Li Zhaozhao, Yu Shui, Meng Wu, and several members of the guard team raised their hands. The rest, some who disapproved of Huang Mao's behavior, also raised their hands.

According to this count, those who support Shen Yanming actually make up the majority.

Huang Mao immediately backed down, forcing a smile as he apologized to Shen Yanming: "Brother, I'm sorry, I was just too hungry, that's why I did something so unreasonable. Don't worry, I'll never dare to cause you any more trouble. Please take care of me from now on, brother."

Shen Yanming smiled and said, "It's not a matter of taking care of everyone. This is the first time we've faced such a major natural disaster, and we don't have much experience. Whether we can survive or not depends on our own abilities."

The blond-haired man looked displeased, but Shen Yanming remained unmoved. He looked at everyone and said in a firm and forceful tone, "Our unexpected meeting can be considered a special kind of fate. I hope we can all get along peacefully for the next period of time. If not, I don't mind using force."

Many people looked unhappy, but Shen Yanming didn't care at all: "We come from different places, and once the floodwaters recede, we will all go our separate ways. I don't want any fights, robberies, or even murders to happen during this short time together."

Although the alliance can't take care of us right now, I hope everyone can be strict with themselves. Don't think that you can do whatever you want just because society is collapsing. Remember, without the protection of the state, who do you think you are?

Be smarter, everyone, and don't do things you'll regret.

Shen Yanming exposed the ulterior motives of some people, who lowered their heads, blushing with shame, but also secretly annoyed with Shen Yanming. They knew that this disaster was far beyond what the alliance could afford, yet they still hoped that heroes would emerge in times of chaos, and that they could seize this opportunity to "make a name for themselves."

However, the other guards nodded in agreement.

They knew that even if society descended into chaos, it would soon return to normal. The Alliance's reserves over the years were prepared for that day. When these people could no longer survive outside, they would naturally return to the Alliance for protection. But if they committed heinous crimes, the Alliance might not accept them then.

Shen Yanming took the lead to establish his authority with a swift and decisive action. He didn't want people constantly contradicting him or disobeying his orders. He also wanted to get back to his wife as soon as possible.

Yu Shui and his group naturally supported Lao Shen, and even some uninformed centrists took sides. Although the troublemakers, led by Huang Mao, were unwilling, they didn't dare to cause any more trouble.

Zhang Heping returned in this awkward atmosphere. He stumbled along, his steps unsteady. From a distance, he shouted at the top of his lungs, "Old Shen, I've been looking around, but I haven't found any water, just a few mushrooms."

Shen Yanming was not surprised at all, and thought to himself that even if they found a water source, they couldn't drink it.

"Did you pick them?" Shen Yanming asked.

“I picked them. See if you can eat them. There are still quite a few over there. If they’re not poisonous, I’ll pick them all.” Zhang Heping took a few crumpled mushrooms out of his pocket.

Shen Yanming glanced at them and, sure enough, they were the chicken liver mushrooms he had scattered. They looked quite large; he wondered how the spiritual spring water could be so powerful, growing so big in such a short time.

"It's edible, not poisonous. I'll stuff it inside the rabbit's belly in a bit, then we'll roast it and eat it."

"Okay, I'll go pick some more." Zhang Heping licked his lips, feeling a little hungry.

Shen Yanming instructed him, "Gather some firewood while you're at it." There was some here, but not enough to last until the rabbit was cooked.

"Okay, I'll go right away!"

After Zhang Heping finished speaking, he left. Yu Shui saw this and staggered after him, saying, "Come on, I'll go with you."

Zhang Heping thought to himself, "I've never seen this guy before. Could he be trying to take advantage of me?" He was a little annoyed and was about to refuse when he heard Shen Yanming say, "Let him go help you see what else you have to eat and get more." He didn't intend to clarify their relationship in front of so many outsiders, finding it too troublesome.

"Oh, okay!" Zhang Heping was puzzled, but he still walked away with the man arm in arm. When he got to the woods, he realized that the person who came to help was also a king.

After everyone left, Shen Yanming calmly began processing the rabbit. Nuannuan sat timidly beside him, hesitant to leave. She had eaten rabbit meat before, but had never seen a rabbit killed. The sight of the bloody scene wounded the little girl's young heart once again.

Shen Yanming was at a loss, but he couldn't keep his daughter completely naive. Although she was still young, the world was bound to become increasingly dark. If she didn't learn to adapt, her future would be very difficult.

When the tide came in, Meng Wu never imagined he would be swept away by someone he knew. So when he saw Shen Yanming's figure in the calm waters, he was overjoyed.

But there was no chance to catch up at that time; they swam here without stopping. By the time they arrived, they were all exhausted and didn't want to talk. Meng Wu even thought how wonderful it would be if they could be washed ashore by the sea.

Now that she had calmed down, she stopped thinking about it and walked over to Shen Yanming, saying directly, "Is there any water? I'm thirsty."

Shen Yanming raised an eyebrow and kicked the plastic bottle filled with rabbit blood to him: "This is all we have. Drink it or don't, it's up to you!"

Meng Wu didn't mince words and picked up the bottle, drinking half of it: "It's a bit fishy and doesn't taste good, but it's warm."

"Of course, they were just released, they're very fresh." Shen Yanming thought to himself, rabbits from this space are definitely cleaner than those from seawater or freshwater right now. Only this silly boy is lucky; everyone else...

He shook his head and said nothing more.

After finishing his drink, Meng Wu put down the bottle, picked up stones to build a stove, and then searched around and collected a lot of dry branches.

He asked, "Is there any fire?" If not, they would have to use the primitive method, which was troublesome.

Shen Yanming nodded and took out a lighter from his backpack: "Let's see if it still works." He just said that casually; in reality, he had taken it from his spatial storage.

Meng Wu pressed it down sharply. "It's not broken. That's good. Starting a fire won't be a problem anymore."

"Okay, light it for us quickly." Working together, the two of them roasted the rabbit in no time.

Shen Yanming looked at the entrails placed to the side and said to the crowd who were swallowing their saliva, "If you don't mind, why don't you grill these and eat them?" Although he was trying to persuade them, he had no intention of taking responsibility for their eating, drinking, and bodily functions. He counted them; there were about a hundred people.

A few quick-moving individuals snatched the entrails, grinning and saying, "Thank you, no problem at all! But, could we borrow your lighters?"

“Okay!” Shen Yanming didn’t care, but Meng Wu treasured it: “You guys build the stove first, and I’ll light it for you when it’s done.”

The others weren't annoyed. They followed Shen Yanming's example and built a small stove. Then they skewered rabbit hearts and livers, grilled them over the fire, and soon they smelled delicious.

Several people couldn't resist and quickly devoured the meat. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough meat for everyone, and they weren't satisfied.

"How about we go rabbit hunting?" someone suggested.