In the afternoon, Siege City was as unchanged as ever.

"Young Master, you're back early today."

The squad leader at the city gate spoke with a hint of respect. For the past half month, Zhou Zheng had always left early and returned late. Coming back in the afternoon like today was a first. Everyone in the city knew Zhou Zheng was stationed at the checkpoint, guarding it.

In this New World of the Apocalypse, the strong were always the most respected, followed by those who contributed to the settlement.

Zhou Zheng wasn't considered strong, but he had contributed to the settlement, earning people's respect.

"I caught some prey today and wanted to bring it back early for my father to try."

Zhou Zheng replied with a smile. After all, he was from before the Apocalypse, just an ordinary guy without the awareness of being a leader's son, so his demeanor always gave off a sense of equality. The power dynamics in the Apocalypse were just beginning to emerge, but it was foreseeable that they would eventually sweep the globe as the world order collapsed.

To become the squad leader at the city gate, one's strength was unquestionable, at least at the level of a Third-Stage Martial Artist.

Li Yuhang, the squad leader, was someone Zhou Zheng knew. Of medium build, his face wasn't old but was full of the vicissitudes of life. In two years of the Apocalypse, who hadn't struggled through fear and despair? To have trained to a Third-Stage Martial Artist amidst the onslaught of Toxic Corpses and Mutant Beasts was truly remarkable.

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Zhou Zheng turned and said, "Zhou An, give Captain Li a few Gray-Shadow Venom Serpents to try."

Zhou An, carrying a cloth bag, opened it and selected three slightly larger Gray-Shadow Venom Serpents, tying them with a string.

Li Yuhang didn't decline, taking them with a smile and saying, "Thank you, Young Master." When he saw that all three Gray-Shadow Venom Serpents had their heads blown off with a single shot, even as a Third-Stage Martial Artist, he was somewhat astonished. He knew how troublesome the Gray-Shadow Venom Serpent was, and how nearly impossible it was to hit, let alone hit its head.

Lan Xi, a bit smug, said, "Captain Li, surprised? The Young Master's marksmanship is impeccable, an absolute sharpshooter."

Just moments ago, he was wondering if Zhou An or Lan Xi had taken over the task. Hearing Lan Xi's explanation, Li Yuhang couldn't help but be surprised.

He knew Zhou Zheng's marksmanship was average, so how could it be this impressive?

"Lan Xi, let's head back!"

Zhou Zheng just smiled faintly, ignoring Li Yuhang's astonished expression, offering no further explanation, and walked into the city. The more you explain, the more it invites doubt. Zhou Zheng had no intention of showing off, so why bother explaining?

...

Entering the city, they headed towards the hillside.

A large number of houses had been built along the way, in all sorts of strange designs due to the lack of building materials.

The afternoon sun was scorching, and few people wanted to wander the streets of Siege City. Most either hid indoors to escape the heat or gathered in small groups under tree roots to chat. Some women busied themselves with mending clothes.

Life in Siege City was tough. By Zhou Zheng's estimation, it was at the level of the 1980s.

"Lan Xi, give Auntie Lü some snake meat."

Auntie Lü, skinny as a rake, was only around fifty years old and lived with a grandchild, relying on city aid to get by. Without an adult male, meat was almost a fantasy.

Since today's haul was more than enough, why not give some to these unfortunate people?

Not everyone liked snake meat, but in the Apocalypse, it was overlooked. Any meat was a delicacy, so who would be picky?

"Here you go, this is prey the Young Master personally caught."

Amid Auntie Lü's profuse thanks, Zhou Zheng continued forward.

By the time they returned to the courtyard, most of the snake meat in the bag had been given away, leaving just enough for a pot of snake stew. Zhou Zheng instructed the servants to prepare the stew, then went upstairs to take a cold shower and change clothes before returning to his room to reflect on the day's gains and losses.

By evening, a pot of snake stew was served on the dining table.

