Chapter Forty-Eight: No Plan

Three days later...

The days passed as usual, with life in the camp unchanged. No zombies came to disturb them, as if all the undead in the surrounding area had already been cleared out. Nevertheless, Yue Qi had still hastily assembled a small guard squad. At this point, the number of people in the camp capable of fighting could be counted on two hands. Yue Qi felt helpless—he’d thought he’d found a paradise, yet it had turned out to be a mess.

Despite this, he divided the team into two groups, each taking turns to guard the camp. In truth, there weren’t many places that needed watching—the main concern was the gap in the perimeter wall. Yue Qi racked his brains trying to seal that opening, but with limited materials, things never quite fell into place.

At least the camp’s logistics were secure. While the people were not talkative, they were highly efficient. With arable land and seeds at their disposal, they never failed in their daily farming and cooking. In this post-apocalyptic world, Yue Qi’s camp could be considered a haven.

Not everyone in the camp was sunk in despair. There were still a handful of children around twelve or thirteen, their curiosity vivid and lively—at least enough to help alleviate the urgent shortage of hands.

Compared to the others, the survivors from Yue Family Village were especially spirited. Though they rarely interacted with the rest, they treated the camp as their own home and thus worked with even more diligence.

“Brother Qi, out on patrol with sister-in-law again?” Yue Liang called out. It was his turn to rest, but he could never stay idle. He claimed he’d never worked the fields as a child and insisted on trying it now.

“You’re something else. I give you a break and you don’t rest. Next time I’ll give you a full day’s work and see if you still have the energy to hang around here,” Yue Qi replied, holding Bai Lian’s hand and smiling at the boy before him.

These three days in the camp had lifted everyone’s spirits. They deliberately avoided talking about the zombie siege—they had lost too many people, and the memory was still raw.

“Don’t say that, Brother Qi. You know I can’t stand being idle. Working an extra acre is no bad thing, right?” Yue Liang grinned, glancing at Bai Lian beside Yue Qi, his eyes full of envy.

“Fine, have it your way. But you’d better learn some martial arts from Hong Ye when you’re free. That way, if you run into a stray zombie, you won’t get yourself killed,” Yue Qi shook his head. He was used to those envious stares—after all, his wife was beautiful, and that was just how things were.

With these thoughts, Yue Qi gently squeezed Bai Lian’s hand and made his way toward the unfortified section of the wall.

The greatest gain since arriving at the camp, apart from Hong Ye, was discovering that beneath Hong Ye’s frail appearance lay a talent for martial arts. Of course, his skills were only impressive compared to ordinary people—no wonder he’d been bullied so badly by Wang Jian and his gang in the past.

Yue Qi had once asked, and learned that Hong Ye’s martial arts were a family tradition, intended mainly for health rather than offense. After understanding this, Yue Qi learned the forms from him and had Bai Lian make improvements.

When it came to Bai Lian’s martial skills, Yue Qi had every confidence. After she revised the forms and passed them to Hong Ye, the excitement in his eyes was unmistakable.

Hong Ye soon became the others’ instructor—Yue Qi was reluctant to let Bai Lian teach in person.

“Brother Qi, something’s on your mind?” Bai Lian suddenly stopped as they walked, the two of them alone, and looked at Yue Qi.

“You’re as perceptive as ever, Lian’er,” Yue Qi sighed, gazing at her delicate face.

“Whatever it is, tell me. Aren’t husband and wife meant to share both joy and hardship?” Bai Lian’s cheeks flushed as she spoke, but she pulled Yue Qi to a stone step and sat down.

“How should I put it? My mind’s in turmoil...” Yue Qi pulled Bai Lian into his arms and settled her on his lap. Alone, she only blushed, fidgeted a moment, then settled herself.

“Is it about revenge?” Bai Lian asked, noting his furrowed brow.

“That’s part of it...” Yue Qi shook his head. “But there’s something else I’ve been pondering these past days...”

“Oh?” Bai Lian listened closely.

