(1) Displaying Holiness Before People, No, I Am Just an Ordinary Citizen (1)

Han Suong and her group looked at the opponent with strange eyes.

Somewhat pitiful.

She seemed to be able to see through the opponent's thoughts. Deliberately acting very strong before them. But this way of displaying clearly wrong, fiercely fell into what Lam Pham detested most.

Han Suong might know Lam Pham always proclaimed himself an ordinary, law-abiding good citizen of Hoang city. Since the apocalypse erupted until now, from beginning to end maintained past life habits.

Thinking carefully, although never seen with own eyes, but also heard them say, Bro Lam, when encountering evil people outside, likes to send them to the police station, hand over to Officer Hoang for handling.

Who is Officer Hoang?

All know. That is the one Lam Pham spoke of who, even turned into a zombie, still always protects Hoang city's public order. But a zombie is still a zombie, still very dangerous. The end of those evil people sent away, no need to even think to know.

Kim Dinh was slightly complacent, raised his head, always observing Lam Pham's expression.

Display is display.

He also observed Duong Quang Apartments' situation. This was a sizable protection point. Far away, children were playing. Also that steel behemoth, a land-running life-saving fellow.

Strength, yes. Just that compared to Lucky Star, definitely a huge gap.

Lam Pham didn't act recklessly, calmly looked at them, "Can you go with me to a place?"

"Go where?" Kim Dinh was puzzled. His mission was just to deliver supplies here. Other matters had nothing to do with him. Although asking where to go, but he wasn't flustered in the slightest. Now he was considered Lucky Star's role model; appearing timid before other survivors was a humiliation.

Lam Pham said, "You'll know when you get there. Just happens I also have to go out for a bit."

Terrifying! Truly terrifying!

Since the apocalypse until now, he had never met such a terrifying fellow.

Too blatant.

Saying such terrifying things right before his face. He couldn't see a trace of fear on the opponent's face, even seemed complacent, as if having done some kind of very proud thing.

If this were peacetime, how could allow the opponent to wander around outside like this?

As for now, truly a kind of collapse. Law, morality, ethics destroyed.

But good thing, perhaps in this kind of era, still good citizens exist. As Hoang city's good citizen, he couldn't sit idly by.

At this time.

Kim Dinh and his underling exchanged glances. Both sides tacitly nodded.

"Okay, no problem. Our Lucky Star is very sincere." He still hadn't realized the severity of the matter, still extremely casual, arbitrary, hadn't thought about what might happen next.

Lam Pham rested his arm on the opponent's shoulder. Kim Dinh looked at Lam Pham's hand resting on his shoulder, a smile appearing on his face. This is a kind of approval and desire to befriend, right? Clearly Lucky Star also has an extremely high status in the opponent's heart. Cannot maintain relationship with Boss Ha, then start from his side here.

This made him think of a period drama he saw before.

No matter what rank official, all very polite to the emperor's eunuch beside him.

Very strange comparison.

But roughly that meaning.

Lam Pham rested his arm on Kim Dinh, then on that underling, face smiling, led them away. When encountering criminals, if can use wits, best is to use wits. After all, hooligans have firearms in hand; if by any chance open fire, very dangerous matter.

Tu Trach Duong looked at their departing backs, "Big Sis Leader, I feel this time they go, afraid very hard to see them in this lifetime."

Han Suong said, "Mm, probably won't see."

Sis Van said, "Nonsense! My Bro Lam, that is a renowned law-abiding good citizen! Just take that guy just now, truly bold beyond measure! Actually daring to say that kind of thing before Bro Lam! This is an old man hanging himself – tired of living!"

Old Mao sighed with emotion, "Also because of this, can make people feel a sense of security. Survivors in the apocalypse, very, very many have faded humanity, terrifying. Truly want survivors to know, apocalypse isn't an era to do whatever one wants. Still people protecting the final moral bottom line."

Thought of encounters outside before, several times met Lam Pham. Missed opportunity due to wariness towards human feelings. But finally, heaven doesn't disappoint those with a heart; still entered Duong Quang Apartments, experienced apocalyptic life a hundred thousand times happier than others.

...

Street.

