Lu Chen coldly gazed at the group of blank faces in front of him, before slowly mouthing the last few words. 

"It is true that we helped you all despite the fact that you pushed us out and tried to take our belongings."

"But just because of that don't think that we will be kind and forgiving again and again and again."

"Don't mistake our kindness for weakness."

"The next time there won't be a second chance." He particularly enunciated this part. 

Lu Chen wanted to make it abundantly clear that selfishness, pettiness, and backstabbing of any kind will not be tolerated at all.

What happened in the past will not be repeated again.

After he finished saying his piece, there was a pin drop silence amidst the group. The various people looked at him with different emotions.

Some looked sad. Some looked resolute and some also looked angry and hostile. Many probably cursed him inwardly for being so heartless.

From their point of view, he was being extremely unreasonable, but Lu Chen couldn't care less. 

His voice and his demeanor were unusually stern. It was clear that he meant business and he would desert them all in the blink of an eye without any remorse.

Most members of the group silently nodded. 

They were still terrorized and listless and they were ready to agree to just about anything as long as they didn't have to go through hell like that again.

Some even contemplated committing suicide and some people looked like they were going to retort back to his sharp words.

However, before anyone could say anything, Qin Hua quietly strutted to stand next to Lu Chen.

Even if they were prepared to say something before, now their words were magically swallowed. 

After seeing her, the one or two who felt that Lu Chen was being unfair shut their mouths and nodded obediently. 

It was not that they didn't understand what he was trying to do but everyone was simply too mentally and physically exhausted.

Lu Chen looked at their reactions and sighed. 

He knew that it would be like this in the beginning but if everything went well, then there was a high probability that things would slowly become better.

If not, they could always leave whenever they want and these people wouldn't even be able to keep up with them speed-wise.

After Lu Chen's address, everyone quickly vacated the truck and Qin Hua helped them by carrying all the rations in her inventory slot and looted storage pouches.

She gave Lu Chen and Guan Ye a couple of these pouches as well in case they ever get separated or something happens. 

Food was very important so she made sure that there were a few backups.

After that, everyone was mostly ready. 

Luo Zu came up with an ingenious method of carrying the baggage of the group. He bundled up Su Yan like a baby and literally carried him on his back.

A few others did the same, helping their family members and kids. 

This left Bing Che and Mo Ling, who had both lost two of their limbs; Bing Che both his legs and Mo Ling, one arm and one leg.

The other three people who were severely maimed had lost their hands so they were still able to walk.

Qin Hua was about to summon her clone to help carry the two without the legs, but Luo Zu surprised everyone. He stepped up and made two other bundles, carrying both of them as well.

He now had three grown men attached to him on three sides, only his front now free and clear. 

It was so weird and comical that despite the seriousness and tragedy of the situation, Qin Hua muffled a laugh.

This guy was the best at ass-kissing!

She had no doubt that the man was showing extra initiative only because of the stern lecture Lu Chen had just given, but she was also moved a little. 

She was not so cold-hearted as to put down someone who was willing to work hard to earn their place in the group.

"Chen, is this really going to be alright?" Alex walked over and asked Lu Chen. She didn't have the mood to be as amused as Qin Hua at the sight of the mess in front of her.

She was worried that Lu Chen didn't quite grasp the difficulty for a normal citizen to deal with these mutated beings.

As someone who did not awaken any special abilities, she knew exactly how difficult it was and just how much courage was needed. 

This was after all not a video game where one killed monsters and resurrected on death. This was reality. A single blunder was everything and the death was final.

Lu Chen shook his head. "I know what you are thinking. Trust me. This is for the best."

"I am not only doing this because they need to become stronger. There is also another reason. These people have suffered a lot and are very depressed right now." 

"I have a bit of experience dealing with depressed people." Lu Chen paused and did not reveal whom he knew who suffered from depression.

"The one thing that doctors always repeatedly suggest is to keep oneself busy. These people have no purpose right now."

"Everything has been robbed from them, from us. The future is also uncertain. In this case, you tell me. Would it really be helpful to just keep spoon-feeding them?"

"That's also something we cannot afford. This is probably not the only way to deal with this situation but this is all I could come up with right now."

"I am open to hearing your suggestions."

Alex sighed. Though she was not sure how everything was going to turn out, she herself did not have any better ideas. 

"Alright. I will do my best to help some of them fight." She nodded and replied.

They did not linger around long and the group soon started moving.