Chapter 145

Chapter 145

Two older boys saw Feng Chen kneeling on the ground and quickly grabbed his shoulders, pulling him back, "Big brother, be careful not to fall. Our brother fell like this."

Our brother fell like this... Our brother fell like this... Yan Bubu...

Feng Chen couldn't hear any other voices anymore; his mind kept repeating this sentence. He pressed his left hand against his heart, feeling as if a knife were stabbing and stirring there, the pain making it hard for him to breathe. His right hand dug deep into the nearby rubble, veins bulging as he exerted force, resembling knotted tree roots.

His agony became too intense; it affected the Black Lion. Its golden eyes showed nothing but madness, emitting mournful roars while lunging toward the massive metal net, intending to leap into the horde of zombies.

Binunu had already climbed the massive metal net, emitting smoke from two spots, possibly from bullet wounds or scratches from the zombies. It leaped down from the top of the net and landed on the Black Lion's back, embracing its head and shaking it.

The Black Lion shook its head violently as Binunu bit its ear and pulled it backward. Binunu forced it to twist its head back, pressing its forehead against the lion's, while its little paws caressed the lion's neck.

A low growl rumbled in the Black Lion's throat. Binunu maintained the forehead-to-forehead pose, which served as both reassurance and a form of communication among Quantum Beasts without the need for words.

Gradually, the Black Lion calmed down, its eyes, once filled with ferocity, became clearer, distinctly revealing surprise and disbelief.

Binunu lowered itself to maintain eye contact and nodded affirmatively.

Feng Chen slowly stood up, his voice trembling as he asked, "Is it true? You just established a mental connection with him, enabling him to temporarily turn into a zombie?"

Binunu didn't respond but walked up to Feng Chen, looking up at him.

Feng Chen's forehead lamp shifted slightly, casting light on the ground to his left. Binunu then took a half-step to the left, placing itself within the bright beam. The intense light made it squint its eyes, and it adjusted its body to facilitate better visibility for Feng Chen.

After gazing at Binunu for a moment, Feng Chen suddenly looked up at the sky, took a deep breath, and then covered his face with his hands.

His shoulders shook, emitting short, muffled sounds that were neither laughter nor crying.

The Black Lion approached Binunu, attentively examining it, then leaned in to gently sniff and tenderly lick its face.

Feng Chen didn't allow himself much time for composure. He took off the forehead lamp and held it, his voice hoarse as he asked, "Binunu, he wanted to hide at the mountainside near the edge of the city. Will you both sever the mental link again?"

He had regained his composure and calm demeanor, appearing strong and steady as if the recent painful vulnerability and near breakdown were merely an illusion.

Binunu pushed the Black Lion's head away and nodded at Feng Chen.

Feng Chen glanced at the wasteland, noticing the light beam had moved ahead. He said, "Sasaka, stay behind with the children. Binunu, come with me."

The Black Lion stayed behind as Binunu and Feng Chen ran toward Yan Bubu's direction.

While running, Feng Chen asked, "Have you established a mental connection with him before?"

Binunu leaped onto the gigantic metallic mesh, swatting a zombie attempting to climb over the top with a swift smack, then let out a howl towards Feng Chen as an affirmation.

"How would I know? Yan Bubu never mentioned it to me," Feng Chen's eyes remained fixed on the light beam. "You only had a brief mental connection with him. After noticing the symptoms of zombification, you unilaterally severed the link. So, although he returned to normal, he wasn't aware himself?"

Binunu jumped to run alongside him, responding once more.

"Have you ever maintained a long-lasting mental connection with him?" Feng Chen asked.

Binunu shook its head.

"So, it means that although he exhibited symptoms of zombification, he managed to retain his human thoughts and consciousness. After the brief mental connection was severed, he was able to return to normal. But if the connection lasts too long, you're uncertain whether he can recover?"

Binunu didn't affirmatively reply this time, hesitatingly nodding instead. Feng Chen's relaxed expression, which had appeared earlier, now turned serious again, furrowing his brows.

Yan Bubu was staggering within the horde of zombies.

He struggled to remain lucid but constantly found himself in despair as his mind grew increasingly confused and his consciousness blurred. He felt blood rushing through his veins, causing excruciating pain all over his body, yet his heartbeat weakened and slowed.

I need to get there quickly... I need to get there quickly...

He mechanically repeated, trying to remind himself, but intermittently gazed around in confusion, not understanding where he was, where his destination lay, or where he intended to go.

"Yan Bubu... Yan Bubu..."

While he stood there looking around again, faint voices drifted from afar, gently reaching his ears.

Who is Yan Bubu?

Right, it seems like I am Yan Bubu.

Who is calling me? This voice sounds so familiar...

Yan Bubu gazed blankly towards the source of the voice, fixing his eyes on the figure sprinting behind the second-floor gigantic metallic mesh.

As Feng Chen slowly turned his head and grabbed onto the metal net, he yelled hoarsely, "Yan Bubu! Yan Bubu!"

