Rebirth of MC Chapter 168

Chapter 168: Returning to the safe zone

Since they have decided to return today, Huo Zaiyuan and Long Zhanye have lunch in the space, filling their stomach first before heading back.

Ever since reaching the sixth level, Huo Zaiyuan begins to avoid eating meat altogether. Just fruits, vegetables and grain are enough. Hence, most of the meat stored in this space is fed to Long Zhanye.

Although the other man awakened his powers and mediates from time to time to cultivate, he is clearly still the same old Long Zhanye who has to have meat at every meal. If anything, his love for meat dishes increased two-folds. However, no matter how much meat the other eats, his body will not expel the impurities within his body like Huo Zaiyuan.

After regaining his memories, Long Zhanye also stops forcing Huo Zaiyuan to drink meat broths, only ensuring he drinks a bowl whenever a clear soup is cooked, like today.

"Here, have some."

"Un."

As soon as they finish their meal, the two men exit the space, followed closely by two tails, Liu Ying and Lu Er. Due to Huo Zaiyuan immediately giving chase after Long Zhanye was injured and carried off by Cheng Mingcheng, Huo Zaiyuan's modified Hummer is parked in the car park below the dormitory building. Luckily, Long Zhanye's military Hummer is still in the space. If it isn't for this car, the two of them will really have to walk back on foot.

After Long Zhanye repaired this Hummer back in Z City, it hasn't seen use until now. Fortunately, the space has the heaven-defying ability to preserve everything, or else this car that has been sitting in the space gathering figurative dust for two years would have long rusted away.

Sliding into the driver seat of his beloved Hummer, Long Zhanye feels very content. Even after two years of driving other vehicles, his favourite car is still the best.

Huo Zaiyuan can't resist the teasing smile that surfaces at Long Zhanye's infatuated look. "Chauffer, are you still not going to drive?"

"Roger that, my beloved wifey!" Long Zhanye salutes with a roguish smirk before starting the Hummer's engine.

"Who's your wife…" Huo Zaiyuan complains half-heartedly as the vehicle speeds in the direction of the city.

A little more than an hour later, the military Hummer approaches the city's northern city wall. After suffering under a wave of undead, fierce artillery barrage as well as a rain of bullets, the pavement here is full of pot-holes and large cracks. Not a trace of moving zombies can be seen, let alone their remains.

Although the plan crafted between Long Zhanye and He Lianming can be easily replicated by anyone, their approach is long, meticulous and top secret. One is tasked with investigating every nook and cranny, pretending to defect, drawing out the danger seeking to turn the earth upside down from within the safe zone. In the end, they brought in Huo Zaiyuan to hand an invitation to a funeral to Xu Mingyi. Using this event as the fuse, He Lianming infiltrated the enemy ranks and provoked zombies to attack the safe zone. This way, they can clear the majority of undead and pull this ‘Sorceror's cult’ out by the roots, directly cutting out a malignant tumour growing in the darkness.

The plan proceeded rather smoothly until the end, with neither taking into account something like Cheng Mingcheng happening. This oversight resulted in Long Zhanye being injured and captured.

When this storm blew over, peace returns to the safe zone and a bustle of activity returns. Numerous vehicles enter and exit the gates as mercenary squads depart or return from their missions.

After Judgement Day, don't say ordinary soldiers, even the high-ranking officers in the military may not necessarily be able to drive this sort of majestic military Hummer everywhere. Thus, when said Hummer approaches the gate, it draws a lot of attention and causes several heated discussions to break out.

While ordinary people wouldn't know exactly who owns this Hummer, the soldiers of A City are well aware that this car can also act as proof of the driver's identity.

As such, as soon as this car comes near the gates, the soldiers guarding the gate immediately rushes forth, not even stopping to check who is behind the wheel.

This Hummer was never seen again even after Long Zhanye returned to A City. Appearing so suddenly right now, it is clearly being…

Coming to a stop, the driver door opens and a tall figure clad in a military uniform emerges. A pair of fierce eyes instantly sweeps over the gathered soldiers as a single eyebrow rises.

"You all rushing up like this…were you planning an armed robbery, huh?!" Glaring everyone into submission is truly fun.

Ever since he regained the memories of his previous life, even Long Zhanye himself feels that his disposition has become a tad nastier and more sadistic than before. (Author's note: So you are self-aware ah?)

"Boss!!"

The small group of soldiers who dashed over with fiendish expressions on their faces abruptly freezes. A second later, they all but fall over themselves, wailing with joy. If they didn't know their Boss would definitely break their arms, they would have hugged his thigh.

"Boss, you've finally returned!!"

