The three of them shuddered at the sound of Zuo Lin'an's voice, their eyes widening in sheer terror.
Yet, nothing happened for a long time.
Zuo Lin'an frowned. “Get out here, or else...”
The three gulped in unison and finally stood up to walk out.
“Little brother... No, wait!”
“Big brother! Um... we... we...”
Zuo Lin'an had neither the mood nor the time to waste on nonsense.
He pointed to the other backpacks lying on the side. “Take the backpacks and follow us. If anyone tries to run, don't blame me for being ruthless.”
“Yes, yes! Of course!”
Seeing that the duo indeed had no immediate intention of attacking them, the three limped out unevenly on their injured legs and quickly grabbed the backpacks.
Each of them took at least four, scrambling and shoving in their eagerness to please.
“Alright, hurry up!”
Only then did the three stop bickering and quickly pack up.
The group of five made their way downstairs.
As they passed certain floors, a thick, heavy stench of blood filled their noses. Zuo Lin'an and Xu Youyou looked perfectly calm, as if they noticed nothing at all.
But the other three...
Back in the outside world, they were all murderers who had seen plenty of blood.
In fact, they had killed quite a few!
How could they not recognize that smell?
So... these two could actually kill people inside Sin Hunter City?
They only knew about the rule that prohibited killing within Sin Hunter City. But now, two people who could kill had appeared. What did this mean?
Had they stumbled upon some terrifying secret?
Realizing this, they didn't dare let any strange expression show on their faces, terrified that these two would execute them on the spot to keep them quiet.
Xu Youyou walked in front with the map, while Zuo Lin'an brought up the rear.
They sandwiched the three prisoners between them.
According to Xu Youyou's estimates, at their current pace, it would take about two hours to reach the nearest criminal settlement.
The main reason was that the three prisoners sandwiched between them walked far too slowly.
Xu Youyou glanced at their limping legs.
Though he was the one who had broken their legs, it was a necessary precaution to keep them from running.
He retracted his gaze and scanned their surroundings.
Although they had gone out once last night, they had been focused on searching for food and hadn't observed the area closely.
Looking at it now, this residential area was quite large; it took them over half an hour just to make their way out of it.
The group climbed over a collapsed perimeter wall, officially leaving the residential area, and continued marching in a set direction.
Time ticked away until it was almost seven in the morning.
Zuo Lin'an surveyed the environment. They were in a wasteland, surrounded by weeds that grew taller than a person, a clear sign that no one had set foot here in a very long time.
He stopped walking. “You three must be tired. Let's take a break and rest for a bit.”
Though his words were directed at the three prisoners, they were actually meant for Xu Youyou.
It was time. He needed to stop, kill someone, and then resume their journey.
The three prisoners sandwiched in the middle instantly felt a cold shiver run from the soles of their feet straight to the crowns of their heads.
Rest?
How was this a rest?
This was clearly a prelude to taking one of their lives!
“No, no, no! We don't need to rest!”
“Yeah, exactly! Let's keep going. We still have plenty of energy!”
Zuo Lin'an replied coldly, “I wasn't asking for your opinion.”
He pointed randomly at one of them. “Put down your backpack and come with me.”
The chosen man froze, his face filling with disbelief. “Huh?!”
“Me?!”
“No! I'm not going! I'll just rest right here!”
Zuo Lin'an didn't force the issue. “You don't want to? Fine, I'll pick someone else.”
At those words, the other two felt their scalps tingle with fear. Before Zuo Lin'an could even choose again, they shoved the first man forward.
“Just go when you're told! What are you whining about?”
“Hurry up and go! I'm warning you, don't drag us down with you, or I'll make you pay!”
“Get lost! Move it!”
“No way! I'm not going! If you want to go so badly, go yourself!”
The three of them began brawling right then and there, throwing punches and kicks.
In the end, the man chosen by Zuo Lin'an was overwhelmed by the other two and successfully shoved out of their huddle.
After all, if he didn't go, Zuo Lin'an would pick one of them!
Yet, the man was incredibly stubborn. Even after being pushed out, he crawled right back, desperately clinging to the other two despite the blows raining down on him. He refused to let go no matter what.
While the three were locked in a stalemate, Xu Youyou walked over and delivered a sharp slap to the stubborn man's head, leaving him dazed and disoriented.
The other two wasted no time in dragging the dazed man and tossing him right in front of Zuo Lin'an.
Zuo Lin'an glanced at him, grabbed his arm, and dragged him away.
He walked some distance into the tall weeds. The overgrown grass was so high that they vanished from sight after only a few steps.
In truth, he could have easily done the deed right in front of the other two.
However, they still had over an hour of walking ahead of them. If the remaining two were pushed to the brink and decided to fight to the death, it would be a hassle to deal with.
It was better to go a bit farther. Even if they suspected what was happening, it allowed them to stay in denial for a little longer—at least until they reached a criminal settlement.
Zuo Lin'an worked quickly. To prevent the man from screaming, he stuffed a handful of dirt into his mouth.
About five or six minutes later, Zuo Lin'an returned. He had a few flecks of blood on him, but fortunately, they weren't very noticeable.
“Let's go.”
Seeing this, Xu Youyou continued leading the way.
As for the remaining two...
Zuo Lin'an noticed how terrified they were, their legs moving at a snail's pace. He suddenly spoke up,
“I suggest you pick up the pace.”
“If we don't find other people in Sin Hunter City by the next time my hands get itchy, I'll have to choose one of you.”
“Of course, if we do find others, you'll be free.”
The two men's eyes lit up at his words!
To them, being "free" meant they would be let go!
“Yes! Of course, we'll walk faster...”
Ignoring their broken, limping legs, they sprinted forward as fast as they could, nearly overtaking Xu Youyou.
Of course, it was only "nearly." They didn't actually dare to pass him.
But Xu Youyou was glad for the increased pace and deliberately quickened his steps.
The group of four rushed along, finally reaching their destination just before eight o'clock.
Standing on a high slope, they could see several people sitting near a dilapidated shack in the distance, seemingly chatting.
They wore familiar prison uniforms. Though clean, the clothes were noticeably faded, showing that they had been worn for a very long time.
It made sense. In Sin Hunter City, the only clothing available was the prison uniform. Every criminal was given a few new sets before being sent in.
Unless, of course, they made their own thread from plants and wove their own clothes.
Rate on N.U.
