(1) Pondering, Sighing, the Somber Lam Pham (1)

"Wait a minute."

Lam Pham saw Dai Vu about to leave with the medicine and reminded him.

Dai Vu hadn't expected things would go so smoothly. The process, scene by scene, appeared in his mind. If he and his younger brother had come looking earlier, even if they could really find it, the dangers encountered would also be unimaginable.

Might even have had an accident.

Hearing Lam Pham's voice, Dai Vu turned his head doubtfully.

"What's wrong?"

He was very curious. The medicine had been found; they should go back. Staying here seemed like there was nothing else to do.

Lam Pham said, "Do you have money?"

He looked at Dai Vu's bewildered appearance, smiled, understanding his situation. After all, it was the apocalypse; many people thought taking things didn't require paying. But he still wanted to remind him.

If this were peacetime, would have long been stopped by someone. The cashier would definitely be shouting... You haven't paid yet!

"Huh?"

Dai Vu didn't understand Lam Pham's meaning, touched his pocket – completely empty. "No."

It's already the apocalypse, where would one still need these toys? Even if had, would find it dirty even to wipe one's butt with.

"Come here," Lam Pham said softly.

Dai Vu walked before Lam Pham. What shocked him happened: Lam Pham took the medicine, actually scanned the price in front of him.

"Although now is the apocalypse, but sometimes, under safe circumstances, one needs to pay. Even if really no money, also must remember this place, wait until future when everything is good, can still repay the other party."

He scanned the price on one side, while talking to Dai Vu on the other.

Leaving Dai Vu staring dumbfounded at Lam Pham.

If it were someone else, Dai Vu would absolutely furiously smash the opponent's head. Are you muddled from living in the apocalypse? Where did these crooked evil theories come from? Even if admitting your words seem to have no flaws, but also have to look at the current situation, okay?

"Mm, you're right," Dai Vu said sincerely.

Lam Pham smiled, took out cash to pay, got change back, handed the medicine to Dai Vu, patted his shoulder, "Go on. I paid for you."

Although this person before him was a small thief, but what they did was indeed a good thing. Since it was a very good thing, he was willing to help.

Dai Vu looked at the medicine in his hand, then at Lam Pham.

Honestly.

For Dai Vu, the feeling this person before him gave was truly strange, an indescribable oddity. But thinking carefully, also made some sense. Perhaps formidable people are very particular when doing things.

Street.

Dai Vu followed beside Lam Pham. Since the apocalypse until now, he and his younger brother had experienced many terrifying things, hearts anxious. Now walking on the street, found his heart extremely peaceful.

Even in past peaceful times, never had such a feeling. Because doing that kind of profession, thus feared being caught by police.

Inside the residential area.

In the room.

Lam Pham sat on the sofa looking at the room environment. Tieu Vu was busy feeding grandpa medicine, while Dai Vu sat on the other side chatting with Lam Pham.

"Don't do this line of work anymore in the future; it's not good," Lam Pham said.

Dai Vu nodded, "We also know. But life forces. When doing this line for a long time, becomes a habit. Even after washing hands, also don't know what else to do."

Lam Pham said, "Can understand. Maintaining a behavior for a long time, gradually becomes habit. Wanting to change is truly very difficult."

At this time.

Dai Vu thought of something. He knew Lam Pham was very strong, had many survivor shelters, safety absolutely no problem.

"Can I tell you something?"

"Mm, can," Lam Pham said.

Dai Vu looked at the doorway; Tieu Vu was still inside. He said softly, "I heard you say Duong Quang Apartments takes in survivors. But I think definitely wouldn't want to take in people like us. Just that my younger brother is several years younger than me. When he entered the profession back then, I led him. He has no ill intentions, just young and ignorant, no one to guide. I, this older brother, also not a good thing, led him down this path. I understand my own situation. Just, can Tieu Vu and Grandpa come to Duong Quang Apartments?"

Lam Pham pondered, looking at Dai Vu's current expression.

Then stood up.

"I can take you to a place. If he can accept you, means you really aren't that kind of person. But if you don't pass, you will die," Lam Pham said.

The choice is here; just depends on how the opponent chooses.

He thought of a sentence.

