Ice Apocalypse (Season 1)

Chapter 79: Subjugating Neighbors as Cannon Fodder

Zhang Yi observed the group chat conversation with a keen eye. Uncle You sent him a private message.

"Zhang Yi, what should we do now?"

Zhang Yi replied, "The time is almost right. When the moment comes, lend me some support. Make sure these people listen to me obediently."

"With both reward and punishment, make them listen. That's the only way to ensure the safety of our building."

Whether the neighbors would be safe or not, Zhang Yi didn't know, but he was certain that he would become safer. Moreover, many neighbors would be used as cannon fodder and sent to the front lines by him. Most of them had family members killed by Zhang Yi, and given the chance, they would seek revenge. So, it was better to deal with them now.

After discussing the plan with Uncle You, the two returned to the owners' group. Uncle You pretended to mention Zhang Yi, saying, "@Zhang Yi, everyone needs you now. If there's only your household left in this building, won't you feel lonely?"

"So, please show some kindness now and help everyone! Everyone will sincerely thank you!"

The neighbors quickly chimed in.

"Yes, as long as you can save us, we'll be grateful to you!"

"From now on, our building will be under your command."

"Zhang Yi, we entrust our lives to you!"

Flattering words flooded in, and Zhang Yi sneered.

"I'm only here to talk to you because of Uncle You's face. But I really can't be bothered with you. I'm doing just fine on my own. Why should I care about you?"

"I have to go out and work hard, risking my life. It doesn't seem worth it to me!"

The more Zhang Yi spoke like this, the less assurance the neighbors had.

"Zhang Yi, please! We'll do whatever you say. Just give us a chance to survive!"

Surviving in despair, no matter how bleak, they couldn't bear the thought of death.

Zhang Yi asked sarcastically, "Oh? Is that so? Whatever I say, you'll do it? Is that the consensus among all of you?"

The neighbors hesitated for a moment.

Someone said, "As long as you don't ask us to die, other conditions are acceptable!"

Zhang Yi retorted, "If I ask you to take weapons and fight against the Heavenly Alliance, will you go?"

"This..."

The group fell silent.

No one spoke; they were all waiting for someone else to be the first to step up.

Zhang Yi laughed, "So, you just want me to go fight desperately, right? Fine, I won't bother with you."

"When Huang Tianfang and his people come to kill, you can stick your necks out and let them chop it off! Goodbye!"

Uncle You hurriedly said, "Zhang Yi, please don't! We'll all listen to you."

"Since we're all going to die anyway, taking a chance to survive is better. I'm with you!"

He started rallying everyone again, "What are you hesitating for? If we fight together, there's a chance to survive. Do you want to wait until they come and pick us off one by one?"

Uncle You's encouragement had the desired effect. Thinking about taking a chance to survive, many people spoke up, agreeing to follow Zhang Yi's orders.

Zhang Yi and Uncle You took turns speaking, and that's how they gained control of the entire building.

He said indifferently, "Alright, from now on, everyone has to follow my orders. The situation is dire, and the enemy could attack at any time. Any passive or lazy behavior will be considered a betrayal of all the homeowners!"

"At that time, don't blame me if I directly kill that person!"

Zhang Yi's gaze swept over the group members' names.

"Don't let me find out that some of you are hiding, refusing to come out and fight."

"If I find one, I'll kill them on the spot. No room for hesitation for those who want to sneak away and pick fruits!"

Zhang Yi said this because he estimated that there were only about twenty people actively participating in the group chat. Obviously, some people hadn't spoken, planning to hide and let Zhang Yi lead them into the fight.

After Zhang Yi's words, those neighbors who had agreed to face the enemy with him weren't pleased.

"Fan Lin, come out! I know you're not dead. I saw you shoveling snow yesterday!"

"Liang Yulu, where are you? Don't hide. Don't pretend you didn't see the group messages. We'll find you when the time comes!"

...

The neighbors, with red eyes, called out the ostriches by tagging them.

People are selfish, and even in desperate situations, they wouldn't willingly choose death if there was a glimmer of hope to survive.

Reluctantly, those people had to reveal themselves.

"Ah, I just fell asleep. Just saw the messages."

"Huh, what's going on? Are we fighting back now? That's great!"

"I'm not afraid of death. I just didn't see the messages."

A group of people spoke nervously.

Zhang Yi didn't bother with them, saying, "Anyway, since you've chosen me as the building leader, you have to follow my orders. Anyone who dares to hesitate in the back is betraying all the homeowners and deserves to die!"

The owners dared not speak; they knew Zhang Yi would really kill them. The more than fifty souls were the bloody evidence.

After swinging the big stick, Zhang Yi pondered for a moment and prepared to give them a carrot.

"Rest assured, I, Zhang Yi, am a kind person. I can't bear to see you all starve. As long as you obey, I'll go out and help you find supplies."

He had thought about this plan some time ago. Since there were engineering teams using explosive techniques, there was no guarantee that more formidable enemies wouldn't appear in the future. Living on the 24th floor, although his house was entirely constructed of metal, if the lower floors collapsed, it would have a significant impact on his house.

So, he thought of raising a batch of cannon fodder to live below, keeping watch for him and helping him die if necessary.

However, sustaining them required resources.

Zhang Yi couldn't bear to give away the resources in his space, so he needed to go out and find more. Also, his weapons and ammunition consumption rate was relatively high. In the previous battle, he had used up twenty bullets and needed to find more weapons and equipment.

As for how to travel, it was simple.

The city was covered in thick snow, rendering vehicles useless. However, there were specially designed vehicles for snow-covered terrain—snowmobiles.

Zhang Yi had five in his space, two snowmobiles with cabins and three small snowmobiles.

In this era of a snow-covered city, others had to exert tremendous effort to leave their homes. However, he could freely traverse the entire city.

The owners' group exploded with excitement.

"Zhang Yi, you can go out and find supplies?"

"With such heavy snow, and no way to drive. Do you want to walk through the snow? Won't you freeze to death?"

Zhang Yi said, "Even in harsh conditions, I have to try going out for everyone's sake!"

"Don't worry. I've worked in warehousing for many years. I'm familiar with every warehouse in Tianhai City, as well as large shopping malls and supermarkets. Finding supplies is not difficult for me."