Chapter Thirty-Five: Negotiations

As night fell, Thomas and his group naturally had no intention of leaving. Although most of the undead in this small town were concentrated in the factory, there were still some outside, so no one would risk their lives venturing out. The police officers who had once held the highest authority in this survivor stronghold were now under control and locked in the jail. Thomas hadn’t allowed the soldiers to occupy all the rooms; instead, priority was given to children and women with limited mobility. Everyone received a share of supplies, which quickly calmed the previously panicked crowd.

This was only natural. While Jerry had established the base and sheltered everyone, it was clear he acted with considerable self-interest. The allocation of rooms alone made that obvious. Supplies and food were certainly distributed to benefit the police first. People are selfish by nature, and most remember slights rather than kindnesses. The initial gratitude for being sheltered had long since faded; it took only a few simple measures from Thomas to stabilize the situation.

The original guard shifts were now changed to a rotation between soldiers and able-bodied men, a system that was absolutely fair and well-received. However, in private—

"Hey, what do you think will happen between the boss and his doctor wife?"
"How should I know? I doubt he’ll forgive her. It really was too much."
"That’s why I always say, never marry a woman who’s too pretty!" David, who was on watch, spoke smugly. "Lovers can be beautiful, but your wife should be practical. Look at me—"
"Shut up—"

Meanwhile, Thomas, the subject of their gossip, was in Jerry’s room, sitting face-to-face with Guo Lang, each staring the other in the eye.

"Uh... so, your wife, how did you arrange things?" Guo Lang asked, unable to hide his curiosity.

Thomas’s face darkened. "She’s sleeping with Anna... I haven’t thought about what comes next." He truly didn’t know how to face his wife now.

"Well, try to let it go," Guo Lang said, sounding like an old friend as he patted Thomas on the shoulder, his tone loaded with meaning. "The world’s in chaos now, it’s easy to lose your way. I believe she still loves you."

This almost grandfatherly tone was completely at odds with Guo Lang’s usual devious demeanor, leaving Thomas momentarily at a loss. He frowned. "You were behind Alice’s actions this afternoon, weren’t you?" He wasn’t a fool. In hindsight, the affair had happened suspiciously quickly—pregnancy wasn’t like laying an egg; how could it happen so fast?

"Don’t thank me. Loyalty between brothers—that’s just what I do," Guo Lang replied, wearing a righteous expression as if he’d ascended to a higher moral plane.

"Are you really comfortable corrupting kids like this?" Thomas asked dryly.

Guo Lang stiffened, then replied guiltily, "I really didn’t teach her that. Am I that kind of person?" Truthfully, he felt wronged—Laura had blamed him for corrupting the child, but this time it really wasn’t his doing. Alice was just that devious by nature.

Thomas’s look was one of utter disbelief, leaving Guo Lang unable to defend himself.

"Let’s get to the point. What are your plans next?" Thomas’s expression turned serious. He had served as a special operative for years; if he still couldn’t see through Guo Lang’s motives, he’d wasted his training.

"I need your help." As the conversation shifted to business, Guo Lang’s playful grin vanished, replaced by a grave expression. "I need to establish a stronghold on Hainan Island, and I need an armed force."

"Why do you think I agreed to follow you?" Thomas asked.

"I can provide genetic serums—enough for your daughter, your men, and their families. They’ll gain the ability to protect themselves and immunity to the virus," Guo Lang declared, revealing his biggest bargaining chip.

"But if we return to the military zone, our families will be protected. I may have broken orders, but now more than ever they need people, so I doubt they’ll punish me much."

"And then what?" Guo Lang sneered. "Tangled up in power struggles with other warlords? With today’s military technology, even if nuclear weapons are off the table, how many casualties do you think a real conflict would cause? Could you avoid it? Can you really protect your family?"

"And following you, can you?" Thomas retorted, his tone icy. "How strong can your serum make someone? Can they withstand a barrage of bullets? If the military discovers your operation, they could wipe you out in an instant."

"I admit, for now, that’s true," Guo Lang conceded with a shake of his head. "But you saw it yourself that day—the power behind me. Do you remember the feeling? Like a god descending. Without that, I’d have tried to seize your resources long ago."

Thomas’s brows knitted. Of course he remembered—on the day Old Vick signed the contract, the overwhelming pressure was unimaginable, almost supernatural. Without that, he might have long since tried to rob Guo Lang of his secrets.

"Do you really think that a civilization capable of granting such evolutionary abilities would lag behind yours in any other technology? Give me a little time, and what I can accomplish is beyond your imagination. The military zones you speak of—they’re never my real enemies. They’re simply not in my league."

"So you really are an alien?"

Guo Lang choked at the abrupt change in questioning, unable to complete his boast. "You could say that," he replied, shooting Thomas an exasperated look.

"So, you’re saying this whole disaster is your people’s doing?"

"Hey! I’m not taking the blame for this," Guo Lang jumped up. "This has nothing to do with me!" Seeing the skepticism on Thomas’s face, he sighed and decided to offer more truth. "I’m not the only one who came here."

"And?"

"Ever read a comic book? Aliens are always split into factions. Those others—they belong to the evil camp, and we’re sworn enemies."

"So you’re the righteous one?" Thomas scoffed.

"Of course!" Guo Lang replied shamelessly.

"Well, it seems your rivals are on a whole different level. They’ve made a huge mess, and you’ve only managed to lure away a little girl—and, oh, a young woman as well?" Thomas prodded sarcastically.

Guo Lang found himself a bit embarrassed. "Well, they had a six-month head start, home-field advantage. I’ve only just arrived..." He trailed off, then changed the subject. "Anyway, time is short, the situation dire. We can’t waste any more time. Tomorrow, organize a speech—try to get everyone to come with us. I need people."

"What about supplies and food?" Thomas was cautious.

Guo Lang produced a green seed—the Seed of the Tree of Life. As soon as he revealed it, Thomas couldn't take his eyes off it. The seed glowed softly, covered with strange markings, radiating a sense of vibrant life.

"It’s beautiful," Thomas said sincerely. Ordinary people couldn’t help but be drawn to such a display of vitality.

"This is the Seed of the Tree of Life. In our technology, it has great power. Find the right place, plant it, and a towering tree will sprout quickly. It can provide food and labor."

"That miraculous? You call this technology? Sounds more like something out of a fantasy novel," Thomas said in surprise.

Guo Lang waved his hand dismissively. "Foolish mortals always chalk up what they can’t understand to fantasy. You’re a well-educated man—why so narrow-minded?"

"Alright," Thomas finally nodded. "But I want your genetic serum provided for every one of my men and their families."

"Only for you and yours," Guo Lang said with a frown. "The serum is limited; we can’t waste it on ordinary civilians. Combatants must be prioritized."

"My daughter Anna—and Mary—must be included," Thomas insisted.

"Mary?" Guo Lang hesitated, then quickly nodded at the sight of Thomas’s growing annoyance. "Fine, fine, deal."

Thomas stood and saluted. "From this day forward, my life and the lives of my brothers are yours. Don’t let us down, Mr. Guo Lang."

Guo Lang returned the salute, his expression solemn. "You won’t regret your decision today, Captain Thomas."