Chapter 46: Zombie Apocalypse (IV)

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Chapter 46: Zombie Apocalypse (IV)

Compared to Zhang Yang’s bold and forceful style of wielding a machete, Miao Lichen’s way of fighting was undeniably a sight to behold. With nothing more than a gesture of his finger, a crystal-clear arrow shot forward and pierced straight through a zombie’s head, instantly ending its existence. Its precision and speed alone were enough to leave anyone in awe. Holding Miao Nianling’s hand, Miao Lichen calmly followed alongside Zhang Yang as they made their way into a shopping plaza.

“Aren’t you tired of holding onto Ling’er all the time? How about she comes with me for a bit?” Zhang Yang asked. The machete in his hand was still coated in zombie flesh and gore, giving off a foul stench of decay. His body was inevitably splattered with dark stains as well, but his padded jacket remained completely undamaged. A true testament to his strength in this apocalypse.

The moment Miao Nianling heard Zhang Yang’s words, she instinctively clutched tighter onto Miao Lichen’s sleeve. Her gaze toward Zhang Yang carried a faint trace of hostility, and her eyes were filled with undisguised vigilance. Although she had used the virus to awaken the ability within Miao Lichen, he was still far too weak in her eyes.

As long as those adorable little creatures surrounded Papa, he would have absolutely no chance of survival. But as long as she stayed by his side, Papa would never be in danger. Therefore, anyone who wanted to take her away from Papa was her greatest enemy. Miao Lichen was the one who gave Miao Nianling life, and he was her only obsession.

“No need. It would be inconvenient for you to clear the way while taking care of Ling’er. It’s better for her to stay with me.” Miao Lichen smiled and pulled Miao Nianling into his arms, gently comforting her. He then casually pointed in a certain direction, and a zombie immediately fell beneath his “Holy Angel’s Arrow.” A power that purges evil was undoubtedly the perfect ability for dealing with zombies.

As for the ice ability that had just appeared within him, it had become an outer layer encasing the arrow. If it were only the ice ability itself, he had no idea how others would use it, but his own ability could only serve as a beautiful yet impractical decoration. It was the kind of thing that looked impressive but had little substance. As for the pink glow, it was clearly something that only he himself could see in this world.

“Alright, be careful.” When Zhang Yang turned around and prepared to head in one direction, he glanced back and saw Miao Nianling pointing toward another. Without hesitation, he abandoned his original choice and followed her lead. Both directions should have contained food, but compared to his own judgment, he trusted Miao Nianling’s instincts more.

Upon entering the shopping plaza, Zhang Yang’s first action was not to gather food, but to find a clean set of clothes to change into. Although Miao Lichen did not say anything, it was obvious that he was dissatisfied with Zhang Yang’s current appearance. Ever since obtaining his ice ability, Miao Lichen had insisted on watching them wash up every day. His temporary companion was clearly a germaphobe.

Zhang Yang sighed and rubbed his machete against his filthy clothes. The new outfit made him look more refined, though he himself did not notice the difference. Even if he was clean now, he would probably be covered in blood again after killing a few more zombies. Yet he had still changed clothes without thinking. Habit truly was a terrifying thing.

∇ Capture Target Zhang Yang Favorability: 30.

Just as he finished changing and looked up, Miao Lichen tossed him a bag filled with food. His gaze briefly swept over Zhang Yang. Although he said nothing, the satisfaction in his eyes was obvious. The corners of Zhang Yang’s lips unconsciously curved upward.

“Papa.” Miao Nianling suddenly looked toward the direction Zhang Yang had intended to go earlier. Her pure eyes held a hint of surprise, but even more than that, there was disgust. This was the first time in her five years of life that she had experienced such an emotion. She tightly grabbed the hem of Miao Lichen’s clothes and pulled him in that direction. Her movements carried a forceful insistence that left no room for refusal.

Zhang Yang quickly followed a few steps, placing the two of them within the range he could protect.

Shopping plazas were always crowded places, but the three of them encountered very few zombies. The reason was that the zombies in this shopping plaza had been drawn away to another area.

A group of five men and two women were struggling to resist the zombies attacking them from all directions. Even in such a dangerous situation, the five men still kept the two women within their protective circle. One of the women wore an arrogant expression, while the other simply watched the scene before her with calm composure. A pure and flawless smile rested on her lips, naturally making others feel drawn toward her.

The girl’s gaze occasionally drifted toward the outside of the shopping plaza, watching the movements of the zombies as if she were waiting for someone to appear.

The five men beside her showed no intention of giving up. One of them accidentally suffered a bite from a zombie and immediately retreated to the girl’s side. A soft glow appeared in her hand, and the wound on his body was quickly healed, leaving no sign of infection.

Seeing this, the men fought even harder, and their gazes toward the woman grew increasingly fervent. In this apocalypse, an ability user who could prevent infection from zombie bites was practically a divine existence. More importantly, she had saved so many people while remaining so calm and composed. Such a person was truly rare.