Do not, for a small evil, abandon a person of great beauty; do not, for a small resentment, forget a person of great kindness.

He wanted to take Dai Vu there precisely to prove something.

"I want to go!" Dai Vu, without hesitation, wanted Lam Pham to take him there. Based on the current apocalyptic situation's development, the danger level would be unimaginable. Grandpa couldn't hold on anymore; Tieu Vu absolutely couldn't hold on anymore either.

"Good. As long as you've thought it through, let's go."

Lam Pham similarly had doubts. Humans are extremely complex creatures. What he could see was merely a surface. Analyzing from many past events, would find everyone's heart has dark elements.

Dai Vu and Tieu Vu are thieves. Why do they steal? Perhaps for survival, quick money. But the process of stealing is wrong. If caught, will pay a heavy price for it. That can also be said, during their stealing process and harvest, a joyful feeling will arise.

They know stealing is wrong behavior, but knowing it's wrong, still choose the wrong way forward.

What made him somewhat hesitant was.

Many things happened before. Nighttime small thief stealing things, when fleeing, met a woman jumping into the river. Several small thieves jumped into the river and saved her. When questioned by police, discovered to be thieves.

You say, their stealing evil or not evil? But the figure of saving people, beautiful or not?

"Bro, where are you guys going?"

Tieu Vu, having fed grandpa medicine, came out holding a washbasin, saw his brother and Lam Pham seemed to be going out.

Dai Vu said, "Bro Lam and I are going out for something. You stay home and take good care of Grandpa."

"Oh, I know," Tieu Vu replied.

Dai Vu's age was older than Lam Pham's, but still called him Bro Lam. Walking in society, this is very normal situation. Encountering someone awesome, calling them 'bro' excessive? That's not excessive at all.

Hoang city police station.

Dai Vu looked around, didn't expect Bro Lam would actually bring him here.

Before, if strolling, seeing the police station, he would have to take a detour, just afraid of delivering himself to the door.

"Since the apocalypse happened until now, I've sent many survivors here. These lucky survivors were all harming people. They have all received their due punishment, because here exists an Officer Hoang."

"Although Officer Hoang has turned into a zombie, but from beginning to end maintained rationality and conviction, always diligently and painstakingly protecting Hoang city's public order. If he can approve of you, means you really are different."

Lam Pham told him Officer Hoang's situation in detail.

"There can still be such zombies?"

Dai Vu was somewhat disbelieving. Had seen many zombies in the apocalypse, but truly never seen the kind Lam Pham spoke of.

Lam Pham said, "He is a zombie, however, just call him Officer Hoang is fine. He is extremely dedicated, extremely righteous."

Dai Vu asked, "My test is to face him?"

"Yes, just face Officer Hoang. All criminal survivors sent by me were punished on the spot by Officer Hoang. You still have time to regret now."

Lam Pham calmly looked at Dai Vu. If he regretted, he would send him back to his original residential area. Clearly the opponent is a thief, why send back? Perhaps this is because he is also an emotional creature. Thinking, thoughts often cannot achieve fairness and justice, but always striving to pursue.

Dai Vu shook his head, tone firm, "I don't regret."

During the waiting process, zombies wandered over. Seeing them, all crazily charged. Dai Vu thought the one charging was Officer Hoang, looked very nervous. After all, the fierce appearance truly very terrifying. Until being decapitated by Lam Pham with one sword strike, then he understood, turns out this one also wasn't Officer Hoang.

After a moment.

Ahead, a zombie appeared.

Distance very far.

Dai Vu saw the opponent's attire; that was a uniform.

"Officer Hoang is here."

Lam Pham said softly. He also didn't know if Dai Vu could pass Officer Hoang's test. If, if Officer Hoang really wanted to tear Dai Vu to pieces, he himself might step in to save Dai Vu.

He hoped Officer Hoang truly had comprehensive rationality and perception ability, and not the kind that, if the opponent has evil, then gives no chance, kills all.

Dai Vu stared intently at Officer Hoang limping over from the distance. To say not scared definitely false.

But thinking of the reason why he came, he took a deep breath, steadied his heart, leisurely stood beside Lam Pham, thinking in his mind, if past behavior truly unforgivable, then let the officer fiercely punish.

Did the profession, yes, did. Cannot because did good things, then conceal past crimes.

