Convoy Rules

They had traveled all the way from the Zhenning County expressway entrance to the Yunjin Expressway Service Area.

After a head count, the group that had originally numbered over a thousand was now down to fewer than a thousand.

Those geniuses riding bicycles could no longer keep up.

The torrential rain that had felt like an opening ceremony had also caused accidents involving more than a dozen vehicles, leaving them stranded halfway.

Even if some people were lucky enough to catch up later, there would not be many of them.

Liu Chuan checked their surroundings and sensed no sinister presence within five kilometers.

That meant they could at least be certain they were safe for now.

Everyone could rest at the service area first. Once they reached Guangming Town, they could replenish their supplies.

Food and gasoline would be their top priorities.

Water was not a concern.

With the rain, they had no shortage of water.

Lin Yi filled several bottles with water and checked the service area while he was at it.

Unfortunately, there were no supplies left here.

With so many convoys passing through, it seemed only natural that the place had been picked clean.

"Lin Yi!"

Liu Chuan had finished preparing the instant noodles and called out to Lin Yi, motioning for him to come over and eat.

Eating instant noodles all the time was bad for their health, but having anything to eat was already a blessing.

Many people at the service area had nothing to eat and were staring at them with bloodshot eyes.

"We need to discuss the convoy rules."

Since becoming the leader, Liu Chuan had begun to carry himself with greater confidence.

At least his former timidity was gone, replaced by a certain ruthlessness and an ability to take charge.

"Have something in mind?"

Lin Yi picked up a tub of instant noodles, not caring that it was the aged pickled mustard flavor.

"A few things. In any case, we have to lay these rules out clearly, or the group will be hard to lead."

Liu Chuan pondered for a moment. "First, rule one: self-reliance! Everyone has to find their own supplies. If you're capable, you eat your fill. If you're not, you go hungry!"

That was the first rule he had thought of.

The apocalypse was here. No one was born obligated to be kind to anyone else, much less give away their supplies.

The Survival Rules Convoy would lead everyone onward.

Even if hope was slim, they would keep finding ways to move forward.

As for the convoy members' ability to survive, that would be up to the members themselves.

Liu Chuan and the others would only be responsible for leading the convoy and scouting.

Anyone who wanted to follow could keep following. Anyone who did not was free to leave the group.

There was no shortage of convoys on the streets now, and some were even seeking more people to join without any conditions.

Liu Chuan welcomed others to join, but he would not stop anyone who wanted to leave.

"That's a good rule. It'll help them face reality."

Lin Yi nodded with a smile. "I'm guessing that's not the only rule you came up with?"

"The second is personal value. Sequence Transcendents will have a greater say in the convoy and more choice of supplies, but they'll also have to demonstrate the abilities that justify that influence."

Liu Chuan spoke slowly. "We can't let someone like Da Mei slip through again. Everyone has secrets, and naturally, no one wants theirs exposed. So we need to know in advance what the people around us are really capable of."

That was the second rule he had come up with after what had happened with Da Mei.

It was also a rule aimed at Sequence Transcendents.

Even as the leader, he had secrets he did not want others to know.

To be honest, back in Zhenning County Town, he had considered killing her too.

But as a human being, he still could not bring himself to kill another person as ruthlessly as Lin Yi had.

Fortunately, the convoy had two combatants who had killed before, Lin Yi and Xu Xiaohan. Otherwise, he really would have faced an agonizing choice later.

"Managing risks. We definitely need that rule."

Lin Yi glanced at the figures inside the service area building and smiled. "Some of them might already have supernatural abilities but have no intention of revealing them."

Thinking of Da Mei's [Secret-Seer] sequence sent another chill through Lin Yi.

After all, he did not know what conditions triggered that sequence.

Even though she had barely had any contact with Da Mei.

Da Mei had still learned her secret. That was the deadliest part.

Even now, Lin Yi remained on his guard.

He had never fully trusted Liu Chuan or Xu Xiaohan. To him, they had only come together for now to improve their chances of survival.

Lin Yi needed Liu Chuan to lead the way, while Liu Chuan needed Lin Yi and Xu Xiaohan's protection.

It was essentially a cooperative alliance.

"The third rule is fair cooperation!"

Liu Chuan took a deep breath and smiled. "This one is mainly for people like us. When we get supplies, we'll pool them and divide them fairly, making sure everyone gets something suitable."

Lin Yi had no objections to that either.

For people like them, distributing supplies fairly offered more benefits.

Lin Yi liked smoking and drinking, so the others could trade cigarettes and alcohol to him for supplies.

Once the three convoy rules were settled, Liu Chuan announced them, making sure everyone knew the convoy's rules.

From then on, they would have to abide by those three rules.

Some people in the convoy complained, while others accepted them.

No matter how they looked at them, the three rules were fairly reasonable.

Everyone understood.

From now on, they would have to rely on themselves.

"My husband is dead. It's just me and my child now. How are we supposed to survive?"

"Don't worry. You and the child can stay in the car from now on. I'll bring supplies back. I promise!"

"Sob... can someone help me? I'm just a girl. I really can't get that many supplies on my own. Does anyone want to work together?"

"So what if you're a girl? This is real gender equality now. If you want supplies, get them yourself."

"..."

At that moment, the atmosphere inside the service area changed.

Of course.

Some people chose to leave.

After all, in their view, they had plenty of options now that they had left Zhenning County.

And with so many convoys out there, they did not have to stay with the Survival Rules Convoy.

Those people believed these rules were unfair.

Once everyone had rested enough, Liu Chuan sent word that they would head to Guangming Town next to search for supplies.

They would stay in Guangming Town for one hour.

After that hour, everyone had to withdraw from Guangming Town, no matter who they were.

If anyone ran over the allotted time, the convoy would not risk waiting.

Liu Chuan had worked out the timing. They had to reach the next service area and settle in before dark.

The convoy would rest for another half hour before leaving.

Lin Yi glanced at the countdown on his body, a grave look entering his eyes.

His physical enhancement was about to end.

As the countdown ended, Lin Yi's body quietly began to change...