Under Duan Lei's decision, they resolved to head to the mountain manor and defend against Lin Qiang's forces from within!

The return to the manor was uneventful. Qing Luan and her people were focused on developing the manor base and hadn't paid much attention to the military camp.

After all, they were just civilians before. Although their strength had increased with the help of evolution potions, Qing Luan hadn't considered that someone would attack their manor at this time.

Upon hearing Duan Lei's account of the military camp's situation, some of Qing Luan's subordinates even suspected that Duan Lei was deliberately trying to scare them, intending to annex the manor base!

Fortunately, Qing Luan was clever. She knew that Duan Lei was with Li Chenzhou. If they wanted the manor base, they wouldn't need to go through so much trouble. Just the war chariot alone would be impossible to defend against.

Therefore, Qing Luan immediately prepared for battle. At this time, she was quite forceful. Her subordinates still harbored doubts about Duan Lei and his people. Such doubts could be dispelled by simply visiting the military camp.

But Qing Luan didn't do that. She didn't even offer an explanation. She simply declared a state of emergency at the manor base, ordering everyone to unconditionally obey Duan Lei's commands!

Qing Luan's decision surprised Duan Lei. He hadn't expected this woman to be so decisive. Her approach was indeed the most appropriate in this situation.

A battle was imminent. If Qing Luan wasn't firm and instead took people to the military camp to verify Duan Lei's words, it would undermine her authority. Moreover, the weapons and equipment at the military camp were ten or a hundred times better than theirs. If that got out, people would probably flee before the enemy even arrived.

Therefore, Duan Lei didn't hold back. He took over the management of the manor and issued a series of orders. Initially, some people were dissatisfied, openly arguing with Duan Lei and questioning his authority to command them.

Duan Lei didn't mince words. Without a single explanation, he had Fatty blow the heads off a few of the questioners on the spot. Then he asked the remaining people if anyone else had any problems!

There were none. Everyone was compliant. As a result, all of Duan Lei's orders were fully implemented. Afterward, Lin Qiang, having completely taken over Zhao Dahai's base, reorganized his forces. Those who couldn't fight were left at the base, while the combat personnel marched toward the manor base in a mighty procession!

Seeing Lin Qiang's massive convoy, the fully armed soldiers, and the countless machine guns and mortars, the faces of the manor's combat personnel turned green.

Some of them might have been police officers, security guards, or soldiers before, but they were a minority. And in peacetime, people who had actually been on the battlefield were rare. They had never seen such a display!

Lin Qiang was no simpleton. After arriving at the manor with his convoy, he didn't immediately attack. Instead, he had the convoy surround the manor and then used a loudspeaker to address the people inside.

His message was that he wasn't there to kill, but to save them. Although the manor had a decent number of people and was well-developed, they didn't have sufficient armed forces to protect themselves!

Therefore, they were coming to garrison the manor. With their protection, the manor wouldn't have to worry about being attacked by zombies. He urged the people of the manor to surrender immediately and accept their takeover.

Furthermore, they promised to only be responsible for defense and wouldn't interfere with other matters in the manor. After they moved in, the manor could maintain its original organizational structure!

Even Qing Luan could tell that this was impossible. These guys were just saying that for now. Pie doesn't fall from the sky for no reason. Why would they help defend the manor for free?

But the others in the manor didn't think so. In their minds, who managed the manor didn't matter, as long as it was safe. They just wanted to survive!

As a result, many people wavered. They wanted to give up and surrender to the enemy! Many even felt that it would be more beneficial for them if this powerful force controlled the manor. At least it would be safe!

Duan Lei looked at Lin Qiang's forces and narrowed his eyes. This guy wasn't easy to deal with. Even with such a strong advantage, he knew how to use psychological warfare?

Seeing the many people who were already wavering, Duan Lei frowned. This wasn't a good sign for them. He looked up at the enemy and suddenly smirked. Then, he grabbed a loudspeaker and shouted,

"Lin Qiang, you want people to surrender, right? Fine! I won't stop them. Wait a moment!"

Lin Qiang was stunned by Duan Lei's response and frowned.

He had expected that after his call for surrender, some people in the manor would be tempted. The manor's leaders would never allow anyone to surrender at this time and would definitely suppress them, killing a few of the most vocal ones.

This would disrupt the morale of the manor. Then they could launch a full-scale assault, using overwhelming firepower to clear the way. What could the chaotic manor use to resist their attack? They would definitely win in one battle!

But now, the enemy was saying that they wouldn't stop them? What did that mean? Were they all going to surrender?

A full surrender would, of course, be a good thing for Lin Qiang. He wouldn't keep any of those who followed Li Chenzhou, because they were all ability users with considerable strength.

He couldn't control these people if they joined him, and they would easily cause trouble. Therefore, they had to die. However, Lin Qiang could accept their surrender first. After taking over the manor, he could find a way to kill them all!

Therefore, Lin Qiang stopped shouting, and the army didn't launch an attack. He told Duan Lei directly that he could give him fifteen minutes to consider whether to surrender. After fifteen minutes, if they hadn't made a decision, his side would launch a full-scale attack. At that time, life and death would be on the line!

Upon receiving the response, Duan Lei looked directly at the battle-ready personnel and said loudly:

"I know that many of you want to surrender, because you feel that who your manager is doesn't really affect you. You just want to live in peace, right?

I understand you, and I said just now that I won't stop you. We will not surrender. We choose to fight, but if any of you want to surrender and join the enemy, you can go! But you need to leave your weapons behind!"