CH 174

Chapter 174: Mountain demon

Long Haotian’s unit is just down the hall from theirs, hence, Long Zhanye very casually carries Huo Zaiyuan over his shoulder and knocks on the door, not the least bit afraid to interrupt someone’s day this early in the morning.

“Coming, coming.” Grandfather Long’s voice drifts out from behind the door. Following the sound of feet shuffling closer, the door opens. As soon as the old man registers his precious grandson carrying little Yuan and is standing outside his unit, any trace of sleepiness vanishes. “This…what’s the matter?”

“Grandfather, I have something I need to tell you,” Long Zhanye says in a very serious manner.

“Come in and talk, don’t stand outside.”

As the pair walk in, Long Haotian glances at the white-haired man draped over his grandson’s shoulder. Although his outer appearance has changed, based on Zhanye’s every move and speech, it is clear to see that this is still Huo Zaiyuan. The matter of a lightning bolt splitting the military hospital in half was witnessed by more than a few people in the safe zone. While Long Haotian refrained from prying, he knows that his grandson and his companions have something to do with it to some extent.

Stepping into the living room, Long Zhanye sets Huo Zaiyuan down on the sofa. He is rewarded with a stink eye and a foot to his shin. Laughing, he bends to drop a kiss on a flushed cheek.

Heheh…the embarrassed, bushing look on this powerful Taoist’s face is really too innocently enticing ah. Even with snow-white eyebrows drawn together in annoyance and lower lip stuck out in a pout. If they don’t have to hold a serious discussion with his grandfather right now, he will definitely love his little Yuan tenderly for a while.

“Did you find me to discuss about the sudden collapse of the military hospital a few days ago?” Long Haotian eventually speaks, breaking the sweet moment between the couple, making them freeze as though a cup of ice-water has been upturned over their heads.

“Grandfather guessed half of it. I actually came for another reason. This other matter pertains to little Yuan and the entity behind this zombie apocalypse.” Long Zhanye sits down on the sofa beside Huo Zaiyuan before recounting how Huo Zaiyuan was stabbed in the chest by a cursed dagger, which led to Lian Xiang and him (LZY) performing a heavenly-defying deed, causing the hospital to be struck down by lightning. Finally, he also divulges that Huo Zaiyuan only has nine days of life in this body.

Suddenly, Long Zhanye kneels before Long Haotian after ending his story, shocking his grandfather. “You…what’s with you, child? Get up, quickly get up.”

“Zhanye…” Even Huo Zaiyuan is alarmed by Long Zhanye’s abrupt action.

No one understands Long Zhanye’s past life and how much he suffered. No one besides him, who has regained all the memories of Huo Tianji. This domineering and unruly individual…very little can make him kneel.

“Grandfather, listen to me…” Long Zhanye grasps Long Haotian’s arms before the latter can help him to his feet, expression solemn. “After mum and dad passed, it was grandfather who brought me up. You instructed me, trained me, loved me. I have never once forgotten it, but…”

“Grandfather is unaware of my other identity. My soul comes from a dragon residing in another world. A dragon that was dubbed the harbinger of chaos, created to defy the Heavens. Without a father or mother, without name or family. I was reborn as grandfather’s treasured grandson, was given the name Long Zhanye, and became a member of this family. I wouldn’t kneel to the Heavens or the Earth, wouldn’t kneel to a father or a mother. But to me, grandfather is more than worthy of my respect and honour…”

“Now with little Yuan’s soul reuniting with his spiritual vessel, he only has nine days to live. After these nine days, his body will crumble and his soul scatter. Therefore, within this period, what he and I wish to do is to put an end to the root of this apocalypse. Afterwards, we will return to the other realm. I understand what is going through grandfather’s heart right now, but my love for little Yuan will never be broken. It existed in our last life, remaining between us in this life, and will never change in our next…”

“However, no matter where I am, I will always remember grandfather, and will never forget that I am a son of the Long family.”

“Grandfather understands.” After listening to Long Zhanye’s speech, a gratified smile emerges on Long Haotian’s face as he reaches out to pull his precious grandson to his feet and hug him. “In grandfather’s eyes, my grandson is the most dignified, honourable man. Since you have made up your mind, then go and accomplish it to the best of your abilities. Always know that no matter what you do, grandfather will eternally be in favour.”

“Thank you very much, grandfather.”

“Now, let’s talk about the thing behind humans changing into zombies. The Head priest said before that the reason behind a zombie’s transformation is due to humans being infected by evil energy. As for where this infectious energy comes from, it is none other than the dead volcano in G City. We reached this conclusion after we saw pictures of ants in the ashes during the volcano’s initial eruption. Within this volcano lies a high-rank demon responsible for spreading this infectious energy. Little Yuan, do you happen to know what this creature is?”

