Infinite Ebullience
Chapter 1172 - 51: The Divided Team (665 monthly tickets, additional updates)

Chapter 1172: Chapter 51: The Divided Team (665 monthly tickets, additional updates)

"They’re just being foolish." A complaint echoed from the crowd, as some always prioritized their own safety when it came to personal interest, Tang Zheng and Dong Zixuan were just strangers to them after all.

"Who said that? Step forward, I’ll beat you to death," Zhao Dongtao roared in anger. He wouldn’t allow anyone to insult his good brothers.

The newbies fell silent, no one wanted to be the one to stir up trouble.

"Dongtao, calm down. Fighting won’t solve anything!" Xiao Wang stood up, pulling his old classmate back, playing the mediator.

"We only have one hour; it’s urgent. Are we just going to keep waiting? What if there’s a head-exploder punishment at the end?" Li Wenbo pressed Zhao Dongtao aggressively, "You might be willing to wait for death, but I’m not, and why should everyone else die with you?"

The newbies thought of the two unfortunate souls who had just had their heads blown off for not following Trojan’s demands. Their hearts trembled at the thought; nobody wanted to live under the threat of death, and they were eager to leave now.

"Wenbo is right. What if Tang Zheng is already dead? Look at the huge zombie horde on the main street; even if they don’t die in the laboratory, they’ll die on the way back. If we just wait like this, how are we any different from fools?" Xiao Hu strongly supported Li Wenbo, not optimistic about Tang Zheng’s chances of survival.

"Hmph, I’m not leaving anyway. And just with you guys? Forget negotiating with American soldiers; try leaving this hotel first." Zhao Dongtao spat on the ground with a look of disdain, seeing them as nothing but loudmouths without real strength.

"Kid, are you asking for a beating?" Tong Dahong tugged at his collar, ready to take Zhao Dongtao on, but was stopped by Ding Jian.

"What’s the big deal? Those who want to leave can leave, and those who don’t can stay," Ding Jian said nonchalantly. Knowing what his colleagues were like, he naturally wouldn’t risk his life needlessly. Li Wenbo had never faced setbacks, and once a few people died outside, he would certainly roll right back.

"If you believe in Tang Zheng, then stay," Zhao Dongtao told his classmates before sitting back down and continuing to fiddle with the shotgun.

"Song Xin, why are you staying?" Cao Rongxuan went to find Song Xin, intending to take her with him, but she refused, angering him to the point of turning red.

"I believe in Tang Zheng; Rongxuan, stay and wait a bit longer," Song Xin urged, not wanting to see her classmates die, convinced that Li Wenbo would send them out as cannon fodder.

"Wait for what? Death? Song Xin, trust me just this once, I will protect you," Cao Rongxuan shouted, his voice softening as he spoke. He loved Song Xin too much, and the sight of her beautiful cheek made him long to claim her as his own, to hold her and protect her.

Song Xin shook her head and looked at her classmates. A few who were following the crowd stood up, preferring to take the initiative into their own hands.

Tao Ran glanced at Song Xin and then looked away. She sat in the corner, dismantling and assembling a Glock pistol. Nearby lay a shotgun and five boxes of bullets, all left by Tang Zheng. Black Long Straight would not leave; even if it meant death, she would wait.

The Old Man Nie Jianhua stroked his beard, his small eyes darting around. He decided to stay for now, waiting for the pioneers to clear the path before venturing out, ensuring greater safety. He wasn’t the only one with this idea; several other newbies were also watching and waiting.

"Those who want to leave, pack your stuff, get your firearms in order," Li Wenbo, shouldering his rifle, jumped onto the tea table. He scanned the newbies, issuing commands with authority, "Let me make it clear, don’t expect us to die for you so that you can take advantage afterwards. If you’re not leaving with us, we won’t take care of you, and you’re not allowed to follow us."

Noise filled the room, with some cursing under their breath and others discussing with people around them.

"The safest course of action would be to send out a scout group first to clear the zombies, and then have the main force move out. Otherwise, if everyone rushes out and chaos ensues, many will die," the traffic police suggested casually, frowning.

The newbies immediately agreed, both Nie Jianhua and Ding Jian had thought of this, but being smooth operators, they hadn’t voiced it.

"If you’re not leaving, then shut up. There’s no room for discussion," Li Wenbo was stubborn, glaring at the traffic police, "If we’re a team, we should share both the good times and the bad. No one gets special treatment."

"Are you joking with those children’s lives? Protecting the weak is what we should do," the traffic police argued strongly.

"Aren’t the children protected by their parents?" Xiao Hu waved his hand, cutting off the traffic police’s words. He had long been fed up with these burdens, better that they die sooner to lighten everyone’s load.

Li Wenbo actually shared the same sentiment, believing that the team could only survive by weeding out the weak. To him, the weak could just die.

"Don’t waste anymore time. Have you made your decision? It’s time to go," Li Wenbo was never one to suffer losses, "Later, Tong Dahong and I will take the lead."

The newbies, seeing Li Wenbo’s rare display of generosity and resolve as a Group Leader, felt reassured, until they heard his next statement.

"We switch every five minutes, no one gets to slack off."

Song Xin felt disgusted by this guy, unworthy of his police badge. Other policemen also looked down on him, thinking he was cunning to pair up with the strongest member, Tong Dahong.

