Chapter 80: Frank
Connor's expression changed as he shouted at El: "Where did you get walkers to infect them?"
El's aged face was also filled with confusion. He answered: "No, we didn't have them infected with the virus."
Now walkers in Black Pine Valley were becoming fewer and fewer. Especially at the three more powerful ranches, which were relentless in exterminating walkers—within at least several kilometers around, walkers couldn't possibly exist.
The appearance of walkers was always accompanied by screams and bloodshed.
The first few caught and bitten by walkers—the people around them screamed like a flock of birds and quickly scattered.
More people saw the scene of walkers feeding, and even more residents began fleeing in panic.
After eating a few bites, the walkers raised their heads and stood up to attack other people.
Walkers chased. Humans fled.
Although there were many people, few residents had the courage to directly face walkers. They could only cry out loudly for help.
But the louder they shouted, the more excited the walkers became.
Frank struggled to push through the crowd. His view became open. People running around passed before him.
He aimed at a walker and pounced fiercely, grabbing it in a suplex, then a stomp, crushing the walker's mushy brain like tofu.
Not just Frank—there were also several brave ones in the crowd, killing walkers face to face.
The crowd became chaotic. Connor crossed his arms, having his subordinates aim guns at Frank and the others as well as walkers that might charge up.
He relaxed inside. He hadn't expected that with this walker disturbance, the residents' pressure would instantly disintegrate.
Connor had at least killed walkers several times. Facing this kind of brainless crippled creatures, before a certain number accumulated, he wasn't afraid at all.
Just like that, Connor and them looked on with folded arms as Frank and the others eliminated the walkers.
A rebellion ended anticlimactically.
Connor had originally wanted to take advantage of the chaos to shoot Frank dead, as well as El and others who'd planned the rebellion.
But before Connor could fire, he heard El's aged voice with its warning tone.
"Connor, if I discover the dead residents have bullet holes from your guns on their bodies, I guarantee I'll risk this old life of mine to get you all killed."
Connor hesitated for a long time, then put down his gun.
El understood herbal medicine and was the ranch's doctor. If he completely offended him—forget seeking treatment from him—what if he put some volatile deadly poison in one's house?
Connor had also considered directly killing El, but El had several burly men protecting him at all times. The difficulty wasn't small.
By the time all the walkers were dealt with, the sky had already brightened.
The cowboys guarding the warehouse were still standing guard. The residents began cleaning up walkers. Those with family had family wash the corpses and bury them cleanly.
Those without family were just buried hastily.
The two sides were even more fractured than before.
Frank rode a horse and quietly left Horus's ranch. After traveling not long, he reached Caesar's ranch.
From far away he saw Caesar's ranch. Just as Frank was about to ride over to inform them of his intentions, a bullet shot into the ground in front of his horse's hooves.
Dust flew up.
Sniper rifle?!
Frank immediately raised both hands high and shouted loudly: "I mean no harm!"
Then Frank saw someone on top of that large gate raise a palm, making a stop gesture.
Afterward, two consecutive shots hit the ground in front of Frank.
Frank understood—that was warning him not to move.
Nor did Frank have to wait long. That heavy wooden gate opened. Several people on horses appeared in succession.
They weren't cowboys.
Watching their awkward riding style, Frank knew they weren't people from the valley.
Merle rode the lead horse, circling Frank twice, looking at Frank's face and saying: "You look a lot like someone I know."
Frank was expressionless, saying coldly: "I came here only to convey a message."
"I mean no harm!"
Frank proactively displayed the gun at his waist and the items in his saddlebag—not many dangerous items.
"Where are you from?" Merle rode to Frank's side, looking at his direction of origin, squinting as he asked.
"Horus's ranch."
Sure enough, joy flashed through Merle's eyes.
Then Merle put handcuffs on Frank, blindfolded Frank's eyes, gagged his mouth, and brought him into the ranch.
Actually blindfolding was completely unnecessary—this was just Merle's little hobby.
Merle kept making Frank trip from time to time, thoroughly enjoying watching Frank want to curse but unable to, full of malicious amusement.
By the time Caesar saw Frank, Frank was already covered in dust.
After the restraints were removed, Frank angrily stood up, staring directly at Merle, wanting to directly pounce and have a fight with Merle.
Frank didn't strike. He looked at Caesar: "Is this how your ranch treats people?"
Caesar understood in his heart and said apologetically: "I'm sorry, friend. Merle is rather rough as a person. He probably didn't consider your feelings. Please forgive us."
Caesar's apology extinguished Frank's anger considerably.
Frank sized up Caesar with a few glances. Robust build, steady walk, large hands—a formidable person.
"What's your name? What brings you to our ranch?"
Frank answered: "I'm Frank Castle, from Horus's ranch. I want to seek your help."
Frank began narrating the situation at Horus's ranch.
Not just the previous ranch situation, but also last night's riot, and how Connor would very likely retaliate against them next.
They had very few guns. Facing Connor's attack, they very likely couldn't withstand it.
Once defeated head-on, their hope of escaping the ranch would also become extremely slim.
Caesar listened while nodding, agreeing with understanding a couple times. This made Frank feel Caesar was very sincere, seriously listening to him speak.
When Frank finished, Caesar showed a contemplative expression and slowly spoke: "Frank, your situation now is very critical. That's also why El had you come so urgently."
"I deduce that today during the day, Connor will very likely attack El's residence. After all, he already knows El was the one planning things behind your backs."
"Moreover, El has high prestige. Once El is killed, you'll surrender very quickly."
Frank's brow furrowed as he rapidly thought. The more he thought, the more he felt Caesar was right.
Last night Connor didn't act naturally because the situation was chaotic—it would easily incite mass anger. Today the residents' emotions had calmed considerably, plus the shock of the walker attack.
Now was the best time to kill El. Then kill a few more restless people to make an example—Connor might be able to firmly sit on the leader's throne.
Thinking of this, Frank had no mind to talk with Caesar. Singlemindedly wanting to return, he asked directly: "I need to return to the ranch right now."
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