Some people recovered, looked at Lin Yuan, and swallowed a few mouthfuls of saliva before cautiously saying, "Is this okay?"
"Your life is saved, but the debt isn't paid yet. Xueqin, it's your turn. It's up to you to decide what to do."
As he gave up his position, Lin Yuan secretly glanced at her expression. She was starting to smile.
It was indeed a joyous thing to watch one's enemy suffer and die before their own eyes.
Lin Yuan didn't feel he had done anything wrong. Some people were just inherently evil, rotten to the core. While they might not have committed the grave crime of murder, their actions were a thousand times more detestable.
Such people deserved to die.
Lin Yuan still felt it wasn't satisfying enough, but thankfully, the wronged party was happy.
Cao Xueqin hummed and walked forward. Looking at the faces that haunted her dreams countless times, her hands clenched tightly.
"Slap!" A heavy slap landed on a boy's face. Before he could react, another crippling kick struck its target precisely.
From several meters away, Lin Yuan could hear the sound of shattering testicles. That kick had probably sent the offending parts right back inside.
It was an instant castration, skipping the process and making him a eunuch in one step.
This heavy blow sent a chill from the soles of the feet to the tops of the heads of all the men present. Their lower halves felt icy cold.
However, one person wouldn't suffice to vent her anger. Revenge must be complete, and everyone who had hurt her must suffer the same pain.
Soon, the field was filled only with the sounds of punches and kicks, and the glint of blades slicing through skin.
Among the remaining fourteen people, only one girl had not been avenged by Jiang Ziqi, as she had not participated in the incident at the time.
"Brother Zeng, Captain Lin, I'm done."
Lin Yuan's brow twitched as he looked at the boys lying on the ground clutching their groins, and the girls covering their faces.
"Didn't they say tenfold payback? Why is it just an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth?"
But it was her own decision, and Lin Yuan wouldn't say anything. He looked at the remaining girl and asked, "Xueqin, didn't you say the two of them didn't lay a hand on you? Where's the other one?"
Before Cao Xueqin could answer, the girl spoke first, "Lin'er never bullied Xueqin. We were both forced by Tang Qi!"
Huh?
Lin Yuan turned his head in confusion to look at Cao Xueqin.
Cao Xueqin's eyes were also complex. After looking at her for a moment, she slowly nodded, "Yes, they were forced, due to family reasons."
"I understand," Lin Yuan finally realized. Then he continued, "Besides those who were used as cannon fodder, how many people are left in those three houses?"
"There are still 4 girls, all of them... all of them were forced to sleep with Tang Qi."
"Hmm... Xueqin, do you have something you want to say to her?"
"No, there's nothing to say. Captain Lin, you decide. I want to rest for a while," Cao Xueqin's eyes flickered before dimming.
Well, the problem has been tossed to us.
"Mengyue, Ziqi, keep an eye on them. Brother Zeng and I will discuss it for a few minutes."
"Okay."
Walking a few steps further with Zeng Yilong, Zeng Yilong spoke first, "How should we deal with these people? Xueqin has had her revenge, should we let them go?"
"After what happened, they'll be in disarray. Those who bullied Sister Xueqin, don't give them weapons, let them go.
As for the cannon fodder, find out their situation, give them some guns, and distribute some of this group's weapons to them.
Then, give the rifles to those innocent or coerced individuals Xueqin mentioned.
This way, they will split into three factions, and let them sort it out amongst themselves."
"You mean let them fight amongst themselves?"
"Not necessarily. Smart people will find a way to distance themselves from this place and look for safer locations to establish settlements. Perhaps they'll go their separate ways as soon as they get their weapons.
Or perhaps they'll go on a killing spree to hoard resources. If more people die, more blood will be shed. Once the zombies arrive, they'll still flee this place.
So, as long as we erase our tracks and set up a few booby traps on the road, we'll never be found, unless heaven itself is on their side."
"This is good. Punish the ringleaders, exile the accomplices, and absolve the innocent. It also prevents the team members from saying we are bloodthirsty."
Lin Yuan didn't agree with his viewpoint: "Actually, if it were someone from my team seeking revenge, all of these people would die. I wouldn't spare the innocent either. I'd disarm them and incorporate them into the team, have them do laundry and farm. Otherwise, they'd remain a threat.
This matter concerns your team, Brother Zeng, and Sister Xueqin doesn't want to kill any more people. As for the consequences, think it through. This method is already the best. If you feel it's not right, steel yourself.
We are only here to help, just offering suggestions."
Zeng Yilong hadn't expected Lin Yuan to say that, but upon closer consideration, Lin Yuan had a point.
Time was of the essence, and after a brief moment of hesitation, Zeng Yilong made up his mind. "Let's proceed as you suggested. Our team will bear the consequences."
Since the main party agreed, Lin Yuan didn't say more. He picked up the seven rifles that had just been captured, unloaded the bullets, and only gave them the empty guns. He told Wu Tian to put the bullets into the clothes of the girl Cao Xueqin had spared, one by one.
"Brother Zeng, go and distribute guns to the cannon fodder over there. Give them two rifles. Tell them to stay far away, find a ravine to farm, and wait for rescue."
Then he turned to the girl and said, "You heard what I said. After you get the gun, stay far away. Don't come near this area again. Find a place to live quietly, wait for national rescue, and keep your mouth shut.
I don't care about whatever past you have with her. But if you're reckless enough to rush towards us, I guarantee you'll be shattered into pieces, a piece here, a piece there. Oh, and perhaps your head will be blown onto a branch, and after it turns to bone, it can be used as a bird's nest. What do you say?"
As he said this, Lin Yuan leaned in and smiled, "What do you say?"
The girl was clearly terrified, her hand holding the empty gun trembling uncontrollably. Tears and snot streamed down her face.
Seeing that he had scared her enough, Lin Yuan stopped playing the villain.
"Alright, take the gun and leave quickly," Lin Yuan waved his hand, urging her to disappear from his sight.
The girl looked as if she had been granted a great amnesty. She bowed several times, slung the gun over her shoulder, and fled as if pursued. She didn't even look back at the remaining people.
Zeng Yilong also returned, giving an "ok" gesture, signaling that it was done.
"Let's go. Our business here is done, we're going home!" Zeng Yilong patted Cao Xueqin, who was still in a daze, and said with a smile.
"Yes, home!"
The group, which had arrived in a grand procession, departed with equal swagger.
It was Wu Tian who sighed all the way. Her bow hadn't been used much!
Next time, she had to find a place with plenty of zombies to practice her archery skills!
As for the thirteen people still standing dumbfounded at the scene, who cared about them?
They deserved to die!