Chapter 31: Danger Approaches
After entering the Forest, Chen Ning and Bai Yuhao’s team encountered two Level-1 zombies and one Level-2 zombie—all of which they dispatched with ease.
When that Level-2 zombie suddenly lunged out from hiding, it was Chen Ning who reacted first.
He didn’t even bother to fire.
Facing the creature’s sudden charge, Chen Ning moved calmly—gripping his assault rifle with both hands, he swung the steel stock in a brutal counter-arc.
Bang!
Even with its tough hide and dense muscle, the zombie’s face caved in, flesh splitting open under the blow. It crashed to the ground with a guttural shriek.
Before it could rise again, Chen Ning stepped forward and smashed the stock down twice more. The skull burst open like an overripe watermelon.
The fight ended as quickly as it began.
Chen Ning knelt down, dug out the shimmering zombie core from the smashed skull, and tossed it casually to Bai Yuhao.
Since they were operating as a team, Chen Ning believed that all zombies killed tonight should be gathered together as a common resource, to be distributed later.
Bai Yuhao caught the core neatly and let out a low whistle. “Chen Ning, man… you sure you’re just a level two Soldier? ’Cause what I’m seeing looks a hell of a lot higher than that.”
Not only Bai Yuhao—even Su Luo, Big Luo, and Little Luo were left dumbfounded.
Generally, a level two soldier’s strength is roughly equal to that of a level two zombie—in fact, humans are often slightly weaker than zombies of the same level. After all, zombies don’t tire, and injuries like severed limbs don’t cause them pain. These are advantages that humans simply cannot match.
However, Chen Ning’s performance completely defied their understanding. It was said that he had only just lit the second node of his martial meridian, truly becoming a second-level soldier.
Yet, his current display of skill even made Su Luo and the Luo brothers—who were level three soldiers—feel they fall short.
Still, Chen Ning said nothing about his dual meridian veins.
He didn’t know if that was something only demigods possessed—and if it was, disclosing it would mean admitting he wasn’t fully human.
“Demigod” is merely a benevolent title; in reality, a demigod is half-corpse, half-human. Humanity’s fear of them is no less than their fear of zombies.
Chen Ning didn’t want to lose his friends—or worse, become a target of the Empire.
So he smiled faintly and gave a simple explanation.
“You might be wondering why, with only two nodes lit, my strength seems to far surpass that of a typical level two soldier. In fact, Instructor Jian Qing told us long ago that Imperial soldiers have two paths: the tech-enhanced gene warrior, who relies on training and stimulants, and the meridian warrior, who cultivates the Mighty Tigers Art.”
Chen Ning paused before continuing.
“Those without the talent cannot activate their meridians. They can only undergo rigorous training to become regular Imperial soldiers. Without meridians, they naturally have no nodes to light.
However, this doesn’t mean they are weak. They can still defeat Walkers, Stiffs, Chargers, Predators, and other zombies.
So, while they haven’t lit any meridian nodes, many seasoned veterans possess the combat prowess of Level Three War Soldiers, or even Level Four War Officers.”
Bai Yuhao had been listening intently to Chen Ning. Now, understand Chen Ning’s meaning.
He smiled and said, “I see. Chen Ning is saying that he not only cultivates the Mighty Tigers Art and has lit two nodes like a meridian warrior, but he has also trained as hard as any regular Imperial soldier. That’s why his foundation is so solid, and his true strength surpasses the second level.”
Su Luo and the others suddenly understood, recalling how fiercely Chen Ning had pushed himself during training.
Su Luo giggled. “So that’s how it is.”
Then Bai Yuhao grinned. “Well, since our Chen Ning here’s no pushover, how about a little friendly competition tonight?”
Chen Ning raised a brow. “What kind of competition?”
Bai Yuhao explained with a grin: “Three groups. You and Su Luo in one, Big Luo and Little Luo in another, and I’ll go solo. We’ll split up, hunt separately, and regroup here at dawn. Whoever brings back the most zombie cores wins.”
Everyone agreed enthusiastically—except Chen Ning, who hesitated.