Zhou Hongqiang glanced at Zhou Zheng and said in a slightly flat tone, "It's best to do less of these dangerous things." His words carried more concern than blame. To outsiders, he was a stern leader, deciding life and death at a whim, but in Zhou Zheng's memory, he was a loving father.

"I understand, Father!"

"Let's eat."

The meat of the Gray-Shadow Venom Serpent was indeed delicious. The aroma alone was mouthwatering, and the taste was even better. Even Zhou Zheng was surprised by the snake meat. If you weren't told, you might not even realize it was snake meat, with its tender texture being a highlight.

After the father and son finished eating, the servants cleared the dishes and served tea.

Sipping tea, Zhou Hongqiang said, "Did you shoot all those Gray-Shadow Venom Serpents?"

"Yes."

"Not bad marksmanship. No wonder people outside are calling you a sharpshooter." Zhou Hongqiang chuckled. He might have had a hand in spreading this reputation. Since Zhou Zheng couldn't advance further as a martial artist, being a sharpshooter wasn't a bad thing.

...

The next day.

"Have you heard? Young Master Zhou's marksmanship has reached the level of hitting a target from a hundred paces."

"It's true. Even the troublesome Gray-Shadow Venom Serpent was shot in the head by the Young Master. You wouldn't believe it, but yesterday the Young Master was giving away snake meat everywhere, and each one had its head blown off by a bullet. It's impressive."

"I wonder how he compares to Instructor Yan. Who's the real sharpshooter?"

"Of course, it's Young Master Zhou."

"I bet it's Instructor Yan."

Hearing such discussions along the way, Zhou Zheng couldn't help but smile wryly, while Zhou An and Lan Xi were feeling proud. Who wouldn't want their master to be more accomplished?

Passing by the training ground, the sound of "one, two, three" echoed.

Yan Boxun stood on the training ground with a stern face, glaring at the trainees below, making everyone nervous. It was clear to see that Instructor Yan was in a foul mood today, and it was best to be serious and cautious to avoid trouble.

Catching Zhou Zheng passing by with his guards out of the corner of his eye, Yan Boxun's face finally showed a rare smile.

Ignoring the soldiers practicing with their guns below, Yan Boxun walked over to Zhou Zheng.

With a series of genius accolades, Yan Boxun had developed an arrogant personality. He was not only a genius in training, just a step away from advancing to a Third-Stage Martial Artist, but also had an amazing talent for marksmanship, being known as the sharpshooter of Siege City, without equal.

But today, rumors spread in Siege City that Zhou Zheng, this "waste," was a sharpshooter, even better than him. How could Yan Boxun, who always looked down on Zhou Zheng, accept this? Excluding the identity of being the leader's son, in Yan Boxun's eyes, Zhou Zheng was nothing. How could he compare to him, a genius?

The reasoning was a bit forced, but Yan Boxun was stuck in his own stubbornness.

"Zhou Zheng, stop right there."

Yan Boxun blocked Zhou Zheng's path, rudely stopping him.

Lan Xi raised an eyebrow, "Yan Boxun, what do you want?"

"It's none of your business." Yan Boxun didn't even look at Lan Xi. To him, a mere guard was nothing.

Zhou Zheng stopped and looked at Yan Boxun, calmly asking, "Instructor Yan, is there something you need?"

"I heard your marksmanship is good. I just want to see for myself." Yan Boxun said directly, looking at Zhou Zheng provocatively, "You waste, do you accept my challenge? Haha, I bet you don't dare. I just don't understand how people in Siege City are spreading stories of you being a sharpshooter."

Seeing Yan Boxun's disdainful face, Zhou An said coldly, "You are not allowed to insult the Young Master like that."

Yan Boxun turned his gaze to Zhou Zheng, taunting, "What, don't dare to accept? I'm starting to doubt if the prey you supposedly caught was actually shot by your guards."

"Heh!" Zhou Zheng laughed, calmly saying, "Instructor Yan, how do you propose we compete?"