Soldiers were firing below, illuminating the front wasteland with artillery fire, revealing Yan Bubu's face in Feng Chen's sight.

It was a face that had unmistakably turned into that of a zombie: the skin had turned dark blue, veins resembling a grotesque spider's web, eyeballs pitch-black as if they could absorb all light, appearing dismal.

"Yan Bubu!" Despite being mentally prepared, Feng Chen felt a sudden pang in his heart and tears streamed down his face as he saw him clearly.

Yan Bubu also looked at Feng Chen, observing the tear-streaked face behind the metal net and witnessing him screaming incessantly towards him.

A hint of confusion flashed in his increasingly clouded black eyes, accompanied by fragmented images intermittently flickering through his mind.

That face once smiled at him in the snow, snowflakes resting on the lashes. Once lying by the window in an armchair, bathed in the soft golden light...

It felt as though something heavy struck Yan Bubu's head, reverberating with a buzz. His heart felt as if someone clenched it tightly and then released it, the previously faint heartbeat resuming its rhythm amid repeated grasps.

Gunshots and cries echoed in his ears, surrounded by surging zombies; the two of them stared at each other from a distance amidst the horde.

Yan Bubu stared motionless at Feng Chen, unmoved despite the nearby zombies jostling him. After a while, his lips finally moved, silently calling out, "Brother."

Regaining consciousness once again and recalling everything, tears welled up in his eyes from the grievance and panic. He extended his hands toward Feng Chen and ran in his direction.

"Don't come closer! Go back! Keep moving forward!" Feng Chen immediately shouted loudly, halting him.

A zombie in front of Yan Bubu collapsed from a gunshot. Realizing it, he stopped abruptly, gazing at Feng Chen anxiously.

Pointing forward, Feng Chen urged, "Go! I'll accompany you; let's meet up ahead!"

Yan Bubu turned and continued forward, frequently looking back at Feng Chen. If zombies blocked his view, he pushed them aside with his hand.

Maintaining the same pace, Feng Chen shouted whenever Yan Bubu looked back, "Don't be afraid, I'm here, I've always been here."

Feng Chen had quickly regained his composure, speaking in a very calm voice, wielding a soothing power to steady everyone's nerves. Occasionally, he would offer Yan Bubu an assuring smile.

For Yan Bubu, as long as he could see Feng Chen, it was as if he had found his backbone and support, and his fear subsided. He even yelled out "brother."

However, what came out was a strange and distorted howl.

Seeing Feng Chen smile, Yan Bubu covered his ear with his hand, seemingly signaling him to howl a couple more times.

Yan Bubu grinned and attempted to wave at Feng Chen. As he raised his hand, he noticed something held within his palm — a dangling black cord.

Ah, today was Feng Chen's birthday, and yet his birthday gift hadn't been given.

Yan Bubu lifted the necklace in his hand and illuminated it with the beam from his forehead lamp, displaying it to Feng Chen.

Howl, howl, howl...

Can you see it? This necklace isn't Chen Wenchao's; it's the birthday gift I wanted to give you. There's even an inscription on it. Do you like it?

He knew Feng Chen had seen the necklace because he made a circling motion around his own neck.

Yan Bubu then howled twice more toward him: "Howl, howl!"

Brother, happy birthday!

The two walked side by side, separated by the gigantic metal net and zombies. Feng Chen kept shouting, although his voice was often drowned out by gunfire. Yan Bubu continued responding, though only with meaningless howls.

Black Lion trailed behind with four children, neither too close nor too far away. He carried the two younger ones on his back, making them feel as if they were floating in the air, too nervous to move.

The two older ones walked on their own, but whenever they were about to fall or stepped into a gap, something invisible would prevent it.

They firmly believed in the spells Yan Bubu had taught them, convinced that it was because of these spells that their brother, who had fallen into the zombie horde, could still walk forward safely. They never stopped chanting their spells.

Yan Bubu would briefly regain consciousness but couldn't sustain it. He would occasionally lapse into a short-lived state of drowsiness. Feng Chen's continuous calling of his name always managed to wake him from the fog, and he'd continue moving forward with Feng Chen.

They were nearing the edge of the central city, and the mountain wall appeared in their sight. However, Yan Bubu's periods of clarity were becoming shorter. He kept slipping into a state of blurred consciousness, even Feng Chen's shouts were becoming intermittently distant, as if obscured by deep water.

Binunu once again leapt over the gigantic metal net, diving into the midst of the zombie horde, then jumped from a zombie's head to Yan Bubu's side. Dodging zombie attacks, it slapped his face forcefully when he stood motionless, staring blankly.

"I'm so hungry... I really want fresh meat..." Yan Bubu's consciousness uttered to Binunu in the mental realm, unclearly.

There was a loud slap.

He took a harsh blow to the face from Binunu, causing dizziness but partially clearing his mind.

"Yan Bubu! You have to hold on, we're almost there. Can you see the mountain ahead? When we reach there, it'll be fine. Yan Bubu, whether it's for me or for Binunu, you must hold on. You're not allowed to stop. If you stop, I'll deal with you..."

