CHAPTER 73: CHAPTER 73: PERSUASION THROUGH REASON

Zhu Wenwu hesitated for a moment and said, "I can figure out some of the pipeline directions. If I lead the way, I should be able to get us there without getting lost. But it’s too dangerous down there, and I don’t want to go..."

Before he could finish, Huang Tao nudged him with his elbow and said, "Brother Su saved us yesterday, so what’s wrong with asking you to lead the way?"

Huang Biao interrupted, "Huang Tao, this kind of thing should be voluntary, don’t force it. If we asked you to lead, would you be willing?"

Huang Tao tilted his head and said matter-of-factly, "Of course, Brother Su is so capable, I think there won’t be any danger, and a man shouldn’t fear death."

Huang Biao said irritably, "You could say a little less."

Su Changxing glanced at Zhu Wenwu. He never liked to force others, so he didn’t press Zhu Wenwu, especially since everyone’s lives are their own.

But reasoning is an option...

Yes, as long as you appeal to emotions and reason, he’ll definitely go.

Su Changxing nodded and said, "That’s the way it is. I won’t force you if you don’t want to go. I’m a reasonable person too."

Zhu Wenwu was slightly touched, but he felt that Su Changxing’s words sounded a bit off and said, "Actually, Brother Su, I’m not really afraid of death. It’s mainly that if I die, no one will take care of my sister. Sorry."

Su Changxing looked at him with a deep, meaningful expression and said, "Maybe following me is the right choice if you really want your sister to survive this Doomsday Game."

Zhu Wenwu looked at Su Changxing in surprise, "Why do you say that?"

Huang Biao also couldn’t help but widen his eyes. He heard meaning in Su Changxing’s words and knew Su Changxing must have some important information.

This was likely also the reason Su Changxing was so determined to go to Shield Company.

Su Changxing looked at the three of them, smiling tightly, "Actually, it’s no problem to tell you, as long as you promise not to post about it or tell others, to avoid unnecessary panic and spreading despair."

Those words were heavy.

The expressions of the three changed abruptly: Zhu Wenwu was astonished, Huang Biao frowned deeply, while Huang Tao was full of curiosity.

Curiosity?

Su Changxing realized that this young man who came with Zhu Wenwu seemed a bit jumpy.

Huang Biao assured, "I definitely won’t."

Zhu Wenwu seriously said, "Neither will I."

Huang Tao patted his chest, "Brother Su, I definitely also won’t..."

Huang Biao pulled Huang Tao behind him, saying irritably, "You don’t need to listen. Go wait by the lamppost over there."

"I..."

Huang Tao was a bit disgruntled, wanting to say something more, but a glare from Huang Biao shut him up as he walked off silently.

Huang Biao smiled slightly and said, "He’s my nephew, a big mouth, it’s better he doesn’t know. Some things, knowing only makes it harder to bear."

"That’s how it is." Su Changxing nodded in agreement, then refocused and said, "Have you ever thought about how people in this world turn into zombies? Or have you considered the mechanism of zombie infection?"

Zhu Wenwu had a bad premonition and said contemplatively, "Actually, I’ve always been thinking about this. At first, I thought it was a virus, but later found that no one was getting infected, so I suspect the virus in this world doesn’t affect us."

Huang Biao also nodded in agreement, evidently sharing the same view.

On the forums, this view was mainstream too. Most people believed they were not affected by the zombie virus, allowing them to fight zombies without fear of infection.

Su Changxing continued, "Actually, it’s a kind of radiation infection, present in every corner of space, affecting us all. It’s not that the infection doesn’t exist, but that it’s accumulating and will erupt at a certain level, possibly causing a lot of people to suddenly turn into zombies in over ten days."

The calm voice sounded like a depth charge.

The world went quiet, the street seemed wider, and the two fell into silence.

Zhu Wenwu’s heart surged with waves. He had entertained such thoughts before, but they were too desperate to consider. Most of the time, people tend to believe in better outcomes.

Zhu Wenwu sighed, imagining himself and his sister turning into zombies, and asked with a trace of despair, "Is this true?"

Su Changxing stared into his eyes, enunciating every word:

"I have no reason to lie to you. This is also why I’m going into that building, to find out how to stop this infection. So, if you really care about your sister’s survival, helping me is the best move; by helping me, you’re helping yourself."

Su Changxing’s main goal was to have Zhu Wenwu help him enter Shield Company, and he wasn’t using any falsehoods; everything he said was true.

Su Changxing took a deep breath, continuing, "It’s harsh and realistic. Most people are just waiting to die, sooner or later."

Zhu Wenwu’s gaze dimmed, and after a long silence, he suddenly raised his head, eyes resolute, and said:

"Brother Su, I’ll help you! Not just for my sister, but for myself too."

Su Changxing smiled and sincerely said, "I’m not asking you to throw your life away; don’t face this with a do-or-die attitude. You have a high chance of surviving, at least more than last night."

"That’s quite a bit better."

Zhu Wenwu twitched a corner of his mouth; last night, he was a step away from death. Now it’s two steps? That’s quite a difference.

Huang Biao was a little surprised that Zhu Wenwu was swayed by Su Changxing. He was familiar with Zhu Wenwu’s cautiousness.

When Zhu Wenwu joined their group, he tested the waters more than a dozen times before deciding.

Huang Biao said thoughtfully, "Since that’s the case, the three of us should go. Having too many people isn’t good either."

Just then, Huang Tao shouted from not far away, "Are you done talking? I’m coming over now."

Huang Biao waved him off, "Taozi, you head back, and stay safe."

He wasn’t planning to involve Huang Tao. The sewers were unknown and dangerous, too easy to die in.

Huang Tao protested loudly, "Don’t underestimate me. I’m not much weaker than you!"

Huang Biao scowled and cursed, "Don’t talk back, just go when I tell you to."

Huang Tao seemed to be afraid of Huang Biao; at his words, he slumped and walked away dejectedly.

Watching Huang Tao’s retreating figure, Huang Biao sighed, "The kid’s truly unreliable. If he hadn’t met me, he might not have survived."

Su Changxing said unexpectedly, "But he’s brave, much braver than Yan Xu."

"Well, maybe." Huang Biao thought for a moment and said, "We need sources of light now. Torches are the best choice, easy to make, and easy to find materials for."

Su Changxing nodded and asked, "We can use gasoline as an accelerant to make torches. Do you have gasoline at your base?"

The most important part of making a torch is the accelerant, which is typically kerosene, gasoline, or vegetable oils. Gasoline is relatively easy to obtain.