However, as time passed, the healing light in Yue Yingying’s hand grew dimmer, and the time required for each treatment became longer. Worry gradually appeared on everyone’s faces. Aside from Yue Yingying, who possessed an ability, the rest of them were only ordinary people. Even if she could continuously heal their injuries, it could not make up for their declining stamina. Meanwhile, the zombies seemed endless. If things continued like this, they would surely die here.

“When are you finally going to get us out of here? At this rate, sooner or later we’re all going to die.” Zhang Qiang’s face still carried a trace of arrogance, but she could not hide the worry in her expression. She glanced at Yue Yingying beside her and imagined their chances of survival if the two of them escaped together. These men were not as reliable as Yingying when it mattered most. She should never have brought them here to search for supplies.

At that moment, the zombies that had been surrounding them suddenly became restless, and the pressure on the group instantly eased. The girl who had maintained a faint smile all this time saw her expression brighten even further. “Looks like we’re saved.”

“Yingying, did someone come to save us?” Zhang Qiang’s face lit up with joy. She was finally free from the threat of death and no longer needed to take risks. Her sharp nails nearly dug into Yue Yingying’s fair arm, causing Yue Yingying to frown slightly, a trace of disgust appearing on her face. However, as if she remembered something, that unnatural expression quickly disappeared, replaced once again by her flawless smile. The way she looked at Zhang Qiang was almost like someone looking at a spoiled child.

Before Yue Yingying could answer, a man appeared before them. He had a handsome face and a warm smile, yet he held a machete that seemed completely out of place with his appearance. His black down jacket was spotless, and only the bloodstains on his blade revealed that he had been the one who cut down the zombies. Compared to him, the slender man and the little girl behind him seemed especially inconspicuous.

When Yue Yingying saw Zhang Yang’s figure, she was visibly excited, but she did not forget her current identity. As Zhang Qiang’s classmate and an orphan who had only stayed at her house for a few days, she should not have known Zhang Qiang’s cousin, who had left home long ago.

Yue Yingying’s gaze remained unconsciously fixed on Zhang Yang’s face. Compared to the suitors she had known in the past, Zhang Yang possessed a more domineering aura. Although he carefully concealed it beneath his warm smile, it still burned her heart like a blooming poppy—beautiful yet dangerously intoxicating.

As expected of this world’s protagonist. Even before reaching the height of his power, he was already capable of making people unable to resist being drawn to him. She suddenly felt fortunate that she had never allowed Zhang Yang’s family heirloom jade pendant, along with its portable space, to recognize her as its owner. Otherwise, she and Zhang Yang would have been destined to become enemies. Even if that pendant could have made her stronger than Zhang Yang, she still had no confidence in defeating the protagonist. After all, no matter what kind of story it was, the protagonist was never lacking in opportunities.

“Cousin… you’re back. That’s great.” Zhang Qiang’s voice was slightly hoarse at first, but after seeing the faint smile on Zhang Yang’s face, her original uneasiness disappeared. They were family, after all. What kind of grudge could last forever? She had never expected her cousin to become so capable. Now, her safety was finally guaranteed.

“Is that so? I have to admit, I’m rather surprised to receive such a warm welcome from you.” Zhang Yang’s expression did not change in the slightest, and his gaze did not linger on Zhang Qiang for long. Instead, he looked toward Yue Yingying beside her. In this apocalypse, her white dress made her stand out far too much. And the emotions in her eyes… He was certain that he had never met this woman before, yet she clearly recognized him.

“Why would you say that…? Cousin, you just came back from University S, didn’t you? You must have suffered a lot along the way. Why don’t you come back with me? Mom will definitely treat you well.” Zhang Qiang glanced at the large backpack he carried, greed flashing briefly in her eyes. Supplies were simply too precious in this world.

“Sure.” As if he had not noticed her gaze, Zhang Yang turned back to look at Miao Lichen and placed a hand on his shoulder. “A’chen, what do you think?”

∇ Would you like to accept the side mission?

∇ Side Mission: Capture the Transmigrator, Yue Yingying (Favorability 100).

∇ Reward: 6,000 points.

∇ Failure Penalty: None.

“Mhm, sure.” Miao Lichen nodded and looked toward Yue Yingying. A faint trace of amusement flashed through his eyes before quickly fading away, leaving others wondering if they had imagined it. This was his first female capture target.

Yue Yingying finally tore her gaze away from Zhang Yang and looked at Miao Lichen. A hint of surprise flashed through her eyes. Although she knew that Miao Lichen was a genius who had become a professor at the age of thirty, she had never expected him to appear so young. By the end of the story, a man like him had never found a partner, and his only daughter was an artificial human. He had devoted his entire life to his research and to the future of humanity, never caring about fame or recognition. Respect naturally surfaced in her eyes. For a moment, she even felt as though the person standing before her was not a human being, but a divine existence.

“Papa.” Miao Nianling glanced at Yue Yingying before tightly wrapping her arms around Miao Lichen’s waist and burying her face against him. A faint crimson glow flickered in her eyes, accompanied by undisguised disgust and killing intent.

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