Chapter Sixty-Six: Xin Zi

In the blink of an eye, it was too late to cast any spell. Yue Qi hurled his sword, pinning one of the zombies to the ground! The other three zombies, clearly distracted by this turn of events, abandoned their easy prey and turned to face Yue Qi. The other man wisely scrambled backward, his face frozen in astonishment at the scene before him.

With a low growl, Yue Qi leapt before the remaining zombies. There was no time to retrieve his sword, and the three zombies were already upon him! He rolled swiftly on the ground, sending out three Water Manipulation Charms in rapid succession, striking each of the zombies.

The results of Yue Qi’s recent training were fully displayed—these were not the simple charms he once cast, but three Water Manipulation Charms compressed with spiritual force. The spells instantly immobilized the three zombies. Having exerted too much force, he knocked them all to the ground, though they still writhed and flailed their claws in silent fury.

Yue Qi didn’t bother to retrieve his sword. Instead, a sharp dagger appeared in his hand out of nowhere, and he promptly drove it into each of the zombies’ skulls, one by one.

“Are you all right?” Yue Qi approached the man, whose face was still etched with shock, and asked.

“I—I'm fine…” The man stammered, attempting to rise, but his legs seemed to give out beneath him and he collapsed again.

“Injured?” Yue Qi helped him up, frowning in concern, but saw no visible wounds on the fellow—his only affliction appeared to be exhaustion, likely from the recent chase.

“No, but thank you…” The man regarded Yue Qi with a deep, lingering look before speaking. He’d thought today would be the end for him, but fate had sent someone to his rescue at the last moment.

Yue Qi pulled his sword from the zombie’s shoulder, then drove it into the creature’s head, sending blood spraying. The other man, visibly disgusted, turned his head away, unwilling to watch.

“Are you from around here?” They made their way to a small creek. Yue Qi washed his dagger and tucked it at his waist. As for his mustard seed ring, no matter who stood before him, he knew better than to reveal his treasures.

“No… I was traveling when this disaster struck. Since then, I’ve been darting east and hiding whenever I could, until I ended up here…” The man laughed at himself, but then seemed to recall something. “My name is Xin Zi. I haven’t thanked you properly for saving my life. May I ask your name, brother?”

For some reason, Xin Zi’s words made Yue Qi think of the late Hong Ye. He scooped some water into his hands and splashed his face to clear his mind. “I’m Yue Qi. I live nearby.”

“You live nearby? Are there other survivors with you?” Xin Zi’s eyes widened in surprise.

Yue Qi remained silent. It was their first meeting—he couldn’t reveal too much. Xin Zi seemed to realize his question was too forward and gave a sheepish, apologetic smile. An awkward silence settled between them.

“Brother Yue, you’re a cultivator, aren’t you?” Xin Zi suddenly asked. The question caught Yue Qi off guard.

“Yes…” Yue Qi did not deny it. To his eyes, Xin Zi was no cultivator; his weapon was an ordinary mortal tool, and he carried no magical artifacts.

“If you don’t mind my asking…” Xin Zi paused, his gaze making Yue Qi uncomfortable. “As far as I know, all cultivators have lost their spiritual power. How is it that you…”

With a crisp snap, the branch in Yue Qi’s hand broke. He turned a cold gaze on Xin Zi. “How do you know that? Are you a cultivator as well?”

“No, no!” Xin Zi quickly waved his hands, alarmed by Yue Qi’s icy demeanor and not wishing to provoke a man who, with his spiritual power intact, could crush his throat at any moment. “When the disaster began, I had a friend who was a cultivator. He told me all his spiritual power had vanished…”

Yue Qi relaxed a little at that.

“Forgive me, Brother Xin. I was too hasty; it’s just that the fewer people know of this, the better…” Yue Qi cupped his hands in apology.

“No, the fault is mine for prying. But I must say, your mustard seed ring is quite impressive. I’d guess you’re an elder of the Qinghe Sword Sect!” Xin Zi glanced at Yue Qi’s left hand and, with a single sentence, revealed another of his secrets.

“How did you know I’m from the Qinghe Sword Sect?” Yue Qi suddenly felt this man was unfathomable, a feeling he’d never experienced before.

“It wasn’t hard to guess. The Qinghe Sword Sect is the only sect nearby, and you don’t seem like someone from elsewhere. As for the mustard seed ring, I once saw one on my father’s hand; that’s why I suspected you were an elder,” Xin Zi replied with a smile, watching Yue Qi’s expressionless face.

