CH 113

Chapter 113: I returned from the apocalypse

Now that they have left M City's safe zone, the road ahead will not only be filled with undead, but there is a possibility of running into flesh-eating devil ants and more poisonous swamps. There is also a high chance of encountering mutant demonic plants or even toxic zombies and poisonous gases capable of infecting humans. Therefore, after discussing with the other three, it is decided that they will not get off the car. Ever. Not until they reach a secure location.

In order to ensure this journey will be as safe as possible, Huo Zaiyuan spends most of his time wondering how to set a protective barrier around the Hummer. Peach wood tiles are too thick and are not well suited to stick on top of the car. So he can only use paper talismans. Thus, when night falls, he hides away in his space and draws three sets of Heaven Concealing Arrays on high-quality yellow papers. Now that he has broken through to the fourth level, the Heaven Concealing Array has also increased a level. It might not be very high, but the highest quality paper he has on hand cannot contain any more spiritual power than this. If he reaches the fifth level, the paper would have combusted from being overloaded.

A set consists of four pieces. Using the Hummer's frame as the boundary limit, he lays it out on the roof of the vehicle, between its front and back headlights, on the underside and one each on the left and right. In order to ensure the talismans do not drop off halfway, he superglues them to the surface, and place duct tape over the pieces.

His night labours paid off. Zombies that are drawn by the roar of the Hummer's engine are sent flying several meters away the moment any part of them touches the steel-plated frame. Seeing this, Huo Zaiyuan heart is at ease. Next, he folds a few more paper cranes to act as night watchers in order to allow everyone to rest at night. Recuperating is important, especially when they will be stuck in the car for who knows how many days.

Night falls, and the wilderness all around is thrown into pitch-black darkness. Rain starts to fall again, drumming on the roof. This Hummer has no interior night light. The paper crane drifting to and fro within the car gives off silver rays of light, appearing as two small light bulbs. As this vehicle has gone through modifications, the windows are tinted in a way that disables anyone outside from looking in. Hence, Huo Zaiyuan doesn't need to worry about the cranes attracting any undead in the vicinity. (Author's note: Because zombies' night vision is very good and are sensitive to light, HZY doesn't use paper cranes as watchers at night as the off-road vehicle's windows are not modified like the Hummer is.)

Curling up in the passenger seat, Huo Zaiyuan decides to forego meditating tonight. However, he has become a rather light sleeper, able to wake up at the slightest sound. Thus, with the pattering of the rain outside, he has trouble falling asleep.

Shifting slightly in order to avoid stiff muscles or cramps from staying in one position for too long, he slowly wriggles to find a more comfortable position when suddenly, a hand reaches out. Before Huo Zaiyuan can react, he finds himself being lifted up and settled against a familiar, warm chest.

"Zhanye…" Huo Zaiyuan murmurs softly, body relaxing into the embrace. "Why aren't you asleep yet?"

"Was sleeping, but the rain woke me up. Little Yuan is also a light sleeper?" An arm around his waist, free hand gently stroking Huo Zaiyuan's head, Long Zhanye kisses his cheek.

Humans develop this condition when they are forced into an environment where one needs to be on constant alert after an extended period of time. Or like him, one will develop it through conditioned training from a young age. Under any sort of circumstances, he will be able to retain an alert mind as long as necessary. A single rustle of grass or whispering of wind will be able to jolt him from sleep. But Huo Zaiyuan is not like him. The eldest young master of the Huo family. Even if neglected by the entire household, it is impossible to be kept awake by the pattering rain outside.

"It's a habit. Every time I hear the rain, I'll wake." Placing a hand on Long Zhanye's hip, Huo Zaiyuan fidgets until he finds a cosy position before closing his eyes.

He is really becoming more and more dependant on this man. As long as he is by his side, this heart will be soothed.

"What sort of habit?" Cradling Huo Zaiyuan close, Long Zhanye allows his eyelids to drift shut as he questions.

Although he knows quite a lot of this child's history, behaviour and personality, he always feels it is not enough, as the youth always carries an air of mystery. There's always a sense of many more hidden secrets that Long Zhanye is still unaware of.

"Zhanye, if I told you that I have experienced death once, will you believe me?" The hand on the older man's hip tightens slightly as Huo Zaiyuan finally speaks again. Remembering his previous life, his heart feels very bitter.

"Little Yuan." Long Zhanye's arms draw Huo Zaiyuan closer as a jolt of surprise runs through him. Never would he have imagined a sentence like this coming from his beloved.