Feng Chen's hoarse voice intermittently came through the gunfire. Sometimes Yan Bubu could understand him, but at other times, it seemed like meaningless notes, failing to elicit any reaction from him.

"Little doggie barks, little duck quacks, little lamb bleats, little rain pouring down..."

"On the hillside, flowers bloom, the clouds form a small river, la-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la-la..."

When Yan Bubu was lapsing into a daze, he was suddenly jolted awake by a hoarse and unpleasant singing voice. It wasn't so much singing as howling; the tone was no different from the nearby zombie's growls.

But he recognized the song from his childhood lessons on the Beehive Ship and discerned it was Feng Chen's voice.

Although he had never heard Feng Chen sing from childhood to adulthood, Feng Chen was so perfect and capable in his mind that if he sang, it would undoubtedly be pleasant.

Yan Bubu staggered along and found it somewhat amusing.

He hadn't expected such off-key and hoarse howling to come from his brother, nor did he expect his brother's singing to be even worse than his own.

"La-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la-la-la-la..."

Amidst Feng Chen's "la-la" singing, Yan Bubu didn't have the chance to drift off again and marched forward to the end of the central city.

This was a stretch of metal wall with only an emergency passage connected to the main gate. With no zombie climbing the colossal metal net and limited manpower, soldiers had gone elsewhere. This area was only for rapid evacuation.

Seeing Yan Bubu continuing forward, passing the gigantic metal net and disappearing behind the metal wall, Feng Chen hurriedly dashed into the passage.

He ran swiftly through the passage, bumping into several people without looking back, just sprinting out of the channel and heading towards Yan Bubu's direction to the right, clinging to the protruding rocks on the mountain wall to climb down.

After ensuring the safety of the four children in the passage, Black Lion followed suit.

Feng Chen descended the mountainside, standing on a small protrusion. He could barely balance on one foot, pressed tightly against the mountainside.

Zombies surged towards him, roaring incessantly, and the horde seemed endless. After steadying himself, he looked for the beam of his headlamp but couldn't find it. Thankfully, Binunu was bouncing somewhere, and when his gaze followed Binunu's movement, he spotted Yan Bubu.

Yan Bubu stood with his head down amidst the horde, the headlamp shining on the ground, thus unseen by him. Shouting loudly towards Yan Bubu, whether calling his name or singing this time, Yan Bubu remained completely motionless.

Feng Chen's heart sank.

He realized that this stretch of the way didn't respond to his calls; Yan Bubu was slipping back into a state of confusion. He needed to sever the mental link with him as soon as possible, or he didn't know what consequences might ensue.

Binunu also noticed this and swiped its claws at Yan Bubu's face. However, this time Yan Bubu didn't regain any clarity as before; instead, he abruptly raised his head. His dark, emotionless eyes stared at Binunu, opening his mouth to emit a roar like that of a wild beast, reaching out to grab it.

Binunu stood still atop a zombie's head until it heard Feng Chen's shout: "Binunu, dodge!" Only then did it leap aside, evading Yan Bubu's grabbing hand.

"Sasaka, let's go up!"

Feng Chen leaped down violently, activating his mental power mid-air, obliterating all the zombies in the landing area. Black Lion also pounced, its sharp claws shattering the skulls of the zombies blocking its path.

Human and quantum beast lunged into the massive horde of zombies, closing in on the direction of Yan Bubu and Binunu.

Feng Chen's mental power surged without restraint, transforming into countless blades piercing the heads of surrounding zombies, clearing a path forward.

He was about a hundred meters away from Yan Bubu, a distance he could typically cover in a few seconds, but now seemed like a gaping chasm. Zombies howled, rushing in, then being struck down by his mental power. Each step forward required a massive expenditure of mental energy, making progress arduous and perilous.

Binunu also spotted Feng Chen and Black Lion, evading Yan Bubu's attacks while guiding him toward Feng Chen's direction.

Feng Chen and Black Lion finally closed in on the pair. When Yan Bubu lunged again at Binunu, Feng Chen swiftly moved behind him, restraining both his arms by bending them backward and gripping his chin, preventing him from turning to bite.

"Ah..." Yan Bubu struggled, his strength almost overpowering Feng Chen's hold.

Firmly restraining the struggling Yan Bubu, along with the quantum beast, Feng Chen headed towards the mountainside.

With the two quantum beasts clearing the path ahead, Feng Chen continuously used his mental power to deal with the surging zombies. He momentarily lost focus and almost lost his grip on Yan Bubu, risking a bite to the neck.

"Binunu, sever the mental link," he shouted loudly.

As he finished shouting, Binunu immediately cut off the mental link with Yan Bubu. Just a moment ago, Yan Bubu, roaring with an open mouth, abruptly ceased struggling and stared straight ahead, eyes wide.

Feng Chen released the grip on Yan Bubu's chin, and he slumped softly into Feng Chen's embrace, his eyes closing as he slipped into unconsciousness. However, the bruises and web-like patterns on his face were rapidly fading.