He didn’t like splitting up in an unfamiliar forest, but when the others all agreed, he could only nod.
After setting the time and place to regroup, the teams went their separate ways.
Chen Ning and Su Luo moved deeper into the forest.
They walked for two or three kilometers, encountering only a couple of stragglers—both of which Chen Ning dispatched swiftly. Su Luo, impressed by his agility, let him take the lead while she followed leisurely behind.
But after that, the forest grew eerily quiet. Not a single zombie appeared.
Su Luo frowned. “Strange. With the outbreaks in nearby towns, this place should be crawling with zombies. Why so few?”
Chen Ning smiled faintly. “Because Shi Yu’s been bringing his trainees here every day to hunt. If there were still zombies left, that would be strange. Look—footprints, fresh, maybe two hours old. And that cigarette butt? Still warm. Looks like a patrol swept through. We probably picked the wrong route.”
Su Luo’s eyes widened. “Then we’ll lose the competition!”
Chen Ning almost laughed.
People said women were gentle and mild—but in competition, they were fiercer than men.
He shrugged. “If we lose, we lose. Can’t fight luck.”
Su Luo pouted. “No way. We’re going deeper. I don’t believe they killed all the zombies in here.”
Chen Ning nodded and turned toward a patch of tall grass to the left.
“Where are you going?” Su Luo asked.
He replied with perfect seriousness, “My stomach hurts. Gotta take a dump.”
Su Luo, both embarrassed and annoyed, retorted: “Chen Ning, you’re so crude! Couldn’t you phrase it more delicately?”
Chen Ning thought to himself, “I eat like everyone else, of course I’m crude,” but he didn’t argue. Instead, he nodded and said: “Fine. Then I’m going to glide.”
Gliding?!
Su Luo’s forehead twitched, black lines forming.
“Go far away!” she snapped. “I don’t want to smell your ‘gliding.’”
“Yes, ma’am!” Chen Ning called back cheerfully, trudging about a hundred meters away before finding a spot in the weeds.
A few minutes later, done with his business, he started walking back—then he froze.
Something—a faint, unnatural rustle—brushed his ears.
Instantly alert, Chen Ning lifted his rifle, eyes narrowing toward the sound. A large tree loomed a short distance away.
He steadied his breath. “Who’s there?”
No sooner had he spoken than a figure peeked out from behind the tree—a beautiful woman with an oval face, willow-leaf eyebrows, phoenix eyes, a noble nose, and crimson lips. Her cool aloofness carried an alluring charm.
It was actually Jian Qing.
“Instructor Jian Qing?” Chen Ning blurted out in shock. “Why are you here?”
Jian Qing, who usually maintained a cold, stern expression, now offered Chen Ning a bewitching smile.
“I was a little worried about you,” she said, “so I came to find you. I thought I’d give you a scare, but you spotted me. Come here, Chen Ning. I have something to show you—a little surprise I prepared just for you. Come on—”
This time, not only was Jian Qing’s smile enchanting and alluring, but her voice also carried a subtle, teasing tone.
If only he could see the other side of that tree—he would have been shocked to discover that there was no body behind the tree—Jian Qing was merely a disembodied head. In fact, this wasn’t Jian Qing at all, but the Crimson Tyrant, who had just slain an imperial soldier.
Although the Crimson Tyrant was now only a head and his power had been greatly diminished, his mental energy remained formidable. He could influence others’ nerves, creating powerful hallucinations.
The “Jian Qing” that Chen Ning saw was an illusion projected by the Crimson Tyrant’s head, using his psychic power to manipulate Chen Ning’s senses.
Completely unsuspecting, Chen Ning walked straight toward the Tyrant’s head…
Meanwhile, Su Luo, waiting for Chen Ning’s return about a hundred meters away, was feeling bored and frustrated. She snapped off a twig and began idly swatting at the weeds, awaiting his comeback.
Unbeknownst to her, a desiccated zombie clad in an imperial soldier’s uniform had quietly emerged behind her. Step by step, it closed in on the completely unaware Su Luo.
Poised to strike from behind.
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