Kim Dinh and Lam Pham sat in the back of the car.

"Where are we going?"

Kim Dinh was somewhat bewildered, couldn't understand Lam Pham's technique. Perfectly fine bringing them out, yet didn't say where to go. Extremely strange.

Lam Pham said, "Very soon."

Kim Dinh looked at Lam Pham, stealthily touched the gun hilt at his waist. He somewhat suspected if the opponent wanted to kill them. But thinking about it, impossible. Until now, after arriving at Duong Quang Apartments, absolutely no problems spoken of. At the same time, conveyed Lucky Star's friendliness to the opponent.

Changed the subject.

"I found entering vicinity of Duong Quang Apartments, zombie numbers particularly few. Is there some good method?"

Kim Dinh was very curious. Zombies, this thing, anyone seeing them would be extremely panicked. But Duong Quang Apartments' surrounding situation, also somewhat surpassed his expectations.

"No good method. Just chopped surrounding zombies dead, that's all."

Lam Pham spoke very casually. Also, Kim Dinh beside him looked at him strangely, as if looking at a bragging person randomly boasting. If not for Boss Ha wanting to befriend Duong Quang Apartments shelter.

He definitely would have said, What big bullsht are you blowing? Cows in hometown not even as bullsht as you!

"Formidable! Then where are the zombie corpses?" Kim Dinh didn't want to expose too directly, but asked a very easy-to-expose topic, just wanting Lam Pham to understand, you blow bullsht, yourself might not necessarily be able to round it off.*

Lam Pham said indifferently, "After cleaning, all transported by me to the garbage dump."

Kim Dinh: ...

Driving underling turned his head back, glanced. Truly bragging.

"Stop the car."

Screech!

Underling stomped the brake, somewhat bewildered looking outside the car. Until now, still didn't know coming here, what for.

"Hoang city police station?"

Kim Dinh saw the roadside building number plate, murmured to himself.

Meanwhile.

He thought of a possibility.

Gaze towards Lam Pham somewhat profound.

According to Kim Dinh, opponent bringing them to police station, possibly two different possibilities.

First type, not very friendly. Perhaps words he himself said just now, in opponent's view, was a kind of suppression towards Duong Quang Apartments. Thereby brought them over, just wanting to return to old place, tell them, Vu Tuong was killed by me right here! Are you scared?

Second type, relatively friendly. Accepted Lucky Star Boss Ha's goodwill. Vu Tuong imprisoned here, also not dead yet. Thinking if befriending, then hand Vu Tuong back to them.

He thought the second possibility was greatest.

People who can establish shelters absolutely not brainless. Especially at such a terrible moment, no one willing to offend another shelter force.

"I understand," Kim Dinh said with a smile.

Lam Pham asked, "What do you understand?"

Kim Dinh, as if understanding, "I understand why you had to bring us here."

"Why?"

Kim Dinh smiled without speaking. You yourself understand; why need to ask me?

"Get out of the car."

Lam Pham didn't ask. If you say clearly, that's best. Opened car door, got out.

Kim Dinh observed the surrounding street environment, confirmed no danger, very calmly got out of car, pretended to be nonchalant, without any fear, just wanting to show off before Lam Pham.

I fundamentally not scared of surrounding situation; even if zombies, also the same.

Thinking, even raised his head towards Lam Pham, showing his courage.

Lam Pham led them inside.

Searched for Officer Hoang. Didn't see Officer Hoang's figure. Similarly didn't hear any movement.

Not here? Or went out early?

After entering, Kim Dinh was searching for Vu Tuong's figure. But looked around, still didn't see where Vu Tuong was. Just that this room's environment somewhat clean.

Completely didn't look like a police station under the apocalypse. As if often someone swept. Instantly understood; this sweeper must be this fellow before him.

"You sit first," Lam Pham said.

Kim Dinh and underling didn't think much, sat there, legs crossed, leisurely waiting. Thought if had a cup of tea, that feeling definitely even better.

He used to often come here as a guest, relationship with leader here very good. Speaking of police station, who was the fellow he detested most? That must be a fellow called Hoang Quan. Damn it! Firewood and rice hard to deal with. Gaze towards them like had enmity. Regarding this, he was nonchalant. People like this, in the system, that's someone who can't mix their way up. (Củi gạo khó chơi - literally "firewood and rice hard to play with" - idiom meaning stubborn, difficult to deal with, unyielding)

Just then.

