Chapter 69

Chapter 69

The further they traveled from the base, the more zombies there were.

After the toxic rain, the vegetation withered and rotted rapidly, leaving the land barren. The soil began to turn sandy, and even a slight breeze would send dust flying everywhere.

You had to wear a mask just to step outside the base.

Moreover, the area where South City Base was located was flat plains. At a glance, the surroundings were desolate, making the roaming zombies stick out like sore thumbs.

Jiang Nian and the others ignored straggler zombies, only bothering with full hordes.

The team's combat strength was formidable, with a well-balanced and stable lineup. Wherever they passed, the zombies were wiped out completely.

And Jiang Nian finally got the chance to try out his abilities on the zombies.

Earthen shields, ice walls, iron barriers, and thorny vines erupted from the ground. The teammates did their thing, using their superpowers to trap the zombies while also keeping prying eyes away.

Watching the encircled zombies, Jiang Nian's expression turned cold and focused as he placed his palm on the ground and activated his superpower.

Cheng Jing stood right beside him.

A blue-white pulse of energy rapidly spread out, covering the zombies within range.

The moment the purification energy touched them, the zombies screamed in pain, their movements slowing significantly, while wispy black smoke rose from their bodies.

The purification accelerated the decay of the zombies' flesh, much like demons hit with holy water in Western tales.

Classic purification move—though not fatal, it served as excellent support in a team setting.

Enraged, the zombies charged at them, snarling like crazy. Jiang Nian withdrew his superpower, wrapping it around himself, then raised his AK and opened fire.

He had learned shooting as a hobby before, and with Cheng Jing's hands-on guidance, he wasn't half bad.

The teammates just hung back until he had popped every zombie's head in range, after which Cheng Jing burned the corpses and looted the cores.

Finally getting his kicks, Jiang Nian exhaled deeply and brushed off the splattered filth on his camouflage uniform.

The thought of killing people made him uneasy; it crossed a line for him, but facing zombies left him cool as a cucumber.

Even though they were once the same species, the feeling was entirely different.

As the teammates withdrew their superpowers, Jiang Nian slung his gun over his shoulder, checked the area, and strode toward the lone zombies.

The others, who had been about to return to the vehicles, looked at each other. Huang Qian pulled Cheng Jing back as he moved to follow:

"He seems... excited."

He looked like he was about to crack up, just like the villains in movies.

"Some folks are just born troublemakers."

After saying this, Cheng Jing quickly caught up. He had to stay close—otherwise, he feared Jiang Nian might rip a zombie's head clean off with his bare hands.

The others: "..."

Jian Cheng watched the two figures walk away and mused:

"So, Brother Nian really was the top enforcer in fights back then? The type who goes all out once he gets going?"

Tang Yi sighed:

"Playing nice for love."

Zhou Rongbin shook his head: "Pathetic."

"What are you talking about?"

Huang Qian flicked his head lightly:

"Have you ever been in a relationship? A single dog like you pitying an inseparable couple—how does that even make sense?"

Zhou Rongbin rubbed his head silently:

"Sis Qian, you’ve got a knack for twisting the knife."

Guess singles don’t get an opinion, huh.

Lu Ningzhou, backing her up like a good husband beside her, pointed ahead:

"You wanna say that to their faces?"

Zhou Rongbin’s expression stiffened:

"C’mon, we’re bros... no need." Of course, he didn’t dare. The apocalypse had just begun—he wasn’t ready to die yet.

"Bang—"

"Bang—"

After two gunshots, *Thunder Fire* erupted, turning the ferocious zombies into a pile of ashes.

Jiang Nian walked over and picked up the crystal cores:

"10 credits... 20 credits."

Noticing the still-stony-faced man waiting for him to break the ice, he took the initiative:

"Brother Jing, I just wanted to learn more about S Base through Yang Kai. Don’t be mad, alright?"

"I’m not upset... It was my fault earlier."

Once he calmed down, he realized—so much of Jiang Nian’s suffering in his past life was tied to S Base.

Given Yang Kai’s background, he must know a lot. They might as well dig for intel on the people and events connected to Jiang Nian in that past life.

"I knew Brother Jing wouldn’t really stay mad at me."

Jiang Nian grinned, draping an arm over his shoulders and giving it a playful squeeze:

"I don’t care about anyone else’s drama, but you’re different, Brother Jing. We’re lovers. You’re the only one I can be myself with. Nothing scares me when you’re with me."

For all his easygoing front, he actually lacked a sense of security. The trauma of his brutal death in his past life was a wound that never quite healed.

He wanted to shake it off, but even after all this time since his rebirth, he couldn’t fake indifference. Maybe only revenge or making it past the day he died last time would free him.

This fear, he couldn’t bring himself to say—not if it’d make Brother Jing worry.

"Mm. I could never stay mad at you."

Cheng Jing gave a sullen nod, his throat grew tight with emotion, hit by this sudden urge to hug the person beside him.

"Heehee~"

Jiang Nian draped an arm over his shoulder as they walked, then whispered after a moment:

"If we weren’t outside, I'd be hugging you right now, Brother Jing."

Some things are best said in a hug—that way, the comfort is doubled.

"Mhm."

Cheng Jing nodded again, suppressing the urge to act on his impulse. Were they really so in tune?

"..."

Meanwhile, to their teammates, the couple looked like they were being sickeningly sweet after killing just two zombies, whispering to each other and moving at a snail's pace, as if fighting zombies was just part of their little game!

Liao Yu muttered to himself:

"I really wanna know the details of how Brother Nian and Cheng got together..."

"Quit being so damn nosy. Get in the damn car!"

Zhao Lei snapped at him irritably before heading toward the vehicle.

"Brother Zhao, you’re just salty from all that PDA..."

Liao Yu grumbled but followed suit.

As they set off again, the tension had eased. With the two lovebirds made up, the atmosphere in the car lightened up again.

Until they reached their destination.

At the entrance of the industrial park.

Yang Kai was already waiting for them, geared up with a rifle, casually leaning against his motorcycle with a roguish charm.

Jiang Nian had only ever seen his fake rival in a suit and glasses—that slick bastard look. This badass look suited him much better.

After parking and checking their gear, Lu Ningzhou and Huang Qian hid the vehicles with earth walls and thorny vines.

Yang Kai slung his rifle over his shoulder and rode his motorcycle over:

"Mind covering mine too? Thanks."

"No problem."

Huang Qian said without hesitation.

Once done, the teammates got ready while shooting the breeze with Yang Kai. After months of working together, they were familiar enough.

At first, everyone subtly kept an eye on Jiang Nian’s reaction, worried he’d be upset. If Brother Nian wasn’t happy, they’d back off.

But to their surprise, Jiang Nian was all over Yang Kai conversation-wise, especially when the topic shifted to motorcycle modifications—completely shutting everyone else out.

"Ahem! Let’s move out!"

Cheng Jing had enough of watching the two chatter away any longer. He pulled out a map of the industrial park along with some basic intel on the chemical plant.

At that, everyone stopped their idle talk and gathered around.