Chapter 113: I Haven't Done Anything Bad
Caesar nodded and continued walking inside.
At the end of the corridor was a door. Caesar pushed it open.
Inside was a downward staircase to a basement. The passage was dim, without even candles.
Turning on his flashlight, Caesar looked down. Below was an iron door, half-open. He could hear sounds of struggling inside.
"Go!"
Caesar rushed down quickly and pushed open the iron door.
Inside was brightly lit. Some cylindrical wine barrels were arranged around the room, with an oval-shaped long table in the middle.
Rick, Morgan, and the others stood to the side watching. Maggie's clothes were disheveled, her eyes red from crying, covering her upper body as she sobbed.
Glenn was fighting with a tall, bald black man. The two had fallen to the ground.
Glenn was on top, swinging his fists down hard at the bald man's head.
The bald man wasn't Toby with his hands and feet bound. His head dodged, he grabbed Glenn's shoulder, and yanked hard to one side.
The situation reversed. The bald man gained the upper hand, striking with elbows and knee pressure, gritting his teeth as he beat Glenn fiercely.
Glenn was beaten black and blue, protecting his head with his arms in defense.
Caesar understood the situation at a glance and shook his head. "Really lost his mind."
Striding forward, Caesar casually picked up a chair leg from the ground and struck the back of the bald man's head.
The bald man immediately collapsed on the ground, looking dazedly at the ceiling, his gaze unfocused.
Caesar didn't even glance at the bald man. He looked sharply at Glenn, his eyes containing disappointment.
Glenn didn't dare look at Caesar. He lowered his head, the bruises on his face making him look utterly dejected.
Caesar didn't speak. He knew this was Glenn's mental burden—feeling he hadn't protected Maggie well.
He dropped the chair leg in his hand and drew his handgun, wanting to execute the bald man.
"Wait." Tears still swirled in Maggie's eyes. She raised her gaze to look at Caesar, and a tear rolled down.
Maggie covered her upper clothing and walked forward two steps, looking at the bald man with fury. "Can I kill him?"
Caesar took off his own jacket and handed it to Maggie along with the handgun.
Maggie looked at Caesar gratefully and casually draped the clothes over herself.
Releasing the safety, Maggie walked up close. Her eyes were full of hatred. The gun muzzle aimed at the bald man on the ground who was still in a state of concussion.
"Go to hell, bastard!"
Bang—
After the gunshot, the bald man died.
Caesar took a deep breath and instructed Rick and the others, "Take your captain. We'll take the supplies and get back to the farm quickly."
"By the way, where are Patricia and the others?"
Caesar looked around but didn't see Patricia or Otis.
"I know where they are. I'll lead the way." Maggie pressed her lips together, glanced resentfully at Glenn, then turned and walked up the stairs.
...
Dawn was breaking. The sun hadn't risen yet, and the sky showed a deep blue.
Several sturdy and durable off-road vehicles, fully loaded with food, arrived at the farm that was now just ruins.
Beth had sat numbly through the night. In a daze, she saw her sister Maggie running toward her.
The two sisters embraced and cried out in grief.
Hershel staggered forward and embraced his most precious treasures—his two daughters. Tears streamed down the old man's face, immensely grateful that his family was safe.
Otis and Patricia also embraced them in a group.
Caesar and the others hadn't rested at all from yesterday until now. Finding a place to sleep, they immediately fell asleep.
It wasn't until afternoon, when the sun became hot, that Caesar got up.
After a simple wash, Caesar casually ate something and was just thinking of finding Hershel to talk.
He saw Hershel walking toward him. At this moment, Hershel's condition was much better. He looked in good spirits.
Hershel smiled and hugged Caesar, saying sincerely, "Thank you, Caesar. I'm truly grateful for everything you've done for my family!"
After letting go, Caesar laughed a few times. "I'm not as noble as you think. I did this for your family—you can help my Black Pine Valley grow crops. That's very valuable to me."
Caesar made a joke. "You can't just say a few words of thanks without giving some compensation."
Caesar wanted Hershel to use some of the food as compensation. Helping external forces should get rewards—combat members would be more motivated that way.
Of course, Caesar wanted Hershel to directly join Black Pine Valley even more, but he wasn't sure whether Hershel had thought it through yet.
Unexpectedly, Hershel shook his head, his white beard trembling. "I want to give you all the food you brought back. These things are far less important to me than my daughters."
Caesar's cheek twitched. "Think carefully. Without this food, how will you survive?"
"I plan to join you." Hershel extended his hand. "I wonder if the boss is willing to accept us?"
Caesar was stunned for a moment, then smiled and grasped Hershel's hand. "This is an honor for both of us."
After accepting Hershel's family, the group returned to Black Pine Valley with the full load of food.
The farm still had cattle, chickens, and ducks remaining, and there were also various fruit trees that Caesar wanted.
Caesar had Hershel go find Carol later to issue a production task—to bring people back to the farm to move the livestock over as well.
For now, only Otis would stay stationed at the farm.
The first thing upon returning to Black Pine Valley, Caesar had Carol count everything. After counting, it would be turned over to Amy.
Amy managed the storehouse. All food and supplies went in and out through her.
With Hershel's family joining, Caesar had in mind to create a planting department, focusing specifically on cultivation and completely separating it from Carol's logistics department.
In the vast Black Pine Valley, there were many places suitable for planting. They hadn't been utilized before, but Caesar now wanted to activate them.
However, the most important thing right now wasn't future policy reform, but... Randall.
Entering the prison, which had just been built recently, Randall became its first guest.
The prison was built in the basement, deliberately designed to be cold and damp.
Caesar entered the interrogation room. Inside, the light was dim, with only a small ventilation window letting in some light.
Merle was conducting interrogation. He was driving small nails into Randall's fingertips.
Randall screamed as if dying. He struggled continuously. The solid iron chains rattled, making clanking sounds.
Merle looked at Randall's reaction and laughed excitedly. "The more you scream, the more excited I get."
Merle closed his eyes and shook his head with feeling. "This smell... still not hurt enough."
As he spoke, Merle proceeded to the next stage of torture.
Randall could only watch helplessly as intense pain came from his face. Sweat poured down like rain, tears flowing along with it. Randall cried and begged for mercy.
"I... I'm begging you, let me go. Sob..."
"I just provided the location. I didn't do anything. That man dying has nothing to do with me. They did everything."
"I just joined the team recently. Before, I just scavenged to survive. I haven't done anything bad."
"Mm... sob..."