"Bro... Bro Kim! He's tying me!" The underling stammered out.

Sitting properly, opponent then took rope, tied him up. Made him somewhat dazed.

"What are you doing?"

Kim Dinh saw Lam Pham really tying up his underling, instantly somewhat anxious. This technique different from what he thought.

He wasn't an idiot. Seeing this, already felt things extremely unsuitable.

"Those things you told me at Duong Quang Apartments before, I heard all. Didn't expect you actually committed such terrifying things! As a citizen of Hoang city, I must send you to the police station, resolutely fight against evil!"

Tied up this underling properly.

Kim Dinh drew his gun, aimed at Lam Pham, "Are you f***ing sick?! Boss Ha values you, let me come befriend you! Yet you bring us here, wanting to tie us up! Are you asking for death?"

Tone agitated, continuously waving gun in hand.

"Bro Kim! Shoot him dead! He just wants to kill us!" the underling shouted.

Kim Dinh saw Lam Pham still walking towards him, decisively fired. But seeing the current situation, he again was thoroughly scared stiff.

"You..." Kim Dinh's mouth opened wide. Saw Lam Pham catch bullet with bare hands. Entire person already dumbfounded. Until Lam Pham walked before him, took gun from his hand, then he reacted. Just about to resist, yet pushed by Lam Pham onto a chair.

"Don't move! You've already been sent by me to the police station! Here, must be honest for me! Just now you fired; I clearly could, under self-defense, make you look good! But this is police station; I didn't do that!" Lam Pham said.

Kim Dinh's mouth opened wide. Thought of Lam Pham's words before: Zombies all killed by him. And opponent actually could catch bullet with bare hands. This damn it is very terrifying, okay?

"Big Brother! We have something to say properly! I just want to know, why do you want to send me to the police station?"

When situation not right, Kim Dinh knew talking properly often could save his little life.

"Didn't you just say clearly?" Lam Pham asked.

Kim Dinh thought, most afraid of hearing someone say clearly. I understand your sister! I say understand, is it same as you saying understand?

Meanwhile, he seemed to think of something.

"You mean I killed that police officer..."

"Looks like you understand."

Instantly.

Kim Dinh even had thoughts of suicide. Already the apocalypse, yet still someone diligent about this kind of thing. This damn it isn't too psycho?

"Big Brother! I didn't! I was all blowing! You shouldn't believe my words! I was all talking nonsense!"

Lam Pham ignored.

"Ugh ugh" sounds outside.

"He's back."

Lam Pham finished speaking.

Kim Dinh heard this, suddenly looked up, "Who?"

Nervous, scared. Could appear here, he wouldn't believe could be ordinary person.

Immediately after.

"Ugh ugh" sounds grew closer.

Kim Dinh and underling also heard zombie's unique sound. When a zombie appeared at doorway, they were thoroughly scared stiff, faces extremely pale. Thought zombie seeing living person definitely must bite and tear. And Lam Pham right at doorway; zombie definitely first bite him.

But... Damn it! Impossible!

Kim Dinh and underling stared wide-eyed.

Only saw Lam Pham greet the zombie, calling opponent Officer Hoang. Kim Dinh looked at the zombie. For some reason, the more he looked, the more felt somewhat familiar, like a police officer seen before.

"Hoang Quan..."

Kim Dinh instantly thought who he was.

Officer Hoang let out "Ugh ugh" sounds, pale eyes moving, as if smelling some kind of odor, charged towards that underling, opened mouth, fiercely bit neck.

Pfft! Could hear sound of flesh and blood tearing.

"Ah! Help! Big Brother, don't do this to me! I was really wrong!" Kim Dinh screamed heartbreakingly, crotch wet, already thoroughly scared into peeing by the scene before him.

He had seen others bitten and torn by zombies. But until now never thought actually so hard to watch up close. Moreover, biting and tearing scene still so bloody.

Lam Pham indifferently watched.

