CH : 33 Deal I was Forced to Make

He paused, gazing up at the sky as if lost in thought. "If a poor man does not repay the loan, his house gets sold, and if a rich man does not repay the loan, the bank, not him. The rules have always favored those at the top, leaving the rest of us to bear the brunt."

Tiger's expression hardened, and a brilliant light ignited in his eyes. "But it's different now. The world has turned upside down, and the old order has crumbled. Now, in this chaos, it's our time to rise. If we stand together, gather survivors, and establish our own new regime, we can carve out a future in this hellscape. We can kill the zombies, reclaim the land, and build something better. Once we've unified the country, our descendants will bask in the glory and splendor we've created."

Tiger's eyes burned with ambition as he turned to Ethan, his gaze fierce and unyielding. The fire in his words was undeniable, revealing the depth of his aspirations.

Luke was listening while to the side. He did not think Tiger would have such huge ambitions. So does William.

Ethan was also surprised for a moment, he just wanted to go to Long Hai City enclave. Leaving those helpless women to the Government, and looked for a few powerful team mates to help him search for his parents back home. He did not have the ambitions to establish a new regime. At least not before he had his family with him then maybe he could give it a try….

"Those who steal are put to death, but those that steal a nation will become the aristocracy! Ethan, the leaders of the past world. Their parents were also born commoners. The Roman Emperor Diocletian was once a common soldier, and the French Emperor Napoleon rose from a modest Corsican family. Qing Nurhaci was also of slave origin.They were able to succeed, while we're highly educated people, with guns in possession, cannot be any worse than them!"

"Even if we take 10,000 steps back. If we have failed to established the new regime, as long as we have a huge amount of power, we can join any forces, and enjoy a wealthy life. If you think about it, throughout history, when dynasty changed, those powerful governors that surrendered to the new regime, they enjoyed the endless riches. If you're a commoner, when the regime changes, you are at their mercy, taking away everything you have." Seeing that Ethan was thinking, Tiger continued to speak.

Hearing what Tiger said was reasonable and right, Ethan remained silent, thinking about his words.

Ethan slowly said: "Boss Tiger, have you thought if the government have not completely collapsed. With just an order from the central government, sending a battalion, then things will be far from good."

He did not know where Tiger got these dozens of Type 81 rifles and Type 79 submachine guns to armed his men. But they had no formal training, and were just a bunch of rabble. If the real army moved in, they could easily destroy this bunch of rabbles.

Ethan's had been strengthened by the Magical System of the God and Devil, with extraordinary combat abilities, also dared not say that he would win against a company of People Freedom Army soldiers. Even a rocket launcher can kill him.

Tiger laughed out loud, then said: "HA HA! Little brother Ethan, you have no idea. I reckon that the central government has fallen long ago. If they had not fallen, they would have released a notice of stability to reassure the public. It has been more than half a month since Long Hai City had broadcast a notice of the survival enclave to reassure the public. But there has not been any notice from the central government, they have all most likely become zombies."

Tiger suddenly offered a promise: "Ethan, if you come help me, you will be the 5th master of our Always Bright Village! You will only be below me, Zhang Xiang, Lei Zhen, and Chen Yan. The next time we go out to find survivors, I'll let you pick the three most beautiful women first."

Ethan was silent for a moment, then slowly said: "Boss Tiger, I'm sorry. I have to make a trip to Nanning, my sister is there. I must go and find them. I'm afraid I can't help you."

A cold light flashed in Tiger's eyes, his legs shaking, and was silent for a moment, letting out a long sigh, said: "Fine! You are a righteous man that values love. Each man has their own ambitions, I won't force you. But I have a request, I hope you can do me a favor before leaving."

Ethan's eyes narrowed, and slowly said: "Boss Tiger, please tell me!"

Tiger smiled, his words surprising Ethan: "I know a place where the military stored obsolete equipment and arsenals. I'm going to need your help, together we will seize the arsenals."

Ethan thought for a moment before continuing to say: "Boss Tiger, your firepower is so strong, yet is still unable to seize the arsenals?"

With Tiger's firepower, as long as there are plenty of bullets, normal zombies would be easily killed. He had to ask Ethan for help, thus the situation would not be so simple.

Tiger had nothing to hide, looking directly at Ethan and said: "There is nothing to hide! In the arsenal, there are four mutated zombie dogs. Those four mutated zombie dogs are extremely ferocious, the last time we five brothers could not get rid of them. If I did not see your extraordinary skill this time, I would not dare have the idea of going there again."

