Chapter 40: Unexpected Gain

Chapter 40: Unexpected Gain

After Xiao Hua and Bai Mu recovered a bit, the group headed back to the village to scavenge.

This time, there was indeed an unexpected gain—weapons.

More precisely, melee weapons.

There was an inconspicuous small building in the village. Despite its unassuming exterior, the basement contained more than a dozen swords and blades, both long and short.

Judging by the surrounding setup, it seemed to have been a place that specialized in custom-made weapons before the apocalypse.

Xiao Zui could hardly contain his excitement. "The quality of these swords and blades is quite good. Everyone, pick one for self-defense."

Xiao Hua and Xiao Zui were fine since they were offensive enhanced individuals with strong abilities.

However, among the others, Bai Mu and Su Mo’s powers had no offensive capability, Tang Yi had only recently awakened his powers, and Zhao Ye and Han Xiu Jie’s powers weren’t even showing any signs yet.

Even if they had some combat skills, they couldn’t exactly engage in hand-to-hand combat with zombies, right?

Now that bullets were running low, they all needed melee weapons for close combat. It was like finding exactly what they needed at the right moment.

When they heard about the weapons, the others hurried over.

As soon as Zhao Ye entered, he spotted a large ring-blade. The blade was wide and thick, with seven steel rings attached, looking imposing.

Zhao Ye slung the blade over his shoulder, transforming from his youthful, boyish face into a bandit king.

Xiao Hua couldn’t help but smile.

Bai Mu and Xiao Hua trailed behind, moving at a leisurely pace. Once inside, the two just looked around without touching any of the weapons.

Xiao Hua blinked curiously and asked, “Brother Bai, why aren’t you picking a weapon?”

Bai Mu turned his head, blinked as well, and smiled slightly.

Xiao Hua somehow understood.

After everyone else had picked, the remaining weapons would go into Bai Mu’s space. He could choose whichever one he wanted later.

As a gesture of goodwill, Bai Mu also asked Xiao Hua, “Xiao Hua, why aren’t you picking?”

“I’m used to the ice blade. Besides, swords and blades are quite bulky and inconvenient to carry around.” Xiao Hua withdrew her gaze from the weapons and looked at Bai Mu.

She imagined how awkward it would be in a fight to hold a weapon in her hand when she could simply summon her ice blade and use it as an extension of her arm.

Unnecessary, really unnecessary.

Although she was quite tempted by these weapons, she didn’t really need them.

Bai Mu’s eyes met Xiao Hua’s, and he chuckled, “It’s convenient for me.”

Xiao Hua looked puzzled, “???”

“You can pick a favorite one, keep it in my space, and I’ll give it to you whenever you need it.” Bai Mu’s expression was relaxed, as if this wasn’t a difficult problem at all.

He locked eyes with Xiao Hua, his gaze twinkling. “What do you think?”

“That’s true.” Xiao Hua found his suggestion quite reasonable upon hearing it. Whether she needed it or not, she figured she should pick one just in case.

Xiao Hua immediately dove into the pile of weapons, barely noticing Bai Mu’s glance.

Bai Mu's expression faltered for a moment, and then his eyes filled with helplessness.

"Am I that unattractive or something?"

For the current Xiao Hua, the allure of beauty really couldn't compare to that of weapons.

In the real world, Xiao Hua had always been interested in various types of weapons.

After all, as a military academy student, she had some access to firearms. But cold weapons were something she had never had the chance to see.

Now, with the opportunity at hand and Bai Mu's assurance, Xiao Hua was like a fish leaping into water, happily swimming.

As soon as Xiao Hua joined in, Zhao Ye immediately put down the large ring-bladed sword he had been holding and shouted to Xiao Hua, "Sis Hua, there's a sword here that's perfect for you!"

Xiao Hua raised an eyebrow, curious to see what trick Zhao Ye was up to.

Walking over, she saw a halberd that was taller than her, lying there imposingly.

Xiao Hua: "..."

Not even as good as Zhao Ye's own ring-bladed sword.

Xiao Hua slightly lifted her chin, looking down at Zhao Ye, "If you want a beating, just say the word. I’ll be happy to accommodate you."

"Do you really think it's appropriate to recommend a freaking heavy sword to a girl?" Xiao Hua felt like prying open Zhao Ye's skull to see if there was water inside.

Zhao Ye: "Uh... I forgot."

Forgot that you're a girl.

Xiao Hua caught the implication and ground her teeth, her tone fierce, "Come on, let's go practice outside for a bit."

If I don’t beat you into submission, I’ll change my name!

"Ahhh! Brother Bai, help!" Zhao Ye was already crying for Bai Mu's rescue.

What good would that do? Like Bai Mu could stop her.

Xiao Hua was about to make her move when Bai Mu suddenly stepped forward, glanced at the halberd, and commented, "This one's too big. Ye Zi's recommendation isn't suitable."

"Right!" Xiao Hua vented her frustration to Bai Mu, "Zhao Ye’s got some nerve, trying to stick me with a steel pipe like a frog."

Bai Mu stifled a laugh, glanced at Zhao Ye's desperate pleading eyes, and then turned to a saber on the right, "This one's good."

The blade was about a meter long, with a narrow edge and a simple, understated hilt.

"It’s pretty solid." Xiao Hua tested it and found it to be one of the best in terms of quality among the dozen or so weapons.

"Then this one." Xiao Hua made up her mind and had Bai Mu stash the saber.

She then saw Su Mo hesitating, picking up and putting down weapons.

Seeing that Xiao Hua had made her choice, Su Mo immediately ran over, looking conflicted, "Xiao Hua, which one should I choose?"

Xiao Hua was puzzled, "Just pick whatever you like. Don’t you have a favorite?"

"It's not that," Su Mo said, embarrassed, "The bigger ones are too heavy, and I’m worried I won’t be able to handle them properly."

"..." Xiao Hua sighed. "Then don't use it, just keep using the previous dagger."

"Ah?"

Xiao Hua was concise. "You're a healer. Staying alive is the biggest contribution. Unless everyone else is dead, your priority is to protect yourself."

Like this time, without you as a healer, a few zombie swipes would have finished Bai Mu.

Su Mo perked up for a moment, but her mood quickly sank again. "But I don't think I can even protect myself."

Xiao Hua sighed, not knowing how to respond.

Xiao Hua didn’t know what to say.

Xiao Zui overheard and quickly stepped in to comfort Su Mo. "Don't worry, I'll teach you some self-defense moves."

Xiao Hua’s eyes twinkled with amusement—oh-ho.

Looks like something might be brewing between them?

Xiao Hua quietly slipped away, leaving them to it.

After everyone picked their weapons, Bai Mu stored the rest in his storage space.

After searching further, they found tools for making blades and some high-quality steel in the small building.

Maybe because of the high-level zombies and the horde, the village was stocked with plenty of grain and food. And even the convenience store’s supplies were still intact.

With the wheat in the fields added to the mix, this trip was a real windfall.