Ambush

Chapter 85 – Ambush

"Boss Gao, I really do want to join you!"Zhou Shixian said with a sycophantic smile.

Wrapped in a blanket, Gao Qiqiang chuckled dismissively."I remember you being part of Song Linfei's group. What makes you want to defect to me now?"

"You don't know the half of it, Boss Gao. Brother Song's completely lost his mind. He actually believes a woman and wants to lead us to join Su Chen!"

Hearing that, Gao Qiqiang's heart skipped a beat. He immediately pressed,"What exactly happened?"

Zhou Shixian laid out the whole story.

Gao Qiqiang furrowed his brow.Su Chen's group, fewer than fifty strong, was already formidable.If they absorbed Song Linfei's people too, wouldn't that make them unstoppable?At that point, it would be nearly impossible to make a move against Su Chen.

With that thought, Gao narrowed his eyes."So, what do you want from me?"

"Heh, I still carry some weight in our team. I could rally quite a few people.""How about we join forces and take down Song Linfei and the others together?""What do you think, Boss Gao?"

Zhou Shixian grinned slyly and laid out his plan.

"What's your condition?"As a veteran of the underworld, Gao Qiqiang knew nothing came for free.

"As long as you take us in and hand over Lin Yingying to me, that's all I ask."

Zhou Shixian's demand wasn't too much.To Gao Qiqiang, a woman meant nothing.If he could dismantle Song Linfei's team, he'd gain not only a cache of supplies—More importantly, he could prevent them from joining Su Chen!

"Fine. I accept. When do we act?"

"How about tonight?"Zhou Shixian lowered his voice and sneered,"I'm on night watch duty. You just show up when the time comes."

"Alright. It's a deal."

After discussing the details, Zhou Shixian left satisfied.

"Boss Gao, you think this guy could be lying to us?"Old Xu asked skeptically from the side.Since joining them, Zhou Shixian had been full of flattery and bootlicking, earning Gao's favor and a place by his side.

"I don't think so,"A Biao shook his head with a deep voice."That guy's clearly a brainless idiot. No way he's got the guts to lie to us."

"I think so too. But let's stay alert tonight, just in case."Gao Qiqiang warned.

"Yes, sir!"A Biao nodded heavily.

…

Although night had fallen, the world was still bright with snow, so it wasn't too dark.

Song Linfei, along with two of his men, finished patrolling the hotel and came to the lobby.

"Brother Song, you're not sleeping yet?"Zhou Shixian asked cheerfully.

"Just doing a round. Don't slack off during your watch."Song Linfei patted him on the shoulder.

"Don't worry, I'm not the lazy type!"Zhou Shixian thumped his chest with pride.

"Alright, I'm off to bed."Song Linfei waved and left with his two men.

As their backs disappeared, Zhou Shixian's lips curled into a cold smile.

To conserve firewood, Song Linfei had connected two adjacent suites.A makeshift stove sat in the center, shared between both rooms.The men slept in one room, the women in the other.

By the time Song Linfei returned to bed, most people were already fast asleep.He stretched and climbed under the covers.

But not long after he drifted off, a sharp scream pierced the quiet night."You… Who are you?! Help!"

In the still snowy night, the scream was particularly jarring.Everyone was jolted awake.

By the dim glow of the fire, they saw clearly—A group of armed intruders had burst into the room!

They held gleaming blades, blocking Song Linfei and the others in.

"I don't want to kill anyone. You'd best surrender quietly."The man in front, holding a fire axe, grinned viciously.

Song Linfei instantly recognized him—It was A Biao, one of Gao Qiqiang's enforcers!

"A Biao, what the hell is this?"

"Nothing personal. We're just here to take your team down."A Biao replied coldly.

Song Linfei's heart sank.How had A Biao and his men gotten in so easily under Zhou Shixian's watch?Was Zhou already dead?No time to think. If they didn't fight back, they'd be captured for sure.

Grabbing his machete, Song Linfei roared,"Brothers, fight them!"

In the apocalypse, danger was always close.Survivors kept their weapons near even while sleeping or eating.

Spurred by Song Linfei's cry, his people scrambled for their weapons and clashed with Gao Qiqiang's men.

It had to be said—Song Linfei wasn't just a leader with charisma. He could fight too.He swung his machete like a whirlwind, felling two or three attackers in quick succession.

Seeing this, A Biao stepped up, fire axe in hand.

While Song Linfei's strength and combat skills were decent,he was no match for a trained ex-soldier like A Biao.

Within moments, A Biao had him on the defensive.If not for the chaos and allies providing cover, Song Linfei would've been dead already.

"Huff… huff…"The two men panted, eyes locked in a deadly stare.

"Brother Song, are you alright?"A familiar voice rang out.

Song Linfei turned—Zhou Shixian had arrived!

"I'm fine! Go organize the others—"Before he could finish, a cold pain spread through his chest.

Looking down, he saw a dagger protruding from his torso.

"You…"He stumbled, staring at Zhou Shixian in disbelief.

"Don't blame me, Brother Song. You brought this on yourself by trying to side with Su Chen."Zhou Shixian sneered, stepping back.

Song Linfei tried to speak, but A Biao was already upon him.He kicked Song Linfei to the ground and raised his axe.

Crack!Blood splattered.

Grabbing Song Linfei's head, A Biao shouted,"Your leader is dead! Who else wants to fight?!"

Staring at Song Linfei's lifeless body, the room fell into chaos.

"I'll kill you!"Several of Song's loyal followers lunged for revenge.But before they could reach A Biao, they were hacked down by Gao Qiqiang's men.