“I do. That is a mountain demon. A few thousand years ago, it rampaged through the mortal world. The leaders of various Taoist sects led their Elders to battle, resulting in countless casualties. In the end, because I was only a step away from ascension, I exploited the energy drawn from the Nine Lightning Tribulations and sealed it within a mountain. Not only can that demon turn humans into undead puppets under its control, it can also absorb dormant spiritual energy from Heaven and Earth, allowing him to infect the land as well. This is what created the toxic air in G City as well as the poisonous swamps.”

“You were the one who sealed it away!” Long Haotian gasps in astonishment.

He knew Huo Zaiyuan’s Taoist ability is very formidable, but to the extent where he is able to seal such a powerful demon away…

“Grandfather, it was my previous self who did it,” Huo Zaiyuan corrects.

Although he regained Huo Tianji’s memories and his spiritual power has increased exponentially, compared to the Huo Tianji during the peak of his powers, his current level is still inadequate.

“It’s the same thing. So what do the both of you plan to do? How many men will you be taking along? I will go arrange it immediately.” There is no trace of a smile on Long Haotian’s face as it is completely replaced with a grave expression.

Exchanging a glance with Long Zhanye, Huo Zaiyuan says, “Grandfather, do you know about Chi You?”

“Of course. He’s that ancient Demon God who fought against the Yellow Emperor.” Long Haotian nods, before he senses something’s not quite right. “Er…weren’t we talking about that mountain demon? Why did you suddenly bring up this Chi You? Is there any relation between them? Chi You is only a legend.”

“No, he is not a mere legend. Demonic beings are bodiless beings hiding in the dark beneath the Earth. When this mountain demon arrived in the mortal world, it found the ancient demon god, or rather, the head that was chopped off by the Yellow Emperor. On its own, the mountain demon is not very difficult to deal with. Therefore, being able to infect humans and the earth is all through relying on the remaining power left behind in Chi You’s decapitated head. As long as we destroy Chi You’s head, that mountain demon will return to its previous condition. Of course, the deed itself wouldn’t be an easy feat.”

“Then…”

“Grandfather, just the two of us will be enough,” Long Zhanye says, holding hands with Huo Zaiyuan. “The number of infected beings is too many to count. We are still unsure if other countries are experiencing the apocalypse as well, but in this nation, A City is our last stronghold… If we make any pointless sacrifices, then who will be left to rebuild this nation in the future? Grandfather, I am not the sort of person to begrudge the world or pity others. The reason little Yuan and I choose to do things this way is because he only has nine days. Another factor is you and our friends. All little Yuan and I wish for is for everyone to live happily.”

“Ai… whenever you leave to take care of your affairs, grandfather doesn’t worry that you will fail. Since you have already decided, then proceed as planned.” Long Haotian sighs helplessly, waving a hand. “It’s not that grandfather doesn’t trust you, but will the two of you really be enough? The enemy is the undead’s big boss ah.”

“Grandfather, that mountain demon is only the boss of walking corpses. Your grandson is a big boss feared by everyone in the Immortal world. A stamp of my foot is enough to send everyone into a panic.” Long Zhanye smirks smugly, completely not putting the mountain demon in his eyes.

In his heart, he makes another silent vow. When the time comes, he will give this mountain demon a proper beating. Hmph, that damned demon dares to bully his little Yuan. Anyone who touches Long Zhanye’s treasure will definitely not have a good ending.

Seeing the resolute gleam flashing through his grandson’s eyes, the worries in Long Haotian’s heart vanishes into thin air. For some reason, he feels the one who will emerge the loser is that mountain demon.

“Hn, since you have planned everything in advance, then grandfather will not say anything more. How after afterwards? When you have defeated the mountain demon, where are you two going to go?” He hasn’t forgotten what Zhanye mentioned before, that little Yuan only has nine days to live. A very short nine days.

“Actually, our intention is to utilise the evil energy this mountain demon absorbed from Chi You’s head to break through the rift between worlds and return to the Immortal Realm. This is similar to the method my close friend employed to enter the mortal world.” The close friend Huo Zaiyuan mentioned is of course none other than Huo Tianji’s best friend – Lian Xiang.

“Exploiting a demon’s power to achieve your goal. Haha…you two children are really not simple ah.”

“We had thought about it before. This mountain demon’s purpose of invading the mortal realm is to transform it into Purgatory. Supposing we are unable to defeat it, we will open a crevice in the rift between realms and drag this demon up with us. Towards mortals, this creature is a huge threat, but in the world of Immortals, it is a mere imp.” Long Zhanye doesn’t hesitate in telling his grandfather everything, but not bothering to mention that bringing this demon into the Immortal Realm will stir up a lot of trouble. Naturally, being who he is, causing inconvenience for Immortals is not anything new. Besides, he can sit back and watch a play unfold if they are forced to enact Plan B.

“Be careful, you two. And remember, no matter when and where you are, grandfather will forever by your grandfather. And this place will forever be home to you children.”

“Yes.”