Chapter 169: Dragon Gang Intelligence, Zombie Riot in Peach Blossom Community

Su Ze looked at the two clearly distinct new areas outside the window, his fingers lightly tapping on the edge of the bed.

The Global Financial Center was like a silent giant, exuding a sense of aloofness that warned strangers to stay away.

As for the Taoyuan Residential Area, although he couldn't see it clearly at the moment, he figured it wouldn't be a friendly place either.

Just then, a private message from Xu Feng popped up.

[Private Chat · Xu Feng: Boss, something's wrong with the Global Financial Center. They won't communicate at all and just told us to beat it.]

[Private Chat · Xu Feng: I gave my name and pretended to be the leader of a faction, trying to talk in the name of a Survivor Alliance. They just replied with four words—'No alliances, please leave.' Then, there was no further response.]

Su Ze's fingertips paused.

[Private Chat · Su Ze: Got it.]

[Private Chat · Su Ze: It seems the players there have either reached an internal consensus to avoid contact with other areas, or an absolute ruler like me has emerged.]

[Private Chat · Su Ze: Don't worry about them for now. Strengthen our security and wait to see how things develop.]

[Private Chat · Xu Feng: Understood.]

Closing the chat with Xu Feng, Su Ze's gaze turned deep.

The former scenario would be quite normal.

But if it's the latter...

A faction capable of integrating an entire hundred-story skyscraper and tens of thousands of players—its leader's methods and strength definitely shouldn't be underestimated.

This would be a potential threat.

Mainly, Su Ze wasn't sure what kind of strength the other party possessed.

Could they be like him, having triggered several hidden achievements and possessing strength far beyond normal players?

He still needed to be cautious.

Before he could think further, Wang Meng's avatar flashed frantically, and a stream of messages poured in impatiently.

[Private Chat · Wang Meng: Boss! I got it out of them! Those bastards confessed everything! They were tripping over each other to talk!]

[Private Chat · Wang Meng: The biggest faction on their side is called the 'Dragon Gang,' and the leader is Liao Long. He used to be a professional bodyguard captain. Word is his basic combat power was 42 at the start! That's two points higher than mine was! Plus, he's a martial artist—ruthless and cruel. He slaughtered his employer's entire family as soon as the game began!]

42 points?

Su Ze raised an eyebrow slightly.

He's certainly quite the character.

You have to realize that at the start of the Novice Period, Wang Meng's basic combat power of 40 was already a rare existence in the entire Jinghai University District.

This Liao Long not only has higher attributes but is also a martial artist with practical combat experience. He's definitely a troublesome opponent.

[Private Chat · Wang Meng: This guy Liao teamed up with a few other skilled bodyguards to form the core of the Dragon Gang.]

[Private Chat · Wang Meng: They've rounded up the elderly and children in the residential area and put them under guard. They call it 'protection,' but they're actually hostages used to force the players' families to risk their lives gathering supplies for them!]

[Private Chat · Wang Meng: Boss, those moles I caught were crying and begging me not to let it slip that they confessed. Otherwise, their families in the Dragon Gang's hands would be finished... What do you think about this...]

Su Ze looked at the message from Wang Meng, his face expressionless.

[Private Chat · Su Ze: Tell them if they want their families to live, they'd better be obedient from now on.]

[Private Chat · Su Ze: Have them continue passing information to Liao Long. Just follow what we discussed before: tell them Jinghai University is a disorganized mess, with several leaders fighting like dogs over territory. Make us sound like a soft target that'll crumble at a touch to lure them in.]

[Private Chat · Wang Meng: Alright, Boss! I'll get right on it! We'll make them double agents! Heh heh!]

Wang Meng's message oozed excitement; he clearly already had a plan.

Immediately after, he sent another message that piqued Su Ze's interest.

[Private Chat · Wang Meng: Oh, right, Boss, one more important piece of intel! The rules in their Taoyuan Residential Area are a bit different from ours!]

[Private Chat · Wang Meng: The houses there can hold more people! A regular apartment can house 9 people including the landlord, a small western-style building can hold 12, and the most awesome villas can hold 20!]

Twenty people?!

Su Ze's breath hitched for a moment.

One Dormitory, twenty tenants!

This meant that if he could secure a villa, his goddess bond system would undergo an unprecedented expansion!

He wouldn't have to worry about bed spaces ever again!

Of course, that's assuming there are enough suitable candidates; otherwise, extra beds are useless.

[Private Chat · Wang Meng: However, the better the house you live in, the more and stronger monsters you attract every night.]

[Private Chat · Wang Meng: Six groups over there were stubborn enough to stay in villas. Two groups were wiped out, and two others were so terrified they moved back to regular buildings overnight.]

[Private Chat · Wang Meng: Currently, the only ones still living in villas are the Dragon Gang and another family named Zhuang.]

Named Zhuang?

Su Ze raised an eyebrow.

This surname inevitably made him think of Zhuang Qianhao.

[Private Chat · Wang Meng: Oh right, speaking of the Zhuang family, they're in a pretty bad spot.]

[Private Chat · Wang Meng: Just two days ago, they were ambushed by the Dragon Gang. Their villa was seized, and the men stayed behind to cover the retreat of the women. Now they've all been captured by the Dragon Gang.]

[Private Chat · Wang Meng: Word is those fleeing Zhuang women have some special item that Liao Long is desperate to get his hands on. The Dragon Gang is searching everywhere for them now!]

Su Ze nodded thoughtfully and inquired.

[Private Chat · Su Ze: Did you find out the background of this Zhuang family?]

[Private Chat · Wang Meng: I haven't had a chance to ask in detail yet. Those moles didn't know much, just that it's a family, very united, and they seem to be quite skilled.]

[Private Chat · Su Ze: Find out as soon as possible.]

[Private Chat · Wang Meng: Understood!]

Ending the private chat, Su Ze looked toward the Taoyuan Residential Area.

If Zhuang Qianhao's family really is in trouble,

Just for the sake of his loyalty to me while he was alive, I can't just stand by and do nothing.

[Private Chat · Su Ze: Also, find out the truth about their residential area's Novice Period individual settlement, dormitory settlement, and regional rating.]

[Private Chat · Wang Meng: Boss, I was just about to mention that. It's really strange—for some reason, the players in the Taoyuan Residential Area didn't hear anything about settlements or ratings...]

Su Ze's brow furrowed immediately upon seeing this message.

No settlement?

No rating either?

How is that possible?

While he was thinking, a loud noise suddenly came from the direction of the Taoyuan Residential Area.

The roars of various zombies and the wails and screams of players drifted over...

Su Ze looked over there.

He saw that for some unknown reason, the zombies in the entire Taoyuan Residential Area had collectively awakened from their dormant state...

At that moment, the zombie tide in the entire residential area broke into a full-scale riot!