Mistakes made by a person, must be borne by oneself.

"Officer Hoang."

Lam Pham waved.

Officer Hoang in the distance ignored Lam Pham waving, instead still maintained running speed. Looking at Officer Hoang's condition, clearly had some battles outside, clothes on body again dirty.

Dirty is dirty, but in Lam Pham's eyes, still very clean.

Officer Hoang gradually approached, nose twitching, as if smelling some kind of odor. Limping footsteps instantly turned into a run, direction clearly towards Lam Pham's side. Regarding this situation, Lam Pham's heart jumped. He knew Officer Hoang wasn't coming for him.

But for Dai Vu.

He looked as if smiling on his face, but actually already prepared. If really biting, he would save Dai Vu.

Facing the surging Officer Hoang, Dai Vu's legs trembled, throat moved. Scared, yes, scared to death. But dared not move randomly. As Officer Hoang got closer and closer, closed his eyes. What should come will come. Dodging is no solution.

"Ugh ugh..."

Officer Hoang pressed against Dai Vu's face, growling lowly. Dai Vu, stimulated by that pungent odor, didn't dare breathe heavily. Opened his eyes, met Officer Hoang's pale eyes.

This was his closest observation of a zombie.

Nervous, scared, hopeful, various emotions mixed.

Lam Pham, seeing Officer Hoang raise his hand, thought whether to strike. But he patiently continued watching, because he found things weren't as he thought.

Only saw Officer Hoang grab Dai Vu's collar, tilted his head, mouth agape, roaring angrily. This roar seemed to be saying... So young, why not find a proper job to support yourself?

Dai Vu's forehead was all sweat.

Dared not speak.

Dared not move randomly.

Allowed Officer Hoang to roar angrily. That "Ugh ugh" sound, like a demonic sound of judgment, made Dai Vu feel extremely cold inside, even limbs stiff.

"I... know I was wrong," Dai Vu, fearful, stammered out.

As Dai Vu spoke these words.

Officer Hoang loosened Dai Vu's collar, turned around, limped towards the inside of the police station.

Lam Pham looked at Officer Hoang, asked, "Officer Hoang, do you feel he isn't bad? What he did before doesn't deserve heavy judgment? Considering the apocalyptic situation, give him a chance to reform and start anew?"

Officer Hoang let out "Ugh ugh" sounds, as if responding to Lam Pham, also as if ignoring Lam Pham.

Thump!

Dai Vu collapsed sitting on the ground, looking at Officer Hoang's back, unable to recover his senses for a long time. Until a hand reached before him. He looked up at Lam Pham, only saw Lam Pham smiling, "Congratulations, gained Officer Hoang's approval. But don't do such things anymore in the future. We have hands and feet, should rely on our own labor to obtain hard-earned remuneration, and not build our harvest on others' losses. Those are all earned by others through painstaking effort."

"Thank you." Dai Vu didn't stand up, but towards the quiet police station main gate, kowtowed deeply.

A ray of sunlight shone on Dai Vu's back, lingered for a long time without dissipating, as if baptizing the mistakes Dai Vu committed before. Through Officer Hoang's face-to-face roaring judgment, he was like being imprisoned, after undergoing prison punishment, released. Hoped he could be an innocent person in the future, not fall into the mire again.

And this matter, not only a salvation for Dai Vu, but even more so made Lam Pham understand something: when he himself couldn't see through, hesitated, finding Officer Hoang was absolutely not wrong.

He also knew Officer Hoang, more than him, could see through a person's essence.

Perhaps Dai Vu, in Officer Hoang's heart, was just still possessing conscience, not sunk too deep in mud. Besides club and roar, also used a humanized posture to awaken his conscience, help him cleanse his soul, innocently, truly re-integrate into society.

"Let's go," Lam Pham said.

"Go where?"

Lam Pham raised the book in his hand, "Go with me to return the book first."

"Okay."

Dai Vu nodded heavily.

Followed beside Lam Pham. What happened, what experienced, had a very deep impact on his heart. He watched Lam Pham pay for medicine, watched him communicate with Officer Hoang at the police station, even more so watched him return books to the library, get back deposit money.

For Dai Vu, he seemed to have grasped something, needed to calm his mood, slowly feel it with his heart.

