Chapter 147: The Core Team [Please Subscribe!]

There are a total of 135 people in the Jingmen Huafu compound, including 47 women and 88 men. Excluding some children and elderly, there remain 52 adults divided into six teams, with one team having the largest number of 11 members.

Fan Li sat at the head of the round table, listening to Hu Huayao's report, silently nodding.

“The six teams have uneven numbers. Should we rearrange them for balance?”

“I’ve entrusted the team assignments entirely to you. Make the decisions yourself.”

Fan Li’s primary task was to collect kill points, and he had confidence in Hu Huayao. He had long delegated such matters to him, knowing his own limited energy; micromanaging everything would only be detrimental.

After Hu Huayao finished reporting, Yang Shuo cleared his throat and said, “The supplies here are abundant. They had previously cleared out several grain shops, with piles of rice and flour filling five entire rooms. With three meals a day, this could sustain the survivors for a whole year.”

“There are twelve guns in total, with 2,000 rounds of ammunition, and some electric batons. But since they can’t be recharged, their damage is actually less effective than a crowbar.”

The stockpile at Jingmen Huafu was even richer than Fan Li had imagined. Three meals a day could support over a hundred people for a year.

According to the survivors' intelligence, previously women, the elderly, and weak only had one meal a day, while those who went out exploring had two. At Jingmen Huafu, three meals were guaranteed, and only Li Bing and his trusted men had such privileges.

Fan Li tapped the table and said, “Starting today, non-combat personnel will receive food only at noon and evening, no breakfast. On weekends, meals are halved to one per day. Combat and exploration teams will receive full three meals. For every food search, a five percent bonus will be given as a reward. As for firearms, allocate nine guns to Hu Huayao; the rest stay in the camp for emergencies.”

Now was not the time for leniency. He wouldn’t mistreat survivors like Li Bing, but distinctions had to be made. If the weak all stayed in camp and received three meals daily, it would be unfair to those out exploring.

Hearing the order, Yang Shuo was momentarily stunned. He was a smart man; though he didn’t fully grasp the deeper meaning, he knew everything he had now was from Fan Li. Regardless of motives, following Fan Li’s command was the way.

Nodding firmly, Yang Shuo understood his position as an enforcer.

“What about those few people? Were they dealt with?” Fan Li turned his head to Lu Tao.

As the only team leader who had “surrendered” and insulted Li Bing’s corpse, Lu Tao had become the archetype of “traitor” within Jingmen Huafu. Not only did he retain his previous leadership role, but he was also personally appointed as an executioner, responsible for punishing all members of the original Fourth Team.

Lu Tao’s actions made him a “favorite” within Jingmen Huafu. Even those who had previously looked down on him now wore expressions of fear and dared not provoke him.

Fan Li glanced at him. Initially, he thought Lu Tao was an opportunist, but after learning more, he realized Lu Tao’s sister had long been bullied by Li Bing. Moreover, many members of the Fourth Team had been perpetrators in that abuse just yesterday.

This explained why Lu Tao had to strike again after Li Bing’s death, looking at the Fourth Team members with a hatred as if he wanted to devour them alive.

This changed Fan Li’s perception of Lu Tao somewhat, and combined with his deeds, Fan Li considered promoting him.

At the inquiry, Lu Tao quickly responded, “All four have been driven out...”

He looked up cautiously at Fan Li and added, “According to reports, those people didn’t stay at the gate long before zombies, alerted by the news, attacked and devoured them.”

This was expected, but few dared blame Fan Li. Having already risen to the highest position, the fears and hatred that could not be vented on him were instead transferred to Lu Tao.

“You handled this well. When Hu Huayao distributes the guns, you will have the right to use one of them. Additionally, you’re rewarded with a sack each of rice and flour.”

“Thank you, leader!”

Lu Tao lowered his head, his tone excited—not because of the food, but because of the gun. This meant his performance had earned him entry into the inner circle, securing his position and the strength to protect his sister.

Every faction needs those who bear the darkness.

Such men are called many names: loyalists, sycophants, or thugs who do the bidding of tigers.

As more survivors joined, rule-breakers inevitably appeared. In such cases, beings like Lu Tao were indispensable—they were Fan Li’s blades, cutting wherever he directed.

Through relentless survival, Fan Li’s mindset had evolved. He barely remembered when he had started to feel this way—already possessing the sense of supremacy over ordinary people, wielding the power of life and death.

Only monsters can defeat monsters.

To divert the gaze of monsters, there is but one condition: to become one of them.

The Monster Handbook constantly reminded him, overtly or subtly, to forget his humanity. Judging by current circumstances, this transformation was already taking effect.

In truth, Fan Li had sensed changes in himself long ago.

His vision pierced the darkness; shadows writhed; fear no longer held him. Any of these alone proved he was no longer purely human, but a monster beneath a human guise, slowly transforming within.

Compared to initial resistance, Fan Li was gradually accepting this new identity.

In his heart, monsters were beings with extraordinary strength, yet retaining human appearance and emotions—transcending ordinary life, unlike the corpse giants or nightmare demons, whose forms and minds were utterly bloodthirsty, devoid of any humanity.

“From now on, you have more authority, but I hope you will fulfill your duties. More importantly, I can promote or dismiss you. You all know well the consequences of breaking rules.”

“Yes, sir!” the group answered quickly.

“Alright, go about your business,” Fan Li waved, and the men left the meeting hall one by one.

“Monsters, huh?” The meeting hall was empty except for Fan Li.

At that moment, he mused silently: If one could survive this calamity and retain their essence, becoming a monster might not be an unbearable fate after all.