“I’m wondering if we should really go to Mount Sanqing. Life here isn’t bad. Everyone’s a bit dispirited, but at least we’re alive. The camp has everything we need, and I can keep training. With the zombies around now, I’m confident I can keep this place safe for a lifetime,” Yue Qi said, pride mingling with his sigh.

“Is that truly what you want?” Bai Lian smoothed her hair and asked.

“Yes...” Yue Qi scratched his head, a little embarrassed.

“Have you thought about the difference in lifespan between cultivators and ordinary people? If one day we all leave you behind, what will you do?” Bai Lian looked at him with a gentle smile.

The truth was, Yue Qi had never considered it. With his current abilities, even if he made no further progress, he would likely live a century or more longer than ordinary people.

“We all have our destinies in this world. For some, it may be simply to live in peace, for others, to save the world... Brother Qi, when all our spiritual power was lost, you alone remained unchanged. I believe this is fate’s design.”

She paused, then continued, “Perhaps it’s naïve, but if the cultivators on Mount Sanqing have lost their power, then I believe you are the one meant to save the world.”

“Me? Save the world?” Yue Qi murmured, a new clarity lighting his once-confused gaze.

“Perhaps you think your only duty is to protect those you love—me, your family, Yunsheng, Yuqi, the survivors from Yue Family Village. But when heaven grants a great task, how can a true man live only for himself?” Bai Lian squeezed his hand.

“How can a true man live only for himself?” Yue Qi repeated, then looked at her. “Lian’er, are you saying that I...”

“Yes!” Bai Lian interrupted before he could finish. “This is your responsibility, and you must fulfill it! I don’t want us to grow old only to regret not doing our duty when we were young.”

“Lian’er...” Yue Qi gazed at her with deep affection and gently pulled her into his arms.

“I understand now. This is my duty—and the duty of all mankind. We must find the root of all this and restore the world to its former order,” he said softly, but with unshakable resolve.

Bai Lian said nothing, leaning against his chest, gently stroking him. She had already decided: wherever Yue Qi went, she would follow him for life.

“What should we do next?” Bai Lian suddenly raised her head to ask.

“We...” Yue Qi was silent for a moment. “Revenge! Wang Chao in Qingzhou is a thorn in my side. Whether for our future or to avenge my mother, I have to kill him first!”

“But Brother Qi, have you noticed that the people in our camp don’t seem all that enthusiastic about revenge?” Bai Lian looked at him, worry in her eyes.

“Yes...” Yue Qi nodded. “I’ve noticed. Their lives are so much better now, they don’t want to stir up trouble. In this world, even deep grudges have to be set aside for survival.”

“So what should we do? March straight to Qingzhou, just the two of us?” Bai Lian finally voiced her greatest worry. People might say they would follow Yue Qi, but when the time came, if they didn’t act, it would be a disaster.

“Of course just the two of us! How many do you think I need?” Yue Qi puffed out his chest, looking at Bai Lian with pride. “I am a cultivator! Why would I need a battle plan to deal with a few small-time thugs?”

“You’re so impressive,” Bai Lian teased, tapping him lightly on the forehead. “But you don’t even know what Qingzhou is like. Are you just going to charge in blindly? Don’t forget, you’re only at the Foundation Establishment stage—you might not even get over their walls.”

Yue Qi was unfazed by her teasing. “Don’t we have that... what’s his name, that effeminate guy with the duck voice? He claims to know Qingzhou inside out! And if nothing else, there’s Hong Ye—he’s lived there long enough to know a thing or two.”

“You plan to rely on those two to take down an entire city?” Bai Lian stared at him in disbelief. She’d thought he’d have a plan, but he was actually planning to storm the enemy’s stronghold head-on.

“What’s the problem? You’re overestimating ordinary people. Unless we get poisoned again, I’m sure I can crush them without any resistance,” Yue Qi replied.

“So you look down on us ordinary people, is that it?” Bai Lian shot to her feet, glaring at him.

“No, no, that’s not what I meant, my lady...” Yue Qi hurried to apologize—today, he truly understood the saying that women and petty men are hard to handle.

“You really don’t have a plan?” Bai Lian eyed him suspiciously.

“Of course not,” Yue Qi answered with certainty.

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