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Chapter 51
Hershel wore work overalls suitable for farming, his face ruddy. He watched the convoy on the distant highway, brows furrowed tightly.
The convoy rumbled past. He could see several cargo trucks in the convoy's center, the lead truck sporting a vicious ramming attachment.
Numerous pickups surrounded them, windows rolled down to reveal warriors at the ready inside. Each held weapons, watching with predatory intensity.
Hershel's heart tensed. His hands gripping the shovel sweated slightly. He didn't make any rash moves, just stood in place, praying the convoy would pass by peacefully.
Maggie and Beth, his two daughters, stood beside him, bodies tense as they watched the convoy.
The convoy quickly disappeared from view. Hershel released a breath, raised his hand to wipe his forehead, and discovered it was covered in sweat beads.
"Dad." Maggie turned to look at Hershel. "They won't come back, will they?"
Hershel opened his mouth, wanting to assure her they wouldn't return, to comfort Maggie—but they all knew that wasn't realistic.
So Hershel didn't answer. He just walked toward the house, tossing a line to Otis.
"Get your hunting rifle ready."
Returning to his room, Hershel rummaged through drawers and boxes until he found a silver handgun. A flash of sharpness crossed his aged face.
...
After passing Hershel's farm, they were very close to Black Pine Valley.
Within a few dozen minutes, the convoy arrived at Buffalo Pass.
The originally open entrance to Buffalo Pass had been blocked by several thick abandoned vehicles.
There weren't many vehicles—just barely enough to block the entrance. There were even small gaps that walkers could enter through.
Several people stood atop the vehicles.
The leader was a slovenly thug wearing a cowboy hat, thin-framed with a vicious-looking face.
Caesar remembered him. His name was Teddy, one of Old Man Leon's underlings with a terrible reputation in Black Pine Valley.
He was addicted to gambling and alcohol, often robbing others on the streets. After being caught in a sting operation in the valley, he'd behaved himself for a while.
Apparently he'd forgotten those lessons.
Teddy's greedy gaze swept over every vehicle, lingering longest on the large cargo trucks.
When he saw Caesar exit the lead truck, Teddy's eyes rolled and his lips curled into a smile.
"Hey, Caesar. Didn't expect you'd be doing so well after all this time."
"Mm, I thought you were dead, Teddy." Caesar showed Teddy no face, speaking mockingly.
"After all, a petty thief like you almost got your hand chopped off back then. If it weren't a society of laws, plus Old Man Leon protecting you, do you think you would've survived?"
Cowboys were people who didn't care much about legal constraints. Facing the vast wilderness every day, they only cared about their own lives and peace of mind.
Revenge for revenge. Grudge for grudge.
Kill someone you had a grudge with, toss them into the mountains, and by the next day animals would be dragging them around for food.
Teddy looked like his last shred of dignity had been stripped away. Blood rushed through his body, his face red as blood. He angrily drew his gun and aimed at Caesar.
The moment he drew, countless weapons simultaneously aimed at Teddy—especially a red dot targeting Teddy's forehead.
Then Teddy's underlings fumbled to draw their guns, facing off against Caesar's people.
At this point, Teddy raised both hands, signaling his men not to act rashly.
"Boss, they look like trouble. Should we lower our guns?" An underling without much sense leaned over.
Then Teddy slapped the back of that underling's head. Only then did the underling turn and see the red dot on Teddy's forehead. His expression instantly became obedient as he lowered his gun first.
Ridiculous—if Teddy got shot dead, what if they aimed at him next?!
The underlings quickly lowered their weapons. Even Teddy put away his gun, transforming anger into joy. "Caesar, you really have developed well."
"Boss Leon isn't what he used to be either. He's expanded several circles now, with over twenty people under him. All able-bodied men—way stronger than your convoy."
At this point, Teddy's eyes drifted toward the women in the convoy, licking his tongue. "Your convoy has lots of women and children. Just burdens."
"Plus, this Buffalo Pass—Boss Leon spent manpower fixing it. To let you through, we need some toll. No problem, right?"
Caesar felt this was actually reasonable. Back when they'd wanted to seal Buffalo Pass to prevent walkers from continuously entering the valley...
But limited by lack of materials, they could only shelve the plan.
Now someone had built it. Asking for some supplies wasn't excessive.
Caesar nodded, signaling Teddy to continue.
Teddy didn't continue speaking. He pointed at his forehead—that red dot was still there, showing no intention of lowering.
Caesar understood his meaning and raised his hand. Only then did the sniper team member turn off the infrared, though the gun barrel didn't move an inch.
The moment the red dot disappeared, Teddy seemed to shed a heavy weight, his whole body relaxing considerably. Seeing Caesar was easy to talk to, the greedy gleam in his eyes intensified.
Right then, Teddy pointed at three trucks and said without courtesy: "These three trucks, along with everything inside them—give them all to me, and I'll let you in."
Caesar turned to look. One truck was loaded with staple foods from the market, one had easily-stored canned goods and other food from the CDC, and another contained many firearms.
"Fuck, this guy's really got some nerve." Andrea stood in the crowd, watching the sleazy bastard above, fury practically shooting from her eyes.
Murmuring rose through the crowd—all curses and contempt toward Teddy, along with some worry.
Tsk, Teddy's luck really was pretty good.
Caesar turned back, lowered his head in thought, looking extraordinarily conflicted. Only then did he say, "Alright."
Hearing Caesar agree, Teddy first felt wild joy, then some regret.
Looking at how much the truck tires had sunk, you could tell those three trucks held plenty of goods.
But since Caesar had agreed, Teddy felt he'd been too polite. He should have asked for more.
Guillermo's expression changed. He whipped around to look at Caesar, wanting to say something. Meeting Caesar's eyes, he understood.
Merle and Daryl didn't make a sound at all. They just coldly watched the people on the abandoned vehicles like they were looking at corpses.
Among the non-combatants, the discussion grew louder. Everyone continuously used words to express anxiety and unease.
Carol watched these fools who still didn't understand, just holding Sophia tightly.
Sophia asked quietly, "Mama, will Uncle Caesar really give them away?"
Carol glanced left and right, leaned close to Sophia's ear, and whispered, "He really will give them."
"It just depends on whether they can receive them."
Sophia nodded with half-understanding.
"Get in the vehicles." Caesar waved his hand, signaling everyone to board.
Seeing everyone moving, Teddy asked nervously, "Are you giving the supplies or not?"
Part of Teddy's nervousness was worrying Caesar would back out—no supplies. The other part was Caesar coming at them with force.
Mm, Teddy's nervousness was justified.
Caesar's face revealed a warm smile. He waved his hand. "I'll give them to you right away. I'm having them prepare."
"Oh, okay, good then."
Teddy nodded stupidly, watching everyone board the vehicles.
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