Fortunately, most of the survivor groups had stockpiled a decent amount of supplies.No one was lacking food or water—for now.So for a brief time, peace reigned on Mount Phoenix.
But that peace didn't last long.
Roughly two weeks later, the supplies of one of the survivor teams were completely used up.And that's when their eyes turned—toward weaker teams.
"The survivor group camped out at Zhenghao Hotel has around fifty people. Their leader is a guy named Li Jiawei," Zhou Xinhong reported to Su Chen, He Wang, and Sun Yuan."Just last night, they launched a sneak attack on another team nearby. That group had barely over a dozen people."
"This is already the third incident," He Wang said grimly, voice low with concern."The longer this goes on, the more groups are going to run out of supplies. And when they do, they'll start preying on the weak."
"If this continues unchecked," he added, "we might even see cannibalism again."
Sun Yuan's expression shifted at the thought, clearly recalling what had happened in the final days of the underground garage at the Green Forest Hotel.
But Su Chen remained calm, completely unfazed.
He had expected this from the start.
After all, Mount Phoenix had already been stripped clean of all usable resources—there wasn't a single scrap left.
Outside, the world was a frozen hellscape. Snow blocked every route down the mountain.Scavenging for supplies was all but impossible.
Survivors were eating through what they had—and sooner or later, desperation would set in.
"We need to stay sharp over the next stretch," Su Chen said coolly."Without supplies, they'll band together and try to take what we have."
"Su bro..." He Wang hesitated, clearly wanting to say something but unsure how.
"You're thinking I should hand out supplies to the others?" Su Chen smiled, seeing right through him.
"Well... yes. If you've got the stockpile, maybe you could show a little generosity—help save some lives," He Wang said carefully."But of course, that's just my opinion. No matter what you decide, I'm with you."
Su Chen didn't get angry. Instead, he smiled, clapping He Wang on the shoulder.
"Brother He, remember how you used to go out of your way to help the other survivor groups?""But after you got ambushed by A Biao, how many of them stood up to avenge you?"
He Wang fell silent for a long moment before shaking his head.
"Exactly. I do have more than enough supplies—for us," Su Chen said."But why should I share with anyone else?"
"Wang Ye, Zhang Ying, Zhou Jun... I gave all of them supplies. And how did they repay me?"
"When someone's starving, they only have one problem: hunger.But once their belly's full? That's when all the real problems start."
"Especially when people like A Biao, Zhao Xiong, and Gao Xiangjun are still out there."
Su Chen's words rang loud and true, and both He Wang and Sun Yuan nodded in agreement.
"You're right. Better to kill the wrong man than spare the wrong one," He Wang muttered, thinking of Wu Li back in the compound and pushing away any lingering sympathy.
"But don't worry," Su Chen added. "I'll consider taking in new survivors—if they're trustworthy."
The survivors Su Chen had under his command—now close to fifty—had all been carefully selected.Even so, apart from a few like He Wang and Sun Yuan, he didn't fully trust most of them.
With how things had gone in his past life, Su Chen had learned the hard way: trust no one but yourself.
After their discussion, the three men left the meeting room and walked to the common rest area.Inside, the fireplace crackled warmly.
Lin Yingying was at a nearby table, treating a sick survivor.Behind her, a line of people waited for their turn.
The freezing cold, combined with poor diet, had taken its toll.Many were suffering from various illnesses.
Fortunately, Lin Yingying had stepped in, offering daily checkups. Thanks to her, they hadn't lost anyone to sickness.
Her actions earned the genuine respect of the group—And by extension, their admiration for Su Chen deepened.
"Boss Su! Brother He! Brother Sun!"The survivors perked up and greeted them with warmth as the three men walked by.
Su Chen gave a slight nod in return.
When Lin Yingying noticed him, a smile bloomed across her face.
"That's it for this morning's clinic," she announced."If you're still feeling unwell, come back early this afternoon."
Some looked disappointed, but they all dispersed in good order.
"Ah Chen, you're here," Lin Yingying said, greeting He Wang and Sun Yuan politely before nestling happily against Su Chen's side.
Even though she and Liu Ling'er were technically his servants, Su Chen allowed them to call him by name in front of others.
"All right, it's getting late. We're heading back," Su Chen said, waving goodbye to He Wang and the others as he led Lin Yingying back to the RV.
Aside from Lin Yingying and Wu Li, the other women had taken on household duties or formed bonds with other men in the group.
The atmosphere within their camp had never been better.
Thinking back to the days when they'd just escaped from that nightmare of a camp, filled with panic and fear...
And comparing it to the calm, comfort, and safety they now enjoyed...
Lin Yingying's heart overflowed with gratitude toward Su Chen.
"Thank you, Master."
"What for?" Su Chen chuckled.
"For treating us so well," she whispered, hugging his shoulder.
Su Chen laughed and said nothing more, guiding her inside the RV.
Liu Ling'er had already prepared a delicious spread, and the three of them enjoyed a quiet, satisfying meal.
Meanwhile, at A Biao's camp...
He stood before the gathered leaders of various survivor teams—Gao Xiangjun, Xia Bowen, Li Jiawei—and his expression was grim.
"Gentlemen, we're standing on the edge of disaster. If we want to survive, we have to unite."
In the month following Gao Qiqiang's death, A Biao had been anything but idle.
He tightened his grip on his men, sent scouts and messengers far and wide, reaching out to other survivor groups.
His goal was simple:
To take Gao Qiqiang's place.To become the new shot-caller of the Mount Phoenix survivor alliance.
Now that more and more teams were running out of supplies, A Biao knew—this was his moment.
So he called every team leader to the table.
"You're not wrong, Biao," Xia Bowen growled, "but Li Jiawei here butchered two of my men yesterday. What do you have to say about that?"
"Oh? You mad?" Li Jiawei sneered. "Then do something. Come at me!"
"Enough!" A Biao roared, slamming his fist on the table.
"You weren't called here to bicker. We're here to talk about one thing—how to deal with Su Chen."