Published: February 7, 2025
Ye Zhongming stood quietly in the room, listening to the conversation outside between Copper Kettle and his team.
The content of the training was simple; Copper Kettle was asking them to choose whether they would follow him to Cloud Summit to face death or leave. This choice had to be made.
Both Copper Kettle and Xiaoli understood the hardships Cloud Summit had faced during the more than half a year Ye Zhongming had been missing. They were aware of how the forces that once benefitted from Cloud Summit chose when it was a matter of life and death for them.
Thus, they understood Ye Zhongming's strong desire for absolute loyal warriors at this moment. Even if that loyalty came through Copper Kettle, he still needed it.
Xiaoli, who was tall and robust, was actually smarter than her husband and had a more active mind. She felt a hint of optimism, sensing that luck was on her and Copper Kettle’s side because Ye Zhongming never did anything pointless. If he allowed Copper Kettle to do this, there had to be a reason.
When Ye Zhongming walked out of the house, those who remained had expressions as if they had seen a ghost.
Looking at the fewer than twenty people standing in the yard, to be honest, Ye Zhongming's values were shaken.
He had not expected that so many people would remain, even knowing they might face death. Perhaps the proportion of those who stayed was small compared to those who left, but this number was enough to make Ye Zhongming sigh. It truly is a case of like attracts like; only under a simple man like Copper Kettle could there be so many willing to die for him. This was truly precious in the apocalypse.
“Boss Ye!”
A man who was very close to Copper Kettle was the first to wake from his shock, shouting with excitement.
Half a year in the apocalypse was enough for people to forget many faces, but Ye Zhongming was too special. His deeds still circulated in the survivor circles of Ying City, making it impossible for people to forget him even if they wanted to.
Ye Zhongming smiled and nodded, looking at the excited group, and said in a light but firm tone, “Copper Kettle and I will not let you down for your choice today.”
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The leader of the Mingdong Battle Team, Han Mingdong, chewed on a piece of dry biscuit that became less tasty with each bite, eventually throwing it to the ground.
Although the Mingdong Battle Team was not a major force, it had over a hundred followers, and usually, Han Mingdong did not lack food.
Of course, he also didn’t eat particularly well.
Since returning from the meeting with Copper Kettle, Han Mingdong had been feeling unsettled. He had indeed received favors from Cloud Summit, but he had also done things for them, such as providing the locations of undiscovered supply points in Ying City, the positions of the roulette, and the changes in the strengths of various organizations. He even facilitated supplies for Cloud Summit teams coming into Ying City.
Han Mingdong didn’t feel he owed Cloud Summit anything. Given that, it didn’t seem worth it for him to risk his life for them. Copper Kettle might be foolish, but he shouldn’t assume that others were as well.
But why… was he feeling so restless?
Han Mingdong let out a few frustrated sounds and decided to find a woman to vent. Just as he stepped out of the door, he turned back, grabbed a bottle of water from the cabinet, not for drinking, but to wash the woman, as the odor was really affecting his mood.
Guarding two roulettes, one one-star and one four-star, had brought him a lot of benefits.
However, as he stepped out again, he heard the shouts of some sentries, indicating that someone was approaching.
Han Mingdong frowned. Was someone coming this late?
He hurried down the dilapidated building and reached the door, spotting the comical figures of Copper Kettle and Xiaoli, one tall and one short.
“Copper Kettle, are you still not done? I made it very clear; I’m not going to Cloud Summit, NOT GOING!” Han Mingdong said, somewhat angry. While he didn’t feel indebted to Cloud Summit, it was still uncomfortable to refuse, and he could overlook it once or twice, but now they had come to his base to persuade him? Wasn’t that overstepping?