TVSS Chapter 50

Under Shu Wenzhe’s guidance, the group escaped from Long Island Base, joined the people waiting outside, and ran directly towards City G. Despite the dangers of traveling at night, they dared not linger.

As long as they remained within the influence of Long Island Base, they couldn’t afford to relax. Having captured Bian Zhaokun’s son, given Bian Zhaokun’s character, he would spare no effort to catch up with them.

After a whole night of escaping and confirming in the morning that no one was following them anymore, the group found a secluded farmhouse courtyard to rest.

Finally, everyone breathed a sigh of relief. As long as they left the base and returned to their territory, Bian Zhaokun would have no way to deal with them.

Shu Wenzhe also felt a sense of relief. He knew Xue Zhen’s influence better than anyone else.

In the half-year he had been away, Xue Zhen had taken a small team of a few dozen people and occupied and controlled a base, a scale not much smaller than Long Island Base.

Xue Zhen had once promised his brother to take care of Shu Wenzhe, ensuring that as long as he stayed by Xue Zhen’s side, no one would be able to harm him again.

“Big Brother Xue, we have already escaped from the influence of Long Island Base. Bian Zhaokun’s people can’t catch up with us. We don’t need to bring him along on the journey anymore.”

After a brief rest, Shu Wenzhe looked towards Su Jingxuan, who was bound in the corner, his gaze filled with resentment.

The implication was clear: useless hostages could be disposed of directly.

Bian Yujie wasn’t the person he hated the most, but anyone who had harmed him before would not be spared this time.

Su Jingxuan remained silent, a cloth gag preventing him from speaking. He glanced at Shu Wenzhe, showing no hostility towards his enemy.

Before his rebirth, Shu Wenzhe had been pampered and spoiled by his brother from a young age. Unable to endure any grievances, he would demand his brother to avenge him if someone dared to bully him. Although he had become less pampered after the rebirth, he had become extremely stubborn. He would settle scores for even the slightest wrongs; those who had offended him in the past would face his revenge. There was no need to get angry with people like Su Jingxuan; they were destined to be enemies.

Upon hearing Shu Wenzhe’s words, Xue Zhen’s expression darkened, and he raised his hand to deliver a resounding slap.

“Smack!”

The sudden, loud slap not only stunned Shu Wenzhe but also shocked everyone else in the room.

“Big Brother Xue, why did you hit me?”

Shu Wenzhe stared incredulously at Xue Zhen, unable to comprehend why someone as composed as him would suddenly strike him, especially in front of so many people.

Since his brother’s death, Xue Zhen had been exceptionally tolerant and caring towards him due to guilt. He had been considerate in every aspect of their lives. Not only would Xue Zhen not hit him, but he wouldn’t even scold him.

Others in the room were equally surprised by Xue Zhen’s sudden outburst. While they may not understand the intricacies of the relationship, they knew that their leader had a special disposition towards Shu Wenzhe.

“Shu Wenzhe, this slap is to teach you a lesson. I do owe your brother a debt, and I promised to take care of you in his absence. However, remember this: in my team, I don’t need someone who is willful and disobedient.”

Xue Zhen’s expression was grim, and his gaze bore a warning as he stared at Shu Wenzhe.

“Earlier in the team, I thought of you as still not grown up, as someone who had been protected and sheltered by your brother. I thought you were naive, but I realized I was wrong.”

“Big Brother Xue…”

Shu Wenzhe covered his face, a hint of fear in his eyes as he met Xue Zhen’s gaze. This was the first time he had seen Xue Zhen like this. Xue Zhen had never raised a hand against him before.

Others in the room witnessed their leader’s anger for the first time and understood that Xue Zhen was about to discipline someone.

Adjusting their mouths, everyone glanced sympathetically at Shu Wenzhe, who was still covering his face and had teary eyes. In the end, they chose to remain silent.

Honestly, even though everyone risked their lives to rescue Shu Wenzhe this time, not many were genuinely willing to do so.

Since Shu Wenzhe joined their team, he had caused quite a bit of trouble for everyone. Not only was he willful, but he was also quite spoiled. Often, he would throw tantrums to coerce their leader into risking his life to find things like a piece of cake or a block of chocolate.

During critical moments, they had to face dangers because of protecting him. It was fortunate that their leader had a good temper and valued camaraderie, not holding grudges.