Current situation indeed bloody. But in Lam Pham's eyes, all so normal. Even heart without half a ripple. He, who always wanted to eliminate zombies, why could watch such a thing happen helplessly?

In his heart.

So-called benevolence must be built on justice. Benevolence without justice will be an abyss devouring others.

"Save me! I am Boss Ha's person! If I don't return, Boss Ha definitely will know you did it! You will be enemies with Lucky Star! Enemies with Boss Ha!"

Officer Hoang, as if hatred towards Kim Dinh reached extreme.

Grabbed head, really bit down. One bite tore neck. Head rolled to ground. Kim Dinh's despairing eyes met Lam Pham's.

Lam Pham sighed, "Officer Hoang, you again made this place extremely dirty. Every time never tidies up. Again want me, this ordinary citizen, to clean the environment."

He spoke the truth.

No other meaning, even less complaining. Officer Hoang, turned into zombie, ultimately somewhat inconvenient. If even slightly convenient, also wouldn't be like this.

Officer Hoang "ugh ugh"-ed, passed by Lam Pham, ignored him, walked towards distance.

"Officer Hoang, travel well."

Waved hand.

Started working, cleaning police station.

...

...

Downtown, on an elevated structure.

Two cars drove along. A modified cargo truck led the way, followed by a modified bus.

In the driver's cabin of the front cargo truck were two survivors.

One man, one woman.

Man dark-skinned, called Ma Duy Vien. Before apocalypse erupted, was a company gate security guard. Although young yet became security guard, but he also didn't think this had anything bad, instead thought himself extremely smart, took thirty years less detours, first time found correct path. (Mã Duy Viễn -> Ma Duy Vien)

After all, working in factory tightening screws until end, still will become a security guard. So why bother taking detours?

Woman named Khau Bang. School PE female teacher. Graduated from sports school then became a teacher. (Khâu Băng -> Khau Bang)

Originally they all should have had beautiful futures.

But who knew apocalypse arrived, thoroughly bewildered them.

Ma Duy Vien slowly drove, didn't accelerate forward. Temporarily no zombies seen on elevated structure. Waiting to leave elevated frame, very likely then to encounter zombies. Brief relaxation of state very important.

He touched his pocket. Only one cigarette left. Lit it, took deep drag. In this kind of environment, cigarette can alleviate tense emotions in heart.

"How's the map looking? Where should we go next?" Ma Duy Vien asked.

Khau Bang put down map in hand, "Still looking. Hoang city situation perhaps much better than we imagined. Yesterday we met those four survivors. Vehicle driven was extremely strongly specially modified. They can survive in Hoang city, definitely have a shelter. And Hoang city zombie pressure, definitely not as terrifying as Hecheng city."

Ma Duy Vien said helplessly, "F*** his mother! Perfectly good society, just turned like this! Like movies I watched! Driving around wandering everywhere! Originally thought we, over in Hecheng city side, still could have a shelter to stay. Who knew... Ai!"

Every time thinking of that image, he also felt very terrifying.

That group of appearing zombies not ordinary zombies, but evolved-form zombies. Truly very scary. Even with extremely strong defensive measures, before those evolved-form zombies, instantly collapsed.

"Stop for a while. No zombies around."

Ma Duy Vien stopped car. Bus behind also slowly stopped.

Khau Bang, carrying submachine gun, vigilantly looked around. Then looked towards distant Hoang city scenery. Not as terrible as Hecheng city. In Hecheng city, everywhere could hear zombie roars, building explosion sounds. But here, also very quiet.

Ma Duy Vien communicated with people on bus. Bus inside already six adults, remaining thirteen children, boys and girls, youngest six, oldest thirteen.

"Bro Ma! Cigarette, let me have a puff!" (Mã ca -> Bro Ma, addressing Ma Duy Vien)

"Don't be anxious! You go first take bread and water to fill children's stomachs! Rest assured! I absolutely will leave you a few puffs!"

Ma Duy Vien solemnly assured. Then quickly took several more puffs himself. Leave him one or two puffs is fine.

"Bro Ma! Agreed! Really must leave me a few puffs!" The kid quickly got busy, opened cargo truck. Supplies piled behind also not many. Based on current numbers, at most can last about three days.