Ice Age Apocalypse: I Hoard Billions of Supplies

Chapter 96: Should I Kill Them All?

After careful consideration, Zhang Yi came to a satisfactory conclusion: as long as he stayed put in Building 25, leveraging his firepower and the fortress-like strength of his safe house, even if the residents from the other 29 buildings united against him, they couldn’t do much.

In the current situation where food was extremely scarce, and the temperature was unbearably cold, just walking a few steps in the bitter cold was an immense struggle. Twenty people couldn’t match the strength of one person from the old days.

"My personal safety isn’t an issue. Worst case, I’ll ride my snowmobile and break through their siege, using my weapons to engage them in guerrilla warfare until they’re all worn down."

"But doing so is incredibly troublesome. How long will it take to kill people from 29 buildings?"

"If I don’t kill them, they will certainly attack me."

Zhang Yi mulled over his options.

Should he spend the time and effort to eliminate everyone in the neighborhood who posed a threat to him, or should he find another solution?

He hadn’t made a decision yet.

Glancing at his phone, Zhang Yi decided to chat with Li Jian as well. He needed to see if all the building leaders had similar thoughts.

Opening the chat with Li Jian, he saw that Li Jian had already started introducing their situation enthusiastically.

"Mr. Zhang, I come to you with sincere intentions, hoping to cooperate in building a harmonious home, an apocalypse utopia."

"So far, Building 18 has only lost five elderly people due to complications from the extreme cold."

"By reasonably planning and distributing resources, we’ve maintained harmony among the residents."

"I believe this is the best way to survive the apocalypse, preserving the seeds of human civilization and facilitating post-disaster reconstruction."

"Currently, we lack an effective food source. We hope to cooperate with you, offering manpower and resources in return for your assistance in gathering supplies to meet our needs."

"We can also help mediate relationships with other units to prevent conflicts."

Zhang Yi felt much more comfortable after reading Li Jian’s message.

As expected from the CFO of a major corporation, his emotional intelligence was leagues ahead of someone like Chen Lingyu from an MLM business. His message was clear, concise, and respectful.

However, what intrigued Zhang Yi the most was the mention of a harmonious community. Despite the apocalypse having lasted over twenty days, they hadn’t had any deaths from conflicts.

Turning to Zhou Ke'er, who was massaging his feet, Zhang Yi asked, "Ke'er, do you know anything about the situation in Building 18?"

Zhou Ke'er thought for a moment and replied, "I’ve heard a bit. Their building leader is very charismatic. After the apocalypse began, he united all the residents and adopted a centralized resource distribution method, allowing most people to survive till now."

Zhang Yi nodded. "Indeed, it takes a skilled manager to not only manage accounts but also maximize benefits."

Li Jian’s approach was the most reasonable one Zhang Yi had encountered so far. Unlike other buildings, Building 25 had suffered massive resource wastage due to internal conflicts. Theoretically, if a person minimized physical and mental exertion, they’d need very little energy and could survive on one meal a day.

"Li Jian is quite the talent," Zhang Yi mused. "But surviving long-term in an apocalypse like this is still impossible."

Li Jian excelled at establishing order and had early on united everyone in Building 18. But if faced with external attacks from groups like the Tianhe Gang or ruthless individuals like Chen Zhenghao, they’d likely be slaughtered.

"It's like how ancient Central Plains civilizations repeatedly fell to nomadic invaders. Without military protection, all stability and harmony are illusory."

Zhang Yi asked, "What will you do if I refuse your offer?"

Li Jian pondered for a long time before replying.

"We extend our invitation to cooperate in a spirit of friendship."

"If you refuse, I’ll regret it deeply, but I’ll still hope for future opportunities to work together."

Zhang Yi chuckled. This kind of official response was pleasing.

"So, you won’t join other buildings in attacking Building 25? Or join them if they do?"

Li Jian’s reply was frank.

"Our force is for self-defense only. We won’t actively attack others."

"It’s not that we lack the capability, but pointless internal conflicts will only result in mutual destruction."

Zhang Yi almost applauded. Li Jian, though cautious, framed his words righteously.

Building 18’s harmonious community had survived half a month without conflict, simply because they lacked the courage to fight. Li Jian was a sensible person, knowing that if Zhang Yi fought others, they wouldn’t gain much by joining in. They’d rather wait and see.

"If Zhang Yi loses, they can collaborate with the victor."

"Wait for my response," Zhang Yi messaged, then checked his friend requests.

Initially, he had ignored numerous friend requests from people asking for supplies. Now, he saw requests from several building leaders, all seeking to talk and request Zhang Yi’s help in gathering supplies for survival.

However, their offers were limited—labor, women, and promises not to attack during conflicts. The only difference was the manner of their request.

Lying on the sofa, staring at the ceiling, Zhang Yi muttered, "Now, I have two choices: fight or cooperate."

"Fighting means killing everyone who poses a threat. It’s doable but time-consuming and resource-draining."

"Exterminating the residents of all 30 buildings in the neighborhood would exhaust my ammunition. The police station only had about a thousand rounds."

"This is assuming ideal conditions. If they hide in buildings, I can’t risk going in."

"Moreover, while I have no qualms about killing, I’m not a psychopathic butcher."

"Most people in the neighborhood don’t have deep grudges against me. Killing them all would be too much."

"Plus, it might mess with my own mental state."

Rubbing his temples, Zhang Yi concluded that killing everyone in the neighborhood wasn’t a viable option. It was far too troublesome.

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