As soon as Lin Fan finished speaking, Chen Nan immediately rolled on the ground like a lazy donkey, spinning like a top. While he managed to dodge Lin Fan's aim, he accidentally bumped into two of his own men and knocked them aside!
Bang!
Bang!
Two muffled gunshots rang out—both men were shot in the thighs and collapsed instantly.
At that moment, one of the attackers saw the quality of Lin Fan's weapon and, likely weighing the pros and cons, abruptly turned and made a run for their vehicle.
Lin Fan narrowed his eyes. Naturally, he couldn't let any of them escape.
Letting the tiger return to the mountain, cutting weeds but leaving the roots—these were all fatal mistakes in the apocalypse!
Without a word, Lin Fan raised his hand and fired.
Bang!
Another dull shot echoed.
The fleeing man's back exploded in a mist of blood as he stumbled into the roadside drainage ditch.
Seeing four of their companions go down one after another at Lin Fan's hands, Chen Nan's face twisted in fury.
Yes, moments ago, the sight of Lin Fan's weapon had filled him with fear. He had even considered running.
But fear has its limits. When someone is pushed to the edge, fear often turns into rage and desperation.
"Either you die or I die today... even if it costs me my life, I'm taking you down!" Chen Nan roared. In the next second, his legs erupted with terrifying power, stomping the ground with a deafening thud!
Using the recoil from that force, Chen Nan leapt forward like a hungry tiger pouncing on prey, launching himself straight at Lin Fan.
The remaining three attackers clearly understood that if they didn't go all-in now, they'd be picked off one by one. They too charged forward as if they had nothing to lose.
They were already close to Lin Fan—otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to ambush them earlier so effectively. Now, in their full-out assault, the distance shrank to just two or three meters!
A gun dominates beyond ten meters, but within three, it's even odds against knives. At half a meter or less, a gun is practically useless.
Seeing this, Lin Fan suddenly surged forward and kicked Chen Nan:
"Jump again, I dare you!"
Chen Nan stood at 1.89 meters tall, bulky and stronger-looking than Lin Fan. But when Lin Fan's foot slammed into his chest, it was like getting struck by lightning. His face turned a liver-colored purple, and he spat out a mouthful of bile. His massive body was sent flying three meters away!
Smack!
Lin Fan raised his gun and aimed at Chen Nan, but before he could fire, a burly man on his right let out a furious roar. A sharp dagger appeared in the man's hand as he lunged for Lin Fan's abdomen.
At this distance, the effectiveness of a firearm was almost nullified. A slight miscalculation could mean missing the target entirely.
Lin Fan made a snap decision.
With his right index finger, he spun the trigger guard, locking the safety in place. Then he gripped the barrel in his palm, exposing the solid iron grip—
In Lin Fan's hands, the revolver became an iron hammer, and he smashed it straight toward the attacker's head!
Though it sounds long, the entire action happened in the blink of an eye.
Crack! Snap!
A sickening crunch echoed—bones breaking. The attacker screamed in agony.
Bang!
Expressionless, Lin Fan's knee shot upward and slammed into the man's face just as he was falling. Unable to dodge, blood shot from his nostrils as he dropped unconscious on the spot.
The last two enemies lunged at Lin Fan.
He fired again, taking down one, but the other's dagger was already coming down. Lin Fan couldn't dodge in time. The blade was aimed right at his chest. He was about to twist his body and use his arm to take the blow when suddenly—a figure darted in between him and the blade.
It was Xiao Tian!
No one could imagine the internal struggle Xiao Tian must have gone through. Just moments ago, he had been cowering, hugging his head in fear. But whether out of guilt or a need to atone, he had now thrown himself in front of the blade without hesitation.
Shlck!
A soft, almost inaudible sound.
Like a wine pouch being pierced, and the liquid slowly leaking out…
The knife slid effortlessly into Xiao Tian's chest, the tip bursting out through his back.
Xiao Tian stiffened, lowering his head like he'd been struck by lightning. His mouth opened slightly, a gurgling noise rising from his throat.
When pain is too extreme, one can't even scream.
"Don't look." Lin Fan raised his gun and shot down the last attacker. Then, quickly, he used his hand to cover Xiao Tian's eyes, not wanting him to see the blade now buried to the hilt in his chest.
Blood poured from Xiao Tian's chest like a crimson waterfall.
Lin Fan could feel the young man in his arms suddenly go limp, like all his bones had turned to jelly.
"Xiao Tian! Xiao Tian!" Lin Fan's breath quickened, shouting sharply.
He had never imagined that Xiao Tian would run out and take a blade for him!
"Boss Lin… I'm sorry. I really am." Xiao Tian's eyes were bloodshot. He grabbed Lin Fan's sleeve, stammering, "I regretted it… last night I already regretted it… but I didn't dare tell you… I wanted to live… and… they kidnapped my dad…"
Blood continued to flow as Lin Fan felt Xiao Tian growing heavier in his arms.
"Don't talk! I'm taking you to the hospital right now!"
"Boss Lin, I was so torn… I thought about betraying you for a better life, but… I couldn't do it…" Xiao Tian's lips trembled, his eyes red. "After the outbreak… we were robbed… my dad begged every relative for food, and no one gave us anything. Only you did. Only you…"
Lin Fan felt an overwhelming mix of emotions.
Xiao Tian had betrayed him—he once wanted to tear him limb from limb.
But now, Xiao Tian had taken a knife for him.
What should he feel? Even Lin Fan didn't know.
"My dad was right… I'm useless… I couldn't be a good guy… and I didn't even have the guts to be a bad one… You saved me, so I'm giving you my life in return."
Xiao Tian wept, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He clutched Lin Fan's sleeve tightly, and with his other hand, pulled a handful of colorful candy and five 100-yuan notes from his pocket and placed them in Lin Fan's hand.
"Xin Xin gave me these candies, right… they're so sweet… You're good people, the best… but someone like me… doesn't deserve your kindness…"
Lin Fan looked down at the candy in his palm. His hand trembled.
"I've atoned… I've atoned…" Xiao Tian stared blankly at the sky, murmuring to himself. He seemed to be smiling, or crying—no one could really tell.
Finally, his body grew cold and fell silent.
Lin Fan gently laid his body down. After a moment of silence, he leaned close to his ear and whispered:
"There are some mistakes you can make a thousand times in your life.
But there are some you can't make even once.
If you do, the only thing left is to accept the consequences…"
"You've accepted yours…"
"I forgive you."
Then, Lin Fan stood up and looked toward Chen Nan, who was staggering to his feet a dozen meters away, trying to flee. With an expressionless face, he gritted out:
"Xiao Tian's paid for his sins. Now it's your turn—and your boss's."
"If I don't skin you alive and grind your bones to dust, I'm not worthy of my name!"