The Walking Dead: Starting as a Cowboy

The moonlight shone on the flat grassland, veiling it in a thin mist.

Torches were everywhere in the town, and although they weren't as bright as the lights before the apocalypse, they gave it a sense of a civilized era.

Inside the cabin, Daryl lay on his bed, wearing his old black clothes, with his crossbow beside his pillow.

bang bang bang-

Someone knocked on the door.

Daryl opened his eyes and casually pulled a dagger from under his pillow. His eyes were clear, indicating that he was not asleep.

He walked sideways to the door and glanced through the peephole.

"Daryl, hurry up, the boss wants us to go to the council chamber."

Outside the door stood Morales, looking travel-worn, with slightly bloodshot eyes, and very tired.

Daryl opened the door, glanced at Morales and the soldiers behind him, and asked, "You're back? Where's Mor?"

Morales replied, "Mor is fine, he's already in the council chamber, you should go there quickly."

"I still have to find other people, I'm off!"

Morales said a few words, then turned around, mounted his horse, and galloped away.

Daryl frowned as he watched the group rushing around.

Something has happened!

Daryl turned around and went back into the house, put on his sleeveless coat, picked up his crossbow, and slung his quiver over his shoulder.

He straddled the motorcycle, twisted the throttle with his right hand, and the motorcycle headed towards the council chamber.

Apart from Daryl, the other combat squad leaders were also notified by Morales.

The council chamber has been renovated. Compared to its previous all-wooden structure, it is now a mix of stone and concrete, making it much sturdier and taller.

Outside the council chamber, there were many braziers and torches, their bright light shining on everyone's faces.

Daryl glanced at the people standing outside the council chamber; they were soldiers from Caesar's direct combat squad.

They were covered in blood and bits of flesh, clearly having gone through a fierce battle in Atlanta.

Daryl thought for a moment, then nodded to the soldiers and greeted them.

He strode into the conference room.

The conference room was brightly lit, with the lights on.

When Daryl walked in, Caesar pointed to the seat next to More, "You sit there."

Daryl sat down next to Moore and glanced at him up and down several times.

"What are you looking at, little bro? Missing your big brother?"

Moore smiled and put his hand on Daryl's shoulder, speaking affectionately.

Daryl's lips twitched, but he didn't answer Moore's question.

Just as Moore knew him well, he also knew Moore well and knew that Moore was deliberately making jokes to avoid him pressing for answers.

A few minutes later, everyone had arrived.

Caesar gestured with his chin. "Let the meeting begin."

Morales and T-boy stood at the door of the conference room and closed the door.

Dr. Jenner was the first to ask, "Is there something you need from me?"

Dr. Jenner was very puzzled. In the past, he would not be called in case of war or crisis, because it would be useless to call him, as he had no fighting ability.

Caesar raised his hand, signaling Dr. Jenner not to rush.

"Mohr, you speak."

Moore nodded, adjusted his posture by leaning back in his chair, and began to speak seriously.

It explained everything that happened in Atlanta.

After listening, the meeting room fell silent.

Caesar tapped the table, glanced at everyone, and said, "I agree with Moore. There's no one left to eat in Atlanta, and the walkers are starting to migrate outwards."

Caesar pushed the map in front of him forward. It showed Atlanta and the surrounding area and satellite cities. Atlanta was marked with a blood-red arrow in one direction.

All eyes were on the map when Caesar's voice rang out.

"I suspect the zombies are migrating to this area."

The long, blood-red arrow pointed directly at Black Pine Valley.

Glenn glanced at it twice, then looked up. "Have the walker horde already left Atlanta?"

"No." Moore shook his head.

"How can we confirm that they are migrating in our direction?" Glenn asked.

Caesar didn't offer an explanation, because that's how the zombie horde migrated in the original series, but he couldn't use that explanation to prove its authenticity.

"No, they might, no, they definitely will migrate this way."

Dr. Jenner stood up, his white coat rustling with his movement, and bent down to tap on the map.

"Like all animals, zombies migrate for survival; they will never migrate to places where there is no food."

"Just like animals don't specifically migrate to a desolate place where there is no food, no water, and no suitable climate."

These words silenced everyone around the conference table.

The logic is sound, but it still doesn't quite convince people.

Dr. Jenner paused for a moment, then continued to explain.

"I have a hypothesis that walkers can sense the presence of humans."

"The larger the human settlement and the more people there are, the more astonishing the number of zombies they will face."

"This is also the direction in which the zombies migrate; they move towards places where there is food. Although I don't understand the principle yet, this phenomenon exists."

Dr. Jenner is a professional researcher and would not make baseless accusations.

The doubts on everyone's faces gradually dissipated, and Caesar nodded in satisfaction. "Good, whether the horde of zombies comes or not, we must be prepared to face their attack."

"Fortunately, Black Pine Valley has a superior geographical location. Even if a large number of zombies attack, we just need to control the Bison Pass."

Caesar smiled and reassured the crowd, telling them not to panic.

"Caesar, should we keep this from the residents?"

Hershel placed his hands on the table and asked slowly.

Caesar hesitated for a moment, then said with a firm look in his eyes, "Don't keep it from the residents."

"We in Huangshi are all one; in this apocalypse, only by uniting can we survive."

"I cannot hide the news that the zombie horde is coming, even if it may cause panic among the residents, but I believe we have the ability to eliminate this crisis."

"Actually, we don't need to eliminate the horde of zombies."

At this moment, Dr. Jenner spoke up.

Caesar turned his head to look at Dr. Jenner, and so did the others.

Dr. Jenner leaned back in her chair, arms crossed. "Walks have poor eyesight, a keen sense of smell, and will wander away if they don't find food."

"Darry, I have a question for you," Dr. Jenner asked.

Daryl tossed his shoulder-length hair. "Speak."

What happens if animals don't find food during their migration?

"Keep going," Daryl replied without hesitation.

Yes, we don't need to fight the zombie horde directly.

Caesar smiled. "You mean we don't need to eliminate these walkers; they'll leave on their own?"

"That's exactly what I meant," Dr. Jenner replied.