"Forget it, I’m not going." A father pulled his son down to sit with him, not optimistic about the future of Li Wenbo’s team. Following them would only bring suffering. It was better to wait for Tang Zheng, to take a chance; at least he was more generous and compassionate.

A few other newbies hesitated and then sat down as well.

"If you want to die, then stay. Let’s go," Li Wenbo hadn’t walked far when he heard Trojan’s second announcement.

"Attention all survivors, please evacuate Chicago within fifty minutes. Failure to complete the mission will result in eradication punishment."

The Newbies were in an uproar, and finally, someone couldn’t bear the pressure of death closing in and stood up again.

"A bunch of trash," Li Wenbo’s gaze swept over the newbies. They all averted their eyes, which greatly satisfied him. He taunted with pride, "You’ll only survive if you listen to me."

Li Wenbo opened the door and looked cautiously to the left and right. There were only two zombies at the far end of the corridor. He didn’t fire his weapon, instead, he ran out quickly.

"Quick, quick, keep up," Li Wenbo growled, enjoying the sensation of commanding everyone.

When a large group of people move, it is impossible not to make noise. The two zombies heard the commotion and started moving in their direction.

Tong Dahong was about to shoot when he was stopped by Li Wenbo.

"Leave those bastards to deal with it, give them some fun, otherwise, it’s too boring." Li Wenbo treacherously calculated for those he’d left behind, gesturing with his chin towards the room. He wanted to teach the disobedient newbies a lesson.

"Come over quickly, make way," said Tong Dahong, who didn’t care. He didn’t know that Li Wenbo was being sly, intending to waste five minutes waiting for the shift to change.

Nie Jianhua and the traffic policeman left, and Ding Jian hesitated for a moment before deciding to stay.

In the team of over a hundred people, two-thirds left in an instant, while the remaining ones looked at each other, and three more gritted their teeth, stood up, and chased after the others.

Tao Ran stood up with firearms in hand, immediately catching Song Xin’s attention.

"Are you leaving too?" Tang Zheng had given Tao Ran a firearm and told her to be careful, proving they knew each other, which was why Song Xin made an extra comment.

"Go close the door!" Tao Ran shook her head. Before she could reach the door, a zombie sprinted over, howling and pouncing on the unguarded newbie in the middle, biting down on his throat.

Hisss, blood spurted out, soaking their clothes, and the newbie screamed.

"Save me!"

The first newbie was lucky and narrowly escaped. The third, seeing the bloody scene and another zombie lunging at him, panicked and retreated, falling over.

"Zom-zombies!" The newbie stuttered in fear, scrambling backward in a panic, dropping the shotgun.

At the entrance, a zombie sat on the belly of the deceased human, continuously ripping and eating, even pulling out his trachea. The other stumbled into the room, pursuing the fallen newbie.

The Newbies didn’t expect such a sudden turn of events. Seeing the rotten flesh of the zombies and smelling the foul odor, their faces were immediately filled with panic. They leapt up like arrow-shot rabbits, retreating and trying to distance themselves as far as possible from the zombies.

Tao Ran was still a step too late. Facing the zombies, she too was scared, her breath quick and her body trembling, but she had to act. This was not only about saving others but also about saving herself.

Some, when faced with danger, first think of fleeing and hiding, leaving others to deal with it, while others take the initiative to find a solution. The latter often find a slim chance of survival.

Tao Ran aimed her firearm at the zombie and pulled the trigger, but no bullet fired; she had forgotten to chamber a round.

Black Long Straight froze for a moment before realizing her mistake, hurriedly pulling the tactical handguard. She had no experience. The right thing to do at this time was to retreat while reloading to increase the distance.

The newbie in front moved behind the girl, ignoring her, leaving Black Long Straight to face the zombie with just two meters between them.

"You didn’t chamber a round!" Ding Jian yelled out, drawing his handgun and firing at the chest of the zombie. After all, he was a policeman and hit his target, but he forgot the difference between zombies and humans. The zombie was unfazed by the shot and continued to lunge.

Song Xin also raised her handgun but didn’t dare fire, afraid of hitting Tao Ran.

"Damn it, I’m all in!" Zhao Dongtao bit his lip and roared, psyching himself up. He didn’t want to be outdone by a woman. He chambered a round in the shotgun and realized it might be too late to rescue her, as the zombie was upon Black Long Straight.

Bang, the gun fired, and the zombie was struck as if hit by a hammer, its chest torn apart as it staggered back, with viscous blood and broken flesh splattering onto Tao Ran. She fought her nausea and fired a second shot, but due to the recoil and the fall of the zombie, the bullet missed.

Zhao Dongtao took a follow-up shot, pulverizing one of the zombie’s arms. However, it wasn’t dead yet, and the one outside abandoned its killed prey and entered.

Liu Guohao stood in front of his wife and fired at the zombie, and five newbies joined the attack, bullets flying wildly.

"Stop shooting recklessly from behind; you might hit our own people!" Ding Jian quickly stopped them.

......

PS: I was a bit delayed today due to some matters, but I’ll continue writing now and finish the extra updates as soon as possible. I need firepower support! (To be continued. If you like this work, please come to Qidian (qidian.com) to vote for it with recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)