The square buzzed with discussions.
From time to time, people talked about Lu Heng's entry into the city the previous night.
However, no one who knew about the complete annihilation of the city's management dared to speak up.
Listening to the voices in the square, Lu Heng found these people too simple-minded. This was why they had been deceived by the city's administrators for over a year in the apocalypse.
"The administrators of this city have been annihilated by me. If any of you are dissatisfied, step forward."
The crowd in the square grew louder. Although the city's administrators had been oppressing them, at least everyone had food daily and wouldn't starve.
They didn't understand why the management was killed, but they knew it wasn't their place to speak out.
Having no real abilities, the most important thing people learned in the apocalypse was to lie low.
Of course, not a single running dog of the management dared to step forward.
They knew, more or less, what the management had done. But with so many of them instantly killed by Lu Heng alone, they didn't dare to make a move.
"Since no one is coming forward, I will explain why I killed these administrators."
Lu Heng revealed how the management would periodically take some people out, under the guise of searching for supplies.
He explained how they fed these people to the zombies on the mountain, hoarded all the supplies, and lied to the city's inhabitants about the resource situation to control the survivors.
As the murmurs from the survivors below gradually grew louder, Lu Heng once again used the public address system to describe the zombie situation outside the city.
"The zombies outside the city mostly reside on that mountain. I'm sure some of you know this. However, I have already eliminated the zombies, so the area around this city is temporarily quite safe.
Of course, it's not impossible for zombies from other places to wander here, but they pose no real threat anymore. If you wish to venture out to find supplies or seek refuge elsewhere, this is an opportunity."
"But we don't know of any other shelters nearby."
After gathering in this city, they had never ventured too far.
Some people still hadn't dared to face zombies. Having finally found a safe place, they could only live under exploitation.
But this was better than facing the dangerous zombies, so most chose to be exploited willingly.
Lu Heng looked at the people below. "If you don't step out yourself and face the zombies, you will forever be exploited.
Furthermore, while you remain stagnant, the zombies outside are not idle. Their levels are constantly increasing. Apart from newly infected humans, there are no longer any Level 1 zombies."
These people were content with their current situation. If they didn't break through, they wouldn't last much longer.
Lu Heng had just mentioned that the city's management would periodically take people out.
"No wonder those people who went out with them never returned..."
"So, Jinzi and the others went out because they were eliminated by zombies for this reason?"
"..."
The crowd began to discuss the seemingly ordinary events around them. Thinking about it now sent chills down their spines.
Those who had followed the management stood in the square, heads bowed in silence.
No one dared to look at the people around them, nor did anyone dare to speak, fearing they might attract Lu Heng's attention.
Lu Heng swept his gaze over them. Those with bowed heads below were the ones who had participated in the wrongdoings.
However, these were also the few people in the city with slightly higher ability levels.
They had chosen to follow the administrators and, consequently, had gained corresponding benefits.
Firstly, the resources for upgrading – crystals – they had obtained a considerable amount.
Lu Heng manipulated vines to seize those below who had colluded in the wrongdoings.
Instantly, dozens of people were bound by vines that suddenly emerged from the ground and were pulled onto a platform at the front of the square.
"Let me go! I was just following orders! Otherwise, my entire family would have been..."
"I was forced! I have an eighty-year-old mother above and a mouth waiting to be fed below..."
"..."
For a moment, the wails and cries drowned out the discussions in the square.
Those bound by the vines struggled incessantly, shouting all sorts of pleas to escape accountability.
"Quiet!"
Lu Heng stepped off the statue, floating in mid-air.
The people below stared wide-eyed, but the square fell silent.
"I will not kill you, but you must compensate for your past actions."
The people bound by the vines nodded vigorously.
As long as they weren't killed, they were willing to compensate.
Moreover, there would still be many people in the city who wouldn't want to leave. Accustomed to comfort, people disliked facing unknown dangers even more.
Lu Heng intended to help them elect a new leader. He didn't expect this person to be perfectly fair, but at least not to treat human lives as worthless.
Lu Heng eventually helped the people here elect a new leadership team. With his mind-reading ability, the person he chose seemed reliable for now.
Lu Heng also helped reinforce the damaged city walls. With his abilities, it was not a difficult task.
...
Within Wuming City.
After the invited leaders had a satisfying lunch, they rested for half an hour before reconvening in the conference room.
This time, no one needed to be invited; they were all waiting near the conference room before the meeting began.
When Lin Yu arrived, everyone looked at him with anticipation.
Lu Heng smiled at everyone, and for a moment, all eyes were focused on him, afraid of missing any important information.
"Heh, everyone, no need to be like this. You've seen that Wuming City has abundant resources. It's perfectly fine for you to stay a few more days. If you wish to exchange for some supplies, we can temporarily offer you credit. When you return, we can send people to accompany you to retrieve the crystals."
In the apocalypse, crystals had become the default currency. Although Wuming City was not short of crystals, collecting them served a purpose.
Sooner or later, the zombies would be eliminated, but after generations of human reproduction, newly born humans would have no more crystals for evolution.
At that time, crystals would be held in the hands of Wuming City, and their price would be monopolized by Wuming City.