"40%! Those four mutated dogs, if I get rid of them. I want 40% of the firearms and ammo inside that arsenal!" Ethan thought for a while, then said.

Tiger frowned, then deeply said: "20%! Little brother Ethan, after seizing the arsenal, the most I can give you is 20% of the arsenals."

Ethan, shaking his head, said: "Boss Tiger, I have to risk my life to fight those four mutated zombie dogs. If careless, my brothers and I will all die under the jaws of those four mutated dogs. If it wasn't because of Boss Tiger being so extraordinary, heroic and our brotherhood. I would never have asked for so low."

Tiger stared at the mountain for a while, then looked toward the backyard and shouted: " Chloe! Come here!"

The young woman entered the room, her skin pale and smooth like porcelain. Her red hair cascaded down her shoulders in a silky waterfall, framing her face with an ethereal beauty. Her features were finely sculpted, with high cheekbones and full lips that added a delicate grace to her expression. Her large, expressive eyes were a captivating shade, hinting at both innocence and depth. She wore a white dress that clung gently to her developing figure, highlighting her slender waist and the gentle curve of her hips. Her voluptuous bosom, already more than ample, hinted at the promise of further growth, adding a touch of allure to her youthful elegance.

As Chloe moved with a natural grace, Chloe came in, Lei Chen and Chen Yan had an insatiable desire in their eyes. As they stared at Chloe's C+ cup breasts, prominent and yet still maturing, drew their attention, as did the subtle hint of curves yet to fully blossom. There was an undeniable allure in her youth, who still was a minor.

Chloe came in, kneeling before Tiger, Lei Chen, and Chen Yan. With her refined beauty, youthful face, and busty figure, capturing people's attention with her charm. She can be called a youthful big bosom model.

Tiger was also staring at Chloe's ample chest.

Even Ethan could not help but glamce at her several times. In modern society, with ample nourishment, the girls developed early. Julia's figure among her peers is very good, but compared with Chloe, was still quite a bit inferior.

The girl named Chloe timidly looked at Tiger, and said: "Boss Tiger!"

Tiger pointed to Chloe, then toward Ethan, and said: "Little brother Ethan, this is Chloe, she is the most beautiful virgin I have. Now I will give her to you! She's not below those girls that you have brought. The most important thing is her obedience and her education. And you know what? She is the daughter of Lei Jiang City's Mayor. The virgin daughter of a mayor, her value is far above the 20% of arsenals, what do you think?"

Listening to Tiger giving her away like some kind of gift or doll, Chloe's eyes flashed with humiliation and anger. But she did not dare show any discontent. Tiger treated Ethan with courtesy, but he would not show any mercy towards women. Chloe has seen Tiger break the limbs of a beautiful woman, then throw her into the henhouse. The woman could not endure the depravity that goes on in the henhouse and died on her third day in the henhouse, but before dying, the horrors she saw would shock one's heart. There was also a woman that was thrown to the zombies while alive. Chloe saw the woman being eaten piece by piece while crying in miserable agony. From then on, none of the women dared to disobey Tiger. Those girls that would dare exhibit a princess and feminism syndrome and temper before Tiger would only be seeking death.

Ethan's eyes blinked a few times as he glanced at the sweet girl before him. His mind raced with the consequences of refusal, the delicate balance he was forced to maintain. He had avoided the henhouse, knowing that if he lost control, the fallout could be catastrophic. Not only would many innocent lives be at risk, but even he might not survive the ensuing chaos. Tiger and his group wouldn't hesitate to turn their guns on the innocent villagers and his friends if they perceived a threat. If Ethan died, the fate of his companions and the villagers would be sealed in misery under Tiger's brutal reign.

Weighing the grim reality of the situation, Ethan forced a smile, masking his inner turmoil. With a calm demeanor, he said, "Alright. We'll do it your way." The words felt heavy on his tongue, but he knew that in this moment, compromise was the only way to keep everyone safe.

Tiger's smile widened, a gleam of satisfaction dancing in his eyes as he relished the control he held over the situation. He had cornered Ethan once more, and the power dynamics were clear. Turning to Chloe, his voice took on a tone that left little room for defiance. "Chloe, why haven't you gone to greet your new master?" he asked, the subtle command in his words barely veiling his expectation.

