Chapter Thirty-Seven: Collaboration—Entering the Military District Once Again

“Lord Gu Lang... shouldn’t we make some preparations? The Zhang and Wang families are not here with good intentions!”
In the grand hall of the Zhao family stronghold, a lavish feast was underway. The old patriarch of the Zhao family wore a face full of worry.
“What is there to fear? Since they’ve come calling, we should host them properly. Don’t worry, with me here, they won’t dare to act recklessly.”
Gu Lang sat at the very center of the hall, flanked by two masked figures.
“But...”
The old patriarch wanted to explain further, but in the end, he dared not say more.
Gu Lang glanced at him, sneering inwardly.
The old man’s warning was not out of kindness, but because their fates were now entwined.
They bore the Zhao name—there was no way the other two families would accept them. Their only hope was to cling to him.
But tonight, Gu Lang was the hunter.
Just then, the hall doors were flung open.
“My lord! The guests from both families have arrived!”
The old patriarch led the way, followed by dozens of people: the Zhangs and the Wangs.
At the forefront were Wang Qiushui and Zhang Fugui.
Both wore smiles, but their actions were far from courteous—they seated themselves without invitation.
Their men wasted no time either; gazing at the sumptuous banquet, they began to help themselves, eating and drinking with abandon.
In no time, the hall descended into chaos, the sounds of feasting filling the air.
No one paid the slightest attention to Gu Lang, as if he didn’t exist at all.
Yet Gu Lang showed no anger, merely watching in silence.
“Well, well! So this is Gu Lang? Not so old, but with quite some guts. You actually dared kill Zhao Kaitian of the Zhao family. Are you aware of your crime?”
Suddenly, Wang Qiushui fixed Gu Lang with a stern glare, assuming the posture of an avenger.
Zhang Fugui immediately chimed in,
“That’s right. The three great families of Dawn City may appear to compete, but we are as one. You killed Zhao Kaitian and made us all lose face!”
Their words forced guilt upon Gu Lang with arrogant disdain.
At this, Gu Lang only smiled, already having his own plan.
“Heh... Perhaps you’re mistaken. Lord Kaitian was not killed by me. On the contrary, he was my benefactor. He saved me in the military district and even gave me two helpers, entrusting his family to my care.”
As he spoke, Gu Lang snapped his fingers. The two masked figures at his side stepped forward.
One was wreathed in flames.
The other was surrounded by violent winds.
Both were Silver-ranked!
“This...”
Wang Qiushui drew in a sharp breath, his face instantly paling.
Zhang Fugui was stunned, his wine cup frozen midair.

They had come this night with the intention of openly seizing the military district, using vengeance for Zhao Kaitian as their excuse.
But no one had expected their opponent to possess such power.
Three Silvers!
Even the most powerful Wang family had only four Silvers, and one of them was an old woman, unlikely to live much longer.
This was not what they had bargained for!
How could they possibly seize anything now?
The hall fell into a sudden hush.
The ruffians who had been feasting became immediately respectful.
Seeing that his display had achieved its effect, Gu Lang finally let out a quiet laugh.
“Gentlemen, please continue. You are honored guests. As it happens, I have some matters to discuss with you—concerning a partnership in the military district.”
Seeing that Gu Lang was not angered, the Zhang and Wang representatives finally relaxed.
They had only brought two Silvers on this trip and had truly feared being taken hostage.
“Hahaha! Young Brother Gu Lang, you are a fine man at such a young age. With you leading the Zhao Stronghold, you’ll surely outshine Zhao Kaitian!”
Wang Qiushui quickly tried to make amends.
Zhang Fugui, however, focused on one particular word.
“A partnership in the military district? Lord Gu Lang, what sort of partnership do you have in mind?”
The two seemed to have forgotten their earlier hostilities.
“Simple. The military district is enormous. I know I cannot take it all for myself, so I propose we split it three ways. What do you think?”
Gu Lang sneered inwardly, but his words sent a ripple of excitement through the gathering.
“Dividing the military district! Such generosity! Lord Gu Lang, whatever you need me to do, or whatever resources you require, just say the word and I’ll make it happen!”
Wang Qiushui was instantly elated; the military district was a key resource.
There were zombies inside, but most were weak, and they kept coming in waves.
It was a living treasure trove—whoever controlled it would rise to power.
“Three shares?”
Zhang Fugui’s eyes darted, clearly wanting more.
“Exactly. The number of zombies in the district has increased this time, making it more difficult. That’s why I propose we explore it together and split the spoils among our three families. Rest assured, you won’t come out short.”
Gu Lang raised his glass to the assembled company.
“Ha! Well said! Brother Gu Lang, name the time—we’ll support you fully!”
Wang Qiushui likewise raised his own cup.
Zhang Fugui followed suit.
“Noon tomorrow. I look forward to our collaboration!”
Thus, the banquet was a lively affair, underpinned by power.

Had Gu Lang not been strong, lacking those two Silvers, the outcome would have been quite different.
That night, after arranging quarters for the guests within the Zhao stronghold, Gu Lang finally retired to his room.
“Brother Gu Lang! These people are all villains! Why don’t we just kill them?”
The little girl clenched her tiny fists.
“My lord, with so many Silvers at our disposal, why did you only bring two?”
Yu Qiuchi gestured to the two masked figures—they were the very zombies Gu Lang had just captured.
Gu Lang gave a cold laugh.
“It’s called keeping a trump card. If you reveal all your strength from the start, how will you lure the enemy into your trap?”
“Besides, these people are not weak. Two Silvers and over thirty Bronzes—why not let them deal with the Golden-ranked zombie?”
The women suddenly understood.
The next morning, after arranging for his wives to remain hidden, Gu Lang led the group out of the city.
This time, he was the mastermind on the way to the military district.
“Gentlemen, the military district is a treasure trove, but I’m an outsider. Does anyone know what happened inside before the apocalypse?”
Gu Lang asked.
Wang Qiushui hurried to answer.
“Brother Gu Lang, you may not know this, but the reason so many survived in Dawn City is precisely because of the military district!”
“At first, there were only Bronze-ranked zombies, so the military district protected many civilians. But as Silver and even Gold-ranked zombies began to appear, the district could no longer be held.”
Zhang Fugui added,
“Later, the survivors inside started fighting over food, which led to repeated infighting. Eventually, some wretch opened the main gates and let the zombies in. From that point on, the military district became a forbidden zone.”
Gu Lang nodded. It all sounded plausible.
Apparently, there were no messages from anyone seeking rescue.
It seemed his only clues would be found above the level of Golden-ranked zombies.
Soon, they arrived at the gates of the military district.
Gu Lang sent his men to move all the abandoned vehicles blocking the entrance.
Only then did everyone get a clear view inside.
The men from the Wang and Zhang families widened their eyes in excitement.
Gu Lang led the way forward.
“Don’t just stand there—come with me! Do you see that building? It’s full of weak zombies—those are our resources!”
Gu Lang pointed to the distant structure where the Golden-ranked zombie was lurking.