"Boss, this subordinate was so worried about you!!"

"Boss, quickly go, quickly go. This subordinate will take good care of your car!!"

"Tch, you bunch of stinking scoundrels," Long Zhanye scoffs coldly as he strides over to the passenger side to take Huo Zaiyuan's hand before walking towards the safe zone.

The group of soldiers watch them go, overwhelming admiration and worship flooding their hearts. The matter of Long Zhanye being grievously wounded by a zombie in their midst is something everyone is well aware of. Now, seeing their Boss strut around like usual clearly shows that the injury is not a big hindrance. Instead, one should say…because of this injury, his strength seems to have increased even more.

An evolved demon king…

As soon as this thought crosses their minds, the soldiers shudder in unison. Not daring to dally any longer, they pile into the Hummer and drive it away.

~~~

Long Zhanye and Huo Zaiyuan plan to head straight for the command centre once they step into the safe zone. However, the moment they cross the gates, a large crowd of people rush towards them, with Grandfather Long Haotian leading the charge. As soon as the elder lay eyes on his precious, healthy and whole grandson, he crashes to a stop, knees nearly given out under him.

"Grandfather!" Long Zhanye reacts in an instant. Darting towards the old man's side, he supports him with an arm around his waist.

"Grandfather is fine. Before, when you were clawed by that zombie…grandfather thought that all was lost. But a few days back, a child came to me with the information that you were all right. But without seeing your face, grandfather still worries…now that I have seen you, my heart is at ease…heheh…" Reaching out, he pats his grandson's shoulders in search of a wound. "Your injury? Where are the claws marks? I heard it from the Ability Users' reports that the zombie’s claws pierced through your shoulder and chest…"

"Grandfather, I'm fine. Little Yuan has already treated my wounds. Furthermore, I profited from this disaster. I'm now an Ability User," Long Zhanye says with a rare, soft tone as he continues supporting his grandfather. "If grandfather doesn't believe me, then I can strip down later and let you inspect."

The wounds on his person have indeed healed, and it was due to Huo Zaiyuan placing the Dragon pearl into his mouth. Absorbing both the pearl and spiritual energy from the spring water, he regained his memories and abilities from his previous life… He can most probably consider himself an Ability User now, right?

"Good, good." Listening to his precious grandson's words, Grandfather Long nods his head happily, then turns to Huo Zaiyuan. "I really must thank you, little Yuan. If it wasn't for you…"

"Grandfather, don't say that. Umm…being able to awaken his 'ability' is his own good fortune. But we still must apologise to you for making you worry so much."

"Heheh…the anxiety was nothing when I am overjoyed right now. This old man's vitality has increased a hundredfold ah!" Long Haotian laughs, face displaying his great spirit.

In order to console Grandfather Long after being so worried over Long Zhanye and Huo Zaiyuan, the latter personally cooks dinner for everyone that night. Serving up a huge feast, he invites the Elder Taoist priest, Li Qing, Qin Jun and the two adjutants over.

As soon as Li Qing set eyes on Huo Zaiyuan who doesn't bear a single injury, he burst into tears. When he heard news about Long Zhanye being captured and Huo Zaiyuan giving chase, he received a huge scare.

After placating the loudly sobbing Li Qing, the atmosphere in the unit became lively at last as chatter and laughter fill the air. In this apocalyptic world, this scene adds a little bit of much-needed warmth.

When dinner concludes, everyone is peaceful at mind and heart, worries easing. One by one they depart, leaving Long Zhanye and Huo Zaiyuan to enjoy a quiet moment together.

Tossing Liu Ying and Lu Er out of the space, Long Zhanye grabs Huo Zaiyuan and disappears, causing Liu Ying to stomp his feet in fury.

"You were very happy today." Huo Zaiyuan doesn't blame Long Zhanye for chasing the two spirits out of the space, looking over his shoulder at the man whose smile hasn't disappeared ever since he saw his grandfather.

"Un." Long Zhanye hugs him tightly from behind, burying his nose in the curve of Huo Zaiyuan's neck. "The memories of my time as the Heretical Dragon combining with my experiences as Long Zhanye, I feel that I am very fortunate now…with you by my side, together with grandfather and a large group of friends."

"Me and everyone else will always remain by your side," Huo Zaiyuan says softly as he tilts his head back and kisses Long Zhanye's lower jaw.

He doesn't understand why his lover will suddenly say things like this, but from his words, a complicated feeling rises in Huo Zaiyuan's heart.

Loneliness…that's what it is. He can feel it radiating from Zhanye - no, perhaps this feeling comes from the Heretical Dragon of the past.

Chapter end