Volume One Mutation Chapter Thirty-Seven Dog Eat Dog

At first, Liu Cong wanted to break the leg of everyone in this group. But after some thought, he gave up on this plan—having a broken leg was no different from a death sentence in this apocalyptic world. With no way to survive, no one would willingly feed a bunch of cripples for nothing. In that case, it would be kinder to simply end their lives. As he was caught between choices, he spotted a row of heads peeking out from the windows and doors of a nearby factory, all watching the scene unfold. The moment Liu Cong looked their way, they quickly ducked back. Liu Cong pointed at one man who wasn’t quick enough to hide and ordered, “You, come here.”

The man had witnessed what happened to Yang Meng and the others. Terrified but not daring to refuse, he hurried over, nodding and bowing.

“What’s your name? How many people here are still under their control?” Liu Cong asked.

“Great Immortal, my name is Yang Guang. Counting myself, there are seventeen of us left, thirteen men and four women.” Yang Guang called him “Great Immortal” because, in his mind, anyone who could wield such unfathomable power was already a figure of near-divine authority. He answered honestly.

“Go and bring everyone here. Not a single one is to be left behind.”

“Yes, I’ll do it right away!” Yang Guang didn’t bother to ask why; he was more than happy to run back to the factory. To serve a Great Immortal was an honor in itself.

Liu Cong turned and walked over to Yang Meng, squatting down beside him. “How did Mr. Liu’s father die? Where is the body?” he asked.

Yang Meng shrank back in fear as Liu Cong approached, his eyes fixed on the ground, stammering and unable to answer. Seeing his stubborn silence, Liu Cong’s patience snapped. He grabbed Yang Meng by the throat, his icy gaze sweeping across the gangsters. In a clear, ringing voice he said, “You all heard my question just now. Whoever answers first, I’ll be lenient.”

The men lying on the ground exchanged nervous glances. Reading the wind was their instinct—now that their boss could barely protect himself, they no longer feared his revenge. Several looked ready to speak, but the pockmarked man, quick-tongued and dull-witted, blurted out, “I’ll tell! I’ll tell!”

Liu Cong released his grip on Yang Meng’s throat, then leaned close to Liu Qingqing’s ear and whispered, “Qingqing, go rest by the factory for a while. I’ll handle this here.” He didn’t want her to hear anything that might break her heart, and she obediently nodded and walked away.

Once Liu Qingqing was far enough, Liu Cong turned to the pockmarked man. “Speak,” he said coolly.

“Boss, that Liu fellow was killed by this Yang. Yang forced us, at gunpoint, to go with him into town for food. We ran into Liu’s father there, and Yang took their supplies and ordered him to come along. They had guns, so Liu’s father pretended to give in. When we got back, Yang sent me and Old Six to cozy up to him, try to get him to talk—see if he was really willing to join us. Liu’s father believed us; he told us he had a daughter he wanted to save and planned to sneak away. So…” The pockmarked man rattled on, but midway he realized his own role in this affair was far from innocent, and faltered.

Liu Cong sneered and finished for him, “So you and Old Six hid the fact that he had a daughter, only told Yang Meng he was planning to sneak out, and Yang Meng, enraged, killed him in cold blood?”

Yang Meng, helpless as a fish on the chopping board, couldn’t help cursing after hearing the pockmarked man’s words. “You bastard! After all I’ve done for you—feeding you, sheltering you—you black-hearted traitor, how dare you sell me out? May you rot in hell!”

The pockmarked man spat at him, though it landed on the ground. Scornfully, he retorted, “You’ve got some nerve, Yang. You and your cronies stuffed yourselves and played with women, while the rest of us went hungry. You forced us to risk our necks for you. This is nothing but karma—if I don’t sell you out, who should I sell? If you hadn’t strangled Liu’s father with your own hands, they’d never have found us! May I rot in hell? You’re the one who deserves it!”

Liu Cong, unwilling to listen to their bickering, looked down at Yang Meng and demanded, “Which hand did you use to strangle him?”

Yang Meng guessed what he meant, and quickly begged, “Brother, please! I know I was wrong, truly! Please, have mercy!”

“Not going to say? Then I suppose it’ll be both hands,” Liu Cong said, his tone icy. Without another word, he stepped down and broke both of Yang Meng’s hands. The sickening crunch of bones filled the air. Yang Meng broke out in a cold sweat from the pain, unable to utter a sound.

By this time, Yang Guang had gathered everyone outside. They had all witnessed Yang Meng’s fate and, secretly pleased, understood that his hands were finished for good. They stood frozen, hardly daring to breathe.

With Yang Meng dealt with, Liu Cong finally turned to the others. The poor souls, gaunt from hunger, regarded him with wary eyes. He sighed and addressed them in a firm voice, “These scum will be handed over to the military nearby to serve as laborers, so you don’t have to worry about them taking revenge. When the time comes, you’ll be relocated to the safe zone with the army—there, no one will bully you again.”

At these words, the crowd erupted in cheers, the ordeal of their servitude finally at an end. The four women among them wept tears of relief and joy, though the horrors they had endured would haunt them forever.

Liu Cong pulled out his phone and scrolled through the map of safe zones sent by the Deputy Commander. He found the nearest one and called its supervisor.

Over the phone, Liu Cong briefly explained the situation, mentioning the plentiful supplies and water. The other party promised to dispatch troops immediately. In this world, food and water were the most precious resources. Even without a direct order, just knowing what was here would have prompted a swift response, especially with so much free labor thrown in. Other safe zones could only envy their luck.

That evening, Liu Cong and Liu Qingqing stayed in the makeshift lodgings once used by Yang Meng and his gang, now tied up securely inside. The former laborers had already rushed to the stores of food, eating heartily for the first time in ages. Only Yang Guang still remembered Liu Cong and Qingqing, bringing food and water for them.

“Great Immortal, please have some food. It’s all still fresh. If it’s not enough, I’ll bring more,” Yang Guang said respectfully, head bowed.

Liu Cong accepted the food, noticing they were expensive pastries from the old days. He felt a bit of fondness for the perceptive Yang Guang—a man like that could get by anywhere. “You’re thoughtful. This will do, no need for more. I’ve already contacted the nearest safe zone. The army will be here within two days. In the meantime, keep an eye on everyone and don’t let anything happen.”

Yang Guang, pleased at the praise, couldn’t hide his smile. “Don’t worry, Great Immortal! I was team leader here before, I’ll make sure everything’s in order and won’t cause you any trouble!”

“Good. Go on, then. If I need you, I’ll call.”

After he’d gone, Liu Qingqing covered her mouth and giggled. “Great Immortal Liu, when did you become a deity?”

Liu Cong gave a wry smile. “What can I do? That’s what everyone calls me online now. I’m used to it. Still, of all possible titles, why call me Sword Immortal? Every time I hear it, it sounds like an insult.”

“Sword Immortal? Why do they call you that?” Liu Qingqing asked curiously. She’d never seen Liu with a sword, and couldn’t figure out the origin of the nickname.

“Want to know? Give me a kiss and I’ll tell you.” Amused by her curiosity, Liu Cong flashed a mischievous grin.

Liu Qingqing’s cheeks reddened, but she wasn’t as shy as he expected. She stepped forward and kissed him, right on the lips.

Liu Cong hadn’t expected her to actually kiss him. The soft touch lingered, leaving him lost in the sensation.

“Now will you tell me?” Liu Qingqing laughed, seeing him stand there stunned.

Snapping out of it, Liu Cong felt embarrassed by his inexperience. Quickly, he summoned his dazzling black-and-white divine sword, hoping to distract her.