This time, Shu Wenzhe had left without showing gratitude. If it weren’t for the deep bond between Shu Wenzhe and their late leader, they wouldn’t have been willing to deal with him.

In the past, with their leader protecting Shu Wenzhe, they couldn’t discipline him. Now that their leader was personally taking action, they naturally wouldn’t stop him.

If they didn’t discipline Shu Wenzhe properly this time, he might continue his wayward behavior in the team, and it would be their hardship.

Everyone remained silent, letting Xue Zhen handle the discipline.

After his rebirth, Shu Wenzhe was aware of his past behavior. He looked at Xue Zhen with a sense of grievance, not daring to speak. He knew Xue Zhen was doing it for his own good.

Before, he didn’t understand. He thought it was natural for Xue Zhen to protect him. Even when he chose to escape because it seemed like Xue Zhen had other intentions, he didn’t understand. It was only after experiencing betrayal and being sold out later that he realized who was good and who was bad.

Although he understood now, he still felt a bit wronged after being slapped. Xue Zhen had never scolded him, let alone hit him before.

Xue Zhen stared at his aggrieved eyes, his gaze cold. Without hesitation, he delivered another slap.

“Do you feel wronged?”

“Big Brother Xue, I know I was wrong,” Shu Wenzhe apologized, but before he could say anything more, another slap landed on his face. His stubbornness started to surface, and he looked at Xue Zhen with red, defiant eyes.

Despite apologizing, Xue Zhen could sense the resistance in Shu Wenzhe’s gaze. He didn’t know where he went wrong, and Xue Zhen was no longer willing to tolerate it. Ignoring the resentful look in Shu Wenzhe’s eyes, Xue Zhen spoke sternly.

“Do you understand how much our brothers sacrificed to save you? We almost lost everyone just to rescue you. They don’t owe you anything. They saved you because of the bond with your brother. Don’t take it for granted that everyone should sacrifice for you.”

Shu Wenzhe bit his lip in silence. The people around silently praised their leader. Finally, he woke up. They had been holding these words in their hearts for a long time, but their leader always shielded Shu Wenzhe from criticism.

Unconcerned about the glances from the others, Xue Zhen continued to glare at Shu Wenzhe, issuing a warning.

“Shu Wenzhe, think about it. How many times have you put everyone in danger? This time, to save you, we even provoked the Long Island Base. Before we return to our territory, what awaits us is the endless pursuit from Bian Zhaokun. Bin Yujie is our hostage, but due to your personal grievances, you didn’t consider the safety of others.”

“Do you understand who Bian Zhaokun is? I believe you should be well aware. If we kill his son, we will truly forge an irreconcilable enmity with the Long Island Base. The result of confronting Bian Zhaokun will be a lose-lose situation, and all our brothers will die because of your selfishness.”

After delivering his stern words, Xue Zhen looked around at everyone and issued a strict command.

“Listen, without my permission, no one is allowed to touch Bian Yujie.”

After the people around understood the reasoning, their expressions also changed slightly, nodding, “Understood, boss.”

The big man who had been locked in the laboratory with them for a month initially agreed somewhat with Shu Wenzhe’s suggestion to kill Su Jingxuan. However, after listening, even his spine chilled.

The boss was right; Bian Yujie couldn’t be killed. Before returning to their base, Bian Yujie was their lifeline.

Shu Wenzhe, who had been willful in the past, did not argue, but it was absolutely impossible for him to let go of Bian Yujie. He had suffered so much in the laboratory; he couldn’t swallow this resentment.

“Brother Xue, I know I used to be very willful, and I will change. But Brother Xue, you saw how he treated us before. He locked me in the lab for research. The Bian family is insane; they experiment on people. Such a person is a scourge to society.”

He spoke with resentment, then showed a bit of a triumphant smile.

“Brother Xue, I know there’s a magical fruit in the G City. As long as we get that fruit and make it into a potion, not only can you directly break through the ninth peak, but we can also turn a large number of ordinary people into ability holders, sweeping all the bases without fearing Bian Zhuokun. Bian Yujie’s death is not a loss.”

“Slap!”

Before he could finish speaking, Xue Zhen slapped him again, his face as dark as ink.