...

...

Long Cung Base.

Traveled for two days and one night.

Finally arrived near the base.

Hung Ung and the others looked at the surrounding situation, desolate and barren. Besides occasional zombies appearing, nothing else. Based on their former ranks in the military, that was something they couldn't access.

On the way here, they encountered many dangers. Most dangerous situation was when refueling, needed to pay attention to zombies appearing. And they had experienced zombie tides, encountered evolved-form zombies.

Luckily, the armored vehicle's performance was very strong. If it were those sedans before, would have long been knocked down by zombies.

Inside the base.

"Professor Ha, welcome."

A research staff member shook hands with Ha Duc Nhan, expressing warm welcome. Since the apocalypse occurred, top-tier research staff became fewer and fewer. Being able to know this one was still alive, for any survivor in Long Cung Base, was a matter worthy of excitement.

Ha Duc Nhan said, "No need for pleasantries. How many bases still exist now?"

The research staff member said, "Besides our Long Cung Base, currently the only ones in contact are Ngan Ha Base and Desert Base. Other bases have temporarily lost contact, possibly already destroyed by zombies."

Ha Duc Nhan, although old, but decisive in work, "Open a video conference. I want to communicate with the other two bases."

"Professor Ha, you just arrived here. Don't you need to rest?"

"No need. Rested enough already. Now the apocalyptic situation is getting more and more serious. When the apocalypse can be resolved, then rest well is not too late."

Professor Ha waved his hand.

Surrounding research staff felt respect. After all, Professor Ha's age so great, yet so dedicated, how could not make them admire?

With Professor Ha's appearance.

Ngan Ha Base, Desert Base side all received the news. Regarding this, all showed extreme excitement, as if a pillar of support appeared. Achievements between people are very large; even thinking and IQ are different.

Research staff who can be in the base are all elites. Previously in college entrance exams, if not top scorer, then top ten big shots. But in their hearts, understood, compared to Professor Ha, their knowledge still insufficient. Even if continuing to learn from Professor Ha, still could learn much unknown knowledge.

Meeting room.

Video connected. This meeting's main person was Professor Ha.

As the image appeared.

Research staff member after research staff member appeared before the screen. Seeing Professor Ha, everyone looked extremely excited.

"Professor Ha!"

"Teacher Ha!" (Đạo sư = Mentor/Teacher, often for respected scholars)

Various forms of address.

Desert Base's Quy Thu Nguyet, through the screen, "Hello, Grandpa Ha."

Professor Ha greeted everyone. Seeing Quy Thu Nguyet, also somewhat sighed with emotion. Didn't expect the little girl from before could already manage a whole area by herself.

"Alright, everyone. Now is not the time for reminiscence. Now the apocalypse has descended, people turned into zombies, situation critical. Until now, what specific research results do you have?" Professor Ha asked.

Ngan Ha Base's spokesperson shook his head sadly, "Professor Ha, until now, our Ngan Ha Base has no substantive progress whatsoever."

Not that they weren't hardworking enough or not smart enough.

But this zombie situation too special.

Many experiments ended in failure.

Professor Ha nodded, "Thu Nguyet, what about you?"

Quy Thu Nguyet reported, "Grandpa Ha, we are the same as Ngan Ha Base. After countless experiments, from beginning to end haven't found the reason why humans turn into zombies."

They truly had tried their best.

Just that the result made them see despair.

Professor Ha wasn't surprised by this, slowly said, "It's okay. Research often requires time. As long as always firm in conviction, definitely can find a solution. Our ancestors made many examples for us. Don't, because of temporary failure, act as if can't see the road ahead."

Base personnel listened to Professor Ha's words, rekindled hope.

Professor Ha said, "During this period, I observed zombies at home, gradually made some discoveries. These discoveries you surely also can discover. But here I will reveal one thing to everyone. We, in Hoang city, met an extremely amazing young man. He can, relying solely on himself, one sword, fight against several hundred zombies, thereby in an extremely short time, completely wipe out the zombies."

As these words were spoken.

Research staff from the three major bases, extremely shocked, revealed disbelieving expressions.

Impossible!

One person, one sword, can sweep through several hundred zombies? This is simply unimaginable!