[edited]

Jiang Ning’s words instantly triggered the leader, who became enraged and raised his gun to shoot.

In this critical moment, He Zhian rushed out to intervene. “Don’t make any rash moves; everything can be discussed.”

Turning around, he tried to persuade Jiang Ning, “Little Jiang, I know you’re capable, but a wise man doesn’t fight when the odds are against him, especially in these different times. You guys don’t lack this bit of grain; staying alive is the most important thing. Please don’t take your lives lightly.

If you trust me, I’ll negotiate on your behalf, try to reduce the amount of grain you have to give. Are you okay with that?”

Jiang Ning looked at him, “You’re putting in so much effort, how much grain are they giving you?”

“What did you say?” He Zhian was momentarily stunned, then angry. “Little Jiang, I almost lost my life trying to negotiate lower grain quotas for the building, and you guys actually suspect me like this?”

“You’re wearing such thick clothes, yet you’re covered in blood. Are you sure it’s not chicken blood or red potion?”

The survivors were stunned. They all looked at He Zhian with a mix of complex emotions, including anger.

“You, you’re simply slandering people and talking nonsense. I’ve always been upright and honest, and I was never involved in any shady dealings.”

“Daring to claim you’re upright, yet didn’t you take half of the grain traded back from Yu Qingqing and then feed it to the dogs?”

“Woof!”

Coke vehemently protested, don’t insult the dogs!

He Zhian was furious, stomping his feet. “Fine, fine, since you all think like this of me, I won’t do it anymore. You can do whatever you want!”

With that, he stepped aside.

But then, the survivors surrounded him.

It was like waking up from a dream for them. While other buildings only had to give three pounds, the 1st floor was asked for six pounds. It turned out that He Zhian was playing them like fools, colluding with the collectors of protection grain!

Never had they thought that she would be so troublesome. The leader was burning with anger. “You bitch, open the door. I’ll blow your head off.”

As if anyone was afraid of him.

The door opened, a gun menacingly aimed at Jiang Ning’s chest, while another gun was pointed at the others from the 18th floor. “Don’t move, raise your hands!”

Hearing that the 18th floor also had guns, they had to strike first.

Jiang Ning stared at the leader. These people were wearing face masks, only their eyes were visible, which made them unrecognizable.

Even if they were surrounded by the police, as long as they took off their masks, hid in residential buildings, they would be unidentifiable.

She didn’t resist and moved her Tang sword away and then flashed him a sinister smile.

The leader was momentarily dazzled, and he lost his focus.

Jiang Ning suddenly pulled out a dagger from her pocket and stabbed the leader several times in quick succession.

Her movements were swift, like lightning.

As blood flowed, the leader kept pulling the trigger.

Jiang Ning slashed at his neck. “Are you getting addicted to playing?” 

Even if the guns were real, she wasn’t afraid. She was wearing stab-proof and bullet-proof clothing.

At the same time, Zhang Weili charged in and aimed at another person, landing a heavy blow with her iron fist.

The person was sent flying, spitting out a row of teeth and blood.

The gun fell to the ground, and she smashed it under her foot.

The sudden turn of events shocked the survivors. The two girls were so formidable. Not only were the survivors astonished, but even the remaining three collectors of protection grain were scared witless.

It took them a while to regain their senses before they swung their clubs at them.

Taking advantage of his height, Huo Yishen cleanly snapped their necks.

Ah ah ah!!!

The survivors almost dropped dead on the spot. The 18th floor was killing people again!

They had been so arrogant and overbearing just now, bullying and dominating the survivors to give the protection grain. But from beginning to end, it hadn’t even been five minutes, and they were all sent to meet their maker.

Everyone was horrified. The 18th floor was really not to be trifled with. They were scarier than the underworld forces.

However, Jiang Ning had no intention of stopping. She walked towards He Zhian with the knife in her hand.

He Zhian trembled in fear, “J-Jiang, you… you’re killing people, it’s… it’s illegal!”

“Oh, so you know what’s illegal,” Jiang Ning replied with a smirk, her eyes icy cold. “But what about you? Going out with Yu Qingqing and the others and then exchanging them with grains. You are also colluding with the collectors of protection grain. Isn’t that breaking the law?”

“No, it’s a misunderstanding.”

“Is that so? Then why don’t we open your door and see how much supplies you have inside?”

He Zhian wanted to argue, but Jiang Ning didn’t have the patience to listen. She stabbed him in the shoulder with the knife.

A piercing scream filled the air.

She didn’t stab his heart but his shoulder. “Do you think you have nine lives? Always plotting against the 18th floor. What gives you the confidence to think we wouldn’t dare take your life?”

After saying that, she grabbed his collar and forcefully pushed him out of the window.

Now, it is freezing cold and there’s no flood.

Falling from the 16th floor would be fatal.

“Ahhhh…”

He Zhian’s wife screamed in horror, rushing up the stairs in a panic, yelling at Jiang Ning, “You’re crazy! How dare you kill someone? I’ll call the police and have you arrested, you animals!”

“Fine, let them handle it. Let them see how your husband colluded with black forces for personal gain.”

“If you’re so righteous, why don’t you stop him when he’s committing crimes?”

Since she dared to kill He Zhian, she didn’t want to leave any potential threats behind. “Instead of crying here, you’d better keep an eye on the blood-stained supplies at home, eat less if you have to.”

He Zhian’s wife’s face turned pale, while the survivors looked at her with envy.

That’s right, He Zhian wasn’t a decent person. All the supplies in his house were looted from them.

Not wanting to see these greedy and cowardly people anymore, Jiang Ning turned and left.

In the crowd, someone shouted, “If you kill them, won’t we face retaliation later? What should we do?”

Indeed, they didn’t want to end up like the unfortunate ones in buildings 15 and 16.

Instead of being grateful for Jiang Ning and the others’ actions, they complained continuously.

“Was it He Zhian who gave you the courage, or did you find the collectors of protection grain easier to negotiate with?”

Jiang Ning scanned them with a cold gaze. “Have your brains frozen as well? If anyone doesn’t want to live, they can come forward. I can accommodate you.”

With that said, she turned and went upstairs.

Just as she returned to the 18th floor, she heard piercing screams and angry curses from downstairs.

Jiang Ning was considering on going back to her room when she noticed Coke dragging a bag excitedly upstairs.

Zhang Chao and Lu Yu were no exception. They were carrying bags of rice and weapons, looking as if they had hit the jackpot, with grins stretching from ear to ear.

That’s right, they didn’t have a chance to join the fray, so they followed the survivors to plunder He Zhian’s house, and indeed, they found a lot of supplies there.

Coke dragged a bag of five kilograms of flour to her. “This is its newly surrendered supplies, Miss.”

Everyone couldn’t help but laugh or cry. In the end, they divided the rice and flour evenly, even including the Zhong family.

Furthermore, the 18th floor returned the Zhong grandmother’s heirloom bracelet.

They didn’t want the habit of mooching off the 18th floor to develop on the 17th floor. That’s why they exchanged valuable items when borrowing things from them.

From the beginning, the 18th floor never intended to keep anything for real. As long as they showed sincerity, things could be returned.

In today’s battle, the Zhong family didn’t help, but their attitude spoke volumes.

As for the other two families, heh…