“Is your father a cultivator as well?” Yue Qi did not deny Xin Zi’s deduction.

“No, my father is simply well-connected in the martial world, which earns him some respect. That ring was a birthday gift from an elder of the Sanqing Sect on his fiftieth birthday,” Xin Zi said, a hint of pride in his voice.

“As expected, the Sanqing Sect is wealthy beyond compare…” Yue Qi thought to himself, though his suspicions about Xin Zi only deepened.

“Brother Yue, what is the state of the Qinghe Sword Sect now? On my way here, I passed through many towns and villages, all overrun by zombies…” Xin Zi asked.

Yue Qi shook his head without a word. Xin Zi sighed as well; he understood what that meant—the Qinghe Sword Sect likely no longer existed.

“By the way…” Yue Qi suddenly remembered something. “You mentioned you had a cultivator friend with you. Where is he now?” Truth be told, Yue Qi found it hard to believe that someone who struggled against four zombies could have made it here alone.

“He’s dead…” Xin Zi’s face turned cold, so much so that Yue Qi felt a chill in his heart. Yet just as quickly, Xin Zi’s familiar, mischievous smile returned.

“I’m sorry…” Yue Qi said after a long pause.

They fell silent again. Yue Qi made no move to bring Xin Zi back with him; they simply sat by the creek as the sky darkened and the autumn wind began to stir. Xin Zi shivered—there was a chill in the early autumn night, especially in the woods. But then he suddenly asked, “Brother Yue, your camp isn’t here. Why did you come to this spot?”

Yue Qi hesitated, remembering the mysterious summons he’d felt inside himself. Yet ever since meeting Xin Zi, that sensation had vanished, as if it had never existed. But with Xin Zi right in front of him, he couldn’t exactly ask or try to search him for that cultivation manual. Killing him on suspicion was out of the question.

“Just passing by…” Yue Qi finally invented a flimsy excuse. “But…,” he continued, fixing Xin Zi with a steady gaze, “who are you really, to be here at a time like this?”

“Me? I’m just a wandering soul,” Xin Zi replied with a self-deprecating laugh. “But thank you again for saving my life. You’ve been away from your camp long enough; you should return before your people worry. I have little of value, but I’ll be sure to repay your kindness someday.”

“Wait!” Yue Qi was anxious now. He’d finally found this man, and to let him go without learning anything was not his way.

“Yes, Brother Yue? Is there something else?” Xin Zi asked, with a flicker of amusement beneath his mask of confusion.

Yue Qi shook his head. “Since you’re alone, why not return to the camp with me? It’s not large, but there are enough resources. I hope you won’t mind.”

“No, no, I couldn’t possibly…” Xin Zi waved his hands. “You’ve already gone to so much trouble for me. I’d feel terrible imposing on you further!”

“It’s nothing. Besides, with zombies everywhere, you never know when you’ll run into more. It’s safer if we stick together,” Yue Qi replied with a smile, though he alone knew how forced that smile was.

“So, he really does have an ulterior motive…” Xin Zi muttered under his breath, then resumed his innocent smile. “Since you insist, Brother Yue, I’ll accept your invitation. I only hope I won’t be too much of a burden…”

“Think nothing of it. On the contrary, someone who can survive alone in this apocalypse must be quite capable. If you join us, you’ll be a great asset to our camp,” Yue Qi replied, clapping Xin Zi on the shoulder as he stood.

“I possess no such skills—just a knack for running fast. You saw how I fared against those four zombies…” Xin Zi shook his head, still self-mocking.

“Haha, don’t worry, Brother Xin. Come with me. It’s late, and if we hurry, we might even make it back in time for dinner…” Yue Qi suddenly threw an arm around Xin Zi’s neck and started to drag him along.

“Ah!!” Xin Zi shrieked, startling Yue Qi, who hurriedly let go, alert and wary. “Brother Xin? What’s wrong?”

“It’s nothing! I thought I saw a snake…” Xin Zi forced a smile.

“A snake?” Yue Qi found it odd—what grown man was afraid of snakes? But he kept his thoughts to himself, and with a smile urged, “Let’s get moving, Brother Xin.”

Xin Zi nodded, falling half a step behind Yue Qi, but his heart remained troubled: “Could he have figured it out? Why else would he be so eager to bring me back?”

Author’s Note: Over two hundred thousand words already—new authors have it tough. Please consider adding to your favorites and recommending!