unpredictable element...

"Shane, your words and actions are problematic," Li Changsheng said, tugging at his lips with a half-smile as he looked at Shane.

"What?" Shane was incredulous. "Isn't getting rid of him the best solution?"

Li Changsheng snorted, "Getting rid of him is the result, but you can't reach that result on mere conjecture. There must be evidence. If you decide someone's life or death without evidence, then everyone would live in fear."

Dale interjected, "I agree with Li. This kid may not have participated in those atrocities. He's only eighteen. His life is just beginning..."

Dale was a kind old man, but a bit naïve... That flaw shouldn't be indulged...

Li Changsheng countered, "Dale, you're wrong too. Like Shane, you rely on your own assumptions without basing your judgments on facts. First of all, he participated in the attempt on your lives—a failed murder attempt. Any state's laws would put him away for ten years at least.

And if he did take part in those crimes and you let him go, his life may restart, but Carl, Sophia, all of your lives could end."

"Age isn't a shield. If a child commits evil, he should become a dead child."

Dale's face flushed, unable to retort, and he fell silent.

Shane looked at Li Changsheng in mute frustration. Right, right, so whatever we say is wrong, only you are right. It's just because you have more information...

He was unconvinced and suddenly asked, "Then tell us, what should we do?"

Li Changsheng replied with layered meaning, "Dale said something right: 'We have a better way to handle this.'" He paused.

Dale, hearing this, felt no joy at being acknowledged; instead, a chill ran through him. Li Changsheng only said one sentence was correct; everything else Dale had said must have been nonsense...

Li Changsheng's gaze sharpened. "We need to take the initiative."

"Take the initiative?"

Li Changsheng nodded. "Yes, folks. If you think of this world as a game, before the disaster, it was version 1.0. After, it's upgraded to 2.0. If you remain stuck in the 1.0 era, you'll be eliminated sooner or later."

Look at what those scoundrels did—only a 3.0 version could produce such evil. So, for everyone's survival, for the sake of Civilization City, we must actively crush the evil forces around us.

Leave the prisoner to me and Shane. We'll investigate. If he's guilty of many crimes, we'll deal with him directly. If not, we'll let him go.

The rest of you, take a few days to rest, gather the supplies from the farm, and prepare to head for Civilization City.

Hearing Li Changsheng's instructions, everyone nodded. Only Shane, watching Li Changsheng's calm demeanor, felt his forehead twitch. "We?"

Li Changsheng raised his brow. "Weren't you acting tough just now? What, are you scared?"

Shane waved his hand awkwardly. "Of course not. I'm just making sure." He said that, but inside he cursed Li Changsheng. Damn bastard... Those people have heavy weapons... Two people? That's just asking for trouble...

At some point, Carl and Sophia, the two children, came over curiously. After listening for a while, their stomachs rumbled.

Rick shook his head and whispered, "We're out of food..."

Li Changsheng understood and looked at Hershel. "Hershel, Maggie, could you prepare some food and water for them?"

Maggie snorted. Damn it, are we really starting to obey his orders now...

Hershel nodded and addressed Rick and the others. "I'll provide food, but you mustn't get too close to my house!" He specifically pointed at Shane. "Especially you."

He was still upset about their earlier conflict.

Shane's facial muscles twitched. Old bastard...

After speaking, Hershel turned to Li Changsheng. "Li, my daughters have prepared lunch. Come inside for some tea first."

Li Changsheng nodded, waved at Rick and the others, and headed back.

Otis lagged behind; Shane called out to him, "Did the old man and that Chinese guy know each other before?"

Comparisons are infuriating—he wanted to get inside, freshen up, and have a proper lunch.

Otis shook his head. "We only met yesterday."

Shane was incredulous. "Met yesterday and already this warm? Why?"