Xu Du was likely targeting the large trucks behind Shang Qi and his group; for him, they represented a rich source of supplies. He absolutely would not allow Shang Qi and his group to pass. He wanted them, the trucks, and the supplies.
If they were willing to submit to him, their lives would be spared.
If they refused to submit, they would be killed and made into jerky. Coincidentally, their meat reserves were running low and they needed new provisions.
Xu Du pulled over a chair, sat down, crossed his legs, and lit a cigarette, looking at Shang Qi. "It's not impossible for you to pass, it just depends on how you play it. If you're wise enough to know what's good for you, hand over your goods, satisfy me, and I'll let you through immediately."
"If you're unwilling to pay this 'toll', then you won't be going anywhere."
With his words laid bare, Xu Du's demands were clear.
This tactic had always worked for Xu Du, he had never failed, and he was extremely confident in it. This time, facing Shang Qi and his group, he was also very confident! To Xu Du, no matter which option Shang Qi's group chose, they were doomed.
Shang Qi held Su Ling's Tang saber and looked up at Xu Du, "What if I don't do as you say?"
After the apocalypse, Xu Du and his followers occupied the prison area as their base. They were no strangers to survivors who refused to comply or listen. Therefore, Shang Qi's words were entirely within Xu Du's expectations.
Xu Du flicked ash from his cigarette and, from his elevated position, looked down at Shang Qi. "If you don't do as I say, then I won't let you pass. If you try to force your way through, my men will see you through to the end, slaughtering you and your people until you are utterly defeated, with no chance to regret it."
Shang Qi was a man, but a handsome one. His group, having lived well with Su Ling, were all well-fed and showed none of the destitution and misery of apocalypse survivors. Their physique and demeanor were all top-notch, making them a pleasure to behold just standing there.
As for Xu Du, he was attracted to both men and women. The moment he saw Shang Qi, he was already coveting him. Now, hearing Shang Qi's words, Xu Du chuckled, unsure if it was the allure of beauty or reluctance to see Shang Qi perish in the upcoming fight, but he kindly reminded Shang Qi, "Do you know how many people came before you, how many wanted me to let them pass, and how many lost their lives here, losing both their wives and their soldiers?"
Without waiting for Shang Qi to answer, Xu Du continued on his own. "You're new here, so I won't blame you for being arrogant and not putting me in your eyes. I'll show you something. After you see it, you'll know what choice to make, unless you're foolish."
After speaking, Xu Du held the cigarette in his mouth and clapped his hands. Not long after the sound of his clapping died down, Shang Qi's group saw Xu Du's men carry a pile of meat and place it next to Xu Du.
Xu Du looked at the meat on the rack, stood up, and pointed to the pile of meat, asking Shang Qi, "Do you know what this is?"
Shang Qi certainly knew what it was. As a survivor who had lived in the apocalypse with Su Ling for five years, he had seen too many hellish scenes. The moment Xu Du's men brought out that pile of meat, he knew what Xu Du and his kind had been doing while occupying the city. People like Xu Du could not be allowed to live. At this moment, Shang Qi had already developed a killing intent towards Xu Du.
"I know," Shang Qi said, looking at the high-and-mighty Xu Du. Though he was in a lower position, Shang Qi's aura was powerful, exuding a strong deterrent force that made Xu Du uneasy. "Human flesh."
Xu Du had initially assumed Shang Qi wouldn't know. Knowing that Shang Qi did know, Xu Du was too lazy to waste any more words. "Since you know, then obediently pay the toll. Otherwise, I'll make you one of them."