Chloe moved gracefully, bringing with her a sweet, intoxicating scent as she approached Ethan. Her presence seemed to brighten the room, a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere moments before. Kneeling before Ethan, she looked up at him with eyes that sparkled with a glimmer of hope and happiness—emotions that had been absent when she had been under Tiger's gaze. Her voice was soft, almost tender, as she said, "Greetings, Master!"

There was a vulnerability in her words, but also a quiet strength, as if she saw in Ethan a chance for something better than the harsh reality she had known.

Seeing Chloe kneeling in front of Ethan, Lei Chen and Chen Yan's eyes were filled with envy. Each of them had four beautiful women in their room, but those women were not as beautiful or had a figure like Chloe.

"Such a youthful and voluptuous beauty, Ethan, you truly are fortunate." Sitting besides Ethan, William was staring at the tempting Chloe, his eyes flashed with a burning desire, and muttered in a low voice.

Tiger watched Chloe kneeling in front of Ethan, smiled and said: "Now it's getting late, little brother Ethan, you have travelled far and hard. You should take a hot bath and rest."

Ethan asked: "Boss Tiger, the water is not contaminated?"

Bathing required a significant amount of water, a luxury that was scarce in Lei Jiang city. Only Ethan, Grace, Luke, and Julia had the privilege of bathing; the others were left to carefully wipe down their bodies, too fearful to risk using the water, uncertain if it was contaminated.

Tiger looked at Ethan for a moment, his eyes widening before he let out a resigned sigh. He had come to understand Ethan's good nature and began to explain, "We source our water from the river. As long as you boil it for at least five minutes, it should be safe. However, drinking it directly is a gamble—you might be fine, or you might end up infected."

Chloe's body trembled slightly, revealing the unspoken truth behind Tiger's words. Ethan sensed it immediately; the group had learned this information. Tiger had used over 20 people as test subjects, one of whom had become infected after drinking the untreated water and turned into a zombie. Chloe's fear and the tremor in her body told Ethan everything he needed to know.

Tiger, seeing that Ethan did not have any doubt, attracted a tall, thin young man over, and ordered: "Liu Shui! Take little brother Ethan and his companions to go rest."

Liu Shui nodded, and led Ethan out: "Yes!"

***

After Ethan left, Lei Chen started to express his dissatisfaction, and said: "Boss Tiger, why did you give Chloe to him? You know that I like Chloe. Is this not helping an outsider?"

Tiger looked at Lei Chen and frowned in disappointment. "Lei, how can you not see the bigger picture? Women are just a distraction. What we truly need are firearms! With enough firepower, we can have any woman we want. Why limit yourself with such a small-minded approach? Think bigger-imagine having the most famous actresses, the top female singers, and supermodels at your beck and call. We're still young and have decades ahead of us. That's where you should be setting your sights. And what about the women you already have? You have seven at your disposal, yet you still aren't tired of playing around?"

"Chloe is different!" Lei Chen insisted, his voice filled with desire. "She's got that perfect bubble butt, and that huge rack of hers, and still growing! Her skin is soft like silk, and she's only 15 years old but she looks like nineteen. Once she matures, she'll be as stunning as any supermodel. I've never had the chance to enjoy such high quality girls yet!" Lei Chen continued to complain.

Tiger frowned, and shouted: "Enough, do not say anymore!"

Lei Chen suddenly lowered his head, seething in anger, no longer speaking.

Tiger also loves women, and loves to enjoy them. But in his eyes, firearms have a greater value than women. He only wanted to expand his own powers, and increase his territory. Lei Chen is a trusted underling of Tiger. Although a little lustful, he can fight, and is faithful. It's just that he was not very intelligent.

Chen Yan's eyes blinked and asked: "Big brother Tiger, do you really intend to give 20% of the firearms to him?"

Tiger asked in reverse: "What do you think?"

Chen Yan with a face of flattery, said: "I think we should make back-up plans! If he is unscathed after getting rid of the four mutated dogs. We will agree to give him 20% of the firearms, and let him go. If he is dead, heh heh! So much the better, we can take all the beautiful girls he brought with him and have fun with them and not to mention the firearms. Ah, big brother Tiger, so that is what you had planned! You're brilliant, to come up with such a move, this little brother really admires you! Amazing!"

Tiger revealed a satisfied smile. Chen Yan was his adviser, not only was he good at flattering, his analytical capacity was also good. Tiger thought highly of him.

Liu Shui led Ethan, Chloe, and Elisa to a room on the 2nd floor of the building.

While William and Luke were in a room next to them. The other members of the team were crammed into three rooms on the ground floors.