Death is not a joking matter. However, he doesn't feel like Huo Zaiyuan is kidding. Only…

"When we first met, didn't you ask me why I seem to be so knowledgeable about zombies? I answered…it was all taken from a movie." Huo Zaiyuan has an inkling of the thoughts running through Long Zhanye's head. A faint smile curves his lips and a soft strained laugh rings out. "That was a lie. I'm familiar with zombies because I experienced surviving the apocalypse for half a year before my rebirth…in other words, I returned from the apocalypse, thus, I know about zombies, about devil ants, about the poisonous gas polluting the air…"

"So it's like this. The little Yuan from before this apocalypse, how did he…" This one word "die" is something that Long Zhanye will absolutely not voice aloud.

Clutching the person in his embrace tightly, Long Zhanye makes a firm resolution in his heart, that this child who was given a second chance will always be protected by him. In this life, he will definitely not allow him to experience the slightest risk.

"Do you still remember the Huo Jiabao we ran into in S City?"

"Seen before, and remember. He left a deep impression." Of course, he wouldn't forget someone who injured his little Yuan. Not when he has yet to collect that debt.

Hmph, that little bastard had best not appear in front of him ever again, or else this Lord Captain will definitely send him back in a body bag.

"In my previous life, he was torn apart by a zombie during the initial stages of the apocalypse. At that time, S City fell into chaos and bad people ran around robbing others and killing them. Zombies were rampaging throughout the city…I managed to escape to the city's safe zone established by other survivors. There, I met Huo Jiabao's mother one last time." Even as he mentions that woman whose current status is unknown, his heart remains calm. "Afterwards, poisonous swamps began to spawn randomly, causing large portions of the earth to become infected. Zombies and devil ants emerge in large numbers and massacred countless survivors. The leader of the safe zone decided to lead everyone up the mountain. Halfway there, a horde of undead and devil ants pursued us. I was kicked off the side of the slope by that woman into the swarm of ants. I died being devoured…when I opened my eyes again, I found myself back in bed, a year before Judgement Day. After obtaining the interdimensional space, I immediately begin making plans to stockpile goods and supplies. Then the apocalypse happened, I met you, Li Qing and Qin Jun."

"This time, I will absolutely not allow anyone to harm even a hair on your head. If anyone wishes to do so, they will have to step over my corpse." Although Huo Zaiyuan told his story in a bland and even voice, Long Zhanye's current mood is far from calm.

Hmph, that woman has a lot of guts. Actually daring to kick his wife into a swarm of ants and letting him experience such a tragic death. She will be made to endure immense torture and suffering if he ever gets his hands on her.

"Ever since my rebirth, I've discovered that everything has changed. Judgement Day came too early, I met you, Li Qing and Qin Jun. The Huo Jiabao who should be dead is alive…and now humanity is given a chance to develop special abilities. That's why I think even if that woman is dead or alive, she wouldn't have the chance to hurt me anymore." Reaching a hand out, Huo Zaiyuan caresses Long Zhanye's face to placate him.

The cool-headed and steady senior officer Long will actually become this agitated on his behalf…hehe…it really feels great to be cherished by someone else.

"Little Yuan's meaning is…you also don't know what will happen in the future?" Catching the hand caressing his face, Long Zhanye flips it over and plants a kiss on the fair palm. "Eh…if you don't know, then let it be. After all, little Yuan will not be placed in danger. As long as you let me hold you, all will be well."

"Fool." Huo Zaiyuan laughs fondly, tone amused.

"Wuwu…I - I can't take it anymore!"

Suddenly, Li Qing's sorrowful voice drifts over from the backseat before the entire person pounces onto the back of the passenger seat. Watery eyes wide open, teardrops hang from those long eyelashes.

Staring at his childhood friend, Huo Zaiyuan's mouth trembles faintly. "You…why are you awake? My conversation with Zhanye was very soft."

This brat has always been a deep sleeper to the point that even if a gong was beaten beside his ear, he will still remain sound asleep. Why is it that this brat somehow woke during his conversation with Zhanye?

Could it be Li Qing also developed a habit of sleeping lightly some time during the apocalypse?

The more Huo Zaiyuan thinks about it, the more likely it is. Although Li Qing isn't as quick-witted, he is still a sensitive and surprisingly perceptive child.

Yet, Li Qing's next words cause Huo Zaiyuan's logical theory to come crashing down…

"I was sleeping, but then I felt thirsty so I woke up to drink some water. Then I heard you saying…how can that woman do something like that?! It's really too much. She had better not cross my path or else I will definitely throw her into a horde of zombies and let her have a taste of her own medicine!" Li Qing heart is full of indignation on his best friend's behalf. He wasn't aware that woman is so rotten ah!

As he himself is not Madam Li's birth son, she didn't like interacting with him and will reprimand him whenever he erred. Even so, she will definitely not be so black-hearted as to mercilessly send him to his death.

At this moment, Li Qing is still unaware that the words he swore this night will be enacted one day in the near future. But that a story for another time.

Now, the four of them are wide awake without a trace of sleepiness. Under Li Qing's prompting, they eat an early breakfast. When dawn breaks the horizon, the Hummer roars to life and continues its way forward.