“Brother Xue,” Shu Wenzhe covered his face, looking at Xue Zhen with eyes that could no longer be described as incredulous. Did he say something wrong again? Why did Brother Xue hit him again?

“I’ve said it before, no one is allowed to touch Bian Yujie. Do you treat my words as a gust of wind in your ears?”

Xue Zhen’s voice was cold.

The icy tone made Shu Wenzhe somewhat afraid, but more than that, he felt unwilling and uncomfortable. Biting his lip, his eyes staring at Xue Zhen, who exuded a terrifying aura, he was both angry and aggrieved. “Brother Xue.”

“Boss, let it go.”

Seeing Shu Wenzhe’s face swollen from the beating, the others’ hearts softened a bit.

After all, they had gone through life and death with Ahui. Now, Ahui only had this younger brother left—a child who looked quite pitiful. Despite his willfulness, his heart was actually good. It wasn’t necessary to damage relationships for the sake of an outsider.

“Shut up, all of you.”

However, Xue Zhen’s unpleasant expression did not improve at all, and his gaze towards Shu Wenzhe became even colder.

“Shu Wenzhe, let me say it again. Without my permission, no one is allowed to touch Bian Yujie. I know you resent the Bian father and son, but Bian Yujie absolutely cannot die now. Our brothers are not alone; they have wives and children waiting for them to return. Remember, I, Xue Zhen, don’t have only you as a brother.”

They had taken too many risks for Shu Wenzhe this time. Now that the person had been rescued, they had to hurry back. Sacrificing other brothers for Shu Wenzhe’s personal revenge wasn’t Xue Zhen’s intention.

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately suppressed their soft feelings and felt a sense of relief.

Indeed, Shu Wenzhe’s grievances had nothing to do with them. They had risked their lives to save people, and that was already fulfilling their duty. If they died, who would take care of their wives and children back at the base?

Shu Wenzhe still felt some unwillingness, but looking at Xue Zhen’s warning expression—a cold sternness he had never seen before, tinged with a hint of killing intent—he shivered. He had no doubt that the next moment after provoking him again would be his own death.

“Brother Xue, I’m sorry. I understand now.”

He lowered his head, concealing his unwillingness and discomfort. In this meeting, he found that Brother Xue seemed different from his past self.

In his previous life, no matter how big the mistake, Brother Xue would never scold him, hit him, or show any killing intent. But now, not only did the other party scold him multiple times, but there was also no hint of the subtle, unspeakable tenderness from their past.

“Could it be that the effects of rebirth are influencing something?” Shu Wenzhe secretly wondered in his heart.

Seeing him bowing his head seemingly sincerely apologizing, but with an undertone of reluctance, Xue Zhen didn’t say anything more. Shu Wenzhe was currently in his rebellious youth, and saying more would be useless.

However, Xue Zhen couldn’t continue indulging Shu Wenzhe as he did before. Otherwise, Shu Wenzhe’s willfulness and recklessness would sooner or later harm the other brothers.

After instructing someone to immediately boil water and prepare food, he ignored Shu Wenzhe, who was bowing his head and seemed lost in thought. Xue Zhen walked over to Su Jingxuan and lowered his voice.

“I’ll untie you, but you must promise to behave. Once we safely return to the base, I’ll notify your father to come and get you.”

He didn’t want to let the person go, but for now, he would appease him. The journey back to the base was at least another half-month away. Keeping the young man’s hands and feet tied, and his mouth gagged, wasn’t a practical solution.

As Xue Zhen’s gaze fell on Su Jingxuan’s wrists, showing signs of discomfort, and the reddened corners of his mouth, Xue Zhen felt a bit distressed.

In any case, the other party’s ability had been sealed by him. Even if he was untied, he couldn’t escape. Even if he did manage to escape, returning to the Long Island base meant passing through numerous zombie hordes. Without his ability, it would be suicidal. With the young man’s intelligence, he wouldn’t do such a foolish thing.

Su Jingxuan naturally understood this logic, nodded wisely, “Mm-hmm.”

When he was untied, and the cloth strip was removed from his mouth, he rubbed his wrists, glaring fiercely at the man in front of him to express his dissatisfaction and anger as a hostage.

The corner of his eye, which slanted beautifully, resembled a proud little fox.

Xue Zhen stared at his cute appearance, not getting angry even though he was given a face. A hint of laughter appeared in his deep, dark eyes.